Jeanne Lucas was a remarkable educator and even better friend who impacted more lives than she knew. In recognition of Jeanne and her boundless love of language and literacy, the National Test Prep Association is offering a scholarship in her honor. Amy and Mike invited friends to share reminiscences and details about the Jeanne Lucas Memorial Scholarship. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the Jeanne Lucas Memorial Scholarship? Who was Jeanne Lucas? What is the prompt ...
Feb 28, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 453
A Great Business Education Accessible For All with higher ed administrator Ian Mortimer The awesome sponsor we want to spotlight today is Golisano Institute. Let’s meet our special guest Ian Mortimer. We’re thrilled to be speaking with you, Ian. Welcome! What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind The Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship? How does Golisano Institute work? Who are Golisano Institute’s ideal students? What kinds of outcomes will ...
Feb 26, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 452
That major aspects of K-12 and higher education along with society at large are undergoing meaningful transformation much faster than usual cannot be argued. How, then, can we swim with the tide rather than be pulled under? Amy and Mike invited college consultant Cyndy McDonald to expand upon the upsides of rapid changes in education. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. What aspects of education are changing rapidly? 2. What are the downsides of such a dynamic and volatile en...
Feb 24, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 451
Considering all the steps in the intricate dance of selecting, applying, and paying for college, it’s no surprise that applicants tend to get some of them wrong. Amy and Mike invited college counselor Shellee Howard to highlight common mistakes in college selection. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. How soon should the selection process start? 2. Who should take ownership of the process? 3. How important is pursuing volunteering and leadership opportunities? 4. Should stude...
Feb 21, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 450
Better SAT and ACT Tests, Smarter Analytics with educators Sonya Muthalia and Neill Seltzer What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind ScoreSmart? How does ScoreSmart work? Who is the ideal user for ScoreSmart? How will ScoreSmart benefit both students and tutors? What should someone curious about ScoreSmart know about it? ABOUT SCORESMART ScoreSmart is the brainchild of Sonya Muthalia and Neill Seltzer. The testing engines were a logical extension of the Score...
Feb 19, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 449
Politicians rarely weigh in on what students are taught in school and usually act from a non-academic agenda when they do. The announcements of new AP African American Studies and Precalculus courses have attracted far more negative attention than honors classes typically do. Why? Amy and Mike invited educator John Moscatiello to unpack the controversies around new Advanced Placement programs. What are five things you will learn in this episode? 1. Why is the College Board introducing AP African...
Feb 17, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 448
With all the focus on selectivity and compatibility–not to mention the delicate dance between potentially interested prospective partners, college admissions sounds a whole lot like dating. Amy and Mike invited tech entrepreneur Dave Hurwitt to share strategies for selecting your forever school. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What factors should you consider when selecting a college? What does fit really mean, and how do you know when you’ve found it? What role does new mat...
Feb 14, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 447
A modular, professional SAT & ACT curriculum that makes you a better teacher with educator Kailey Ossanna What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the story behind the TestBright Curriculum System? How does the TestBright Curriculum System work? Who currently uses the TestBright Curriculum System? What kinds of outcomes do both students and teachers experience? What should someone curious about TestBright know about it? ABOUT THE TESTBRIGHT CURRICULUM SYSTEM The TestBrigh...
Feb 12, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 446
Why do so many students who thrive in high school suddenly stumble once they attain the halls of higher education? Alas, the welcome packet rarely mentions that what gets you there might not be what keeps you there! Amy and Mike invited educator and author Jay Phelan to elucidate the unwritten rules of college success. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why does success in college often not follow a clear and linear path? Why is a certain amount of uncertainty or freedom at the...
Feb 10, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 445
Parents, educators, and bloviators of every stripe have been given platforms to express their opinions on testing, admissions, and standards, but how often do we hear from those whose futures are directly impacted by this ongoing debate? Amy and Mike invited students from Eufaula HS and educator Olivia Jones to share student perspectives on why tests matter. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What do some school-based test prep programs look like? How do prep classes differ fro...
Feb 07, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 444
A relationship-rich school in the heart of the Finger Lakes with admissions counselor Melanie Sage What are five things you will learn in this episode? Where are Hobart and William Smith Colleges located and what are its demographics? What types of students feel most at home at HWS? What are the strengths of Hobart and William Smith Colleges? Why does HWS have such an exceptional student retention rate? What is something most people don't know about Hobart and William Smith Colleges? ABOUT HOBAR...
Feb 05, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 443
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Josh D’Alemberte , a creative and energetic educator who pushes his clients to, ”Do your maximum!” He knew that he wanted to teach since his high school years. After teaching and coaching for 25 years in public and private schools, he left the traditional classroom to form WhoTutors.com. He believes in making learning fun by infusing the growth-mindset, dry wit, and ...
Feb 03, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 442
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Dr. Kelly Finn , who has a BS in Business and K-12 teaching license, a MS in math, and a Doctor of Learning and Teaching from the University of Iowa. She has helped students prepare for college for 15 years. Kelly and her team have helped students enroll in top colleges, with many on full scholarships. Kelly is a first generation college student and enjoys helping ki...
Feb 02, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 441
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Samiya Cogmon , who founded Horizon Star Tutoring Co in 2019 with a mission to bring the joys of academic achievement to others… the confidence that you take into adulthood. The vision was born long before the company was. Samiya tutored students throughout high school because school was something she always took pride in. But it wasn’t until years later that everyth...
Feb 01, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 440
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Greg Hudson , an AP United States History teacher at Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. He earned his Masters in Social Studies Education from Truman State University and has been teaching this AP History for 17 years. He also teaches as an adjunct instructor at Des Moines Area Community College. He works with over 150 students every day as a teacher, and s...
Jan 31, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 439
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced professional in the test prep industry? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Stacey Howe-Lott , a 25-year teacher who now focuses exclusively on SAT and ACT test prep. She's been called the Dumbledore of SAT prep in the book The Perfect Score Projec t for creating customized score reports that can pinpoint students' weaknesses and help them achieve their goals. She currently works with students in the US and all over the world. She focuses on...
Jan 30, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 438
Education is serious business but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be fun! Amy and Mike invited educator Julie Post to share the latest tips and tools for game-based learning. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is game-based learning? What makes game-based learning effective? What are some examples of effective game-based learning? How can educators implement game-based principles into instruction? What are the limits of game-based learning? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Julie Post ,...
Jan 27, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 437
The foundations of higher education are shifting, often subtly but sometimes with seismic force. Case in point, a confluence of economic, societal, and demographic trends will almost assuredly lead to school closures. The big questions are “Which ones and when?” Amy and Mike invited educational analyst Gary Stocker to understand the complexities of assessing college financial viability. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does financial viability mean in the context of coll...
Jan 24, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 436
Conventional wisdom holds that if you don’t use it, you lose it, whatever “it” happens to be. But why do we forget information we’ve learned and how can we better retain it? Amy and Mike invited educational entrepreneur Tyler York to explain how to use spaced repetition for study success. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is spaced repetition? How does spaced repetition compare to traditional study methods? How does reviewing information you’ve already learned save time? ...
Jan 20, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 435
Aspiring college students tend to commit abundant time and resources to learning all about specific schools and programs, yet remain oblivious to their own motivations and needs. Amy and Mike invited author Tracy Badua to comment on finding your authentic self in the path to college. What are five things you will learn in this episode? Why is the concept of authenticity so central to discussions about life after high school? In what ways does a high-pressure academic environment impact a high sc...
Jan 17, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 434
The college search should ideally reflect a student’s distinct preferences for learning and living environments, which can be particularly important for teens on the autism spectrum. Amy and Mike invited educational consultant Eric Endlich to detail college admissions considerations for autistic students. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What specific aspects of autism might impact a traditional college experience? What accommodations might autistic students expect in college...
Jan 13, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 433
Major transitions often result in major confusion for the unprepared. If you are–or support–a teen in the high school graduating class of 2025, the time to consider taking or skipping the new digital SAT is now! Amy and Mike invited educator Brian Eufinger to strategize a testing game plan for the class of 2025. What are five things you will learn in this episode? When will the digital PSAT and SAT be available in the United States? Should students worry about being among the first wave of digit...
Jan 10, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 432
The only facts most college applicants know about scholarships for certain is that free money is awesome; everything else is subject to review. Amy and Mike invited scholarship expert Jocelyn Paonita Pearson to clarify four scholarship myths that keep students from winning awards. What are five things you will learn in this episode? When is the best time to apply for scholarships? Do you need to be very special to earn a scholarship? What are the best scholarships when people think about awards?...
Jan 06, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 431
We’ve long accepted that students tend to learn best through specific instructional channels based on their personal preferences. But do they really? Amy and Mike invited data scientist Stanislaw Pstrokonski to review the evidence on learning styles. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does personalization mean in the context of teaching and learning? What are the generally accepted learning styles? Does evidence support the validity of learning styles? What methods of pers...
Jan 03, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 430
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Maria and Tom Geffers of Career and College Counselors . With over 30 years in the education field involving levels from secondary to university in both the public and private school systems, Maria created various educational programs in regular and gifted education. Maria has presented at state, national and international education conferences. Maria has hands-on experi...
Dec 30, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 429
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Wendie Lubic , a professional who brings a wealth of experience to her educational consulting. She is a Certified Educational Planner ( CEP ) and a professional member of IECA , NACAC and PCACAC and has taken classes in Independent Educational Consulting at UC Irvine. Wendie has worked with parents and students since 1996, as a certified Parent Educator at the Parent Enc...
Dec 28, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 428
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Dana Ponsky , who began her career in education more than 20 years ago as a student at the University of Maryland where she earned a degree in American Studies, a graduate degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University, and a post-master's certificate in Enrollment Management from the University of Miami. After working in student affairs at the u...
Dec 27, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 427
Ready to learn the history, philosophy, and practice of an experienced independent educational consultant? MEET OUR GUEST Meet Kristin Cocquyt , a seasoned college admission expert with nearly 20 years of experience in the field - on both the college and high school sides of the desk. As an Assistant Director of College Counseling and Director of College Counseling at two private high schools, Kristin counseled over 600 students and families through the college search and application process and...
Dec 26, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 426
Happiness is elusive in this world, particularly for anyone going through massive growth and change. As we seek successful, stress-free lives of our own, we parents, educators, counselors, and everyone else who deal daily with adolescents should strive to be part of their solutions, not their troubles. Amy and Mike consulted a wide range of knowledgeable experts to share their insights into supporting happy and relaxed teens. What are ten things you will learn in this episode? What are the main ...
Dec 23, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 425
There are all kinds of colleges and universities in this wide world, which is lucky for all those different kinds of aspiring college students! Amy and Mike consulted a wide range of college admissions experts to share their counsel on which types of students thrive at different types of schools. What are nine things you will learn in this episode? What type of student thrives in an urban college setting? What type of student thrives at a large public university? What type of student thrives in ...
Dec 20, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 424
