Leadership, especially within the education sector, isn't something that can be mastered in a single semester. But aiming for perfection and shying away from your missteps can be the greatest mistake of all if you want to find success and create a positive school culture. As a former principal and current Director of Student Services & Special Education at Uintah School District, Dr Dean Wilson joins Voices in Education to discuss the importance of vulnerability and self-reflection in leader...
Oct 11, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 30
Collaboration between educators and parents is key when it comes to creating safe, nurturing environments for the kids within our schools - not least when it comes to helping manage their mental health and wellness. And though there is a definite improvement in the quality of connections made between many educators and caregivers, there is undoubtedly more work to be done. Anne Moss Rogers, an author, trainer, suicide loss survivor, and one of the top motivational Mental Health Speakers for scho...
Oct 10, 2023•36 min•Season 3Ep. 29
According to recent data, school systems that prioritize student safety and wellness are seeing increasingly positive results when it comes to both student academic success and educator retention - but what does it take to build and maintain such a system in the modern day? Dr. Robert Avossa, the founder and president of K-12 Leadership Matters LLC and former superintendent, joins the Voices in Education podcast to discuss just that. With an emphasis on creating positive, supportive school cultu...
Oct 09, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 28
It is becoming clearer with every passing year that education is rarely 'one size fits all' when it comes to our students' learning, wellness and success. As the world changes and evolves, our understanding and practices most evolve too - but that is often easier said than done. For Superintendent Iranetta Wright, education is the great equalizer: no matter a child's background or learning preference, school is the one constant in their life. And, as educators, it's our mission to deliver the be...
Oct 02, 2023•39 min•Season 3Ep. 27
As teachers, we all try our best to juggle being successful educators, caregivers, administrators, mentors, managers and so many other responsibilities that it can feel impossible to adequately achieve in every area. But what if the solution to these challenges was more to do with the whole school system rather than the individual teachers? Julie Norman, a Leadership and School Effectiveness Advisor in the UK and founder of the Quality First Education System, believes schools have to work togeth...
Sep 25, 2023•37 min•Season 3Ep. 26
Educators often put the mental health and wellness of their students above their own, but when teacher burnout is such a common occurrence in and around the classroom in the modern day, this approach soon reveals itself to be a detrimental and unsustainable one for all involved. In spite of his inarguable successes as both a teacher and an award-winning Head of Key Stage 3, Adam Parkes experienced a burnout so all-consuming that he found himself stood on a literal cliff edge: a fateful day that ...
Sep 18, 2023•33 min•Season 3Ep. 25
For many, working in education is primarily a role of passion: a love for helping to provide a better start in life for the next generations of young people outweighs all else. But that doesn’t mean education cannot also be a prosperous and long-term career – one where a true difference can be made. From school leadership to superintendency, the possibilities are many. There is, however, a significant difference between being in a leadership role and actually being a leader – something Superinte...
Sep 11, 2023•34 min•Season 3Ep. 24
With student mental health and wellness at an all-time low, the work of our school counselors, student services teams and support staff has never been a more important or powerful tool. From helping to build stronger school systems to bolster the help we provide, to offering one-to-one support for staff and students alike, their roles are integral in battling the wellness crisis we face in the education space. Sarah Kirk, one such counselor, consultant and trainer, prides herself on not only hel...
Sep 04, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Being a leader within the education sector is challenging at the best of times, with so many responsibilities to fulfil and objectives to achieve. While juggling all of these elements, it's not surprising that we sometimes lose sight of the real goal behind why we do what we do: to create access and opportunity for our students everywhere. For Dr April Grace, educator, consultant, and superintendent, her tenure as Shawnee Public Schools' superintendent was one that spanned one of the most tumult...
Aug 28, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 22
According to reports from the CDC, 22% of students seriously considered attempting suicide in 2021, with 10% actually attempting suicide - a tragic figure that is seemingly on the rise year on year. With student mental health and wellness now a key focal point for all schools, how we can be more proactive than reactive is a question on many educators' minds. Dr Dean Wilson, Director of Student Services & Special Education for Uintah School District and Co-Founder of You Got This, a 501(c)(3)...
Aug 28, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 21
In the modern world of education, we are beginning to understand more and more that one size does not fit all when it comes to our students' learning and wellness. Behind every behavior and 'bad day', there can be so much more at play than simply a student misbehaving or acting out. In the eyes of Dr Lateshia Woodley, Educational Consultant, Psychologist and Lead Dream Builder, many of these instances stem from a response to some kind of trauma. Specializing in transformation initiatives and cha...
Aug 28, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Is a school’s focus on SEL and wellness of students coming at the expense of its teachers? In this episode, Sarah Milianta-Laffin, discusses why so many teachers feel unsupported on the job. As both a Teacher and an Instructional Coach, Sarah provides her unique perspective on ways schools can better care for and retain teachers. One thing to avoid is what Sarah calls “toxic positivity” where teachers are expected to put on a smile and simply allow themselves to be overworked, overwhelmed, and u...
Jan 03, 2023•24 min•Season 2Ep. 19
The one thing schools never seem to have enough of is funding. In this episode, Amy Yamamoto Callahan shares her perspective as both a Ventura Union School District Trustee and a parent. Amy discusses why SEL is so important for children to develop into healthy adults, and why she’s fighting for the funding needed to provide enough wellness workers for every school in her district. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn: Amy Yamamoto Callahan Profile...
Dec 27, 2022•25 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Uncertainty might create a sense of discomfort in most people. For many students, however, uncertainties are creating an anxiety loop that feeds on itself. In this episode, Abounding Circles founder Sarah Snyder (LCSW) shares why students today have more and more uncertainty in their daily lives (Covid, social media, bullying) and how it leads kids to live in a constant state of alert. Sarah shares how things like coaching, wellness circles, and even yoga can help keep students grounded and thei...
Dec 20, 2022•24 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Ask any winning sports team and they’ll agree, the right coach matters. In this episode, Dr. Sherrell Hobbs of Victory Education Solutions discusses the importance of coaching schools and educators on social-emotional learning (SEL). Learn how SEL can help students develop empathy, emotional control, and self-awareness. To illustrate its value, Dr. Hobbs shares an inspiring story of how SEL allowed her to connect with a student who was acting out and to realize their pain. Tune in to learn the w...
Dec 13, 2022•26 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Taking a moment to be mindful seems so easy. So why is it so hard for most of us to do? In this episode, Laure Sabini, founder of Full of Kindness, shares the value of teaching mindfulness to children, adolescents, and teachers. Simple mindfulness practices have been shown to improve student mental health , build personal confidence, and help us stay centered amid the pressures of our lives. Listen in to hear Laure share how the power of taking a pause is a truly transformational tool for all of...
Dec 06, 2022•23 min•Season 2Ep. 15
The rate of professional burnout among teachers is high. Some are planning to retire sooner than originally planned, while others have left the profession entirely. Kati Vaughn is the founder of Stay the Course. In this episode, she discusses the practice of Restorative Coaching, which helps educators build their resilience and reignite their passion for teaching. Kati also shares ways that school and district leaders can show teachers that they are being seen, heard, and, above all else, apprec...
Nov 29, 2022•24 min•Season 2Ep. 14
If students aren’t engaged, maybe the problem isn't so much what they’re learning as how they’re learning. In this episode, Mindy Faber, co-founder of Convergence Design Lab, discusses the role her agency plays in researching and designing new ways of learning. Discover how these new ways of learning have helped schools increase student engagement and generate improvements in academic performance. Learn more about how Convergence Design Lab is building more resilient learning ecosystems: https:/...
Nov 22, 2022•24 min•Season 2Ep. 13
The Community School model gives students access to everything from work-based learning to tutoring and other types of support. In this episode, Lauren Campion, Education Administrator of Lowell Public Schools, shares how partnerships with local organizations are allowing students, particularly those deemed at-risk, to take advantage of resources they might otherwise not get. Hear for yourself why the Community School model works, and how it can be replicated. For more information on the Communi...
Nov 10, 2022•23 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Even in the land of sandy shores and swaying palm trees, anxiety and depression remain on the rise. Between Covid, school closures, new variants, and more, the past 24 months have created a roller coaster of big emotions for many Hawaiian students. At the same time, mental health providers are burning out. Dr. Dennis Itoga, clinical psychologist and Adjunct Professor at Chaminade University in Honolulu, discusses the increased need for mental health professionals to serve students and the challe...
Nov 10, 2022•21 min•Season 2Ep. 11
When working with a mental health professional, finding the right therapist is key. Colleen Leung, founder of Unmute, hopes for a world where prioritizing one’s mental health is as common as going to the gym. In this episode of the Voices in Education podcast, Colleen shares why finding the right therapist is imperative, plus how Unmute is tackling the supply and demand imbalance of patients and therapists, especially within marginalized communities. Learn more about Colleen Leung Colleen Leung'...
Nov 10, 2022•16 min•Season 2Ep. 10
As program manager for The Upswing Fund, Sierra Malia Fox-Woods has the privilege of supporting organizations that are improving kids’ mental health by breaking down barriers to access. Tune in to hear Sierra talk about the fantastic work being done to support LGBTQ+ students and children of color. Learn more about Sierra Malia Fox-Woods: Sierra’s LinkedIn profile . And check out the important work being supported by The Upswing Fund for Adolescent Mental Health at: https://theupswingfund.org ....
May 19, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In episode 8 of the Voices in Education podcast, we explore how we can ensure SEL programs support our ESL students. Listen in as Casey talks with Johnny Gannaw, Dean of Students at Highline Public Schools in South Seattle, about how he’s addressing the social-emotional needs of a culturally diverse community of students and families. Learn more about Johnny Gannaw: Johnny Gannaw’s LinkedIn profile...
May 12, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 8
SEL expert Lulu Luckock is a consultant to schools and youth organizations throughout the UK. In this episode, Lulu discusses the important role that emotional intelligence (EQ) plays in social-emotional learning — and shares why supporting our students, their families, and teachers to develop emotional intelligence is more important now than ever. Learn more about Lulu Luckock at http://www.lululuckock.com .
May 05, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 7
The growing focus on social emotional learning (SEL) in schools is great for students. But what about their teachers? Kat Goyette is an educational consultant and instructional technology coordinator in California’s Central Valley. Listen in to learn about how Kat works with both students and teachers in her community to develop their social-emotional skills and take good care of themselves. Learn more about Kat Goyette: Kat’s inkedIn profile . And check out Kat’s book, The Complete EdTech Coach...
Apr 26, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 6
As Director of Instructional Technology at Nanjing International School, Dr. Shannon Doak serves an international group of students and families. Dr. Doak provides a glimpse into what education looks like in China and shares how his school is emerging from the pandemic to serve the social-emotional needs of its community. Listen now. Learn more about Dr. Shannon Doak: Dr. Doak’s LinkedIn profile Learn more about Nanjing International School: https://www.nischina.org/...
Apr 26, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Being late to virtual meetings is a problem plenty of us can relate to, especially when Zoom calls and Google Meets crowd our calendars. But few of us actually develop an innovative app to solve the problem like Seth Raphael, a San Francisco Bay area high schooler, did. When Seth found himself being late to class as a remote learner, he took matters into his own hands by developing a clever technology solution. Listen in as Seth shares how he helped himself and now others. Learn more about Seth ...
Apr 26, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is getting more focus in schools. But it’s not a new concept. Dr. Renee Payton Cahill’s experiences as an elementary school counselor, clinical psychologist, and adjunct professor, give her a well-rounded perspective on the role SEL plays in students’ wellbeing, as well as that of their parents, caregivers, and teachers. Listen in as she shares her perspectives on the ways we can address mental health coming out of the pandemic. Learn more about Dr. Cahill’s work ...
Apr 12, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Reading, writing, arithmetic, and yoga? You probably don’t think about yoga when you think about what kids need to learn in school. But you may be surprised to learn that yoga is an evidence-based way to support students’ mental health and social-emotional development. And it’s easier to incorporate into classrooms than you may think. Listen in to hear from Brynne Caleda, cofounder of Yoga Ed, about the many benefits of yoga not just for students’ wellbeing but for their teachers’ wellness, too....
Apr 11, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 2
The conversation about student mental health is escalating as experts declare that kids' mental health is at crisis levels. Tamara Fyke is a social-emotional learning (SEL) expert and the founder of Love In a Big World. In this episode, you'll hear from Tamara as she shares the work she's doing to support student mental health in schools across America through SEL programs and curriculum. She also talks about the important role families play, plus offers invaluable tips for parents, caregivers, ...
Apr 11, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 1
