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Schoolin' Around
Schoolin' Around is a weekly podcast hosted by Branching Minds, featuring prominent leaders, subject-matter experts, and thought innovators with their perspectives on the current challenges facing K-12 education.
You can find more info about Branching Minds at our website, branchingminds.com or follow on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.
All Episodes
The Confidence Gap in Secondary Math
In this episode, Kristen Smith, author of Cultivating Math Confidence and a secondary math teacher in Washington State, digs into the distance between a student's math skills and their belief that they can do math at all. She and Larissa examine what district leaders miss when they hand a teacher a curriculum and ask for fidelity, why a popular approach to personalized math practice may be undercutting the very thinking it was meant to build, and how something as small as saying a term out loud shapes what a student can do with it. Essential listening for curriculum and MTSS leaders planning secondary math PD. Resources: Cultivating Math Confidence: Teaching Strategies to Boost Proficiency in Grades 6–12 by Kristen Smith — publisher or Amazon page Kristen Smith's Substack, mentioned in the close Illustrative Mathematics — the curriculum she uses and critiques Implementing MTSS in Secondary Schools Addressing the Top Four Challenges in Secondary Math Intervention Math Intervention Strategies for MTSS Takeaways: Math confidence is built through repeated experiences of earned success. Students who cannot say a math term out loud struggle to use it. Curriculum fidelity assumes prior-grade mastery that most students do not have. Probe for prerequisite skills in the lesson launch, before the curriculum task. Reteach a missing sixth-grade skill on the spot, then continue the lesson. Write your own spiraled review questions when the curriculum omits them. Call on every student to use math vocabulary rather than letting them opt in. Empower teachers to add access points instead of demanding strict fidelity.
The Science Behind Celebrating Wins
In this episode, we explore the significance of celebrating wins in the educational field, particularly within the context of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports). The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing both small and big achievements to combat burnout and foster motivation. It provides practical strategies for integrating celebration into daily routines and highlights the impact of community involvement in recognizing educational successes. Resources: https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/how-to-establish-supportive-successful-mtss-culture https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/empower-your-mind/202406/from-small-steps-to-big-wins-the-importance-of-celebrating https://www.newleaders.org/blog/how-celebrating-your-schools-wins-leads-to-more-wins Takeaways: Celebrating wins is essential for motivation and mental health. Skipping celebrations can lead to burnout in educators. Small wins are just as important as big milestones. Celebration can be integrated into regular meetings. Personalized celebrations can have a significant impact. Community involvement strengthens the educational system. Celebrating successes builds a sense of collective efficacy. Recognition can be as simple as a handwritten note. Creating a 'wall of wins' can boost morale. Acknowledging even minor achievements is crucial.How One District Leader is Breaking ‘Analysis Paralysis’ to Make Real MTSS Progress
In this interview, Dr. Kristen Panzerella, from Lawrence UFSD in New York, shares her district's journey in implementing MTSS, emphasizing the importance of getting into the work quickly, building staff buy-in through consistency, and adapting practices to support diverse student populations. Discover practical strategies for overcoming analysis paralysis and fostering a culture of action in education. Resources: https://www.branchingminds.com/the-mtss-meetings-guide-and-toolkit https://www.branchingminds.com/lp-leadership-protocols-increase-engagement-buy-in-mtss Takeaways: Start quickly to fuel progress. Visible results build commitment. Consistency unifies student experiences. Focus on a few targeted interventions. Action builds momentum faster than planning. Small wins foster continuous improvement. Rapid action reveals real needs. Empower staff to innovate and revise.Naming the Wins in Texas Schools
In this conversation, Larissa interviews school leaders in Texas about what is going well in their districts. They share insights on how to foster a supportive environment for both educators and students, emphasizing the need for effective communication and shared leadership in schools. Celebrating small wins can reignite motivation in education. Community engagement is crucial for successful educational programs. Collaboration among staff leads to improved student outcomes. Data-driven decisions help identify areas for improvement. Investing in leadership development enhances instructional quality. Parent involvement is key to student success. Utilizing effective curricula can lead to significant growth. Shared knowledge among staff fosters a positive school culture. Continuous training is essential for adapting to new educational challenges. Building a supportive team environment is vital for achieving goals.