Big Ideas in Education

We have a couple great stories for our 150th episode! Ryan talks about one teacher’s experiment with “ungrading” in his class and the impact that getting rid of grades had on his classroom environment. Sarah talks about the USDOE’s RISE Award and its mission to celebrate the important work of non-teacher non-administrator school employees. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Articles:https://www.edsurge.com/news/2022-01-17-assessing-my-first-semester-of-ungradinghttps://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Teaching/RISEAwardhttps://www2.ed.gov/programs/rise/awards.html https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/washington-states-melito-ramirez-named-americas-first-recognizing-inspiring-school-employees-rise-awardeeHosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Sarah shares an article talks about one school’s program for teachers to access credentials and additional competencies to better service special education students. Ryan shares an article that talks about integrating Asian American history into schools to create a more inclusive curriculum. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Articles: https://www.the74million.org/article/already-in-the-door-how-one-california-charter-network-is-recruiting-staff-as-special-education-teachers-with-free-credentialing-mentorship-and-better-salaries/ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/schools-are-starting-mandate-asian-american-studies-follow-suit-rcna11118 Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye) Producer: Ross Ulysse Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Articles:https://www.the74million.org/article/already-in-the-door-how-one-california-charter-network-is-recruiting-staff-as-special-education-teachers-with-free-credentialing-mentorship-and-better-salaries/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/schools-are-starting-mandate-asian-american-studies-follow-suit-rcna11118Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan shares an article talks about the world’s first virtual reality charter school opening its doors to 3rd-8th grade students in Florida to offer academic and extra-curricular activities both in and out of the metaverse. Sarah takes a moment to reflect on a few topics from the past year and shares her thoughts on connecting students and educators academically. Tune in!Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Articles:https://www.reimaginedonline.org/2022/01/florida-education-choice-activist-set-to-open-statewide-virtual-charter-school/Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan shares an article talks about what the extended holiday looks like for some student and shares resources to help make the holidays more manageable. Sarah shares an article that talks about various educational holiday customs and interactive activities from across the world. Tune in!Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Articles:https://www.weareteachers.com/supporting-students-winter-break/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1639604787https://www.upskilled.edu.au/skillstalk/christmas-education-traditions-around-the-worldHosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Sarah shares an article talks about a program that offers local business and community leaders the chance to be “principal for a day” and provide stakeholder engagement. Ryan shares an article that talks about a gap in leaders of color in schools and shares ways to recruit and retain an effective diverse workforce. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Articles: https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/education-on-6/one-of-our-own-is-principal-for-the-day-what-were-they-thinking/2636550/ https://www3.dadeschools.net/news/32222/details https://www.edweek.org/leadership/principals-of-color-are-scarce-heres-what-districts-are-doing-about-it/2021/12?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=soc&utm_campaign=edit Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye) Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan shares an article talks about a popular educational video game that brings American history to life and allows students to put themselves in the shoes of people in the past. Sarah shares an article that talks about initiative to improve school communication and advocacy resources to reach families in their native language. Tune in!Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Articles:https://www.the74million.org/article/oregon-trail-at-50-how-three-teachers-created-the-computer-game-that-inspired-and-diverted-generations-of-students/https://www.the74million.org/article/oregon-trail-at-50-how-three-teachers-created-the-computer-game-that-inspired-and-diverted-generations-of-students/Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Sarah shares an article about providing specialized support from paraprofessionals and teachers’ aides which yield significant academic outcomes for students. Ryan shares an article that talks about the shift to an extended academic school year to eliminate the “summer slide” and ensure that students receive meals throughout the year. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye) Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan shares an article talks about a shift in California’s grading standards away from point-driven systems and toward more forgiving mastery-based evaluations. Sarah shares an article that talks about an opportunity on how podcasting can be used to demonstrate mastery in K-12 education. Tune in!Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Articles: https://www.forbes.com/sites/colettecoleman/2021/11/01/its-podcasters-time-to-shine-in-k-12-education/?sh=674ef6fa5497Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Sarah shares talks about how high-quality early childcare and how education can overcome family income gaps in achieving positive long-term learning outcomes. Ryan shares an article that talks about effective teacher mentoring to support and challenge educators positioning them for the most success. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Articles: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/education-plus-development/2021/11/04/high-quality-early-child-care-and-education-the-gift-that-lasts-a-lifetime/ https://www.edutopia.org/article/just-right-mentoring-balance Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye) Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan shares an article that talks about a Dads on Duty group initiative to help foster a more positive environment on a Louisiana high school campus. Sarah shares an article that talks about a parent engagement strategy that support collaboration to transition and improve family school engagement. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Articles: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dads-louisiana-high-school-student-violence/https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Family_School_Engagement_Playbook_FINAL.pdfHosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan and Sarah are podcasting from the Florida Charter School Conference in Orlando, Florida. They recorded the episode at the end of Academica Media’s seven-hour FCSC livestream (and are celebrating a great livestream with a couple of ice cream bars!). Ryan and Sarah talk about how education professionals can get started in podcasting and livestreaming and how creating digital media can help advance a school’s educational and organizational goals. Tune in!Hosts: Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye), Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)Producer: Rose Ulysse

This week, Sarah shares an article that talks about a study that encourages parents to focus on early numeracy skills so children can foster school success. Ryan shares an article that talks about the implementation of financial literacy courses and combining financial literacy standards as part of math or civics coursework. Tune in!Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Articles: https://lovevery.com/community/blog/child-development/if-you-want-your-kid-to-get-ahead-later-start-math-now/https://www.the74million.org/article/financial-literacy-now-a-graduation-requirement-for-all-rhode-island-high-schools-after-years-of-student-teacher-activismHosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan shares an article that talks about a Tik Tok trend that has students challenge each other to record videos of themselves committing increasingly severe acts of theft, vandalism, and even violence in their schools. Sarah shares an article that talks about an initiative by rap star Gunna to ensure students and their families have food security by building an on-campus grocery store, everything free of cost. Tune in!

This week, Sarah shares an article that talks about SEL support for principals and school administrators to address the needs of all their students. Ryan shares an article that talks about an approach to discipline that provides students with the opportunity to reflect on their actions and provides those students with the resources to reflect effectively. Tune in!Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)iProducer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan shares an article that talks about demographic gaps in participation in early college programs such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Dual Enrollment. Sarah shares an article that talks about how technology has lost its early childhood association with “fun” and is less compelling due to the demands of remote learning. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. Articles: https://www.future-ed.org/closing-troubling-racial-gaps-in-advanced-courses/ https://www.theregister.com/2021/09/15/edtech_divide_debate_for2_wednesday/ Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye) Producer: Ross Ulysse