Better Practices | Brighter Students

A+ Best Practices Center

When it comes to centering students and accelerating their learning, we understand that the knowledge is in the room. We believe every child should have access to a world-class education. This podcast elevates educator voices so that we are learning together and collaborating for better outcomes for all students. This podcast is a production of the A+ Best Practices Center and A+ Education Partnership.

Episodes

  1. 14 AUG

    Learning Space Design Principles with Jeremy VanEgmond

    Learning Space Design Principles:Aligning Educational Environments with Effective Strategy article. AUiX Website More about the Eagle Institute

    30 min

  2. 5 AUG

    Telling Your School's Story with Dr. Nate Ayers

    Thank you for listening! Be sure to like and follow. You are welcome to contact Nate at nayers@ccboe.org.

    37 min

  3. 23 JUL

    Alabama Teachers of the Year: Katie Collins and Aubrey Bennett

    Listen to learn more about the newest Alabama Teachers of the Year (TOY), Katie Collins and Aubrey Bennett. We sat down and chatted about the TOY process, how they plan to use their platform to elevate teachers and students, and the Back to School Bash they are hosting next week (7/31/25). Click here for more information.

    38 min

  4. 1 MAY

    A Journey to Instructional Coaching with Vestavia Hills City Schools

    Click here to learn more about the Peer Coaching workshop on May 14th, 2025.

    28 min

  5. 28/08/2024

    School Culture and Climate w/ Todd Whitaker

    You can find all of the resources mentioned in the episode here.

    32 min

  6. 17/04/2024

    2024 Alabama Teacher of the Year, Jeff Norris

    You can keep up with Jeff Norris on all of the platforms below: Email: jeffnorris0426@gmail.com Twitter: @jeffnorris0426 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jeffnorris621/featured

    41 min

  7. 10/01/2024

    High Reliability Schools w/ Dr. Robert Marzano and Dr. Phil Warrick

    In the first collaborative episode of the BPBS podcast, Tammy Dunn and Teri Thompson with A+ College Ready join us for our discussion with Dr. Robert Marzano and Dr. Phil Warrick of Marzano Resources. We sit down and discuss the origin of the High Reliability Schools (HRS) framework, the footprint of HRS in Alabama, the current challenges schools are facing, and what drives their passion for students. Click below to access all of the resources mentioned in the episode. Links and Resources

    40 min

  8. 20/07/2023

    Episode 5 with Kristin Rouleau

    In this episode, we talk with Kristin Rouleau about her new book The New Classroom Instruction That Works and how she thinks it can be used to support educators in their practice. For even more insight on the text, be sure to listen to our previous episode with her co-author, Bryan Goodwin. Click here to find all of the resources mentioned in the episode.

    29 min

  9. 16/06/2023

    Episode 4 with Vic Wilson

    In this episode, we talk with Vic Wilson about the new School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act. Listen to learn more about the act, how it will be implemented, and what it means for Principals and Assistant Principals in the state of Alabama. Click here to find all of the resources discussed in the episode.

    30 min

  10. 20/04/2023

    Episode 3 with Jackie Walsh, Cathy Gassenheimer, and Beth Thompson

    In this episode, we talk with Jackie Walsh, Cathy Gassenheimer, and Beth Thompson. Together, this panel discusses what effective professional learning facilitation looks like and how the upcoming Facilitators Institute can bolster those skills. All of the resources we discuss in this episode can be found here.

    23 min
  11. Episode 2 with Bryan Goodwin

    21/02/2023

    Episode 2 with Bryan Goodwin

    In this episode, we talk with Bryan Goodwin, President and CEO of McREL International. We discuss his new book The New Classroom Instruction That Works which will be used as the guiding text in our 2023-2024 Key Leaders Network and Powerful Conversations Network. We cover student curiosity, where educators should start with the new text, and how Bryan recommends using the text to engage learners.  All of the resources we discuss in this episode can be found here.

    30 min

  12. 13/12/2022

    Episode 1 with Jim Knight

    In this episode, we talk with Jim Knight about all things coaching. See below for timestamped resources that are discussed throughout the episode. Thank you for listening! Let us know if you, or someone you know, would like to be a future guest on the Better Practices | Brighter Students Podcast.  To access the show notes and resources, please click here.  If we missed any resources mentioned in the episode, please reach out to us and we will do our best to send it your way. Thanks for listening!

    22 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

When it comes to centering students and accelerating their learning, we understand that the knowledge is in the room. We believe every child should have access to a world-class education. This podcast elevates educator voices so that we are learning together and collaborating for better outcomes for all students. This podcast is a production of the A+ Best Practices Center and A+ Education Partnership.

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