The Making Schools Work Podcast

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Join us each week as we talk to different SREB team members and educators across the country to find out the latest in school innovations. From classroom instruction to school leadership, we are going to examine what it is that makes schools work!

  1. How Career Academies of Decatur Redefined High School: Building a CTE-Focused Model for Every Student

    HÁ 4 DIAS

    How Career Academies of Decatur Redefined High School: Building a CTE-Focused Model for Every Student

    Send us a text What happens when a school flips the script — and lets career and technical education lead the way? In this episode of the Making Schools Work podcast, SREB’s Daniel Rock and Debra Cullen talk with Ressa Chittam, director of the new Career Academies of Decatur in Alabama, and assistant director Tyler Stevenson. Together, they share how this innovative school became a full-time high school that blends academic courses with career pathways, giving students more time for hands-on learning, early graduation, and real-world readiness. You’ll hear how the school: Built a full-time high school within a CTE center — so students learn academics and technical skills in one placePartnered with SREB and local industry to align teaching with workforce needsHelped academic and CTE teachers learn to “speak each other’s language” through business visits and collaborationCreated five core career-readiness pillars that guide all instructionDesigned authentic, project-based learning experiences — including a year-end student showcase that impressed local employersCareer Academies of Decatur is showing what’s possible when educators, businesses, and communities work together to make learning relevant — and to help every student find their purpose. The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. Follow Us on Social: Facebook Instagram X

    40min
  2. How Student Talk Doubles Learning: Making Classrooms More Socratic

    21 DE OUT.

    How Student Talk Doubles Learning: Making Classrooms More Socratic

    Send us a text What if the key to doubling student learning is simply getting them talking? In this episode, Daniel Rock and Jason Adair unpack research showing how student discussion can double the rate of learning — and why most classrooms still rely on teacher talk 80% of the time. Together with Ashley Shaw, they explore how teachers can create classrooms that sound more like Socratic seminars and less like lectures. You’ll hear: Why teachers often default to “funneling” questions — and how to ask focusing questions that spark real thinkingSimple moves to reduce teacher talk and build student ownershipHow turn-and-talks, sentence stems and discussion structures help every student’s voice be heardTips for supporting English learners and shy students during class discussionThe importance of reflection and metacognition for both teachers and studentsBy the end, you’ll have practical tools to make your classroom a place where students don’t just listen — they learn by speaking, thinking and questioning like Socrates. The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. Follow Us on Social: Facebook Instagram X

    50min
  3. How Westside Teachers Turned PD Into Classroom Impact

    14 DE OUT.

    How Westside Teachers Turned PD Into Classroom Impact

    Send us a text At Westside High School in Anderson, South Carolina, teaching looks different now — and students can feel it. Last week, we talked to leadership at Westside to see how this process worked. In this episode of the Making Schools Work podcast, SREB’s Daniel Rock and Donn Kirkwood talk with Claire Armstrong and Chelita Greenley, two classroom teachers at Westside who helped turn professional development into a teacher-led movement that’s changing how students learn, think and even celebrate tests. Hear how Westside’s teachers: Shifted from admin-led PD to teacher-driven learningBuilt a Visible Learning Leadership Team to lead book studies and train peersCreated the Westside Six, a set of shared, research-based strategies used schoolwideUsed core beliefs to align instruction and expectationsHelped students take ownership of their learning — and replaced fear with confidenceFrom “four corners” discussions in history to “one-pagers” in math, teachers at Westside are making visible learning more than a theory — they’re making it a culture. 🏫 Featured Educators Claire Armstrong, Social Studies Teacher, Westside High SchoolChelita Greenlee, Math Teacher, Westside High School The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. Follow Us on Social: Facebook Instagram X

    47min
  4. How Westside High Empowered Teachers to Lead Professional Learning

    7 DE OUT.

    How Westside High Empowered Teachers to Lead Professional Learning

    Send us a text At Westside High School in Anderson, South Carolina, teachers aren’t just attending professional development — they’re designing it. In this episode of the Making Schools Work podcast, SREB’s Daniel Rock and Donn Kirkwood talk with Principal Kory Roberts and MTSS Specialist Taria McIntosh about how the school’s Visible Learning Leadership Team transformed Westside’s approach to growth and instruction. Through book studies, teacher-led PD and a collaborative process to define the school’s core beliefs, Westside created a culture where educators learn from one another, model strategies and build trust across the building. Listen to hear how they: Built a foundation of teacher leadership and confidenceCreated time and space for real collaboration — with admin support and substitute coverageModeled adult learning and professional respectDeveloped a shared set of core beliefs and the “Westside Six” strategies to guide teachingCelebrated growth and built a schoolwide culture of trustWestside’s story shows what happens when teachers lead — and how a school’s belief in continuous learning can transform instruction and culture. The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. Follow Us on Social: Facebook Instagram X

    44min
  5. Building Collective Teacher Efficacy at Indian Valley Elementary

    30 DE SET.

    Building Collective Teacher Efficacy at Indian Valley Elementary

    Send us a text How does a school move from silos to shared success? At Indian Valley Elementary in Sylacauga, Alabama, the leadership team and teachers worked together to create a culture of collective teacher efficacy—and the results are transforming student learning. In this episode of the Making Schools Work podcast, principal Paula Bruno, assistant principal Cindy Cleveland and reading specialist Terra DeLoach join SREB coaches Daniel Rock, Marsha Moseley and Susan Simpson to share how they: Built trust and psychological safety among staffUsed data walls and PLCs to drive honest, student-centered conversationsOvercame obstacles, from tears in the first PLCs to teachers now opening their data proudlyEmbedded professional learning directly into PLCsHelped even the youngest learners begin to take ownership of their progressIndian Valley’s journey shows how leadership, collaboration and persistence can reshape a school’s culture and set every child on a stronger path. The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. Follow Us on Social: Facebook Instagram X

    53min
  6. Flex Time and Job Shadowing: Teacher Perspectives From Richland High School

    23 DE SET.

    Flex Time and Job Shadowing: Teacher Perspectives From Richland High School

    Send us a text Richland High School in Mississippi has restructured its schedule to give students more opportunities for growth — and the results are impressive. In this third episode featuring Richland, we hear directly from two teachers about how Flex Block and career-connected learning are changing classrooms and student lives. Social studies teacher Joycelyn McDavid and career readiness teacher Jennifer Osborne join Daniel Rock and Richard Morrison to share: How Flex Block helps students balance academics with enrichment, while giving teachers more time for AP prep and creative passions.The impact of teacher-led professional learning groups that turn Flex time into a space for cross-curricular growth.How job shadowing in the community has transformed career readiness, from shy students becoming confident presenters to new passions discovered in real workplaces.Why trust between teachers and administrators has been key to sustaining these changes.Listen in to hear how Richland is building stronger student ownership, meaningful teacher growth and deeper community partnerships. The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. Follow Us on Social: Facebook Instagram X

    52min
  7. From Data Walls to Student Success: How Floyd D. Johnson Tech Center Transformed Learning

    16 DE SET.

    From Data Walls to Student Success: How Floyd D. Johnson Tech Center Transformed Learning

    Send us a text Floyd D. Johnson Technology Center in York, South Carolina, is proof that small communities can make big changes for students. By embracing honest data, personalized improvement goals and strong community partnerships, the school has transformed student outcomes — and earned recognition as an SREB Pacesetter School. In this episode, Daniel Rock and Marsha Moseley talk with Director Lee Green and teacher Angie Covington about how Floyd D. Johnson: Partnered with Duke Power to create South Carolina’s only line worker program.Built a powerful data wall that turned numbers into faces and helped more students complete pathways.Increased industry certifications by 51% and tripled student participation in CTSOs.Shifted teacher practice using the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and individualized student learning objectives.Strengthened school culture so every student feels known, cared for and prepared for life after graduation.Whether you’re a teacher, administrator or policymaker, you’ll find practical ideas for using data to drive action — and inspiration for how perseverance and teamwork can reshape a school. Resources You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode on our website:  https://www.sreb.org/post/floyd-d-johnson The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. Follow Us on Social: Facebook Instagram X

    47min
  8. Beginnings and Endings: How to Hook Students and Make Learning Stick

    9 DE SET.

    Beginnings and Endings: How to Hook Students and Make Learning Stick

    Send us a text Welcome to Season 2 of the Making Schools Work podcast! In this episode, Daniel Rock, Jason Adair and Ashley Shaw kick off the season by exploring one of teaching’s most powerful truths: beginnings and endings matter. From first-day activities to closing strategies, the hosts dive into research and classroom-tested ideas that help teachers capture students’ attention, build curiosity and leave lasting memories. Along the way, they share personal stories, classroom examples and practical tips that educators can use tomorrow. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why first impressions shape students’ view of your class — and how to flip expectations on Day 1.The “peak-end rule” and what it means for lesson planning and memory.Easy ways to hook students at the start of a lesson or unit.Strategies for ending lessons, units and school years so learning sticks.How teachers can create emotional “peak moments” that build connection and curiosity.Whether you’re a classroom teacher, instructional coach or school leader, this conversation will inspire you to rethink how you open and close learning experiences — and why those moments matter more than you might think. Listen to this episode if you’ve ever wondered: How do I make my lessons more memorable?What should I do on the first day of school besides go over rules?How can I end a lesson or unit in a way that really sticks? The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. Follow Us on Social: Facebook Instagram X

    46min
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Join us each week as we talk to different SREB team members and educators across the country to find out the latest in school innovations. From classroom instruction to school leadership, we are going to examine what it is that makes schools work!

Informações

  • Criado por
    SREB
  • Anos de atividade
    2024 - 2025
  • Episódios
    42
  • Classificação
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Making Schools Work Podcast
  • Site do podcast
    The Making Schools Work Podcast

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