EDUcation Unscripted & Xplored

University of Iowa College of Education
  • 5.0(1개의 평가)
  • 교육

EDUcation Unscripted & Xplored, co-hosted by University of Iowa College of Education professors Kari Vogelgesang and Mark McDermott, is a research- and reality-backed podcast for anyone passionate about harnessing the power of education for positive change. Unlike most education podcasts that stick to classroom strategy or faculty development, we bring together teacher preparation, K–12 systems, and wellness to ask the hard questions about what actually drives meaningful change for people and systems. Our goal is to explore the hopes, tensions, and trends shaping the field today and to offer listeners honest, evidence-based conversations that help them think differently about the work. Join us as we help schools better serve students, families, and communities—and empower those same communities to support schools in return. Sound Effect by Shiden Beats Music from Pixabay

에피소드

  1. 4월 24일

    Systems & Leadership: Building Policies That Promote Educator Wellness

    What if educator wellness wasn't a side initiative, but the design principle at the center of every school policy, schedule, and leadership decision? In this episode, Kari and Mark sit down with Courtney Cook, PK-12 principal at Ruthven-Ayrshire Community School to explore what it really looks like to build systems that support the humans doing the hardest work in education. From rethinking dress codes and meeting structures to knowing when to abort a well-intentioned initiative, Courtney shares honest, practical leadership lessons rooted in both research and real-world experience. This conversation encourages us to reflect on how our systems are currently designed, what we actually want them to do, and the small, consistent practices that can strengthen them.  Views expressed are the co-hosts' own and not those of the University of Iowa or its College of Education.

    46분

  2. 4월 16일

    Rural Realities: Attracting and Supporting Educators in Small Communities

    This episode spotlights the unique strengths and struggles of rural schools, from limited resources and geographic isolation to the shifting landscape of state-level influence on local decision-making. West Burlington Independent School District superintendent Jason Wester joins Kari and Mark to unpack the realities of shrinking candidate pools, innovative strategies districts are using to attract and retain great educators, and how the expansion of career and technical pathways is redefining what success after high school looks like. Along the way, they explore what makes teaching in rural settings both deeply rewarding and genuinely challenging, and discuss how communities can build sustainable pipelines so rural students have consistent access to strong, thriving educators. Views expressed are the co-hosts' own and not those of the University of Iowa or its College of Education.

    38분

  3. 3월 31일

    Everyday Counts: Tackling Chronic Absenteeism Through Connection and Care

    Chronic absenteeism has surged since the pandemic, and the numbers tell only part of the story. In this episode of EDUcation Unscripted & Xplored, Kari and Mark dig into what's really driving students away from school and what it takes to bring them back.  From transportation barriers and mental health challenges to school climates where students don't feel safe or seen, the root causes are complex, deeply human, and often hidden behind a simple count of missed days. From data and empathy to flexible school designs and whole-community approaches, this episode offers practical insight for educators, administrators, families, and community members who believe that every student deserves a school that feels like a place for them. Views expressed are the co-hosts' own and not those of the University of Iowa or its College of Education.

    29분

  4. 3월 2일

    Teacher Preparation: Developing the Next Generation of Sustainable, Healthy Educators

    One bee. Thirty kids. One very real math standards test. Mark's unforgettable first-grade classroom story opens a window into what teachers actually navigate every day and why preparing the next generation of educators for that reality is so critically important. Kari and Mark sit down with Elliott Johnson, Associate Professor of Education at Luther College, to unpack the state of teacher preparation programs, what we are getting right, and how to amplify the true complexity of a profession that too many people underestimate. Views expressed are the co-hosts' own and not those of the University of Iowa or its College of Education.

    37분

  5. 1월 30일

    Literacy as a Wellness Predictor: How Reading Skills Shape Lifelong Outcomes

    What if literacy isn’t just an academic benchmark — but a powerful predictor of student wellbeing, identity, and opportunity? In this episode of Education Unscripted & Xplored, co-hosts Dr. Kari Vogelgesang and Dr. Mark McDermott are joined by Dr. Leah Zimmermann from the Iowa Reading Research Center to explore how reading proficiency shapes far more than classroom performance. Together, they unpack the ripple effects of reading difficulties on confidence, school avoidance, mental health, and how students imagine their future selves. Grounded in research and lived experience, this conversation reframes literacy as a public health and wellness issue — one that demands strong systems, early supports, and evidence-based instruction delivered through relationships. The episode also highlights encouraging literacy trends in Iowa, the role of policy and professional learning, and why effective reading instruction can be life-changing for students. Views expressed are the co-hosts' own and not those of the University of Iowa or its College of Education.

    35분

  6. 1월 7일

    Why We’re Going Off-Script: Who We Are and Why This Matters

    In the very first episode of EDUcation Unscripted & Xplored, co-hosts Dr. Kari Vogelgesang and Dr. Mark McDermott invite you into an honest, unfiltered dialogue about the complex and ever-changing world of PK–12 education.  Kari and Mark share their journeys from growing up in education-focused families, to teaching in PK–12 classrooms, to shaping teacher preparation today. Along the way, they talk candidly about lessons learned (including a silent-bus-ride-gone-wrong story you won’t forget), how their perspectives have shifted over time, and why they believe schools cannot be separated from the communities they serve. The episode sets up future conversations that will explore the big questions shaping today’s schools: What’s working? What isn’t? And how do our communities and school systems shape one another? If you care about students, families, teachers, and the future of education, you’re in the right place. Views expressed are the co-hosts' own and not those of the University of Iowa or its College of Education.

    34분
  • 6개의 에피소드

소개

EDUcation Unscripted & Xplored, co-hosted by University of Iowa College of Education professors Kari Vogelgesang and Mark McDermott, is a research- and reality-backed podcast for anyone passionate about harnessing the power of education for positive change. Unlike most education podcasts that stick to classroom strategy or faculty development, we bring together teacher preparation, K–12 systems, and wellness to ask the hard questions about what actually drives meaningful change for people and systems. Our goal is to explore the hopes, tensions, and trends shaping the field today and to offer listeners honest, evidence-based conversations that help them think differently about the work. Join us as we help schools better serve students, families, and communities—and empower those same communities to support schools in return. Sound Effect by Shiden Beats Music from Pixabay

정보

  • 제작진
    University of Iowa College of Education
  • 방송 연도
    2026년
  • 에피소드
    6
  • 등급
    전체 연령 사용가
  • 저작권
    © 2026 EDUcation Unscripted & Xplored
  • 웹사이트 보기
    EDUcation Unscripted & Xplored