Field Trip Podcast

Frontline Education
  • 5.0 (17)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

What if you could hear from leaders in school systems all around the country? People who are finding innovative ways to solve problems and make strategic decisions as they work to hire, develop, retain and support teachers and staff? From superintendents to principals, from human resources to curriculum and instruction to special education, we’re talking with people who have something to say in K-12 – and we’re sharing those conversations here.

  1. Fight Burnout (and the Teacher Shortage) with New Teacher Mentoring

    07/09/2024

    Fight Burnout (and the Teacher Shortage) with New Teacher Mentoring

    Today we delve into the critical issue of teacher shortages – and how mentoring programs can be a game-changer. Lynette Thorstensen, a PD specialist in Brevard Public Schools in Florida, shares how her district is tackling this nationwide challenge head-on. Get an in-depth look at Brevard’s comprehensive approach to supporting new teachers, including alternative certification pathways and the powerful role of mentorship. From “Survival Orientations for Success” to mock classrooms and ongoing mentor-mentee partnerships, Lynette’s detailed breakdown shows how support and continuous professional development can lead to higher retention and a more robust teaching workforce. What You'll Learn: Expanding the Path to Teaching: Discover how Brevard Public Schools are addressing teacher shortages through alternative certification pathways. Mentorship Impact: Understand the critical role mentors play in supporting new teachers and reducing burnout. Scaffolded Support: Learn about the step-by-step support systems in place, from Survival Orientation for Success (SOS) to New Teacher Academy. Feedback-Driven Improvement: Explore how Brevard uses frequent feedback to continuously refine and improve their mentoring programs. Practical Implementation: Get ideas for implementing similar mentoring structures in your own district to foster teacher retention and success.

    24 min
  2. Forging New Pathways to Teaching

    06/25/2024

    Forging New Pathways to Teaching

    What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program in education? And how can it help school districts solve the teacher shortage? Andrea Dickson, Director of Talent Acquisition in Brazosport Independent School District in Texas, shares how their apprenticeship program enables them to open teaching up to more people who want to teach — but who may otherwise have encountered barriers to entering the profession. She describes how they structure the program and offers specific steps for any districts seeking to implement a similar offering. Highlights: Innovative pathways: this alternative route to teacher certification makes it possible for participants to avoid the financial hurdles that come with the cost of a traditional teacher preparation program or taking time off of work. Addressing the teacher shortage: The program is helping Brazosport ISD fill vacancies by offering on-ramps for internal and external candidates.Supportive framework: Apprentices receive hands-on experience and mentorship from veteran teachers — and emerge from the program well-equipped from day one.Community engagement: The program naturally enhances the diversity of the teaching workforce by attracting talent from the community.

    31 min
  3. K-12 Lens: Highlights from Frontline’s Annual Survey Report

    04/18/2024

    K-12 Lens: Highlights from Frontline’s Annual Survey Report

    This episode of Field Trip looks at highlights from the inaugural edition of “K-12 Lens,” an annual survey report from the Frontline Research & Learning Institute. Rebecca Strott, Vice President of Market Intelligence for research firm C+C, looks at the highlights from the survey, and explores the pressing challenges and emerging opportunities within K-12. From staffing challenges and strategies for retention to concerns around student mental health and cybersecurity to the integration of AI into education, listen as we consider the current state and future possibilities for K-12. Timeline 00:00 - Introduction 00:25 - Exploring the "K-12 Lens" Survey with Rebecca Strott 01:46 - Deep Dive into Hiring and Staffing Challenges 04:39 - The Importance of Professional Development for Retention 06:00 - Addressing Student Mental Health in Schools 10:55 - Navigating Technology and Cybersecurity in Education 13:45 - The Future of Education: AI, Funding, and Data Analytics 18:40 - Interdepartmental Relationships and the Impact on School Operations 21:03 - Conclusion and Resources Dig DeeperK-12 Lens: Access the full report for a more detailed look at the data.

    23 min
  4. AI in Education: Current Outlook? What’s Coming Next? How Should Schools Respond?

    04/03/2024

    AI in Education: Current Outlook? What’s Coming Next? How Should Schools Respond?

    Diving into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education, with a focus on its implications for educators, administrators, and students! Dr. Ellen Agnello, a former classroom teacher turned consultant and researcher, shares insights from her recent study on AI's integration into schools, addressing teachers' and administrators' perceptions, the potential uses of AI for learning and administrative tasks, and the challenges involved in adopting this technology. We also highlight: Key differences in comfort and attitude between teachers and administrators regarding AI The role of AI in enhancing teaching practices and professional development The importance of AI literacy and the need to balance technological advancements with the intrinsic value of interpersonal learning experiences What the future of AI in education may hold Timeline 00:00 - Introduction to AI in Education: Perspectives and Potential 00:49 - From Classroom to AI Research 03:44 - Surveying Educators on AI: Insights and Surprises 07:45 - AI Detection Tools and Teacher Concerns 09:19 - Navigating the AI Spectrum in Schools 11:15 - Demystifying AI for Educators 13:57 - AI's Practical Applications in the Classroom 22:09 - Expanding AI Use Beyond the Classroom 25:17 - Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Education Related Resource: The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in K-12 Professional Development: AI has been everywhere in the news, and education is no exception. This blog post dives into AI’s place in education now and in the future.

    29 min
  5. Empowering Parents in Special Education

    03/11/2024

    Empowering Parents in Special Education

    In this episode of Field Trip, we dive into the crucial role of parent involvement in special education. Dr. Kristen Williams, Executive Director for Disability Services in the San Antonio Independent School District, shares her extensive experience and passionate insights into the dynamics of educational support and parent engagement. With over three decades in special education, Dr. Williams offers practical advice for schools and educators on fostering positive, proactive relationships with families. We'll uncover: The Importance of Parent Involvement: No one knows and loves a child more than their parents. How can schools leverage this for better educational outcomes? Strategies for Positive Engagement: Innovative approaches and best practices for engaging parents in their children's education, moving beyond traditional methods to create a supportive and inclusive environment. Real-Life Success Stories: How intentional actions and policies have led to significant improvements in parent participation. Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone interested in the field of education, this is a must-listen for anyone looking to make a difference in the lives of children with special needs. Timeline 00:00 - Introduction: The Importance of Parental Involvement in Special Education 00:48 - The Role of Parents in Special Education 01:59 - Strategies for Positive and Proactive Parent Involvement 02:37 - Building Parent Capacity and Encouraging Participation 04:32 - The Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) 05:14 - Effective Communication with Parents 07:12 - Empowering Parents through Education and Advocacy 09:17 - Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Parent Involvement

    11 min
  6. Unveiling the Mysteries of Employee Data

    02/26/2024

    Unveiling the Mysteries of Employee Data

    In this 4th and final episode of our series on workforce oversight, Frontline Education’s Mitch Welch and Dr. Sundie Dahlkamp, Executive Director of Business Services at Pearland Independent School District, explore the intricacies of employee data visibility. Good data matters. Here is why position history is so key to making HR decisions in school districts. Takeaways: The Importance of Position History: Without a solid grasp of position history, the quality of employee data is compromised. Mitch and Sundie consider the challenge in tracking the historical data of positions versus the employees in those positions.Data Visibility and Accountability: It’s not just for internal management, but also for external accountability. Community stakeholders may want to see how positions are managed and utilized over time, underscoring the need for transparent and accessible position history data.Challenges in Position History: Sundie explores the challenges in tracking the creation, approval, and deactivation of positions. Position history is crucial for leadership transitions, as it preserves institutional knowledge that could be lost with staff turnover.The Impact on Decision Making: Good position history data is vital for making informed decisions regarding vacancies and budget allocations. Understanding the history of a position can lead to better decisions about which positions to fill.Timeline00:00 - Introduction 01:17 - The Importance of Employee Data Visibility 02:19 - The Challenge of Position History 04:33 - The Importance of Position History for Decision Making 06:13 - The Role of Position History in Employee Retention 07:52 - Tracking Position History 11:00 - Conclusion Related ResourcesTemplate: Position Management and Control PlanBlog: Effective Dating & Conditional Workflows in Position ManagementPodcast: K-12’s Balancing Act of Workforce OversightPodcast: Mastering the Art of Managing PositionsPodcast: Position Management: How to Empower Your Principals

    12 min
  7. Position Management: How to Empower Your Principals

    02/19/2024

    Position Management: How to Empower Your Principals

    Welcome to the third episode in a short series on workforce oversight in school districts! Once again, we welcome Frontline Education’s Mitch Welch and Dr. Sundie Dahlkamp, Executive Director of Business Services at Pearland Independent School District. This conversation is all about empowering principals. With the right processes, workflows, and technology, you can enable them to make changes to staff positions seamlessly and efficiently and ensure that any changes are communicated back to the central office. This leads to greater principal involvement and autonomy, fostering a culture of buy-in and collaboration in making personnel decisions. They explore: The innovative transition from paper to digital: Sundie describes the shift from a manual, paper-based process to a sophisticated digital system, leading to a seamless, paperless workflow that empowers campus-level autonomy.Autonomy at the campus level: By entrusting campus principals with the authority to manage positions, including hiring and adjustments, districts can foster a sense of ownership and expedite the decision-making process.Creating a Culture of Success: Creating a process that prevents errors and allows for informed decision-making can help school districts not only streamline administrative tasks but also build a culture where staff feel supported and empowered. The system's success lies in its ability to promote dialogue and reflection, leading to a positive work environment and a collective focus on the district's goals.Timeline00:00 - Introduction 00:00 - The Importance of Principal Involvement 02:42 - The Journey from Manual to Digital Processes 04:50 - Empowering Principals with Autonomy 06:47 - The Role of Compliance and Control in Position Management 09:56 - The Impact of Effective Position Management 10:49 - Conclusion and Next Steps Related ResourceseBook: Position Management Playbook for School Districts: How implementing a position management plan strengthens district-wide efficiency for HR, IT, Finance and Payroll.Case Study: From Stacks of Paper to an HR Management System: Why the Iron County School District Human Resources Department chose Frontline HRMS, and how they’re using the system to bring all employee information into one place, save time on contract renewals and forms, and make reporting a breeze.

    12 min
  8. Mastering the Art of Managing Positions

    02/12/2024

    Mastering the Art of Managing Positions

    “Position management” may not win the award for Most Exciting Phrase anytime soon, but it’s a vital concept in education — and has a real impact on employees. In this episode of Field Trip, we delve into the importance and mechanisms of position management (and position vacancies) in school districts. Dr. Sundie Dahlkamp, the Executive Director of Human Resource Services at Pearland Independent School District, and Frontline Education’s Mitch Welch explore the concept of position management and control, focusing on creativity, flexibility, effective communication, and strategic decision-making, all while ensuring accountability on the expenditure. The conversation highlights the necessity of balancing management and control in human resources and the role of technology in facilitating effective communication and information visibility. Mitch and Sundie also tackle: Financial accountability and why position management is crucial for school districts to justify expenditures, especially when such a high percentage of the budget is allocated to employee salaries.Strategic forecasting in HR and why the ability to project future needs based on enrollment trends is vital for sustainable school district management.The balance between the central office and building administrators. There’s a delicate balance to maintain between position control at the central office level and creative management by individual supervisors and principals.Timeline00:00 - Introduction 01:09 - Defining Position Management and Control 04:53 - The Importance of Effective Dating System 07:31 - Balancing Management and Control 08:55 - Using Technology for Communication 10:00 - Conclusion and Preview of Next Episode 10:23 - Closing Related ResourcesBlog: Effective Dating & Conditional Workflows in Position ManagementInfographic: Position Management & Control in School DistrictseBook: Position Management Playbook for School DistrictsCase Study: A Better HR System to Serve Employees: Why Whitehall-Coplay School District uses Frontline to manage recruiting and hiring, onboarding, employee records, benefits, position management, professional learning, employee absences, and time tracking.

    11 min
See All (68)

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

What if you could hear from leaders in school systems all around the country? People who are finding innovative ways to solve problems and make strategic decisions as they work to hire, develop, retain and support teachers and staff? From superintendents to principals, from human resources to curriculum and instruction to special education, we’re talking with people who have something to say in K-12 – and we’re sharing those conversations here.

Information

  • Creator
    Frontline Education
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2024
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Frontline Education
  • Show Website
    Field Trip Podcast