ISS EDUlearn: Ask Me Anything Mike Pierre

Implementing a Standard Based Grading & Reporting Program can be a rewarding & challenging process that supports learning & growth. What are some of the best strategies for implementing SBGR in secondary schools?

In the episode, Dana Watts, an accomplished curriculum designer and podcast co-host, joins us on the show to share her insights & knowledge in implementing the SBGR program for secondary schools.

In the session, we delve into the definition of SBGR, why secondary schools need it, their challenges in SGBR implementation, and how they can be addressed. Dana also discusses how teachers can transition from traditional grading to SBGR and parents' & students' roles in implementing SBGR.

Moreover, we expound on ways AI-powered educational technologies would be used to personalized learning & support student mastery of specific standards within the SBGR system.

Tune in for more insights!



Timestamps

[01:19] Introducing today's guest "Dana Watts."

[01:56] What is Standard-Based Grading & Reporting program and why do secondary schools need to implement it

[04:32] Challenges for secondary schools in implementing SBGR & how the challenges could be addressed

[08:51] How teachers can be supported in transitioning from traditional grading practices to an SBGR approach & what are the best practices for providing training & professional development in that area

[14:58] Roles of parents & students in SBGR & how can schools effectively communicate those changes in Grading & Reporting to them

[21:19] How AI could be used to help educators effectively track & align student progress

[22:46] In what ways are AI-powered educational technologies would be used to personalized learning & support student mastery of specific standards within the SBGR system

[27:06] Mike's (Podcast Host) personal experience with traditional grading



Quote

● “For years, the hardest thing for teachers is to grade. Putting a number or letter on student learning can destroy the students' desire to learn .”



Let’s Connect

Connect with Dr. Dana Specker Watts on;

● Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachwatts

Connect with Mike Pierre on;

● Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ayitis_SigmaMan



More resources

● Head over to iss.edu/events to see future PD's that ISS is offering for the SY 22-23.

● Join the Diversity Collaborative platform-https://info.iss.edu/sign-up-diversity-collaborative

● Head over to https://www.seniainternational.org/ to check out inclusion education practices for individuals with disabilities and ensure their potential is fully maximized.

Creating learning spaces that are engaging and budget-friendly is a critical task in any educational institution.

John Burns joins us on the show as we explore creating innovative learning spaces that best support students & educators without breaking the bank. John is an educational architecture & design expert with years of experience creating & engaging & practical learning spaces.

In this episode, we delve into the importance of creating innovative learning spaces, how it impacts student learning, inclusivity in learning spaces, and key design principles that can be applied to learning spaces to maximize engagement. Moreover, we delve into some of the common mistakes schools make in designing learning spaces, how to avoid them, as well as inexpensive ways of creating facilities that are agile for the student's needs, teachers & administration.

Ultimately we discuss leveraging the design process & engaging the wider community to create spaces that are not only functional but impactful & meaningful.



Timestamps

[01:51] Introducing today’s guest, “John Burns”

[02:30] Importance of creating innovative learning spaces in education & how it impacts the student learning experience

[06:20] How to ensure learning spaces are inclusive & accessible to all students regardless of their background & abilities.

[13;53] Key design principles that can be applied to learning spaces to maximize engagement & promote activity learning & common mistakes schools make when designing learning spaces and how they can avoid that

[21:33] Inexpensive ways to minimize cost while maximizing agility for schools with limited budgets

[26:16] Involving teachers, administrators, students, and parents in the co-creation of learning spaces that we’ll reflect the unique culture in school communities

[29:16] To connect with John Burns



Quotes

● “You don't learn from experience. You learn from reflecting on experience.”



Let’s Connect

Connect with John Burns on;

● Twitter: https://twitter.com/j0hnburns

Connect with Stephen Plisinski on;

● Email: splisinski@iss.edu

Connect with Dr. Dana Specker Watts on;

● Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachwatts

Connect with Mike Pierre on;

● Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ayitis_SigmaMan



More resources

● Head over to iss.edu/events to see future PD's that ISS is offering for the SY 22-23.

● Join the Diversity Collaborative platform-https://info.iss.edu/sign-up-diversity-collaborative

● Head over to https://www.seniainternational.org/ to check out inclusion education practices for individuals with disabilities and ensure their potential is fully maximized.

Determining grades in Grades 6 to 12 is a complex & multi-faceted process that requires careful consideration of learning goals, performance standards & student behavior. How can teachers provide unbiased feedback to promote student success?

Ken O’Connor joins us on the show to share deep insights on how to report behaviors & determine grades accurately. Ken is a renowned Author & Expert in the field assessment of evaluation.

In the session, Ken expounds on hot-button issues when it comes to grading, such as Homework, making Homework relevant, how to report behaviors on report cards & why it’s more useful to give comments on formative assessments rather than on report cards. Moreover, he expounds on the benefits of a standards-based grading system, how to effectively communicate grades to parents, and address any questions or concerns.

Ultimately, we delve into the rise of Open AI, how it can be used to supplement rather than replace teachers' expertise in grading & how teachers can use the resources to support rather than deconstruct student learning & growth.

Tune in for more insights!



Timestamps

[01:10] Introducing today’s guest, “Ken O’Connor.”

[01:55] Hot button issues when it comes to grading & how to address

[07:40] How to effectively report behaviors such as attendance, punctuality & participation on a report card

[10:46] Giving comments on the formative assessments versus on the report card

[14:24] How teachers can handle a situation where a student may be excelling in one area and struggling in another

[18:05] How to effectively communicate grades to parents & addressing their concerns

[21:16] Using open AI such as Chat GPT to supplement rather than replace teachers' expertise in grading as well as how teachers can use them to support rather than deconstruct student learning & growth

[27:48] Ken’s advice on grading

[28:48] How to connect with Ken O’Connor



Quotes

● “It’s only in High School that grades matter in the sense that they are used for external purposes. Nobody is going to get to Havard based on their middle school grades. Not that middle grades are not important, but it’s really at the High school level that it's critical we use quality grading practices.”

● “We’ve got to quit just commenting on our report cards. We have to say something about what those report comments are supposed to be about.”



Let’s Connect

Connect with Ken O’Connor on;

● Twitter: @kenoc7

● Email: kenoc@aol.com

Connect with Dr. Dana Specker Watts on;

● Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachwatts

Connect with Mike Pierre on;

● Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ayitis_SigmaMan



More resources

● Head over to iss.edu/events to see future PD's that ISS is offering for the SY 22-23.

● Join the Diversity Collaborative platform-https://info.iss.edu/sign-up-diversity-collaborative

● Head over to https://www.seniainternational.org/ to check out inclusion education practices for individuals with disabilities and ensure their potential is fully maximized.

There are no bad children. They are children who make bad choices. How do we help
that child not to make bad choices?

In this episode, Laura Benson, ISS curriculum and professional development director,
joins us on the show as we discuss conferring as an essential skill for
educators.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of listening & affirming kids' feelings,
why punishment is not the best way to get feedback, as well as how to confer
with kids and help them process horrific memories. Besides, we expound on why
secondary teachers need to confer with kids despite their busy schedules and
embrace peer conferring.

Moreover, Laura discusses some of the best resources for conferring and how teachers can
create relationships with kids of any age.


Timestamps

[01:41] Housekeeping items

[02:11] Introducing today’s guest “Laura Benson”

[03:30] Do kids have feelings & at what age it starts?

[04:38] How to make children feel heard and give them a voice

[06:12] Whether negative feelings deserve punishment

[12:16] The power of conferring and how kids process horrific memories

[14:18] How secondary school teachers can confer with kids amidst their busy schedules

[20:02] The importance of peer conferring

[23:21] Book recommendations on conferring

[25:11] Projects Laura is working on

[26:16] Advice to teachers on creating relationships with kids of any age

[28:03] How to connect with Laura Benson

 

Quotes

●      “There are no bad children. They are children who make bad choices.”

●      “Kids try out things & the best place to try it is in our schools or homes.”



Mentioned Books

-Conferring: The Keystone of Reader's Workshop by Patrick A. Allen

-Conferring with Readers: Supporting Each Student's Growth and Independence by Jennifer Serravallo &
Gravity Goldberg

-How's It Going?: A Practical Guide to Conferring with Student Writers by Carl Anderson

-Teaching with Intention: Defining Beliefs, Aligning Practice, Taking Action, K-5 by Debbie Miller

-On Solid Ground: Strategies for Teaching Reading K-3 by Sharon Taberski & Shelley Harwayne

 

Let’s Connect

Connect with Laura Benson on;

●      Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LBopenbook

●      Website:  https://www.iss.edu/

●      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-benson-she-her-675aa73/

Connect with Dr. Dana Specker Watts on;

●      Twitter:  https://twitter.com/teachwatts

Connect with Mike Pierre on;

●      Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Ayitis_SigmaMan

 

More resources

●      Head over to iss.edu/events to see future PD's that ISS is offering for the SY 22-23.

●      Join the Diversity Collaborative platform-https://info.iss.edu/sign-up-diversity-collaborative

In this episode, Adrienne Waller, the founder of Worldwide Educator and Assistant Principal at Cayman International School, joins us on the show as we expound on empowering educators worldwide.

In the session, we discuss Adrienne's journey to becoming an assistant principal, a unique interview process for the position, the importance of mentorship, the representation of women in leadership roles, as well as the joy of teaching and seeing students have "light bulb" moments. She also discusses the importance of building relationships with people and shares her experience of starting a Worldwide Educator.

Moreover, she delves into the power of manifestation, affirmations, long-term plans, and why educators need to take time for review, nurturing themselves, and establishing boundaries.

Tune in for more insights!



Timestamps

[00:47] Housekeeping items

[01:14] About Adrienne Waller

[01:52] How long she has been in Cayman international school, and her best part about teaching

[04:47] Adrienne’s journey to becoming an Assistant Principal and the importance of mentorship, more so for black women like her

[07:48] Black women leaders in International Education

[08:54] Adrienne’s unique interview process for the Assistant Principal position to the extent of taking five interviews for the same position

[10:46] How she started as a worldwide educator

[11:51] The role of manifestation to where she is today

[15:33] Benefits of human relationships and connections

[20:05] Adrienne’s plans in 20 years

[21:00] Adrienne’s final advice to educators



Quotes

●      “Sometimes getting jobs is not around competencies. It is around the relationship and being able to cultivate that in
leadership.”

●      “The more you have people talking about you, and you’re not even in the room, the more you can amplify your impact.”

●      “Have relationships that can endure without constant watering.”

●      “If you can dream it, you can believe it.”



Let’s Connect

Connect with Adrienne Waller on;

● Twitter: https://twitter.com/worldwideeduc8r

● Website: https://worldwideeducator.org/

● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldwideeducator/

● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldwideeducator

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennemwaller/

Connect with Dr. Dana Specker Watts on;

● Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachwatts

Connect with Mike Pierre on;

● Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ayitis_SigmaMan



More resources

● Head over to iss.edu/events to see future PD's that ISS is offering for the SY 22-23.

● Join the Diversity Collaborative platform-https://info.iss.edu/sign-up-diversity-collaborative

Race, Nationality, Sexual Orientation, or Gender should not hinder your path to becoming a leader or international educator. Welcome to this episode as we expound on Diversity Collective in international schools with our guests Alan Phan & Aparna Sundaram.

Alan is the Founder of Diversity Collective and General Principal - at North London Collegiate School HCMC while Aparna is the COO of Recruitment & Consulting at Diversity Collective with 30 years in education.

In the session, we delve into the inspiration behind the diversity fair for people of color, LGBT candidates & leaders, Alan & Aparna’s career experiences as persons of color, the importance of relationship building as well as Aparna’s perspective on what great education entails.

Moreover, we expound on recruitment bias training available at Diversity Collective that helps you hire better, as well as the implicit bias training to make you more introspective and raise your awareness of biases. Ultimately we discuss some common biases in international schools and how to be intentional & deliberate in understanding biases!

Tune in!



Timestamps

[00:47] Housekeeping Items

[01:27] Introducing today’s guests (Alan Phan & Aparna Sundaram)

[02:17] About Alan Phan

[03:50] Why Alan considers himself a person of color

[04:48] About Aparna Sundaram

[09:01] What the term “Great Education” entails

[12:02] Relationship building & focusing more on human values

[14:47] Whether education improving for the future as we move from one generation to the other

[17:00] Implicit bias versus recruitment bias training

[20:00] Male versus female employee biases

[23:40] How to acknowledge & understand our biases

[32:20] Projects Alan & Aparna are working on

[37:39] Advice to international educators out

[39:01] How to connect with Alan & Arpana




Quotes

●      “We are constantly assessing students, but we don’t give them enough opportunity to assess us as teachers, administrators,
and leaders. We just don’t do it.”

●      “The best education is where a student feels that they belong, are seen, are met where they are, and they are able to
go to where they imagine being able to go in their learning and experiences.”



Let’s Connect

Connect with Alan Phan on;

●      Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TweetAlanPhan

●      Website: https://www.diversityfair.org/

 Connect with Aparna Sundaram;

●      Website: https://www.diversityfair.org/



Connect with Dr. Dana Specker Watts on;

●      Twitter:  https://twitter.com/teachwatts

Connect with Mike Pierre on;

●      Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Ayitis_SigmaMan

 

More resources

●      Head over to iss.edu/events to see future PD's that ISS is offering for the SY 22-23.

●      Join the Diversity Collaborative platform-https://info.iss.edu/sign-up-diversity-collaborative