UnboundEd Podcast UnboundEd

How do we navigate the challenges of turning the science of reading into the reality of daily instruction? Educators across the country are committed to research-backed literacy nstruction, but sometimes the process can lead to more questions, or misconceptions. I got a chance to talk with Melissa Loftus and Lori Sappington to discuss their book, The Literacy 50–A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night. Join us as we tackle some these questions, as well as some of my own.

How do we create a process were humanizing education leaders works in harmony with humanizing the students they serve? It's hard for an educator to tend to the intellectual and emotional development of students if they don't see how it's inevitably connected to their own intellectual and emotional development. Join the discussion with Carlos Moreno, author of Finding Your Leadership Soul: What Our Students Can Teach Us About Love, Care, and Vulnerability and discover how the journey through this profession, if grounded correctly, can cause both educators and students to flourish.

Too often, the bridges of grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful instruction are limited and the barriers of misconceptions arise. These misconceptions about English Language Learners often hold educators back from properly serving these students. I got a chance to talk with educator Barbara Gottschalk to discuss her book, Dispelling Misconceptions About English Language Learners: Research-Based Ways to Improve Instruction. Join us as we discuss practical ways to overcome psychological barriers, shift away from assumptions, tap into student strengths through home languages, and involve immigrant families more authentically.

In the education profession, equity work can get deeply deffered, or get really messy, really fast. This is because it can reveal so much about professional and personal beliefs that are consequential to our students receiving grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful instruction. And these problematic perceptions can be emboldened by policies. I got a chance to talk with Sheldon Eakins to discuss his book Leading Equity: Becoming an Advocate for All Students. Join us as we discuss the the bold, graceful, and practical ways equity can be cultivated in schools.

If a table won't stand without well-distributed legs, a bridge won't hold weight without well-distributed force, and a car can't run without a well-distributed frame, what makes us think that we can accomplish goals in our school buildings without well-distributed leadership? Even in most dysfunctional school systems, distributive leadership can produce better collaboration and insight that can lead to better cultural and instructional outcomes. I got a chance to talk with Dr. Shaun Nelms about his book Leading With Purpose: Empowering Others to Create Lasting Change. Join us as we discuss the personal and professional journeys that are empowered when we see and recognize the power in others.

Our food choices can impact our physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being. So, while it can be challenging, it is important to be strategic about the food we ingest. Much like food, the ideas and practices we consume in education also shape our well-being and the well-being of those we serve. In this episode, Dr. Sonya Murray-Darden and I discuss her book Serving Educational Equity: A Five-Course Framework for Accelerated Learning, as well as the practical and essential ways our education systems can serve a diet of, and hunger for, grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful instruction.