ISS EDUlearn: Ask Me Anything

(Featuring Andrea Lillis of Senia International and Cheryl Brown of ISCA)For too long, the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) has been confined to academic or behavioral teams. This episode, a preview of the course Building a School-Wide MTSS Framework, tackles the crucial shift required to make MTSS a school-wide operational system. Andrea Lillis and Cheryl Brown explain why MTSS must go beyond counselors and learning support to include departments like HR and facilities, ensuring absolute operational consistency for student academic, behavioral, and social-emotional success.Memorable Quotes 🗣️"You can't Tier 2 or Tier 3 your way out of a Tier 1 problem." — Andrea Lillis"That's the beauty of MTSS, is coming up with a plan... to answer the needs of students, no matter where they're at." — Cheryl Brown"[MTSS] can't just be an office on the second floor. It has to be baked into the way HR recruits staff and the way facilities designs space." — Andrea Lillis"The core success of MTSS is the psychological shift from 'This is the learning support team's problem' to 'This is our school's challenge.'" — Cheryl BrownKey Discussion PointsThe Core Challenge: Moving from the older, academic-focused Response to Intervention (RTI) to the holistic, unified MTSS model, which integrates academics, social-emotional, behavioral, and home-school relationships.Core Concept: The fundamental psychological shift is realizing, "We're all in this together". MTSS must be a systematic effort that involves every staff member across the school.The Crucial Shift: Implementation must be a multi-year, planned process, starting with desired outcomes. MTSS involves everyone across the school working together.Practical Application: The necessity of operational teams (HR and Facilities) to provide sensory-friendly spaces, quiet intervention rooms, and specialized staffing, essential for the MTSS model to function.The Final Takeaway: Using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in team meetings and communication protocols to reduce barriers and minimize misunderstandings.Resources & Next StepsThe Course: The conversation is a preview of the course: Building a School-Wide MTSS Framework.Connect with Andrea Lillis (Senia International):Find the organization at seniainternational.org.Email: andrea@seniainternational.org.Connect with Cheryl Brown (ISCA):Find ISCA on the web at ISCAINFO.com.Email: cbrowne@iscainfo.com.Sign Up: Find details on the MTSS course and other events at ISS.edu/events.

The admissions journey for neurodivergent applicants and their families can often feel like a barrier. In this crucial episode, we are joined by Catalina Gardescu, a values-driven consultant with over 20 years of experience in international education, who guides us on transforming this sensitive process. This conversation previews her course, Heart Matters, designed for admissions officers and school leaders. Catalina stresses the need for a human-centered approach rooted in empathy and clarity to replace policy-driven fear. Learn how to build genuine trust and make your admissions office a supportive, inclusive entry point for every family.💬 Quotes from the Episode:"We're not talking about admitting the student. We're talking about admitting the family. That is a huge, huge shift in mindset because you're admitting a relationship, you're not admitting a paper trail." 🤝"You cannot be human-centered and policy-centered at the same time. If you are policy-centered, you're creating a barrier, you're creating a filter, you're making people feel judged." ⚖️"It is about the courage to say no with integrity and with honesty and with clarity, which is far more empathetic than keeping them going along for the ride because you are afraid of what they're going to say." 🧭"Every single conversation you have with a prospective family or a prospective student is an opportunity to build trust or to break it... and that is the only currency that matters." 💔📌 Key Insights:Admissions is a Relationship: The process must be viewed as establishing a relationship with the entire family, requiring genuine commitment and care, not just a procedural checklist for the student.The Policy/Human Conflict: School leaders must acknowledge that strictly adhering to rigid policy often conflicts with being genuinely human-centered; the process needs to be redesigned with empathy at its core.Clarity Equals Trust: Admissions teams build trust through radical honesty and clarity, minimizing the family's deep-seated fear of rejection and judgment by being transparent about the school's capacity and resources.Redefining "Fit" as Alignment: The goal should shift from assessing "fit" to establishing alignment—that the family's expectations for support genuinely match the school's mission and resources.🛑 Conclusion:Catalina Gardescu offers an essential framework for transforming the admissions experience into one of partnership and inclusion. Ready to let the Heart Matter in your admissions office? Find registration details for the full course, Heart Matters: Supporting Neurodivergent Applicants through Admissions, and check for Catalina's updates on LinkedIn! Go lead with care and empathy! 🌟➡️

This episode is a critical look at embedding Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Learning (CRSL) into school systems as a core equity strategy. We welcome Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, a leading voice in equity and education, who discusses how to align pedagogy, professional learning, and school systems with students' cultural schemas and cognitive development. Dr. Sealey-Ruiz challenges leaders to move beyond theoretical understanding to practical implementation—a process that requires unhinging from biases and replacing them with love and authentic community to ensure deep, equitable learning for every student.💬 Quotes from the Episode:"It's about having the courage to look in the mirror and ask ourselves: 'Am I doing right by the children I serve?'" 🔍"Unconditional love is something that we need to be offering to our students, to our colleagues, and to ourselves." ❤️"The job of a teacher is to be a cultural detective; to find out who the students are culturally." 🕵️‍♀️"It's about unhinging from their biases, and replacing those biases with love." 🔄📌 Key Insights:CRSL as Core Strategy: CRSL is not an add-on; it must be embedded into school systems to align professional learning and pedagogy with student cultural schema for equity.The Courage to Reflect: Effective CRSL implementation requires leaders and teachers to have the courage to engage in deep self-reflection regarding their own implicit biases and practices.Be a Cultural Detective: Teachers must take on the role of "cultural detective" to proactively and authentically learn about their students' backgrounds and cultural frameworks.Practice Unconditional Love: Moving equity forward demands that educators prioritize unconditional love and care—not just for students, but for colleagues and themselves—to create sustainable, supportive learning communities.🛑 Conclusion:Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz delivers a powerful call to action, reminding us that equity work starts with deep reflection and a commitment to love. Ready to embed Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Learning into the very core of your school? Be sure to seek out Dr. Sealey-Ruiz’s full L2A four-part session! Check the ISS EDUlearn platform for upcoming sessions and resources. Keep building community and unhinging those biases! 🌟📚

Tired of the one-size-fits-all lesson plan? This episode of ISS EDUlearn, Ask Me Anything, explores the powerful shift from teacher-led to truly student-driven learning with educator and AI learning expert, Dr. Joey Pearson 🧑‍💻. Dr. Pearson defines what it means to create an "agentic" classroom where students have power for self-determination and co-create their learning journey. He shares practical strategies for introducing voice, choice, and ownership through methods like individualized workstations and standards-based grading. Discover how AI can actually lead to less screen time by becoming a teacher's powerful planning partner, freeing you up to focus on what matters most: authentic student relationships 🤝.💬 Quotes from the Episode:"We are talking about human agency, agentic learning... where students have true power for self-determination." 🚀"The idea here is that you're coaching your students to be their own teachers." 🧠"Everything that we know about good classroom management stays the same. What changes is what's happening during learning." 🍎"I think we're going to see in the coming years that AI will enable us to have fewer hours in front of screens, and more hours in front of one another." ❤️📌 Key Insights:Differentiate Your Practice: A student-driven environment is defined by students having true power and ownership over what and how they learn, not just choosing a color for a project. 🎯Structure for Freedom: Begin by establishing clear norms and routines (e.g., how to enter, how to get resources). This foundational structure is what prevents "chaos" and allows students the freedom to choose their learning pathway. 🪜AI as a Planning Partner: Use large language models (like ChatGPT) in your instructional planning phase to generate personalized, non-screen-based lessons, rather than relying on them for student activity. 💻🚫Assess for Ownership: Implement Standards-Based Grading where the standard is written as student-friendly success criteria. This empowers students to perform self-evaluation and own their growth. ✅🛑 Conclusion:This conversation with Dr. Joey Pearson offers a visionary yet practical roadmap for transforming your teaching and empowering every student voice. If you're ready to embrace the future of education and transition from content delivery to relationship building, then you can't miss his course, "Empowering Every Student Voice."Find all the details and explore a library of resources for international educators, including virtual events and job fairs, at isss.edu/events. Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and go make a positive impact! 🌍✨

Building a high-performing team that’s a perfect fit for your school’s culture is a challenge for every leader. In this episode, we're joined by Ika Muzamal, Director of Talent and Culture at the International School of Kuala Lumpur. Drawing on her unique background in law and infrastructure, Ica shares why high turnover is a symptom of a deeper issue, how to look beyond the resume for a true values-match, and the surprising reason why great talent stays.💬 Quotes from the Episode:💸 "Research shows that the tangible things, like salary, like benefits... they're not actually what retains and attracts your talent."🚀 "Hiring is one of the most important things that we can do... it's probably the most important thing that a leader can do for the organization."🤝 "As much as we're interviewing the candidates, they're interviewing us as well."✨ "You have to be authentic through and through, from that first impression all the way through the everyday life."📌 Key Insights:💖 Prioritize Intangibles Over Tangibles: Retention and attraction are driven by a sense of belonging and mission-alignment, not just salary and benefits.👁️ Combat Bias with Multiple Perspectives: Mitigate unconscious bias by using panel interviews and a 360-degree feedback process, ensuring candidates are vetted by a variety of stakeholders.🗺️ Weave Mission into Every Stage: Make your school's mission and values central to the entire recruitment and interview process to find candidates who are a true cultural fit.🏫 Make the Interview an Experience: Treat the hiring process as a chance to showcase your school's culture, ensuring every candidate has a positive and respectful experience.🛑 Conclusion: The success of a school starts with the people who walk through its doors. By being intentional and authentic in your recruitment strategy, you can build a team that not only excels but truly belongs. For a deeper dive into these strategies, be sure to check out Ika Muzamal's new course, Strategic Talent Acquisition.Ready to take your hiring to the next level? For more insights, virtual events, and professional development resources, visit iss.edu/events. You can also explore hundreds of career opportunities and job fairs at iss.edu. Don't miss out on everything ISS has to offer! 🚀

Leadership is most tested in times of change and crisis. In this powerful conversation, Mike P. and his co-hosts are joined by the exceptional Kathleen Naglee, an award-winning leader and author with a wealth of experience guiding schools through their most challenging moments. This episode is a roadmap for school leaders, focusing on the emotional intelligence and practical skills needed to lead with confidence, communicate with clarity, and build unshakeable trust during turbulent times.💬 Quotes from the Episode:"Leadership is a relationship, it's not a role." — Kathleen Naglee 🤝"You have to be the source of calm." — Kathleen Naglee 🧘‍♀️"Rebuilding trust is a time-consuming process." — Kathleen Naglee ⏳"It's about 'Are your actions meeting your words?'" — Kathleen Naglee ✅📌 Key Insights:Build Trust from Day One: Don't wait for a crisis to build relationships. New leaders must be intentional about showing their commitment to the community through proactive, transparent actions. 🤝Acknowledge and Heal Together: After a crisis, people process grief and trauma differently. Leaders must provide long-term support and recognize that the healing process can take months or even years. 🫂Create a Proactive Communications Plan: Go "beyond the binder" by preparing specific communication templates for different scenarios. Use multi-channel approaches like SMS, social media, and school apps to ensure your message reaches everyone. 📱Lead with Empathy and Purpose: Your community looks to you for a sense of calm and a clear direction. Leading with emotional intelligence means understanding the "why" behind people's disengagement and making them feel seen and heard. ❤️‍🩹🛑 Conclusion:Leadership is tough, but you don't have to face the inevitable alone. This episode provides the clarity and confidence you need to prepare for any crisis. Ready to take the next step? Enroll in Kathleen's course, "Preparing for the Inevitable Crisis," and get a comprehensive roadmap for effective action. Don't wait until it's too late!➡️ Visit iss.edu/events to get prepared!➡️ Find more resources and career opportunities!➡️ Don't forget to like and subscribe for more episodes! ✨

Welcome to Season 9 of the ISS EDUlearn AMA podcast! 🎉 This episode features a powerful conversation with Sian Jorgensen, Director of Encompass Safeguarding, and an educator dedicated to protecting children everywhere.With over 20 years of experience as a child abuse investigator and safeguarding leader, Sian argues that effective crisis management goes beyond security protocols. She challenges school leaders to put the child at the absolute center of every response plan. Learn why a well-rounded crisis team is crucial, how to communicate with families to build trust, and how proactive planning is the key to preventing long-term trauma. This episode is a vital guide for any educator committed to creating a truly safe and prepared school community.💬 Key Quotes- "My mission is protecting children everywhere." – Sian Jorgensen 🌍- "I always naturally put the child and the children at the center." – Sian Jorgensen ❤️- "It's harder to take away trauma than it is to avoid trauma." – Sian Jorgensen 🛡️- "Safeguarding should run through everything at the school. It shouldn't be a little tick box add-on." – Sian Jorgensen ✅- "Is my child okay? Maybe that's a priority, right?" – Sian Jorgensen 👩‍👧‍👦- "If you can control 80% of the messaging that's going out externally, you're onto a winner." – Sian Jorgensen 📢🎯 Key InsightsPut the Child at the Center 🛡️: Effective crisis management is not just about logistics and security. A truly comprehensive plan must prioritize the well-being and needs of the children, as a poor response can lead to lifelong trauma.Build a Holistic Crisis Team 🤝: Your crisis management team needs diverse perspectives. In addition to security and leadership, include a counselor or safeguarding lead who can advocate for the child's emotional and psychological needs.Proactive Planning Prevents Trauma 🧠: The best time to have difficult conversations about a potential crisis is before it happens. By practicing and planning for the worst-case scenarios, a school can reduce the long-term impact on its students.Mastering Communication with Parents 🗣️: During a crisis, parents have two core needs: "Is my child okay?" and "When can I see them?" Focus your messaging on these priorities, and give clear directives to prevent panic and maintain trust.Support Your Staff 🤗: Acknowledge that teachers who are also parents face a unique internal conflict during a crisis. A solid crisis plan must consider how to support and reassure these staff members about their own children while they are focused on the students in their care.✨ Conclusion & Next StepsThank you for tuning in to this powerful conversation. By embedding safeguarding into every aspect of a school's operations and planning, a community can build resilience and ensure every member feels safe and supported.If you found this episode inspiring and informative, please be sure to like, subscribe, and share AMA with your educator friends. Stay tuned for more exciting episodes on Season 9!🔗 Resources & ContactSian Jorgensen:Website: encompass-safeguarding.comNew Course: Check out Sian's new "Safe Interviewing" training, a course on how to ask the right questions to children in a safe and effective way.ISS:Safeguarding & Crisis Response is available for purchase at iss.edu/events.Find other virtual events, certifications, and PD resources at iss.edu/events.Explore career opportunities at ISS virtual and in-person job fairs.

You've landed in your international role and are making an impact – but how do you keep growing? In this insightful episode of the GRT Summer Series, host Mike Pierre and ISS colleagues Dana Watts, Greg Smith, and Katlyn Darling dive deep into the crucial element of professional development in international schools. Learn how to identify, access, and maximize PD opportunities both within and beyond your school to elevate your teaching, expand your horizons, and truly flourish in your global career. From strategic personal growth plans to leveraging school resources and unexpected learning avenues, this episode is packed with invaluable advice for every international educator.💬 Quotes from the Episode:"You have to be the captain of your own ship. You have to know what it is that you're doing, and as you're developing your professional learning plans... it has to reflect your journey." – Katlyn Darling 🚢"The more you can professionally enhance and develop your individual teachers, the more likely they're going to stay. And that's really good for you. So it can be really a great part of your attraction and retention strategy." – Greg Smith 💼"Teachers need access to be able to take a course or on demand when they need it... Having access to PD is just incredibly important." – Dana Watts 💡"I learned about that widget from a school administrator... and I'm taking it, and I'm putting it into my instructional practice right away." – Katlyn Darling 🧠"If you don't apply it yourself within 48 hours, it's basically gone." – Greg Smith ⏳"The second you tell someone else, or you teach something else that you learn to someone else, it just sticks, and that's so helpful." – Dana Watts 🗣️📌 Key Insights:Be the Captain of Your Own PD Journey: 🧭 While schools offer support, international educators must take ownership of their professional development. Chart a course that aligns with your personal growth goals and career trajectory.Schools' Evolving Approach to PD: 🎯 Gone are the days of a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Good international schools now offer voice and choice, providing stipends or direct access to diverse PD to meet individual growth needs.PD as a Retention Strategy: 🤝 For school leaders, investing in teacher PD is a key strategy for attracting and retaining high-quality staff, fostering professional efficacy, and ensuring consistent baseline quality across the school.Maximize Every PD Opportunity (The 48-Hour Rule!): ⏱️Engage Actively: Take notes (handwritten can aid focus and recall!), and observe not just content but also presentation styles and facilitation techniques.Apply Quickly: Greg Smith's "rule of 48" suggests applying what you learn within 48 hours, or the opportunity dissipates. Find a way to try it or share it with a colleague to solidify the learning.Beyond Formal Workshops: Diverse PD Avenues:Regional & Local Conferences: ✈️ Attend larger regional events, but also seek out smaller, local conferences (e.g., those hosted by local universities). These offer unique networking opportunities with diverse educators, including those from local schools.Accreditation Teams: Joining an accreditation visit to another school is a powerful learning experience and a significant pathway to leadership, offering insights into different school operations.Networking: Connecting with peers in similar roles globally is invaluable. These informal connections can provide real-time solutions and support.Online Platforms: Utilize on-demand platforms (like the ISS EduLearn Passport) for flexible, accessible learning that allows you to address specific "holes in your learning" precisely when you need it.Equity in PD Access: 🌍 A crucial shift in international schools is providing equitable access to professional learning for all staff, including non-teaching staff and local hires. These individuals are the "glue" of the school, and their growth benefits the entire learning community.

🔥 Calling all education enthusiasts & change-makers! 🔥 Join us for a powerful convo with Ivy Yan, a true visionary transforming how we address climate change in education! 🌎 Ivy, from Inspire Citizens, shares her wisdom on managing climate anxiety, fostering emotional resilience, & inspiring action! 🙌 Learn how to connect head, heart, & hands for a brighter future! ☀️ This episode is a MUST for teachers, students, & anyone who cares about our planet! 🎧 Let's make a difference together! ✨💬 Viral Soundbites! 🎤🌟🚶‍♀️ "I walked for 5 hours, trusting the unknown... and discovered magic! ✨ Sometimes, you just gotta let go!"😢 "I feel sad... Do you guys really care about our Earth?" 💔 (Ivy's vulnerability = powerful lesson!)👂 "Deep listening is KEY! 🔑 Hold space for students' feelings, without judgment!" ❤️🧘‍♀️ "Self-care isn't selfish; it's FUEL for empathy! 💪 We need to be strong to support others!"📱 "Technology is amazing, but it's about INTENTION! 💖 Let's use media for GOOD!" 🌱📌 Key Insights You Can't Miss! 🔑👇Ivy's Inspiring Journey! 🌟 Learn how she's empowering students & educators to become global citizens! 🌍The Power of Experiential Learning! 👐 Head + Heart + Hands = Transformative Education! 🧠❤️🙌Eco-Media Magic! ✨ Discover how media & art can reconnect us with nature & each other! 📸🎶Climate Anxiety SOS! 🆘 Practical techniques to manage stress & cultivate hope! ☀️UNESCO's Wake-Up Call! 🚨 Schools need help with the emotional side of climate education! 😢International Educator Superpowers! 💪 Empathy & awareness across cultures are ESSENTIAL! 💖Shifting Our Mindset! ➡️ From "Me, Me, Me" to an "Eco-Centric" Worldview! 🌎🛑 Take Action NOW! ⬇️This episode is your guide to navigating climate change with hope & purpose! 💖🌍🌍 Find Your Dream Job: Explore ISS's virtual and in-person job fairs happening throughout the year to connect with top international schools worldwide and discover your next exciting career opportunity.📚 Elevate Your Expertise: Looking to enhance your credentials or gain new skills? Sign up for Moreland University at www.moreland.edu and elevate your career as an educator with their cutting-edge programs.🤝 Join a Thriving Community: Become part of a global network of dedicated professionals. Connect with SENIA International at seniainternational.org and engage in vital conversations about fostering inclusion in diverse classroom cultures.💡 Champion Global Citizenship: Get inspired and empower your students to become change-makers. Check out Inspire Citizens at inspirecitizens.org and learn how they inspire schools to live their mission of global citizenship.For more insightful events, resources, and to discover how ISS empowers international education, visit iss.edu today!Unlock Your Global Teaching Journey!Ready to leap into international education? ISS is your gateway to exciting opportunities:🌍 Explore Careers Worldwide: Connect with top international schools at ISS’s virtual and in-person job fairs.📚 Grow as an Educator: Advance your skills through Moreland University’s innovative programs at ⁠www.moreland.edu⁠.🤝 Build Community: Join SENIA International at ⁠seniainternational.org⁠ to collaborate on inclusive education.💡 Inspire Global Citizenship: Discover transformative resources from Inspire Citizens at ⁠inspirecitizens.org⁠.Learn more at ⁠iss.edu⁠ and take the first step toward a global teaching adventure!

The ISS EDUlearn AMA podcast explores the latest trends in international education. In this special "GRT Summer Series" episode, hosts Mike and returning educators Dana Specker Watts, Katlyn Darling, and Celiah Bunsie, along with Dr. Nadine Richards, dive deep into the practicalities of teaching overseas. This segment offers crucial advice on navigating employment contracts, understanding the nuances of housing, tuition benefits, global healthcare, tax implications, and various insurance types. The episode concludes with powerful personal reflections on how teaching internationally transforms lives, offering unparalleled professional and personal growth—essential knowledge for a smooth transition to life abroad.🗣️ Key Quote #1: "Don't get bullied into something. Make sure you have the time and space to make choices, because how you live is important to how you... how you work." – Katlyn Darling🔄 Key Quote #2: "It's really important to get to know the culture and what criterias are accepted and not accepted. Pets, etc." – Dr. Nadine Richards🤝 Key Quote #3: "I've had amazing healthcare overseas. Incredible. Some of the top... I would say, higher quality, easier access..." – Dr. Dana Specker Watts🧠 Key Quote #4: "Teaching internationally gave me access to a future that I didn't know existed both professionally and personally." - Katlyn Darling🌍 Key Quote #5: "At least once in your life, if you can have the experience of teaching abroad, living abroad, it just gives you so much more perspective on... things and on life." - Celiah BunsieKey Insights:Cultural Fit & Family: Beyond salary, investigate cultural norms and acceptance criteria for all family members, including pets. Regulations and community reception for animals vary greatly and can impact your decision.Tuition Benefits: For those with children, scrutinize tuition benefits carefully. International school tuition is often high; understand the percentage or number of children covered as it significantly impacts your overall compensation.Healthcare & Insurance: Overseas healthcare often rivals or surpasses quality in home countries, with easier access and affordability. Verify if your health insurance is local or global. Other insurance types (car, contents) are also often more affordable and comprehensive abroad.Tax Implications: Understand tax obligations in both your host and home countries. While favorable rates or exemptions exist, your tax status can change with residency over time. Consider specialists experienced with expatriate income.Transformative Growth: Teaching internationally offers profound personal and professional transformation, broadening perspectives, strengthening teaching craft, and providing unique leadership opportunities beyond traditional constraints.Conclusion:This episode provides essential practical considerations for international educators, emphasizing that a deep understanding of your contract—covering living arrangements, benefits, healthcare, taxes, and insurance—is paramount for a successful and happy experience abroad. It highlights proactive research, leveraging support, and personalizing your relocation strategy, ultimately illustrating that teaching overseas offers unparalleled personal and professional growth and a global outlook.Unlock Your Global Teaching Journey!Ready to leap into international education? ISS is your gateway to exciting opportunities:🌍 Explore Careers Worldwide: Connect with top international schools at ISS’s virtual and in-person job fairs.📚 Grow as an Educator: Advance your skills through Moreland University’s innovative programs at www.moreland.edu.🤝 Build Community: Join SENIA International at seniainternational.org to collaborate on inclusive education.💡 Inspire Global Citizenship: Discover transformative resources from Inspire Citizens at inspirecitizens.org.Learn more at iss.edu and take the first step toward a global teaching adventure!

📝 Episode Description: In this crucial episode, host Mike P. and co-host Katlyn Darling welcome Dr. Cathy White, a specialist in trauma-informed practices and suicide prevention, to discuss the vital importance of addressing these issues in educational settings. The conversation delves into recognizing signs of trauma and distress, implementing preventative measures, and effectively responding to crises. Dr. White shares valuable insights on fostering resilience and safety among both students and staff.💬 Quotes from the Episode:"For young children and for adolescents, the brain is this beautiful, malleable, plastic thing.""COVID was hands down a collective trauma, more for some than for others.""Teachers generally have a rule of thumb. Seven to ten times, I need to say this, seven to ten times in the classroom... for students to remember what we talked about.""Unfortunately, trauma has always been a factor in education, but it's definitely gotten worse in recent times.""It's okay to ask, 'Are you feeling suicidal right now?'""You have to put your own oxygen mask on first before you can help others."📌 Key Insights:The Prevalence of Trauma:Trauma has always been present in schools due to factors like poverty, abuse, and family issues.COVID-19 exacerbated trauma through social isolation and potential home instability.Current societal issues, including environmental concerns and political anxieties, contribute to student stress.Trauma in International Schools:Despite perceptions of privilege, students in international schools can experience trauma (e.g., generational trauma, neglect, lack of parental support).Money does not eliminate mental health challenges or family dysfunction.Impact of Isolation:Isolation is a significant risk factor, increasing anxiety and stress when students lack supportive relationships.Relationship Building:Strong relationships are protective factors against trauma and suicide.Relationship mapping helps identify students who lack connections with adults in school.Small, consistent conversations between teachers and students are powerful tools for building connections.Responding to Suicidal Behavior:It's okay to directly ask students about suicidal feelings.Validate students' feelings and provide a safe space for them to talk.Connect students with trained professionals (school counselors, gatekeepers, or community mental health resources).Supporting Educators:Educator well-being is crucial for a healthy school system.Self-care is essential for teachers to manage stress and avoid burnout.Administrators should support teacher well-being through communication and offering relief.Compassion Fatigue:The concept of compassion fatigue is introduced, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sustainable emotional workload.🛑 Conclusion: This episode highlights the critical need for schools to address trauma and suicide prevention proactively. Dr. White's expertise provides educators and administrators with practical strategies for building supportive relationships, responding to crises, and prioritizing their own well-being. By fostering a culture of care and connection, schools can create safer and more resilient environments for students and staff.More ResourcesHead over iss.edu to check out ISS website for events and more.Sign up for Moreland University to elevate your career as an educator at www.moreland.eduJoin the community of professional educators considering the role of inclusion in the classroom culture at seniainternational.orgCheck out inspire citizens who inspire schools to live their mission of global citizenship at inspirecitizens.org

📝 Episode Description: Mike P., Dana, Katlyn, and Celiah dive into the transformative topic of AI in elementary education with guest Jason Prohaska. Explore how AI is revolutionizing education, strategies for thoughtful integration, and addressing ethical and safety implications. Discover practical ways AI can support educators and enhance learning experiences in the K-12 setting.💬 Quotes from the Episode:"It really is a unicorn in education, in my opinion, because it's going to change so much in so many ways." 🦄"What does this mean for us in terms of our ethical use of it? And ethics includes, you know, the the other AI academic integrity." ⚖️"When teachers see the potential that they can offload some of the cognitive load that they go through every day... there's more buy-in." 🧠"Do the best you can until you know better. When you know better, do better." ✨📌 Key Insights:AI has the potential to revolutionize education, similar to the impact of the internet. 🌐Ethical considerations and data protection are paramount when integrating AI in schools. 🛡️AI can help teachers offload administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on relationships and meaningful instruction. 🧑‍🏫Playing with AI and exploring its capabilities can lead to innovative teaching and learning strategies. 🎮Leadership, strategic planning, and professional development are crucial for successful AI integration in schools. 🏫Critical thinking and lateral reading skills are essential for students to navigate information in the age of AI. 🧐🛑 Conclusion: This episode explores the dynamic intersection of AI and elementary education, offering valuable insights for educators looking to harness its potential. From ethical implementation to practical classroom applications, the discussion emphasizes the importance of thoughtful integration and ongoing exploration. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your fellow educators! 🚀📚✨More ResourcesHead over iss.edu to check out ISS website for events and more.Sign up for Moreland University to elevate your career as an educator at www.moreland.eduJoin the community of professional educators considering the role of inclusion in the classroom culture at seniainternational.orgCheck out inspire citizens who inspire schools to live their mission of global citizenship at inspirecitizens.org

📝 Episode Description: Join Mike P, Katlyn, and Dana as they welcome Tom Kaster, a seasoned educator turned data visualization expert. Tom shares his journey from firefighting to teaching across seven countries, and how he founded Datafied Classroom to make student data accessible and usable. Discover how his tools are helping educators leverage data to improve teaching and learning, and explore the challenges and opportunities in integrating technology and data in education.💬 Quotes from the Episode:"I felt like there was... I was needing to get to a point where I was having to step away from the classroom, and... you should check out data dashboards and visualizing data." 🖥️"I think that's where the human touch of that is really powerful and really necessary." 🤝"We're still pulling out of the dip from Covid." 📉"How can I help teachers do the things that they need to do without giving them more work to do?" 🧑‍🏫📌 Key Insights:Data visualization transforms complex information into actionable insights for educators. 📈Tools like predicted grade spreadsheets and standards-based grade books empower teachers to make informed decisions. 🛠️The integration of learning management systems and student information systems is crucial for holistic student understanding. 🔗Balancing technological innovation with data privacy and ethical considerations is essential in education. 🛡️🛑 Conclusion: Tom Kaster’s work highlights the power of data in enhancing educational practices. By providing accessible tools and fostering data literacy, educators can create more informed and impactful learning experiences. Visit datafiedclassroom.com to explore resources and connect with Tom. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your educator friends! 🚀📚✨More Resources Always include. Head over iss.edu to check out ISS website for events and more.Sign up for Moreland University to elevate your career as an educator at www.moreland.eduJoin the community of professional educators considering the role of inclusion in the classroom culture at seniainternational.orgCheck out inspire citizens who inspire schools to live their mission of global citizenship at inspirecitizens.org