ClassCast Podcast Ep.083 features Jessica Kirkland, a high school English teacher in Loudoun County, Virginia (and Twitter superstar), talking shop and exchanging ideas about improving schools, building relationships, navigating the pandemic, and much more with host Ryan Tibbens. In this laidback, funny, yet insightful discussion, you'll hear Jess proclaim that she's "pro-nonsense," share her strategies for connecting with students, divulge her secret wish to indoctrinate students (with a love for trees), and much more. Part of what makes this discussion so refreshing is that Jess has nothing to promote, nothing to sell. She has amassed over 11,000 Twitter followers in around three years just by being honest, thoughtful, and likeable -- and it all shines through in this discussion. Whether you're looking for honest perspectives on the current state of schools, a funny conversation between coworkers, or ideas about how to scale your social media presence (Jess says, "All of my demons are in the drafts"), you will love this episode.

You can learn more about Jess and follow her on Twitter @JKirk___ (three underscores, LOL). 

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-5:00 -- Intro to Jessica Kirkland (& Her Twitter Fame)
2. 5:00-14:20 -- Relationships & the Purpose of School According to Jess **
3. 14:20-20:13 -- Finding Our Places during the Pandemic * 
4. 20:13-27:08 -- Are Schools Still in Panic Mode?
5. 27:08-34:57 -- Forging Relationships through Masks & Screens **
6. 34:57-41:15 -- Jess Kirkland's Experience as a Student
7. 41:15-46:44 -- Should Teachers Love Their Students?
8. 46:44-54:33 -- Does Teaching Diverse Students Require Diverse Personas? *
9. 54:33-1:07:59 -- Jess's Ideal School: Specialization & Interdisciplinary Studies **
10. 1:07:59-1:15:29 -- Is Change Impossible in Public Education? *
11. 1:15:29-1:22:16 -- Jess's Outlook for 2022
12. 1:22:16-1:36:31 -- Jess's Final Thoughts, Book/Movie Recs, & Wrap-Up *

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​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! 
​Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!

ClassCast Podcast Ep.081 features Mr. Tyler Rablin, an instructional technology coach, high school English teacher, and anti-grading crusader in Washington, sharing his perspectives and research on grading and assessment with host Ryan Tibbens.  This is among the all-time best episodes of the ClassCast Podcast because Tyler offers insights and ideas that challenge conventional wisdom, that put students first, and that show listeners a path to better formal education.  By reforming grading, we can increase learning, boost confidence, improve culture, and help teachers to handle the burden of feedback.

This is an instant-classic. Listen on the podcast service of your choice, and be sure to like, follow, subscribe, write a review, and share with friends! You can hear more from Tyler Rablin on  Twitter @Mr_Rablin, LinkedIn, and his website.

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-11:31 -- Intro to Tyler Rablin & Crusading Against Grading *
2. 11:31-15:27 -- How Teachers & Parents React to Grading Innovation
3. 15:27-22:48 -- Ungrading: How It Works ** 
4. 22:48-29:38 -- Gender in Grading & Student Self-Assessment
5. 29:38-42:31 -- Grading's Impact on Confidence & Growth **
6. 42:31-55:59 -- Is Grading a Culture Problem? **
7. 55:59-1:10:12 -- The Purpose of School According to Tyler Rablin *
8. 1:10:12-1:17:32 -- Tyler's Ideal School
9. 1:17:32-1:28:14 -- Why Is 2021 So Hard? *
10. 1:28:14-1:38:29 -- Tyler's Book/Movie Recs & Final Wrap-Up

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​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! 
​Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!

ClassCast Podcast Ep.080 features Doug Roberts, the founder and CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation (IEI), speaking with host Ryan Tibbens about empowering educators, supporting superintendents, and connecting innovative education entrepreneurs with the schools and students they want to serve. After starting his career as a history/social studies teacher, Doug filled a variety of roles before launching IEI, which is a unique organization designed to support superintendents. Doug has strong feelings about empowering educators; hiring, training, and trusting great teachers; and giving excellent educational vendors, large and small, a level playing field to compete for contracts in a variety of school settings. Doug's recent work with superintendents has led to the creation of the Supes' Choice Awards, a contest and award program that is the first of its kind. Listeners will find Doug's focus on high quality service, pragmatism, and supporting students to be honest and refreshing. If you've ever been curious about how superintendents network, connect, and learn, or if you've ever wanted to better understand the complexities and difficulties facing the top educators in districts across the country, you'll love this discussion.  You can find Doug on Twitter and LinkedIn; IEI is also on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-8:40 -- Intro to IEI & Doug Roberts/ Advice for Education Entrepreneurs
2. 8:40-10:44 -- The Value of Relationships w/ Students, Staff, & Vendors
3. 10:44-21:03 -- The Impact of Scale: Big vs Small Schools & Businesses * 
4. 21:03-29:26 -- 2021, Optics, & Scrutiny: The Impact of Politics in Schools **
5. 29:26-34:04 -- School Choice, Innovation, & Responsive Leadership
6. 34:04-45:05 -- Doug's Ideal School: Empowering Educators **
7. 45:05-50:44 -- The Purpose of School & Who Calls the Shots
8. 50:44-59:02 -- Supres' Choice Awards & Engaging with Superintendents *
9. 59:02-1:06:08 -- Wrap-Up &  Doug's Book/Movie Recs

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​​The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! 
​Donations -- large and small -- help keep this podcast independent!