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!

ClassCast Podcast Ep.076 features Simon Tang, a former student of host Ryan Tibbens, sharing his thoughts on school improvement, student choice, dual enrollment programs, post-high school plans, Dick Wolf TV shows, and much, much more. Throughout his public school career, Simon distinguished himself from most students by serving as a technology support specialist/paraprofessional in the school, forming close bonds with faculty members, challenging the status quo, earning top grades and thousands of dollars in scholarships, and wearing a totally awesome pocket protector. Simon shares his student (and semi-staff) views on school improvement, joining the US Navy, and how COVID affected his education, post-high school plans, and personal outlook. If you're interested in serious student perspectives, challenges to tradition, or people with the quirks and confidence to change the world, don't miss Episode 076 and Mr. Simon Tang! 

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-11:03 -- Meet Simon Tang *
2. 11:03-17:00 -- Dual Enrollment, Rigorous Classes, & Scholarships **
3. 17:00-25:58 -- Simon'ns Start in the United States Navy
4. 25:58-30:02 -- The Purpose of School: Indoctrination or Self-Improvement? **
5. 30:02-35:13 -- I.T., Specialization, & Access to Education
6. 35:13-39:22 -- What's the Deal with Textbooks?
7. 39:22-53:50 -- The Importance of Student Choice & Engagement *
8. 53:50-58:01 -- The GED, Graduation, and Opportunity
9. 58:01-1:12:00 -- Simon's Ideal School: Choice & Specialization **
10. 1:12:00-1:17:00 -- Would You Send Your Kids to These Schools?
11. 1:17:00-1:27:24 -- Standardized Testing, Project-Based Learning, & Power Skills **
12. 1:27:24-1:32:00 -- Hot Topics, Hot Seat
13. 1:32:00-1:52:32 -- Simon's Book, Movie, & TV Recommendations; Final Thoughts; & 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.074 features Al Kingsley -- CEO of NetSupport Inc., school leader & administrator in the United Kingdom, and author of the hit new book My Secret #EdTech Diary -- speaking with host Ryan Tibbens about his career in educational technology, what he's learned by leading his own schools, how the pandemic has changed education, why personal reflection is so important, why #EdTech really is for everyone, and more. Al's book "gives an insider's view of education technology historically and for the post-pandemic future." With a career in technology that spans over three decades, and with experiences launching and leading great schools, Al is uniquely positioned to help teachers and school administrators better understand the value of education technology, how to leverage it, and why common sense adoption and professional development practices ultimately lead to better education and happier teachers. From focusing on students to reflecting on professional practices, from digital citizenship to data security, Kingsley and Tibbens address the most important ideas behind #EdTech. 

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-3:15 -- Intro to Al Kingsley & My Secret #Edtech Diary
2. 3:15-12:15 -- Tech Adoption for Teachers and Districts **
3. 12:15-19:00 -- Improving #EdTech by Improving Professional Development & Relationships *
4. 19:00-31:02 --Pandemic Schooling, Innovation, & Reflection
5. 31:02-37:04 -- Al's Education & Entry into School Leadership
6. 37:04-50:35 -- Assessment, Reflection, & #EdTech for Success *
7. 50:35-1:03:57 -- Student Privacy & Data Security
8. 1:03:57-1:16:19 -- Al's Ideal School *
9. 1:16:19-1:24:16 -- 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!