Signature Leadership Podcast by Knowledgehook

S03E06 w/ Damian Cooper - Rebooting Assessment: A Practical Guide for Balancing Conversations, Performances, and Products

Thu, 11 May 2023 13:00:00 -0400

In today’s episode, I am fortunate to be joined by Damian Cooper, a long-time friend and colleague who has been focused on classroom assessment for the past several decades. Damian is a former high school teacher and school district consultant for assessment. He is currently an education consultant and author working across Canada and the US. He has recently completed his fourth book on assessment entitled: Rebooting Assessment: A Practical Guide for Balancing Conversations, Performances, and Products. Damian is here to share his new book and to provide insight into how we can improve classroom assessment practices.

For more opportunities to learn from Damian and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership

S03E05 w/ Wayne Clancy - Measuring Wellness and Resilience in Business: Implications for Education

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 13:00:00 -0500

In today’s episode, I am joined by Wayne Clancy, a business leader and entrepreneur who has focused his work on enabling human possibilities. He has worked with private and public sector organizations with the mandate to inspire positive change through social collaboration. He is with us to share his experience in sectors as diverse as healthcare, municipalities, and business to explore how their focus on wellness and resilience can inform K-12 and postsecondary practices.

For more opportunities to learn from Wayne and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership

S03E04 w/ Joanne McEachen - The Maori Way of Learning

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 12:37:07 -0500

In today’s episode, we are joined by Joanne McEachen who has been leading education reform in New Zealand and the United States for the past couple of decades. What you may not know about Jojo, is that she is Maori on her mother’s side of the family. Jojo describes how her Maori ancestry has influenced her as an educator. She also describes to us the Maori way of learning.

For more opportunities to learn from Joanne and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership

S03E03 w/ Kevin Lamoureux - Ensouling our Schools: A Universally Designed Framework for Mental Health, Well-being and Reconciliation

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

In today’s episode, we are privileged to learn from an indigenous education leader. Kevin shares with us a book that he co-authored with Jennifer Katz called Ensouling our Schools: A Universally Designed Framework for Mental Health, Well-being and Reconciliation. Kevin ’s lived experience shines through, helping all of us to understand how we can welcome our indigenous and non-indigenous students into our classrooms and schools.

For more opportunities to learn from Kevin and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership

S03E02 w/ Niigaan Sinclair - Indigenous Ways of Thinking; Ways of Knowing

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

In today’s episode, I am joined by Niigaan Sinclair, an award-winning Indigenous writer, journalist and academic. While commentating nationally on CBC and winning awards like the Peace Educator of the Year from Georgetown University in Washington DC, Niigaan continues to make time to guide leaders in K-12 school districts to provide better teaching and learning for our indigenous and non-indigenous students. This is an opportunity to hear his poignant and sometimes heartbreaking reflections.

For more opportunities to learn from Niigaan and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership

S03E01 w/ Aaliyah Samuel - Beyond the Politics

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 16:01:34 -0400

In today’s episode, we have the opportunity to meet an education trailblazer. Like many educators, Aaliyah began her career in the classroom. But a relatively short time later, she was tapped on the shoulder to assist Joe Biden’s education transition team. This remarkable educator is now leading The Collaborative for Academic and Social Emotional Learning known as CASEL as it navigates its way “beyond the politics”. As educators, we are all walking that political tightrope.

For more opportunities to learn from Aaliyah and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership.

S2E12 w/ Mark Greenberg: Cultivating Educator Resilience and Well-Being

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 12:50:28 -0400

In today’s episode, I am excited to share my conversation with Mark Greenberg. Mark received his Ph.D. at the University of Virginia in Developmental and Child Clinical Psychology. Through his work at Penn State University and in organizations like The Collaborative for Academic and Social Emotional Learning (CASEL) and (Creating Resilience for Educators, Administrators and Teachers (CREATE), Mark has been instrumental in shifting our focus from student achievement to student achievement and well-being. Mark has worked tirelessly to ensure that we don’t forget our educators in the process.

For more opportunities to learn from Mark and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership.

S02E11 w/ Yong Zhao: A look at Three Amazing Books

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 11:46:46 -0400

In today’s episode, we have the privilege of hearing from Yong Zhao, a force in education academia over the past few decades. Yong Zhao has written a variety of books on education and education reform. The titles and contents are both enticing and provocative, and they provide the perfect entry point for a fascinating discussion. This is an opportunity to learn about Yong Zhao’s most recent books and to discover the common themes (and differences) that emerge across all three.

For more opportunities to learn from Yong and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership.

S2E10 - w/ Victoria Showumni: Black Girls and Well-Being in Schools

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 13:00:00 -0500

In today’s episode, we tackle two important topics – racism and well-being. I am joined by Dr. Victoria Showunmi, Associate Professor at University College London (UCL). Victoria has been doing research on the intersection of black girls (and women) and well-being. We are well aware of the global mental health crisis in youth – Victoria helps us learn more about one marginalized group within the broader population. The findings from her research point to strategies educators can and should be using in our classrooms and schools – strategies that will make a difference for black girls and others as well.

For more opportunities to learn from Victoria and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership.

S02E09 - w/ Alma Harris - From Distributive Leadership to System Recall

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 12:57:24 -0500

In today’s episode, we’ll hear from one of the most influential education researchers coming out of the UK, Alma Harris. Professor Harris worked for years out of University College London (UCL) before moving to Swansea University, Wales where she continues to lead the charge in supporting school and system leaders. Alma walks us through her educational research journey from the concept of distributive leadership to the need for a system recall. All of us, as educational leaders in classrooms, in schools and in school systems can benefit from Alma’s sage advice.

To sign up for the Knowledgehook Anthologies Roundtable, and for more opportunities to learn from Alma and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership.

S2E08 - w/ Juan Manuel Lopera: From Medellin to Entrepreneur: Math Teachers Make a Difference

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 13:00:00 -0500

As we head into 2022, I think we’re all looking for a little inspiration. Here’s a story that will remind all of us about the influence a teacher can have on students living in difficult, desperate conditions. Our next guest was one of those students.

In today’s episode, we meet Juan Manuel Lopera, the founder and CEO of TOMi. TOMI is a digital device that is providing millions of students and their teachers with off-line learning where internet is not available. The impact of Juan Manuel’s entrepreneurship alone makes this an incredible story. But from an educator’s perspective, what makes this story even more compelling is that Juan Manuel Lopera emerged from the violent streets of Medellin, Colombia in the 90s. And he says he owes it all to his middle school math teacher.

For more opportunities to learn from Juan Manuel and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership.

S2E07 - w/ Danielle De La Fuente: Lessons Learned from Supporting Displaced and Disenfranchised Children

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0500

In today’s episode, we meet Danielle De La Fuente, the co-founder of the Amal Alliance. Danielle shares her background with us and what led her to create an NGO dedicated to supporting displaced and disenfranchised children. She walks us through the programs offered by the Amal Alliance, the lessons learned from working in these hard-to-serve areas, and what all of us think about when we’re supporting children wherever they may be learning.

For more opportunities to learn from Danielle and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership.

S02E06 w/ Rui Marques - Promoting Social Emotional Skills and Well-being in Schools across Portugal – The Ubuntu Leadership Academy

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 15:58:31 -0500

In today’s episode, I am joined by Rui Marques of the Ubuntu Leadership Academy, an initiative focused on the development of social emotional learning in Portuguese schools. This project is one of 100 projects funded by the Gulbenkian Foundation over a three-year period within both formal and informal education settings across Portugal.

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting a number of schools in neighbourhoods with significant challenges, where the students, teachers and principals described the profound impact of participating in this immersive experience. While this is very much a human story, it is also a case study for implementation. Many innovations in education fail, not due to a lack or worth but rather because of flawed implementation. After 4 days of observations in Portugal, this is an implementation story worth telling. The Ubuntu Leadership Academy is changing lives and will continue to do so. This Academy, with support from the Gulbenkian Foundation and the Ministry of Education, appears to have discovered the secret sauce of sustainable change.

For more opportunities to learn from Rui and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership.

S2E05 w/ Marjo Kyllönen: The OECD Survey of Social and Emotional Skills: Lessons from Helsinki, Finland

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 12:58:07 -0400

In this podcast, I welcome an exceptional leader in education, Dr. Marjo Kyllönen. Marjo is the Head of Education Development Services in Helsinki, Finland. In this role, she leads the provision of education for the full gamut of learners - from preschool to young adults. Scholars have been studying the Finnish system for the last couple of decades, since Finland emerged at the top of the PISA rankings.

In this episode, Marjo discusses Helsinki’s participation in the OECD Survey of Social and Emotional Skills, one of the first international forays into measuring non-cognitive skill development. We learn about some of the global findings across the 10 participating cities as described in Beyond Academic Learning: First Results from the Survey of Social and Emotional Skills (OECD, 2021). Marjo walks us through the findings for Helsinki, including a few surprises!

For more opportunities to learn from Marjo and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership.

S2E04 w/ Cathy Williams: A Math Leader’s Journey to Youcubed and Beyond

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 13:00:00 -0400

In this episode we have the pleasure of hearing from Cathy Williams. Along with Jo Boaler, Cathy co-founded Youcubed, an organization within Stanford University that is dedicated to inspiring mathematics success for all students through growth mindsets and innovative teaching. I think of Cathy as being the silent partner to Jo, but trust me, she’s anything but silent! Cathy has a long history of excellence in mathematics - from high school math teacher to Director of K-12 Math at Vista Unified School District, to professor at Stanford University.

Cathy walks us through her pathway as a math expert as well as the evolution she is seeing in teaching and learning in math. We learn about Youcubed - its origins and its future in supporting math instruction. She then dives into data science - a passion shared by both Cathy and Jo. Cathy describes how data science can inspire all students to be engaged in learning math to solve real world problems, not only in the math class but across subject areas and in an interdisciplinary approach to learning. We are inspired by the examples of best practices Cathy has observed in schools and districts.

For more opportunities to learn from Cathy and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership.

S2E3 w/ Christine Suurtamm: Supporting High-Quality Math Teaching in Uncertain Times

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 13:00:00 -0400

In this podcast, we hear from Dr. Christine Suurtamm, a renowned Canadian professor of mathematics at the University of Ottawa. Chris walks us through the recommendations from a report that she co-authored with Jo Boaler, Tanya LaMar and Jennifer Langer-Osuna, all from Stanford University in California.

“We’re in this together: Supporting high-quality math teaching in uncertain times” provided recommendations for math teachers heading back to school in September 2020 after the 4-month disruption caused by the pandemic. None of us could have imagined that the world would be in a similar situation 12 months later. Yet here we are. This is an opportunity to hear Chris’ thinking on approaches to supporting our students and math teachers as they head back to in-class learning environments.

For more opportunities to learn from Christine and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership.

S2E2 w/ Andy Hargreaves: Five Paths of Student Engagement: Blazing the Trail to Learning and Success

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 11:50:46 -0400

Today we have the opportunity to hear about Andy Hargreaves' new book Five Paths of Student Engagement: Blazing the Trail to Learning and Success (2021) that he co-wrote with colleague Dennis Shirley from Boston College. It turns out that Andy has been very prolific throughout the pandemic. He’s used this time to put thoughts into words, reflecting back on his research done in education systems around the world and synthesizing it into meaningful reflections on the topics most relevant in education today.

Student engagement is one such topic. The pandemic has forced educators to think about how to engage all learners, not only in the classroom, but also when learning shifts to the home environment. Throughout their book and this discussion, Andy notes the shift from The Age of Achievement and Effort to The Age of Engagement, Well-Being and Identity. My question - is it a shift or an evolution?

For more opportunities to learn from Andy and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership.

S2E1 w/ Pedro Noguera: Equity – The Greatest Challenge in Education

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 12:44:03 -0400

In this episode, I dive into a conversation with Pedro Noguera, one of the most influential educators in the US. He is currently the Dean of the Rossier School of Education and a Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of Southern California. Not many academics can say that they’ve served as a tenured professor at UCLA, NYU, Harvard, and Berkeley. Pedro Noguera can.

Pedro begins the conversation by describing the difference between equality (principles) and equity (actions). He shares his 30 years of experience as an academic, including his work on equity of outcomes for all students. Pedro doesn’t hesitate to describe the shortcomings of our education system, particularly with respect to those children most in need of our support. But he doesn’t stop at the shortcomings. Pedro leaves us with a sense of hope, describing best practices he has witnessed in California and around the world.

For more opportunities to learn from Pedro and other thought leaders in education and beyond, check out the Knowledgehook Signature Leadership Portal at www.knowledgehook.com/leadership.

S1E15 w/ Alyson Schafer: Wise Words from a Parenting Expert: How Educators can Support Student Well-Being

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 13:00:00 -0400

In this podcast, listeners have an opportunity to hear directly from a well-known parenting expert. Alyson Schafer is a certified family therapist who has penned 3 bestselling books , “Breaking the Good Mom Myth”, “Honey, I Wrecked the Kids”, and “Ain’t Misbehavin’”. She hosts her own Podcast series: Parenting the Adlerian Way. Alyson works directly with children and their families and has unique insights that are so very helpful to educators.

In this episode, Alyson describes the impact of the pandemic on the well-being of children and provides us with approaches that can be used in our classrooms. Let’s give these a try!

S1E14 - w/ Dr. Jean Clinton: Love Builds Brains

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 13:00:00 -0400

In this Podcast, Dr. Jean Clinton introduces us to her new book “Love Builds Brains”. Jean is a world-renowned child psychiatrist who is helping to forge the link between well-being and learning. In the book, Jean shares her insights from the perspective of a parent and grandparent, as well as from her professional and academic perspective. That’s just who Jean is. All of us can relate to her stories and can learn from her advice on how to improve our classrooms, schools, and jurisdictions. The book has been released at a time when we can use a little love, particularly our students who are learning in unusual environments - either in altered classroom settings, at home, or a combination of the two.

S1E13 - w/ Santiago Rincón-Gallardo: Liberating Learning: Educational Change as Social Movement

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 14:29:41 -0400

In this podcast, I have a conversation with Santiago Rincón-Gallardo, an academic who has lived, studied, and researched in two worlds - the Global North and the Global South. He was born and raised in Mexico City, attended graduate school at Harvard, and for the past decade, has lived in Toronto Canada, working with Michael Fullan as his Chief Research Officer.

Santiago walks us through some of the main themes in his book: education and democracy; and, educational change and social movements. While these topics may appear to be at the macro level, we dive right into the micro level, focusing on how educators at every level in education systems can liberate learning in classrooms, schools and districts.

S1E12 w/ Marc Brackett - Part 2: Permission to Feel - Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help our Kids, Ourselves, and our Society Thrive

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 17:30:25 -0400

In this second episode, Dr. Marc Brackett, Founding Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, continues from where he left off in the first episode. He shifts to how educators can implement strategies outlined in his book “Permission to Feel”. He walks us through examples of state-level success stories, such as Connecticut which now offers free modules on well-being to all educators across the state. Marc ends this conversation with a look to the future – global trends in supporting well-being as well as his own plans for continuing to contribute to the field.

S1E11 w/ Marc Brackett - Part 1: Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help our Kids, Ourselves, and our Society Thrive

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 13:00:00 -0400

In this podcast, we get to know Dr. Marc Brackett and his work a little better. Marc is world-renowned for the creation of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. He has been talking about emotional intelligence since long before it was cool to do so. Marc speaks about the impetus to write his book “Permission to Feel” and brings us up to date with his work since writing the book. He is truly a pioneer in student and adult well-being, reminding all of us that there are strategies we can use to help us stay centered in the current tipsy world.

S1E10 - w/ Andy Hargreaves: Moving: A Memoir of Education and Social Mobility

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 13:00:00 -0400

I’ve known Andy for the better part of three decades. Yet, his memoir provides more insights into the history behind my friend and world-renowned educator. In this podcast, Andy Hargreaves shares details of his personal story and reflects on the education system and society in which he was raised. We learn about his challenges and successes growing up and how they have shaped his research and professional contributions. As in his book, the podcast demonstrates that Andy is looking back to help others look forward.

S1E9 - w/ Jean Clinton: Striving for Well-Being: In the Classroom and in Remote Learning Environments - Part 2

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 13:00:18 -0400

In this Podcast, Jean Clinton, renowned expert in the discipline of child psychiatry, talks to senior education leaders about the importance of well-being as a fundamental building block for learning. She provides concrete examples of how school and district leaders can support student and staff well-being through policy and practice, building towards a culture of integrated well-being and learning.

S1E8 - w/ Jean Clinton: Striving for Well-Being: In the Classroom and in Remote Learning Environments - Part 1

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 11:06:17 -0400

S1E7 - w/ Pasi Sahlberg: In Teachers We Trust: The Finnish Way to World-Class Schools

Thu, 20 May 2021 11:47:00 -0400

Pasi Sahlberg introduces us to his recently published book which is co-authored by American educator, Tim Walker. Pasi is a renowned Finnish education expert who has worked at the World Bank, the European Commission, Harvard University, and is currently a professor of education policy at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

In his new book, Pasi and Tim explore the concept of trust and how trust in educators is a foundational element of any high-quality education systems. We learn first about the culture of trust in Finland and then Pasi highlights strategies that can be implemented to increase trust within education systems around the world.

S1E6 - w/ Christine Greco: The Skills our Students Need for Today’s Workplace

Thu, 20 May 2021 11:47:00 -0400

Christine tells us about her background in HR working for some of the largest companies in the world: Samsung, Tim Hortons, Molson Coors, and General Electric.

We then dive into a conversation on Skills for the Workplace. This podcast gives educators a good sense of the changing workplace and how employers are supporting their employees to develop the broad set of skills required to be successful throughout their careers. Educators hear first-hand what employers are looking for in our students as they enter the workforce.

S1E5 - w/ Joanne McEachen: The Depthvale Detectives and the Great Education Crisis: A Guide to Contributive Learning in Schools

Thu, 20 May 2021 11:46:00 -0400

Joanne introduces us to her new book The Depthvale Detectives. She recounts how this book is a reflection on the evolution of her thinking on system and school change.

Joanne has been leading system and school change for decades, first in her homeland New Zealand where she was responsible for school improvement in the Ministry of Education, and more recently as a co-founder of New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL) and also as CEO of The Learner First. While Joanne’s book was written prior to the pandemic, she reflects on why its messages and methodologies are even more relevant in today’s changed world.

S1E4 - w/ Mary Jean Gallagher: The Devil is in the Details: System Solutions for Equity, Excellence, and Student Well-Being - Part 2

Thu, 20 May 2021 11:44:00 -0400

Mary Jean introduces her book which she co-authored with Michael Fullan. Mary Jean is the former Assistant Deputy Minister with the Ontario Ministry of Education. Since leaving the Ministry she has served as an advisor on education policy to many governments around the world. Mary Jean reflects on her experiences in Ontario, Australia, and California, recounting the “details” that make a difference in system reform.

S1E3 - w/ Michael Fullan: The Devil is in the Details: System Solutions for Equity, Excellence, and Student Well-Being - Part 1

Thu, 20 May 2021 11:42:00 -0400

Michael Fullan introduces his latest book which he co-authored with Mary Jean Gallagher. Michael is a globally renowned academic in education and has served as an advisor on education policy to many governments around the world. In this book, Michael continues with his focus on system reform that began decades ago and now includes the components of equity and well-being. Michael reflects on the increased urgency of equity and well-being in a post pandemic era.

S1E2 - Formative Assessment in Math w/ Dylan Wiliam: In the Classroom and in Remote Learning Environments - Part 2

Thu, 20 May 2021 10:21:00 -0400

Dylan Wiliam walks senior leaders through the importance of formative assessment in the math classroom and more specifically, how school and district leaders can support teachers to make it happen. In light of the current disruption to schools, Dylan highlights not only how formative assessment can work in a remote learning environment. Also, how formative assessment can and should be a focal point for classroom practice when students and their teachers return to school.

S1E1 - Formative Assessment in Math w/ Dylan Wiliam: In the Classroom and in Remote Learning Environments - Part 1

Thu, 20 May 2021 10:20:00 -0400