Impacting the Classroom

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Welcome to another insightful episode of "Impacting the Classroom," where we delve into effective class implementation strategies with Matt Owens, the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Teachstone. In this episode, Matt shares his journey from being an 8th-grade writing teacher to playing a pivotal role at Teachstone. We'll explore the newly developed, user-friendly CLASS Implementation Guide, designed to streamline class planning and evaluation, and how it aims to align classroom interactions with broader educational goals.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:00] Introduction
[00:01:20] Matt’s background and role at Teachstone
[00:02:23] What an implementation guide is and what it’s for
[00:03:44] What makes an implementation guide a good idea
[00:05:14] What Matt and his people learned from feedback
[00:08:01] Collecting stories from people using the implementation guide
[00:09:17] The value of a guide that lists the different leaders and offers a one-stop shop pf resources
[00:12:00] Common themes from implementation stories
[00:13:38] The COLAB protocol
[00:17:42] Why storytelling from a leader's perspective is important
[00:20:41] Pieces of the puzzle leaders have been missing
[00:22:29] Challenges when trying to implement CLASS
[00:24:31] How turnover affects the process
[00:26:02] The need for a strong onboarding program
[00:28:11] Hopes for how the guide will change how leaders think about implementation
[00:29:37] What Matt would like to leave everyone with

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Matt Owens

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In this episode, we uncover the practical steps taken by the Fairfax County Public Schools team to introduce the CLASS tool in special education settings. Jess, Cindy, and Christy share their experiences addressing teacher hesitation and bias, providing effective training, and fostering empathy through coaching.

Through individual and group coaching methods, they highlight the importance of active listening, meaningful feedback, and peer collaboration. They share real-life examples to illustrate the positive impact of these strategies on teaching effectiveness and classroom interactions, emphasizing the significance of quality interactions and intentional instruction.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:30] Introducing Christy, Jess, and Cindy
[00:03:16] Challenges in rolling out CLASS
[00:07:12] The framework for addressing bias
[00:13:42] Strategies for addressing bias
[00:16:25] Activities to foster a strong culture of improvement
[00:22:30] What happens during observations
[00:23:19] How the teachers felt through the roll-out period
[00:26:52] Being sensitive as a coach as well as a teacher
[00:28:19] How teaching experiences impact coaching
[00:28:42] Cindy’s coaching experience
[00:30:30] Where the teachers started and how they moved
[00:33:15] The biggest lessons learned and what should be done differently
[00:40:02] How CLASS is good for special education
[00:45:45] Favorite teacher quotes

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Jess Schuhart

Cindy Sigsbee

Christie Johnson

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Can the quality of early childhood education be significantly improved through targeted coaching and data-driven strategies? Join us as Lynn Cook, Coach Specialist, and Jenny Fleming, Program Quality Specialist, share their expertise and success stories from Nebraska's Step Up to Quality program. They reveal the planning and robust foundations that underpin the program, including the recruitment, training, and ongoing support for coaches and observers. Discover how they've secured buy-in from educators and stakeholders, ensuring the program's goals are well understood and embraced.

The Step Up to Quality program in Nebraska is no small feat, encompassing around 753 centers, including family childcare, Head Starts, and public school preschools. Learn about the thoughtfully designed processes and support systems that ensure a smooth and rewarding experience, from initial rating requests to final observations. Lynn and Jenny also share effective coaching measures and strategies to maintain observation fidelity, emphasizing the importance of continuous professional development.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:00] Introduction
[00:00:27] Lynn’s role as a Coach Specialist
[00:00:53] Jenny’s role as a Program Quality Specialist
[00:02:24] How the CLASS implementation team was formed
[00:06:16] Effective methods to create investment into the CLASS system and interactions with stakeholders
[00:07:48] What buy-in looks like and what effective strategies help to build that
[00:12:29] The system in place for data collection
[00:16:49] Examples of decisions that were influenced by CLASS data
[00:19:49] How many programs the state has
[00:22:30] The standard process of communication with educators in the weeks leading to their CLASS observations
[00:27:13] How to help educators adopt new practices
[00:30:28] The steps coaches take to use data and support teachers
[00:32:43] The measure of the effectiveness of coaching sessions
[00:34:37] Supports in place for observers
[00:37:44] Advice for listeners about CLASS implementation

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Lynne Cook

Jenny Fleming

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On today’s episode of Impacting the Classroom, we have a fascinating conversation with Kris Meyers, the Director of Quality Measurement and Improvement at the Virginia Department of Education. Kris sheds light on the Virginia Quality Birth-to-Five System (VQB5) and the transformative role of the CLASS® tool in early childhood education. Listen in as we explore the substantial changes brought by Virginia's 2020 state law, which unified child care and early childhood systems under the Department of Education.

Kris walks us through the development and implementation of Virginia's comprehensive quality early childhood system. We discuss the importance of classroom observations by familiar observers, supplemented by external quality assurance checks, early childhood education's critical importance, and the impactful shift towards focusing on meaningful interactions. We also touch on the upcoming public quality ratings, designed to raise awareness among families about the importance of quality interactions in early development.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:00] Introduction
[00:00:28] Kris’s role and work at VDOE
[00:01:16] The beginning of Kris’s career as an elementary school teacher
[00:02:28] Kris’s first impression of CLASS
[00:04:08] Why CLASS is about more than just skills
[00:05:23] Where CLASS fit in with the QRIS system
[00:07:08] The values that guide Virginia’s quality early childhood system
[00:09:39] How CLASS observations are implemented
[00:12:38] The features of an external observation system
[00:15:40] Who's responsible for collecting the data in Virginia and who coordinates classrooms
[00:18:51] What decisions are influenced by CLASS data
[00:20:45] Impacts Kris has seen since the implementation of CLASS
[00:22:39] Whether classrooms are moving away from focusing on the easy things and focusing on the things that matter
[00:24:13] Why families should be excited about public ratings and the implementation of CLASS
[00:27:39] Helping families understand what can do at home to build on what children learn in school
[00:29:03] What Kris would like to have known from the beginning of the CLASS implementation
[00:32:38] What professional development opportunities and coaching cycles might look like
[00:35:17] Surveying the educators to find out how the implementation and rollout are working for them
[00:38:38] Kris’s plans for the summer

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Kris Meyers

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In this episode, we explore Teach for America's strategies for addressing the national teacher shortage with Grant Van Eaton and Robin Greatrex. Grant, a Senior Research Scientist, and Robin, a Senior Managing Director of Teacher Leadership, share their combined research and data insights in supporting and retaining educators.

The episode delves into Teach for America's unique recruitment model, financial incentives, advocacy for systemic changes in teacher housing, pay, and student loan debt, and the use of the CLASS tool in training teachers. We also discuss the organization's ambitious 2030 goal and efforts to improve equity in education.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:30] Grant’s background and role at Teach for America

[00:03:37] Robin’s background and role at Teach for America
[00:05:32] How Teach for America is supporting the education workforce
[00:09:46] How Teach for America invites people to join
[00:12:28] How Teach for America handles financial compensation
[00:14:17] Teach for America’s advocacy work in the education industry
[00:16:22] The Teach for America coaching model
[00:21:04] The partnership between Teach for America and CLASS
[00:27:08] Retention through the onboarding and training program
[00:30:31] Making progress with quality through CLASS
[00:34:01] The impact on students to look for through the partnership
[00:37:30] Broader student outcomes beyond academic
[00:40:04] Teach for America’s 2030 goal and where they are on it
[00:43:58] Whether the partnership with CLASS will help them achieve their goal sooner

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Grant Van Eaton

Robin Greatrex

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In today’s episode, we reconnect with Grant Van Eaton and Robin Graytrex from Teach for America, shining a spotlight on their dedicated efforts to advance teacher development and promote an equitable education system. In our discussion, Grant and Robin unpack the significant strides taken since their last visit, sharing the triumphs of their CLASS system in enhancing teacher observations and coaching.

This episode takes you behind the scenes of Teach for America's adoption of the CLASS observation tool, offering a candid look at the challenges and victories encountered along the way. Our guests highlight how the incorporation of this system into everyday practice has sparked a cultural shift, emphasizing data fluency and a unified approach to teaching quality. We explore the transformative journey led by administrators who, by becoming certified first, set a powerful example for their teams.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:00] Introduction
[00:00:37] Grant and Robin’s roles at Teach for America
[00:01:55] What Teach for America does
[00:03:47] What the organization has been up to since Grant and Robin’s last episode and how the implementation of CLASS has been going
[00:07:49] How they generated buzz and that buy-in to get people invested in a changing system
[00:12:23] Building supports by having the people who manage coaches take the training first
[00:17:22] Results from the first observation cycles with CLASS
[00:24:02] Ways to support educators as they make shifts after observations
[00:28:22] Next steps for Teach for America
[00:32:46] What age groups are included in Secondary and what that covers
[00:36:03] How Teach for America bridges gaps such as disadvantaged students getting less experienced teachers
[00:41:30] The draw of Second Edition CLASS
[00:43:00] Advice Grant and Robin would give other programs as they begin implementing CLASS

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Grant Van Eaton

Robin Greatrex

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Norway has long been recognized for its progressive approach to early childhood education. The country places a significant emphasis on creating nurturing environments for its youngest citizens, offering a glimpse into a system where the well-being and development of children are of utmost importance. In this episode, we invite Ståle Gerhard of FUS Kindergartens to shed light on the pioneering strategies Norway employs in their kindergartens.

In our conversation today, Ståle shares his expertise on CLASS and its remarkable impact on Norwegian kindergartens. We also examine the impact of CLASS on teacher-student interactions, the cultivation of young minds, and the overall quality of early learning experiences that are shaping the future of education in Norway.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:00] Introduction
[00:00:58] Ståle Gerhard and the work he does
[00:01:36] Norway’s stat and private groups of kindergartens
[00:02:04] The age range for kindergartens in Norway
[00:02:35] The values that guide Ståle’s work and whether they’re typical for Norway
[00:03:40] The implementation of CLASS in Ståle’s program
[00:06:40] Who has the responsibility for collecting data
[00:08:16] How 18 implementation teams were formed
[00:09:47] Communicating with educators in the weeks leading up to observations
[00:10:42] The process after the observation
[00:12:06] The coaching and ongoing support that’s available for educators
[00:14:53] How the educators Ståle works with feel about CLASS
[00:17:27] How parents feel about CLASS and how they’re impacted
[00:19:57] What the age group ratio looks like in Norway’s kindergarten classrooms
[00:21:18] Barriers to adapting CLASS for Norway kindergartens
[00:23:03] How CLASS helps support values
[00:27:19] Challenges faced by the workforce in Norway
[00:31:38] Ongoing supports that address stress and burnout from
[00:33:27] How CLASS-informed data influenced specific decisions in Norway
[00:37:32] Final takeaways from Ståle’s work using CLASS at FUS

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Ståle Gerhard

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In today’s episode, we are joined by Aven Ford from the Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana. We discuss CLASS® and its influence on teaching practices. Aven shares the strategic implementation of CLASS observations, the crucial use of the Early Childhood Portal, and the instrumental role of retired educators. We explore effective methods for securing stakeholder buy-in and discuss the importance of performance profiles and personalized coaching in improving childcare quality, especially in rural communities.

The episode also underscores the criticality of data in shaping educational strategies, with a special focus on the excitement and precision that data collection brings to classroom enhancements. Professional development strategies, such as CLASS Group Coaching (MMCI) training, are highlighted for their ability to reinforce teacher skills and enhance student outcomes. With a focus on stakeholder engagement, data-driven decision-making, and professional development, today’s conversation unveils practical insights and visionary approaches to nurturing young minds.

[00:00:00] Introduction
[00:00:24] Aven Ford explains where the Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana is located and who they serve
[00:01:15] Aven’s first impression of CLASS
[00:02:40] Aven’s implementation team and how it was formed
[00:06:45] How Aven communicates with educators in the weeks leading up to their class observations
[00:09:44] Aven’s most effective methods in investing all the stakeholders in the CLASS system
[00:12:14] Trainings for educators
[00:15:21] The cadence of one-to-one visits and coaching sessions
[00:17:15] The process for educators that come mid-year
[00:19:10] Who has responsibility for planning how to collect the class data
[00:23:40] What different types of professional development look like
[00:27:01] Aligning curriculum and ages and stages with CLASS to enhance classroom interactions
[00:28:18] Strategies that the coaches use to help educators adopt new practices
[00:31:38] How Aven’s beliefs about CLASS have changed
[00:33:52] Lessons Aven wants to share with the listeners
[00:34:56] Recommendations for other programs that want to implement CLASS

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Aven Ford – Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana

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Welcome to a new season of Impacting the Classroom. In today’s season opener, we're joined by Bridget Hamre, Teachstone CEO and CLASS author, who sheds light on how educators can enrich their teaching practices to foster whole student development.

Throughout this episode, we will uncover the critical yet often overlooked connection between a student's emotional well-being and their learning achievements, the role of professional development in bridging the gap between theory and practice, and the importance of nurturing teacher empowerment for creating independent learners.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:00] Introduction

[00:01:42] What we should be talking about in addition to EdTech

[00:03:18] Why we don’t talk about students’ mental health as much as we should

[00:06:16] Why educators can’t wait for system reform to come

[00:11:33] Whether professional development correlates with student achievement

[00:15:18] The goals of professional development and giving teachers what they need

[00:18:13] What Bridget is hopeful about

[00:19:52] How to spend limited dollars on professional development

[00:25:55] Why accountability systems are important and what they should account for.

[00:31:36] The problem with standardized testing

[00:33:50] The things tests don’t evaluate

[00:36:24] The issue of teacher well-being

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Bridget Hamre

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In today’s episode, we continue our discussion with Anna Kresse and Mackenzie Whipps from the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center. This time, we go beyond the cost of quality childcare and examine the incredible returns on investment it can provide. The science behind the development of children shows us the profound impact of having the right people and settings around them.

In our conversation, we also consider the role of CLASS® in the Virginia project and its connection to the return on investment in the quality of childcare. Anna and Mackenzie clearly show how inadequate access to childcare for kids, infants, and toddlers costs the nation about $122 billion every year and how childcare plays an important role in the economy. We also look closer at the value of states conducting high-quality, rigorous evaluations to understand the impact of the large influx of resources from pandemic-era funding and childcare.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:42] Introducing Anna and Mackenzie and their work at the Prenatal to 3 Policy Impact Center
[00:03:03] How we know that investments in childcare are worth it
[00:10:14] The role that CLASS plays in the return on investment of the childcare work Anna and Mackenzie have been doing.
[00:13:43] A good starting point for an evaluation process
[00:18:00] The reforms New Mexico has been working on and what their outcomes have been
[00:26:35] Virginia’s reforms and outcomes
[00:35:15] The meaning of theories of change
[00:39:35] Important takeaways from Anna and Mackenzie

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Anna Kresse

Mackenzie Whipps

Report: Articulating the Value of Early Childhood Investments in Virginia

Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center

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In today’s episode, we explore the intricacies of the childcare system with distinguished guests, Jen Huffman and Anna Kresse from the Prenatal-to 3-Policy Impact Center at Vanderbilt University.

Focusing on the enormous ripple effects of investing in affordable, high-quality childcare, our guests highlight the far-reaching benefits of such investments, including enabling thousands of mothers to return to work, lifting children out of poverty, and feeding millions of dollars back into the economy. The discussion explores the difficulties of providing quality childcare at an affordable rate, the need for sustainable funding sources, and the transformative changes implemented by some states to improve their childcare systems.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:13] Introducing Jen and Anna
[00:02:50] The value and impacts of investments in early childhood in Virginia
[00:06:15] Leaning into making early childhood care a reality for Virginia families
[00:09:42] The reasons why childcare is so expensive
[00:13:54] Raising the eligibility for childcare subsidies and making them more affordable
[00:20:01] Opportunities for states to leverage more money for childcare
[00:23:37] How states can make the most of the money they have available
[00:28:12] Streamlining the childcare subsidy system to make it less complicated
[00:32:57] Why investing in childcare is worthwhile
[00:33:47] The crucial value of state efforts in funding childcare

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Jenn Huffman

Anna Kresse

Report: Articulating the Value of Early Childhood Investments in Virginia

Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center

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This episode deeply delves into the complexities of special education and intersectionality with Cheryl Poe. Cheryl Poe is the founder and Executive Director of Advocating 4 Kids, Inc., a Special Education Advocacy organization that provides resources, information, and workshops to parents and professionals with a special focus on addressing the needs of Black and Brown children with disabilities.

Cheryl shares her inspiring journey as she transitioned from being a mother battling racism within the educational system to becoming a tireless advocate for her son and other children. Throughout this episode, listeners are invited to explore the intricacies of special education advocacy, shedding light on the pressing need for systemic change.

Cheryl shares valuable insights about parental rights, the long-term support required for neurodivergent children, and the importance of creating safe spaces for neurodivergent students and breaking down barriers to ensure inclusive learning environments.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:56] What an advocate is and what they do
[00:02:49] How Cheryl got to where she is today
[00:12:55] What Cheryl wishes more people knew about the system
[00:18:41] Supporting people in making sure they have the right diagnosis
[00:21:57] Helping families where parents have language or educational barriers
[00:26:04] How advocacy intersects with a lack of inclusiveness in the classroom
[00:27:41] Cheryl’s advice for school leaders
[00:30:33] How the system needs to be addressed at the higher education level
[00:33:58] How the system can help parents find a safe welcome place for their children
[00:36:41] The first advice Cheryl would give to parents of Black or brown children
[00:39:54] The importance of early intervention
[00:41:03] Encouragement for parents to advocate for their child

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Cheryl Poe

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How can educators use trauma-informed strategies as they work to engage with the families of their students? In today’s episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the transformation of family engagement in education amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic. Today’s guest is Sean M. Bryant, Director of Professional Development and Adult Learning with the Child Lab at Yale University.

With Sean's expert guidance, we unpack the major shifts in early learning settings caused by the pandemic and how educators should be thinking about different facets of family engagement going forward. Listen to the episode to learn more about what trauma-informed engagement means, how suspensions and expulsions cause trauma within the family, and how to engage more fathers in their children’s education.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:51] Introducing Shawn and his background
[00:02:40] How family engagement has changed since the pandemic
[00:11:36] New ideas for engaging families
[00:14:30] What trauma-informed family engagement really means
[00:24:38] Three states of the brain
[00:28:02] How movement and memory work together
[00:29:28] Discussion of trauma in the book My Grandmother's Hands and how that relates to workplace trauma
[00:32:15] How things like expulsions and suspensions affect the family unit and create trauma
[00:36:32] How schools should think about discipline
[00:41:57] What it looks like for schools to engage fathers
[00:48:13] The importance of female guardians acting as gateways instead of gatekeepers
[00:50:39] Encouraging more men to enter the early childhood education workforce

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Shawn M. Bryant

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What does social-emotional learning really mean, and why is it so important? In today’s episode, we explore the transformative power of social-emotional learning (SEL) with renowned experts Dr. Bridget Hamre and Erin Gruwell. Join us as we delve into the true meaning of SEL, its impact, and some critiques.

Erin shares her experiences, including her story portrayed in the Freedom Writers movie. We discuss the role of personal narratives in shaping curriculum and the importance of building intentional relationships with students. We also tackle fear, vulnerability, and healing in education. The episode concludes with a look at an innovative video-based coaching model, and how SEL can revolutionize teaching.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:58] Introducing Bridget and Erin
[00:02:15] What it was like for Erin to be portrayed by Hillary Swank in the movie about her story with Freedom Writers
[00:06:20] The definition of social-emotional learning
[00:10:19] How Erin thinks about social-emotional learning as separate from or integrated into the daily work of teaching
[00:13:39] Making content relevant to students instead of just curriculum-driven
[00:16:13] Three important fears in the classroom
[00:22:00] The difficulty of supporting students when co-workers turn them away
[00:26:16] What social-emotional learning looks like in the classroom
[00:29:57] How social-emotional interactions play out
[00:34:19] Why interventions don’t always have to be big and complicated
[00:36:55] Having a language and lens for observations
[00:39:31] Supporting social-emotional learning in post-COVID settings
[00:43:30] Preparing students for success outside the classroom

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Dr. Bridget Hamre

Erin Gruwell

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Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:30] Grant’s background and role at Teach for America
[00:03:37] Robin’s background and role at Teach for America
[00:05:32] How Teach for America is supporting the education workforce
[00:09:46] How Teach for America invites people to join
[00:12:28] How Teach for America handles financial compensation
[00:14:17] Teach for America’s advocacy work in the education industry
[00:16:22] The Teach for America coaching model
[00:21:04] The partnership between Teach for America and CLASS
[00:27:08] Retention through the onboarding and training program
[00:30:31] Making progress with quality through CLASS
[00:34:01] The impact on students to look for through the partnership
[00:37:30] Broader student outcomes beyond academic
[00:40:04] Teach for America’s 2030 goal and where they are on it
[00:43:58] Whether the partnership with CLASS will help them achieve their goal sooner

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Grant Van Eaton

Robin Greatrex

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This week we’re bringing you a special recast from our sister podcast, Teaching with CLASS. You’ll hear from a very CLASSy school, who shares their advice for creating a school with one shared goal: it’s all about interactions.

What does it look like for CLASS to be fully integrated into the curriculum? How can coaches get teachers excited about that, and what impact does it have on the lives of students? In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Lisa Howard and Britney Blackman from the New E3 School as they talk about their CLASS curriculum.

Listen to the episode to hear what Britney and Lisa have to say about how CLASS is helping and impacting their students, how teachers who have never encountered CLASS before are transformed by it, and how parents and families get involved in what the school is doing.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:07] Today’s episode is about supporting teachers with a curriculum designed with CLASS in mind, making friends with data, and how US coaches can support teachers
[00:01:58] Introduction to Lisa and Britney and their roles
[00:05:32] How CLASS is helping and impacting the students Britney and Lisa are working with today
[00:09:28] The transformation period of a person who’s never worked with CLASS being exposed to the program
[00:12:46] The impact Britney sees on the lives of the children
[00:14:58] How children’s behaviors shift as a reaction to adult behaviors
[00:19:51] How to get a teacher excited about CLASS
[00:23:32] How to involve parents and families in the process
[00:27:50] Understanding what teachers went through during COVID
[00:31:50] The importance of taking a long view
[00:33:05] Giving yourself grace and space to grow.

Resources

Britney Blackman

Lisa Howard

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CLASS is more than just observations. To really see the principles work for you and your students, what you should be thinking about is building a CLASS culture that permeates the school all year long. How can program leaders do that?

In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Mike Jacobs, Principal at Apple Tree Early Learning. He’s made building a culture of CLASS a foundational principle at his school. Listen to the episode to learn how Mike is thinking about making sure that teachers are getting what they need, separating lead teachers and Tas into different cohorts, and building CLASS practices as daily teacher habits.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:00] Dr. Mike Jacobs’ background
[00:02:43] How Mike builds a CLASS culture within his program
[00:08:02] Making sure teachers get what they need
[00:15:09] Establishing a culture of CLASS being bigger than just observations
[00:18:25] Planning the CLASS program
[00:21:01] Why Mike separated lead teachers and TAs for PD
[00:22:56] The disconnect that causes teachers other than the lead to be overlooked
[00:23:38] Building collective responsibility
[00:28:49] Making sure to ask higher-order thinking questions
[00:30:33] Turning CLASS practices into teacher habits they use all year long
[00:32:35] Mike’s tips on burnout
[00:34:17] Creating a path with the team
[00:35:45] Barriers that program leaders face during implementation
[00:41:08] The composition of Mike’s team

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Dr. Mike Jacobs

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The educational workforce is changing, and going through a global pandemic only heightened and accelerated those changes. Today, we’ll talk about the kinds of changes that are happening in schools and classrooms and how the workforce is adapting and evolving along with the classrooms.

Melia Slinger, the ECE Program Director at Waldorf University, and Dr. Freda Barnett-Braddock, the Program Director of Graduate Education join Marnetta today to discuss what they see happening in schools and how the educational field is changing. They’ll discuss what was missing from education during the pandemic, as well as some silver linings, how higher education is changing to better support teachers, and what the future of teacher preparation looks like.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:25] Melia’s background
[00:02:40] Dr. Barnett-Braddock’s background
[00:05:38] The centrality of connections and relationship-building
[00:06:50] Changes in the workforce since Melia and Freda entered the workforce
[00:09:10] How the pandemic affected the changing workforce
[00:15:50] The educational elements that were missing during the pandemic
[00:18:56] How higher education is evolving to support teachers
[00:24:16] Technological and financial struggles for teachers
[00:27:30] Changes in family dynamics
[00:28:15] Using heightened awareness to better educate teachers and drive solutions for families
[00:30:48] What’s being done to recruit teachers and give them training to support students
[00:35:04] How higher education evolved to support the accessibility of learning in relation to cost
[00:38:29] Burnout and turnover, especially in areas like special ed
[00:39:45] The future of teacher prep programs

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Melia Slinger

Dr. Freda Barnett-Braddock

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Implementing CLASS can be a challenge, especially in special education and inclusive settings. Teachers may initially feel they don’t have the time to handle or have other struggles that get in the way. Today’s guests discuss the implementation of CLASS in a special education setting to show how it can work.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Early Childhood Special Education Coaches Jess Schuhart, Cindy Sigsbee, and Christie Johnson. Learn about the strategies they used for rolling out CLASS and supporting teachers and students throughout the rollout, their framework for dealing with bias, and how CLASS works in the special education setting.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:30] Introducing Christy, Jess, and Cindy
[00:03:16] Challenges in rolling out CLASS
[00:07:12] The framework for addressing bias
[00:13:42] Strategies for addressing bias
[00:16:25] Activities to foster a strong culture of improvement
[00:22:30] What happens during observations
[00:23:19] How the teachers felt through the roll-out period
[00:26:52] Being sensitive as a coach as well as a teacher
[00:28:19] How teaching experiences impact coaching
[00:28:42] Cindy’s coaching experience
[00:30:30] Where the teachers started and how they moved
[00:33:15] The biggest lessons learned and what should be done differently
[00:40:02] How CLASS is good for special education
[00:45:45] Favorite teacher quotes

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Jess Schuhart

Cindy Sigsbee

Christie Johnson

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Impacting The Classroom – Why Join the Educator Workforce

How can students get on the path to becoming educators, and why should they? In today’s show, you’ll learn about a program in Broward County, FL, that puts high school students on that path by allowing them to finish high school with their CDA credentials. Our guest, Deborah Covard, teaches high schoolers as they learn to work with preschoolers, so she manages a very unique learning environment.

Deborah is a high school Early Childhood Education Teacher and Early Learning Lab Director. She’s been a teacher in Broward County for 20 years and has worked with elementary schoolers and high school students. Her passion for early education and training the next generation of educators has resulted in strong relationships with both older and younger students. Listen to the episode to learn more about Deborah’s program, what excites her high school students, what graduates of her program do after graduating, and personal stories from her teaching experiences.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:04] Deborah’s experience over her time in education
[00:02:12] What Deborah sees high schoolers getting excited about
[00:03:34] The challenges that Deborah’s students have
[00:05:56] How to encourage a young person to join the educator workforce
[00:06:50] Whether graduates of Deborah’s program are likely to stay in the education field
[00:09:48] What Deborah would say to persuade someone to become an educator
[00:10:27] The importance of kids having mentors
[00:14:26] How parents interact with the students
[00:16:54] The age range of the preschoolers
[00:17:24] Helping high schoolers understand family engagement
[00:19:07] Challenges that Deborah has managing both high schoolers and preschoolers
[00:22:05] How Deborah’s class handles lunchtimes
[00:24:19] Whether Deborah’s class gets observed by CLASS
[00:26:54] Additional training that Deborah recommends for her high schoolers
[00:29:32] Training that new educators should take advantage of
[00:30:56] A personal story from Deborah’s work
[00:35:32] How that experience impacted Deborah’s approach going forward

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Deborah Covard

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In this bonus episode, live from Interact, you’ll hear from Matt Owens and Vicki Kintner-Duffy. Matt started as a middle school writing teacher, then joined Teachstone as an instructional designer. Vicki began as a preschool teacher and has been at Teachstone for 11 years in roles including coach, trainer, project manager, and now research and evaluation specialist.

Listen to the episode to learn more about their backgrounds and what each of them is thinking about interactions between adults, including emotional support interactions as well as instructional interactions.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:03:15] Matt’s introduction and background
[00:03:50] Vicki’s introduction and background
[00:04:43] How Matt’s own educational background drives his experiences
[00:07:56] Why adult/child interactions and adult/adult interactions play out similarly
[00:10:12] Approaching coworkers in a way that makes them feel supported and prepared
[00:17:23] System buildings that result in happy people who feel supported and greater retention
[00:25:07] What other types of interactions beyond emotional support look like
[00:27:45] The interconnectedness of curiosity and emotional support
[00:29:55] What it would look like to invest in interactions
[00:32:58] Reasons for hope about the future of education
[00:37:30] What to do when some are unwilling to work on building support
[00:43:10] Participation rates in teambuilding exercises

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

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Why isn’t funding equitable, and what has to be addressed in order to make sure that ECE funding is just and equitable? Today, we're talking about current funding, and we're also talking about how funding has not been equitable throughout the early childhood space.

Today’s guests are Keami Harris, the Chief Equity and Strategy Officer at the Early Childhood Funders Collaborative, and Dr. William Johnson, the Director of Educational Strategy at the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund. Listen to their conversation to learn more about how funding has been inequitable throughout history, what foundational shifts need to occur for funding to flow in the right direction, and how leaders and providers can hold each other accountable.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:59] Keami Harris and her work for Early Childhood Funders Collaborative
[00:02:13] Dr. William Johnson and his work as Director of Educational Strategy at the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
[00:02:57] How previous policies or funding have been inequitable
[00:07:38] What foundational shifts are necessary
[00:11:50] Personal experiences that influenced Keami’s and Dr. Johnson’s work
[00:20:06] How funders and policymakers ensure that their dollars are used in an equitable way
[00:26:09] How to elevate the voices of families so they can get what they need
[00:31:32] How providers and leaders can hold each other accountable
[00:38:10] What Keami and Dr. Johnson wish people knew about their work

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Dr. William (Billy) Johnson

Keami Harris

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Because October is Head Start Awareness Month, Impacting the Classroom is celebrating with a closer look at Head Start, the federal government’s program to support student readiness and child development. Today’s guests are Christa Wesley, a Head Start Director at Cheaha Head Start in Alabama, and Marcia Flores, the Vice President of Chicanos por la Causa in Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico.

Listen to the episode to learn what the critical areas for families are that Marcia and Christa see working in Head Start, how each of them reached their current positions, what their different communities look and how Head Start can serve them.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:13] What Christa is doing for Head Start in Alabama
[00:02:05] What Marcia is doing for Head Start in Arizona
[00:02:56] What brought Christa and Marcia to Head Start
[00:05:34] Critical areas for children and families
[00:12:42] What a Head Start program looks like and what roles exist within it
[00:14:55] Marcia’s Head Start journey toward her current position
[00:17:30] Christa’s Head Start journey toward her current position
[00:20:15] What Marcia and Christa wish people knew about Head Start
[00:23:05] The Head Start mission
[00:24:40] Successful family components of Head Start
[00:26:35] How to promote collaborations that support Head Start programs
[00:33:20] More information about Head Start’s migrant or seasonal programs
[00:36:30] What Christa’s community looks like
[00:38:28] What enrollment in Christa’s community is like
[00:40:40] What Head Start means to Marcia and Christa

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Marcia Flores

Christa Wesley

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TikTok influencers come from a variety of backgrounds, but some of the popular influencers out there are teacher influencers. What are the responsibilities of teacher influencers, and what’s their role in the current conversations about education?

In today’s episode, Marnetta Larrimer talks to Arielle, a teacher known on TikTok as Mrs. Frazzled, and Miss Redacted, a teacher influencer who left teaching. The two of them host a podcast together called Teacher Quit Talk. Listen to the episode to hear their thoughts about what’s controversial on TikTok – it’s not what you might expect – what the role of social media influencers is when it comes to their impact on diversity and equity, and what some of the inequities that occur in school are.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:22] Teacher influencers and their role in the conversation on education
[00:00:54] Miss Redacted’s introduction
[00:01:22] Arielle, aka Mrs. Frazzled’s introduction
[00:02:10] The responsibilities of teacher influencers
[00:04:34] The most controversial Tik Tok, given the current climate
[00:08:22] The role of social media influences on the topic of diversity in education
[00:13:09] The Addison Rae controversy
[00:17:12] Equity projects that Miss Redacted and Mrs. Frazzled are involved with now
[00:17:15] Student equity by region
[00:20:35] How inequity is insidious
[00:22:10] How social media influencers are impacting the teacher shortage
[00:26:20] What to say to teachers who decided to stay
[00:29:36] What policymakers and lawmakers should listen to and what they should do
[00:35:06] How they feel about not coming back to teaching in the fall

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Mrs. Frazzled

Miss Redacted

Teacher Quit Talk

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It’s not in question that educational efforts need more funding; the question is what to do with that funding when it’s received. In today’s episode, Marnetta talks to one returning guest, Sarnitha Stricklin, director of the Jefferson Early Childhood Network in Louisiana, and Jen Roberts, CEO of Agenda for Children. They’re going to talk about using funding, both how they’ve done it previously and what their vision is for the future.

Listen to the episode to hear what Sarnitha and Jen have to say about what leaders should do when they’re receiving education-specific funds, the successful investments they’ve seen and been part of, and their ideas for issues like retention and compensating educators.

Topics Discussed in This Episode
[00:00:23] Returning guest Sarintha Strickland

[00:01:04] Jen Roberts, CEO of Agenda for Children

[00:01:25] How Sarintha and Jen know each other

[00:03:18] What leaders who are receiving education-specific funds for the fiscal year 2023 should do

[00:07:10] What the initial investment in the leadership looked like for Sarintha

[00:11:52] The most successful investment Jen saw

[00:13:51] Growth in CLASS scores

[00:14:26] Putting directors in a leadership role

[00:15:43] When they started to think they were making a difference

[00:20:35] The vision Jen and Sarintha are working toward now

[00:23:45] Ideas for compensating educators

[00:28:48] Who outreach is open to

[00:31:15] Ideas for retention

[00:36:07] Reaching people at all levels

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Sarintha Stricklin

Jen Roberts

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Impacting the Classroom has explored several topics having to do with equity in the classroom and in early childhood education, and today we’ll be digging deeper into the subject by exploring equity in coaching. Today’s guests are Claudia Perez, an early education specialist and coach, and Dorothy Sanchez, an early childhood specialist and content developer. Claudia and Dorothy have worked with each other since their days at the University of Miami.

Listen to the episode to hear what Claudia and Dorothy have to say about the coaching model that they created at the University of Miami, why diversity and representation matter in coaching, and how to foster more equitable coaching practices.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:42] Today’s guests and what they do
[00:02:21] The coaching model that Claudia and Dorothy created at the University of Miami
[00:04:36] How their coaching model helped teachers focus on equity in the classroom
[00:08:07] Changes the teachers saw in the classroom
[00:13:19] What we mean when we talk about coaching
[00:18:20] Why diversity and representation matter when it comes to coaching
[00:21:01] Barriers to building relationships with teachers
[00:24:10] How program leaders can ensure more diversity among their coaches
[00:27:54] How to foster more equitable coaching practices
[00:31:20] When teachers view coaching as punitive
[00:33:30] Finding shared goals with the teacher being coached

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Claudia Perez

Dorothy Sanchez

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Engaging children in science and engineering long before high school is important. It needs to start at much younger ages. But how can educators make that happen? And how can CLASS help?

Today, you’ll hear from Dr. Daryl Greenfield, a professor of Psychology and Pediatrics at the University of Miami, and Veronica Fernandez, Teachstone Senior Director of Social Impact. They’ll discuss their research into science and engineering at the preschool and elementary ages, how CLASS supports science learning, and how to make science more accessible to ECE teachers so they can better engage students.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:23] Today’s guests
[00:00:51] Veronica’s collaboration with Dr. Greenfield
[00:02:44] Dr. Greenfield’s paper on Science and Engineering in Preschool Through Elementary Grades
[00:06:50] Gaps in the research that went into the paper
[00:09:12] How CLASS supports science and math learning
[00:15:58] How to make science more accessible for ECE teachers so they can engage children in science learning
[00:23:25] Veronica’s experience in making science easier for ECE teachers
[00:28:34] How educators should work toward justice when teaching science and engineering
[00:31:42] Meeting children and educators where they are

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Dr. Daryl Greenfield

Veronica Fernandez

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What does it mean to focus on teacher-student interactions? How can it help? What’s QRIS and how can it be used to implement improvement for both children and educators? Today’s guests are Nasha Patel and Sarintha Stricklin, and their conversation will address these questions.

Nasha is a managing director at Watershed Advisors. She most recently served as Senior Advisor for Planning and Strategy at the Oregon Early Learning Division and previously served as the Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood Strategy at the Louisiana Department of Education. In that role, she led the strategy to increase access to and quality of care and education for children in Louisiana through the state’s unified birth-to-five system.

Dr. Sarintha Stricklin serves as the Director of the Jefferson Early Childhood Network supporting leaders of publicly funded programs in south Louisiana. She has worked in early education for over 30 years as a teacher, administrator, trainer, coach, and consultant. Currently, she leads a broad coalition of thought partners who are collaborating to increase access to high-quality early care and education across neighborhoods in Jefferson Parish Louisiana.

Listen to the episode to hear about Nasha’s white paper on QRIS, what Sarintha has seen a state/local partnership do for her parish, and how Louisana’s model can have effects across the country

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:26] Today’s guests, Nasha Patel and Sarintha Stricklin

[00:01:47] Nasha’s upcoming publication on QRIS

[00:03:39] The pitfalls Nasha’s paper identified

[00:08:18] How different pieces work together to create a final outcome

[00:09:51] Creating continuity for children

[00:15:05] Intersections of class, building relationships, and educator/child relationships

[00:18:10] How much time has gone by since the law passed and the rollout was underway

[00:18:30] Empowering childcare facilities

[00:23:37] Lessons for anybody thinking about making this shift to their QRIS systems

[00:28:41] What the state/local partnership in the Louisiana QRIS means for Sarintha’s parish

[00:32:40] How Louisiana’s model can create a shift across the country

[00:34:08] The benefit of networks and network leaders coming together

[00:37:45] How focusing on teacher-child interactions impacts quality

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Nasha Patel

Sarintha Stricklin

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The school year is at an end, which means it’s time for reflection, and for future planning. Today’s episode is about both. Listen to Marnetta’s conversation with Amy Cubbage, Kristy Umfleet, and Katherine Davis as they discuss the trends in young children’s learning in North Carolina since the pandemic, the outdoor learning that Randolph County is known for, and how to plan ahead for the possibility of summer learning loss.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:30] Today’s guests
[00:01:25] Trends in young children’s learning in North Carolina in the last couple of years
[00:07:27] Groups that were impacted more by the pandemic
[00:12:00] Outdoor learning in Randolph County
[00:16:07] Plans for learning loss
[00:18:52] Examples of summer learnings
[00:21:39] Whether it’s been a challenge for teachers to shift out of a virtual mindset
[00:29:19] Whether North Carolina suffered from the Great Resignation
[00:35:01] Goals for the summer

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Darlene Estes-Del Re

Amy Cubbage

Kristy Umfleet

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In today’s episode of Impacting the Classroom, you’ll hear about exciting news coming to the world of quality assessment and improvement. In March, Teachstone announced an enhancement to its tool, the CLASS assessment tool. CLASS 2nd Edition will be available starting this next school year.

Today’s guests are two members of the team that helped bring the vision of CLASS 2nd Edition come to life, Grace Funk, Teachstone’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Katie Twilley, Director of Product Management: Assessment and CQI. Listen to the episode to learn what’s new in CLASS 2nd edition, find out their favorite parts of the new CLASS, and discuss how it will make a difference for children and educators.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:26] CLASS 2nd Edition
[00:00:43] Today’s guests
[00:01:06] What CLASS is and what it’s for
[00:01:57] What’s new about CLASS second edition
[00:05:31] Favorite things about CLASS second edition
[00:10:00] Separating the class manual into a manual set and field guide
[00:12:45] FCC Videos
[00:16:20] Observer supports that are being launched into the field
[00:19:10] Addressing biases
[00:21:04] The catalyst for the 2nd edition of CLASS
[00:25:37] How CLASS 2nd edition will make an impact

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Darlene Estes-Del Re

Grace Funk

Katie Twilley

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Everyone knows that the pandemic has affected a lot of things but you might be surprised to know that it may have even affected speech development. Research suggests that babies born since the pandemic started are speaking less.

What does this mean? What’s causing these delays? What can be done about it?

Today’s guests are Dr. Jill Gilkerson, Chief Research and Evaluation Officer at LENA, and Barb Lito, a GrowSmart Coordinator for the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Listen to the episode to hear what they have to say about these findings, what they mean for future school readiness, what surprised them, and what parents and educators can do going forward.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:22] Today’s guests
[00:02:50] LENA’s findings that babies born after the pandemic are talking less
[00:08:23] The causes of these delays
[00:09:34] Barb’s experiences and what she’s seen on the ground
[00:11:52] What the pandemic’s effects on teachers looked like for children
[00:13:35] How the educators’ masks affected children
[00:15:39] What LENA’s findings mean for future school readiness
[00:19:59] What was surprising in the LENA report
[00:24:06] The impact of descriptive language and supportive interactions
[00:26:27] Ways that parents and educators can support young children impacted by the pandemic

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Darlene Estes-Del Re

Dr. Jill Gilkerson

Barb Lito

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What does it mean to talk about bias in early education? How do biases affect children, teachers, and leaders, and what do you do when you see individual or systemic bias in action?

In today’s episode, you’ll hear Marnetta Larrimer speaking to Alexa Broderick, founder of The Equity Paradigm, at the InterAct NOW: CLASS Summit. Listen to the episode to learn how to contend with internalized biases, take actionable steps when you notice biases playing out, and why it’s important for children to see and participate in diverse experiences.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:26] Introducing Alexa Broderick at the InterAct NOW: CLASS Summit
[00:01:06] Alexa’s work at The Equity Paradigm
[00:03:53] What is meant by “bias”
[00:05:47] The impact of bias on everyone in the education system
[00:11:45] Combating biases at home
[00:14:04] Making a difference against internalized biases
[00:19:23] Recommendations for books, TV shows, and apps that do a good job of showing different perspectives
[00:21:30] Mirroring diverse experiences with your behavior
[00:24:45] Starting conversations with other types of people
[00:27:12] What to do when you notice biases playing out
[00:32:05] Giving power back to yourself
[00:36:01] Actionable steps to take when you notice someone being biased
[00:39:37] Advocating for yourself without being penalized
[00:42:21] How parents can take personal responsibility

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Darlene Estes-Del Re

InterAct NOW: CLASS Summit

Alexa Broderick

The Equity Paradigm

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A big topic of conversation currently – both in and out of the educational field, is the difference between equality and equity. Because, while equality might be a good thing when equity is not being achieved in schools, some groups of students simply don’t have the same access and opportunity to acquire quality education. And it’s undeniable that race is a significant factor in who gets that access and opportunity and who ends up marginalized.

Today, Marnetta and Darlene are joined by Debi Mathias, the Director of Early Care and Education Quality Improvement at BUILD Initiative, and Stephanie M. Curenton, Associate Professor at Boston University, The Center on the Ecology of Early Development. Listen in to the episode to hear them discuss what quality improvement systems look like and can do, measure whether student experiences are improving, and implement real-time data into classroom approaches.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:21] What continuous quality improvement means for a classroom
[00:01:54] What quality improvement systems should look like across the field.
[00:05:06] Trends that have come and gone from states using CQIs
[00:08:16] Tools that give a better perspective than assessments
[00:09:30] The difference between equality and equity
[00:17:04] The sense of agency when you know that you have an opportunity to impact and influence within your own space
[00:18:20] Thinking about where individual tools sit within a larger system
[00:22:00] Thinking about CQI systems that are developed to address multiple problems at the same time
[00:23:13] Using the ACSES tool to measure whether low-income students are having more equitable experiences in the classroom
[00:25:20] Heightening awareness throughout the field
[00:29:15] Using real-time data to inform actions
[00:35:50] The Quality Compendium

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Darlene Estes-Del Re

Debi Mathias

Stephanie Curenton

BUILD 2021 Equity Early Measures with Equity Early Group

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How can credentialing be used to recruit, train, and retain early childhood educators, or perhaps even return professionals who have left the field? In today’s episode, you’ll learn more about the CDA credentialing process, why it’s useful, and how it works.

Today’s guest is Dr. Calvin E. Moore, Jr., an accomplished leader in early childhood education He was appointed CEO of the Council for Professional Recognition in May 2020. He’s the Council’s first CEO to hold its early education credential, the Child Development Associate® (CDA). He is also a former member of the Council’s governing board. Dr. Moore holds a BS degree in early childhood education, an MS in Education degree, and a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education. Dr. Moore participated in Head Start as a child, and then later professionally, so he’s seen the value of early childhood education from different perspectives.

Listen to the episode to learn more about why the CDA is important to the early childhood space and how credentialing can help the teacher shortage, and strategies leaders can implement to help diversify the field

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:04] What the CDA is

[00:02:15] The process of preparing to get a CDA credential

[00:03:15] Why the CDA is such an anchor for the early childhood space

[00:05:57] How credentialing can help in a teacher shortage

[00:07:28] Advocacy work that the council does

[00:10:25] Ways to recruit and retain educators besides credentialing

[00:16:01] How to diversify the field and specifically to bring more men into the early childhood space

[00:20:15] How to support leaders who support CDA

[00:22:55] Opportunities for scholarships and grants

[00:24:50] Support offered by the CDA

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Darlene Estes-Del Re

Dr. Calvin Moore, Jr.

CDA with CLASS®

Teaching with CLASS Podcast

The Council for Professional Recognition

The Council's High School Pathways

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Today’s episode includes a recording of a NAEYC presentation that was put together for the NAEYC's annual conference. Listen in to learn more about CQI, creating equitable access, and the reason for focusing on social-emotional learning.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:31] The recommendations, strategies, and suggestions from the NAEYC's annual conference
[00:02:03] Introducing Meghan, Marnetta, Kate, and Suzann
[00:03:27] What CQI is and how it relates to equity
[00:05:56] The importance of being data-driven
[00:07:03] What CQI means for policymakers
[00:11:41] Understanding what you’re missing or noticing while interacting with children
[00:13:32] Not being afraid of trying innovation
[00:14:30] Creating equitable access for children
[00:16:15] Focusing on social-emotional learning
[00:19:45] Getting to know the children you’re teaching
[00:22:31] Self-care for adults
[00:24:41] A coach’s role
[00:25:55] Committing to doing better every day

Resources

Teaching with CLASS podcast InterAct Now: CLASS Summit

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As universal Pre-K becomes a real possibility in the United States, it’s important to look at other places that have these systems in place to find out what we can learn from them. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from two people who have firsthand experience with the pre-K system in Quebec.

From Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Joell Eryasa is a CLASS® Coordinator at CASIOPE since 2018. She joined CASIOPE in 2016 working as a consultant in professional development for teachers and for directors in early childhood education setting in Quebec. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Education from the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM). She specialized in quality measurement in early childhood education settings. She has worked to support the development of the quality rating and improvement system implemented in the province of Quebec in the past years.

From Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Stéphanie Millette-Brisebois is a CLASS® Certified Trainer at CASIOPE since 2019. She joined CASIOPE in 2016 and is working as a consultant in professional development for teachers and for directors in early childhood education setting in Quebec. She holds a master’s degree in Psychoeducation from the University of Quebec in Outaouais (UQO). She believes that access to professional development, planning time to reflect daily, and being intentional in every aspect of teachers’ practice is fundamental to ensure high-quality educational environments for children.

Listen to the conversation between Joelle, Stéphanie, Marnetta, and Darlene to learn about how Quebec’s childcare system came to be, the financial aspects of universal pre-K systems, and strategies for improving and ensuring quality at scale.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:42] Thinking about the Build Back Better campaign and the possibility of universal Pre-K

[00:01:38] Today’s guests from CASIOPE

[00:02:03] What Quebec’s childcare system looks like, and how it came about

[00:03:54] The importance of local childcare initiatives in each town

[00:05:40] How the financial aspect of universal childcare in Quebec worked

[00:07:23] The plans for making more space once slots filled up

[00:10:34] The model used with family childcare homes

[00:12:10] The importance of ensuring quality at scale

[00:15:01] The focus of CASIOPE

[00:16:29] Lessons learned through training class observers to look for quality through COVID

[00:23:04] Joelle’s and Stephanie’s advice for those who are working to improve quality at scale

[00:25:41] Building on what exists, rather than scrapping everything and starting over

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Darlene Estes-Del Re

View Details

Those working the childcare field are passionate and driven. Even with the best of intentions, change can't happen without investments. Learn about funding opportunities that childcare providers can take advantage of, and how other providers are strategically using the money.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Anne Hedgepeth, Child Care Aware® of America’s Deputy Chief of Policy, and Tiffany Lee, who serves as the Prenatal-to-Three Policy Advisor for the City of Seattle, Department of Education and Early Learning.

They’ll discuss the funding coming to early childhood education, where it’s coming from, and how it can be used in ways that are sustainable and equitable.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:29] Today’s topic and guests
[00:02:07] What's happening at the federal level that may lead to more funding for early childhood programs
[00:04:30] How providers can access funding
[00:06:35] How family childcare programs fit into the funding
[00:09:22] The costs of running a childcare facility
[00:10:15] What it takes to build higher quality childcare and early learning
[00:12:35] How family childcare providers want to use the funding
[00:15:34] How quality childcare providers who may not have licensing get what they need
[00:20:21] Strategically using the funding
[00:21:53] The different types of funding
[00:23:55] Equity in funding
[00:25:35] Measuring and knowing where the money goes
[00:27:13] Important things outside of education that help ensure children have an equal playing field
[00:28:55] Looking at families holistically

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Darlene Estes-Del Re

Anne Hedgepeth

Tiffany Lee

View Details

The colliding of pandemic health and safety policies and historic underinvestment in early learning has culminated in worrying trends in the education workforce. In fact, the sector has seen a decline of more than 160,000 jobs.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear from a panel that includes Shanda Parkinson and Amanda Horne of the Davis School District Head Start program in Utah and Lauren Bell of Ready Nation.

Listen to the episode to learn more about the latest trends in the ECE workforce. And, hear the strategies that one district is using to recruit, train, and retain its educators.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:50] Introductions
[00:03:30] What the phrase “challenges with the workforce” means
[00:08:03] Challenges that childcare educators are facing besides COVID
[00:11:06] The report from ReadyNation
[00:12:10] How research compares to what's happening in Utah
[00:18:53] How to fill the teaching pipeline
[00:23:35] Retention strategies from Davis Head Start
[00:24:24] How co-teachers help with retaining staff
[00:25:34] The Staff Health Improvement Program for health and mental health
[00:29:15] The Head Start support team
[00:32:18] Policies and investments to fix the challenges

Resources

Marnetta Larrimer

Darlene Estes-Del Re

Shanda Parkinson

Amanda Horne

Lauren Bell

Ready Nation

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How should you begin thinking of equity as a verb? What are the first steps for businesses and schools to take to create change? What steps can educators do within the classroom to be more mindful and culturally competent?

In today’s episode, you’ll hear a conversation between Dr. Darlene Estes-Del Re, Marnetta Larrimer, and Dr. Rosemarie Allen. Dr. Allen is the President and CEO of the Center for Equity and Excellence and has a 30-year background as an educational leader on a mission to ensure that all children can access high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and culturally appropriate early childhood programs.

Listen in to learn what the effects of the recent push for more equity have been, what an equity audit is, and how the American Rescue Plan funds can be used to support the effort for more equitable classrooms.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:18] Introductions
[00:00:30] Today’s topic: How to build a more equitable education system
[00:02:21] Whether or not children are seeing results from the recent push for equity
[00:10:05] The first steps for designing and implementing equity-focused programs
[00:14:10] Building a diverse workforce
[00:18:51] Using the American Recovery Plan funds
[00:23:11] The difficulty of accessing high-quality programs
[00:24:00] Making sure those who need it most can access programs
[00:25:10] What families need at home to help children learn
[00:28:35] Partnering with families to find out what supports they need
[00:29:64] Supporting the need for culturally competent early learning educators
[00:33:17] Accepting the bias in your own cultural lens
[00:34:14] Daily acts of bias in early childhood classrooms
[00:38:09] Keeping in mind when teaching takes place
[00:40:30] Summary of today’s conversation
[00:41:28] Equity as an action word

Resources

Dr. Darlene Estes-Del Re

Marnetta Larrimer

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Issues surrounding the ongoing pandemic and the Great Resignation have only made the already complex field of early childhood education even more challenging than before. In today’s episode, you’ll hear about some of the issues that exist in this difficult time and how they can be addressed. You’ll also learn more about the push for equity in early childhood classrooms and what that can mean for educators and policymakers.

Today’s guests include Suzann Morris and Dr. Veronica Fernandez. Suzann Morris is the Senior Director of Public Policy and Government Relations at Teachstone. Dr. Veronica Fernandez is the Senior Director of Social Impact at Teachstone, and before taking that position, she was a Teachstone consultant for many years. Listen in to hear what they have to say about better meeting children’s and teachers’ needs, what classrooms need in order to drive equity, and what can be done with new funding that will move the field forward.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:00:41] Today’s guests
[00:01:48] How to better meet children’s needs in this challenging time
[00:02:37] The conversation around the importance of early childhood
[00:03:40] What the drive for equity in early childhood education needs
[00:04:45] Example of inequity and equity
[00:07:58] How equity shows up in the field of early childhood education
[00:10:32] Who would be helpful at the table when it comes to early childhood education
[00:13:32] How a wave of resignations has impacted the early childhood education field
[00:16:40] Whether early childhood education is taking a step back in how people view its importance
[00:19:08] The challenge of the traumas caused by the current challenges
[00:22:55] What can leaders think about doing differently with funding to move forward
[00:25:30] What universal pre-K is
[00:32:12] How leaders can improve things to better than they were before the pandemic
[00:34:52] Impacting the classroom from a teacher perspective
[00:40:35] Episode summary

Resources

Our guests today, include:

Veronica Fernandez
Suzann Morris

Hosted by:

Darlene Este

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Introducing Impacing the Classroom. The podcast that features big topics with an even bigger impact.

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