The PL Playbook: Recent Episodes
Jackie Wynkoop
This podcast is dedicated to all things Professional Learning! Drawing from her 20 years in public education as a classroom teacher, administrator, and instructional coach, host Jackie Wynkoop discusses what works (and what doesn't work) in PL. Interested in being a guest on the show or want to share idea topics for an upcoming episode? Fill out this brief form: https://bit.ly/PLPlaybookPodcast
After taking a brief hiatus, I'm back! In this episode, I chat with Ashlie Crosson, the 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. Take a listen to not only hear from an amazing educator, but find out a BIG surprise to kick off season #3!
Interested in joining the show as a guest this season? Fill out the brief form below:
https://sites.google.com/view/the-pl-playbook-podcast/guest-request?authuser=0
In this episode, I provide a brief overview of the curriculum storyboarding framework and urge you to think about how the process could be used to map out long-term professional learning for teachers.
Check out these supplemental resources for more information:
- https://www.ascd.org/books/streamlining-the-curriculum?variant=123020
- https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/storyboarding-your-curriculum
- https://curriculumstoryboards.com/storyboards/
Hey there, edu-friends! In this episode, I share my top 3 tips for making the most of your attendance at an educational conference. I also highlight 3 exciting conferences upcoming in 2024! Visit the links below for more info:
- ASCD Conference
- NCTE Conference
- Learning Forward Conference
In this brief episode, I challenge you to choose one word to reflect your professional learning intentions for 2024. What will your word be?In the episode, I also mention the upcoming leadership panels being hosted by Swivl. For more information, check out the following link: https://www.swivl.com/leadership-panel/
In this episode I share a little bit about Reflection Roundtables. This discussion protocol is a great way to prompt reflection with teachers. Take a listen, and then check out the associated resources linked below:
- Reflection Roundtable Discussion Protocol
- Reflection Roundtable Question Template
Hey there, edu-friends! In this episode I chat with Julie Overly and Amy Odgers, two amazing instructional coaches from the Upper Merion Area School District located near Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Julie is in her 23rd year as an educator and has taught a variety of grade levels in several countries, including Tanzania and Israel. She currently supports Kindergarten through 4th grade teachers across 5 elementary buildings in her district. Amy has been teaching for close to 30 years, serving in a variety of roles including middle school language arts teacher, reading specialist, and 4th grade teacher. She is currently in her 9th year as an instructional coach at her district's middle school.
In this episode, I chat with Julie and Amy about their journey planning and facilitating gamified professional learning experiences with their staff. They offer a ton of unique ideas and great advice for fellow instructional leaders. You can visit this link to access a Google folder that contains a variety of resources related to what they discussed in the episode: https://bit.ly/3Rv9wML
Interested in connecting with Julie and/or Amy? Check out their contact info below:
- Julie Overly (Email: joverly@umasd.org; X: @JulieOTeach)
- Amy Odgers (Email: aodgers@umasd.org; X: @amyreads4
Until next time, edu-friends!
In this episode, I chat with professional learning consultant Melissa Duckworth. Melissa is a former colleague of mine, and a few years ago, we dove head first into creating gamified PL experiences for our staff. Listen as we discuss some of our favorite challenges. After listening, check out the related resources linked below!:
- Pie Party Challenge
- Super Bowl Challenge
- Mardis Gras Challenge
- March Madness Challenge
Interested in connecting with Melissa? Follow her on X at @1DuckyMathCoach or send her an email at mduckworth@ciu10.org.
In this episode, I briefly describe what it means to gamify professional learning for educators, as well as share some of the benefits. Below is a link to one gamified PL experience that you can implement with teachers prior to the Thanksgiving holiday: https://www.smore.com/gd3n6-fall-coaching-challenge
In this episode, I describe a unique twist on the traditional classroom book tasting event. Take a listen to hear how this activity can be used by PL facilitators to expose teachers to a variety of educational resources. You can check out resources related to this episode below:
Book Tasting Presentation: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFrM5x8ksc/N0mV7AzoWRdOV6Ch5EhHow/edit?utm_content=DAFrM5x8ksc&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton Book Tasting Order Form: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFrNwm_3ZY/NeaC-m4pswnweyZECzS46g/edit?utm_content=DAFrNwm_3ZY&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton Link to photos of my event setup: https://twitter.com/LitCoachJackieW/status/1691556442510143941?s=20
In this episode, I chat with Ellen Eisenberg. Ellen is the Executive Director of The Professional Institute for Instructional Coaching (TPIIC), which offers support for instructional coaches and school leaders. Ellen had a profound impact on me during the beginning of my career as a coach, and she offers great insight to educators in this episode.
For more information about TPIIC, visit this link: https://tpiic.org/
Check out Ellen's book Instructional Coaching in Action here: https://www.ascd.org/books/instructional-coaching-in-action?variant=117028
To connect with Ellen, visit here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-eisenberg-207bb91a/
In this episode, I chat with Maryland teacher Matt Green. Matt has been an educator for 20 years, and is also National Board Certified. Listen as he shares what going through the process was like and how he grew professionally as a result. For more information about National Board Certification, check out: https://www.nbpts.org/
In this episode, I chat with Delaware educator Carol Leveillee about how she provides professional learning through PLCs. Carol has been in education for 40 years, and currently is the principal of Frederick Douglass Elementary School in Seaford, Delaware. She is a National Distinguished Principal and a Terrel H. Bell award winner. Most notably, Carol turned around her school from being one of the lowest performing in the state on the brink of state takeover to being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, National Distinguished ESEA School and a school of Continued Excellence. To read more about Carol and her success as a transformational school leader, check out the links below. You can also follow her on Twitter at @CarolLeveillee.
- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s7-e12-school-turnaround-from-focus-plus-to-blue-ribbon/id1522933343?i=1000579674801
- https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/people/carol-leveillee-frederick-douglass-elementary-school-seaford-de/
- https://www.kiddom.co/principal-carol-leveillee-culture-builder-ssl-spotlight-6/
Yay for the first episode of season #2! In this episode, listeners are encouraged to REFLECT on the content shared in season #1, SELECT one (or more!) PL ideas that resonated with them, and DIRECT a plan to implement the practice(s) within their school, district, or organization. I also share a birthday gift for listeners at the end of the episode! The following two links were referenced in the episode:
- PL Playbook Podcast Website
- Back-to-School Bingo Board
In this episode, I chat with educators Gina Fugnitto and Katie Fuchs, both who work for Collaborative Classroom, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to "ensure that all students become readers, writers, and thinkers who learn from, care for, and respect one another." Gina is the Vice President of Implementation for the Center for the Collaborative Classroom, while Katie manages the Collaborative Coach platform.
In addition to developing high-quality curricular materials, the organization is also committed to enhancing professional learning for teachers and other school leaders. Specifically, this episode centers around Collaborative Coach, an asynchronous online coaching platform that provides personalized, program-specific, one-on-one coaching for individual teachers, coaches, and leaders. Take a listen to hear about this innovative PL experience and how it has shifted teacher practice.
I also encourage you to read the following documents, as they pertain to the content of this episode:
- Coaching -- anytime, from anywhere -- empowers teachers (Published in the August 2021 issue of The Learning Professional by Learning Forward)
- Interview with district leader and literacy team about the impact Collaborative Coach had on their district
If you're interested with connecting with Gina and/or Kelly following this episode, don't hesitate to reach out!
- Dr. Gina Fugnitto (Twitter: @gfugnitto; https://www.collaborativeclassroom.org/people/gina-fugnitto/)
- Katie Fuchs (Twitter: @KatieFuchs9; https://www.collaborativeclassroom.org/people/katie-fuchs/)
Today's episode is brief! Take a listen to hear about the first-ever PL Playbook Summer Book Club! Below are two links referenced in the episode:
- Edutopia Article: How to Balance Resting, Reflecting, and Learning This Summer
- PL Playbook Summer Book Club Interest Form: https://forms.gle/PgRwm9C54cppmNsN6
In this episode, I chat with educator Elizabeth Dampf. Elizabeth is currently the Director of Professional Learning for Round Lake Area Schools 116 in the Chicago area. She has also authored several notable articles and blogs for ASCD, which can be found here: https://www.ascd.org/people/elizabeth-dampf. You can connect with Elizabeth on Twitter @ElizabethDampf.
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Donna Spangler. Donna is a current instructional coach for the Derry Township School District located in Hershey, PA. She is also the Department Chair for the Instructional Coaching Department, a consultant for the professional learning platform Sibme, a former co-president of Learning Forward Pennsylvania, and an author of various education-related articles, among many other accolades. Several years ago, Donna facilitated the design and implementation of a microcredentialing program for teachers within her school district. Take a listen to this episode to learn all about her work and how it resulted in impactful learning for both teachers AND students.
For more information about microcredentialing, check out these professional resources:
- https://corp.smartbrief.com/original/2023/04/microcredentials-for-educators-pd
- https://www.ascd.org/blogs/how-microcredentials-can-save-professional-learning
- https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/47476/can-micro-credentials-create-meaningful-professional-development-for-teachers
- https://learningforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/micro-approach-major-impact.pdf
- https://blog.sibme.com/blog/webinar-replay/hershey/
I also encourage you to check out sibme.com to learn more about how the platform can be used to develop a microcredentialing program.
Interested in connecting with Donna? Contact her at:
- Email: donnas@sibme.com
- Twitter: @spanglerdonna1
In this episode I chat with Dr. John Zesiger, Superintendent of the Moshannon Valley School District located in Pennsylvania. We talk about all things related to professional learning for administrators. One thing Dr. Z discusses is the amazing leadership training his team has received from Bartell & Bartell. If you're interested in learning more, visit: https://bartellbartell.com/
I also encourage you to connect with Dr. Z!: Email: jzesiger@movalley.org Twitter: @JohnZesiger
In this episode, I talk with educator Josh Korb. Josh is the Director of Innovation for the Bermudian Springs School District located in eastern Pennsylvania. Take a listen to hear how Josh has led the development and implementation of personalized professional learning in his district.
In addition to serving in his current role, Josh works as a freelance consultant, is the founder of master3du (a platform for tracking student growth), and is in the process of writing an educational book. Interested in connecting with Josh? More info here:
- Twitter: @mrjkorb
- https://www.joshkorb.org/
- https://www.master3du.com/home
During the episode, I also talk about a cool new PL product made by Wipebook. Visit wipebook.com/jwynkoop to enter a raffle to win a FREE Flipchart Pack or a discount code for 20% off!
In this episode, I chat with Meghan Hooper, a former instructional coach who currently serves as a Student Engagement Facilitator for the Ephrata Area School District located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Take a listen to hear how Meghan and her team use exit ticket data to drive their professional learning model and offerings. For a copy of her district's PL exit ticket, check out this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13x8g1RetHnX1UP7hIG12nF2d7URp-g7XT1dV2wajDUU/template/preview
Follow Meghan on Twitter @MrsMeghanHooper
I recently attended the PETE&C Conference. If your role is in any way connected to educational technology, it’s definitely one worth checking out! While at the conference I took the opportunity to interview 4 random attendees about their conference highlights, as well as their general thoughts related to PL. Special thanks to Autumn Zaminski, Nicole Bond, Chris Stuchko, and Melissa Duckworth for being put on the spot in the conference venue’s hallway…😀
Check out Chris Stuchko's podcast"The 9th Grade Experience" here: https://www.9thgradeexperience.com/
Interested in attending the 2024 PETE&C Conference? Stay up-to-date with the event here: https://www.peteandc.org/
In this episode, I chat with Kathryn Laster. Kathryn has dedicated 33 years of her life to the field of education, and is currently a Digital Learning Consultant for the Region 10 Service Center in northern Texas. She also co-hosts the podcast Digital Learning Radio. Kathryn has an intense passion for professional learning and has spent many years networking with fellow educators via #CoffeeEDU. Listen to our chat to find out more about this unique PLN! Then follow Kathryn on Twitter @kklaster.
Resources Shared During our Discussion:
- Digital Learning Radio Podcast (@DigLearnRadio): https://sites.google.com/region10.org/dlr-inspiredtolearn/home
- Dallas-Fort Worth #CoffeeEDU: https://dfwcoffeeedu.carrd.co/
- What is a CoffeeEDU? (written by Alice Keeler): https://alicekeeler.com/2023/01/29/what-is-a-coffeeedu/
- Tony Vincent's Learning In Hand Workshops: https://learninginhand.com/workshops
- Katie Martin Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcDpDPwRxvU
- Destination Imagination: https://www.destinationimagination.org/
- Bellefonte READS: https://sites.google.com/a/basd.net/bellefonte-reads
Professional Books Mentioned:
- The New Pillars of Modern Teachingby Gayle Allen
- The Coaching Habit & The Advice Trapby Michael Bungay Stanier
- The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
- Falling in Love with Close Reading by Christopher Lehman and Kate Roberts
In this episode, I chat with middle school English teacher Leah Markert and high school social studies teacher Ally Durney. Listen as they share a little bit about their experience participating in teacher-designed (and led!) professional learning teams.Note: If you missed episode #14, you'll want to listen to that one first, as I talk at length about these unique PL teams and how they work.
Hooray for the first episode of 2023! In today's segment, I discuss my district's unique twist on the traditional PLC model. Looking for a surefire way to allow teachers to explore their professional learning passions, while at the same time growing teacher leadership and building collective efficacy within your school? Look no further!
Below are a ton of resources related to today's episode topic. If you have any questions about the documents I've shared, please reach out:
- BLC Intro Video (we used this video to introduce the initiative and recruit participants)
- What is a BLC? (BLC general info 1-pager)
- What is Action Research? (we created this to help ease teacher hesitation about what this means)
- BLC Proposal Form (teachers complete this form to get approval for a BLC)
- BLC Meeting Agenda (all BLCs across the district use this template)
- Sample BLC Meeting Agenda (example so you can see what a BLC meeting might look like in practice)
- BLC Facilitator Checklist (to-do items for anyone leading a BLC meeting)
Have a great week,
Jackie
In this episode, I discuss the idea of setting professional learning resolutions. What will your 2023 PL Resolution be?
List of Professional Learning Grants for Educators:
- https://www.irex.org/project/fulbright-teachers-global-classrooms-program-fulbright-tgc
- https://science.osti.gov/wdts/einstein
- https://www.nctm.org/Grants/
- https://www.fundforteachers.org/about-us.php
- https://knowlesteachers.org/teaching-fellowship
- https://www.neafoundation.org/educator-grants-and-fellowships/learning-leadership-grants/
- https://www.nctm.org/Grants-and-Awards/Grants/Teacher-Leader-Professional-Learning-Grant--(Pre-K-12)/
- https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/professional-development/grosvenor-teacher-fellows/
- https://mccartheydressman.org/
- https://www.cato.org/sphere/about-sphere
In this episode, I chat with PA educator Ken Ehrmann about how to empower our teachers as learners. Ken is a secondary instructional coach in the Pennridge School District, former PA Teacher of the Year finalist, and co-host of the powerED Up Podcast. In addition, Ken offers keynotes and customized professional learning for school districts. Connect with Ken here:@KenEhrmann@powereduuphttps://www.kenehrmann.org/
In this episode, I chat with instructional coach Stacy Ricciotti about how she facilitates brief bursts of professional learning via "Lunch Bunch" sessions with teachers. Tune in to hear all of the details! You can also check out this link for an upcoming Lunch Bunch session she's hosting: https://www.smore.com/ksauj-the-great-santa-debate?ref=email
Interested in connecting with Stacy? Follow her on Twitter at @stacyincoach.
What do gratitude and pie have to do with professional learning? Listen to this episode for a few fun ideas!
Links to resources discussed in the episode:
Pie Party PL Challenge
Presenter Letter of Commendation
This week's episode is short, so if you have 10 minutes to spare, give it a listen to hear a few twists on conducting book studies with teachers. Below are a few resources related to this episode:
EL Magazine: https://www.ascd.org/el?utm_source
What You Do Matters Book Set: https://www.amazon.com/What-You-Do-Matters-Problem/dp/1946873144
What You Do Matters Book Study Questions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eR0CPyQzuBNmj8rnQp86xKCd1AoQO2s2oXF0TyUZ3ug/edit
In this episode, I talk with Laura Mandell, a secondary instructional coach working for the Ephrata Area School District in Pennsylvania. Take a listen to hear about how Laura and her coaching colleagues facilitate virtual book studies with teachers. This is one you won't want to miss!
Link to bookmarks referenced in the episode: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1o_xgHY9LBZLUdzoC_jtqmbqUI2BDFBHfZKCyjrkdgcg/template/preview
Add to your PLN by connecting with Laura on Twitter at @TheLauraMandell
We all know that book studies are a frequently-used vehicle for professional learning. In this episode, I chat with high school English teacher Nicholas A. Emmanuele about his journey facilitating book studies as a department head. I also encourage you to follow Nicholas on Twitter at @NAEmmanuele.
This episode is a follow up to the previous one in which I talked in depth about my district's trade time program. In this episode, I chat with educators Julie Henry and Emily Zimdahl-McManus about their experiences participating in and/or facilitating trade time. I hope you enjoy hearing about how the program has positively impacted their professional learning!
In this episode, I discuss Trade Time -- a professional learning program that provides teachers the opportunity to participate in PL experiences outside of contractual hours and then "trade" the time earned in place of the last PL day of the school year. Lots of great ideas are shared in this episode -- you won't want to miss it!
Below are a few documents connected to today's episode topic:
- Trade Time Info
- Trade Time Q & A
- Internal Trade Time Proposal Form
- External Trade Time Approval Form
- Trade Time Presenter Info
- Trade Time Report Form
Interested in being a guest on the show or have an idea you'd like to hear discussed in an upcoming episode? Fill out this brief Google Form: https://bit.ly/PLPlaybookPodcast.
In this episode, I briefly summarize best practices for professional learning, based on current literature and research. Below are links to the professional resources I referenced in the episode:
- Moving from Compliance to Agency: What Teachers Need to Make Professional Learning Work
- Effective Teacher Development
- Principles for High-Quality, Standards-Aligned Professional Learning
- Teachers Know Best: Teachers' Views on Professional Development
- Dispelling the Myths: What the Research Says About Teacher Professional Learning
- Making Professional Learning Stick
Interested in being a guest on the show or have an idea you'd like to hear discussed in an upcoming episode? Fill out this brief Google Form: https://bit.ly/PLPlaybookPodcast. Then spread the word about this new podcast to your edu-friends!
Thanks for listening,
Jackie
In this episode, I chat with my very first podcast guest -- Dr. Sommer Garman! Sommer is a current middle school principal, and also leads her district's professional learning committee. Take a listen to learn about how she facilitated a shift from professional development to professional learning within the district.
Interested in being a guest on the show or have an idea you'd like to hear discussed in an upcoming episode? Fill out this brief Google form: https://bit.ly/PLPlaybookPodcast. Then spread the word about this new podcast to your edu-friends!
Thanks for listening!
Jackie
In this episode, I talk about the important distinction between the terms professional development and professional learning. Listen to find out why I prefer the latter!
Below are a few professional resources referenced in today's episode or related to the PD vs PL debate:
- https://learningforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/moving-from-compliance-to-agency.pdf
- https://ncte.org/statement/proflearning/
- https://www.edweek.org/education/opinion-terms-carry-meaning/2012/01
Interested in being a guest on the show or have an idea you'd like to hear discussed in an upcoming episode? Fill out this brief Google form: https://bit.ly/PLPlaybookPodcast. Then spread the word about this new podcast to your edu-friends!
Thanks for listening!
Jackie
Hello, edu-verse! Thanks for popping into the PL Playbook Podcast! In this intro episode, I share a little bit about myself and the inspiration for the podcast. All episodes will be directly related to the topic of professional learning. Interested in being a guest on the show or have an idea you'd like to hear discussed on an upcoming episode? Fill out this brief Google form: https://bit.ly/PLPlaybookPodcast. Then spread the word about this new podcast to your edu-friends!
Thanks,
Jackie