The Soul of Education: Recent Episodes
BAM Radio Network
In 2021 the incoming administration began undoing the policies of the last administration in what it calls the battle for the soul of America. In this podcast, we follow the new leadership and how its priorities will impact the soul of education.
A recent poll asked important questions about the status of public schools, both nationally and locally. The central finding speaks to the issue of trust.
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
Two associate professors set out to understand how Americans think about teaching sensitive topics and what age. The nationally representative survey of nearly 3,800 U.S. adults found surprising agreement on many difficult topics with a few key exceptions.
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
A recent survey paints a starkly more positive picture of how our students see the future. Despite the many challenges they face, the next generation believes in themselves and their possibility to change the world for the better.
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
A new poll suggests we need to strengthen support and confidence in our public schools. The question is how?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
Educators (and non-educators) talking about the teacher shortage is ubiquitous in both education and mainstream media. To what extent is the picture we’re getting accurate? More importantly, are the proposed solutions a bandage or a cure?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
We’re living and teaching in a time where we are trying to support free speech, manage hate speech, and encourage students to express their authentic thoughts, even when they are unpopular. How are we doing?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
The National Council of Teachers of English is a professional organization dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of English. Much to the surprise of many, NCTE is kicking books to the curb. Is it really possible that books no longer matter?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
Remember when we wanted parents to be more involved in helping us educate students? Now we have what we asked for, we just need to think about how to best channel their interest into constructive support.
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
We’re hearing weekly that teachers are fed up, unhappy, and looking at that sign over the exit door with glee. So is a mass teacher exodus really on the horizon? Well, we’ve been here before, and here is what happened.
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
Many of the discussions about what we should or should not teach in school today are difficult to determine because we are unclear about the purpose of K12 education. As the acrimony in the world is increasingly seeping into our classrooms, we’re rapidly reaching the point where we need greater clarity on the purpose of school. But who should ultimately decide?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said during his SXSW EDU presentation that we are on the verge of a reset in education — sounds promising. The funding and support systems are certainly in place to make a reset possible. So what will determine if real transformation has finally come to education? Watch these five indicators.
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
The ongoing staffing shortage is impacting after-school programs, especially in suburban areas. What can we do to keep the lights on after school?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
There is a sizable group of students who are falling through the cracks, mainly because they don’t fit a very narrow definition of students who really need our help.
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
Our school districts are gearing up for more COVID testing of students and teachers. Funding is in place and millions of tests are on the way. So does the funding meet the combined need for COVID tests, masks, HVAC updates, school nurses, and additional teachers?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
We have good reasons to be thankful for the attention, new funding, and essential resources education is currently receiving. But despite the increased support, we're still missing much-needed investments. How do we get what we still need in K-12 education?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
What parents think has always mattered in education, but this month the impact of their voices shook the nation. Why do parents’ views matter more now, and what does their new influence mean for teachers around the country?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
Imagine a family that doesn't eat meat demanding that no meat be served to any student in their child's school. The surging demand to ban some books seems to overreach in a similar way. There is an alternative.
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
If you've been following school board meetings lately, you know that many have become a stage for epic freedom of expression, rhetorical excesses, and high-stakes drama. What are we to make of this evolution, and what if anything needs to change?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
The pencil sharpening in congress is likely to bring the promise of free community college for all to an end for now. Support for the initiative is significant, so what’s standing in the way?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
As the build-back better budget is grinding its way through Congress, the final number is still up in the air. But there is one thing education advocates in Washington know for sure -- what to expect when the pencil is sharpened.
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
Serving the whole child is taking on a whole new meaning in the post-pandemic school system. For years soft services have been the first to be cut during lean budgets. In this episode, we focus on a state that is making a bold move to prioritize student mental health and backing their commitment with unprecedented funding.
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
Despite the epic pandemic-driven effort to put devices and Internet access in the hands of every student, a Grand Canyon-sized gap still remains in the digital divide. In this episode, we unpack a new study that points to what’s still needed — from technology to human infrastructure.
Follow on Twitter: @mlevine_jgcc @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Michael H. Levine, Ph.D. is Senior Vice President of Learning and Impact for Noggin, Nickelodeon’s direct-to-consumer interactive learning platform for young children. An early learning and social policy expert, Dr. Levine is responsible for deepening Noggin’s value to children and families through dynamic content, partnerships, and interactive experiences developed for learning and impact. He previously spent 12 years at Sesame Workshop where he served as Chief Knowledge Officer, a member of the senior executive team responsible for driving organization-wide learning, educational partnerships, knowledge exchange, and policy leadership. He is also the Founding Executive Director of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, a pioneering thought leader in the digital media and learning field. Previously he oversaw innovative grantmaking, strategic communications and program design and scaling strategies for Carnegie Corporation of New York, the New York City Department of Education, the Mayor’s Office and Asia Society. He serves on numerous non-profit and double-bottom line boards including the Cooney Center, JumpStart, We Are Family Foundation and Woot Math. He received his PhD in Social Policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University and his Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.
It’s mind-boggling to grasp that school safety has become a point of contention in school districts around the country. Common sense should point to some clear and generally accepted options. So why are we hung up, and how can we resolve the conflicts that could lead our schools back to full lockdown?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
During the pandemic, schools rushed to support teachers with tools, professional development, and moral support. How well did we provide what mattered most?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
Now that unprecedented dollars are set aside for education, the question becomes how do we invest this money wisely?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
I’m having second thoughts about the ten billion dollars set aside for COVID-19 testing in K12-schools. Are there better ways to spend those funds?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
The list of things we'll need to restore the soul of education is long, complex, and overlapping. With a new education secretary confirmed and billions earmarked to help schools recover, how do we get ready for what's ahead?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
The new administration surprised the education community with its early position on high-stakes testing. Some are disappointed, which begs the question, how else will we know what students have learned this year and what they haven't?
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of the Soul of Education. Former Host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.
As the new president begins working on his promise to restore the soul of America, we begin the journey of following how the administration’s priorities will impact the soul of education. In this first episode, we start with a look at the administration’s first priority — reopening schools in the first 100 days.
Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd
Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. He is also host of the Soul of Education. and former host of TrumpED and Common Core Radio.