Chat w/Cat
By Catina Hancock
Chat w/CatJan 23, 2021
Reporting in from Oceanside, CA, CEO of Altitude Learning and good friend, Devin Vodicka
Over the past 20 years, Devin’s vision for how to drive high-quality student outcomes enabled him to quickly ascend the roles of educator, school principal, district administrator, and superintendent. During his tenure serving Vista Unified’s more than 25,000 students, Devin earned some of the education industry’s most prestigious awards. In 2015, he was named “California Superintendent of the Year” by both the ACSA and Pepperdine University. In 2014, he received Classroom of the Future Foundation's "Innovative Superintendent of the Year" award. After joining Vista in 2012, he was invited to the White House nine times; both in recognition for district-wide achievements and to partner on national efforts with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Technology and the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools. As Altitude Learning’s Chief Impact Officer Devin guided design and strategy of the organization's learner-centered technology platform and services as it expanded into a growing community of private, charter, and public schools. As Chief Executive Officer, he will lead the organization in extending its impact on the learner-centered ecosystem.
Tune in to hear Devin's perspective on systems, collaboration and connectedness.
You can follow Devin on Twitter @dvodicka and if you need a good book to read, check out "Learner-Centered Leadership: A Blueprint for Transformational Change in Learning Communities."
And as mentioned in our chat, you can access some of our great work, including a great OER library, with the Texas Learning Exchange here.
Reporting in from El Segundo, CA, 8th grade Individuals and Societies teacher and Innovation Coach, Sean Brandlin
Sean is a true team player, innovator and big picture thinker who works at El Segundo Middle School in El Segundo, CA.
Sean is in his 10th year teaching and is excited to learn and grow during these crazy times. Sean continues to innovate in his class and also works closely with admin and other district teachers to help shift instructional practice to focus on autonomy, mastery and purpose.
Tune in to hear how Sean is embracing feedback, teamwork, and a growth mindset. And his fun fact is one you don't want to miss.
You can also follow him on Twitter @seanbrandlin.
Reporting in from Arcadia, CA, 6th grade ELA teacher Michelle Bangara.
Michelle is an amazing, collaborative teacher who works at First Avenue Middle School in Arcadia.
She is in her 10th year teaching and is excited to learn and grow during these crazy times. Michelle approaches educating her students with high expectations, strong beliefs in building knowledge, skills and dispositions and is always reflecting and looking for ways to improve her practice and ultimately outcomes for her students.
Tune in to hear how Michelle is embracing transparency this year and is encouraging families to sit in and listen to class lessons and discussions.
You can also follow her on Twitter @MsBangaraFA.
Reporting in from Vista, CA, 2nd Grade Teacher, Hector DeLeon
Reporting in from Camas, WA, Principal Aaron Smith (who also happens to be my awesome cousin)
Aaron Smith, my amazing cousin, is the rockstar principal at Camas Odyssey Middle and Discovery High School, where "we learn for life."
Aaron has been in public ed since 1996 and got his start as a band teacher.
Some of Aaron's sharing will include their focus on:
- increasing student engagement
- content plus success skills
- helping students see the relevance of what they are learning and how they can contribute
Fun Fact about Aaron, he has a passion, or what he calls a focused ambition regarding Loretta Lynn. This ambition includes film, production and ultimately a documentary.
Tune in to hear how Aaron is elevating and celebrating the work in his community.
Reporting in from Vancouver, High School teacher and Coach Dan Larson.
Tune in to hear Dan's bright spots, barriers and bridges....And listen to the end, he has a some wise words about what school should be like when he can be back in class with his students. And just for fun, a little known fact about Dan, he honeymooned in South Africa.
Who am I and why did I decide to do a podcast?
Catina works for Altitude Learning (altitudelearning.com) as a Senior Lead, on our Leadership and Learning Team. She has been with Altitude for almost 3 years but her prior experience includes 14 years as a site administrator at both elementary and middle schools in San Diego and 6 years of teaching.
Catina also has an entrepreneurial spirit and not only owns and operates 2 CrossFit Gyms but she also has two direct selling companies, 1 for skincare and 1 for athleisure wear. But this busy momma is finding the time to focus on the strengths and positivity that are happening around the country (eventually the world) in the education space.
Tune in to learn how you can help elevate and celebrate the amazing work happening in our school systems. Have a story to tell, complete this short survey (https://forms.gle/Ca3PHRGvBhF3MhU99) and Catina will reach out.