Growing Together

Erica Mason talks with Alison Smith, Hollie Borrego, Lori Sinclair, Cynthia Berndt and Lisa Knudtson about their transition to remote learning and what they are doing at Stone Mountain to offer support for their students.

QUESTIONS:

Tell me a little bit about each of you and what you like about teaching at Stone Mountain?

How has your approach to teaching changed during remote learning?

How are you finding ways to connect and engage with students when you are not physically with them?

What are some of the highlights or surprises you have experienced during this time?

What are some things you think will change when we transition back to the classroom?

Any final thoughts?

Laurie Lacomb and Aaron Regan talk with John Widmier (the coordinator of social, emotional and behavior services for Littleton Public schools) about advice for parents to help their students get through unknown times.

QUESTIONS:

John, tell us about your background.

What advice do you have for parents during this unprecedented time?

Do you have any tips on how parents can build more positive relationships with our kids?

Do you have any day to day steps that we can take to be there for our kids?

Where should parents start?

If our listeners could take one thing away from this conversation, what would that be?

Erica Mason talks with Jeff Collins, a music teacher at Eagle Academy about how he has adapted to remote learning. 

QUESTIONS:

Tell us about yourself, Eagle Academy, and everything you are doing there.

How has remote learning changed your approach to learning?

What have been some of the biggest challenges for you and your students?

Tell me about teaching music in a remote learning environment.

Tell me about your students, how are you keeping connected with kids?

Is there anything else you would like to share before we wrap up today?

Laurie LaComb and Aaron Regan talk about the importance of mindfulness during these times of uncertainty.

QUESTIONS:

In times like these, how can mindfulness help?

Why face your fears with curiosity, and how does it help?

Erica Mason talks with Graig MacHendrie (Digital Library Specialist at Sagewood middle school) and Linda Conway (Director of Library Programming) about how they have transitioned to a remote library, how things have changed, and how they are supporting teachers with remote learning. 

QUESTIONS:

Tell us about your job and how your role has changed during remote learning?

 What do you see are the biggest needs for teachers and students?

What are the kinds of things you look at when looking at resources, to determine, what is valuable and will support good learning?

What are some ideas and strategies that you're using to do remote work and supporting teachers? 

What are you most excited about when implementing our strategic plan?

What are some of the challenges you have faced?

What is the most important lesson you have learned as an educator over the years?

Laurie LaComb and Aaron Ragon talk with Dr. Scott Cypers, Director of Stress and Anxiety programs at the Helen and Arthur E Johnson Depression Center, about how to help students with anxiety. 

QUESTIONS:

What advice do you have for families that are trying to balance school, work, and staying safe?

Do you have any tips or tricks for parents in helping center kids at home?

If you have parents take away one thing from this podcast, what would that be?

Erica Mason talks with Tony Jackowski and Mary Murphy about their program at Mesa middle school regarding Global awareness and social entrepreneurship. 

QUESTIONS:

Tell us about your program at Mesa Middle school regarding global awareness and social entrepreneurship.

What does it look like for incoming students?

Do you have students that have leadership opportunities to mentor new/ incoming students?

What other ways can the community support the program?

How has remote learning affected your program?

Is there anything else you would like to share with our listeners?

Laurie LaComb and Aaron Ragon talk with Patrick Alley, the training coordinator at DJEATC about their trade school program.

QUESTIONS:

What does your program do for students?

What does it look like to join your program?

How long does it take to work through the training?

What's the earning potential for someone who becomes an electrician?

Are the benefits good?

How long have you been in this field?

Do you personally work with recent graduates in this program?

What traits do you see in successful students?

What is the success rate of your program?

If you could give one message, what would it be?

RESOURCES:

303-295-1903 – office

DJEATC68.com

Erica Mason talks with Kent Allison, Technology & Engineering Teacher, Department Chair and Technology Student Association Advisor at Mountain Vista High School and Debbie Tawzer, Digital Design/Engineering Teacher and TSA Advisor at Legend High School about their program and how students are helping 3D print supplies for local medical facilities. 

QUESTIONS:

Q. What are you experiencing as a teacher during this national pandemic? What are you hearing from students? How do you continue to connect with your students?

Q.  What do you wish every student, parent or family knew about CTE, your program?

Q.  What advice or strategies do you have for students and parents as they navigate this new environment?

Q.  What are the benefits to students, families that participate in CTE?  What challenges do they face and what advice do you have for overcoming these challenges?

Q. What is the most rewarding experience and/or what brings you the most joy in your work with the students in your programs?

Q.  What is the most important lesson that you learned either as a teacher in all your years in education?

RESOURCES:

For more information please reach out to Kent and Debbie:

Kent.Allison@dcsdk12.org

debbie.tawzer@dcsdk12.org

Laurie LaComb and Aaron Regan talk with Tiffany Anderson, the Counselor for Prevention at Sierra middle school about the programs and events they offer for students and parents.

QUESTIONS:

What does C4P mean?

Is there anything that stands out that you are proud of?

As a counselor, if you could have all parents internalize one message, what would that be? 

What message would you give to kids?

Are there any events coming up, or books we should read?

RESOURCES:

 Tip Sheet:

Talking to Teens

ADVICE FOR PARENTS, TEACHERS, COACHES AND MORE

Sometimes it may feel like youth aren’t listening to what you say but research shows adults can have a big influence on their behavior. What you think matters to the young people in your life. As an adult they trust, you can impact their choices. What you say, and the example you set, make a difference. The following tips can help you get talking.

LISTEN

Make them feel heard. Consider their opinions and keep the conversation going. Even if you’ve talked about this topic before, their issues and opinions change all the time. Plus, as youth get older, they can feel more pressure from friends and classmates.

SET CLEAR RULES

Make family, school and sports team rules clear and stick to them. Let them know what will happen if they don’t follow them.

FOCUS ON POSITIVE MESSAGES

Encourage them to make choices that help them achieve their goals.

LEARN HOW TEENS ARE VAPING

Because of the wide array of discreet vape devices, it is easier than ever to hide them and vape at school or during school activities. Get a sense of what vaping devices look like.

REMIND THEM WHAT CAN HAPPEN FOR BREAKING THE RULES

Teens that break school or school activity rules can be suspended or kicked off a team.

continued...

SOURCE: CDPHE “Good to Know Tips” ** This content piece is based on the Good to Know campaign “Tips for Talking to Students & Athletes” document.

LET THEM KNOW: THEY COULD LOSE CONTROL

Most vapes contain nicotine, even many that say “nicotine free” on the label. Most teens start out thinking they can stop whenever they want and won’t ever become addicted. And lots more start smoking cigarettes, a product that kills half its users. In fact, a teen who vapes is four times more likely to start smoking.

REMIND THEM THEY’RE ROLE MODELS TO OTHER YOUTH

Let them know that younger students and siblings look up to them as examples. How would they feel if a younger sibling got addicted to vaping?

NOT EVERYONE IS DOING IT

It is easier for youth to say “no” to peer pressure if they know not everyone is doing it. Let them know that more than half of high school and middle school students have never vaped, so they’re in good company.

SHARE THE SCIENCE

Despite what teens may hear, vaping is not just “harmless water vapor.” Most vapes contain nicotine, artificial flavoring and other chemicals. Stress the fact that teens who JUUL or vape nicotine or THC may have trouble learning and memory issues, as both nicotine and THC have negative effects on adolescent brain development.

BOOK:

"13 things mentally strong parents don't do" by Amy Morin 

Erica Mason talks with Emma Watson, a Science Teacher at Cimarron middle school about science day, standards, how kids are engaging in the classroom. 

Questions:

What are you most excited about being a science teacher and working with students in your classroom?

What brought you to become a middle school science teacher?

What does a student experience in your classroom? Any examples?

What is different about the next generation science standards?

You talked about proposing a phenomenon to your students, what are some benefits and/or challenges you have faced?

What do you hope to hear from your future students when they look back on their middle school science days?

Aaron Ragon talks with Laurie LaComb about mindfulness, what it is and how it is being used in Douglas County schools. 

QUESTIONS:

Can you tell me what mindfulness is?

Why have we been introducing this to schools?

Any antidote to share?

What would like our listeners to take away from this?--

In this episode, you'll hear from two collaborating teachers on how the support English Language Learners through a co-teaching model. Additionally, Dir. of ELD, Remy Rummel shares her philosophy of co-teaching for DCSD students.

QUESTIONS:

What is your vision of ELD programming at CRMS?

Talk about the ELD programming in DCSD as it relates to co-teaching. What does it look like in your setting?

How did you get started with collaboration and co-teaching? How has your journey evolved?

What lessons have you learned while implementing co-teaching? What advice would you give educators who are in the early stages of collaboration and co-teaching?

As we rollout and implement our Strategic Plan, what are you most excited about?

What is the biggest challenge that educators today face? And how do we (leaders, community, etc.) support them? How do you think that the development and implementation of our strategic plan, along with collaborative practices, will help?

What is most rewarding experience you’ve had in working with students in this school or as part of the co-teaching experience?

What is the most important lesson that your learned either as a teacher or leader in all your years in education?

In this episode, Laurie LaComb and Aaron Ragon continue their discussion about preparing your students for college.

QUESTIONS:

Can you describe the application process?

Are there essays college's dont want to read?

What is the process for students to get letters of recommendation?

As parents, is there anything we should avoid?

This podcast will provide some insight from current leaders and implementing educators in DCSD related to MTSS.

QUSTIONS:

What does MTSS look like in your building?

What are the next steps for you this coming year?

When we talk about MTSS in you building, how do you know the systems you have put in place are working? What sort of tools, management or monitoring systems are you using to measure success, or to find where you should make adjustments?

What are some challenges you've faced through implementing MTSS so others can learn from your mistakes or the lessons you've learned?

How do RTI and MTSS work together?

We have many schools implementing MTSS for the first time, what advice can you give to put them on a path to success?

In this episode, Laurie LaComb talks with Aaron Ragon about preparing your students for college.  Tips for how to apply, the importance of visiting schools, and how to make wise financial decisions when choosing a school. 

QUESTIONS:

How do you start the search for the right college?

Why is it important to visit colleges?

How to know if the school is a good fit for your student?

How to help your student make wise financial decisions when choosing a school?

When do they introduce Naviance to students?

In this episode we visit with two students (Jay Chohan and Zoey Zizzo) from Rock Canyon High School to hear about their Douglas County School District learning experience.

QUESTIONS:

What is your hope for the future of students in Douglas County School District?

What is the hardest part about being a student in 2019, or more importantly what is the hardest part about being a young adult in 2019?

What advice would you give our teachers in leaders in supporting your learning and growth?

In what ways do you feel prepared to graduate and continue on to additional schooling, service or entering the workforce?

This is your chance to talk to teachers, parents and other students.  What do each of us need to do to hear from you as representatives of DCSD

I always ask guests what they think is the biggest challenge that teachers today face? What do you think it is and how do we overcome that challenge?

As a student in 2019, what do you and the wider student body most want teachers to consider as they plan for their daily interactions with students and instruction?

What is the most important lesson that you’ve learned as a student in DCSD?

We know that the social emotional and mental health pressures that students today face are large and prevalent in our community.  What is the best way to help each other?

This week we visit with Deane Kirby to hear a little bit about her vision around instructional leadership and alignment to the strategic plan.

QUESTIONS:

What is your philosophy of instructional leadership?

How does your work connect with our strategic plan?

How did you develop your leadership identity over the years, and how do you communicate your values to the people you work with?

What do you think is the biggest challenge for educators?

What is the best leadership advice you have received?

Host: Erica Mason
Guest(s): Dr. Thomas Tucker

• Erica Mason and Dr. Thomas Tucker discuss the instructional leadership, the vision and the strategic plan for DCSD

QUESTIONS: 

• What is your vision of Instructional Leadership?

• In our district, our strategic plan is all about growing together ( our students, leaders, teachers, etc.)  What does this mean to you and how do you see us working through this?

• As we rollout and implement our Strategic Plan, what do you anticipate will make it impactful?

• What is the best leadership advice that you’ve ever received?

• As superintendent, what is it that you most want teachers to know about you, Dr. Thomas S. Tucker?

Length: 13:41