Exploring Education

This episode features a conversation with Derek Kinsey, our Chief Technology Officer in RBUSD.  In our chat, Derek shares his perspectives as a technologist and parent of three on keeping kids safe online, and the impact of technology on our students today.  We encourage our parent community to listen and reflect on how, when, why and where our kids are spending time online.  It's okay to know where they go! 

This episode features Miguel Salcedo, Adrienne Soto and Leslie Cook, who are some of our Instructional Lead Teachers at Washington Elementary and within RBUSD.  We discuss the importance of honoring the process of learning and how making mistakes can be beautiful opportunities.

This episode features two parents who are committed to our community at Washington Elementary.  Amy Huh and Dan Reed share information about our PTA and their plans for keeping our community connected this school year.

This episode is intended to give listeners a few tips for starting school during distance learning.  #1: Set them up. #2: Walk away.  As hard as it might be, walk away and let your learner learn. 

This episode features a talk given by Andrea Bittick, Principal, and Sara McMaster, Assistant Principal at Washington Elementary School in Redondo Beach Unified School District.  The talk highlights details of what parents, students, staff and community members can expect as we prepare to reopen our school in 100% distance learning for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. 

This episode features one of our Washington Elementary parents and staff members, Dee Cresta.  Dee shares her perspectives and reflections on learning at home this past spring and what her family has in store this summer.  She reminds us all to be balanced, maintain a calm environment and let our kids lead the way.   

Miguel Salcedo, one of my colleagues at Washington Elementary in RBUSD, shares his perspectives on his journey as a human and educator in analyzing bias and how he translates that to his 4th and 5th grade students.  In this episode, we talk about going into the "Danger Zone," with students to discuss and explore topics that many shy away from as well as why it's critical for educators to engage students in analyzing text and life events from multiple perspectives.

In education, we play on through all sorts of obstacles and "weather." However, when lightning strikes sometimes the game needs to be called.  

This episode highlights a conversation with Andrea Bittick and Andrew Estrada, our school leaders at Washington Elementary School in RBUSD.   The chat captures the work that teachers and staff have been doing to create a climate and culture where all students feel safe, supported and  connected.  We also discuss the work ahead of us as educators to ensure that all students thrive academically.   

There are many unknowns for the future of education, however one thing  we know for sure is that these school leaders are focused on putting students first. 

This episode captures a conversation with some key players from Adams Middle School in Redondo Beach.  Our guests, Brianne Nakayama, Amber Beach, Kelly Egan and Andrew Estrada, share their thoughts on what is essential for parents to know, as well as a close look at programs and opportunities that will help support students and allow them to find their niche. 

This episode discusses the power of words, and how the stories we read, write, listen to and speak can help all of us understand the world within us and the world around us.  

Be a model for your child, practice for just a few minutes a day, and as always--stay patient!  These are some of the essentials for speech and language development listeners will hear about in this chat with Cindy Zink, one of my favorite Speech and Language Pathologists and a famed member of our team at Washington Elementary! 

Listen to this episode to hear a chat with Christine Campisi, my favorite librarian.  As we chat you will hear about the concept of thinking about your child's journey as a reader,  how to gain the confidence to honor what appeals to them first before what "level," they are, and why we love Epic Books.  We also talk about the reasons why we should never shy away from a picture book at any age! 

Help your young reader reflect on their book choices by talking about if the texts they are choosing are mirrors, windows or sliding glass doors. 

Educators and parents who are looking for suggestions of series books that appeal to the readers who gravitate toward the same titles time and time again will appreciate this episode where we feature a chat with Christine Campisi, our beloved book loving Librarian.  Christine shares her suggestions for series that will help kids add variety to their reading lives while also sticking within a genre that feels good to them.

This episode features two educators who work in RBUSD educational services, Susan Wildes and Karin Sato.  They share their candid perspectives on distance learning and the life-long skills children have an opportunity to develop right now.  Listeners will also hear suggestions for how families and students can give themselves permission to take a break when needed in order to keep calm and balance in the home.  

Let's talk about building independence in our children.  Give them the tools to cut their own waffles! Listen to this episode for prompts to support efficient problem solving as readers and writers! 

This episode features two amazing educators who will happen to just love Math! Heather Ladd and Agnes Kiazolu join us to share their thoughts about how to engage and inspire our young Mathematicians as well as some concrete examples of the types of conversations parents can have with their children to promote Mathematical thinking.

Join us to listen to some great tips and strategies from our guests on this episode, Kerri Pennings and Brenda Restori.  Kerri is one of our Resource Specialists at Washington Elementary and Brenda is a school psychologist in RBUSD.  This episode is focused on things that parents can to do help their child create a plan for the day's learning, and how to chunk assignments to manage a workload and increase time on task. 

This episode highlights the power and importance of sharing life stories with our young readers and writers. 

A brief introduction to our podcast!

Listen for examples of how you can help your child think like a writer, paying attention to the language choices of authors they love.

Let's talk with our kids about the goals that they have for themselves as learners!  This episode focuses on helping your child create and manage relevant goals.  Enjoy!