The Principal's Plank

Three seniors from the Class of 2023 share their thoughts about how adults should behave. Adults are often advising students how they should behave, but maybe it's time we ask students their expectations of adults.

Learn about how SYHS Ag Science & FFA creates academic and professional learning opportunities relevant to all students .

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School has an amazing arts program and arts teacher Nick Goodman. On this episode, Mr. Goodman and three art students discuss the importance of arts education, the skills and experiences that take place through the arts, why they all enjoy their collective class experiences and much more. 

In honor of MLK Day, 10 Life Lessons from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are shared here. Naturally, there are more than 10. But the 10 shared here are Dare to Dream, Love People, Perseverance, Invest In Yourself, Serve People, Forgive, Stand Up For Justice, Have Faith, Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone and All Things Are Possible. 

Seniors Jayda Henry, Gianna Pecile, Luke Gildred and Nick Crandall share their experiences as Varsity Senior and Four-Year Athletes. They are also planning to play collegiate athletics. They have great reflections and advice for others. 

Please listen to Health & Wellness Coordinator Claudia Pena, Parent and Mental Health Professional Anna Schryer and Parent & Fentanyl Expert John Johnson share their perspective on the Fentanyl Epidemic and tonight's Parent Cafe. Parents attended the Parent Cafe and learned more about the Fentanyl Epidemic and how we can further educate students and parents about this urgent danger.

Four SYVUHS 9th Graders - Des, Devyn, Carlos and Kaj - share their experiences in 9th grade thus far as it relates to teaching, learning and a whole lot more.

Our podcast today features information on healthy relationships that our students, parents and community have asked for in a variety of ways. We are fortunate to partner with community leaders, as well as have campus leadership (staff and students) prepared to address these issues. 

Student-Centered Learning is a great way to describe what learning can look like in a more project-based, problem-based learning environment. It's about putting the students in charge of their own learning and having them do the heavy lifting. Teachers become facilitators and coaches versus the delivery representatives of information. 

In case one ever wonders or asks, it always pays to ask students about their learning experience. Our seniors did not disappoint. Our seniors are a bright, articulate and passionate group have lots of deep thoughts, reflections and recommendations for all of us to learn from. 

We have an amazing group of students, faculty and community members. Let's honor that and push together to take students to place where they haven't been and where they can be truly future ready. All of us need to challenge ourselves to collaborate, aim for amazing, avoid gossip and rumors, put aside our differences, champion all young people and really work to be future ready. 

Listeners can learn about Claudia Pena's role as the SYVUHS Health & Wellness Coordinator, as well as learn about all of the amazing resources and events available to our students, parents and community. 

This episode is dedicated to the importance of taking Spanish and how it prepares our students to compete in a changing, global economy.

Saber espanol ofrece muchas ventajas.

International educator Jon Corippo - who has worked with over 80,000 educators across the globe - brought his technology workflows (Eduprotocols) to Santa Ynez Valley Union High School in order to benefit teachers and students.

For this episode, two Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Teachers - English Teacher Casey Reck and Social Studies Teacher Greg Gandolfo - share their experiences how teaching and learning are evolving with the use of technology, student collaboration and the changing role of the teacher. 

This is an introduction to the Principal's Plank from Michael Niehoff, Principal at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. This podcast is dedicated to 21st century teaching and learning. This episode will focus on the why for project-based and problem-based learning, as well as glimpse to what it begins to look like. Future episodes will feature discussions with teachers, students and community members as well.