The Good Life EDU Podcast

In this episode, educator, author, and consultant Lainie Rowell joins us to discuss her latest book, Evolving with Gratitude. Our conversation takes a deep dive into Lainie's learning on the topic of gratitude, and she shares a myriad of practical practices that educators can implement both personally and professionally for the health and wellness of themselves and the students they serve. Learn more from Lainie at https://www.lainierowell.com/

Nebraska's Educational Service Unit 3 is the only service agency in the country that owns and operates a fully-functioning farm. In this episode of The Good Life EDU podcast, we chat with Troy Glock, the Executive Director of Program Services for ESU 3's Gifford Farm to learn more about the unique learning opportunities and services this special place is providing students in the Omaha Metro Area and across the state of Nebraska. For more info on Gifford Farm, access http://www.esu3.org/GF/Home

This week, we dive into a data dialogue with Amy Trauernicht of ESU 13 and Melissa Engel of ESU 16, the co-chairs of the Data Cadre in our state. In the episode, Amy and Melissa explain all things data related to education from what data is collected, how it is housed, the process for facilitating data dig conversations, and the logistics for how the Data Cadre supports teaching, learning, and other edu-initiatives across Nebraska. Should you be interested in learning more about the data cadre, accessing their resources, and potentially signing up to become a member of this group, please visit the Nebraska Data Cadre website at https://sites.google.com/esucc.org/data-cadre

Brandon Mowinkel, principal at Milford Jr/SR High School in Milford, Nebraska, joins us for the pod to preview his message for his keynote and breakout sessions at the upcoming Future Ready Nebraska Conference. In this episode, Brandon shares insights about the culture at Milford and the guiding principles that have led his school, staff, and students through his tenure there. Register for the #FRNebraska Conference at nefutureready.com

Andy Boell of the Northeast Network Nebraska Consortium and Gary Needham of ESU 9 join us on the pod this week for a conversation on the topic of cyber security in education. In this episode, Andy and Gary provide insights regarding the current work being done to thwart cyber attacks on Nebraska schools. They also spend some time advocating for where this work could go next to ensure that information stays secure.

This week, Dr. Dan Schnoes, the chief executive officer of Nebraska's ESU 3 shares about his new appointment to the Executive Board of AESA, the Association of Educational Service Agencies. In this episode, Dr. Schnoes provides insight into the role ESAs play broadly in the US while also underscoring AESA's efforts to lead, grow, advocate, and connect agencies to one another and the larger conversations happening in our country. For more on AESA, check out their website at aesa.us

The Good Life EDU podcast is back again this week with yet another preview from a Future Ready Nebraska Conference featured speaker! Award-winning school librarian and school board member, Elissa Malespina, joins us to share her insights on the important role school librarians play in supporting learning and school culture. Register for the in-person or virtual experience at the Future Ready Nebraska Conference, visit nefutureready.com

In this episode, Kim Snyder and Ryan Ricenbaw of the NDE SEED Team invite school attorney and education advocate Bobby Truhe to join them for a discussion on teacher and principal evaluation practices. This conversation encourages a mindset shift when it comes to evaluation, emphasizing educator support and development over mere compliance to a prescribed checklist of basic standards.

In this episode, educator, author, and speaker John Spencer joins us to preview his upcoming keynote message and afternoon workshop that he will deliver at this year's Future Ready Nebraska Conference on June 13th and 14th, 2022. John shares on the topic of choice and voice along with advocating for frameworks such as project-based learning and genius hour. If you're interested in participating in the Future Ready Nebraska Conference, you can register to join in-person or remotely at https://nefutureready.com/ For additional info, resources, blogs, and more from John Spencer check out https://spencerauthor.com/blog/

This episode is the third of five pods we are hosting with the NDE SEED Team on their work with the Nebraska Teacher and Principal Performace Standards (NTPPS). Julie Downing, Kim Snyder, and Ryan Ricenbaw join us this week to discuss the upcoming Educator Effectiveness Summit on June 16 & 17, 2022.

In this episode, we feature ESU 9's efforts to support the mental health and wellness of the students in their region through their special services, specifically discussing their LIMHP and LMHP supports. Joe Haney, the Director of Special Services at ESU 9, along with Liesel Hogan, a licensed independent mental health practitioner at ESU 9, speak to their experiences serving and supporting schools in this critical area of education.

In this week's episode, Dr. John Skretta, administrator of ESU 6 and all-around ed advocate in our state, joins the show to provide a detailed summary of the education-related legislation that was passed into law during the 2022 session in Nebraska. For information specific to each bill, you can follow the timestamps associated with each in the notes below. Legislative Bill #: Time in the Episode LB 852: 20:18 LB 1112: 22:25 LB 1143 & 1146: 27:45 LB 1034: 29:52 LB 1218: 32:14 LB 945: 35:47 LR 374: 38:51 LR 397: 40:40 LR 401: 41:10

What a fun episode this week as Alison Smith of ESU 16 and Mellissa Donohoe of Mullen Public Schools joined us to share their story of how our ESUs support professional learning in Nebraska with personalized professional learning. In this episode, Mellissa explains how she capitalized upon her PLC's learning and implemented strategies that enhanced engagement, learner motivation, and the culture in her business class.

In this episode, Julie Downing and Kim Snyder of the NDE SEED Team discuss how school leaders can take action to retain teachers and recruit the best new hires by focusing on fostering for their staff a sense of belonging, having a voice, feeling supported, and receiving excellent professional development. Julie and Kim speak from their lens as a part of the educator effectiveness team, a group charged with developing the teacher and principal standards in Nebraska. To learn more about the NDE SEED Team and/or to contact its members directly, please visit https://cdn.education.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Educator-Effectiveness.Utilizing-Supporting-Educator-Effectiveness-through-Development-S.E.E.D.-to-Grow-Systems.pdf

This week, Julie Downing of ESU 13 kicks off a five-part pod series that communicates the various aspects of the NDE SEED Team's work. In this episode, she is joined by Kellen Conroy, our SDA chair from ESU 1, and Brooke Kavan of ESU 7. Together, they share how our ESU staff developers are able to integrate the educator effectiveness lens into their conversations and cognitive coaching when those individuals meet with and support schools and teachers in their respective regions of Nebraska.

ESU 3's Aaron Bredenkamp joins The Good Life EDU this week for a conversation on the MTSS work being done in region 3 and across the state of Nebraska. This is an insightful and fun conversation that explores how the MTSS umbrella can unify a school or district and its various initiatives under a mindset of continuous improvement across all facets that support learner growth and achievement.

This week, immersive learning enthusiast, Jaime Donally, joins us again for an episode on the impact of augmented reality and virtual reality in education today. We also devote some time to discussing the metaverse and the future potential learning opportunities that technology might provide. To learn more from Jaime through her collective works and the #31DaysofARVRinEDU initiative, visit her website at https://www.arvrinedu.com/

This week, Scott Butler of Project Harmony in Omaha, Nebraska speaks to the powerful role that hope plays in the learning process, both for the learner and the educator alike. The pod shares research, first-hand experiences, and practical examples of the process from which educators can begin to implement this layer of learning into the educational experiences they design. For more on Project Harmony visit https://projectharmony.com/

Katie Novak joins us for a great conversation on Universal Design for Learning and the role those practices can play in the MTSS model in this episode of The Good Life EDU podcast! For more on UDL and the work Katie has elevated, check out her site at https://www.novakeducation.com/

This week, Dr. James Rickabaugh, the Former Director and now Senior Advisor for the Institute for Personalized Learning, joins us for a fascinating conversation that takes a deep look at personalization and its place in education today and moving forward. In this episode, Dr. Rickabaugh also entertains the future impact of virtual reality and artificial intelligence on education as technology continues to advance.

In this episode, Dorann Avey, the Digitial Learning Director with NDE, and Shara Johnson, Digital Learning Coordinator at ESU 2, join us to share the history, current work, and vision for the future of the Canvas Consortium in Nebraska. Learn how Canvas is having a profound impact on learning in our state and how you can get your local school, district, or institution involved. Show Resources To learn more about the Canvas Consortium, visit https://www.education.ne.gov/educational-technology/canvas-statewide-consortium/ and for questions, please contact [email protected]

In this episode of The Good Life EDU podcast, we are joined by author and educator Rachelle Dene Poth for a conversation about her latest book, "Things I Wish ... Knew." On the pod, Rachelle shares the backstory of this project and advocates for the importance of being a connected educator with a growth mindset. If you are interested in more information about the book, you can find it on Amazon or through Rachelle's site at https://rdene915.com/.

This week, the great games-in-education guru, Dr. Paul Darvasi, is back on the show to discuss the topic of participatory culture and its impact on education today. The conversation delves into how educators might leverage engagement strategies and techniques found in social media and games to engage students and enhance the learning experience design for our Gen Z learners. Paul also shares about his recent venture, Gold Bug Interactive, which you can learn more about at https://goldbuginteractive.com/.

This week, Bill Pulte of ESU 3 makes his third appearance on The Good Life EDU and explains what Eduroam is and the potential benefits of their services for Nebraska schools and the learners that they serve. Eduroam's impact on cyber security is notable and will also enhance student internet access, which makes this conversation a valuable listen for any and all educators in our state.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU podcast, Andi McNair, Digital Innovation Specialist at ESC Region 12 in Texas and author of Genius Hour and A Meaningful Mess, joins us to discuss how we might apply what we know about PBL, passion-based learning, to our approach to professional development in education. Andi advocates for PBT, passion-based teaching, on the pod and outlines the steps teachers might take in order to reignite their passion for the work that they do. At the close of our conversation, Andi points listeners to consider joining her Passion-Based Teaching Academy, which is set to start on February 2nd, 2022. To register for the academy, visit bit.ly/PBTAregister.

This episode captures the backstory and present collaborative efforts being made by our ESU colleagues across Nebraska to develop and share high-quality instructional materials for social studies, grades 4-8. The pod features Lori Broady, leader of the SDA Social Studies cadre, and Nick Ziegler, co-leader of the TLT affiliate, as they discuss the Why, How, and What regarding this work. The call to action for this conversation is to invite current social studies teachers in Nebraska to apply to be a part of this initiative. To receive an application, please contact Andrew Easton at [email protected] directly if you or someone you know is interested in being a part of this fun and unique opportunity.

In this episode, we are joined by four different educators from across our ESU network as they share about the work they do on behalf of the students and school systems that they serve in our state. The pod opens with a conversation about paraprofessionals with ESU 9's Joe Haney. Part two of the pod takes us to the ESU 4 region where Sally Scheiner explains the unique partnership between ESU 4 and NDE that supports the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired. Part three features Jean Anderson of ESU 10 and Brittany Shackleton of ESU 2 as they explain Part C services, Part B services, and the supports that the ESU special services provide learners with special needs from birth to age 21.

In this episode, Kellen Conroy of ESU 1, Marci Ostmeyer of ESU 7, and Alison Smith of ESU 16 share about the work being done by the ESU staff development affiliate in our state. The pod begins with Kellen explaining what SDA is and how it functions as an intermediary between the Nebraska Department of Education and the local districts. Marci Ostmeyer then joins us for part two of the episode to discuss the ESU SIMPL process, which is instrumental in helping districts self-assess, identify, and then address (with ESU support) the needs in their respective systems. Finally, Alison Smith goes into further detail regarding the day-to-day life of an SDA member in support of the diverse needs of the numerous districts her ESU supports.

In each episode of this series, we chat with educators from different ESUs across Nebraska to learn more about how they serve and support the school systems in their respective regions of the state. This conversation focuses on the topic of social-emotional learning and wellness and features Jen McNally of ESU 5, Theresa Ritta-Olson of ESU 10, and Lynne Herr of ESU 6. Each of these ESU colleagues shares insights about the work they do in support of SEL and wellness on behalf of educators and learners in their area schools. Link to Jen McNally's Wellness Printables (from Part 1 of the pod) Link to Lynne Herr's "Take Care of You" Slide Deck (from Part 3 of the pod)

This episode is the first in a series of pods dedicated to highlighting the local and collective efforts the Nebraska ESUs are making in service to education in Nebraska. Each week, we will focus on a topic and showcase the current conversations and work being done in that area. Episode 1 takes a look at ed-tech and the breadth of the ESUs statewide support, ranging from pairing tech integration with instructional best practices (Dr. Lynne Herr, of ESU 6 - 0:00) to the Canvas Consortium and districtwide LMS implementation (Shara Johnson of ESU 2 - 22:00) and the latest on Cyber Security in Nebraska schools (Bill Pulte of ESU3 - 35:40). We hope you enjoy this pod and the entire series!

Laurie Smith, 4th-grade teacher at Sumner-Eddyville-Miller Elementary, was recently recognized by the National Rural Education Association as the National Rural Teacher of the Year. In this episode, Jack Moles, the executive director of NRCSA (the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association) joins Laurie for an insightful conversation about teaching, leading, and fostering relationships in the rural school setting. Learn more about NRCSA on their website NRCSA.net.

In this episode, Peg Coover of ESU 10 joins us to share the ESUPDO TLT Digital Citizenship work group's efforts to take what was once their in-person Digital Citizenship Symposium online. In the spring of 2021, their number of participants multiplied by nine times to involve 2,000+ Nebraska students on this important topic. In the pod, you will learn more about how students can access this year's DigCit content and get involved in the statewide competitions. For more information, listen to this conversation and then visit bit.ly/NEdigcit.

In this episode, we are joined by Andi McNair, author of Genius Hour: Passion Projects that Ignite Innovation and Student Inquiry -- and -- A Meaningful Mess: A Teacher's Guide to Student-Driven Classrooms, Authentic Learning, Student Empowerment, and Keeping it All Together without Losing Your Mind. Andi shares on the topic of interventions, looking specifically at the strategies, voice, and motivation being utilized when a learner is struggling to grasp a concept. This pod shares a great reframing of the approach to intervention along with strategies for how to practically make those adjustments in the classroom. Mentioned in this episode... Daniel Pink's Ted Talk, The Puzzle of Motivation https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_the_puzzle_of_motivation?language=en Connect with Andi McNair at http://www.andimcnair.com/

In this episode, CEO and co-founder of Peekapak, Ami Shah, shares her backstory and the formation of her ed-tech company. Peekapak provides CASEL-aligned stories, lessons, and learning games that help keep social-emotional learning (SEL) engaging wherever learning happens. For information on Peekapak, visit their website at peekapak.com to learn more about the work that they do in support of SEL for students.

In this episode, Tisha Richmond, author of Make Learning Magical, joins us for a conversation on the M in her M.A.G.I.C.A.L. acronym, Meaningful Beginnings. Tisha shares about ideas for how to build culture and community at the start of the school year. To connect with Tisha via her website at https://www.tisharichmond.com/

In this episode, professional learning specialists Amy Schultz and Kristen Slechta of ESU 9 join us for an energetic and practical conversation about supporting new-to-the-profession teachers. Join us to learn more about everything from relationship building strategies to routines and procedures, and we enjoy as we have some karaoke fun along the way!

In this episode, we take a close look at what it means for learners to earn the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy and how that distinction can be a future academic, career, and financial benefit to students. To explore this topic, we are joined by Chrystal Liu, World Language Specialist with the Nebraska Department of Education, and Nick Ziegler, World Language Coordinator and Tech Integrationist at ESU 5. Together, Chrystal and Nick share a wealth of information that speaks to the amazing work being done to enhance language learning and development across our state. The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy Site Distance Learning Courses on the ESUCC's NVIS Site For more on how Distance Learning Courses work in Nebraska, access this testimonial from Barry Schaeffer, Superintendent of Arthur County Schools. Contact Nick Ziegler at [email protected] for information on receiving World Language Courses via Distance Learning.

This week, Bill Pulte of ESU 3 joins the pod for a fascinating conversation on cyber security in education and the steps schools can take to keep their students and staff information safe.

This week we talk Special Ed and SRS with McKayla LaBorde, Director of Student Services at ESU #3, and Stuart Clark, Director of Special Education at ESU #1. In this episode, McKayla and Stuart share about the work being done to update the website and forms within SRS to improve the collaborative conversations taking place when educators and their learners create and modify IEPs. We also touch upon the impact that LB 527 is having as the age to begin post-secondary goal setting conversations and transition plans shifts from 16 years of age to 14 years old.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU podcast, we are joined by Christine Haeffner of Lincoln Public Schools and Sara Churchill of the University of Nebraska Omaha for an insightful look at the impact school librarians have on learning in the contemporary school setting. The role of the school librarian has expanded significantly over the past twenty years, and in this conversation, we discuss the breadth of support that this vital position plays on behalf students, teachers, and learning in schools today.

In this episode, Tara Martin joins us once again for a conversation on how the very things that help us recharge during the summer can be the key ingredients to professional growth in the year to come. In a summer where many educators are burnt out and in need of a break, this episode considers how personal growth can be some of the best and most applicable PD an educator experiences in the summer.

This is the third pod in our three-part series previewing the Future Ready Nebraska Conference that will take place from 9am-1pmCT on June 14 and 15th. In this episode, we are joined by Melissa Pilakowski, ELA teacher from Valentine High School and Mike Mohammad, physics teacher from Brookfield Central High School in Wisconsin. In this chat, Melissa and Mike reflect on their experiences over the past year, highlight their takeaways, and look optimistically to the future of education in the post-pandemic classroom. Register for the Future Ready NE Conference at nefutureready.com

Dr. Cory Epler of the Nebraska Department of Education joins us this week for a conversation on the work being done around High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIMs) in Nebraska. This episode is a Future Ready Conference preview of Dr. Epler's breakout session, #MaterialsMatter, which will be delivered at 11:35amCT on June 14th. Resources Referenced in the Pod The Future Ready Nebraska Registration Link: https://nefutureready.com/ The Nebraska Instructional Materials Collaborative: https://nematerialsmatter.org/ The Nebraska OER: https://www.oercommons.org/hubs/nebraska

This week, Matt Miller, author of Ditch That Textbook and Tech Like a Pirate, joins the pod as a Future Ready Nebraska Conference preview. Matt will be keynoting and leading a breakout session at that FREE virtual event on June 14. In this episode, our conversation focuses on how the pandemic era of learning has accelerated tech integration in education, and we discuss the promise this shift holds for the future of education as a result. Additionally, Matt delves into his work supporting teachers, TikTok for professional development, ideas from his latest book, and more. Register (It's FREE) for the Future Ready Nebraska Conference: https://nefutureready.com/ Access Matt Miller's Ditch That Textbook Site: https://ditchthattextbook.com/ Link to Resources Matt Mentioned in the Pod: https://ditchthattextbook.com/101

In this episode, Brooke Kavan (ESU 7) and I visit Millard West High School in Omaha, Nebraska to chat with Brooke's 17-year-old cousin, Camille O'Neill. Camille, a junior at MWHS, navigates her school day with significantly limited vision due to a condition called retinopathy of prematurity. In the pod, Camille shares about the challenges she faces on a daily basis and her ability to persevere, learn, and succeed with the support of her physics teacher, Mr. Tyler Berzina.

In this episode, international best-selling author and licensed clinical social worker, Amy Morin, joins us to share out about her new book, 13 Things Strong Kids Do. This conversation delves into Amy's own personal backstory as the impetus driving the Why behind her work, and we explore some of the thirteen talking points in this text, making connections to an educational context. To learn more from Amy, check out her website at https://amymorinlcsw.com/ where you can find courses, her podcast, books, and more. Link to purchase 13 Things Strong Kids Do: https://www.amazon.com/13-Things-Strong-Kids-Do/dp/0063008483

If you are curious about the future of education and the role technology will play in supporting student learning, this conversation with Dr. Helen Crompton reveals that what many of us might perceive as the future is actually happening now. Dr. Crompton joins us as one of the leaders and coaches for the ISTE+GM Artificial Intelligence Exploration program, and she shares out about how AI is changing the way teachers can support their learners. You can access the following link for more information on the ISTE+GM AI Explorations program: https://sites.google.com/docs.iste.org/isteaiandstemnetwork/home

In this episode, Alan Wang, the executive director of the Omaha-based non-profit Prairie STEM, shares out about the myriad of initiatives that Prairie STEM is currently invested in to provide engaging and authentic learning opportunities for all students in Nebraska (and beyond) in the areas of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. This conversation is as informative and it is inspirational, and if you are interested in learning more about Prairie STEM, you can reach them at https://prairiestem.org/.

This week, we are joined by Rachelle Dene Poth, who is a Spanish teacher, national speaker, author, and education technology consultant. In the pod, Rachelle shares her personal love for learning and the many avenues through which she has collaborated with educators from around the world through social platforms. Our conversation looks specifically at the Clubhouse app along with StreamYard as two relatively new ways in which the education community has been able to share ideas and communicate with one another throughout the pandemic.

This week on the pod, we welcomed Sydney Kobza, the Assistant State Director for CTE with the Nebraska Department of Education, for a chat about the latest in career & technical education in our state. In this episode, we explore the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the extraordinary efforts being made to continue to provide quality learning experiences and statewide competitions despite the challenges of the present time. Our conversation also delves into the details about the DTE reVision Action grant, which can be applied for at https://www.education.ne.gov/nce/action-grant/