The pandemic has presented schools with a variety of challenges, but thanks to adaptability, modern learning tools, and mature students, the Ephrata Area School District in Lancaster County Pennsylvania has risen to the challenge. Today, we speak with Dr. Brain Troop, who serves as a member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators and is part of the EdLeader21 Network advisory committee. In this hopeful episode, we kick things off by taking a look at how Brian’s district has responded to the pandemic, and how its community-driven approach has put it in good stead. Brian then talks in detail about the demographics of his district before touching on his experiences working with the various schools. You’ll hear about how transparency and a widespread effort helped the Ephrata District become educational leaders of student-centered learning. We get into the foundations of this forward-thinking concept. Brian then tells us about how schools in the district have adapted specifically to the pandemic, making use of what they call modified traditional instruction. Turning our thoughts to the future of education, Brian forecasts an environment that encourages life-ready competencies. To find out what these competencies are, and much more, be sure to listen in today!

Key Points From This Episode: 

•  Hear about how Brian’s district is dealing with the pandemic.
•  What digital learning has given to both parents and students.
•  Brian tells us about the finer details of his school district.
• The pandemic experience from Brian’s perspective.
• Find out what goes into creating a student-centered learning environment.
• The key themes of a student-centered learning environment.
• How Brian’s schools are adopting a concept called “modified traditional.”
• Brian tells us about the impact of personalized instructional techniques.
• Learn about life-ready competencies and how they prepare students.
• How changes in instructional tools are reshaping education.
• We discuss the educational challenges that lie ahead.
• Brian’s advice to parents, teachers, and district leaders.
• How to create the best conditions for positive, disruptive change.

 
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Dr. Brian Troop on LinkedIn
• Dr. Brian Troop on Twitter
• Audible.com
• Learning Resources
• Wiredprofiles
• Sponsors | District Leader
• Ephrata Area School District
• Millersville University
• University of Memphis
• Immaculata University
• Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators
• American Association of School Administrators
• EdLeader21 Network

Episode 40: Show Notes

The pandemic has shown that change is possible and that educators can serve high levels of instruction to students across a number of different modalities. As Dr. PJ Caposey explains in today’s episode, “your zip code shouldn’t determine the quality of your education.” An acclaimed keynote speaker and superintendent, today we speak with PJ about leadership, work-life balance, and how we can change our systems to offer a better education for all. After introducing PJ, we dive into how his district has handled the pandemic, along with the difficulties of leading a diverse team facing enormous strain. We then unpack the differences between cheerleading and leading, and why education is in crisis as it hasn’t evolved at the same rate as our society. PJ shares his insights into why it’s challenging to enact change before we explore the role of student voices when making decisions. We also discuss what keeps PJ up at night and how you can achieve a work-life balance — or as PJ calls it, a work-life fit. Near the end of the episode, PJ reflects on what the pandemic has taught him and how he remains hopeful. The pandemic has given us an incredible opportunity to innovate education. Tune in to hear PJ’s take on how we can make the most of it.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Dr. PJ Caposey, superintendent of Meridian School District 223.
• Hear how PJ’s community has been dealing with the pandemic.
• PJ provides listeners with details on what makes his district unique. 
• Reflecting on the challenges of leading a district during difficult times.  
• Being a cheerleader versus being a leader. 
• Issues facing education and how we can push forward the future of education. 
• The “Tyranny of the Now,” and why it’s so difficult to enact change. 
• How the pandemic has led to a general loss of student voice. 
• Why superintendents need to capitalize on pandemic changes. 
•  Answering the question — how much student voice do we need? 
• Creating a work-life-fit to live a guiltless, joyous life. 
• Reconciling the different needs of your staff and pupils.
• Why the pandemic has been an incredible learning opportunity for educators.
• Hear PJ’s advice to listeners and how we can find hope in our situation. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

• Dr. PJ Caposey
• Dr. PJ Caposey on LinkedIn
• Dr. PJ Caposey on Twitter
• Dr. PJ Caposey Email
• Audible.com
• Wiredprofiles
• Sponsors | District Leader
• Meridian School District 223
• Edutopia
• ASCD
• NPR 
• The Washington Post
• HuffPost
• Illinois Principals Association
• PJ Caposey Ted Talk 
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People on Amazon

Episode 39: Show Notes.

As we consider the challenges of keeping our education systems up and running, we must also consider the opportunities that are becoming visible to us, including school and district cultures we are creating, the systems and structures we have put in place, and the transformative practices we have established. In the middle of this crisis, where is the silver lining?  And how do we organize ourselves to benefit from it? Could this be the tipping point we have all been waiting for in public education? Today’s guest is Matt Pope, Chief Transformation Officer with the E3 Alliance, whose efforts focus on supporting districts in Texas and across the country in the improvement of student outcomes, by helping to transform systems and develop educators. In his role leading transformation efforts, Matt applies his expertise in transformative change, district culture, and systems to support districts through this challenging time. In this episode, Matt shares how the schools in the communities he supports are dealing with the pandemic, how the E3 Alliance sets students up for success from cradle to career, and how to go about closing the learning gap created by virtual learning over the last eight months. He also talks about the transformation of systems in the context of the pandemic, and the value of creating silver linings committees, as well as maintaining a cultural foundation in a time of physical distance, finding opportunity in crisis. Tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Matt talks about the challenges and reflections he has had over the last few months in 2020.
• How the district communities Matt supports are dealing with the pandemic.
• The E3 Alliance firmly believes that every student deserves to succeed, from cradle to career.
• E3 has built a team of virtual mentors to support students in the transition to post-secondary. 
• After the misalignment caused by the pandemic, Matt believes he has to lead with empathy.
• The work of ensuring safety needs to align with closing the learning gap of the past eight months.
• Matt talked about transformative change and the transformation of systems in the context of the pandemic.
• Opportunities are born from crisis – education systems can finally overcome ingrained issues.
• Matt encourages district leaders to create innovations or silver linings committees.
• E3 helped schools maintain cultural coherence by asking them to reflect on their purpose.
• E3 has partnered with districts to seek to create "culture" when we can’t be together physically.
• When shifting to the virtual environment, a fundamental belief or cultural foundation is crucial.
• Matt’s advice for listeners at this time – every day it’s getting better, and we are learning, growing, and adapting to new challenges.
• Matt reads an Atul Gawande quote that resonates with him, which starts, “Better is possible.”

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Matt Pope on Twitter
• Matt Pope on LinkedIn
• Matt Pope Email
• E3 Alliance
• E3 Alliance on Twitter
• E3 Alliance on Facebook
• E3 Alliance on YouTube
• The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform
• The Checklist Manifesto
• District Leader
• Luis R. Valentino, Ed.D