Summary

In this episode of Talking Shop, hosts Mike Randolph and Martin Aftuck discuss various aspects of school leadership, including the excitement of homecoming, strategies for making schools appealing to students, and the importance of building relationships with both students and staff. They also delve into the challenges of interviewing assistant principals, coping with pressure, supporting teacher mental health, and maintaining a work-life balance. The conversation concludes with reflections on their podcast journey and the value of sharing ideas with fellow educators.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Homecoming Week

02:17 Creating a Destination School

05:29 Interviewing Assistant Principals

08:07 Coping with Pressure

12:29 Building Relationships with Students

15:07 Supporting Teachers' Mental Health

19:13 Balancing Work and Home Life

22:45 Favorite Part of Doing Talking Shop

Summary

In this episode of Talk and Shop, Mike Randolph and Martin Aftuck interview Craig Damon, the Executive Director of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). Craig shares his journey to the FHSAA, starting from his college days as a football player to becoming a coach and eventually joining the association. He emphasizes the importance of education and the role of athletics in providing a full high school experience for student-athletes. The conversation also covers the process of creating and implementing new rules in the FHSAA and the recent adoption of the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy. Craig explains that the NIL policy allows student-athletes to use their social media presence to make money, but it should not be used as a recruiting tool.

The conversation covers various topics related to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), including the registration process for student-athletes, the shortage of officials, the growth of flag football, and the challenges faced by high school sports. The conversation also touches on the importance of remaining relevant in the face of travel ball and other competitive opportunities, as well as the need to recognize and support student-athletes who have turned their lives around.

Summary

In this episode of Talk and Shop, Mike Randolph and Martin Aftuck interview Kacy Wolfe, the Assistant Principal of Aurelia M. Cole Academy. They discuss topics such as opening a new school, the importance of early childhood literacy, and professional development for teachers. Kacy shares her educational journey and her goals for the future. The conversation also touches on the excitement of high school football rivalries and the unique challenges and perks of a K-8 school.

Keywords

Talking Shop, educational leaders, opening a new school, early childhood literacy, professional development, educational journey, goals, high school football rivalries, K-8 school

Takeaways

• Opening a new school can be both exciting and exhausting, requiring last-minute adjustments and additional resources.
• Early childhood literacy is crucial, and educators should provide access to books and reading materials to promote literacy in the community.
• Teachers interested in administration should take on leadership opportunities on their campus and find a niche area to develop expertise.
• The K-8 school structure offers the opportunity to build strong relationships with students and engage in cross-grade mentorship.
• Professional development should focus on improving instructional practices and transitioning from behavioral engagement to cognitive and effective engagement.
• Title I status or socioeconomic background should not define a student's opportunities or abilities.
• The importance of early literacy is evident in later grades, and educators should prioritize building a strong foundation in literacy skills.
• The interview concludes with well wishes for upcoming football games and a reminder to support each other's schools.

Titles

• From Teacher to Administrator: Casey Wolf's Educational Journey
• Promoting Early Childhood Literacy and Providing Access to Books

Sound Bites

• "We're so excited to dive into what it looks like opening up a new school."
• "Bringing those books to them in their homes, in their communities to promote literacy."
• "We have our systems in place and we're tweaking those systems."

Chapters

02:21 Discussion about Rivalry Games

03:14 Kacy's Educational Journey

05:36 The Impact of Great Leaders

08:11 The Role of a Literacy Coach

09:24 Opening a New School: Challenges and Excitement

12:33 Transitioning from Teaching to Administration

14:43 Perks of a K-8 School Structure

17:28 Professional Development and School Vision

18:44 Current Focus of Professional Development

21:11 Five Year and Ten Year Goals