307. Bringing Educators & Underrepresented Families Together: Featuring Ari Gerzon-Kessler

In this impactful episode, award-winning author and family partnerships expert, Ari Gerzon-Kessler, explores the crucial topic of building authentic connections between educators and underrepresented families. Ari shares his expertise on the current reality of family engagement in schools and how it often falls short of creating genuine, lasting partnerships. We dive deep into the difference between family involvement and authentic partnerships, unpacking why traditional approaches to family engagement may not be enough. Ari also provides practical strategies for school leaders on how to create sustainable family partnerships that promote equity, trust, and collaboration. Lastly, we explore the concept of FET Teams (Families and Educators Together Teams), and how these innovative teams are transforming school-family relationships for the better. This episode is packed with actionable insights for educators and leaders looking to strengthen their connection with families and build inclusive, supportive school communities. Don’t miss this essential conversation on fostering meaningful partnerships in education! About Ari Gerzon-Kessler: Ari Gerzon-Kessler is a sought after speaker and professional learning provider. He is the author of On The Same Team: Bringing Educators & Underrepresented Families Together, which won the Gold Medal from the Independent Publishers Book Awards for outstanding education book of 2024. He is a speaker, trainer, and coach working with schools and districts committed to forging stronger school-family partnerships. Ari also leads the Family Partnerships department for the Boulder Valley School District (CO).  Ari has been an educator since 2000, having served as a principal and bilingual teacher. In 2006, Ari was a recipient of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund. As principal, his school received the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award in 2013. His leadership efforts to strengthen partnerships with underrepresented families and dismantle unjust practices was featured in Education Week in 2015.  Ari regularly presents at national and international conferences on Families and Educators Together (FET) teams and other innovative family partnership best practices. His writings have been featured in a variety of educational publications, including Educational Leadership and Principal Magazine.  Ari received his bachelor’s in African American Studies from Wesleyan University and a master’s in instruction and curriculum from the University of Colorado. Follow Ari Gerzon-Kessler: Website:https://www.mediatorsfoundation.org/current-projects/families-and-educators-together-project Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ari.gerzonkessler/ Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/arigerzon-kessler Email: [email protected]    Free resources:

In this Bonus episode of Aspire to Lead, we dive into an insightful conversation with Mitch Weathers, author of Executive Functions for Every Classroom. Together, we explore the critical role of working memory in student success and how establishing effective beginning routines can set the tone for learning. Mitch shares practical strategies from his book on how educators can support students in developing essential executive functioning skills, helping them stay organized, focused, and better equipped to handle classroom demands. This conversation offers valuable takeaways for fostering strong routines and improving student outcomes! About Mitch Weathers: Mitch became a gifted teacher because he was a mediocre student.  Mitch rarely felt comfortable in the classroom. In fact, it took him 7 years for him to graduate from college. Choosing to become a teacher, Mitch was fortunate enough to experience school as if it was happening all around him. He was unsure how to jump into his learning with confidence. There is a loneliness to experiencing your education as a passive object as opposed to an active subject.  From the moment he entered the classroom Mitch relied on his personal experiences as a learner. He recognized that what we teach, the content or curriculum, is secondary. We must first lay the foundation for learning before we can get to teaching.  Mitch designed Organized Binder to empower teachers with a simple but research-backed strategy to teach students executive functioning skills while protecting the time needed for content instruction. The secret is found in establishing a predictable learning routine that serves to foster safer learning spaces. When students get practice with executive functions by virtue we set them up for success.   Follow Mitch Weathers: Website: www.organizedbinder.com  Twitter: https://twitter.com/organizedbinder  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/organizedbinder/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/organizedbinder  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchweathers/  Vimeo OB showcase: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8775721  ...

In this episode of Aspire to Lead, we sit down with Lauren Kaufman, author of "The Leader Inside," to explore the untapped greatness that lies within each of us. Lauren shares her journey and insights on why mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional growth, and how mentors—whether we realize it or not—are often closer than we think. From discovering your inner leader to recognizing the mentors already in your life, this conversation is filled with meaningful reflections and practical takeaways that challenge conventional thinking. Tune in to discover how to harness the power of mentorship and unlock the potential within yourself and those around you, paving the way for transformative leadership. About Lauren Kaufman: Lauren Kaufman is the Director of Literacy K-12 for a school district in Long Island, New York.  With over 17 years in education, she has served as an assistant principal, elementary instructional coach, an elementary and middle school reading specialist, new teacher mentor coordinator K-12, creativity camp enrichment program supervisor, and a 2nd and 5th-grade classroom teacher. Lauren is a lifelong learner whose professional passion is to empower teachers to lead so they can share their gifts with others and develop lifelong literacy practices in all learners. She has led teams developing 73 Units of Study in reading and writing K-5, has provided educators with job-embedded professional learning that supported a balanced literacy approach, and guided new teachers with acclimating to the culture and climate of a school system. She has organized Long Beach Literacy Day and has presented at local and national conferences including, NCTE, #LBLit, LIASCD, #EDCampLI, Long Island Technology Summit, Long Island Language Arts Council, #NerdcampLI, and Literacy Matters Conferences. Lauren enjoys sharing her learning through blogging on her own platform, is a contributing author in George Couros’ book Because of a Teacher, Lainie Rowell’s book Evolving With Gratitude, IGI Global’s Designing Effective Distance and Blended Learning Environments K-12, is an author for Edutopia, and a guest blogger for the Teach Better Team, Future Ready Schools, and Defined. Lauren appreciates sharing best literacy practices with colleagues, and wholeheartedly believes in developing powerful professional learning communities and networks that cultivate meaningful, relevant learning and growth.

In this engaging episode, we sit down with Todd Bloomer to explore critical topics in educational leadership. Todd shares his experiences and strategies for effectively leading a large campus in the wake of COVID, addressing key issues like teacher retention and the importance of modeling leadership behavior. We dive into the concept of soliciting student voice and discuss the Bloomer Triangle of Success, focusing on how visibility and trust contribute to a thriving school environment. Todd also explores the evolving role of advocacy and its significance as the next frontier for administrators. Additionally, Todd introduces his newly released book, The Blueprint, offering insights and practical advice for navigating the complexities of school leadership. Tune in for a conversation full of actionable strategies and inspiration for creating positive change in your educational community. About Todd Bloomer Originally from New York, Todd Bloomer now calls San Antonio, Texas, his home. Entering his 29th year in public education, Todd has held numerous roles, including teacher, coach, assistant principal, and middle school principal. For the past 5.5 years, he has been the principal of a large public high school in San Antonio.  Previously, he served for 4.5 years as principal of a large middle school. Todd embodies the spirit of Teddy Roosevelt’s famous "Man in the Arena" speech. He is a current practitioner whose experiences include leading schools before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The fact that Todd is still in the arena gives his voice credibility. He still faces the daily challenges that all administrators have to address.    Todd is married to his wonderful wife, Sharon, and they have five children. Todd and his family live in the community he serves, and all five of his children have attended and graduated from the high school he leads.  He takes great pride in shopping at the same grocery store as his students.   Todd Bloomer is a highly sought-after speaker, coach, and consultant.   He can tailor his presentations, keynote addresses, and coaching sessions to meet your needs.   Todd is proud that his first book, The Blueprint, was recently published and is now available on Amazon or his website.  The book provides insight and practical advice for school leaders not only to survive but thrive as a school leader.   Let’s set up a time to discuss how he can help you develop a blueprint for a successful school year.  For more information, you can visit https://toddmbloomer.com  Follow Todd Bloomer Website: http://toddmbloomer.com  Twitter (X): https://x.com/bloomer_sa  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-bloomer-2bb167168/...

In this thought-provoking episode, Alison Smith discusses the pressing challenges facing both educators and educational leaders, including burnout, compassion fatigue, emotional dissonance, and a lowered sense of mattering. Alison delves into how cultivating resilience can not only help individuals overcome these challenges but also build collective efficacy, which in turn positively impacts student success. We also explore how educational leaders can actively support and foster resilience within their teams, ensuring long-term well-being and productivity. Alison introduces the THRIVE Design Principles, a framework that can help schools and educators create environments that encourage growth, support, and resilience. About Alison Smith Alison Smith is an author, speaker, and coach specializing in burnout and resilience. She helps audiences nationwide harness the power of small acts of resilience to design thriving personal and professional lives. Alison has coached hundreds of highly-motivated yet highly-burnt out clients, including CEOs, leaders, teachers, entrepreneurs, and parents. Her work has been featured in various publications, and her book, “Drawing Your Line: Setting Boundaries Step by Step”, guides many to healthier living. Outside of work, she enjoys a good book with a glass of wine and spending time with her husband and two kids. Follow Alison Smith Website: www.TheThriveDesigner.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethrivedesigner/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachalisonsmith/  EMAIL: [email protected] School Leaders That Thrive Virtual Summit Info: https://waterscenterst.org/workshops  – Magic Mind If you are a long time listener, an ASPIRE Leader, You know I only work with brands that I believe in myself and I integrate in my everyday life, so I’m super happy to talk to you guys about Magic Mind! I started drinking Magic Mind a while back as I was looking for several things, specifically in the afternoon. A boost of energy Healthy Ingredients Easy to drink throughout the day Magic Mind Subscriptions Experience the power of productivity with Magic Mind subscriptions! Packed with natural ingredients like matcha, adaptogens, and nootropics, Magic Mind is designed to boost your focus, energy, and creativity. With a convenient subscription, you’ll never run out of this magical elixir. Say goodbye to afternoon slumps and hello to sustained, healthy energy. Subscribe today and discover why so many people love...

In this insightful episode of Aspire to Lead, we're joined by Laura Lipton, co-author of Learning-Focused Supervision, to explore the transformative role of leaders in education. Laura dives into the concept of leaders as growth agents, group developers, and culture changers, shedding light on how they can drive meaningful change within their schools and districts. We discuss the importance of structured conversations for fostering professional growth and how these dialogues can empower educators to continuously evolve in their practice. Laura also shares valuable insights on the use of data—not as a tool to prove, but to improve—ensuring that feedback and evaluations lead to actionable improvements and enhanced learning outcomes. Tune in to gain valuable insights that will elevate your leadership and enhance the learning environment for everyone involved! About Laura Lipton Laura is an international consultant whose writing, research, keynotes, and seminars focus on effective and innovative instructional practices and on building professional and organizational capacities for enhanced learning. Laura engages with school districts, public and independent schools, departments of education and international agencies designing and conducting workshops on organizational and group development, learning-focused instruction, literacy development and growth oriented supervisory and mentoring practices. She applies her extensive experience with professional learning to workshops and seminars conducted globally on topics including learning-focused relationships, data-driven dialogue, teacher leadership, building professional community, developing high-performing teams, action research, and learning-focused mentoring. Laura is author and co-author of numerous publications related to organizational and professional development. Laura considers her experience orchestrating an open classroom for first/second graders, directing a K-12 Reading Lab, and providing Related Academics on a large vocational education high school campus to be among the highlights of her professional career. Presently, she lives in Northern Vermont, communing with nature and relishing time with her granddaughters Follow Laura Lipton Website: www.miravia.education Twitter (X): MiraViaP Facebook: Miravia, LLC Additional Publications:  Data Driven Dialogue: A Facilitator’s Guide to Collaborative Inquiry (with Bruce Wellman) Mentoring Matters: A Practical Guide to Learning-focused Relationships (with Bruce Wellman) Groups at Work: Strategies and Structures for Professional Learning (with Bruce Wellman) How to Talk So Teachers Listen (with Bruce Wellman, Educational Leadership) More Than 100 Ways to Learner-centered Literacy (Corwin Press) Shifting Rules, Shifting Roles: Transforming the Work Environment to Support Learning; (with Arthur Costa and Bruce Wellman,NSDC) ...

In this episode, we dive deep into the newly released book "Personalize: Meeting the Needs of All Learners" by Eric Sheninger and Nicki Slaugh. Join us as we explore how personalized learning is set to revolutionize education. Through real-world examples, cutting-edge research, and practical advice, Eric and Nicki share how educators can implement high-agency strategies like voice, choice, path, pace, and place to meet each student's unique needs. We also discuss how to leverage data-driven approaches, feedback and risk taking will transform your leadership practices to ensure that every learner succeeds.  About Eric Sheninger Eric works with schools throughout the world, helping educators meet and exceed their potential to improve outcomes for learners. He is the founder and CEO of Aspire Change EDU, a collaborative consultancy designed to provide personalized support to all educational systems. Prior to this, he was a teacher and the award-winning Principal at New Milford High School. Under his leadership, his school became a globally recognized model for innovative practices. Eric oversaw the successful implementation of several sustainable change initiatives that radically transformed the learning culture at his school while increasing achievement. His work focuses on innovative and practical ways educators can transform teaching, learning, and leadership. Through his work with thousands of schools, Eric has emerged as an innovative leader, best-selling author, and sought-after speaker. His main focus is using research and evidence-based practices to empower learners and educators. See where Eric is speaking and if he will be in your area at the bottom of this page. For booking inquiries, email him directly at [email protected]. Eric has received numerous awards and acknowledgments for his work. He is a CDE Top 30 award recipient, Bammy Award winner, NASSP Digital Principal Award winner, PDK Emerging Leader Award recipient, winner of Learning Forward’s Excellence in Professional Practice Award, Google Certified Innovator, Adobe Education Leader, and ASCD 2011 Conference Scholar.  Follow Eric Sheninger Website: https://ericsheninger.com/  Twitter:...

Join us for a compelling conversation with Trisha Backman as she explores some of the most urgent challenges in today’s education system. Trisha shares her insights on the critical role of mental health in schools and how cultivating a culture of learning can empower both students and educators. We dive into her efforts to connect state agencies and uplift the voices of marginalized groups, such as students with special learning needs, justice-involved youth, foster care children, homeless students, and migrant families. Trisha also discusses the need to reduce exclusionary practices in schools and presents practical strategies for creating more inclusive environments. Plus, hear about the "Crisis Prevention Toolkit," a project aimed at equipping educators with the tools they need to support students in times of crisis. This episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice for anyone committed to fostering a more inclusive and supportive educational environment. About Trisha Backman: Trish Backman is a 27-year special educator who recently joined KSDE as the School Mental Health Coordinator. She has bachelor’s degrees in psychology, special education and a masters in curriculum and instruction as well as building-level administration. She started in education with students grades 7-12 who were identified with behavior disorders and emotional disabilities. She worked in public education for 17 years and has 8 years of experience in correctional education setting with violent aggressors and severe mental health concentrations. Currently, in her role at KSDE, Trish works with significant disproportionality, school discipline, emergency safety interventions, suicide and addiction supports, and grant funding to provide stronger connections within the school and community.She also serves on the Governor’s Behavior Health Advisory Committe, Zero Suicide Prevetion Coalition, The Kansas Prevention Coalition Advisory team, and the Kansas Interagency Behavioral Health Policy Advisory Team.  Her passion is to help each child see who they are and develop the individual strengths they have. She believes each student can learn and grow. She brings energy and determination to helping systems work together for the best possible outcomes for Kansas kids. Follow Trish Backman Facebook: Trish Backman Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trish-backman-a0882372/ Email:  [email protected] or [email protected] Additional Resources: Suicide Prevention, Intervention, Reintegration and Postvention (A toolkit for Kansas schools) (PDF) Training Video (YouTube) / <a id="m_-7950139109045452065OWA703ef310-87d1-2458-ad5b-590c899810ca" title="Worksheet"...

Join us in this special 300th episode of Aspire to Lead as award-winning author, Rick Wormeli, shares about the evolving educational landscape as the post-pandemic practices have shifted. Rick shares his insights on the major challenges schools are currently facing and how he is actively supporting educators and administrators in overcoming these hurdles. We delve into the exciting potential of AI integration in schools, discussing practical strategies for incorporating AI to enhance learning experiences. Additionally, Rick provides valuable guidance on navigating tough discussions and fostering civil discourse within educational settings. Don't miss this opportunity to gain fresh perspectives from one of the most influential voices in education today! About Rick Wormeli: One of the first Nationally Board Certified teachers in America, Rick brings innovation, energy, validity and high standards to both his presentations and his instructional practice, which include 39 years teaching math, science, English, physical education, health, and history, as well as coaching teachers and principals. Rick's work has been reported in numerous media, including ABC's Good Morning America, Hardball with Chris Matthews, National Geographic and Good Housekeeping magazines, What Matters Most: Teaching for the 21st Century, and the Washington Post. He is a columnist for AMLE Magazine and a frequent contributor to ASCD's Education Leadership magazine. He is the author of the award-winning book Meet Me in the Middle as well as the best-selling books Day One and Beyond, Fair Isn't Always Equal: Assessment and Grading in the Differentiated Classroom (Second Edition), Differentiation: From Planning to Practice and Metaphors &amp; Analogies: Power Tools for Teaching any Subject, all five from Stenhouse Publishers, as well as Summarization in any Subject: 60 Innovative and Tech-Infused Strategies for Deeper Student Learning (releasing in fall 2018) published by ASCD.  His book, The Collected Writings (So Far) of Rick Wormeli: Crazy Good Stuff I Learned about Teaching Along the Way, is a collection of his published articles, guest blogs and more through 2013. His classroom practice is a showcase for ASCD's best-selling series, At Work in the Differentiated Classroom. Follow Rick Wormeli: Twitter: https://twitter.com/rickwormeli2 Website: <a...

In this special episode, Charlie Peck and Joshua Stamper share thrilling updates about their upcoming book, "The Language of Behavior," which is set to transform how educators approach student behavior in the classroom. But that's not all—get ready for some exciting announcements about several new projects on the horizon that promise to elevate the field of education. You won't want to miss these incredible insights and innovations that are sure to inspire and empower educators everywhere! About Charle Peck: Charle Peck is the co-creator of Thriving School Community, a revolutionary program designed for schools to improve mental health. She holds an MS in Education and an MS in Social Work as a 20+ year veteran in education (K-12). As a global keynote speaker, she delivers powerful messages of hope to educators and facilitates meaningful professional development. Charle successfully equips school staff with practical tools to mitigate teacher burnout and the youth mental health crisis providing relief to schools all across the country. Her unique lens as a high school teacher turned clinical therapist specializing in trauma makes her stories relevant and captivating to educators struggling in today’s system. You can purchase her book “Improving School Mental Health: The Thriving School Community Solution” on Amazon and connect with her on X @CharlePeck. Follow Charle Peck: Website: www.ThrivingEducator.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharlePeck Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlepeckconsulting?mibextid=LQQJ4d Other: [email protected] Podcast: Thriving Educator Sign up for Charle’s Newsletter at www.ThrivingEducator.org – New Book" The Language of Behavior" is Coming Out this Fall (2024) Get on the Pre-order list at https://thrivingeducator.myflodesk.com/presale -- FREE School Behavior Solutions Virtual Summit- September 30 at 5pm-9pm ET Sign Up HERE: https://thrivingeducator.myflodesk.com/summit -- Magic Mind If you are a long time listener, an ASPIRE Leader, You know I only work with brands that I believe in myself and I integrate in my everyday life, so I’m super happy to talk to you guys about Magic Mind! &nbsp; <span...