Fight Burnout (and the Teacher Shortage) with New Teacher Mentoring Jul 09, 2024

Today we delve into the critical issue of teacher shortages – and how mentoring programs can be a game-changer. Lynette Thorstensen, a PD specialist in Brevard Public Schools in Florida, shares how her district is tackling this nationwide challenge head-on.

Get an in-depth look at Brevard’s comprehensive approach to supporting new teachers, including alternative certification pathways and the powerful role of mentorship. From “Survival Orientations for Success” to mock classrooms and ongoing mentor-mentee partnerships, Lynette’s detailed breakdown shows how support and continuous professional development can lead to higher retention and a more robust teaching workforce.

What You'll Learn:

Expanding the Path to Teaching: Discover how Brevard Public Schools are addressing teacher shortages through alternative certification pathways.

Mentorship Impact: Understand the critical role mentors play in supporting new teachers and reducing burnout.

Scaffolded Support: Learn about the step-by-step support systems in place, from Survival Orientation for Success (SOS) to New Teacher Academy.

Feedback-Driven Improvement: Explore how Brevard uses frequent feedback to continuously refine and improve their mentoring programs.

Practical Implementation: Get ideas for implementing similar mentoring structures in your own district to foster teacher retention and success.

Forging New Pathways to Teaching Jun 25, 2024

What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program in education? And how can it help school districts solve the teacher shortage?

Andrea Dickson, Director of Talent Acquisition in Brazosport Independent School District in Texas, shares how their apprenticeship program enables them to open teaching up to more people who want to teach — but who may otherwise have encountered barriers to entering the profession. She describes how they structure the program and offers specific steps for any districts seeking to implement a similar offering.

Highlights:

Innovative pathways: this alternative route to teacher certification makes it possible for participants to avoid the financial hurdles that come with the cost of a traditional teacher preparation program or taking time off of work.
Addressing the teacher shortage: The program is helping Brazosport ISD fill vacancies by offering on-ramps for internal and external candidates.
Supportive framework: Apprentices receive hands-on experience and mentorship from veteran teachers — and emerge from the program well-equipped from day one.
Community engagement: The program naturally enhances the diversity of the teaching workforce by attracting talent from the community.

K-12 Lens: Highlights from Frontline’s Annual Survey Report Apr 18, 2024

This episode of Field Trip looks at highlights from the inaugural edition of “K-12 Lens,” an annual survey report from the Frontline Research & Learning Institute.

Rebecca Strott, Vice President of Market Intelligence for research firm C+C, looks at the highlights from the survey, and explores the pressing challenges and emerging opportunities within K-12. From staffing challenges and strategies for retention to concerns around student mental health and cybersecurity to the integration of AI into education, listen as we consider the current state and future possibilities for K-12.

Timeline

00:00 - Introduction

00:25 - Exploring the "K-12 Lens" Survey with Rebecca Strott

01:46 - Deep Dive into Hiring and Staffing Challenges

04:39 - The Importance of Professional Development for Retention

06:00 - Addressing Student Mental Health in Schools

10:55 - Navigating Technology and Cybersecurity in Education

13:45 - The Future of Education: AI, Funding, and Data Analytics

18:40 - Interdepartmental Relationships and the Impact on School Operations

21:03 - Conclusion and Resources

Dig Deeper

K-12 Lens: Access the full report for a more detailed look at the data.

AI in Education: Current Outlook? What’s Coming Next? How Should Schools Respond? Apr 03, 2024

Diving into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education, with a focus on its implications for educators, administrators, and students! Dr. Ellen Agnello, a former classroom teacher turned consultant and researcher, shares insights from her recent study on AI's integration into schools, addressing teachers' and administrators' perceptions, the potential uses of AI for learning and administrative tasks, and the challenges involved in adopting this technology.

We also highlight:

Key differences in comfort and attitude between teachers and administrators regarding AI

The role of AI in enhancing teaching practices and professional development

The importance of AI literacy and the need to balance technological advancements with the intrinsic value of interpersonal learning experiences

What the future of AI in education may hold

Timeline

00:00 - Introduction to AI in Education: Perspectives and Potential

00:49 - From Classroom to AI Research

03:44 - Surveying Educators on AI: Insights and Surprises

07:45 - AI Detection Tools and Teacher Concerns

09:19 - Navigating the AI Spectrum in Schools

11:15 - Demystifying AI for Educators

13:57 - AI's Practical Applications in the Classroom

22:09 - Expanding AI Use Beyond the Classroom

25:17 - Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Education

Related Resource:

The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in K-12 Professional Development: AI has been everywhere in the news, and education is no exception. This blog post dives into AI’s place in education now and in the future.

Empowering Parents in Special Education Mar 11, 2024

In this episode of Field Trip, we dive into the crucial role of parent involvement in special education. Dr. Kristen Williams, Executive Director for Disability Services in the San Antonio Independent School District, shares her extensive experience and passionate insights into the dynamics of educational support and parent engagement. With over three decades in special education, Dr. Williams offers practical advice for schools and educators on fostering positive, proactive relationships with families.

We'll uncover:

The Importance of Parent Involvement: No one knows and loves a child more than their parents. How can schools leverage this for better educational outcomes?

Strategies for Positive Engagement: Innovative approaches and best practices for engaging parents in their children's education, moving beyond traditional methods to create a supportive and inclusive environment.

Real-Life Success Stories: How intentional actions and policies have led to significant improvements in parent participation.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone interested in the field of education, this is a must-listen for anyone looking to make a difference in the lives of children with special needs.

Timeline

00:00 - Introduction: The Importance of Parental Involvement in Special Education

00:48 - The Role of Parents in Special Education

01:59 - Strategies for Positive and Proactive Parent Involvement

02:37 - Building Parent Capacity and Encouraging Participation

04:32 - The Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)

05:14 - Effective Communication with Parents

07:12 - Empowering Parents through Education and Advocacy

09:17 - Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Parent Involvement

Unveiling the Mysteries of Employee Data Feb 26, 2024

In this 4th and final episode of our series on workforce oversight, Frontline Education’s Mitch Welch and Dr. Sundie Dahlkamp, Executive Director of Business Services at Pearland Independent School District, explore the intricacies of employee data visibility.

Good data matters. Here is why position history is so key to making HR decisions in school districts.

Takeaways:

The Importance of Position History: Without a solid grasp of position history, the quality of employee data is compromised. Mitch and Sundie consider the challenge in tracking the historical data of positions versus the employees in those positions.

Data Visibility and Accountability: It’s not just for internal management, but also for external accountability. Community stakeholders may want to see how positions are managed and utilized over time, underscoring the need for transparent and accessible position history data.

Challenges in Position History: Sundie explores the challenges in tracking the creation, approval, and deactivation of positions. Position history is crucial for leadership transitions, as it preserves institutional knowledge that could be lost with staff turnover.

The Impact on Decision Making: Good position history data is vital for making informed decisions regarding vacancies and budget allocations. Understanding the history of a position can lead to better decisions about which positions to fill.

Timeline

00:00 - Introduction

01:17 - The Importance of Employee Data Visibility

02:19 - The Challenge of Position History

04:33 - The Importance of Position History for Decision Making

06:13 - The Role of Position History in Employee Retention

07:52 - Tracking Position History

11:00 - Conclusion

Related Resources

Template: Position Management and Control Plan

Blog: Effective Dating & Conditional Workflows in Position Management

Podcast: K-12’s Balancing Act of Workforce Oversight

Podcast: Mastering the Art of Managing Positions

Podcast: Position Management: How to Empower Your Principals

Position Management: How to Empower Your Principals Feb 19, 2024

Welcome to the third episode in a short series on workforce oversight in school districts! Once again, we welcome Frontline Education’s Mitch Welch and Dr. Sundie Dahlkamp, Executive Director of Business Services at Pearland Independent School District.

This conversation is all about empowering principals. With the right processes, workflows, and technology, you can enable them to make changes to staff positions seamlessly and efficiently and ensure that any changes are communicated back to the central office. This leads to greater principal involvement and autonomy, fostering a culture of buy-in and collaboration in making personnel decisions.

They explore:

The innovative transition from paper to digital: Sundie describes the shift from a manual, paper-based process to a sophisticated digital system, leading to a seamless, paperless workflow that empowers campus-level autonomy.

Autonomy at the campus level: By entrusting campus principals with the authority to manage positions, including hiring and adjustments, districts can foster a sense of ownership and expedite the decision-making process.

Creating a Culture of Success: Creating a process that prevents errors and allows for informed decision-making can help school districts not only streamline administrative tasks but also build a culture where staff feel supported and empowered. The system's success lies in its ability to promote dialogue and reflection, leading to a positive work environment and a collective focus on the district's goals.

Timeline

00:00 - Introduction

00:00 - The Importance of Principal Involvement

02:42 - The Journey from Manual to Digital Processes

04:50 - Empowering Principals with Autonomy

06:47 - The Role of Compliance and Control in Position Management

09:56 - The Impact of Effective Position Management

10:49 - Conclusion and Next Steps

Related Resources

eBook: Position Management Playbook for School Districts: How implementing a position management plan strengthens district-wide efficiency for HR, IT, Finance and Payroll.

Case Study: From Stacks of Paper to an HR Management System: Why the Iron County School District Human Resources Department chose Frontline HRMS, and how they’re using the system to bring all employee information into one place, save time on contract renewals and forms, and make reporting a breeze.

Mastering the Art of Managing Positions Feb 12, 2024

“Position management” may not win the award for Most Exciting Phrase anytime soon, but it’s a vital concept in education — and has a real impact on employees. In this episode of Field Trip, we delve into the importance and mechanisms of position management (and position vacancies) in school districts. Dr. Sundie Dahlkamp, the Executive Director of Human Resource Services at Pearland Independent School District, and Frontline Education’s Mitch Welch explore the concept of position management and control, focusing on creativity, flexibility, effective communication, and strategic decision-making, all while ensuring accountability on the expenditure.

The conversation highlights the necessity of balancing management and control in human resources and the role of technology in facilitating effective communication and information visibility. Mitch and Sundie also tackle:

Financial accountability and why position management is crucial for school districts to justify expenditures, especially when such a high percentage of the budget is allocated to employee salaries.

Strategic forecasting in HR and why the ability to project future needs based on enrollment trends is vital for sustainable school district management.

The balance between the central office and building administrators. There’s a delicate balance to maintain between position control at the central office level and creative management by individual supervisors and principals.

Timeline

00:00 - Introduction

01:09 - Defining Position Management and Control

04:53 - The Importance of Effective Dating System

07:31 - Balancing Management and Control

08:55 - Using Technology for Communication

10:00 - Conclusion and Preview of Next Episode

10:23 - Closing

Related Resources

Blog: Effective Dating & Conditional Workflows in Position Management

Infographic: Position Management & Control in School Districts

eBook: Position Management Playbook for School Districts

Case Study: A Better HR System to Serve Employees:Why Whitehall-Coplay School District uses Frontline to manage recruiting and hiring, onboarding, employee records, benefits, position management, professional learning, employee absences, and time tracking.

K-12's Balancing Act of Workforce Oversight Feb 05, 2024

This episode of Field Trip is the first in a four-episode series about workforce oversight in K-12, with Mitch Welch from Frontline Education and Dr. Sundie Dahlkamp, Executive Director of Human Resource Services at Pearland Independent School District. Mitch and Sundie delve into workforce oversight and its importance and continued evolution in education.

They also contrast the implications of workforce oversight with workforce insight, highlighting the need for both in achieving efficient data-driven decision making. Stay tuned for a deep dive into how these concepts shape K-12 education, and why striking the balance between hard data and human elements is crucial in school administration.

00:00 Introduction

01:02 Understanding Workforce Oversight

02:22 The Challenges of Workforce Oversight in Education

06:13 The Importance of Workforce Insight

08:33 Balancing Oversight and Insight in Education

10:26 Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview

Dig Deeper:

Here are some helpful related resources!

Podcast: Making School Happen: School HR helps make education possible — and it’s a lot easier with connected software systems and processes. Here’s how one district is making it happen.

An HR Management System to Help You Fight the Teacher Shortage: Attract the right fit now with retention-first recruiting and a system to make it happen.

Enrollment, Part 2: Attracting Families, Maintaining Growth, and Dealing with Staffing Challenges Jan 20, 2024

In this conversation with Dr. Maria Vasquez, the Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, Florida, we discuss the enrollment trends across the country. Dr. Vasquez delves into how these changing demographics affect schools, particularly aspects such as budgets, staffing, and infrastructure.

She presents an informed view of this trend from her district's perspective, highlighting an upward trend in enrollment, the challenges and benefits of this growth, and the strategies OCPS takes to attract families to the public school system. She also details the impact of Florida's expanded voucher program and potential repercussions on public education funding. Finally, the conversation wraps with possible solutions to staffing challenges and their ongoing efforts for improvement.

00:00 - Introduction to Enrollment Challenges

01:18 - Welcome Dr. Maria Vasquez: Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools

01:40 - The Impact of Enrollment Growth on Orange County Public Schools

02:35 - Challenges and Opportunities of Rapid Enrollment Growth

04:32 - Attracting Families to Public Schools

07:00 - The Impact of Voucher Programs on Public Schools

09:56 - Addressing Staffing Challenges and Redistricting in Growing Schools

11:39 - Innovative Recruitment and Retention Strategies for Teachers

13:15 - Closing Remarks and Future Plans

13:34 - Podcast Closing and Acknowledgements

Cash for Chromebooks: Budgeting Tips for the Technology Department Nov 20, 2023

‘Tis the season: as we approach the end of the year, families are preparing to gather over festive meals, students will head home for winter break... and department heads in schools everywhere will joyfully begin to put together their budgets for the next school year.

For K-12 IT professionals, that not only means keeping accurate tabs on the devices in your schools, it also means making the case for a technology budget that the Finance department can get behind. In this episode of Field Trip, Frontline’s podcast for leaders in education, resident asset management expert AnnaMaria Gallozzi joins us to look at how Technology departments can set themselves up for success in the next budgeting season and ensure students and staff have access to the tools they need for teaching and learning.

We explore:

Pitfalls to avoid during budgeting season

How to make the case to Finance for your technology budget

Short-term and long-term timing considerations

The single biggest thing you can do to position yourself for success in the coming year

Dig Deeper:

Case Study: Faster Device Collection and Distribution, Increased Accountability, and Less Asset Loss — How South Huntington School District manages and tracks devices and makes better financial decisions with Frontline’s Asset Management.

5 Ways Collaboration Between Tech and Finance Departments Can Create an Impact

One School District’s Response to Declining Enrollment Nov 13, 2023

Sam Kirk is the Director of Finance and Operations at Armstrong School District in western Pennsylvania. As industry has dwindled, student enrollment in the district has taken a hit as well.

In this episode of Field Trip, Sam shares his experience grappling with the financial realities these things bring to the district, and how they’ve started a new cyber school to compete for students that may otherwise have left. Plus, he shares how he’s creating transparency around district finances to keep the community informed and in agreement — even when it makes consolidating schools.

Listen now to hear:

How Sam uses data to educate community members, gain buy-in, and have productive conversations about emotional issues like school closures

Why starting a cyber school was key for supporting the district’s bottom line

How the Finance Department approaches staffing decisions when enrollment drops

For more on enrollment and data analytics:

Better understand enrollment shifts with location-based data: How Frontline’s Location Analytics can provide a better picture of enrollment at the district and building levels.
Video: Business Analytics at Mansfield Independent School District: How the Associate Superintendent of Business and Finance explores enrollment history, per-student cost vs. academic outcomes, and school budgets over time.

From Required to Inspired: Inside Culture Change in Professional Learning Oct 30, 2023

In Hanover County Public Schools, there's a shift happening... something bubbling up from deep within the Curriculum & Instruction Department. Something exciting.

In the past, teachers would complete their professional learning requirements in large part by participating in mandated sessions for two days every August. “The problem is,” says Dr. Steve Castle, Director of Professional Learning and Leadership Development, “it felt forced, and it felt like there’s no choice in this, and teachers were given the things that were required.”

So, for the past several years, Dr. Castle and Chris Biagiarelli, Instructional Technology Project Coordinator, have been on a mission to change the culture around professional learning — so teachers select the learning opportunities that will most help them in the classroom. In this podcast, we ask them how they’re making that happen.

Listen to this 14-minute conversation and hear:

The steps they’ve taken (and continue to take) to change mindsets around professional learning within the district

Why the right technology is crucial to making this change

What they’ve learned, and what they would change if they were starting this journey all over again

Don’t stop there!

Be sure to check out these resources about professional learning and supporting teacher growth and voice and choice:

[Case Study] Culture Change: Moving Toward Teacher-driven Professional Learning — How Hanover County Public Schools uses Frontline Professional Growth to offer teachers a voice in their learning and bid farewell to a ‘check the boxes’ mentality.

Effective Professional Learning Strategies (that Actually Work) — A look at the national landscape of professional development, best practices for an effective professional development program, resources for getting started, and more.

Flexible Pay Can Help Solve the Substitute Shortage Oct 04, 2023

Portman Wills believes money is key to solving the substitute shortage — even if districts can’t raise substitute teacher wages.

Substitute teachers want to be in the classroom, teaching and impacting lives. But finances — and more specifically, waiting anywhere from 2-4 weeks for payday — can force an uncomfortable choice. In a world where people can deliver groceries, drive for a rideshare service, or even work retail and get paid the same day, substitute teaching may take a backseat to other employment options.

Portman is a co-founder of Wagestream, which allows employers to offer flexible pay and enable employees to access earned wages immediately. In this podcast, he and Emily Trant, Wagestream’s Head of Impact and Inclusion, share some research about flexible pay and what it means for school districts who want to encourage substitutes to accept more jobs.

They discuss:

The explosion of the gig economy and the impact it has on substitute teaching

How unsteady income makes waiting weeks for payday difficult or impossible for some substitute teachers

What flexible pay can mean for school districts

Dig Deeper:

“Unlocking the American Pay Cycle”: A research report from Wagestream examining the behavioral and wellbeing impact of offering workers a flexible pay cycle

Frontline Education & Wagestream: Revolutionize pay for substitute teachers right within Absence Management

Case Study: Recruiting Substitutes with Flexible Pay: How Azle ISD uses Wagestream through Frontline’s Absence Management to support substitute teachers, raise fill rates, and expand its substitute pool.

The State of Hiring in Education: A Conversation with AASPA Executive Director Kelly Coash-Johnson Sep 28, 2023

In 2022, Kelly Coash-Johnson joined a webinar with Frontline Education and EdWeek, and shared five “shifts” or practices that the American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA) believes are necessary to address the educator shortage: reducing barriers to careers in education, designing comprehensive human capital management systems, establishing transparent and equitable total rewards systems, strengthening educators’ sense of purpose, belonging, and connection, and delivering exceptional employment experiences.

Kelly joined us on the Field Trip podcast at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year with an updated perspective. What is the state of hiring in education now?

Take a listen for a look at:

Factors influencing the teacher shortage today
What steps some states are taking to address the teacher shortage, and which of the five shifts mentioned above are more difficult to address
Actions that school districts can take today to be better positioned to hire in the future
What makes Kelly hopeful about education (and hiring in education) as we look to the future

Also check out:

Recruiting the 21st Century Teacher: How to position your district for success in hiring, why it's critical to diversify your recruiting efforts, and 4 suggestions if you’re new to 21st century recruitment.

On-demand Webinar: Be the Change: Strategies to Make Year-Round Hiring Happen

The Quick-Start Guide to Retention-focused Recruitment

The 20 Mile Radius: Why Distance Matters to K-12 Hiring and Retention Aug 22, 2023

When trying to fill teaching positions, what can school districts do that goes beyond simply posting jobs in more locations? Dr. Jon Isaacson, Superintendent of Hillsboro R-III School District in Missouri, shares some insightful strategies for hiring and, just as importantly, retaining teachers – and the data he looks at to make some of these decisions.

In this conversation with Frontline Education’s own Collin Osburn, Dr. Isaacson considers:

His view of the current state of hiring in education

Why it’s crucial for districts to focus on the things they can control, not the things they can’t

What a 20-mile radius around his district means for hiring and retention

Dig a little deeper:

Looking for more? This interview is an excerpt from a longer conversation between Dr. Jon Isaacson and Collin Osburn. You can hear the longer conversation here.
“The Local Teacher Shortage”: A report from the Frontline Research & Learning Institute about the state of hiring in school districts in various areas of the country.

Video: Pottsgrove School District Doesn’t Waste Any Time Hiring & Onboarding

Is There a Teacher Shortage in the Northeast? Jul 23, 2023

The teacher shortage has been in the news for years — but especially since 2020, nationwide concern has reached new levels.

But... Pennsylvania is not Florida. New York is not Texas. Every part of the country experiences the teacher shortage a little differently.

The Frontline Research & Learning Institute recently published "The Local Teacher Shortage,” a report exploring job posting and candidate application data from Frontline Recruiting & Hiring to see how school districts in various parts of the country are experiencing the teacher shortage. In this episode of Field Trip, we spoke with Laura Neier, Human Resources Director at Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District in New York, about what the data shows about hiring in the Northeast — and whether what she sees at Briarcliff Manor matches up.

In this conversation, Laura shares her perspective on:

The reasons for increased demand for teachers and why she sees fewer people entering the teaching profession

The strategies her district employs to attract and retain new teachers

Predictions for the future of hiring in K-12 education

Other Resources:

The Local Teacher Shortage: An investigation into varying degrees of labor shortages by region.

Recruiting the 21st Century Teacher: How HR departments can position themselves for success, why diversifying recruiting efforts is critical, and 4 suggestions for those new to 21st century recruitment.

Case Study: Queen Creek Unified School District: How this HR department uses data analytics to improve hiring practices and respond to rapid growth.

Eight KPIs Every School Business Official Should Track Jan 04, 2023

“If you don’t know where you’ve been, you don’t know where you’re going.”

That’s what Derick Sibley, MBA, RTSBA, SFO, Director of Finance and Accounting at Pleasant Grove ISD in Texarkana, Texas, has to say about data. Establishing trends and examining historical financial data and other vital statistics is critical for any school district that wants to avoid financial risk. (That’s all of them, of course.)

Today on Field Trip, Derick and Senior Analytics Advisor Travis Zander join us for a conversation about key performance indicators. In particular, there are eight that every school business official should track over time.

Tune in to find out what they are, and what insights they can provide for your school district as you make decisions with an eye toward the future (and the past).

Deep in Data, Short on Time: Let Analytics Do Your Legwork Aug 08, 2022

School districts collect a wealth of data — data that often lives in various disconnected systems or spreadsheets that make it difficult to understand and work with. While many K-12 leaders recognize that data can be useful, the in-depth analysis that makes it possible to use data to inform strategic decisions about student programs or financial planning can often feel out of reach.

Dr. CyLynn Braswell has spent 20 years in public education in roles ranging from teacher to executive director. She now works for Frontline Education, helping schools use the data at their disposal to evaluate student programs, identify at-risk students, increase equity, and ensure that resources are allocated for maximum impact.

We sat down with her to explore:

The obstacles that often stand in the way of using data to inform decisions
Key issues that school districts should be thinking about they welcome students back in the fall — and how using data can help set them up for success
Current trends at the intersection of education and analytics
The single biggest question that district leaders can ask and answer with data to drive greater student outcomes and achievement

Join us for this exciting, practical look at how data can be used to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students!

Also check out:

Case Study: Compton Unified School District uses Frontline Student Analytics to identify students who would benefit from intervention.
eBook: Moving the Needle: Improve Student Performance by Correlating and Analyzing Multiple Indicators
Frontline Student Analytics: Close the digital divide, address learning gaps, eliminate equity and achievement gaps, and more. See it in action.

School Business Officials and the Power of Analytics Jul 15, 2022

School business officials have a crucial role to play for school districts. Not only are they in charge of balancing the budget for the school year, but they’re also tasked with anticipating future financial plans, sometimes half a decade down the line. Compound that with responsibilities you might not think come with the job – like, say, finding missing kindergarteners – and you have a position that’s integral to a modern district’s functioning.

In this episode, John Brucato, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations at Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District in New York state, gives us an enhanced view into what a school business official thinks about— and the importance of data not just in the short term, but for predicting the future as well.

We’ll discuss how being prepared with a view of the district’s data helped him land his current job, along with:

Why being a school business official is about more than just numbers

How data impacts an SBO’s day-to-day

The importance of refining a long-range financial plan as you go

Analytics in Collective Bargaining Jan 12, 2022

School district negotiations with teachers unions can be challenging. School business officials not only have multiple stakeholders to work with and keep informed — including the school board, administration and staff, and the surrounding community — they are also tasked keeping the district solvent in the long term. Without a solid picture of the districts’ financial status both now and projected into the future, it’s hard to know how dollars should be allocated in union negotiations.

In this conversation with Kim Knight, Executive Director of Business Services at Dieringer School District in Lake Tapps, Washington details the role that analytics play in providing that financial picture, and how she and her team prepare to come to the collective bargaining table. She describes:

The questions they ask and the data they look at to answer them
How they prepare and present data to teachers unions, the school board, and the community, to tell the story of where the district’s finances are today, and where they expect them to be in the future
How clear, solid data and analytics helps to build trust between parties during collective bargaining
How the use of analytics ultimately helps their business office decide how to put funds to the best use to serve students

No Substitute for Customer Service (2021) Nov 17, 2021

Note: This episode was originally released in 2018, but with districts around the country facing a worsening substitute shortage in 2021, the story remains relevant today.

When a teacher is out, a substitute to take over for the day isn’t a given. Many districts have a difficult time keeping a pool of substitutes that’s adequate to cover all vacancies. Today, we speak with Spring Grove Area School District about how they tackled this problem. With a focus on customer service, here’s how they built a reputation among substitutes for being a great place to work.

Barbara Valencia works in HR support at Spring Grove — but earlier in her career, she was a substitute classroom aid. And she saw how tough it is to walk into an unfamiliar building and stand in front of an unfamiliar class, every single day.

Barbara spoke to us about:

Why the job of substitute teaching can be so difficult
The steps Spring Grove has taken to entice substitutes to seek out positions in the district
What any school district can do to make substitute teaching more attractive
The impact this work has on fill rates, morale and the quality of students’ education

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

How to Use Analytics in Schools Nov 03, 2021

Schools are swimming in data — but there’s a difference between having data and using it to make better decisions. Since early 2020, most people have seen more charts and graphs than perhaps ever before, but using analytics in schools correctly is a developed skill.

How do you take all those numbers in a spreadsheet and turn them into something useful for driving decision-making? How can schools avoid being data-rich but information-poor?

Dr. Adam Cibulka has spent 15 years in public education, and today works to help school districts get more out of their data with Forecast5 Analytics, now part of Frontline Education. He discusses:

What analytics bring to the table
How school and district leaders can use analytics to inform decisions
How the right tools can help – or hinder – districts in making the most of analytics
The steps leaders need to take to effectively use (and not just have) data
Common questions districts seek to answer with data
The biggest barriers schools face in trying to get the most out of their data

Related Resources:

Making School Happen Sep 01, 2021

While most people might picture buses, crowded hallways, and teachers working in bustling classrooms, the behind-the-scenes work is just as vital. All the work that goes into making school happen: recruiting and hiring teachers, custodians, coaches, bus drivers, food service employees, nurses, and everyone else who makes it possible to open school each day. Onboarding those employees, and providing ongoing professional learning opportunities. Ensuring substitutes are in classrooms. Making sure supplies are ordered. Running payroll. Scheduling bus routes.

Part of operating an organization as complex as a school district is ensuring that the right information gets to the right people, so they can work efficiently and make the best decisions. That requires technology, getting departments to work together, and quite often, managing change.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Russell Miller, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources for Andover Public Schools in Kansas, about his district’s efforts to implement new processes and software systems to be more effective and work across departments more easily. We cover:

The biggest blockers to efficiency and effectiveness in school administration
How they brought their software systems together to move away from paper and make information more readily accessible
How systems thinking helps his team hire and onboard more effectively
How to get buy-in from other stakeholders to make a change
What’s needed to effectively implement a new software system
The impact all of this has on serving students and staff

Related Resources:

Change Management in K-12: What You Need to Know
Change Management in K-12: Six Change Management Models

School Workforce Diversity Mar 24, 2021

It’s no secret that when students have teachers of the same race or ethnicity, they tend to do better academically. Yet people of color make up a relatively small percentage of the teaching workforce.

Today we’re joined by Dr. Searetha Smith-Collins, a career educator and former superintendent and chief academic officer, to talk about workforce diversity in education: why it matters, and steps schools can take to overcome roadblocks to inclusive hiring practices.

Related Resources:

4 Real-Life Stories About Equity in Education
Podcast: 5 Generations at Work. Today’s workforce consists of up to FIVE generations of people. Here’s how they’re different, how they complement each other, and how leadership can maximize each one’s strengths in schools.
Podcast: Not Your Father's Labor Market. Teachers entering the workforce today are different from those who entered the profession a few decades ago. What does that mean for school districts?
Podcast: Grow Your Own Teachers. When leaders at this school district wanted a teacher workforce that reflected the diversity of its student body, the answer was right in front of them.
The Line: Resources on Equity in Education

Caring for Students’ Mental Health During Virtual Learning Mar 03, 2021

After nearly a year of remote learning, hand washing, and six-feet-apart staying, who’s doing not doing okay? The answer is… quite a few of us, kids and adults alike.

This week, Dr. Rosanne Capanna-Hodge, a psychologist and author of The Teletherapy Toolkit: Therapist Handbook for Treating Children and Teens, explores the long-term impact the pandemic has on students, teachers, and school staff:

Signs to look out for in kids who may be struggling with anxiety – and how to monitor mental health when students aren’t in the building
Practices schools can incorporate to care for mental health in the classroom
How schools can support staff who are struggling during the pandemic as well

More Mental Health Resources

Equity for English Learners Oct 21, 2020

School closures have been tough for everyone. Administrators, district leadership, teachers, and families raced to adapt to new teaching and learning conditions. Students faced an entirely unfamiliar school experience. Already-existing inequities grew starker, and English Learners faced extra hurdles as teachers and families often struggled to communicate.

In this podcast, Dr. Jessica Hazzard, an EL specialist at Cape Henlopen School District in Delaware, shares how her district tackled these issues and developed strategies they can continue to use, whether they’re remote, in person, or somewhere in between.

The connection between teacher collaboration and equity
How the district carves out time for teacher collaboration during a stressful and busy time
How reading specialists, grade level teachers, EL teachers use Remote Planning Workshops to collaboratively create lesson plans

More Content You’ll Like:

Are Schools Prepared for the Mental Health Crisis? Oct 07, 2020

Over the past 10 years, anxiety disorders among adolescents has risen 17%. Serious depression has gone up 80%. Suicide attempts are startlingly common.[1] That’s the bad news.

The good news is that there is an increasing awareness of the need for student mental health care, a greater focus on the whole child. Schools are taking more steps to provide this kind of care — and more and more, they’re becoming the primary providers of care for those students. But that’s a herculean task, and it raises the question: are schools ready?

In this episode of Field Trip, ten experts in roles ranging from school counselors to superintendents share how they see it:

Are schools prepared to be the primary providers of student mental health care?
What are schools doing well in this area? Where is there room to grow?
What do schools need to be better prepared?
What will the mental health care landscape look like in 5 or 10 years?
And more…

[1] Are Districts the Nation's Adolescent Mental Health Care Providers? (Rep.). (2020). Retrieved https://eab.com/research/district-leadership/whitepaper/are-districts-the-nations-adolescent-mental-health-care-providers/

More About Mental Health in Schools:

3-Step System to Identify Social, Emotional & Behavioral Issues Sooner. This 3-step approach (with examples) can help your school build a system that empowers educators, counselors, and other specialists to collect and interpret behavioral data to find students who most need intervention.
10 Best Practices for Improving and Expanding Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Supports. Ten key, interconnected best practices to help you and your team effectively and comprehensively create a system to meet the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students.
5 Strategies to Build Your and Students’ Resilience. How can those on the front lines of education help students, families, and each other navigate this uncertain time?
Student Mental Health in Crisis: Are Schools Ready? Go beyond the podcast and see this interview in written and video form.
Mental & Behavioral Health Management: Identify patterns, determine trends, simplify documentation and collaborate with staff and parents about mental health issues in schools.

Unsung Heroes Jun 05, 2020

While schools are wrestling with how to re-open in the fall, Robin Cogan says there’s one perspective that is especially critical to consider: that of the school nurse. Robin is a school nurse in Camden, NJ and the author of the blog The Relentless School Nurse. She joined us to talk about:

Questions schools need to answer as they consider reopening
Why school nurses are a vital part of any school’s community
All of the things school nurses do that most people never see
Plus, how administrators can tap into the expertise their nurses bring

You may also like:

Gifted May 08, 2020

When Stephen was in school, his hand was always raised. A mind brimming with ideas, a packed schedule because he wanted to be involved in everything, an appetite for challenge. Today, Stephen is in college, pursuing a career in aerospace engineering — and we’re speaking with him and the teacher of his elementary gifted program, about what such programs can offer students.

Why such programs are so helpful for gifted students
Where things get tough for gifted students — and where such programs fit in as schools work to serve students of all academic abilities
A look at one district’s gifted program and the difference it continues to make in Stephen’s life, years after graduation

School... at Home Mar 27, 2020

Right now, schools are closed across the country, as we all try to stay safe and healthy. But we all know that for educators and for parents, this doesn’t mean more downtime on the couch.

You’re still hard at work, because learning goes on, at home and online. This shift has been a huge effort for schools, administrators, teachers, and staff.

So today, something a little different. Normally, we bring you stories from schools around the country. Today we’re doing the same thing — sort of. Join us as we check in with the schooling that’s taking place in the living rooms and home offices of some of us at Frontline, and offer heartfelt appreciation for the work that educators are doing during this time.

Observations & Conversations Mar 13, 2020

“You could have a great conversation with somebody, you could talk about [teaching practice] and then, all of a sudden: ‘Okay, what was my rating?’ ‘Well, you got a ‘2’ in this area.’ And that would defeat the entire conversation.” - Jason Smith, Principal, Anna Reynolds Elementary School

At Newington Public Schools, teacher evaluations look different these days. Rather than a process that focuses primarily on the nuts and bolts of generating a score, the district changed how administrators and teachers approach the observation process. They trained administrators to ask questions that help teachers reflect and be self-directed in their learning. This has made a huge difference in how teachers engage in the evaluation process and hone their practice as a result.

For further reading:

Substitutes In the House Feb 28, 2020

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System used to outsource their substitute teacher program. But in 2014, they decided to bring it back in house — no small thing for an office of just four people, in a district with 36,000 students. But… it’s a success.

A savings of over $300,000 in just the first year
A higher fill rate (99% the first year!)
Over 800 substitutes hired into permanent positions since the program began
Reclaimed instructional time
A culture that values and recognizes substitutes as an integral part of the team

Today, we’re speaking with Melissa Izatt, Director of Educator Quality, about the why and how behind bringing the substitute program back under their own roof.

More substitute management resources:

[VIDEO] Low substitute fill rates? Your substitutes might not be accepting jobs.
A Roadmap to Substitute Engagement
The Substitute Teacher Shortage: What’s behind it? What can be done about it?
[PODCAST] No Substitute for Customer Service

Equity, Part 3: Special Education is an Equity Issue Feb 14, 2020

Racial equality is an important factor in ensuring every student has access to the general education curriculum. But equity in special education goes deeper yet.

What does equity in special education mean? What does it look like? Today we’re speaking with Dr. Dorothea Gordon, Executive Director of Special Education at Grand Prairie ISD in Texas. Dr. Gordon helps to set a baseline definition for equity in special education, shares some highlights of GPISD’s program that have proven effective, and looks at some of the pressing issues facing educators working in special education in today’s world.

Professional learning that special educators need to be effective
The challenges that racial minorities – often African American and Hispanic males – face in schools, especially in disciplinary situations
The most important factors when considering how to provide equitable access to education for all students

Equity, Part 2: Fifty Years Later Jan 31, 2020

In Louisiana, 1969: “separate but equal” is a thing of the past – in theory. In practice, schools are largely still divided along racial lines. Eileen Sanchez was a white teacher who taught in the “black school,” at least until the day students and staff were told the school was closing.

In her book Freedom Lessons, Eileen details that tumultuous year and what it was like for her, the students and the other teachers. We spoke with Eileen about her experience:

What she learned about race and diversity
The impact it has had on her career as a teacher and ultimately, as a district administrator
Where we are today, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of education in 2020 and beyond
How teachers, administrators and department leaders like HR and C&I can work toward equity in their school systems

Equity, Part 1: One District, Two Communities Jan 17, 2020

Note: This episode is a rebroadcast, and originally aired on July 20, 2018.

A few miles east of Cleveland, Cleveland Heights University Heights School District serves primarily white community of Cleveland Heights, as well as the much larger and more diverse city of University Heights. We spoke with Dr. Talisa Dixon, who at that time was the Superintendent, about her years leading the district and working for equity:

The unique opportunities and challenges faced when two very different communities share one school district
Working with the school board to enact policies that will outlast any one person
Why equity matters
Creating change through persuasion, not force

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

Lawsuits and Allergies and 504 Plans, Oh My! Dec 20, 2019

DISCLAIMER: Frontline Education does not provide legal advice. Please consult your district’s legal counsel before taking action on anything discussed in this podcast.

Peanut butter and jelly: a staple for children everywhere, right?

Maybe when we were kids… but today, schools increasingly have to reckon with a rising number of students with allergies, many of whom now have 504 Plans that lay out in detail what accommodations must be made.

We’re speaking with attorney John B. Comegno II, president and founder of the Comegno Law Group, about:

How Section 504 applies to students with allergies
Does a medical diagnosis require a 504 Plan?
What is – and what may not be – required of schools under Section 504
Why it’s important to be careful with language when agreeing to 504 Plans
How schools should work to ensure students with allergies have access to the same opportunities as other students

Get More Info:

See our in-depth video series with John Comegno: Understanding Section 504

It’s All About Your People Dec 06, 2019

Indian Hill Exempted Village School District is not large, but it has a great reputation and a culture of achievement.

Like any fruitful organization, the central pillar of that success is the people at Indian Hills. Today, Superintendent Kirk Koennecke and Assistant Superintendent Mark Ault discuss how their hiring, onboarding, and ongoing professional development all contribute to teacher quality and student achievement.

What the hiring process looks like from a candidate’s perspective – even when that candidate is applying for the position of superintendent
How culture plays a vital role from an employee’s earliest days at the district
The role of community, students, and parents in creating that culture
What individualized professional development looks like

The Data Speaks: Why Teacher Evaluations Are More Accurate Today Nov 22, 2019

No Child Left Behind… Race to the Top… the Every Student Succeeds Act. All have had significant impact on teacher evaluations. Over time, have such laws led to an increase in the quality of teaching our schools?

This year the Frontline Research & Learning Institute looked at the data around teacher evaluation scores. We speak with Sarah Silverman, Ph.D., of Whiteboard Advisors, the firm that partnered with Frontline to analyze the data and the author of the report, “Bending Toward Accuracy: How Teacher Evaluations Are Evolving.” We look at:

Teacher evaluation scores over a 5-year period and where the data comes from
Why those scores indicate that teacher evaluations have gotten more accurate over time
What you can do with teacher evaluation data in your own schools to foster growth in teaching

Read the full report: “Bending Toward Accuracy: How Teacher Evaluations Are Evolving”

Mentor Teachers, Align! Nov 08, 2019

In the early 2000’s, Greece Central School District in New York had 25 full-time mentor teachers. After the 2008 financial crisis, that number dropped down to one, plus a handful of part-time staff.

Now, the program is thriving again. Director of Professional Learning Marguerite Dimgba shares why she’s so proud of their teacher mentoring, how it fits into their broader professional learning program, and why this form of job-embedded professional learning is so crucial.

How Greece Central offers individualized professional learning for every teacher that’s also aligned to the district’s strategic goals
How they decide the areas in which they focus professional learning
Tips for any district that wants to take its teacher mentoring program to the next level

Cited Sources:

Ingersoll, R. M., Merrill, E., Stuckey, D., & Collins, G. (n.d.). Seven Trends: The Transformation of the Teaching Force – Updated October 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2019, from https://repository.upenn.edu/cpre_researchreports/108/.

Primary Sources: 2012: America's Teachers on the Teaching Profession. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/primarysources/pdfs/Gates2012_full.pdf

Related Content

Be a Buffalo: Growing Leaders in School Systems Oct 25, 2019

What is the single biggest thing that school leaders can do to impact student outcomes? According to Ted Neitzke, it’s to create the conditions that enable everybody in the school system to take on leadership roles.

Ted is the CEO of CESA 6, a consortium that serves school districts in Wisconsin. He is also the host of the Smart Thinking Podcast. Today, Ted shares what he means by leadership, why it’s so important that every employee has the chance to pursue leadership opportunities, and he shares several extremely practical ways leaders can improve schools and help others do the same.

How to recognize people and create processes that will set the stage for people to take on the mantle of leadership
Principles of improvement to apply in your school system
Quick and easy practices that can have a huge positive impact on meetings and working relationships

You may also enjoy:

White Paper: “The Power of Failure: Encouraging Teachers to Take Risks in a Risk-free Environment.” Download Now.

Working with Families in Special Education Oct 11, 2019

As a parent, learning your child has a learning disability or other special need comes with a whirlwind of emotion. “Who will take care of them when I’m not here? How will I make sure they get the supports they need?” Fear and anxiety rear their heads. Everything you pictured about your child’s life is suddenly in doubt – including what school might look like.

Today, we’re speaking with three current and former administrators – and for two of them, parents of a student with special needs – to step into the shoes of these families.

What parents go through when their child receives a diagnosis
How these challenges are especially compounded when a family is new to the educational system in the United States
Why school and district leaders need to be thinking about this issue – not only to avoid litigation, but to achieve more productive outcomes
Strategies for supporting families as they navigate their new reality

DIG DEEPER
We think you’ll enjoy this article, too! 5 Strategies to Improve the IEP Process with Parent Participation

Conflict & Leadership: Shattering the Status Quo Sep 13, 2019

Paul O’Neill and Dennis Griffin, Jr. are principals in schools hundreds of miles apart — yet they regularly encourage and challenge each other through #EduGladiators, an online community of learners.

The principal’s world includes plenty of conflict. And while conflict is never easy, it’s not always bad. Today, Paul and Dennis talk about leadership and conflict, and how when conflict arises, school leaders have a huge opportunity to encourage growth, impact school culture, and create a better educational landscape for students.

How leaders can channel conflict toward productive outcomes
What happens when leaders simply try to avoid conflict
Fostering transparency and building relationships that lead to positive growth
How to deal with conflict when taking leadership at a new school
Big, burning questions to wrestle with as leaders

For further reading:

Get our eBook: “The Power of Failure — Encouraging Teachers to Take Risks in a Risk-Free Environment.” A look at helping teachers develop a growth mindset.

Beating Teacher Burnout Aug 30, 2019

Adam Brown, Ed.D. is an assistant principal for Virginia Beach City Public Schools. As a new teacher, there were days he wanted to call it quits — but he had great support, and got through those tough times. And his research into what causes teacher burnout is packed with insights for teachers, leaders and mentors.

Today, we speak with Dr. Brown and with Basil Marin, also an assistant principal, about their experiences dealing with teacher burnout and what administrators can do to fight it in their schools and give teachers the support they need — whether they’re new teachers or have been in the classroom for decades.

What this issue looks like for novice teachers and for veteran teachers
What the research says about the causes of teacher emotional exhaustion
The impact it has on teacher recruiting and retention
How principals, mentors, coaches and other leaders can support teachers through challenging times

Dig Deeper
Concerned about teacher retention? Check out these resources:

Calculator: How much does teacher turnover cost you each year?
Data sheet: Special Education by the Numbers. When districts struggle to fill positions, special education teachers are often asked to do more with less.

How to Tell If Your Professional Development Is Working Aug 16, 2019

Sheila B. Robinson, Ed.D., has spent decades in education, as a classroom teacher as well as working with adults in professional learning and program evaluation. Today, we ask Sheila about:

Frequent challenges in professional learning
How to collect and analyze data to understand if a professional learning program is meeting teachers’ needs and moving the needle on classroom practice
How to ask questions of teachers that yield actionable insight into your PD program
What to be careful of when analyzing the data

Take a Deeper Dive:
Want to take a deeper look at program evaluation? Be sure to download Sheila B. Robinson’s eBook, “Professional Development Program Evaluation for the Win: How to Sleep Well at Night Knowing Your Professional Learning is Effective.” It’s a detailed overview of program evaluation, including how to engage stakeholders, crafting quality evaluation questions, and collecting, analyzing and reporting on data around your professional learning program.

Five Generations at Work Aug 02, 2019

Ian? He’s of Generation X. Erin is squarely in the Millennial camp. Today on Field Trip, they explore the differences between the five different generations currently represented in the labor force: Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z.

Why understanding the characteristics of each will help administrators and district leaders communicate better and tap the strengths that each generation brings
How to foster intergenerational collaboration and “reverse mentoring”
Why this all matters to school culture and how it impacts hiring and retention

This interview with Ian Halperin, Executive Director of Community Relations at Wylie ISD and Erin McCann, Director of Communications and Public Relations at Crandall ISD is one that every education leader should hear.

Don't Miss:
Field Guide: “Recruiting Millennial Teachers” — How to effectively market your school district to young prospective teachers, plus strategies for enriching your applicant pool through online recruiting.

Learning to See Dyslexia Jul 19, 2019

Garland Independent School District serves thousands of dyslexic students. Dyslexia is a learning disability that has profound effects on students as they move through high school — so identifying students early on is incredibly helpful. But how do you do that?

In this podcast we find out how Garland ISD is empowering people to work across departments, train teachers to become dyslexia therapists, and help teams working with special education and dyslexic students to work together.

What dyslexia looks like, and how dyslexic students experience school
How schools can work across teams to better serve dyslexic students
Takeaways from seeing dyslexic students thrive after identification and intervention

Teacher Job Stress (and Why It Matters to Principals) Jun 07, 2019

Teaching today is more demanding than ever — and whether or not that leads to stress and exhaustion is often up to the principal and how he or she leads the building.

Today we speak with Dr. Brad Owen, Assistant Superintendent of Burkburnett Independent School District in Texas, about his research into teacher stress, faculty trust in the principal, and what principals can do to increase that trust and reduce that stress.

The long-term impact that teacher stress has on a school
The correlation between collaborative leadership behaviors, faculty trust and teacher job stress
What principals can do to increase trust and reduce teacher stress

Further reading on a growth mindset:
eBook: “The Power of Failure: Encouraging Teachers to Take Risks in a Risk-free Environment”

How to Get Parents to Take an Active Role in Your School May 24, 2019

From lunch-and-learns and chat-and-chews to food trucks and taking events out into the community, Hatboro-Horsham High School principal Dennis Williams means it when he says he wants to hear from parents. In this podcast, he shares how they’re working to get parents more engaged in the school lives of their students:

What the changing socio-economic makeup of the community means for parent engagement
Why getting active participation from parents is so important for students and the school as a whole
What roadblocks and questions they’ve had to grapple with as they’ve made parental engagement a priority
How any school can work toward the same kind of success with parents and the community

Also recommended:
Podcast: One District, Two Communities — How does a district strive for equity when it serves two distinct, racially-diverse communities?

Flood Recovery: Livingston Parish Revisited May 10, 2019

In our interview, we asked Bruce Chaffin about:

The 33″ of rain that Livingston Parish got in a 24-hour span, and the impact it had on the district
The financial impact the district faced, and steps Livingston Parish Public Schools is taking to rebuild
Using gamification with principals to reduce teacher absences
How the district saved $63,000 on substitute costs in the first 19 days of school in August 2017, compared with the same time frame 2 years earlier
The impact this reduction in teacher absences has had on student achievement
What they have learned about using data to make strategic decisions
March, we caught up with Bruce at the Frontline Insights Summit in Orlando, and had a chance to find out what’s happening with the rebuilding effort now in 2019, and whether they have continued to see the same impact on teacher attendance and student achievement that they did initially. Stay tuned at the end of the episode for that conversation.

More Resources
Get more details on how Livingston Parish Public Schools used Frontline Absence & Time to unearth teacher absence data and save hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Ownership & Student Voice Apr 26, 2019

Picture what happens happen when every staff member in your school or district – from substitutes to the superintendent – can articulate exactly how they are connected to your educational mission. When students have a genuine voice in their learning. When everyone feels heard and has ownership in education.

That’s what Mountain Brook Schools in Birmingham, Alabama set their sights on.

Director of Instruction Missy Brooks and junior high principal Donald Clayton share why they were surprised when they asked students if they felt listened to or not, and what they did in response:

How they cast a vision for soliciting student voice
What having a voice does for students – and how it’s possible to get excited about learning grammar
How they build ownership in every staff member across the district so that every single person is invested in making an educational impact
Offering professional development that encourages ownership and leadership
How all of this breaks down barriers between the district office, building leadership and staff

You may also enjoy:
White paper: “The Power of Failure: Encouraging Teachers to Take Risks in a Risk-Free Environment” – what it looks like to foster a growth mindset among teachers and staff.

Professional Development School Apr 12, 2019

Kutztown Area School District needed more teachers. So along with several other districts, they offered education majors at nearby Kutztown University the chance to spend time in classrooms — at least 30 hours a year, starting as freshmen.

The goal? A source of amazing, well-trained teachers ready to hire upon graduation. But in the process, they uncovered another gem: the program is tremendously beneficial to teachers as well.

Superintendent George Fiore, high school math teacher Shaylon Krautwald, and Kutztown University education major Georgia Lobb give the details.

More to explore
Infographic: Millennials & Teaching. Why understanding today’s workforce is key to improving instruction and retaining teachers.

English Learners & Restorative Dialogue Mar 29, 2019

As the population of English learners grows across the country, Brazosport ISD in Texas is using restorative practices to support ELs’ growth in language, connect them to differing perspectives, and address behavioral issues.

In this interview with Grace Delgado, the Director of Language Acquisition and Lorin Furlow, the Director of Special Services, they dive into:

The concept of oracy
How restorative practices can be used to support language development and overcome behavior issues at the same time
What it has been like to break out of silos and bring two departments together to help students
Impact on school climate

For Further Reading

4 Ways to Support Staff Working with English Learners.
Interactive Map: ELL Population Growth by State. See how the English Learner population is growing on a state-by-state basis.

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

Rock Star Principals (Redux) Mar 15, 2019

(Rebroadcast)

This week at Insights Summit 2019, our guests Nick Indeglio and Jon Ross are two of our keynote speakers. To celebrate, we're taking another listen to this episode of Field Trip from 2018.

Being a principal can be isolating. Here’s how two principals began to use podcasting, blogging and social media to connect with colleagues around the world — and the impact it had on their schools.

Nick Indeglio and Jon Ross are principals at Downingtown Area School District in Pennsylvania. While carpooling, they would often have conversations about their jobs — being instructional leaders, leading a building, and the impact being principals had on their lives and marriages. Those conversations eventually turned into a regular podcast: The Rock Star Principals.

Our conversation with Nick and Jon looks at how principals and other education leaders are using technology to share new ideas, serve their teachers and staff, and implement world-rocking strategies in their schools.

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

The Camera Doesn't Lie Feb 15, 2019

When April Strong started teaching, she wanted to be the best. But it wasn’t until she started filming her own lessons and watching them back later at night that she was able to see exactly what she wanted to change about her practice.

It was nerve-wracking at first, but over time, April began to love the growth that came from self-reflecting on her videos. “Any serious athlete watches footage of their performances — why not teachers, too?” she asks.

In this interview, April shares why video is such a compelling self-reflection and coaching tool, and how she is using video to support teachers at Martin County School District in Florida, where she is now an instructional coach. And she has practical, simple steps to take for any school that is interested in taking the first step toward using video to support professional learning.

Also, check out our interview with Dr. Jim Knight about using video to support teaching and instructional coaching in our podcast episode, “See Reality, Get Better.”

Further Reading

For more on this topic, check out this white paper: “Ten Strategies to Improve Teaching with Video.” It includes:

Ten different ways video can be used to improve teaching practice
Best practices for using video as a reflection and coaching tool
Real-life examples of organizations that have successfully used video to support educator growth
Tips for those new to using video in evaluation and professional development settings

Grow Your Own Teachers Jan 04, 2019

When leaders at this school district wanted a teacher workforce that reflected the diversity of its student body, the answer was right in front of them.
Jason Olson, Director of Human Resources at Verona Area School District near Madison, Wisconsin, shares why they’re looking to their own students and non-certified staff to help fill their teacher hiring pipeline. It’s more than just a way to combat the teacher shortage (though it is that!) — it’s a way to make a positive impact on students of color.

How they do it (hint: they found a way to cover college tuition for those in the program)
Why it’s worth the cost
The results they’re seeing — after just one year

Field Guide: Recruiting Millennial Teachers

Men and women in their 20's and 30's are making up an ever-increasing portion of the workforce. Are you fully prepared to attract them to your school or district? In this field guide, you'll learn how to effectively market your job openings to prospective teachers, and strategies for enriching your applicant pool through online recruiting. Download it today!

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

How to Do More with Less Dec 21, 2018

The financial crisis in 2008 left many school districts scrambling to stay afloat, save jobs and move mountains for teachers and students. Here’s how one district overhauled their onboarding process in the middle of the most difficult crisis they had ever faced — and didn’t spend an extra dime.

In this conversation with Angela Cooper, Chief Human Resources Officer at Lexington School District Two in South Carolina, and with Kevin Smoak, Coordinator for Evaluation and Effectiveness, we examine:

What they did to save teachers’ jobs as the recession hit
The duty Lexington Two’s HR department felt to keep innovating, even in the midst of crisis
Why they chose to move to a virtual, blended learning style of teacher induction — and why teachers prefer it
Why this virtual model of onboarding is now used as a teacher recruitment and retention tool at Lexington Two

For further reading…

Employee onboarding is a great place to slash paperwork. How do you do it? Our white paper, “The Onboarding Opportunity,” looks at how to support strategic human capital management from the day new teachers and staff walk through the door.

Rocking the Paper Boat Dec 07, 2018

Heather Stocking wanted to give her Human Resources team more time to be creative and strategic. That meant getting rid of a lot of their paperwork. Sounds great, right? But it wasn’t that simple.

This is the story of how the HR department at Bettendorf Community School District went paperless. But it’s really a story about change management. It’s about getting buy-in from teachers, leaders and the school board. It’s about how Heather and her team at Bettendorf carefully (and successfully!) navigated a massive shift away from “the way things have always been done” — calming fears and addressing concerns along the way.

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

Do Teacher Evaluations Make a Difference? Nov 23, 2018

Over the summer of 2018, the RAND Corporation released a report on the results of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Intensive Partnerships for Effective Teaching Initiative. The big question: Did teacher evaluation reforms move the needle on student achievement? In this interview, we speak with researcher, professor and author Dr. James Stronge about his perspective and reaction to the RAND Corporation’s report.

What he believes the report got right, and where he disagrees with its conclusions
The relationship between teacher effectiveness and student outcomes
What we can learn from the work of the Gates Foundation
His #1 recommendation for action schools can take immediately to maximize the impact of evaluations on teaching practice

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

Keeping Great Teachers Oct 12, 2018

A large suburban school district. An 18% year-over-year teacher turnover rate. A superintendent who said, “We need to plug the hole in our bucket.” This is how one school district set out to give teachers more voice.

In this interview we speak with Dr. Jeannie Stone, Superintendent of Richardson ISD in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Dr. Stone talks about the factors that contributed to a the highest attrition rate of any district in their area — and what they did to increase teacher retention.

Conducting “stay interviews” with teachers to identify what their district was doing well in teachers’ eyes, and where they could grow
Action steps they took, such as early release days to free up time for teachers to plan and collaborate, and incorporating teacher voice in planning professional development
Incentivizing teachers to teach at high-need schools, transforming the culture in the process

“I have four completely transformed schools right now and we're already seeing all kinds of data that’s showing that it's going to work — and it is working.”

Resources

Stay Interview Questions

When the administration at Richardson ISD conducted the Stay Interviews, the interviews were simple and accessible for teachers, designed to get at what as truly on teachers’ minds. Here are the questions they asked teachers:

How long have you worked on your campus? In the district?
When you think about your job, what do you love most?
How would you describe your campus to a prospective new hire?
In what ways do you or don’t you feel supported in your professional growth?
If you left RISD, what would you miss the most?
If you had a magic wand, what would be the one thing you would change about your work, role or responsibilities?
What would make RISD an even better place to work?
What would lead you to look at opportunities outside of RISD?
What types of recognitions and acknowledgement increase your loyalty and commitment to RISD?
Is there anything else you would like to share?

Teacher Turnover Calculator

Wondering just how much teacher turnover costs your district? Our Teacher Turnover Calculator gives you an estimated dollar figure, taking into account recruiting and hiring costs, processing and onboarding, and signing bonuses — and looks at how much you could save by increasing your retention rate.

Why RTI? Sep 14, 2018

Why do Response to Intervention and Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports matter? In this interview, we speak with Jim Wright, author of “The RTI Toolkit: A Practical Guide for Schools” about his experience in RTI and how schools can impact students with academic and behavioral tiered intervention systems.

We ask Jim about:

The relationship of school culture and climate to RTI and positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS)
The relationship between RTI and special education
The impact RTI/MTSS has on student outcomes
Current trends in RTI/MTSS
The roadblocks schools face when starting an RTI model, and steps to take to ensure a successful launch

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

RTI resources:

Featured Content - eBook: Performing an RTI/MTSS Academic Screening Process Check-Up, by Jim Wright
National Center on Intensive Intervention: Academic Progress-monitoring Tools Chart
Resources from the Florida Center for Reading Research, with a range of school-wide academic screeners suitable for use in RTI/MTSS.
Grades K-1 Student Center Activities
Grades 2-3 Student Center Activities
Grades 4-5 Student Center Activities
Resources from the Evidence-Based Intervention Network — research-based ideas for reading, math and behavior interventions, co-sponsored by school psychology programs at East Carolina University and the University of Missouri.
Reading interventions
Math interventions

See Reality, Get Better Aug 03, 2018

One of the best things teachers can do to improve their practice is to film themselves teaching, then replay and reflect. This week, we speak with well-known researcher and author Dr. Jim Knight, to learn how teachers and administrators can best use video to enhance teaching, mentoring and coaching.

Dr. Knight’s 2014 book Focus on Teaching looks at this topic in-depth. In this interview, we ask him about:

Why video is so helpful to teachers – even though it may be uncomfortable
Good first steps to take in using video for self-reflection and coaching
Why and how video is also useful to principals, coaches and teams
Best practices in using video for self-reflection and providing peer feedback
How to begin fostering a culture of using video in your school or district

Books, videos and other resources from Dr. Knight can be found at www.InstructionalCoaching.com.

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

The $15,000 Prize May 25, 2018

A financial incentive to reduce the number of personal days teachers take? Here’s the story of one district’s efforts to save money and improve instruction.

Dr. Cecelia McLoon is the Human Resources Director at Jeff Davis County Schools in Georgia. In today’s episode, she discusses the financial incentive they’re offering to any teacher with fewer than four absences, how it’s going over with their employees, and the impact they’re seeing already. We also ask her about:

The data they use to get a better picture of teacher absence and attendance
How teachers and staff view the effect their absences have
The financial savings they anticipate
What they’ll change, and if they’ll try something similar next year

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

Principals & Fishbowls Apr 13, 2018

At Franklin Public Schools in Wisconsin, building the capacity of teachers means developing principals.

In this interview, Director of Teaching and Learning Christopher Reuter and principal Erin King share what they’ve learned over the past few years as FPS has worked to grow building leaders as well as teachers.

Near-immediate post-observation conversations with teachers
Modeling conversations about practice in a fishbowl setting for other administrators to observe
Getting teacher buy-in to the evaluation process
Setting the tone for productive conversations
The vital foundation of relationships and trust in the observation process

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

Collaboration Walks Mar 30, 2018

Gresham-Barlow School District in Oregon has a fresh perspective on learning walks. Looking for a way to offer professional learning opportunities that promote teacher voice and teacher agency and that lead to growth in instructional practice, they began something they call “Collaboration Walks,” where teachers collectively decide on focus areas before observing a lesson.

In this interview, we speak with instructional coach Sarah Hayden, about:

How collaboration walks differ from traditional learning walks
The “real work” that happens during the conversation after the observation
How they fit in with Gresham-Barlow’s evaluation process
What makes them effective, how they’ve been received by teachers and the results they’ve seen across the district

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

Tackling Teacher Turnover Mar 16, 2018

San Marcos CISD near Austin, Texas set out to boost engagement, address the issue of teacher turnover and ultimately improve student outcomes. Here’s their data-driven approach.

In this interview, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Willie Watson explains how they conducted a teacher engagement survey, what they found and the steps they’re taking in response to their findings. We also speak with Henry Wellington, founder and CEO of Upbeat, an organization that helps school districts collect and examine data around teacher engagement.

Some highlights:

The financial and educational cost of teacher turnover across the U.S.
Strategies San Marcos is employing to engage and retain teachers
The role of principal-teacher trust and parent-teacher communication
How San Marcos collected — and acted upon — teacher satisfaction and engagement data

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

Hiring, Engaging & Growing Great Teachers Feb 02, 2018

Branding their district, attracting great candidates and making sure all departments are aligned: how Blue Valley Schools upholds a stellar academic record and ensures they have an exemplary teacher in every classroom for every child.

This interview with Chief Human Resources Officer Bob Kreifels explores:

How Blue Valley’s HR department determines which applicants are the best fit for their district, and then, how they attract them
The rebranding effort that helped shape their success
Internal cross-department collaboration to provide ongoing support for new hires – and make sure they’re equipped to succeed (and stay)

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.

Building a Culture of Professional Learning Jan 19, 2018

Mary Kathryn Moeller and her team facilitate professional learning at Jenks Public Schools in Oklahoma. In this interview, she discusses the big questions that shape their program, how they iterate and improve, and what it looks like to measure impact.

When we spoke with Mary Kathryn, the Director of Professional Development, she spoke with us about:

Developing connections between leaders and across sites to promote learning
Building leadership capacity
The questions they ask when evaluating new professional learning opportunities
Their iteration cycle as they work to refine practice
Promoting positive risk-taking, and exploring ideas like 20% time and dramatic play in professional learning
What data they collect as they evaluate impact

Field Trip is a podcast from Frontline Education.