The whole point of school is to prepare kids for adult life, but many people worry we aren’t giving kids what they need. Whether kids go right into the workforce after high school or plan to attend college or trade school, they need certain skills to succeed at work. That’s why I wanted to have…
Author: kldudek1980
EP 132: Perspective-taking for therapists, educators, and school leaders (with Lynn Hardin)
In some of the work we do with students, we may have to help them interpret the actions of others or help them understand how they’re coming across. Within the context of executive functioning, this is known as perspective-taking. This is an essential life skill in both our professional and personal lives; which is why…
EP 131: What are tech and curriculum companies doing for K-12 education? (with Meg Hearn)
In K-12 education, there’s been a recent push to go digital, and many educators are wondering if people creating the products have the kids’ best interest in mind; especially in the for-profit space. That’s why I invited Meg Hearn to episode 131 of the De Facto Leaders podcast to get a behind-the-scenes perspective of curriculum…
EP 130: Using private practice to offer accessible services and advocate for your profession (with Ebony Green)
Most people involved in K-12 education aren’t in it for the money, but with high caseloads and low pay; a lot of people are considering a career transition. For people in therapy roles, private practice is a common option on the table; but many come from a “helping people” mindset and struggle with the idea…
EP 129: Professional learning communities and curriculum reform in public and private education (with Tom Conroy)
Many of my listeners don’t know this, but I went to a private Catholic school until 8th grade before transitioning to a public high school. I had what I like to call “Catholic school RtI”, where I got extra reading help with Sister Marie (and it paid off!). I’ve focused a lot of my content…
EP 128: Using K-12 education to create opportunities and find your calling (with Dr. Joseph Williams III)
If kids haven’t developed certain academic skills by a certain age, their ability to advance in their education diminishes. This means the opportunities they have in adulthood decreases. As I’ve been talking with different curriculum experts and school leaders, many of them have shared that closing academic skill gaps is an important part of addressing…
EP 127: Should I get my doctorate? (with Dr. Christy Borders)
I’m excited to share episode 127 of De Facto Leaders about a common debate for therapists and teachers: “Is it worth it to get a doctorate?” In this wide-ranging conversation with my colleague Dr. Christy Borders, we discuss ways to build language skills in students with hearing loss, as well as how to decide if it’s time…
EP 126: Behind the scenes of a K-12 staffing company (with Ryan Cleaveland)
Many clinicians start their careers feeling unprepared to navigate the job market. In a lot of professional groups, I’ve noticed a skepticism towards contract companies, recruiters, and staffing agencies simply because many people working in school settings don’t know who they can trust. If you’ve ever had a recruiter awkwardly slide into your DMs or…
BONUS: The Authority: Baruti Kafele on The Equity & Social Justice Education 50
This week, I’m sharing an interview from another host on the BE podcast network because I think it’s something you’ll really enjoy. The episode is going live in the De Facto Leaders podcast feed. I’m pleased to bring you a conversation from The Authority Podcast here on the Be Podcast Network. You’ll hear from Principal…
EP 125: Time perception, anxiety, and future pacing
When I was younger I was fixated on clocks and the passage of time. It’s accurate to say it was an obsession of mine, to the point that it caused me large amounts of anxiety. It got difficult for me to tell when I was future-planning or when I was catastrophizing. On top of that,…