Skeptics of the Science of Reading claim that the current push for evidence-based reading instruction is just another pendulum swing. Yet if you look at the research, we haven’t so much been “swinging” as much as we’ve been building, evolving, and expanding on what we know about how we learn to read. Even though the…
Tag: occupational therapy
EP 139: Cell phones, 1:1 device initiatives, and homework policies in K-12 education (with Dr. John Burkey)
Learners in K-12 settings have changed over the past 25 years, and what were considered best practices in the 1990s may no longer work for learners in the 2020s. Much of this is due to technology, the invention of the Iphone, and the skills young adults need when entering the workforce. There’s a large amount…
EP 138: Increasing access to instructional programs in rural districts (with Chris Dodge)
If you’re providing therapy or tutoring services, contracting with schools, or offering professional development to K-12 professionals, you won’t want to miss this episode. As someone who has explored the possibility of school contracts, I’m always looking to learn more about how school leaders make decisions regarding budgets and staffing. I grew up in the…
EP 135: How to read the room, speak with confidence, and sell your ideas (with Roberta Ndlela)
If you want to learn how to present information to school boards, administration, or other leadership or land more speaking engagements, you won’t want to miss this episode! Reading the room is an essential life skill, whether we’re talking about a child navigating recess, or an adult trying to navigate the workplace. For kids, this…
EP 133: Is K-12 education preparing kids for the workforce? (with The Fabulous Learning Nerds)
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…
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…