About: The VPA Podcast was started in the winter of 2019. Original artwork by Montpelier High School Student-Class of 2022, Lili Ecklund Gustavson. Production and editing by Mallori Longevin and music title, Fate, by FreeBeats.io. Our host is Mike McRaith, the VPA’s Assistant Executive Director.
- Episode 13 – Joe Truss
In this episode, we speak with Joe Truss of Truss Leadership. Joe will be a speaker and stand presenter at 2022 leadership academy. Joe is committed to dismantling white supremacy culture in schools. He is a father of 3 children and a husband of a High School History Teacher. He brings 18 years of education experience, and originally grew up in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. Learn more about Joe and his current offerings at: https://culturallyresponsiveleadership.com/
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- Episode 12 – Future Design School
In this episode, we speak with Sandra Nagy, who leads the Education Practice at Future Design School, building strong academic partnerships with school leaders that help to drive their strategic priorities through consulting support, professional development and efficacious curriculum resources. We talk with Sandra about the premise of the school, their Future of Education Report, and the how and why schools might more fundamentally reimagine the goals, design, and methods of learning to better help students be future ready. Here is the link to their upcoming, June 7th free webinar event: Understanding the Future of Education
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- Episode 11: VT Entrepreneurship & Education
We talk with Laurel Butler of the VT Small Business Development Center, Tammie-Jo Dickinson Champlain Valley Union High School Business Teacher, and Gwen Pokalo of the Vermont Center for Women and Enterprise about the importance of developing entrepreneurial skills and what we can do to increase access to business development for underserved Vermont populations. Related links: Community Navigator Program
Additional Links for Secondary Students and Educators:
Main Link: https://www.vtsbdc.org/specialty-services/youth-entrepreneurship/
Competition for Student Business Plan (Business Model Canvas) and Business Video Pitch: https://www.vtsbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/14th-Annual-Student-Bus-Entrepreneurship-Competitions.pdf
Professional Development for Educators – last year info – and will be similar for fall 2022:https://www.vtsbdc.org/specialty-services/teacher-professional-development/
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- Episode 10: Democracy in the Kitchen
In this episode, we talk with UVM’s Dr. Belliveau and educator, Kathy Lara about all that can be learned when you are cooking to learn, not just learning to cook–in the course, “Democracy in the Kitchen, John Dewey’s Education Through Cooking and Eating” Learn more at: go.uvm.edu/
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- Episode Nine: With Sarah Pickering
(September 9, 2020) On this episode of the VPA podcast Mike spoke with Sarah Pickering. Sarah is the 2020 National Association of Secondary Schools Vermont Robert Pierce High School Principal of the year. She is the principal of Arlington Memorial High School in Arlington. Ms. Pickering just began her third year at Arlington and previously served as principal of West Rutland. Sarah’s nomination was full of support and praise.
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- Episode Eight: With Stacy Rice
(September 3, 2020) On this episode of the VPA podcast Mike spoke with Stacy Rice. Stacy is the 2020 John Winton Vermont Middle Level Principal of the year. She was the principal of Burke Town School in West Burke. At the beginning of the 2020 – 2021 school year, she took on the roll of Director of Student Services in the Kingdom East School District central office. Stacy’s nomination was full of support and praise.
“Stacy Rice is an educational leader who most definitely creates an inclusive, caring and supportive environment for both students AND teachers. She knows every student by name and gives them a warm hello and welcome.”
“She cares deeply about students living in poverty and works tirelessly to promote their wellbeing by making all school activities equally accessible and strong for all students.”
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- Episode Seven: With Jeff Renard of VTVLC
(May 14, 2020) Mike spoke with Jeff Renard of VTVLC. VTVLC is offering the Online Teaching Best Practices course to help teachers prepare for next year. This standards-based, 10-hour online course is facilitated by an experienced online teacher in cohorts up to 14 educators over a 3-week period. Start dates are flexible up to June 15th. Administrators can pre-register their cohorts here. Schools are also able to choose from a long list of supports, including Canvas and online content with over 140 course titles so teachers do not have to develop and curate over the summer. Full list of titles can be found here. Additional questions can be directed to Director/Principal at jrenard@vtvlc.org
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- Episode Six: With David Bennett
Mike spoke with David Bennett. David has been working in the field of education and student support for the past 14 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in Biological Science and secondary education and a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work. He has spent the majority of his professional career working to develop a comprehensive understanding of the issues that impact youth ability to connect with their education and live empowered lives. He believes that public schools are one of the most integral components to help make this happen. He has worked to develop multiple programs of study that combine social and emotional learning and building student self efficacy to academic curriculum. He currently works in private practice as a therapist and experiential educator in Central Vermont.
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- Episode Five: With VPA Executive Director, Jay Nichols
Mike interviewed VPA Executive Director, Jay Nichols, on the morning of April 10th, 2020. They talked about the latest from state leadership on COVID-19, the worries, the pride for VT educators, nitty gritty of attendance policy with distant learning, access to internet, educational funding, and more. Please excuse some paper shuffling and less than perfect sound quality. Hopefully the expediency of the content makes up for it.
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- Episode Four: With Mara Iverson, Director of Education at Outright Vermont
Our first ever remote podcast! With social distancing enacted, we connected with Mara Iverson, Director of Education at Outright Vermont to talk through school leadership, student voice, and how we can best serve LGBTQ+ youth through school closure and beyond. Here is the guidance that Mara references regarding recommendations for schools in conjunction with the VT-AOE.
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