Conference Podcast Episodes
Podcast
Our Making Schools Work podcast features insights and examinations of all the different issues facing the K-12 classroom and school.
Sometimes, we talk to our conference presenters and Pacesetter winners in order to give educators opportunities to learn from these experts whether they can make it to their session.
On this page, you will find all of our conference-themed episodes. However, you can also go to the main podcast page to find all of the episodes.
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You can find us anywhere you listen to podcasts by searching “Making Schools Work Podcast.”
Flex Time and Job Shadowing: Teacher Perspectives from Richland High School
Richland High School in Mississippi has restructured its schedule to give students more opportunities for growth — and the results are impressive. In this third episode featuring Richland, we hear directly from two teachers about how Flex Block and career-connected learning are changing classrooms and student lives.
Social studies teacher Joycelyn McDavid and career readiness teacher Jennifer Osborne join Daniel Rock and Richard Morrison to share:
From Data Walls to Student Success: How Floyd D. Johnson Tech Center Transformed Learning
Floyd D. Johnson Technology Center in York, South Carolina, is proof that small communities can make big changes for students. By embracing honest data, personalized improvement goals and strong community partnerships, the school has transformed student outcomes — and earned recognition as an SREB Pacesetter School.
In this episode, Daniel Rock and Marsha Moseley talk with Director Lee Green and teacher Angie Covington about how Floyd D. Johnson:
Beginnings and Endings: How to Hook Students and Make Learning Stick
Welcome to Season 2 of the Making Schools Work podcast! In this episode, Daniel Rock, Jason Adair and Ashley Shaw kick off the season by exploring one of teaching’s most powerful truths: beginnings and endings matter.
From first-day activities to closing strategies, the hosts dive into research and classroom-tested ideas that help teachers capture students’ attention, build curiosity and leave lasting memories. Along the way, they share personal stories, classroom examples and practical tips that educators can use tomorrow.
Summer AI Series: How to Pick AI Tools for Your School
Part of our summer series on SREB’s Guidance for the Use of AI in the K12 Classroom.
In this final episode of our special AI series, Ashley Shaw is joined by Leslie Eaves to discuss the crucial “AI Checklist” – a practical guide for educators and leaders looking to implement artificial intelligence tools in their K-12 classrooms. This episode wraps up our deep dive into the “Guidance on AI and K-12 Instruction” report and its practical applications.
Featured Speaker Spotlight: Creating Community Programs With PENCIL
In this episode, we’re joined by Aimee Wyatt, SREB’s director of leadership and professional learning, and our special guests from PENCIL: Alayna Cate, director of partnerships, and Bob Kucher, chief partnerships and programs officer. PENCIL is a Nashville-based non-profit dedicated to connecting businesses and the community with Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Pacesetter Spotlight: Bryant Park Elementary’s Art Integration Program
In this episode, Daniel Rock and Jason Adair delve into the remarkable journey of Bryant Park Elementary, an SREB Pacesetter School in Jefferson County, Alabama.
We talk to Principal Cortney Slaughter and teacher Alex Wilson about how they built a thriving school from the ground up since its opening in 2020.
Pacesetter Spotlight: Richland High School’s AP Program and Career Connectedness
Welcome back to Part 2 of our special episode with Richland High School in Mississippi! In this continuation, Principal Marcus Stewart and Assistant Principal Heather Bryan delve deeper into the strategies and systems that have driven their school’s remarkable growth.
Pacesetter Spotlight: Richland High School’s Flex Block
Welcome to a special two-part episode of the Making Schools Work podcast! In this first installment, we’re joined by Richard Morrison, senior leadership coach at SREB, as he discusses his three-year partnership with Richland High School in Mississippi. We also hear directly from Richland High School’s principal, Marcus Stewart, and assistant principal, Heather Bryan, about their incredible journey of improvement.
Special Episode: Coaching the Coaches – How One Georgia District Supports Instructional Coaching at Every Level
In this episode, Jason and Dan sit down with Kanisa Williams, an instructional coach from a large Georgia district, who coaches other instructional coaches. They talk about how coaching cycles are implemented not just with teachers, but with coaches, and the importance of modeling, trust-building and communication.
Kanisa shares how she supports new coaches in clarifying their role, planning productive coaching cycles and using teacher data to identify priorities.
