Episodes
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Today we delve into the critical issue of teacher shortages â 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 Brevardâs comprehensive approach to supporting new teachers, including alternative certification pathways and the powerful role of mentorship. From âSurvival Orientations for Successâ to mock classrooms and ongoing mentor-mentee partnerships, Lynetteâs 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. -
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 â 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 â 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. -
This episode of Field Trip looks at highlights from the inaugural edition of âK-12 Lens,â 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.
Timeline00:00 - 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 DeeperK-12 Lens: Access the full report for a more detailed look at the data.
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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 AIâs place in education now and in the future.
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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.
Timeline00:00 - 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
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In this 4th and final episode of our series on workforce oversight, Frontline Educationâs 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: Itâs 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.Timeline00:00 - 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 ResourcesTemplate: Position Management and Control PlanBlog: Effective Dating & Conditional Workflows in Position ManagementPodcast: K-12âs Balancing Act of Workforce OversightPodcast: Mastering the Art of Managing PositionsPodcast: Position Management: How to Empower Your Principals -
Welcome to the third episode in a short series on workforce oversight in school districts! Once again, we welcome Frontline Educationâs 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.Timeline00:00 - 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 ResourceseBook: 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 theyâre using the system to bring all employee information into one place, save time on contract renewals and forms, and make reporting a breeze. -
âPosition managementâ may not win the award for Most Exciting Phrase anytime soon, but itâs a vital concept in education â 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 Educationâs 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. Thereâs a delicate balance to maintain between position control at the central office level and creative management by individual supervisors and principals.Timeline00:00 - 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 ResourcesBlog: Effective Dating & Conditional Workflows in Position ManagementInfographic: Position Management & Control in School DistrictseBook: Position Management Playbook for School DistrictsCase 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. -
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 â and itâs a lot easier with connected software systems and processes. Hereâs 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. -
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
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âTis 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, Frontlineâs 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 seasonHow to make the case to Finance for your technology budgetShort-term and long-term timing considerationsThe single biggest thing you can do to position yourself for success in the coming yearDig Deeper: Case Study: Faster Device Collection and Distribution, Increased Accountability, and Less Asset Loss â How South Huntington School District manages and tracks devices and makes better financial decisions with Frontlineâs Asset Management. 5 Ways Collaboration Between Tech and Finance Departments Can Create an Impact -
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 theyâve started a new cyber school to compete for students that may otherwise have left. Plus, he shares how heâs creating transparency around district finances to keep the community informed and in agreement â 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 districtâs 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 Frontlineâs 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. -
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. âThe problem is,â says Dr. Steve Castle, Director of Professional Learning and Leadership Development, âit felt forced, and it felt like thereâs no choice in this, and teachers were given the things that were required.â
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 â so teachers select the learning opportunities that will most help them in the classroom. In this podcast, we ask them how theyâre making that happen.
Listen to this 14-minute conversation and hear:
The steps theyâve 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 theyâve learned, and what they would change if they were starting this journey all over again Donât 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 â How Hanover County Public Schools uses Frontline Professional Growth to offer teachers a voice in their learning and bid farewell to a âcheck the boxesâ mentality. Effective Professional Learning Strategies (that Actually Work) â A look at the national landscape of professional development, best practices for an effective professional development program, resources for getting started, and more. -
Portman Wills believes money is key to solving the substitute shortage â even if districts canât raise substitute teacher wages.
Substitute teachers want to be in the classroom, teaching and impacting lives. But finances â and more specifically, waiting anywhere from 2-4 weeks for payday â 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, Wagestreamâs 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: âUnlocking the American Pay Cycleâ: 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 Frontlineâs Absence Management to support substitute teachers, raise fill rates, and expand its substitute pool. -
In 2022, Kelly Coash-Johnson joined a webinar with Frontline Education and EdWeek, and shared five âshiftsâ 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 educatorsâ 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 todayWhat steps some states are taking to address the teacher shortage, and which of the five shifts mentioned above are more difficult to addressActions that school districts can take today to be better positioned to hire in the futureWhat makes Kelly hopeful about education (and hiring in education) as we look to the futureAlso 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 youâre new to 21st century recruitment.On-demand Webinar: Be the Change: Strategies to Make Year-Round Hiring HappenThe Quick-Start Guide to Retention-focused Recruitment -
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 â and the data he looks at to make some of these decisions.
In this conversation with Frontline Educationâs own Collin Osburn, Dr. Isaacson considers:
His view of the current state of hiring in education Why itâs crucial for districts to focus on the things they can control, not the things they canât What a 20-mile radius around his district means for hiring and retentionDig 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.âThe Local Teacher Shortageâ: 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 Doesnât Waste Any Time Hiring & Onboarding -
The teacher shortage has been in the news for years â 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,â 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 â 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 educationOther 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. -
âIf you donât know where youâve been, you donât know where youâre going.â
Thatâs 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. (Thatâs 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).
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School districts collect a wealth of data â 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 decisionsKey issues that school districts should be thinking about they welcome students back in the fall â and how using data can help set them up for successCurrent trends at the intersection of education and analyticsThe single biggest question that district leaders can ask and answer with data to drive greater student outcomes and achievementJoin 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 IndicatorsFrontline Student Analytics: Close the digital divide, address learning gaps, eliminate equity and achievement gaps, and more. See it in action. -
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 theyâre 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 â like, say, finding missing kindergarteners â and you have a position thatâs integral to a modern districtâs 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 aboutâ and the importance of data not just in the short term, but for predicting the future as well.
Weâll discuss how being prepared with a view of the districtâs data helped him land his current job, along with:
Why being a school business official is about more than just numbersHow data impacts an SBOâs day-to-dayThe importance of refining a long-range financial plan as you go - Montre plus
