Keeping Students On the Cutting Edge

We're joined today by Dr. William Smith, Dr. Smith is the Superintendent of Kent City Community Schools.

Dr. Smith discusses the changes that schools are undergoing and need to undergo to help students stay competitive.

He shares how Kent City Community Schools have focused on health sciences in order to give graduates and education that will allow them to remain in the area in a field that is growing. "It requires them to be focused on things that are beyond the next day, and that's where our biggest reform is."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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School Communications in Tough Economic Times

We're rejoined today by Ronald Koehler, Ron is a past president of the MSPRA (Michigan School Public Relations Association), Assistant Superintendent of Kent ISD, and President-Elect of the National School Public Relations Association.

He discusses the importance of school communications between the school and the community as well as between the school and the students.

Ron talks about using school communications to engage the community whether it be regarding curriculum, crisis, or day-to-day operations: "when done right, it's good two-way communication."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Fading Local Newspapers and School Communications

We're joined today by Garth Kriewall, Communications Supervisor at St. Clair County RESA and Member of the Port Huron Area School District School Board.

Garth discusses the changes in communications technology over the last few years and the opportunities those changes offer for school districts.

He discusses new media, from e-mail, to websites and social networks, "Those channels of communication, are cheap, they are easily accessible, they are available to everyone."

His final word on school communications: "It's not only good to communicate, it's vital to communicate."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Improving Public Schools through Relationships and Customer Service

Today's podcast features Kelly Middleton and Liz Petitt, co-authors of Who Cares: Improving Public Schools Through Relationships and Customer Service and Associate and Assistant Superintendents of Mason County Schools in Maysville, Kentucky.

Kelly and Liz discuss implementing a customer-service-based approach within the school in order to better compete with charter schools and private schools.

Kelly describes the advocate system that has been implemented in Mason County Schools, "Every student shall have an advocate in our system just as every teacher probably has a union rep with their phone number right at hand."

We hope you enjoy the show!

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Michigan School Public Relations

Today we're joined by Michelle Ready, Communications Supervisor at the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District and President Elect of MSPRA, the Michigan School Public Relations Association.

The topic of the show is the MSPRA Conference which is to be held this Thursday and Friday, November 5 and 6, 2009 at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Michelle shares some of the many reasons why school districts should pay $85 a year to be members of the MSPRA and gives us insights into the reasons why Public Relations is so important for both Public and Non-Public Schools today.

We hope you enjoy the show!

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2009 - 2010 Michigan Teacher of the Year

Today we're joined by Rob Stephenson, third grade teacher at Wardcliff Elementary School in Okemos. He was named by the Michigan Teacher of the Year for the 2009-2010 school year by the Michigan Department of Education.

A parent of former students of Rob said of him: "Mr. Stephenson creates an environment where students thrive and enjoy their education. He has the ability to make students feel great about themselves and their work. He makes learning fun by incorporating an extraordinary array of hands-on experiences. The kids love it, and more importantly they learn!"

Rob talks about his approach to teaching and how he works to bring innovation and creativity to the classroom.

We hope you enjoy the show!

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Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run

This week we're joined by Jason Reinhold and Sgt. Kevin Sweeney. Jason Reinhold is an athlete with the Special Olympics and is currently the spokesperson and the front line person for the Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Sgt. Kevin Sweeney is a Michigan State Police officer and sits on the Executive Committee for the LETR program here in Michigan.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a year-round fund-raising event for the Special Olympics. Sgt. Sweeney explains the importance of the program: "the money we raise stays here in Michigan and it's used by the Special Olympics to host their events. Special Olympics does not receive any funding from anywhere else, other than through donations. So it's just imperative that the donations continue."

We hope you enjoy the show!

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School Boards Declare Themselves Insurance Policyholder

Today we talk with Jim Palm, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services at Berrien RESA, about Healthcare insurance and how it fits into the landscape of education labor relations.

Jim talks about the healthcare insurance in educational labor contracts, "Insurance and healthcare benefits are mandatory subject of bargaining... besides salary, it is probably the most costly item that we have."

His district was able to save a large amount on healthcare insurance by being the owners of their policy, rather than through a third party. He explains the strength of this approach, "You do have more control over your plan, plan document ...and you can see what pieces of your insurance program are costing you the most..." According to Palm, Under Michigan Public Act 112, the identity of the policyholder is not subject to negotiation with the union. If a school board names itself the insurance policy holder, that's the final legal word.

We hope you enjoy the show!

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Educational Technology Leadership Conference and Michigan Joint Education Conference

This week we're joined by Ric Wiltse and Blaine Goodrich to discuss the upcoming Educational Technology Leadership Conference and Michigan Joint Education Conference. The conferences will run back-to-back from June 22nd through June 24th at Holt High School.

Blaine says of the MiJEC, "It's one of the best designed conferences that anyone could possibly have... ...virtually every subject that anybody could want to have some insight on is represented at this particular conference."

Ric describes the aim of the ETLC: "Our conference is aimed at building and district and regional level technology coordinators, but we also appeal to any educator who uses technology in the classroom."

It's not too late to register for either conference! You can register at the MACUL website, or the MiJEC website. We hope you enjoy the show, and the conferences!

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Science, Technology, Engineering and Math meet Business in the Classroom

This week we are joined by Doug Oppliger, Director of the High School Enterprise Program at Michigan Technological University. The High School Enterprise program is "a program that gets students organized in groups that operate like businesses." The students handle the project from budgets and planning to completion with the help of a teacher/coach.

Projects in the High School Enterprise program are STEM based (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and may last several semesters or school years.

Doug describes the goal of the project: "The overarching goal is to get more students interested in STEM careers..." He also adds that many other disciplines are needed, buisiness, marketing, and communications all play an important part of the program, "it's not just science, it's lots of things altogether in getting these projects done."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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March and the Mysterious Mammoth

We're rejoined this week by Joseph Kchodl, paleontologist and author of the series of children's books called 'PaleoJoe's Dinosaur Detective Club'. He updates us regarding his field trip give-away last year and his new and upcoming books.

PaleoJoe describes the field trip to Wyoming and what the children did, "We actually had a chance to dig dinosaurs. The students had several stations that they actually participated in. One station was actually digging for dinosaurs. They got a chance to actually see what dinosaur bones look like in the ground."

"They did everything that a paleontologist does, right on the ground, digging dinosaurs, and in the laboratory. It was spectacular."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Michigan Property Tax Valuation Appeals and School Funding

This week we're joined by Debra Reese, the Assistant Superintendent of Grandville Public Schools, about the effect Property Tax Valuation Appeals are having on public schools and education funding in Michigan. These appeals are a sensible move for businesses in the current economy, but are an issue that school administrators need to be aware of.

Grandville Public schools has been seeing many of these recently, as Debra related, "Some of these appeals, they're not just for the current year, they're for previous years. and that's what can impact us." Her's is not the only district that faces this issue, "I know there is another neighboring district in Kent County that is looking at a major tax appeal that goes back to, I believe, 1994." This can hit schools especially hard because "then you're hit not only with the money that you have to give back, but the interest on it also."

Debra said of the interview: "My goal is just to educate people so that they understand some of the choices and decisions that we [school districts] have to make."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Changes for Kindergarten Instructional Time Requirements in Michigan

In our 50th interview, we talk with David Martell CPA, CFO - the new Executive Director of Michigan School Business Officials. The topic is on the new rules regarding kindergarten enrollment and alternative kindergarten programs.

The legislation specifies that in order for schools to achieve a full FTE they will have to offer a full day of Kindergarten. Previously a full FTE had been awarded for half-day Kindergarten Programs. In essence, schools will now need to extend their Kindergarten programs to a full day in order to maintain the same funding. While this seems to be an equitable path, the change in school funding will represent yet another financial challenge for many school districts.

Martell talked about the current funding crisis: "As we approach the Revenue Consensus Report next week we expect to see some very harsh economic situations for schools, looking at the 09-10 school year. Schools may not see any increase in their foundation allowance and all their expenses are going up."

He goes on to say, "this is really the worst time for us to implement a proposal like this. Hopefully the State Legislature will look at this as well and say that this is a good idea but that the time just not right. Maybe this is something we can push of to the future."

We hope you enjoy the show.

Michigan Department of Education document regarding the issue.

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Career Technical Education in Michigan

This week we talk with Paul C. Bergan, Regional Director for Career/Technical Education at the Berrien County RESA. The topic of our show today is Career Technical Education in Michigan. Mr. Bergan has served as President of the Michigan Council of Vocational Administrators and is a member of the Association of Career and Technical Education.

Mr. Bergan discusses what Career Technical Education has been to education in the past, "Career Technical Education is so much different from your old vocational ed. as you knew it 20, 25 years ago, -- where if a student couldn't make in the academic side, they shift him over to vocational or something, 'where maybe he could get a trade'... Well, that whole system has changed."

Regarding Career Technical Education today and in the future, "It used to be that we could train people to go out into the world and get a good job right out of high school. That is not the case anymore." "The Role of Career Technical Education is: expose students to, number one, is to prepare them for 21st century jobs. We wanted to prepare them with the skills that they'll be able to utilize throughout the next training level of their career."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Technology Bond Paths and Pitfalls

This week we talk with Paul Hillman, Partner and Director of Client Relationships in the Technology Consulting firm C/D/H. The topic of our conversation is Technology Bond paths and pitfalls. Paul is well versed in K-12 Educational Technology consulting and his insights will be interesting to anyone looking to establish and manage a Technology Bond.

Paul advises "I would say to superintendents to not get snowed by the techno speak that often happens from maybe our own IT department or certainly the vendors that come in and promise the world. These are fairly straightforward matters when we really start thinking about them. Kids have to learn. We need enabling technologies to help with that. Sometimes its software, sometimes its document, cameras or projector systems. Don't get caught up in the whizz-bang features of what is happening out there."

Further on the point he says, "Do what you know is probably right, which is kids are going to need computers, they are going to need access the internet. We need to protect them when they get out to the Internet. We need to make sure that the systems that the school district has are reliable, that the teachers can depend on it, and then go down that path."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Interview with Holland Christian Schools - Apple's 1 to 1 Learning Initiative

This week we talk with Glenn Vos and Tim Kamps from Holland Christian Schools. The topic of our show today is Apple's 1 to 1 Learning Initiative, a program that the school has been involved in for the past four years.

"If we are going to really impact teaching and learning, putting laptop computer in the hands of students 24-7, is really the key." Said Glenn Vos, Superintendent, "We have really looked at how students learn today, what it might take in terms of tools, and as we considered lots of possibilities looking out into the 21st century, the Apple Initiative just jumped out to us to say, this is probably the best way that we can do this."

Tim Kamps, Technology Director for Holland Christian and MACUL's President-Elect advised. "Every student 6th through 12th grade has a laptop, an Apple laptop that they use all throughout the school year. They use it at school; they take it home. All the teachers also have laptops. We try to breed a culture of anywhere anytime learning."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Interview with Mike Arnold - EdTech Podcasts

This week we talk with Mike Arnold about his EdTech Podcasts. Mike is the Professional Development Specialist with the Regional Educational Media Center (regions 3 and 9). He has a Bachelor's degree from Alma College in Biology and a Master of Arts in Secondary Education for CMU.

When asked about his EdTech Podcasts Mike told us, "One of the things I hear when I work with staff is that I just don't have time to find (what I need) so I need it delivered to me in a quick, easy fashion."

"The idea behind the EdTech Podcasts is to give teachers content that they can use immediately and also in a very short amount of time. My podcasts are usually under seven minutes, so I can give them information I have discovered, a Web 2.0 application, a conference that may be coming up or interview with someone."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Interview with Kim Cairy - President of the Michigan Art Education Association

This week we talk with Kim Cairy, President of the Michigan Art Education Association about the importance of preserving art education in our schools and their 59th annual conference titled "Art Brings Hope, Healing and Change".

"MAEA serves as a professional organization for students, pre-service teachers, art educators, and higher ed educators around Michigan. We are unified with the National Art Education Association. We roughly have around 1,300 members that are part of Michigan, and we serve as a professional development source, a networking source, and an informational source, and a resource for our teachers in Michigan."

When asked about the need for Arts in education Kim said, "We have to be creative in looking at our future, and that our future now deserves a very different kind of person. A person that has a different kind of mind, and to quote Daniel Pink; his book, 'A Whole New Mind', we are looking at creators, empathizers, pattern recognizers, meaning makers."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Interview with John Helmholdt, Communications & External Affairs Coordinator for Grand Rapids Public Schools

This week we talk with John Helmholdt, Communications & External Affairs Coordinator for Grand Rapids Public Schools about what is involved in running a communications department for the 3rd largest district in the State of Michigan.

With quick smile John quips: "I like to define (the position as) a professional firefighter, a little pick pocketing, some herd management, cat herding, a little ego management, but, no; in all seriousness, it is very unique in the sense that we are -- we are the third largest district. We have 20,000 students, 3,400 employees and we have a two-person communication office. So we really have a lot on our plate."

When asked about the most pressing issues facing large urban schools John tell us it's "breaking down, tearing down false perceptions. Too many people have developed perceptions of schools, yet, they have never set foot in a single building."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Interview with David Dieterle, President of the Michigan Council on Economics Education

This week we talk with David Dieterle, President of the Michigan Council on Economics Education (MCEE), an organization focused on providing leadership and promoting and strengthening economic education in our State.

When asked about the MCEE areas of focus David told us, "There's an old adage; Teachers can't teach what they don't know and students can't learn what they aren't taught, and so as a result a major focus of ours is the area of professional development."

David shares the councils vision of quality: "Quality in two ways; what I call squeaky clean economics' it's good sound fundamental, it's basic, and what every citizen young or old needs to have a proper understanding of our Economy and then along with that, is making sure that the programs are pedagogically sound; that there is a good educational base behind it."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Interview with Mike Bernacchi and Paul Galbenski with America's Marketing High School

This week we talk with both Mike Bernacchi, Professor of the University of Detroit Mercy and Paul Galbenski, Instructor for Oakland Schools. Our topic is America's Marketing High School, a nationwide online business marketing curriculum which incorporates lectures, podcasts and materials that bring the impact of marketing and advertising to life using current events such as the Olympics and the Super Bowl.

The Web based Curriculum is available for free at www.americasmarketinghighschool.org and also at iTunes U in the MI Learning portal. Comprised of 10 - 15 minute Podcasts, the Mike-roScope Newsletter and Economic and Advertising Modules, this content is current events focused and free for use.

When asked who the curriculum was focused on, Paul Galbenski advised, "Certainly one of the key components would be all of your business, your marketing, your advertising, your media teachers that they have at the k-12 district ... but over the time that this has evolved, we've also had the mathmatical departments, we've had some people that teach statistics that were involved with this..."

We hope you enjoy the interview.

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Interview with Terry Davidson, Director of the Annual Michigan School Testing Conference

This week we talk with Terry Davidson, Director of the Michigan School Testing Conference and a self-proclaimed "quantoid". Terry shares his insights and a deep historical understanding of the topic matter and annual conference for Michigan School Testing.

"Ultimately, any test data that are collected, as far as I am concerned, need to be justified, and the primary justification for it, if I am a School Superintendent, has to do with gathering assessment data that help local classroom teachers make intelligent decisions about the effectiveness of their instruction, that's number one." Terry states.

"I understand the State wants data and I think there are ways to get that, but we can't lose sight of the fact that if we take teachers away from their primary task and don't arm them with the kind of data necessary to make intelligent decisions about what's effective instruction for each and every student in their class, we have lost the battle."

We hope you enjoy the interview.

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Interview with Bruce Umpstead on Apple's announcement to extend iTunes U to K-12 Public Education and Michigan's Pioneer Role in the Effort

This week we talk with Bruce Umpstead, Director of Educational Technology and Data Coordination for the Michigan Department of Education. Bruce tells us about Apple's recent announcement at the National Educational Computing Conference in San Antonio, Texas to extend its popular iTunes U from Higher Ed to K-12 Education.

"We are one of eight states that announced our pilot sites yesterday. Our site is called MILearning and you can find that when you log on iTunes U or iTunes."

"We're actually going to be offering stipends to teachers to develop content... We're focusing on Michigan history, because that's something rich, that we can provide, that no other state can provide. We are looking for teacher-developed content and we're looking for programs like this that will spread the news about what's going on in education."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Interview with Liz Kolb, author of "Toys to Tools: Connecting Student Cell Phones to Education in and out of the Classroom"

This week we talk with Liz Kolb, Adjunct Assistant Professor at Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan. She is completing her PhD in Learning Technologies at the University of Michigan and taught high school and middle school social studies at Cincinnati, Ohio. Liz is the author of a new book titled Toys to Tools: Connecting Student Cell Phones to Education in and out of the classroom.

Liz explains "The title and concept of my book may turn off many educators and administrators... I think we need to give another perspective that cell phones can actually be tools that are very helpful for classroom learning."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Interview with Daniel Quisenberry of MAPSA and the Role Public School Charter Academies can play in solving the Dropout Crisis.

This week we talk with Daniel Quisenberry, President of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies. Dan shares with us the mission and vision for MAPSA and the role that Public School Charter Academies can play in helping solve Michigan's Dropout Crisis.

"Big doesn't work any more for students -- I talked to one of our school Principals, who said, 'Dan, my most important job is to know when a student changes their hairstyle.' You have to know a kid to know some of that and then you say, 'What's going on in your life?' And that matters to teenagers and then you can make sure you are tying up the academics with it as well, but those are the components you were hearing the other night and yeah, for kids that are experienced a little rebellion in their life, you want a school that's willing to tackle that."

We hope you enjoy this show as we continue to seek ways to solve the 'silent epidemic' of children who are dropping out of school.

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Interview with Doug Pratt of the MEA on the Public Hearings "Dropouts: One is Too Many"

This week we talk with Doug Pratt, Director of Communications for the Michigan Education Association (MEA) after the first of 10 public hearings planned in communities across Michigan focused on finding ways to fix what is described as a "Dropout Crisis" in our State.

Doug shares the vision for the hearings: "We have nine hearings remaining across the state. Our goal is to bring in input from that broader community that is impacted by the dropout crisis. We need to hear from the business community. We need to hear from law enforcement. We need to hear from parents. We need to hear from educators, and most of all, we need to hear from young people, from our students; who either have dropped out and who have come back, or who have resisted the urge to drop out and have stayed in school, or frankly others who have dropped out and have not come back, and talking about their experiences. We need to get the full picture here in order to solve this problem."

We hope you enjoy the interview and will participate in the broader discussion.

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Interview with John Fazer and the Landmark Teacher Contract Settlement at Holton Public Schools

This week we talk with John Fazer, Superintendent of Holton Public Schools. The school district had been without a teacher contract for 2 years before he became Superintendent and it took another two and a half years to resolve the dispute.

The landmark solution involved teachers accepting lower cost but comparable Health Care Insurance plan which saved the district thousands of dollars a year. The teachers also agreed to make an annual Employee Health Insurance Contribution of $100 in addition to sharing in annual insurance cost increases.

The teachers, some of the lowest paid instructors in the State were rewarded with increased payment in terms of Longevity Rates and Salary Increases. Truly a "win / win" situation.

"We took the benefits that our teachers currently had and took them word-for-word and then sent them out to various insurance vendors... They differed from $1,320 to $1,022 (per month). So, roughly $300 a month, roughly $3,600 a policy, now for a district like Holton where you have 70 teachers, which is nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars a year."

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Interview with Brian Broderick from the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools

This week we meet with Brian Broderick, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools, an organization which advocates for and provides services to educators and parents, parishes and congregations, to establish and enhance quality faith-based schools that will nurture, challenge and support children and youth.

Brian shares information about MANS and its role representing more than 90% of the parochial schools in Michigan. In particular he talks about his organizations role and the State Legislature. "...one overriding issue that MANS has been involved with since its inception and really which drove its beginnings in the early 70's is aid to non-public schools, it's been before the Michigan voters on a number of occasions. It hasn't met with much success."

Since our inception Inside Michigan Education has focused heavily on K-12 Public Education. We welcome Brian to our show and value his insights into the Non-Public Schools.

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Interview with Robert Burgess on the Perfect Storm for Urban Schools

This week we meet with Robert Burgess, CFO for Lakeshore Public Schools in Stevensville.

While is own school is fairing quite well, Robert walks us through the convergence of issues resulting in a near Perfect Storm that many of our Urban Public Schools are facing.

Framed quite simply in terms of current economics and simple accounting, Robert lays out why he believes our Urban Schools are already engaged in a "death spiral" with a 10 year outlook that is bleak.

"I am not criticizing schools of choice, I am not criticizing public schools academies, I certainly will not criticize our parochial schools; they are a blessing for many of those parents and students. I guess what I am saying is what happens to the kids that are left behind."

We invite you to listen to this podcast and ask you to share it with people you know. Clearly, what happens to our Urban Public Schools will affect all of us in one way or another. We hope you enjoy the show.

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Interview with Justin King with Michigan Association of School Boards

This week we talk with Justin King, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of School Boards, an organization focused on providing quality educational leadership services for all Michigan boards of education, and an advocate for student achievement and public education with the State legislature.

Justin shares insights into the organizational structure of the MASB as well as its focus on training, advocacy and the close correlation between a trained educational board that is working in tandem with the Superintendent and high student achievement.

"We've taken a look at the districts across the country, there have been a couple of studies that show where board and superintendent are pulling the wagon in the same direction in the same way, and they're a team. That permeates throughout the community, and people feel good about it and kids tend to be in an atmosphere in their buildings where they're learning better. The opposite is also true, however; and that's the sad part where there's antagonism going on. That also permeates in the community and somehow rather the atmosphere isn't as conducive to learning. You can show that with test scores."

We hope you enjoy the show.

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Interview with Bill Cecil - 2003-04 Teacher of the Year

Bill Cecil has taught for 22 years in the Waverly Community School District, he is the author of a book titled Best Year Ever - Winning Strategies to Thrive in Today's Classroom and in 2003-04, Bill represented all Michigan teachers as teacher of the year during that year.

Bill talks to us about what it was like to represent all Michigan Teachers as teacher of the year. "It is probably the scariest roller coaster ride you ever are going to be on, but it's an incredible year."

Bill's latest project in association with MIEM is a free video-on-demand seminar designed to "spread a message of hope and determination to those fellow colleagues out there, not just teachers, but all educators" Bill says his efforts are inline with Malcolm Gladwell's book called 'The Tipping Point' "I think the epidemic has already started, but I wanted to help spread this epidemic."

We invite you to listen to our podcast, read the transcript or skip right to his video on demand seminar at this link: http://www.gomiem.org/

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Interview with David Sipka from Montague Area Public Schools

This week we talk to David Sipka, the new Superintendent of Montague Area Public Schools. He shares with us a unique view of what it is like to be half way into his first year as a new Superintendent of a Michigan Public School.

When asked about his most pressing issues, David advised, "Our district had been cutting into their fund equity for the last three years. In this past year, out of $1.2 million fund equity, they were going to take about $700,000 out of it just to fund the operations, and I said we just can't do that."

He goes on to say. "I stole Governor Granholm's line from her State of the State Address from a year ago. ""We need some reform, some restructuring, and some more revenue"". That has really been my mantra coming into the district."

Have you thanked your Superintendent recently? David thinks you should. "I really think the public needs to give a hug to all those educational leaders that are out there today, because there are a lot of great people in public schools that are working day and night, that sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with a shot of adrenaline, thinking about what they have to do the next day or what challenges lie ahead."

Don't miss this interview. Listen to it, or just read the transcript. Either way, you will enjoy this podcast.

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Interview with Michael Bugenski from Michigan North Central Association - NCA

This week we talk with Michael Bugenski, Director of North Central Association in Michigan. He talks to us about the benefits, process, and history of NCA Accreditation as a process for improving school performance.

Michael refers to accreditation as not so much an end result as a commitment to a process. "It is not where schools are standing; it's how they are moving. It is a process of being vigilant about constantly improving and asking ourselves how are we doing."

When asked about the volume of schools involved in Michigan NCA, Michael advised: "1600 schools or just about half of the schools in Michigan are accredited by North Central".

Has your school given up NCA accreditation to save money? I would invite you to listen to this podcast.

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Interview with Dr. Ryan Olson from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy

This week we meet Dr. Ryan Olson, Director of Education Policy for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Ryan is the co-author of a new book with Michael D. LaFaive titled: "A Michigan School Money Primer - For Policy Makers, School Officials, Media and Residents".

Ryan talks to us about the Mackinac Center for Public Policy and this non-profit, non-partisan research and educational institute's efforts to help solve public policies, solutions to public policy problems.

He details the contents of several of the publications from the institute as well as his quarterly newspaper the "Michigan Education Report" which is available online at www.educationreport.org.

Be sure to listen to this insightful and informative podcast. We especially invite you to share this interview with people you know who might not be on our list already.

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Interview with Colin Armstrong on the Fundamental Inequities in Public School Funding

This week we listen to part 3 in our series of interviews investigating the fundamental inequities in public school funding. Our third guest is Colin Armstrong, Superintendent of Muskegon Public Schools.

Colin Armstrong has been in education for 36 years, but in point of fact has only been in Michigan for a year and a half. Prior to Michigan, he was a Superintendent in North Carolina and led a successful legal challenge in that State's Supreme Court against the State of North Carolina pursuing more equitable funding of Public Schools.

When talking about the inequities in Public School Funding in Michigan, Colin speaks with passion, "And what you then see is this terribly insidious plot, and I have used the word plot specifically. This does not just happen and nobody has noticed it. This is happening because those that have the economic and political power to make it happen are working to ensure it stays the way it is."

Don't miss this podcast!

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Interview with Nick Ceglarek on the Fundamental Inequities of Public School Funding

This week we listen to part 2 in our series of interviews investigating the fundamental inequities in public school funding. Our second guest is Nick Ceglarek, Superintendent of Fruitport Community Schools.

Nick gives us the history behind public school funding prior to Proposal A as well as after. Specifically he demonstrates the effect that tax base has on funding for urban and rural school districts.

This second interview in the series is not to be missed.

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Interview with Steve Cousins on the Fundamental Inequities of Public School Funding

This week we start the new year with a series of interviews investigating the fundamental inequities in public school funding. Our first guest is Steve Cousins, Superintendent of Reeths-Puffer Schools

Steve advises "Reeths-Puffer has a 35 and a half million dollar budget, if we were funded the same way as the top funded district in the state, we would have 23 million dollars more to spend on education."

Be sure to listen to the interview, as I'm sure you'll find it both interesting and insightful.

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Happy Holidays

Thank you for your support. This has been a great year for Inside Michigan Education.

Have a Happy Holidays, we look forward to seeing you next year.

Interview with Andrea Ybarra-Jones on Schools of Hope

Andrea Ybarra-Jones is beginning her year in AmeriCorps VISTA and she is here today to talk with us about the Schools of Hope in-school literacy program.

The effort, a partnership between the Grand Rapids Public Schools and the Heart of West Michigan United Way is looking to add 2,000 volunteers in an effort to provide in-school tutor assistance to children who are reading just below grade level.

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Interview with Al Widner on "Keep Learning... Our Future Depends On It"

This week we talk with Al Widner who is the Superintendent of the Eaton County Intermediate School District. Al talks about an innovative initiative that is raising parental awareness of the life long implications for their children if they fail to obtain a quality education.

The initiative, called "Keep Learning... Our Future Depends On It" was responsible for sending parents of students "million dollar checks", representing the difference between the lifetime earnings of someone who graduates from high school versus those who have a bachelor's degree.

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Interview with Rachel Jungblut on the WorkKeys Tool and NCRC

This week we talk with Rachel Jungblut, program manager for the WorkKeys Innovation of WIRED West Michigan. WorkKeys is a tool that is part of the foundation of the National Career Readiness Certificate, which gives job seekers, those who prepare them and employers a way to connect and communicate.

Rachel gives us insights into the purpose of the WorkKeys foundational skills measurement tool, the WIRED Innovation and the NCRC at it relates to building a qualified workforce.

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Interview with Liz McCormick on the Innovation Curriculum

Can you teach people to be innovative? Liz McCormick believes the answer is yes, and she's not alone. In Part 2 of our Series on WIRED West Michigan we meet with the Director of Continuing Education and Training at Grand Rapids Community College and the champion of the Innovation Curriculum initiative.

Liz shares with us the underlying thought process behind the innovation curriculum and why she believes it's vitally important for Michigan to actively teach innovation to its workforce.

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Interview with Greg Northrup on WIRED West Michigan

This week we talk with Greg Northrup, President of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance, about the WIRED West Michigan Initiative made possible by a $15 million grant from the US Department of Labor.

In this the first in a series of three podcasts devoted to the topic, Greg gives us a high level overview of the West Michigan Strategic Alliance and the WIRED West Michigan Initiative. His interview today sets the stage for subsequent interviews with the Innovation Curriculum Initiative and the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Initiative.

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PaleoJoe's Ultimate Field Trip Contest: A class trip to Wyoming for a Dinosaur Dig

One lucky classroom full of kids, along with their teacher and some parents are going to win the field trip of a lifetime! They will join author and paleontologist PaleoJoe on a three-day dig at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. It's not too late to get your students registered to win!

Joseph Kchodl is the author of a series of children's books called PaleoJoe's Dinosaur Detective Club and he's the real life inspiration behind the main character. He joins us in the Foxbright Podcast Studio to talk about his books, the work he does communicating dinosaur and fossil information to children and communities, and the contest giving away the "Ultimate Field Trip".

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Interview with Tracy Samilton and Sarah Hulett of Michigan Radio

Throughout the month of November, Michigan Radio presents Grading Michigan Schools, a multi-part series that takes an in-depth look at education in Michigan. In this week's episode we meet Tracy Samilton and Sarah Hulett; two of the reporters / producers who are exploring the pressing and often complex education issues facing our state.

During our interview we talk to Tracy and Sarah behind the scenes of this series to hear about the stories they found most compelling. From Innovative changes for children with special needs to heart wrenching decisions related to No Child Left Behind, this Michigan Radio series is not to be missed.

Michigan Radio is WUOM 91.7 FM in the Ann Arbor/Detroit, WVGR 104.1 FM in Grand Rapids, WFUM 91.1 FM in Flint. Michigan Radio is your NPR® News Station.

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Mid-Year Break / Call for Topics

It was about 6 months ago when I formally announced to my family that I intended to be the host of my own radio show called Inside Michigan Education. I remember the puzzled looks, the slight tipping of the heads, and the casual way my wife said, "oh really...?" This was probably because it was about 7-years ago when I similarly announced my intention to start my own business; a decision which gave us what we now fondly refer to as "the lean years".

Fortunately, starting up Inside Michigan Education did not require me to quit my day job, and in fact, we now rent out our podcast studio as a way of covering the costs of putting on the show. It's not profitable, but at least it's not a loss either. And, since the goal of the show was to provide a casual venue for fellow Michiganders to meet people with a passion for education, I am fairly pleased with the results.

There is however one part of the show which I would like to change, and to be successful, I will need your help. You see, so far, I have been solely responsible for selecting the people who I interview. While that is ok to get the show started, it seems to me that a better process would be to hear from you, our listeners, about what you would find interesting.

So please, take a few minutes to pass along some feedback. Tell me about someone you think I should talk to, or a topic you think is important, and I will try my best to set up the show.

Thank you for your support, and I am looking forward to the rest of our first year on the show. Until next week, this is Rob Huisingh with Inside Michigan Education.

Interview with Mr. Thomas White of the Michigan School Business Officials

In this week's interview we talk to Mr. Thomas White, Executive Director of the Michigan School Business Officials (also known as MSBO). While many people might not be used to seeing the words Michigan School and Business Officials together, Tom assures us that in many cases schools are a community's biggest business.

"Most people understand the curricular side of education, but there is a business behind that curricular side; whether it's transportation, food services, managing facilities, which are multimillion, hundreds of millions of dollars in terms of their value, and that's what our members do. They do all those things. They do the auditing, accounting, and payroll, and purchasing, and all the things that keep a school going."

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Interview with Mark Thomas regarding the American Diploma Project Network's Next Generation State Assessment and Accountability Systems Advisory Group

This week we talk with Mr. Mark Thomas, Principal at Northview High School regarding his participation in the American Diploma Project Network, an initiative of Achieve which includes 30 states that are dedicated to making sure every high school graduate is prepared for college or work. Together, Network members are responsible for educating more than half of all U.S. public school students.

Mark is the only principal in the 29 member Advisory Group and he shares his insights following the meetings in Washington D.C. this past September.

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Interview with Lynn Boyd of the Every 15 Minutes Program

This week we talk with Lynn Boyd, a concerned parent in the North Muskegon Public School District. In May of 2007, just weeks before Prom, Lynn orchestrated an event called "Every 15 Minutes". During those two days she helped an entire high school come as close as anyone would care to get to experiencing a real alcohol related traffic fatality.

The event is unique in its design and powerful in its impact. Lynn shares information about the program as well as her experience bringing about its first ever production here in Michigan.

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Interview with Dan Pappas of the Michigan Institute for Educational Management

In this week's episode we talk to Dan Pappas, Executive Director for the Michigan Institute for Educational Management (MIEM) and the Associate Director for the Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA).

Dan gives us insight into how the Michigan Institute for Educational Management supports professional development activities for educational leaders in Michigan. With more than 66 scheduled events between now and May, the organization provides information to more than 10,000 front line educational leaders.

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An Interview with Mike Riemersma advocating the NAIA Champions of Character Program

This week we talk with Mike Riemersma, Champions of Character Representative at Cornerstone University. Mike talks about the general deterioration in the culture of sport today, as well as his efforts to promote the NAIA Champions of Character Program in Michigan Schools.

The NAIA Champions of Character Program is an educational outreach initiative which emphasizes the development of character and integrity, not only for NAIA college students, but for younger students, coaches and parents in our communities.

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An Interview with Nathan VanDuinen: a Recent Graduate from Grand Valley State University looking for his First Teaching Position in Michigan.

In this week's episode we talk with Mr. Nathan VanDuinen, a recent graduate from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. As a Student Teacher Nathan had the opportunity to take part in a full year of practical experience at two different public schools, and he is now actively searching for his first teaching position in Michigan.

Not unexpectedly, Nathan is finding the market for new teachers in Michigan to be somewhat less promising than what he had hoped it would be when he decided to pursue a career in education.

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An Interview with Dr. Yong Zhao on the potential risk of relying too heavily on MEAP scores

In this week's episode we talk with Dr. Yong Zhao - University Distinguished Professor of the College of Education at Michigan State University. The topic of our conversation is the Federal No Child Left Behind Law and the dangers Dr. Zhao believes are inherent in the system to our global competitive edge.

Dr. Zhao is the Director of the Center of Technology and Teaching, the Director of the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence, and he is also the Executive Director of the Confucius Institute.

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An Interview with Jack Roberts of the Michigan High School Athletics Association

In this week's episode we talk to Mr. Jack Roberts, the Executive Director of The Michigan High School Athletics Association. The topic of our discussion begins with Jack's perception of why High School Athletics are important, and leads into the primary mission and role of the MHSAA.

Jack also shares his vision for the way ahead in light of perhaps "the greatest challenge we have seen (in Michigan High School Athletics) since our tournaments were disrupted during World War II."

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An Interview with Wendy Lewis Jackson about the Kent School Services Newtwork

In this week's episode we are joined by Wendy Lewis Jackson. Wendy is the executive director of the Grand Rapids Education Reform Initiative with the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Our topic today is the Kent School Services Network, a ground breaking effort which has resulted in improving student attendance at one school from 57% to 73% in just one year.

The concept for the network in the year 2000, as a result of work going on in the Grand Rapids Education Reform Initiative; a coalition that was launched by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, the Fry Foundation and the Steelcase Foundation who have come together to make an unprecedented commitment to improving schools within the city.

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An Interview with Michigan State Senator Bill Hardiman on the new Education Foundation Tax Credit

In this week's episode, we are joined by Michigan State Senator, Bill Hardiman. Our topic today is the new Education Foundation Credit created with the new Michigan Business Tax Act. The interview also includes a brief discussion on Senate Bill 673 introduced to revise the provision in the law allow school districts to establish a single-gender school, class, or programs.

Michigan State Senator Hardiman was elected in November of 2002 to represent the 29th State Senate District, representing the cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Lowell and the townships of Cascade, Lowell, Vergennes and Grattan.

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Interview with Ronald Koehler APR - Assistant Superintendent of Organizational and Community Initiatives for KISD

This episode of Inside Michigan Education features a discussion with Ronald Koehler APR, the Assistant Superintendent of Organizational and Community Initiatives at the Kent ISD. Ron is a past president of the MSPRA (Michigan School Public Relations Association) and is the current Mideast Vice President of the NSPRA (National School Public Relations Association).

In particular Ron shares his insights into the role of Public Relations for K-12 Education.

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A Discussion with Sheryl L. Mase, the Director of Statewide Services with the Library of Michigan

This episode of Inside Michigan Education features a discussion with Sheryl L. Mase, the Director of Statewide Services with the Library of Michigan.

In particular Sheryl shares insights into the Michigan eLibrary (also known as MeL) with a focus on services for K-12 Education.

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A Discussion on Schools of Choice with Terry Babbitt, Superintendent of the Mona Shores Public School District

This episode of Inside Michigan Education features a discussion on Schools of Choice with Terry Babbitt, Superintendent of the Mona Shores Public School District.

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Tune in next time for an interview with Thomas White, Executive Director of the Michigan School Business Officials and their efforts to improve the leadership of and management in school business and operational services.

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Discussion on School Consolidation with Susan Meston, Ph.D., Superintendent of the MAISD

This episode of Inside Michigan Education features a discussion on Consolidation with Susan Meston, Ph.D., Superintendent of the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District

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Tune in next week for a discussion on Schools of Choice with Terry Babbitt, Superintendent of the Mona Shores Public School District.

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Discussion on the new high school graduation requirements with Jim Ballard, Executive Director of MASSP

This episode of Inside Michigan Education features an interview with Jim Ballard, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals

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Tune in next week to hear a discussion on school consolidation with Susan Meston, Ph.D., Superintendent of the MAISD.

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Interview with Paul Stanifer, Executive Director of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association

This episode of Inside Michigan Education features an interview with Paul Stanifer, Executive Director of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association

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Tune in next week to hear from Jim Ballard , Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.

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Jamey Fitzpatrick, President & CEO of the Michigan Virtual University.

This episode of Inside Michigan Education features an interview with Jamey Fitzpatrick, President & CEO of the Michigan Virtual University.

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Interview with Ric Wiltse the Executive Director of MACUL

This episode of Inside Michigan Education features an interview with Ric Wiltse the Executive Director of MACUL.

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Tune in next week to hear from Jamey Fitzpatrick, President of the Michigan Virtual University.

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