Compass PD Podcast with Dr. Carrie Hepburn Podcast

Compass PD Podcast with Dr. Carrie Hepburn

Compass PD
Research says the single most influential way to impact instruction is by increasing the knowledge of the educators who teach it. Join Dr. Carrie Hepburn as she talks with fellow educators on how we impact student achievement through professional development. 
Compass PD Episode 38: District Leaders in December a Time for Reflection and Refinement
Are you ready for valuable insights from Dr. Carrie Hepburn from Compass PD? Imagine a world where your professional workload doesn't feel like a crushing burden! This episode focuses on the demanding duties of educators and offers a fresh perspective on maintaining a sustainable workload. Hear Dr. Hepburn's enlightening account of a curriculum team's exercise that aimed at understanding the impact of changes and expectations on elementary teachers. She emphasizes the importance of deep, multifaceted learning in a world overloaded with resources and technology. Remember, 'blue sky thinking' is not just a jargon; it's a space where your imagination runs free to dream about the future of learning. The episode encourages listeners to reflect during winter break, set realistic goals, and take control of different aspects of their lives.  As the year ends and winter break looms, we encourage you to catch your breath and reflect on your journey. We suggest two transformative reads - "Atomic Habits" and "The Four Disciplines of Execution" that can help shape your habits and bring clarity to your goals.As the episode ends, we leave you with a warm wish for a restful winter break and a gentle nudge to keep the flame for education burning brightly.
Dec 19, 2023
14 min
Compass PD Episode 37: What is Strategic Planning Pt. 2
Prepare to unlock the secrets of strategic planning in school districts as Dr. Carrie Hepburn and Dr. Chris Greiner delve into the importance of this fundamental process. This is no mere administrative task; strategic planning is the key to continuous improvement, driving success, and, most importantly, equipping students with the skills they need for their future. We promise you a wealth of information and insights as we tackle how "all means all" and the unique methods of supporting every student's learning pace. Guest expert, Dr. Greiner, joins us to delve further into the planning process, simplifying the steps to developing an effective strategic plan. He shares invaluable tips on engaging the community, monitoring progress, and making necessary adjustments over time. Get ready as we unravel the mystery of how strategic planning can provide a return on investment for school districts and bring to life big dreams for staff, schools, and students. This is your opportunity to understand how strategic planning can transform your district and guarantee a brighter future for your students.If you missed the first part of this conversation, check out Episode 34: Delving into What is Strategic Planning Pt. 1. 
Dec 6, 2023
30 min
Compass PD Episode 36: Holiday Season Survival  for Teachers
Ever battled the end-of-year frenzy in your classroom? Chaos seems to have a field day with homecoming, Halloween, elections, and holidays all vying for your and your students' attention. But worry not! Join us for a transformative conversation with educators Dr. Carrie Hepburn and Dr. Natalie Fowler from Compass PD as they provide a lifeline with practical strategies to navigate this whirlwind period.As high school teachers know, the challenge of maintaining academic focus amidst shortened bell schedules for assemblies is a tricky balancing act. We uncover the significance of incorporating mini-lessons and practice activities and the potential of implementing flipped classrooms to counteract this disruption. But don't miss out on the essential angle of sensitively maintaining inclusivity during holiday-themed lesson planning. We underline the need to prioritize core curriculum and skills even more during this period.Let's not ignore the elephant in the room - the holiday season. It comes with its share of potential absences and difficult family situations for students. We'll arm you with proactive strategies to prepare for these. Plus, we'll share tips on making work relevant and tied to the curriculum to prevent students from falling behind. Because acknowledging and addressing the potentially harmful effects of the holiday season for some students is as crucial as academics, so, lend us your ears for this episode crammed with valuable insights and strategies to help you thrive amidst classroom disruptions during the holiday season!Check out previous episodes with Dr. FallertEpisode 18: Cultivating Classroom ExcellenceEpisode 19: Embracing Classroom RoutinesEpisode 24: An Innovative Approach to Enhance Student Success and MotivationEpisode 30: A Deep Dive Into Goal Setting, Monitoring, and Tracking
Nov 28, 2023
31 min
Compass PD 35: Using Data to Create the Plan for Next Year
Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development Leaders, join us for a deep-dive discussion with education expert Dr. Carrie Hepburn from Compass PD as we navigate the nuances of district leadership and talk about enhancing instructional practices and curriculums in November and December. Carrie shares her insights on gathering meaningful observational data through classroom visits and Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and the significance of forging solid relationships with teachers and students.Strategizing is critical when planning for change in curriculum, instruction, assessments, and professional learning. Carrie unravels the importance of having a plan in place and how it can potentially safeguard against disruptions.  This episode is packed with valuable insights and practical strategies that can revolutionize your approach to district leadership.Helpful links that support this episode:EPISODE 20: Leading the Organization Essential Skills for Curriculum and Professional Learning LeadersEPISODE 26: Navigating the School Year with Data and StrategyEPISODE 29: Mastering District Leadership, From Budget Planning to Effective CommunicationEpisode 12: Is PD Planning and Curriculum Overwhelming?Plan Outline (example of what Carrie used in previous district)Mastering the Art of Professional Learning: Unlocking the Five Critical Attributes for Success 
Nov 9, 2023
25 min
Compass PD Episode 34: Delving into What is Strategic Planning Pt. 1
Ready to reimagine the strategic planning process in education? Join me, Dr. Carrie Hepburn, as we embark on a thought-provoking journey with the brilliant Dr. Chris Greiner, unraveling the essence of strategic planning and its impact on educational institutions. Dr. Greiner introduces us to the concept of strategic plans as promises districts make to themselves and their communities, shedding light on how this approach can transform the reactive nature of many educational districts into proactive, goal-driven entities. The engaging conversation takes a deeper look at the crucial role of stakeholders - including board members, teachers, community members, and volunteers - in crafting a successful plan. We underscore the necessity of comprehensive, forward-thinking plans that respect and celebrate the district's achievements. Compass PD supports communities in this vital work. The strategic planning process can breathe life into communities, providing valuable support to districts on their continuous improvement journey. Whether you're a district leader, school board member,  or an educator invested in strategic planning, this episode arms you with practical insights to begin the exciting process of goal setting and achievement in the educational field. So, buckle up and prepare to transform your strategic planning process with us!
Nov 7, 2023
19 min
Compass PD Episode 33:  Increasing Content Knowledge of Educators to Experience a Phonics Transformation
Welcome to the Compass PD podcast, where we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of professional learning in education. In this episode, join Dr. Stephanie Brenner as she sits down with special guests Kelly and Chris to embark on a transformative journey in literacy education.Tune in as Dr. Stephanie and her guests share their remarkable odyssey of reshaping phonemic awareness and phonics instruction within their district. Their story begins with a quest to elevate the content knowledge of literacy leaders in their community, setting the stage for a profound shift in how they approach teaching reading.The heart of their journey lies in meticulously examining their existing phonics resources, which they systematically compare with evidence-based research on the foundational principles of reading. This critical analysis leads to a pivotal decision – to leverage the materials already at their disposal while constructing a new scope and sequence aligned with the science of reading.The podcast delves into the nuts and bolts of how the literacy team tirelessly crafted daily lessons that adhere to the best practices of phonics instruction. They share the challenges they encountered along the way, emphasizing that their path was not always smooth, but every moment of effort was worth it.Kelly and Chris candidly recount their realization that while they were working hard before, the desired results in student learning remained elusive. The turning point came when they realized it's not about the program itself; it's about harnessing evidence-based research, expanding content knowledge, and being unafraid to roll up their sleeves and get to work.The podcast highlights the tangible outcomes of their dedication and determination: heightened expertise within their district and a curriculum that now harmonizes with the science of reading. Perhaps most inspiring of all, they achieved this transformation by making the most of the resources already available at their fingertips.Join us in this illuminating episode of Compass PD as we explore the inspiring journey of Dr. Stephanie Brenner, Kelly, and Chris. Their story serves as a testament to the power of research-based practices, continuous learning, and the unwavering commitment to improving student outcomes in literacy education. Tune in now and chart your course for transformative professional development in education!
Nov 1, 2023
29 min
Compass PD Podcast Episode 32: Maximizing Coaching Effectiveness at the End of the Semester
Ever wonder how to maximize your coaching effectiveness, especially as the semester draws to a close and the holiday season approaches? Join us for an insightful discussion with Dr. Stephanie Brenner as we navigate critical considerations for coaches. We'll discuss ways to fully utilize remaining coaching time, strategic planning for a fruitful new year, and the value of data analysis and reading interventions for young learners. Our conversation with Dr. Brenner spans teacher growth and reflection, exploring coaching strategies such as copycat teaching, whispering, and jigsaw teaching to empower teachers. We stress the importance of revisiting goals set at the beginning of the coaching cycle and maintaining a consistent pace and devoted intervention time. We round off our chat, focusing on the first semester's final stages and discussing the predictable hurdles that may arise in November and December. We underscore the coach's role as an emotional support pillar and the organization's backbone during these challenging times. So tune in because this episode is about setting you, the coach, up for success!
Oct 24, 2023
26 min
Compass PD Episode 31: The Principal's Playbook for Balancing School Improvement and Holidays
Want to know what it takes to navigate the challenging months of November and December as a school principal? Compass PD's Dr. Bridgett Neidringhaus tackled this head-on. She highlights critical areas like tracking student attendance, achievement data, teacher instruction, interventions, and tips for maintaining a positive school climate. Bridgett delves into the necessity to monitor school improvement plans and share ideas on supporting the staff and students during these bustling months.The conversation wouldn't be complete without touching on the holiday season. Dr. Neidringhaus discusses how school leaders can maximize classroom time during holidays, especially through learning walks. She offers practical advice on scheduling practices, managing the season of giving, and activities to ensure the holiday spirit is felt, but not at the expense of learning.Finally, she administrators of the importance of wellness; she talks about the importance of self-care and shares strategies to encourage wellness among school leaders. Tune in to discover how caring for yourself can resonate with the care you give to others and the overall success of your school.Supporting EpisodesEpisode 17: Winning the School Year: Insights from Dr. NiedringhausEpisode 22: Mastering the Art of School Leadership, the First Month and BeyondEpisode 27: Mastering High-Stakes Conversations-A Guide to Communicating Effectively
Oct 20, 2023
37 min
Compass PD Podcast Episode 30: Empowering Students: A Deep Dive into Goal Setting, Monitoring, and Tracking
Today, we promise a transformative conversation on student goal setting, monitoring, and tracking. With insights from our esteemed colleague, Dr. Natalie Fallert, we will empower you to help your students take ownership of their goals and become accountable for their progress. Drawing from rich resources like the National Council for Social Studies and the Next Generation of Science Standards, we'll share strategies for offering students a range of specific and attainable goals. We'll also explore how to instigate and sustain goal-oriented conversations among students and between teachers and students, opening up avenues for self-reflection and growth.Strap in as we dive into the second part of our chat where we illuminate how to energize students with attainable goals and the importance of a systematic approach in tracking progress. We will discuss challenges students might face and how to offer support in these situations. You'll discover the potential of simple tools like Google Forms, post-its, and notebooks for tracking goals and how parent-teacher conferences can be leveraged to facilitate students' self-reflection and sharing their progress with parents. This episode is brimming with practical wisdom and actionable strategies - your toolkit for successfully helping students navigate their educational journey. Don't miss out!
Oct 3, 2023
30 min
Compass PD Episode 29: Mastering District Leadership-Budget Planning to Effective Communication
Have you ever thought about how your school calendar could embody your values? Imagine a shared understanding of priorities that fosters deep relationships and maintains balance within your school community. I'm your host, Dr. Carrie Hepburn, inviting you on a compelling journey of school district leadership. Together, we'll uncover the power of Professional Learning Network meetings, build robust communication plans, and navigate hurdles of time management and staying motivated amidst the chaos.But that's just the tip of the iceberg. We'll also delve into the often daunting world of budget planning and data analysis. Picture an ideal budget, a financial roadmap that reflects your educational goals and realities. We'll discuss how to use data to make tough decisions and the significance of immediate intervention when your classroom structures, routines, and pacing derail. Also, discover how shadowing students can enhance your understanding of their everyday experiences. As we close out, we highlight the importance of resource sharing, goal prioritization, and budgeting for ambitious dreams. And in the spirit of reaching the stars, let's share this episode with fellow leaders. After all, our collective impact could transform the learning journey of a million students!
Sep 27, 2023
26 min
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