Welcome to our new series: Beyond the Classroom! Kimberly Robinson, a high school teacher, joins us for a follow-up episode to share more about her life outside of teaching. She begins by discussing her love for research and how she incorporates that into her day-to-day – ranging from listening to podcasts while hiking to sharing her thoughts on her own podcast and Instagram account. Kimberly wraps up the episode by talking about how her passion for research empowers her own teaching, both in the classroom and on social media, and her current work towards her Ph. D.Curriculum Associates' BlogTwitterInstagramEmail: [email protected]

Kimberly Robinson, a high school teacher, joins this episode to talk about practicing mindfulness both inside and outside of the classroom. Having recently transitioned from elementary to high school, Kimberly explains how she’s adapted to her new role. She goes on to share how she incorporates mindfulness with her high school students to ensure they all feel seen, heard, and validated. Kimberly closes out by touching on how what she practices in her own classroom has transferred to her personal life – ranging from not taking work home to prioritizing her family and health.Curriculum Associates' BlogTwitterInstagramEmail: [email protected]

Ashleigh Crabtree, Director of Assessment Implementation at Curriculum Associates, joins this episode to talk about the crucial relationship between assessment and instruction. Ashleigh begins by explaining how assessment and instruction are linked, and the benefits associated with connecting the two. She then goes on to explain the differences between criterion-referenced and norm-referenced assessments. Ashleigh closes out by sharing why criterion-referenced assessments are so effective, as well as how they support educators in the classroom.Ashleigh's blogThe 74 podcastTwitterInstagramEmail: [email protected]

Ty Holmes, Chief Inclusion Officer at Curriculum Associates, joins this episode to share about an upcoming featured mini-series on The Extraordinary Educators Podcast: Stretch Growth Stories! Ty dives into what exactly stretch growth is, and how it differs from scores received from most assessment systems. He goes on to share how stretch growth plays into future episodes of this mini-series, ranging from educator interviews to sharing replicable best practices to meet stretch growth goals in classrooms everywhere. Curriculum Associates' BlogTwitterInstagramEmail: [email protected]

Jeannette Milburn, 6th grade teacher in Maryland, joins this episode to talk about how she uses “Math Labs” for both intervention and extension with students. Jeannette shares how she uses pre-requisite data and information about future units to decide student groupings. This information helps her support the students that need extra instruction, as well as students that need something more challenging. She wraps up by explaining what teachers can do if they want to start their own Math Lab, including where to start and places to go for resources. Curriculum Associates' BlogTwitterInstagramEmail: [email protected]

Nellie Pagan, Vice Principal in New York, joins this episode to talk about how she has used vertical teams to strengthen close reading techniques across all grade bands. Nellie shares how a new three-day close reading protocol was planned, and what each day looks like for students, teachers, and administrators. She closes out by explaining what she looks for when deciding on a new literacy program for the school – ranging all the way from data to teacher feedback.Curriculum Associates' BlogTwitterInstagramEmail: [email protected] 

Presley Seal, teacher in Mississippi joins this episode to discuss engaging students, building relationships, and forming a classroom community with her first graders.  She explains the importance of having a foundation of trust, and provides ways she gets to know her students. From attending out-of-school events, to singing with her students, Presley shares what makes her community special!Curriculum Associates' BlogTwitterInstagramEmail: [email protected]

Monica Maxey, Special Educator at Summersville Grade School in Illinois, joins this episode to talk about mindfulness in her classroom.  Monica dives into how she uses mindfulness, yoga, and bilateral stimulation with her students, especially during transitional times. She explains how she uses music to cue the transition, and how her students can now name the strategies she uses in her classroom.Curriculum Associates' BlogTwitterInstagramEmail: [email protected]

Dr. Janie Brown, teacher in Mississippi joins this episode to discuss tech in the math classroom.  She speaks about using i-Ready with middle schoolers, and how to include the interactive piece to the introduction lesson. Dr. Brown also shares best practices around engaging students and how to encourage discussion between students.Building community in the math classroom resources and tipsPrerequisite report reference sheetCurriculum Associates' BlogTwitterInstagramEmail: [email protected]

David Cisneros, National Director of Content and Implementation at Curriculum Associates, joins this episode to discuss goal setting as we head back into the swing of things in the new year. He discusses revisiting goal setting and how to motivate, instruct, monitor, and intervene with students. He stresses the importance of checking in with students, and communicating goals with students. David also explains how you can make learning a team effort and celebrate both progress and completion of goals.i-Ready Resources:Goal setting guidanceClass data trackersCollaborative Learning Extension: Goal SettingData ChatsCurriculum Associates' BlogTwitterInstagramEmail: [email protected]