Today we conclude the first season of the Inspiring Learning Podcast with a very special guest- Cicley Lewis Cicely was named the 2020 School librarian of the year and is the founder of the Read Woke Movement. She has been quoted as saying that reading is her superpower, and today Cicely elaborates on how she uses that power to inspire learning and impact her students. She also highlights the unique ability all school librarians have to impact learning - even in ways beyond books. We'll also hear her thoughts on the role of the school librarian amid the COVID 19 pandemic. Stay tuned...

Today I go behind the scenes at Follett and have a conversation with Laura Byars, one of the Follett Academic consultants who helps district leaders find the very best content for their students. Today you will learn about the work experience and passion for literacy that has led Laura to a career that inspires learning across the country... stay tuned.

Today I have a conversation with Ben Lundholm, and as you will hear he has worked with a variety of libraries over the years. In our conversation we focus on the true value of a school library. And as most of us know, there is a wealth of research that demonstrates the impact a robust school library has on learning; but as you'll hear, this may be only part of the story when advocating for the library. I think you'll also appreciate our reflection on the unspoken message that a library program communicates to the students. Stay tuned...

Today I have a conversation with Kate MacMillan who is the Coordinator of Library Services for Napa Valley USD. In this episode Kate talks about the importance of partnerships with the community, the need for the library to be flexible and nimble, and what a school library looks like when it genuinely feels an obligation to the community it serves... stay tuned!

In today's episode you'll hear a story about a dream - a dream to try something new, explore a new world, to take on new challenges and develop new skills. This is the story of a young girl in the illustrated book titled, Tiny Jumps In, created by Guba Publishing. But as you'll hear, it is also the story of Raya Rahman, the founder of Guba Publishing. You'll be interested to hear how both stories lead to unexpected adventures but meaningful outcomes. This is a story meant to inspire others to jump into their dreams, as well... stay tuned!

Today we turn to the world of film and movie promoting for insights on inspiring curiosity, exploration and learning in the library. My guest today is Bruce Fletcher, the library Multi Media Specialist at Roosevelt Elementary School in San Leandro - But before he worked in the library, Bruce had a career promoting film festivals. You'll be fascinated to hear how Bruce understands human curiosity and desire, and how he structures his library in a way that encourages curiosity and provokes a desire to read and learn. You'll hear tips on gaining trust, creating street marketing teams, and using anticipation to get kids excited about learning.

Today I have a conversation with Jennifer Shafer of Thorndike Press to discuss an exciting new study that sees large print increase reading comprehension and retention, but most importantly, provide a positive reading experience for students who might otherwise be reluctant to read. For more on this important advancement in literacy, stay tuned...

In this episode I have a conversation with Janice Townsend who is a faculty member in Child Development at Los Medanos College. In today's conversation, Janice addresses the question What is social and emotional learning? and she discusses the importance of creating a safe environment .

Today I have a conversation with Kyle Cornforth. Kyle is the Executive director of MakerEd, an organization located in the Bay Area that supports Maker Education across the country. You may have heard of maker education or makerspace, and may know that there is a lot of talk about making, but wonder what is makerspace? What is its purpose or goal? Is it effective? Is it something that I can do as a librarian, teacher, or school? And how do I get started? In today's conversation Kyle addresses these questions and provides guidance and points us to resources for effective making in education, stay tuned...

This is the Inspiring Learning Podcast. On this podcast I have conversations with educators, librarians, and individuals who are inspiring learning in the classroom and beyond. Today I have a conversation with Phelicia Lang. Phelicia's journey began when she was a stay at home mom, and noticed that books and material that reflected her own children were not locally available in the schools and libraries. As she sought out resources from across the country, she was inspired to pursue a Masters in Reading language arts with a focus on multicultural literature, along with a Reading Specialist Credential. Today she is not only a Reading Specialist, Literacy and intervention coordinator, Phelicia is the author of The Tay books, which she writes to assure students see themselves in literature. In today's conversation you will hear about the people who inspired phelicia's journey, The Tay books which she writes to RAISE readers - these are 5 important elements that teachers can include in the classroom to engage early readers and Phelicia describes each one. Also for resources on multicultural books and a few of Phelicia's own recommendations, stay tuned...