In our last podcast, we spoke with Diane Tavenner about the path forward: How schools and families should prepare as we all head into the unknown – the launch of the first full school year during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Today we talk with Diane again, this time about how she – and the approach to learning that she developed through Summit Public Schools – got here.
Like anything else – perhaps even more so – education today requires a blend of the visionary and the practical: We need the extraordinary ideas and insights to reach the seemingly impossible goal of ensuring opportunity for every child… but also the practical paths – the daily steps required to make those opportunities possible.
But what should that blend look like? How does it integrate not only a clear focus on academics, but also what's happening beyond the classroom. And how should the crucial teacher, parent and student relationships and responsibilities work together to bring that vision to reality?
Diane answers these questions. And as you’ll hear, “opportunity” and “practical” are very important words in her vocabulary.
Some background: Diane is the co-founder and CEO of Summit Public Schools, which operates 15 public middle and high schools in California and Washington State. She also serves on the board of T.L.P. Education, the organization helping schools across the U.S. to implement Summit Learning – Summit’s personalized approach to education. Before founding Summit, Diane spent ten years as a public school teacher, administrator, and leader in traditional urban and suburban public schools throughout California.
Diane is also the author of “Prepared: What Kids Need for a Fulfilled Life,” which offers “a blueprint for how parents can stop worrying about their children’s future and start helping them prepare for it.”
One note before we start: This second conversation with Diane was actually our first one together. We recorded this conversation about five months ago – in fact, I open the talk by asking her about a great honor: Bill Gates had recently listed “Prepared” as one of his five holiday recommendations. Unfortunately, just as that conversation was about to post, Covid-19 hit, schools were in turmoil, and we delayed. We’re thrilled to finally release it now.
For more information, go to www.turnaroundusa.org/podcast
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Anya Kamenetz: We Didn’t Prioritize Kids — COVID, The Stolen Year, and Where We Go Now
Pamela Cantor, M.D.: Using Science to Imagine a New Purpose and Design for Education
Todd Rose: How ’Collective Illusions’ Hold Back Education – and How We Can Fix Them
Pamela Cantor, M.D.: 7 Tips for Talking to Children about Ukraine
Renee Prince: Educators as First Responders to the Youth Mental Health Crisis
Pamela Cantor, M.D.: State of Emergency in Adolescent Mental Health
LaShawn Chatmon & Kathleen Osta: What Is an Equitable Learning Environment and How Can Your School Build One?
Student Voices: Fighting for an Inclusive Education System
Dr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade: How to Build a School Where the Goal is Youth Wellness
Dr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade: The Purpose of Education Should Be Youth Wellness
Zaretta Hammond: How Teachers Can Become Personal Trainers of Cognitive Development
Zaretta Hammond: What is Culturally Responsive Teaching?
Dan Cogan-Drew of Newsela: Helping Students Become Agents of Their Own Learning
Christina Theokas, Ph.D.: The Well-Being Index
P.S. 340: Getting to Know How Students are Feeling and Functioning
Hal Smith: We Can’t Just Do the Same Things We've Always Done
John King: Getting Back to School Safely and Better
When the Building is Closed but School is Open, with Ron Berger and Laina Cox
You Can't Separate Character from Student Success, with Ron Berger and Laina Cox
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