Students Walked Out - Here's What the Superintendent Did Next
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
11/21/22
ā¢20m
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š When Students Feel Safe Enough to Share Their Truth - Everything Changes
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Cosimo Tangorra Jr. shares his transformative journey from privilege to becoming an equity champion in education. As a superintendent with nearly 20 years of experience, he reveals how listening to students completely changed his approach to school leadership, classroom management, and student discipline.
š What You'll Learn:
ā¢ How student voices exposed hidden classroom behavior issues and systemic inequities
ā¢ Revolutionary approaches to student discipline that focus on learning, not punishment
ā¢ Why traditional grading systems predict failure and how to flip them for student success
ā¢ Strategies for managing difficult students through restorative justice and student engagement
ā¢ How to build inclusive classrooms that serve every child's needs
ā¢ Effective teaching methods that remove barriers to learning
ā¢ School leadership techniques that transform school culture through equity
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Introduction: Meet Dr. Cosimo Tangorra Jr.
1:04 - The Inspiring Educator Question
1:57 - Personal Equity Journey: From Privilege to Awareness
3:40 - Taking Action: The Niskayuna Experience
6:21 - Student Voice: How Learners Drive Change
8:33 - Navigating Family Pushback on Equity Work
10:21 - Getting Comfortable with Discomfort
12:00 - Equity vs. Equality: Why Fair Isn't Always Equal
13:16 - Revolutionizing Grading Policies
14:31 - DEI, SEL, and Restorative Justice Integration
16:25 - Teaching Students How to Protest Effectively
17:13 - Recruitment and Retention for Diverse Workforce
19:19 - Final Thoughts and Gratitude
- Nice White Parents Podcast
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
- Restorative Practices
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
- Morgan Jackson
Cos's Recommendations:
- Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School by Carla Shalaby
- Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R Banaji
- Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy by Gholdy Muhammed
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Previous Episode
The Shocking Truth About Teen Sleep Deprivation
November 14, 2022
ā¢52m
Are your students falling asleep in class? This groundbreaking conversation with sleep specialists Heather Turgeon and Julie Wright reveals the shocking truth: 95% of high school seniors are severely sleep deprived, and it's destroying their ability to learn.
What You'll Learn:
ā”ļøWhy teens biologically can't fall asleep before 11 PM (it's not rebellion!)
ā”ļøHow sleep deprivation creates difficult students and impacts classroom management
ā”ļøThe "perfect storm" destroying teen sleep: technology, homework overload, and early start times
ā”ļøPractical teaching tips for educators working with sleep-deprived students
ā”ļøFamily strategies for parent involvement and home-school connection
ā”ļøWhy later school start times improve student participation and reduce behavioral issues
Chapters
0:00 Introduction & Expert Credentials
1:27 Meet the Sleep Specialists
5:16 The Teen Sleep Crisis: Shocking Statistics
7:29 Understanding Teen Brain Clocks & Biology
10:10 The Sleep Camp Studies: How Much Sleep Teens Actually Need
12:37 Sleep Discrimination & Mental Health Connection
14:06 Social Jet Lag Explained
16:26 REM Sleep & Why Teens Are "Missing Their Dreams"
18:32 The Missing Link: Technology's Real Impact on Sleep
20:06 Flow State & Gaming: Why Teens Lose Track of Time
23:41 Practical Screen Time Do's and Don'ts
30:18 Sleep-Friendly Schools: The Case for Later Start Times
34:21 Addressing School Concerns: Busing & Sports
37:01 Academic Overload: The Homework Crisis
42:24 The Parent Fade: Shifting to Consultant Role
44:36 FOND Families & Sleep-Forward Mentality
47:37 Five Habits of Happy Sleepers
48:21 Top Takeaways & Action Steps
- The Happy Sleeper, Now Say This, Generation Sleepless
- The Wright Mommy and Me
- Dr. Dan Siegel
- Hooga Red Sleep-Friendly Lights
- Start School Later
- The Self-Driven Child
- Why We Sleep
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Next Episode
How Can We Help LGBTQ+ Kids Feel Safe at School?
November 28, 2022
ā¢35m
š³ļøāš Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth: A Critical Conversation for Educators
Join award-winning educator and Professor Emeritus Lester Laminack in this powerful discussion about supporting LGBTQ+ students in our schools. With suicide rates 3x higher among LGBTQ+ youth, creating inclusive classrooms has never been more urgent.
What You'll Learn:
ā
Why traditional "coming out" should shift to "inviting in"
ā
The devastating impact of book banning on student identity
ā
How to create safe spaces using inclusive teaching practices
ā
Practical strategies for student engagement and student motivation
ā
Building strong parent communication and family partnerships
ā
Developing a pro-kid mindset for whole child support
Lester shares his 46-year journey in education, from classroom management to teacher coaching, emphasizing how culturally responsive teaching and equity in education can transform school culture.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction & Lester's Background
2:46 - The Inspiring Educator: Fred Rogers
4:30 - How Personal Experience Shapes Writing
8:07 - The Tapestry of Identity
10:06 - The Reality of Being Unseen
15:16 - Challenging the Concept of "Coming Out"
17:43 - From "Coming Out" to "Inviting In"
20:01 - The Ordinary Life Reality
22:28 - Hope Amidst Fear and Silence
25:39 - Call to Action: What We Can Do Now
26:52 - Opening Hearts and Creating Spaces
30:22 - The Role of Adults in Setting Tone
33:16 - Building Understanding Through Connection
34:19 - Closing Thoughts & Resources
- Lesterās Childrenās & Professional Books
- Why We Need LGBTQ+ Literature for Children and Youth (6/22)
- LGBTQ+ Suicide Rates
- Rudine Sims Bishop, Ph.D.
- George M. Johnson - All Boys Arenāt Blue
- Harvey Milk Day
- Story Corps
Resources to Help You Support LGBTQ+ Youth:
- HRC (Human Rights Campaign)āGlossary of LGBTQ+ terms
- GLSEN
- The Trevor Project
- Safe Schools Coalition
- Youth Pride Association
- Five Ways to Support LGBTQ Youth
- GLAAD
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
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