On this episode of Education Perspectives, host Liza Holland welcomes guest Brooke Gill, the vice president and director of Collaborative for Families and Schools at the Pritchard Committee. They delve into the founding of the Pritchard Committee in 1983, driven by the need to improve Kentucky's education ranking and involve communities in finding solutions. The committee's efforts led to town hall meetings, data analysis, and the enactment of the Kentucky Education Reform Act. Gill highlights the importance of shared leadership and community involvement, as well as the recent statewide scaling grant awarded to their organization. The grant aims to support Family Resource Youth Service centers and overcome the overwhelming caseload of coordinators, particularly in high-poverty areas. They emphasize the need to coordinate resources effectively and address barriers to participation. Community conversations and tapping into existing infrastructure are crucial in addressing needs. Looking at family engagement, Gill discusses the importance of quality communication, two-way conversations, and evidence-based strategies that involve families in their children's learning. They challenge the current education system's focus on standardized approaches and advocate for a more personalized and inclusive approach. Gill highlights the crucial role of education in breaking generational poverty and providing opportunities. They stress the role of schools as social and emotional hubs and the need for safe spaces and necessary resources. The podcast explores the evolving role of education in society, with Holland leading the conversation from multiple perspectives. Gill's extensive experience in managing relationships and delivering high-impact services makes them an invaluable guest on this episode. They discuss the challenge of shifting the education system from programming to process and the importance of engaging with families to understand their needs and find unexpected solutions. Gill shares examples of successful collaborations and emphasizes the importance of real conversations and asking families what they want. They challenge the current emphasis on quantity over quality, urging teachers to prioritize building positive relationships with families. The power of simple acts, like a phone call or a genuine interest in students, is emphasized over labor-intensive events. The episode inspires listeners to rethink their approach to education and prioritize meaningful interactions that strengthen relationships.

Quote of the Podcast – 
My life mantra: Just assume everyone is doing the very best they can, including you.

Podcast/book shoutouts
Beyond the Bakesale
Powerful Partnerships, Mapp and Henderson

Education Perspectives is edited by Shashank P athttps://www.fiverr.com/saiinovation?source=inbox
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions 
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Dr. Carmen Coleman - Chief of Transformational Learning Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative

​On this episode of Education Perspectives, host Liza Holland welcomes Dr. Carmen Coleman, Chief of Transformational Learning at the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative. Dr. Coleman shares her journey from being a superintendent in Danville to leading the Deeper Learning Initiative in OVAC. She discusses her realization about the limitations of focusing solely on test scores and how visiting schools like High Tech High and the I School inspired her to make drastic changes in her district. Dr. Coleman explores the importance of teaching skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, which are not adequately taught in schools, creating an opportunity gap. She dives into the obstacles faced during the progress and challenges the current accountability system that prioritizes multiple-choice tests and hinders meaningful learning. Dr. Coleman emphasizes the need for change and shares the implementation of initiatives like the Backpack of Success Skills and formal defenses of learning. She highlights the power of transparent learning and engaging in conversations with different groups to ensure equity. Through thought-provoking questions and personal anecdotes, Dr. Coleman challenges the current education system and encourages listeners to think differently about equipping children for success. Tune in to this episode of Education Perspectives to gain valuable insights from Dr. Carmen Coleman's perspective on transforming education."

[00:00:02] Podcast explores education. Guest: Dr. Carmen Coleman.
[00:05:11] Restructuring education to provide meaningful experiences for students.
[00:19:39] Community leaders, workers, families, students, teachers, farmers discuss important skills for success – perseverance, communication, problem-solving, critical thinking. These experiences are often found outside of school, creating an opportunity gap.
[00:21:40] Exploring new ways of teaching and learning.
[00:36:30] High stakes accountability widens achievement gaps.
[00:41:03] Big boat stuck in canal, like education.
[00:42:57] Listen, share, subscribe, and engage with us.
Support the showEducation Perspectives is edited by Shashank P athttps://www.fiverr.com/saiinovation?source=inbox
Intro and Outro by Dynamix Productions