Couverture de Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

De : Institute For Quality Education
Écouter gratuitement

3 mois pour 0,99 €/mois

Après 3 mois, 9.95 €/mois. Offre soumise à conditions.

À propos de ce contenu audio

 Education Matters is a podcast that explores the journey of Indiana's families in making school choice decisions. The podcast covers the landscape of K-12 education in Indiana and aims to give a voice to innovative school leaders, parents, and stakeholders in the school choice community. The podcast will feature stories from parents, community builders, policymakers, and educators, providing insights into the impact of school choice on children's education.
Les membres Amazon Prime bénéficient automatiquement de 2 livres audio offerts chez Audible.

Vous êtes membre Amazon Prime ?

Bénéficiez automatiquement de 2 livres audio offerts.
Bonne écoute !
    Épisodes
    • Episode 50 - Bridging Gaps in Education: NaShawn Edwards’ Journey from Parent Advocate to School Founder

      Episode 50 - Bridging Gaps in Education: NaShawn Edwards’ Journey from Parent Advocate to School Founder
      Jan 22 2026
      In this inspiring episode of Education Matters, NaShawn Edwards, the founder of Sunrise Learning Academy joins us to to discuss what it truly means to serve students who don’t fit the traditional educational mold. NaShawn shares her personal journey navigating undiagnosed ADHD, advocating for six children, and fostering youth who’ve experienced trauma. Her experiences shaped her vision for a school where confidence, connection, and individualized support come first. Episode Highlights Early Educational Experiences: NaShawn Edwards reflects on transitioning from a small, conservative private school to a large public school in Indianapolis, the challenges she faced, and the relationships that shaped her—especially with supportive school staff like her principal and the janitor. Parenting and Advocacy:With six children, five boys and one girl, NaShawn describes learning styles and personalities as unique as fingerprints. Her hands-on involvement in PTA and school committees was driven by her desire to see real change and advocate for her kids’ needs. Classroom Challenges:She discusses how classroom sizes, peer conflict, and chaotic environments contributed to declining confidence and academic progress in her children, particularly those with ADHD and autism. This led her to explore new educational models focused on small class sizes and relationship-driven learning. Foster Care Realities:As a foster parent, NaShawn Edwards encountered children academically behind—some unable to spell their own names in elementary school—making her acutely aware of systemic issues and underscoring the need for trauma-informed instruction. The Birth of Sunrise Learning Academy:Inspired by her foster care experiences, especially working with a young boy not ready for kindergarten, NaShawn Edwards started SLA to deliver individualized, trauma-informed education, and integrate therapeutic services like counseling, speech, and occupational therapy into the school day. Model of Sunrise Learning Academy:SLA integrates standardized curriculum, faith foundations, trauma-informed strategies, and hands-on projects. Multi-age classrooms foster mentorship and leadership, and the intentionally small school atmosphere allows teachers to quickly respond to student needs. Addressing Misconceptions: NaShawn Edwards tackles misconceptions about trauma-impacted learners and emphasizes that her students are resilient and capable—not “bad off.” Push-in therapeutic services at SLA help students and families regain time and access needed support during the school day. Community Collaboration:SLA prioritizes collaboration over competition with other schools. Partnerships with local charter and private schools mean shared resources and joint events, like safe-sitter classes and basketball leagues, strengthening the wider educational community. Bridging Gaps:Resources, tutoring, and relationship-building are key to SLA’s strategy so that no child slips through the cracks—whether academic, emotional, or social support is needed. Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choice For more information about school choice and your school choice options, visit our website at https://www.i4qed.org
      Afficher plus Afficher moins
      24 min
    • Episode 49 - Legislative Preview with Greg Harrell: Universal School Choice, Literacy, and Indiana’s Top Education Priorities

      Episode 49 - Legislative Preview with Greg Harrell: Universal School Choice, Literacy, and Indiana’s Top Education Priorities
      Jan 8 2026
      In this episode of Education Matters, Cesar and Sarah sit down with Greg Harrell, Executive Director of Policy and Government Affairs at the Institute for Quality Education (IQE), for an in-depth preview of the 2026 Indiana legislative session and a discussion on why education policy—and advocacy—matter as much as ever. Episode Highlights Greg Harrell’s Journey in Education and Advocacy: Greg shares his professional background, including his decade of service with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the mentors that shaped his thinking on school choice, and what brought him to IQE. The Mission of IQE: IQE’s concise but ambitious mission: improving the quality of education for all Indiana students by advancing student-centered policies, expanding school choice, and ensuring equitable funding. Why Advocacy at the Statehouse Matters: Greg explains why consistent advocacy is essential for educational progress and how IQE has helped drive major policy accomplishments, from tax credit scholarships to universal school choice. Making Education Policy Relevant: How legislative decisions made “under the dome” directly shape the lives of students, families, and communities across Indiana. Balancing Quality, Accountability, and Choice: Greg discusses how IQE sees these as complementary, not competing, goals—emphasizing informed family decision-making and the importance of strong accountability systems. IQE’s Top Priorities for 2026: Defending recent advancements in school choice Raising literacy rates, especially among third-graders Boosting math proficiency and parent engagement Improving career pathways and high school redesign Maximizing use of Career and Education Scholarship Accounts Expanding tax credit scholarships to be universal Lowering eligibility age to three for certain scholarship programs Opening teacher residency programs to accredited non-public schools Recent Wins and Ongoing Challenges: A look back at implementing universal school choice and why Indiana is being watched by other states. Updates on persistent challenges like chronic absenteeism, teacher shortages, and improving alignment between K-12 and higher education. Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choice For more information about school choice and your school choice options, visit our website at https://www.i4qed.org
      Afficher plus Afficher moins
      29 min
    • Episode 48 - Community, Innovation, and Faith: A Conversation with Dr. Brian Disney

      Episode 48 - Community, Innovation, and Faith: A Conversation with Dr. Brian Disney
      Nov 20 2025
      In this inspiring episode of Education Matters, hosts Sarah and Cesar sit down with Dr. Brian Disney, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Drawing on nearly 30 years in education, Dr. Disney reflects on his journey from classroom teacher to district leader, sharing powerful insights on teaching, faith, innovation, and community. Together, they explore how Catholic education is evolving—honoring tradition while preparing students for a rapidly changing world. Episode Highlights Dr. Disney’s Path to EducationInspired by his father—a lifelong educator—Dr. Disney recalls how early experiences tutoring and coaching fueled his love of teaching and shaped his path toward school leadership. Lessons from the ClassroomReflecting on his years as a high school math teacher, Dr. Disney emphasizes the importance of building inclusive, caring classrooms where every student feels seen and supported. He shares how understanding life beyond academics is key to helping students thrive. Transformative Leadership at Mooresville High SchoolAs principal, Dr. Disney led initiatives that expanded college credit and career-readiness programs. Through a strong team effort, Mooresville High dramatically increased honors diplomas and eliminated the need for remedial classes at the local Ivy Tech campus—a remarkable achievement in student preparation and success. Faith and Innovation in Catholic EducationNow overseeing 69 schools, Dr. Disney explains how Catholic teachings on human dignity and community serve as the foundation for both moral and academic excellence. He discusses balancing faith-based formation with innovative approaches to meet students’ diverse needs. Redefining SuccessFor Dr. Disney, true success means helping each student realize their full human potential—whether through college, career, or other meaningful paths—while embracing the unique gifts of every learner. Parents as PartnersEchoing the Catholic view of parents as primary educators, Dr. Disney shares strategies for fostering genuine family engagement—from cultural celebrations and community events to cultivating a welcoming school culture that reflects shared values. Looking AheadLooking toward 2035, Dr. Disney predicts that the most essential skills will include spiritual depth, ethical use of technology, and strong interpersonal relationships—underscoring the enduring need for authentic, faith-filled community in education. Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choiceFor more information about school choice and your school choice options, visit our website at https://www.i4qed.org
      Afficher plus Afficher moins
      36 min
    Aucun commentaire pour le moment