Best SREB Podcasts (2026)

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Taylor Swift Clubs, Data Rooms, and Teacher-Led PD: The Best of Fall 2026 43:42

Play Pause

27d ago43:42

43:42

Send us a text As the Fall 2026 semester comes to a close, it is time to look back at the schools and strategies that challenged our thinking. In this special wrap-up episode, Daniel is joined by SREB’s Jason Adair and Ashley Shaw to interrogate the "Best Of" ideas from the last few months. From a high school in South Carolina that lets teachers de…

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Surviving the First Year: The "Productive Struggle" of Mentorship 44:28

1M ago44:28

44:28

Send us a text The "first-year teaching blues" are real, but they don't have to be a career-ender. In this episode, Daniel explores the impact of the GREAT Grant (Georgia Residency for Educating Amazing Teachers), a program designed to turn career-changers into thriving educators through a paid residency model. We sit down with Jillian Degan, a for…

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From 74% to 96%: How Tuscaloosa Built a K-12 Career Plan That Actually Works 47:09

2M ago47:09

47:09

Send us a text What really happens to students after they graduate? Does a diploma equal a plan? In this episode, Daniel Rock and Susan Simpson sit down with the innovative College and Career Readiness team from Tuscaloosa City Schools to find out how they answered their superintendent's single, powerful question: "How do we know they're ready?" Th…

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Teaching with Purpose: How Academics and CTE Work Together at Career Academies of Decatur 37:50

2M ago37:50

37:50

Send us a text What happens when English and social studies teachers join a career academy — and every lesson connects to the real world? In this episode of the Making Schools Work podcast, SREB’s Daniel Rock and Debra Cullen talk with Angie Maples and Wes Stephenson, teachers at the Career Academies of Decatur (CAD) in Alabama. They share how acad…

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How Career Academies of Decatur Redefined High School: Building a CTE-Focused Model for Every Student 40:03

2M ago40:03

40:03

Send us a text What happens when a school flips the script — and lets career and technical education lead the way? In this episode of the Making Schools Work podcast, SREB’s Daniel Rock and Debra Cullen talk with Ressa Chittam, director of the new Career Academies of Decatur in Alabama, and assistant director Tyler Stevenson. Together, they share h…

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How Student Talk Doubles Learning: Making Classrooms More Socratic 49:51

3M ago49:51

49:51

Send us a text What if the key to doubling student learning is simply getting them talking? In this episode, Daniel Rock and Jason Adair unpack research showing how student discussion can double the rate of learning — and why most classrooms still rely on teacher talk 80% of the time. Together with Ashley Shaw, they explore how teachers can create …

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How Westside Teachers Turned PD Into Classroom Impact 46:55

3M ago46:55

46:55

Send us a text At Westside High School in Anderson, South Carolina, teaching looks different now — and students can feel it. Last week, we talked to leadership at Westside to see how this process worked. In this episode of the Making Schools Work podcast, SREB’s Daniel Rock and Donn Kirkwood talk with Claire Armstrong and Chelita Greenley, two clas…

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How Westside High Empowered Teachers to Lead Professional Learning 44:00

3M ago44:00

44:00

By SREB

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Building Collective Teacher Efficacy at Indian Valley Elementary 52:47

3M ago52:47

52:47

Send us a text How does a school move from silos to shared success? At Indian Valley Elementary in Sylacauga, Alabama, the leadership team and teachers worked together to create a culture of collective teacher efficacy—and the results are transforming student learning. In this episode of the Making Schools Work podcast, principal Paula Bruno, assis…

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Flex Time and Job Shadowing: Teacher Perspectives From Richland High School 51:38

3M ago51:38

51:38

Send us a text Richland High School in Mississippi has restructured its schedule to give students more opportunities for growth — and the results are impressive. In this third episode featuring Richland, we hear directly from two teachers about how Flex Block and career-connected learning are changing classrooms and student lives. Social studies te…

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From Data Walls to Student Success: How Floyd D. Johnson Tech Center Transformed Learning 46:32

4M ago46:32

46:32

Send us a text Floyd D. Johnson Technology Center in York, South Carolina, is proof that small communities can make big changes for students. By embracing honest data, personalized improvement goals and strong community partnerships, the school has transformed student outcomes — and earned recognition as an SREB Pacesetter School. In this episode, …

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Beginnings and Endings: How to Hook Students and Make Learning Stick 45:37

4M ago45:37

45:37

Send us a text Welcome to Season 2 of the Making Schools Work podcast! In this episode, Daniel Rock, Jason Adair and Ashley Shaw kick off the season by exploring one of teaching’s most powerful truths: beginnings and endings matter. From first-day activities to closing strategies, the hosts dive into research and classroom-tested ideas that help te…

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Summer AI Series: How to Pick AI Tools for Your School 27:21

6M ago27:21

27:21

Send us a text In this final episode of our special AI series, Ashley Shaw is joined by Leslie Eaves to discuss the crucial "AI Checklist" – a practical guide for educators and leaders looking to implement artificial intelligence tools in their K-12 classrooms. This episode wraps up our deep dive into the "Guidance on AI and K-12 Instruction" repor…

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Pacesetter Spotlight: Bryant Park Elementary's Art Integration Program 52:02

6M ago52:02

52:02

Send us a text In this episode, Daniel Rock and Jason Adair delve into the remarkable journey of Bryant Park Elementary, an SREB Pacesetter School in Jefferson County, Alabama. We talk to Principal Cortney Slaughter and teacher Alex Wilson about how they built a thriving school from the ground up since its opening in 2020. In this episode, you'll l…

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Featured Speaker Spotlight: Creating Community Programs With PENCIL 45:57

6M ago45:57

45:57

Send us a text In this episode, we're joined by Aimee Wyatt, SREB's director of leadership and professional learning, and our special guests from PENCIL: Alayna Cate, director of partnerships, and Bob Kucher, chief partnerships and programs officer. PENCIL is a Nashville-based non-profit dedicated to connecting businesses and the community with Met…

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Pacesetter Spotlight: Richland High School’s AP Program and Career Connectedness 34:30

6M ago34:30

34:30

Send us a text Welcome back to Part 2 of our special episode with Richland High School in Mississippi! In this continuation, Principal Marcus Stewart and Assistant Principal Heather Bryan delve deeper into the strategies and systems that have driven their school's remarkable growth. In this episode, you'll learn about: Boosting AP Enrollment and Pr…

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Pacesetter Spotlight: Richland High School’s Flex Block 34:03

6M ago34:03

34:03

Send us a text Welcome to a special two-part episode of the Making Schools Work podcast! In this first installment, we're joined by Richard Morrison, senior leadership coach at SREB, as he discusses his three-year partnership with Richland High School in Mississippi. We also hear directly from Richland High School's principal, Marcus Stewart, and a…

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Special Announcement: Season 2 Changes 11:31

6M ago11:31

11:31

Send us a text In this short announcement, Ashley and Dan sit down to talk about all of the exciting changes coming to the podcast in the fall. Season 2 has a lot of big changes, but each change is just to make it bigger and better for you. Plus, we talk about the Season 2 preview episodes we will be releasing during the 2025 Making Schools Work Co…

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Summer AI Series: Teaching Students to Use AI Ethically and Effectively 41:15

6M ago41:15

41:15

Send us a text In this final episode of season one, Ashley Shaw and guest Leslie Eaves, SREB’s director of project-based learning, explore Pillar 4 of SREB’s Guidance for the Use of AI in the K12 Classroom: ethical and proficient student use of AI. Ashley and Leslie discuss why it's not enough for educators to simply use AI—we need to help students…

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Summer AI Series: Using AI to Support Personalized Learning 39:40

6M ago39:40

39:40

Send us a text Part of our summer series on SREB’s Guidance for the Use of AI in the K12 Classroom In this episode, Ashley talks with Leslie Eaves, SREB’s director of project-based learning, about how AI can support personalized learning. They dig into what it really means to differentiate in today’s classrooms and how teachers can use AI tools to …

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Summer AI Series: Using AI to Help Streamline Teachers' Administrative and Planning Tasks 43:23

7M ago43:23

43:23

Send us a text Part of our summer series on SREB’s Guidance for the Use of AI in the K12 Classroom In this episode, host Ashley Shaw is joined by Leslie Eaves, SREB’s director of project-based learning, to talk about Pillar 2: Using AI to streamline teacher administrative and planning work. This conversation dives into practical, real-world ways te…

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Summer AI Series: Designing Cognitively Demanding Tasks With Help From AI 49:13

7M ago49:13

49:13

Send us a text In this episode of Class-Act Coaching, we dive into Pillar 1 of SREB’s Guidance for the Use of AI in the K12 Classroom—using AI to design cognitively demanding tasks that engage students in deep, meaningful learning. Ashley is joined again by Leslie Eaves, SREB’s project-based learning program director, to talk about what makes a tas…

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Summer AI Series: How to Get Started With AI in the K-12 Classroom 37:05

7M ago37:05

37:05

Send us a text In this kickoff episode of our special summer series, Ashley Shaw sits down with Leslie Eaves, SREB's project-based learning director and a key member of the SREB Commission on AI in Education, to explore the new, free report: Guidance for the Use of AI in the K12 Classroom. Whether you’re AI-curious or already experimenting, this ep…

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Season Wrap-Up: Collective Teacher Efficacy, Clarity and True Engagement 44:12

8M ago44:12

44:12

Send us a text In the final episode of the school year, the Class-Act Coaching crew is back together! Ashley is joined by co-hosts Jason and Dan to reflect on the biggest takeaways from this semester’s episodes — and this time, Dan takes the reins as host. Together, they dive into three powerful themes that kept coming up in coaching conversations:…

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Special Episode: Coaching the Coaches - How One Georgia District Supports Instructional Coaching at Every Level 50:19

9M ago50:19

50:19

Send us a text In this episode, Jason and Dan sit down with Kanisa Williams, an instructional coach from a large Georgia district, who coaches other instructional coaches. They talk about how coaching cycles are implemented not just with teachers, but with coaches, and the importance of modeling, trust-building and communication. Kanisa shares how …

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Designing Meaningful Projects: Making Project-Based Learning Work in the Classroom 51:48

9M ago51:48

51:48

Send us a text In this episode of Class-Act Coaching, Ashley is joined by Marty Sugerik, an instructional coach with a passion for project-based learning (PBL). Marty shares practical coaching strategies to help teachers design or refine classroom projects that connect to real-world skills. Whether you’re a coach supporting teachers in PBL or an ed…

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Tips for Creating an Engaged Class: Writing, Movement and Meaningful Talk 29:21

10M ago29:21

29:21

Send us a text Getting students to truly engage can be one of the hardest parts of teaching—but this episode is here to help! Ashley is joined by two instructional coaches, Kari Meldrum and Sharon Moehle, who share two powerful, easy-to-implement strategies that promote deeper student engagement across all content areas. Whether you teach math, ELA…

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The Power of Planning: Collaborative Strategies for Stronger Lessons 46:32

10M ago46:32

46:32

Send us a text Planning comes up in nearly every episode of Class-Act Coaching—so this week, we’re giving it the spotlight it deserves. Ashley teams up with guest instructional coach Michelle Harada, who shares practical tips and research-backed strategies for improving the quality and efficiency of lesson planning, especially through collaborative…

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Special Episode: Coaching Conversations – Microteaching and Meaningful Reflection 29:52

10M ago29:52

29:52

Send us a text This week, we’re doing something a little different! In this special episode of Class-Act Coaching, we take you behind the scenes of a real coaching conversation between SREB Coach Jason Adair and Jen Zelena, a reading specialist and literacy coach at Broughal Middle School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Jen has been leading an initiati…

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Curiosity in the Classroom: How to Spark Student Motivation 43:18

10M ago43:18

43:18

Send us a text Why do some students naturally engage in learning while others seem uninterested? In this episode, Ashley is joined by Dan Rock, who takes on the role of coach, to dive deep into the power of curiosity and motivation in learning. Dan breaks down the research behind cognitive interest cues—simple yet powerful techniques teachers can u…

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Teaching for Transfer: Ensuring Learning Sticks (Part 2) 41:15

11M ago41:15

41:15

Send us a text We’re back with Part 2 of our conversation with Christi Edwards, where she shares her final two strategies for ensuring students don’t just succeed on class assignments but can apply their learning in future assessments and beyond. In this episode, Christi focuses on helping students regulate their own thinking and communicate their …

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Teaching for Transfer: Ensuring Learning Sticks (Part 1) 39:04

11M ago39:04

39:04

Send us a text Ever had a student ace all the assignments, but then struggle on a final essay or a state assessment? In this episode, Ashley and special guest co-host Jason Adair sit down with instructional coach Christi Edwards to tackle a key challenge in education: helping students transfer their learning beyond the classroom. Christi shares the…

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Teaching to the Standard: Breaking It Down and Building It Up 39:30

11M ago39:30

39:30

Send us a text In this episode, Ashley and Dan sit down with Juliana Coleman, an experienced science educator and instructional coach, to discuss how to effectively teach to a standard while ensuring students develop deeper understanding rather than just memorizing facts. Juliana breaks down common misconceptions about rigor, explains how to analyz…

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From Planning to Collaborating: A Semester of Learning 54:32

1y ago54:32

54:32

Send us a text In this special end-of-semester wrap-up, Ashley and Dan reflect on the four major themes explored in this semester's podcast episodes: Planning, Creating Authentic Work Experiences, Collaborating, and Building Connections with Students. They share key insights from their conversations with instructional coaches, highlight strategies …

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Building Relationships: The Heart of a Thriving Classroom 33:38

1y ago33:38

33:38

Send us a text Rodriquez "Rod" Leonard, a coach with extensive experience in K-12 education, shares valuable insights on building a positive and productive classroom culture. He emphasizes the importance of getting to know students as individuals, using those insights to inform instruction, and fostering student achievement. He encourages teachers …

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Fostering Gratitude and Encouragement in the Classroom 33:48

1y ago33:48

33:48

Send us a text Unlock the keys to fostering gratitude and encouragement in your classroom as we celebrate Thanksgiving with a special guest, instructional coach Shelly Gibson. This episode promises to equip you with practical strategies for showing appreciation to your students through listening, meaningful connections, and purposeful actions. Toge…

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Active Learning Through Collaborative Note-Taking 39:24

1y ago39:24

39:24

Send us a text Unlock the secrets of effective note-taking in our latest episode, promising to transform how students and educators grasp and retain information. Our engaging conversation with Donn Kirkwood, a senior leadership coach with a specialty in literacy, provides a treasure trove of practical strategies designed to boost understanding and …

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Mastering Student Engagement Through Dynamic Conversations 24:28

1y ago24:28

24:28

Send us a text Discover how to transform silence into vibrant conversations in your classroom with insights from our latest discussion. Join me, Ashley Shaw, alongside Dan Rock, as we unravel the secrets of fostering engaging student discourse with the help of Keisha King, a distinguished math instructional coach. Learn how to create a safe environ…

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Empowering Students with Real-World Communication Skills 36:40

1y ago36:40

36:40

Send us a text Unlock the secrets to transforming your classroom into a dynamic workplace simulation with insights from our extraordinary guest, Marty Sugerik. With a wealth of experience drawn from both military and educational realms, Marty delivers invaluable strategies to enhance students' communication and collaboration skills. Discover how we…

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Empowering Educators for Leadership Success 26:44

1y ago26:44

26:44

Send us a text Unlock the secrets to effective school leadership with insights from George McFarland, an SREB leadership coach and seasoned educator with over thirty years of experience. Discover how establishing a clear purpose and fostering collaboration among stakeholders can transform school environments, even amidst the challenges of frequent …

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Crafting Impactful Lessons: Aligning Assessments and Exploring Cross-Curricular Connections 37:20

1y ago37:20

37:20

Send us a text Unlock the secrets to crafting impactful lesson plans and aligning assessments with the guidance of expert guest Debbie Robertson. Discover how Ashley seeks to refine her organizational skills with insights from senior leadership coach Debbie. Together, they unravel the art of starting with the end in mind, diving into the crucial pr…

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Ways to Create Authentic Experiences in the Classroom 38:10

1y ago38:10

38:10

Send us a text Where will I use this in the "real-world"? If you've ever had a student ask you this, then you might be on the lookout for ways to create more authentic learning experiences in your classroom. To help, SREB's Leslie Eaves came by to give Ashley some ways to build authenticity into her assignments. We created a handout to go with the …

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Engaging Students Cognitively, Behaviorally and Emotionally 31:03

1+ y ago31:03

31:03

Send us a text It's every teacher's biggest challenge: How can we get these students to engage with the material? In this week's episode, SREB Coach Erin Anderson-Williams stops by the studio to teach Ashley how to better engage her students by considering their cognitive, behavioral and emotional needs. Download our handout to get an overview of t…

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Planning Powerful Questions for Your Class 37:22

1+ y ago37:22

37:22

Send us a text In this week's episode, SREB's Jason Adair comes in to coach Ashley in how to ask better questions in class. Feel free to follow along with our handout or download it later. The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early…

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3 C's of Vocabulary: Building Connections, Categories and Context 28:53

1+ y ago28:53

28:53

Send us a text In our National Literacy Month lesson, we talk about three ways teachers of any subject can help students better understand and utilize the vocabulary words in the class. No more having students memorize a word for a test before forgetting it forever! SREB Coach Deb Cullen sits down to give us all her proven techniques for helping st…

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Easy Lesson Planning With SPICE-Y AI Prompts 23:55

1+ y ago23:55

23:55

Send us a text Provide feedback on this episode before July 19, 2024, and be entered into a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card. In our first ever episode, SREB Instructional Coach Daniel Rock comes into the studio to talk about how writing SPICE-y AI prompts can help teachers take advantage of the free teaching assistant they may not have known the…