Charter School Superstars

This week, Ryan interviews with Suzanne Speed, the physical education teacher at the Pinecrest Preparatory Middle High Charter School in Miami, Florida. On this episode, Suzanne talks about what the transition to virtual classrooms has looked like through the lens of a PE teacher. Suzanne also talks about lesson delivery and gives advice to other physical education teachers on how to provide effective instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.You can find out more about her work by visiting www.ppmhcharterschool.org.Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with Liliana Salazar, the National Director for Special Education and Student Support for Academica. On this episode, Lily talks about her transition in helping students with special needs remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lily also gives guidance to parents and educators on becoming better advocates for students receiving special education services during this period.You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.academica.org and by following her on Twitter @salazarlilly. And be sure to check out her program Teach The Way They Learn on the Academica Media podcast network.Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits down with Ralph Krauss, the creator of Edutainment learning, a program that livestreams virtual guest speaker programs to students in charter schools throughout the United States. Past Edutainment speakers have included cabinet secretaries, astronauts, movie stars, and Fortune 500 CEOs. On this episode, Ralph talks about his program and the role that technology plays in bringing Edutainment to thousands of charter school students. Ralph also talks about the innovative ways that schools are utilizing this program to further their academic goals.You can find out more about his work by visiting www.edutainmentlearning.comHost: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with Fernando Zulueta, the founder and CEO of education service provider Academica. Fernando talks about the transition process for students and educators to virtual learning and digital platforms amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Fernando also talks about some of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the schools the company serves and provides advice for other schools navigating through the transition to online learning.You can find out more about his work by visiting www.academica.org.Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with David Osborne, director of the Reinventing America’s School’s Project at the Progressive Policy Institute. On this episode, David talks about how charter schools were largely incubated by the progressive movement and shares his thoughts on reformed government. David also talks about how education issues are being addressed in this presidential campaign.You can find out more about his work by visiting www.progressivepolicy.orgHost: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits down with Adam Geller, founder and CEO of Edthena, a video-based teacher coaching platform. On this episode, Adam talks about the development process in creating Edthena, a video-based coaching platform. Adam also talks about the experience and benefits of video-based coaching and gives advice to educational networks when implementing this practice. Tune in! You can find out more about his work by visiting www.edthena.com. Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair) Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with Cristina Guerra, the Chief Student Affairs Officer at Doral College. On this episode, Cristina talks about the unique mission of Doral College serving charter school students and the role that dual enrollment plays in K12 education. Cristina also talks about the resources that Doral College provides to help students get ready for college above and beyond the college courses it offers. You can find out more about her work by visiting www.doral.edu. Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair) Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with Geyler Castro, the principal of Somerset Parkland Academy Charter School in Parkland, Florida. On this episode, Ms. Castro talks about the incredible journey of introducing the first public charter school to the wonderful community of Parkland, Florida just two years removed from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Ms. Castro reflects on what it means to create a safe charter school in Parkland and also talks about the role of community engagement. Ms. Castro provides advice to other school administrators on how to integrate themselves effectively into new surroundings. You can find out more about her work by visiting www.somersetparklandacademy.com Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair) Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits down with Dr. Heru Keonte, the Dean of Students at John P. Holland Charter School in Paterson, New Jersey. Recently, JPHCS has received positive acclaim for its innovative Black History Month curriculum that incorporated STEAM learning and project-based learning to celebrate the scientific achievements of Black leaders. Dr. Keonte talks about his school’s experience with the program and provides his insight on the importance of fostering stakeholder engagement in charter schools. Tune in!You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.jphcs.org.Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with Todd Ziebarth, Senior Vice President of State Advocacy and Support for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. On this episode, Todd talks about his work for the National Alliance and his annual report ranking the charter school laws of every state. Todd also talks about the types of legislation that are conductive to charter schools being more effective and what people can do to advocate for better laws in their own state. You can find out more about our guest’s work by visiting www.publiccharters.org you can read our guest’s state ranking report by visiting https://bit.ly/37JH53v. Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair) Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with Amanda Milian of SLAM Miami. Amanda is a senior at the SLAM Sports Leadership and Management Charter High School in Miami, Florida. She is also the student general manager of SLAM Radio, which is operated on the SLAM campus and is the first high school student run SiriusXM satellite radio station. Amanda talks about the SLAM radio station, her experience broadcasting live from the 2020 Super Bowl, and her achievements while being a part of SLAM Radio team. You can check out SLAM Radio by tuning into Channel 145 on the SiriusXM platform.Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits with Carlyn Madden. Carlyn is the Founder and CEO of Good Insight, a consulting firm that works with with mission-driven organizations providing executive search and governance consulting. Carlyn talks about effective governance practices and the elements of a good succession plan. She also talks about resources that boards have at their disposal to ensure that they successfully navigate the transition from one charter school leader to the next.You can find out more about her work by visiting www.good-insight.org.Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, we continue our CSS episodes from the 2020 Future of Education Technology Conference in Miami, Florida. Joining us on the program this week is Brianna Hodges. Brianna is an education consultant and advisor for Future Ready Schools. On this episode, Brianna talks about the purpose of instructional coaching and the value it creates for teachers and schools. Brianna also shares her thoughts on the impacts that instructional coaching and technology can make in the lives of our students. You can find out more about her work by visiting www.briannahodges.com Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair) Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Charter School Superstars is presenting from the Future of Education Technology Conference in Miami Beach, Florida. Our guest on the program this week is Jeffrey Bradbury. Jeffrey is an educator, speaker, broadcaster, and the founder of the Teachercast Educational Network, a platform that helps teachers with tech integration, instructional coaching, podcasting, and much more. Jeffrey also talks about the integration of podcasting in k-12 learning, as well as the professional development benefits and networking benefits of podcasting. You can find out more about his work by visiting www.teachercast.net and jeffreybradbury.com Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair) Producer: Ross Ulysse

This week, Ryan sits down with Abbas Manjee, the Chief Academic Officer for Kiddom, a provider of software solutions that help schools deliver and manage their digital curriculum and offer personalized instruction. On this episode, Abbas talks about the integration of digital learning in K-12 education and charter schools. Abbas also talks about the benefits of digital learning, and how schools can embrace digital solutions more effectively. You can find out more about his work by visiting www.kiddom.coHost: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)Producer: Ross Ulysse