Bluum Together
Bluum Together is a podcast cultivating education leadership, innovation, and impact, one conversation at a time. Join us as we learn from visionary leaders, passionate educators, and inspiring change-makers who are dedicated to transforming the landscape of K-12 education. We’ll explore innovative ideas, share inspiring stories, and uncover strategies that drive meaningful change in Idaho and beyond.
Episodes
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
S2 Ep 1- A Systematic Approach to Supporting Youth Mental Health with Katie Azevedo
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
Thursday Jan 11, 2024
Katie Azevedo, professional development facilitator, research assistant, adjunct professor and instructional coach, emphasizes the need for a systematic approach to mental health, especially in the education sector. She outlines six key elements for a comprehensive system along with discussing some of the big challenges schools face and highlights the importance of the Idaho AWARE Project.
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Episode 9- Summarizing the Science of Reading in Idaho with Ryan Cantrell
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Former special education teacher turned State Department of Education leader, Ryan Cantrell, shares insights into teaching and administration. The conversation extends to key themes in successful Idaho schools, such as leadership, data utilization, and professional learning communities (PLCs). Ryan Cantrell shares insights into the importance of school culture, emphasizing stable leadership tactics.
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Episode 8- A Rural Schools Approach to Reading Intervention
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Sam Wadsworth, a 4th-grade teacher and Curriculum Director at North Gem School District in Bancroft, Idaho, stresses the significance of repeated readings for text fluency. He explores the school's transition to a literature-based program, emphasizing phonics for effective reading. Challenges, such as the need for more trained teachers, are recognized, while the benefits of a tight-knit community are underscored. The school's approach centers on care, professionalism, and a dedicated commitment to positively influencing students' lives.
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Episode 7- Developing a Culture of Collaboration in Rural Idaho
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Kindergarten teachers Sally Peterson and Shantel Allen discuss successful reading instruction at Thirkill Elementary in Soda Springs, highlighting the Phonics First program while stressing the importance of community support amid challenges. The conversation also touches on the need for additional resources, including behavioral specialists. Whitney Berger (Title Intervention Specialist) and Rod Worthington (school principal) later join to explore Thirkill's reading intervention strategies, the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI), and the Leader in Me program. Emphasis comes on professional learning communities (PLCs), led by Whitney, addressing curriculum, teaching strategies, and student needs.
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Episode 6- Rallying the Troops with Sage International School of Middleton
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
After a leadership change during their second year of operation (mid-COVID), a rural charter school discovered their approach to teaching reading was ineffective. Learn from Executive Director and Army veteran Andy Johnson, and Principal Darci Stelzner, as they share their strategy for leading a major change toward effective reading instruction at Sage International School of Middleton.
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Episode 5- Smokin’ Hot Core with MOSAICS Public School
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Principal Anthony Haskett open MOSAICS Public School in Autumn of 2020. He quickly realized that a global pandemic was not their only challenge. The reading curriculum they had chosen was clearly not giving teachers and students what they needed to be successful. Learn from Anthony, and Director of learning and culture Debbie Foster, about how they transitioned to teaching tools they call their "Smokin' hot core."
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Long-standing educators Jason Lords and Nicky Pack from the Bonneville School District discuss their strategies to improve reading instruction and student success. They highlight the district's focus on professional learning communities (PLCs) and the use of data, particularly Lexile scores, to set goals for student reading proficiency.
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Episode 3- English Language Learners with Rosie Santana
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
Thursday Nov 02, 2023
As a former teacher, dyslexia specialist, district leader, and education expert, Rosie Santana shares her experience helping multilingual students develop their language skills. In this episode, Rosie discusses the importance of embracing multilingual learners, understanding the English language development program, and fostering a sense of belonging for these students.
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Episode 2- Structured Literacy with Marybeth Flachbart
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Reading consultant and teacher trainer Marybeth Flachbart has deep experience supporting education leaders at the national, state, and local level in literacy and school improvement. In this episode, Marybeth breaks down how to use a structured literacy approach and the importance of identifying learner profiles as part of the success strategy to improve reading instruction.
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Episode 1- Sold a Story with Emily Hanford
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
In her groundbreaking podcast, Sold a Story, award-winning, investigative education journalist Emily Hanford has uncovered profound insights on how children are learning to read. Or in far too many cases, NOT learning to read. In this episode, Emily highlights some of her findings from schools across the country, and how educators, parents, and policymakers can lead the change to implement effective, evidence-based reading instruction.