Libsyn Directory

156. Maximizing the Value of Summer School with Sari Factor

Release Date: 04/04/2023

Education Evolution

The guiding principle of Education Evolution has been to light passion among educational leaders and to spark them into action. Over the last few years, I believe we’ve done just that. And while the work isn’t over yet, the time has come to put a pause on the podcast. As an advocate for lifelong learning, this week on the podcast I’m sharing what that looks like for me right now. I’ve been working hard to decode what I’ve learned in acts one and two of life and how I can take those learnings and make act three the best it can be. Listen in as I share the journey...

181. Unlocking the World of Literacy with Marnie Ginsburg

Education Evolution

Reading is simple, right? Not for everyone, and it’s especially challenging for those who don’t have access to all the tools and resources they need to be successful. This week we hear from Marnie Ginsburg, founder of Reading Simplified, who has dedicated her career to improving reading proficiency in students. She discusses the critical need to disseminate research-backed strategies to teachers, bridging the gap between what we know and what happens in the classroom. During our conversation, we explore the scientific foundations of reading, the role of phonemes, decoding,...

180. Leading Like a Teacher with Miriam Plotinsky

Education Evolution

The further away administrators get from their roots as teachers, the more they forget what it’s like to be in the trenches. The result is often either a real or perceived lack of empathy for teachers. Both teachers and administrators have vital roles in the school, and it’s important for both to have mutual respect for one another. To achieve this, administrators need to take a step back and really listen to teachers. How? By being more visible, asking questions, and seeking out teachers as the answers to the challenges in their buildings. This week on the podcast, we’re...

179. Following the Evidence for Effective Policy with Darleen Opfer

Education Evolution

We all want what’s best for our learners, but oftentimes biases get in the way of having productive conversations about what learning should look like in the classroom. Instead, we need to have evidence- and research-based conversations that support what truly works for our children. This week on the podcast, I’m talking with Darleen Opfer of RAND, a nonprofit organization that’s committed to low income and minority students. Darleen started as a special education teacher but quickly saw a need for changes in schools and went on a mission to impact education policy for the better....

178. Early Life Nutrition is Key to Wellness with Cynthia Jackson

Education Evolution

Hopefully we all know the importance of nutrition early in life, but not enough schools offer nutrition education. And since children often do what their parents do, adults’ poor food choices get passed down generation after generation. This week on the podcast, I’m talking with Cynthia Jackson of Educare about this critical aspect of early childhood development. Cynthia shares the profound impact of a good diet during the early years on long-term health and well-being. We explore how organizations like Educare are addressing food insecurity among families and empowering...

177. Creating More Meaning for Students with Michael Strong

Education Evolution

We know that students’ basic needs need to be met in order for them to learn and grow. Safety is at the core of this, especially as they discuss ideas in the classroom. And with this safety comes community, connection, meaning, and purpose, some of the most important elements of a school setting, according to this week’s podcast guest. Michael Strong is founder of The Socratic Experience, a virtual school for students in third through twelfth grades, and he’s designed schools for students from Alaska to Chicago and beyond. In our conversation, Michael and I talk about why student...

176. Empowering Equity and Employability with Dr. Nivine Megahed

Education Evolution

It’s time for schools and universities to serve all learners, especially in an equitable and accessible environment. National Louis University, under the visionary leadership of Dr. Nivine Megahed, is reshaping education and lives to meet this ever-present need. Their commitment to equity, employability, and social transformation stands as a beacon in the evolving educational landscape. NLU's focus extends beyond degrees, emphasizing continuous learning, skills, and economic stability. By addressing challenges faced by marginalized students, NLU exemplifies a commitment to...

175. Championing Equitable Early Childhood Education with Danielle D. Jordan

Education Evolution

Think about the tremendous growth and learning that happens during the first five years of a child's life. These years are a foundation for future success, yet there's often a gap in resources and support. Thankfully, in a world where government funding for early childhood education often falls short, there are still many out there advocating for comprehensive educational support. This week on the podcast, I’m talking with Danielle Jordan, a 20-year educational leader who supports youth in the Chicago area. We discuss the challenge of expanding universal pre-K programs to...

174. Leading Education with What We Value with Jennie Magiera

Education Evolution

The possibilities are endless in education as technology offers new opportunities every year. But are we using that technology to support teachers, who can then support their students? This week on the podcast, I’m talking with Jennie Magiera, global head of Education Impact at Google. She’s also a bestselling author and former teacher and school administrator. She found her way to education after a transformative school year as a young girl and that’s helped her throughout her career as she tries to create that same experience for other students. Jennie and I talk about...

173. Parent Choice Leads to Empowerment for All with Tyson Junkers

Education Evolution

Too many parents think they don’t have power and choice in their children’s education, but this week’s podcast guest proves otherwise. During COVID, Tyson Junkers saw his children thrive because they were learning at home in a project-based learning environment that Tyson himself developed. And as schools went back to in-person, his son was entering kindergarten. They visited a number of traditional schools and saw the discomfort in his children’s eyes. After searching for a solution and a lot of discussion, Tyson and his family moved and opened an Acton Academy in West Palm...

More Episodes

In years past, summer school has been used as a way to punish kids who were falling behind, putting them into remedial classes where there was a lot of rote memorization and dry reading crammed into a short space. While those days aren’t fully over yet, many organizations and schools are working hard to create summer school programs that are engaging and allow students to succeed on their own terms.

Imagine Learning is one such organization. Through technology, teachers can personalize learning for students and try out new modalities in summer school. And students can grow leaps and bounds in smaller classes with teachers who are more focused on their needs.

This week on the podcast, Sari Factor of Imagine Learning is sharing more about the benefits of summer school, why we shouldn’t be afraid of technology, how we can use summer school as a way to address inequity in learning, and so much more.

If you’re an educator or parent who is wondering about the value of summer school, it’s time to listen in!

About Sari Factor:

Sari is the Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer at Imaging Learning.

She began her career as a mathematics teacher but soon thought of much bigger ways to impact students. Recognizing that technology could greatly transform the way students learn, she made a career move into education technology and has been working to leverage technology to help students, teachers, schools, and districts ever since.

Sari joined Imagine Learning in 2011 and has held leadership positions at successful educational publishing and learning technology companies, including Kaplan, McGraw-Hill, Houghton Mifflin, and Everyday Learning Corporation. “I knew that I could fulfill my vision to combine technology with research on learning to make education truly student-centered.”