Episode 070: Rethinking Professional Development in K-12 Education with Fred Ende
04/22/25 • 29 min
In this episode of the Minimalist Educator Podcast, we connect with Fred Ende, the Director of Curriculum and Instructional Services at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES. Fred shares his journey from a middle school science teacher to an educational leader, highlighting the importance of professional development tailored to meet the needs of teachers and students alike. Our conversation explores how minimalism can be a powerful tool in the classroom, addressing common challenges in K-12 education today and the importance of inclusivity and adaptability in teaching practices.
Fred emphasizes the need to prioritize listening and reflection, advocating for a thoughtful approach to educational challenges. He discusses exciting developments surrounding New York's graduation requirements, a much-needed shift towards more flexibility for student success. Fred's tasty pare down pointer reminds us that sometimes stepping back can lead to clearer paths forward.
If you're an educator looking to simplify your approach and enhance your students' learning experiences, this episode promises to be an enlightening listen! Be sure to subscribe and leave us your thoughts—in what ways do you find simplicity in your teaching?
Fred Ende is director of Curriculum and Instructional Services for the Putnam/Northern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) where he is responsible for supporting and leading the development of curriculum, professional learning, and innovative educational initiatives, and is liaison to the New York State Education Department regarding curriculum and instruction requirements and regulations. He served in this same organization as the assistant director of Curriculum and Instructional Services as well as regional science coordinator and director of SCIENCE 21. Before that, he worked for 10 years as a middle school science teacher and department chair in Chappaqua, New York.
Contact Fred at http://www.fredende.com
Instragram: fred.ende
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredende/
Fred's books:
Buy The Minimalist Teacher book from ASCD+ISTE.
Follow on Instagram @PlanZEducation and @minimalist_ed_podcast.
The Minimalist Educator Podcast is a Plan Z Education Services adventure.
In this episode of the Minimalist Educator Podcast, we connect with Fred Ende, the Director of Curriculum and Instructional Services at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES. Fred shares his journey from a middle school science teacher to an educational leader, highlighting the importance of professional development tailored to meet the needs of teachers and students alike. Our conversation explores how minimalism can be a powerful tool in the classroom, addressing common challenges in K-12 education today and the importance of inclusivity and adaptability in teaching practices.
Fred emphasizes the need to prioritize listening and reflection, advocating for a thoughtful approach to educational challenges. He discusses exciting developments surrounding New York's graduation requirements, a much-needed shift towards more flexibility for student success. Fred's tasty pare down pointer reminds us that sometimes stepping back can lead to clearer paths forward.
If you're an educator looking to simplify your approach and enhance your students' learning experiences, this episode promises to be an enlightening listen! Be sure to subscribe and leave us your thoughts—in what ways do you find simplicity in your teaching?
Fred Ende is director of Curriculum and Instructional Services for the Putnam/Northern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) where he is responsible for supporting and leading the development of curriculum, professional learning, and innovative educational initiatives, and is liaison to the New York State Education Department regarding curriculum and instruction requirements and regulations. He served in this same organization as the assistant director of Curriculum and Instructional Services as well as regional science coordinator and director of SCIENCE 21. Before that, he worked for 10 years as a middle school science teacher and department chair in Chappaqua, New York.
Contact Fred at http://www.fredende.com
Instragram: fred.ende
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredende/
Fred's books:
Buy The Minimalist Teacher book from ASCD+ISTE.
Follow on Instagram @PlanZEducation and @minimalist_ed_podcast.
The Minimalist Educator Podcast is a Plan Z Education Services adventure.
Previous Episode
Episode 069: Leading with Love: Putting People First in Education with Laurie Namey
Laurie Namey shares how prioritizing people first in educational leadership leads to transformative school cultures and student achievement. Her leadership philosophy centers on a minimalist principle, proving that when people are valued first, everything else falls into place.
• Prioritize people by day, paperwork by night
• The physical environment communicates value – students deserve clean, well-maintained spaces
• Create non-negotiable routines that center on student interactions
• Personalized communication matters – handwritten notes have profound impact
• Allow space for vulnerability in leadership when facing challenges
• In crisis moments, focus solely on what's best for students
• Core values and clear purpose help maintain balance during difficult situations
• Hard work, consistent routines, and putting people first are foundation for success
Remember what's at the heart of our work – taking care of children first, everything else second.
Buy The Minimalist Teacher book from ASCD+ISTE.
Follow on Instagram @PlanZEducation and @minimalist_ed_podcast.
The Minimalist Educator Podcast is a Plan Z Education Services adventure.
Next Episode
Episode 071: Integrating SEL Without Adding More with Dr. Krista Leh
Dr. Krista Leh returns to discuss how educators can effectively integrate social emotional learning into their teaching without adding to their workload, emphasizing the importance of recognizing SEL skills already present in their practices.
• Teachers continue to struggle with balancing personal lives and professional obligations while facing constant addition of new initiatives
• SEL is more than just building relationships—it's a set of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills that teachers are often already incorporating
• Research shows students only need one caring, consistent adult to make a difference in their lives
• Middle school leadership programs can effectively build student SEL skills by providing structured opportunities to explore character strengths
• Workshop design should honor participant expertise and create safe spaces for collaboration
• Free resources available at resonanceed.com for teachers looking to enhance their SEL practices
• Integration starts by examining existing practices and identifying the SEL skills already embedded in classroom activities
You don't have to do anything alone. Reach out to colleagues who can help you relate to students better, connect with someone who has different expertise, or ask for support at home so you can be your best self.
This episode is sponsored by Resonance Education.
Buy The Minimalist Teacher book from ASCD+ISTE.
Follow on Instagram @PlanZEducation and @minimalist_ed_podcast.
The Minimalist Educator Podcast is a Plan Z Education Services adventure.
The Minimalist Educator Podcast - Episode 070: Rethinking Professional Development in K-12 Education with Fred Ende
Transcript
Welcome to the Minimalist Educator Podcast , a podcast about paring down to refocus on the purpose and priorities in our roles with co-hosts and co-authors of the Minimalist Teacher Book , Tammy Musiewski-Bornemann and Christine Arnold .
Speaker 2On this week's episode we speak with Fred End about commonalities with professional development needs acros
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