The Optimalist Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Michelle Ament, the Chief Academic Officer of ProSolve, joins Sara for a discussion on the importance of designing learning experiences that meet the needs of students. They explore the challenges that teachers face in adopting this approach and the importance of empathy and risk-taking. Additionally, they discuss the shift from knowledge-focused education to human-centered skills in preparation for the future workforce. They delve into the concept of college and career readiness and the need to embed the four Cs (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity) into all aspects of learning.

Michelle and Sara emphasize the importance of reflection and metacognition in deep learning and share their experiences with perfectionism. They discuss the need to shift from perfectionism to "reflectionism" and the benefits of continuous learning and trying new approaches. Lastly, they stress the need for teachers to lean on each other and create a culture of reflection in schools. Reflection can be applied in various contexts - self-awareness, giving feedback, and understanding group dynamics is necessary in fostering effective collaboration.

Key reflection: How should the day-to-day experience in schools change with the rise of AI - including incorporating human intelligence (soft skills) and using reflection as an authentic learning experience?

Chapters

(0:02:36) Designing Learning Experiences that Meet Student Needs

(0:06:20) Reimagining Learning and Teaching for Human Intelligence

(0:13:31) Reflection and metacognition in learning

(0:16:28) Embracing risk, failure, and continuous improvement in education

(0:21:00) Transitioning from perfectionism to reflectionism

(0:22:04) Flawed Thinking in Evaluating Student Success

(0:25:43) Reflection and Quick Adaptation

(0:29:23) Four F's of Reflection

(0:31:57) Applying the Reflection Model to Learning and Instruction

(0:38:28) Meta-Level Awareness and Cognition

(0:48:21) Adaptability in the Age of AI

(0:49:34) Exploring Adaptability and Reflection in Education

(0:53:47) Staying in tune with the education market

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Links Mentioned:

Michelle on Twitter: @mlament

Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleament

Find us & join us:

• Follow Sara Candela on Twitter at @Scandela9
• Rate & Subscribe to The Optimalist Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, your favorite podcast player - or right here, on Substack - to get each episode as soon as it’s released.
• Join our Community Discord server at https://discord.gg/SWhQ76mEZD

The Optimalist Podcast is brought to you by Swivl. At Swivl, we understand that the biggest challenge in education is the rate of change. Policy revisions, technological advancements (accelerated by AI), evolving job markets, and ongoing research constantly identifying new best practices are only some of the factors affecting the rate of change in education. To learn how Swivl can help you be more reflective, engaged, and adaptable - including Mirror, our newest tool for complete transformation - visit swivl.com. You can also follow us on Twitter.

Special Announcement: Introducing Mirror by Swivl - a new tool made to recognize the potential of reflection in classrooms. We built Mirror to thrive with AI, reflect easier, and partner with teachers. I think Mirror is where you and your students are going to meet your potential self.

Click here to find everything you need to start exploring - and trying - Mirror today.

• Follow Swivl on Twitter at @Swivl
• Follow Swivl on Instagram at @goswivl

Credits:

• Music: “Goodnight, Shapeshifter” by MusicForNothing, used under Creative Commons BY-ND 3.0.

Audio Editing & Production: Tim Belmont (@tbelmontedu)

This week, we celebrate the first ten episodes of The Optimalist Podcast! To do that, we are taking a short break from regular episodes to look at where we’ve been so far since we launched the podcast in April. We are also celebrating the renaming and rebranding of the product that inspires all of this work. As of this Monday, Focusable is now known as Engageable. We decided to make this big change because we thought a lot about the core and heart of our mission, and what we want to help people do on their own. And what that comes down to is engageability. Focus is only part of that. Attention is a huge part of it. But how well do you engage with the world around you? The life in front of you? What’s keeping you from better attention in work, school, home - and as an extension, better participation in it? Engageable is, just as Focusable was, the pulse you need for better attention. But now, we are asking you to hold yourself more accountable by being mindful of the way you feel, and live every day. Visit getengageable.com and follow getengageable on Twitter, Instagram, & YouTube.

Have a listen to some of the highlights from the guests of our first 9 episodes. I hope they inspire you to go back and listen to anything you may have missed. Thanks for being with us so far!

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Find us & join us:

• Follow Sara Candela on Twitter at @Scandela9
• Subscribe to The Optimalist Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, your favorite podcast player - or right here, on Substack - to get each episode as soon as it’s released.
• Join our Community Discord server at https://discord.gg/SWhQ76mEZD

The Optimalist Podcast is brought to you by Engageable, the only app that gives you the pulse of energy you need to find better attention. Sign up for free today at getengageable.com or by downloading on any iOs or Android device.

• Follow Engageable on Twitter at @getengageable

Credits:

• Music: “Goodnight, Shapeshifter” by MusicForNothing, used under Creative Commons BY-ND 3.0.

Audio Editing & Production: Tim Belmont (@tbelmontedu)

This week, Anne Kasa joins me to talk about ways to embed mindfulness-based SEL experiences into the day, as well as building student awareness of their involvement in the classroom environment.

Anne Kasa (she/her) is a veteran of the education field who previously served as a PK-4th grade instructional coach, a PK-5th grade literacy coach & reading specialist, and a classroom teacher at multiple grade levels. Anne is a Google Certified Instructional Technology Coach with the Learning Technology Center serving Burnham School District 154.5 and Sauk Village School District 168. She is also a facilitator for North Central College’s Character Education Certification program and a yoga teacher at Yoga 360. She believes strongly in supporting educators and students through hands-on practice and embedded mindfulness-based SEL activities. Anne graduated from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL (BA in Education) and Benedictine University in Lisle, IL (Masters in Reading and Literacy). She is a certified SEL facilitator and yoga teacher through Breathe for Change, certified SEL educator through Mindful Practices, and SEL trained at the artistry level through Tribes TLC.

Listen as Anne and I discuss ways to embed mindfulness-based SEL experiences into the day, as well as how to build student awareness of their involvement in the classroom environment.

Links Mentioned

Reading: The Bridges of Madison County

Watching: Firefly Lane

Listening: The One You Feed, & Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning

Follow Anne on Twitter: @kasaan05

Anne's Focus Method - Live as mindfully as possible, stay as present as possible, and that makes you as available as possible.

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Find us & join us:

• Follow Sara Candela on Twitter at @Scandela9
• Subscribe to The Optimalist Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, your favorite podcast player - or right here, on Substack - to get each episode as soon as it’s released.
• Join our Community Discord server at https://discord.gg/SWhQ76mEZD

The Optimalist Podcast is brought to you by Focusable, the only app that gives you the pulse you need to find better attention. Sign up for free today at getfocusable.com or by downloading on any iOs or Android device.

• Follow Focusable on Twitter at @getfocusable

Credits:

• Music: “Goodnight, Shapeshifter” by MusicForNothing, used under Creative Commons BY-ND 3.0.

Audio Editing & Production: Tim Belmont (@tbelmontedu)

Much like Tim Belmont, who was our guest last week, Don Sturm is also a member of the Optimalist community. If you’re on Twitter, you may know Don as the one amongst us who’s always asking questions. Don just completed his 32nd year in education. He spent the first 23 years as a social studies teacher and the last 9 as a technology integration specialist. His interest in podcasting has allowed him to co-host a show meant for teachers. This show led to an interest in focusing specifically on caregivers with the district Wellness Coordinator. The goals of CareU are to walk alongside caregivers in a non-judgmental way, and help them to be more intentional in their caregiving.

Listen as Don and I discuss intentionality when it comes to using technology, and the importance of teachers and parents working together to understand how to self-regulate and manage their own tech and social media habits, so we can then model the best practices for our youngest generations. Basically, we’re all in the together as we prepare to face the biggest challenge to our attention: AI.

Links Mentioned

According to Don, he has become more interested in the idea of complexity, which is likely reflected in the media he consumes.

Reading: The End of the World is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan

Watching: Shiny Happy People

Listening: Smart People Podcast

Follow Don on Twitter: @SturmDon

Web: schoolscanbebetter.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/through-the-educational-looking-glass/id1609443112

Don's Focus Method - Practicing mindfulness regularly. It teaches you so much about yourself because it’s about recognizing when you lose focus, not about clearing your mind completely. Making it part of your daily routine really reduces stress and anxiety that causes other issues to emerge.

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Find us & join us:

• Follow Sara Candela on Twitter at @Scandela9
• Subscribe to The Optimalist Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, your favorite podcast player - or right here, on Substack - to get each episode as soon as it’s released.
• Join our Community Discord server at https://discord.gg/SWhQ76mEZD

The Optimalist Podcast is brought to you by Focusable, the only app that gives you the pulse you need to find better attention. Sign up for free today at getfocusable.com or by downloading on any iOs or Android device.

• Follow Focusable on Twitter at @getfocusable

Credits:

• Music: “Goodnight, Shapeshifter” by MusicForNothing, used under Creative Commons BY-ND 3.0.

Audio Editing & Production: Tim Belmont (@tbelmontedu)

Today, we delve into the concept of presence as a leader and the challenges that can hinder our ability to be fully present. Our guest, Sean Gaillard, shares his personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of aligning presence for oneself and for loved ones in order to better serve others. We explore various obstacles that can impede presence, including external and internal noise, doubts, pressure, and the lack of value placed on presence in today's digital world.

Listen as Sean and I discuss what it means to need presence as a leader, to respect your biological and mental need for pause in your day, and the role of self-awareness in being effective at any mindful routine.

Chapters

0:01:53 The Power of Presence in Personal and Professional Life

0:06:01 Overcoming Physical Distance through Intentional Engagement

0:11:35 A Father's Powerful Presence

0:15:05 Solitude and Creativity

0:22:02 The Need for Mental Release and Roaming Thoughts

0:25:07 Creating Dedicated "White Space" for Thinking and Dreaming

0:27:41 Presence as a Pathway to Connection and Listening

0:30:15 The Ripple Effect of Being Present in a Conversation

0:34:36 The Power of Creativity and Joy in Music

0:39:10 Connectedness and Impact on Others

0:43:38 Mindfulness, Empathy, and Connecting with Others

0:51:51 The Importance of Checking In and Walking the Building

0:57:19 Sean's Perspective on Building-Wide Practices for Personal Engagement

Links Mentioned

Reading: The Great Gatsby

Crucial Influence: Leadership Skills to Create Lasting Behavior Change

Brothers and Sisters

Listening: Tony Bennett

Follow Sean on Twitter & IG: @smgaillard

On the web: #PrincipalLinerNotes Podcast on Twitter and Spotify

Sean’s Attention Method - Guide your days and activities with bookends - “the beginning will impact the middle.”

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Find us & join us:

• Follow Sara Candela on Twitter at @Scandela9
• Subscribe to The Optimalist Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, your favorite podcast player - or right here, on Substack - to get each episode as soon as it’s released.
• Join our Community Discord server at https://discord.gg/SWhQ76mEZD

The Optimalist Podcast is brought to you by Engageable, the only app that gives you the pulse of energy you need to find better attention. Sign up for free today at getengageable.com or by downloading on any iOs or Android device.

• Follow Engageable on Twitter at