Episode 067: Let’s Fix This

For this episode of Passing Notes, I visited with Andy Moore and Scott Melson with Let’s Fix This. Let’s Fix this is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating Oklahomans on politics and policy while providing opportunities for citizens to engage with their representatives. The produce a weekly podcast, Let’s Pod This, and provide resources and, when able to be in person, engagement opportunities for Oklahomans.

I asked them on the podcast to talk about what advocacy will look like in the time of Covid and why it is just as important as ever, though it might be more difficult, to engage with your local and state legislators. You can learn more about Let’s Fix This on their website, Facebook page, or on Twitter @LetsFixThisOK. I recommend check out Let’s Pod This too!

Reflection Questions:

1. How do you plan on advocating on behalf of public education this year?
2. Do you know the names of your state and local representatives?

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Episode 064: Dyslexia

Let’s talk about dyslexia. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability characterized by having difficulties relating to language, particularly reading. It runs in families and is estimated that around 20% of the population. Payne Education Center, located in Oklahoma City, trains teachers to prevent reading difficulties in children and to remediate dyslexia while serving as a resource and a referral center for teachers and parents. In recent years, the state of Oklahoma has updated laws and policies around teaching children with dyslexia. You can learn more about them and the work that they do on Facebook or their website: www.payneeducationcenter.org. For this episode I interviewed Heather Johnson, the Executive Director of Oklahoma’s Payne Education Center.

Reflection Questions:

1. What practical steps can you take to meet the needs of your students who are demonstrating reading difficulties?
2. How does your school/district plan to prepare your staff for meeting the needs of students with dyslexia?
3. What resources do you have available that support your understanding of reading difficulties?

Episode 060: Advocacy & Covid 19

Whew! This last month has been… so many things but normal. As I’m sitting in my home office thinking about everything that has happened, I’m truly overwhelmed. Like many educators, I’m concerned about our families and their children. I’m worried about my teachers and how they are adjusting. I’m thinking about week 3 of our Continuous Learning Plan, when week 1 came out yesterday. I’m amazed by our SNS team who continues to serve more meals everyday and our instructional staff who handed out thousands of learning packets to families. This. This has truly been adjustment but I have seen the best in others and a community of people come together.

I had been planning an episode about advocacy for awhile. I had wanted to release it in February with the new legislative season occurring but life happened and it hit the list of things I was going to get to eventually. A few weeks ago Dr. April Grace, Shari Gateley, and I were reflecting on all that had been happening when Dr. Grace announced we should podcast about this and so we did. If you don’t know Dr. April Grace, she is the Superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools and you can find her on Twitter @ShawneeSup. Shari Gateley, currently an Assistant Principal at Irving Middle School in Norman and 2019 OK TOY Finalist, is also a parent to a PreK and K student, and you can find her on Twitter @ShariGateley.

Hope you enjoy our conversation and that you are staying safe and healthy!

Episode 059: An Update from the State Superintendent

Another year, another legislative session which means the OSDE and State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister are gearing up for another season of new bills and finalized budgets. I sat down with Superintendent Hofmeister to reflect on the past year of her superintendency and look ahead to the coming year. You can find Superintendent Hofmeister on Twitter @joy4ok.

Episode 044: Legislative Wrap Up

The 2019 Oklahoma Legislative Session has come and gone. This year Passing Notes, with the help of a couple of friends, worked to help keep #oklaed informed with regular updates on all things #okleg. Please send your feedback to me by commenting below or direct message me @thestephhinton.

This last episode, posted a little later than planned, is a conversation with Senator JJ Dossett of Senate District 34 and Representative Cyndi Munson of House District 85 (twitter handles linked to name). This episode focused on #oklaed reflections and frustrations from the legislative session.

A BIG shout out to Todd Gragg and Shari Gateley who took the time to research and record for each episode!

Episode 041: Legislative Update 9

In this episode Todd Gragg, Shari Gateley, and I talk about the state’s education budget, Governor Stitt’s Board of Education appointments, and school shootings. #oklaed

Episode 039: Legislative Update 8

This episode of Passing Notes Todd, Shari, and I focused on other systems that impact education because it is not enough to fully fund education. We cover healthcare, criminal justice, DHS, and how all three intersect with education. To sum it up, if we are going to be a top 10 state, Oklahomans need to care for Oklahomans and our policies need to be reflective of the Oklahoman Standard.

Find Todd on Twitter @MrGragg and Shari @ShariGateley.

Episode 037: Legislative Update 7

Listen in as Todd Gragg and I talk all things Oklahoma education politics.

Episode 035: Legislative Update 6

Another #okleg update with Todd Gragg and Shari Gateley. In this episode we talk about innovation and local control.

We all know that the April 1 deadline to pass education funding will probably come and go so we made bets on when we actually the budget will be finalized and sent to the governor. Shari claimed April 24, Todd picked May 8, and I went for the middle with May 1. We’ll see what happens as the legislative session continues.

You can find Todd on Twitter @MrGragg and Shari @ShariGateley

Episode 034: Legislative Update 5

For this legislative update of Passing Notes, Todd Gragg and Shari Gately join me to talk all the things happening in the Oklahoma legislature. In this episode we talk about revenue, the April 1st deadline, and classroom funding.

To find our guests, you can follow them on Twitter @MrGragg and @ShariGateley.