Indian Prairie Podcast

Creating a Student Centered Classroom

Candy and Brian are joined by Adam Page, Metea Valley English Teacher, and Josh Robinson, Metea Valley Social Studies Teacher, to discuss strategies and ideas on creating a student-centered classroom. 

 

Adam and Josh discuss the importance of building trusting relationships with students in class to build the foundation for a student-centered classroom. Josh and Adam also share helpful ideas to consider in supporting student learning.

Supporting Students

Candy and Brian are joined by Melissa Wilson, Neuqua Valley Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction; and Jess Thomas, Metea Valley English Department chair, to discuss best practices in supporting students.

 

Melissa and Jess share ideas on how to support students in achieving their greatest potential. Melissa and Jess discuss strategies that teachers in their building have used to support student engagement, learning, executive functioning, SEL, and more.

Leading During a Pandemic

Candy and Brian are joined by Sarah Nowak, Welch Principal and Gina Getting, Welch Student Services Coordinator, to share what they have learned over the past year about teaching and student learning. 

 

Gina and Sarah provide insights into what they have learned during the pandemic. Gina and Sarah dive into the conversations they are having in their own homes and its connections to students and teachers in District 204.

Supporting Building Culture

Candy and Brian are joined by Kibbie Lewis, Middle School Assistant Principal, and Joe Parratore Middle School Assistant Principal, to discuss the importance of supporting a building’s culture with a lens on equity.

 

Building Administrators and teachers are committed to developing a positive culture in their buildings and classrooms. Kibbie and Joe share their story in this episode of the IPSD podcast. 

Sharing Building Stories

Candy and Brian are joined by Lisa Traut, Neuqua Valley Department Chair & Media Communications Teacher; and Brian Wiencek, Waubonsie Valley Media Communications teacher, to share how student’s share their school’s story.

 

Lisa and Brian explain how students play a role at Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley in sharing information about each school. Lisa and Brian also share tips and insights about incorporating student agency into a teacher’s instruction and how students share their voice in their classroom.

Engaging Stakeholders

Candy and Brian are joined by Al Davenport, Granger Middle School Principal, and Kathy White, Interventionist, to discuss strategies to engage stakeholders. 

 

Granger Middle School staff share some of the innovative ways they have stayed connected to students, teachers, parents and guardians during the pandemic.

Concurrent Classroom

Candy and Brian are joined by Julie Many, Instructional Technology Coordinator and Math Teacher, and Jessica Walsh, CEC Instructional Specialists and ELA teacher, to discuss teaching in a concurrent classroom setting, also known as "Rooming and Zooming."

 

Julie and Jessica share the evolution of their teaching in a concurrent classroom this year. The group discusses ideas to support teachers who are new to concurrent teaching.

Welcome Back to the Indian Prairie Podcast

Indian Prairie School District is excited to continue the Indian Prairie Podcast! Hosted by Candy Michelli, Director of Professional Learning, and Brian Giovanini, Director of Innovation, along with various District teachers and administrators. Each episode will dive into and discuss the work being done in the District to fulfill the mission: To Inspire All Students To Achieve Their Greatest Potential.

Middle School Social Studies

Kathy is joined by Tarah Fowler, Director of Middle School Core Curriculum, and Jessica Walsh, Instructional Specialist to discuss the updated Social Studies Curriculum for middle schools.

The State of Illinois recently updated its Standards for Learning. In response, the district worked with teachers and instructional leaders to review and revise the district’s curriculum in order to implement the changes.

Career Exploration and Pathways

Kathy is joined by Jen Yavorski, Business Education teacher at Neuqua Valley High School, and Brian Giovanini, Director of Innovation, to discuss the District's development of high school course pathways.

A great deal of work has begun in our high school electives to help students discover and explore potential career opportunities in order to help them succeed after graduation.