Southwestern Institute Podcasts
Ep 20 Dr Jose Torres
District Leader's Podcast
August 10th, 2008 Interview with Superintendent of School District U46, Chicago, IL: Dr. Jose Torres Ep 20 Dr Jose Torres [28:19m]: Play Now Play in Popup Download (1) Key Topics include: ARCHIVE  Leadership  High Stakes Testing  Trends in Education  Improving Student Performance  Urban Education  Making the Tough Decisions Description Leadership and Student Achievement in Urban Schools In this episode of the District Leaders Podcast, Dr. Jose Torres, Area Superintendent of Area 14 in Chicago Public Schools, talks about his challenges and triumphs during his time there with podcast host Carolyn Pearson. He discusses the educational leaders and his fellow superintendents who inspire him and the many initiatives of which he is the most proud. Dr. Torres also talks about some of his plans for his new endeavor as superintendent in Elgin School District U46 in Illinois. In CPS, Dr. Torres improved SAT composite scores (reading, math, science) in grades 3-8 by 18 percentage points. He partnered with the New Teacher Center; UC Santa Cruz, California to implement a full induction model to support beginning teachers (retained 78 teachers out of 82 new to teaching during the first year of implementation Join us for a fascinating insights into this educational leader. We know that as you hear Dr. Torres discuss his role and vision for education you will find much from which gain ideas, support, and to identify with compared to your leadership role Biographical Background Prior to joining District U-46, Dr. Torres served as a Regional Superintendent (Area Instruction Officer) for Area 14 in the Chicago Public Schools where he oversaw 26 schools with over 14,000 students (98% African American and 93% free and reduced lunch) serving 5 communities (Englewood, West Englewood, Chatham, Grand Crossing, Auburn Gresham). In CPS, Dr. Torres was responsible for a budget of over $104 million. In CPS, Dr. Torres improved ISAT composite scores (reading, math, science) in grades 3-8 by 18 percentage points. He partnered with the New Teacher Center, UC Santa Cruz, California to implement a full induction model to support beginning teachers (retained 78 teachers out of 82 new to teaching during the first year of implementation. In Anne Arundel County Maryland, Dr. Torres saw dramatic results in academic achievement across the board in reading and mathematics during his tenure as Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services for Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland. In his role as Assistant Superintendent for a district with over 120 schools and 75,000 students, he oversaw a budget of more than $135 million and was responsible for the special education, alternative education, pupil services and the human relations departments. Increases in academic achievement, coupled with decreases in student discipline and decreases in the number of students placed in special education were possible because of the strong partnerships created between parents, teachers, staff, community, business community, social service agencies, faith based communities, and local elected officials. Before joining the Anne Arundel district, Dr. Torres was Superintendent of the San Ysidro School District near the Mexico/California border in San Diego County. Dr. Torres also served as a human relations specialist in Montgomery County Public Schools, as coordinator in the Baltimore City Public Schools in Maryland, and as an associate superintendent of instructional services for the San Jose Unified School District in California. Related Web Links: School District U-46The Broad Academy District Leaderâs Podcast is produced and copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2007-2008. All rights reserved. For more information email us at podcast@districtleaderspodcast.org or phone us at 1-866-435-5337 (toll free) and leave a voice message for our co-hosts. Tags: ARCHIVE  Leadership  High Stakes Testing  Trends in Education  Improving Student Performance  Urban Education  Making the Tough Decisions  Blogroll read less
Latest Episodes for this Channel
Ep 20 Dr Jose Torres
Sun August 10 2008
August 10th, 2008 Interview with Superintendent of School District U46, Chicago, IL: Dr. Jose Torres Ep 20 Dr Jose Torres [28:19m]: Play Now Play in Popup Download (1) Key Topics include: ARCHIVE  Leadership  High Stakes Testing  Trends in Education  Improving Student Performance  Urban Education  Making the Tough Decisions Description Leadership and Student Achievement in Urban Schools In this episode of the District Leaders Podcast, Dr. Jose Torres, Area Superintendent of Area 14 in Chicago Public Schools, talks about his challenges and triumphs during his time there with podcast host Carolyn Pearson. He discusses the educational leaders and his fellow superintendents who inspire him and the many initiatives of which he is the most proud. Dr. Torres also talks about some of his plans for his new endeavor as superintendent in Elgin School District U46 in Illinois. In CPS, Dr. Torres improved SAT composite scores (reading, math, science) in grades 3-8 by 18 percentage points. He partnered with the New Teacher Center; UC Santa Cruz, California to implement a full induction model to support beginning teachers (retained 78 teachers out of 82 new to teaching during the first year of implementation Join us for a fascinating insights into this educational leader. We know that as you hear Dr. Torres discuss his role and vision for education you will find much from which gain ideas, support, and to identify with compared to your leadership role Biographical Background Prior to joining District U-46, Dr. Torres served as a Regional Superintendent (Area Instruction Officer) for Area 14 in the Chicago Public Schools where he oversaw 26 schools with over 14,000 students (98% African American and 93% free and reduced lunch) serving 5 communities (Englewood, West Englewood, Chatham, Grand Crossing, Auburn Gresham). In CPS, Dr. Torres was responsible for a budget of over $104 million. In CPS, Dr. Torres improved ISAT composite scores (reading, math, science) in grades 3-8 by 18 percentage points. He partnered with the New Teacher Center, UC Santa Cruz, California to implement a full induction model to support beginning teachers (retained 78 teachers out of 82 new to teaching during the first year of implementation. In Anne Arundel County Maryland, Dr. Torres saw dramatic results in academic achievement across the board in reading and mathematics during his tenure as Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services for Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland. In his role as Assistant Superintendent for a district with over 120 schools and 75,000 students, he oversaw a budget of more than $135 million and was responsible for the special education, alternative education, pupil services and the human relations departments. Increases in academic achievement, coupled with decreases in student discipline and decreases in the number of students placed in special education were possible because of the strong partnerships created between parents, teachers, staff, community, business community, social service agencies, faith based communities, and local elected officials. Before joining the Anne Arundel district, Dr. Torres was Superintendent of the San Ysidro School District near the Mexico/California border in San Diego County. Dr. Torres also served as a human relations specialist in Montgomery County Public Schools, as coordinator in the Baltimore City Public Schools in Maryland, and as an associate superintendent of instructional services for the San Jose Unified School District in California. Related Web Links: School District U-46The Broad Academy District Leaderâs Podcast is produced and copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2007-2008. All rights reserved. For more information email us at podcast@districtleaderspodcast.org or phone us at 1-866-435-5337 (toll free) and leave a voice message for our co-hosts. Tags: ARCHIVE  Leadership  High Stakes Testing  Trends in Education  Improving Student Performance  Urban Education  Making the Tough Decisions  Blogroll read less
Ep 19 Dr. Jerry W. Shiveley Interview
Sun July 20 2008
Interview with Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, Norristown PA, Exec Dir/CEO, Dr. Jerry W. Shiveley: Special Education and the Potential for IU Services to all Public Schools Key Topics Include: special education, leadership, teacher training and equity, parent involvement Description: This interview provides a prime example of the impact and process of leveraging services to support special needs in public schools. Join District Leader's Podcast host Ed Milliken and Dr. Jerry W. Shiveley, Executive Director/CEO of the Intermediate Unit of Montgomery County, Norristown PA, as they discuss how schools can offer an increased variety of instructional, support, and management programs and services through the collaboration among school districts created by the intermediate agency. The discussion ranges from leadership, to teacher education, equity, student special needs, cost-effective services, parent involvement, and beyond! The Intermediate Education Agency is an important agency in providing local school districts with strong learning and management programs is a very cost effective structure. Programs and services of an intermediate agency are market driven based upon need and cost, therefore, an I.A. can be responsive to school districts. Delivered through an I.A., special education programs offer the performance objectives required for disabled students while controlling costs through shared school strategies. Similarly, other offerings such as staff development, equity initiatives, advocacy, and Response to Intervention programs are regionally provided by the I.A. While many challenges confront education, Dr. Shiveley provides an exciting and promising future for education. Educational leadership is both demanding and satisfying. As such, it is a worthy career goal with many rewarding experiences and growth opportunities. Biographical Background Montgomery Dr. Jerry W. Shiveley has served as the Executive Director/CEO of the County Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania since July 2004. In this position, he oversees the operation of the MCIU in Norristown, PA which serves the 22 component school districts in Montgomery County and more than 170 non public schools. Prior to his position at the MCIU, Dr. Shiveley served in the dual role of Chief Executive Officer of the Nassau Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and District Superintendent of Schools in New York for five years. He spent the previous seven years as the Deputy Superintendent of the Multnomah Education Service District in Portland, Oregon. In addition to more than 15 years of experience in educational administration in New York, Oregon, and Washington, Dr. Shiveley also taught Vocational Agriculture. He earned his bachelorâs degree in Agricultural Education and masterâs degree in Administration and Vocational Education from Oregon State University. He later received a doctorate in Educational Administration from Brigham Young University. Related Web Links: Montgomery County Intermediate Unit: http://www.mciu.org/ District Leader's Podcast is produced and copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2007-2008. All rights reserved. For more information email us at podcast@districtleaderspodcast.org or phone us at 1-866-435-5337 (toll free) and leave a voice message for our co-hosts. View th complete site at http://blog.districtleaderspodcast.org read less
Episode 18 Mr. William Isler
Sun July 06 2008
July 7th, 2008  Interview with Pittsburgh PA School Board President, Mr. William H. Isler: President and CEO, Family Communications, Inc. Exec. Dir., The Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning & Childrenâs Media: School Board Public Service as Leadership for Students and their Future, Is it Achievement? Download Key Topics include: Leadership  School Board Member  ARCHIVE  Trends in Education  Making the Tough Decisions  Improving Student Performance  Urban Education Description Join us for a compelling interview with a prominent school board member who has served education through many organizations. Mr. William H. Isler offers a broad and deep view on several critical issues from his history of deep involvement involved in early childhood education and public service, from his role as school board president in Pittsburgh PA in this conversation and interview with District Leaderâs Podcast co-host Arthur Griffen Jr.. Mr.Islerâs education service experiences spans service on this urban school board and Saint Vincent Collegeâs Board of trustees, but also leadership of Family Communications, Inc., and The Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Childrenâs Media at Saint Vincent College (to name just a few of the outstanding areas of service). Topics in this episode include leadership development and vision, student achievement, closing the achievement gap, equity, urban education, child development, breaking trends in education, and funding of educational programs. Mr. Isler argues passionately about community responsible to early childhood education: from equity, to research evidence, demographics and funding. His vision of the power of substantial early childhood foundation is heard in the quote he refers to âYou can give children ABCâs and 123âs or you can give them tools for learning..â Join us for another not-to-be-missed episode of the District Leaderâs Podcast to be encouraged about the future of our schools and servant leaders. Biographical Background Bill Isler is a longtime professional educator and advocate for children. He began his career as a teacher and administrator, then served the Pennsylvania Department of Education as Commissioner of Basic Education and Senior Program Advisor for Early Childhood Education before joining the Family Communications, Inc., staff in 1984 and becoming the inaugural Executive Director of The Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Childrenâs Media at Saint Vincent College in 2005. Under his leadership, FCI continued to produce the award-winning MISTER ROGERSâ NEIGHBORHOOD, longest running program on PBS, while expanding into the development of training materials for individuals who work with children. FCI also publishes books for children and for adults and produces materials related to MISTER ROGERSâ NEIGHBORHOOD. A significant accomplishment of the last two decades is the growth of partnerships with non-profit agencies and institutions. These collaborations have attracted more than $30 million in support from foundations and governmental agencies for innovative programming such as the Girlsâ Math, Science and Technology Project, developed cooperatively with Carnegie Mellon University to engage young girls in math and science for the technology demands of the 21st century workplace. In addition to his leadership role at FCI and The Rogers Center, he is President of the Pittsburgh School Board, President-elect of the Council of Great City Schools, and advisor to the National League of Cities Council on Children, Youth, and Education, Rand Promising Practices Network, Hillman Cancer Institute, and the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Office of Children, Youth & Families. He is a Board member of The Grable Foundation, Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Institute, and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, an Honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a member for more than three decades of the Association for the Education of Young Children. He received The Pittsburgh Foundationâs Isabel P. Kennedy Award for child advocacy and was named âPerson of the Yearâ in 2007 by the Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania. He is also âAlumnus of Distinctionâ of Saint Vincent College, and currently serves on the collegeâs Board of Trustees. Related Web Links: Herricks Union Free School District District Leaderâs Podcast is produced and copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2007-2008. All rights reserved. For more information email us at podcast@districtleaderspodcast.org or phone us at 1-866-435-5337 (toll free) and leave a voice message for our co-hosts. FULL SITE at: http://blog.districtleaderspodcast.org read less
Ep 17 Mr. Kirk Lewis Interview
Sun June 22 2008
June 22nd, 2008  Interview with Superintendent for Pasadena Independent School District, Texas, Mr. Kirk Lewis: Career Paths of the Superintendent, Improving Graduation Rates and Bilingual Education Episode 17 Mr. Kirk Lewis Interview [21:56m]: Download (1) KEY TOPICS Include: High Stakes Testing  Bilingual Education  Retention and Graduation  Leadership  ARCHIVE  Making the Tough Decisions  Improving Student Performance  Trends in Education  Urban Education In this episode, Mr. Kirk Lewis, the Superintendent for Pasadena Independent School District is interviewed by Jason Marshall. Mr. Lewis also discusses Pasadenaâs Bilingual/ELL program. Pasadena currently has over 11,000 students in Bilingual programs, and the numbers are growing. Interesting features of the interview also include hearing about the non-traditional road to the Superintendent position which Mr. Lewis has traveled.In addition,listeners gain firsthand insight into the Pasadena Initiative called Expectation Graduation, which focuses resources and attention on the 9th grade. This program certainly addresses one of the most critical years for a high school student is entry into the ninth grade. The success of that year sets the tone for the entire high school experience and focuses on connecting instruction with studentsâ interests, learning styles, and aptitudes. These small learning community approaches continue further through a college bound culture which implements greater rigor and relevance, and increases AP enrollment. Join us for an exciting interview with Mr. Kirk Lewis and Jason as they discuss the person and impact of the Superintendency. This series always provides more opportunities to hear from your colleagues around the USA, and gain strength and insight from their experiences. Episode 17 provides a new dimension of these personal, yet professional windows into the life and work of the superintendent. Biographical Background Kirk Lewis was named by the Board of Trustees as Superintendent of the Pasadena Independent School District on April 25, 2006. Lewis assumed his new duties in December following the retirement of longtime superintendent Rick Schneider. As 28-year resident of Pasadena, Lewis graduated in 1972 from Ropes High School, a small farming community near Lubbock. He attended Texas Tech University, graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising/Public Relations. He received his Master of Science degree in Education Futures from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 1983. Lewis is currently working on a doctorate in educational leadership from Lamar University in Beaumont. Lewis came to Pasadena ISD in 1986 as Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent responsible for communications and policy development and has since worked closely with three different superintendents. He was promoted to Executive Director for Communications and Community Relations in 1995 and to his current position as Deputy Superintendent for Administration, Public Relations and Governmental Affairs in 2001. He is a deacon at South Main Baptist Church in Pasadena. Related Web Links: District Website: http://www.pasadenaisd.org Educational Foundation Website: http://www.pasadenaisd.org/foundation District Leaderâs Podcast is produced and copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2007. All rights reserved. For more information email us at podcast@districtleaderspodcast.org or phone us at 1-866-435-5337 (toll free) and leave a voice message for our co-hosts. Episode 17 Mr. Kirk Lewis Interview [21:56m]: Play Now Play in Popup Download (1) <!-- podPressShowHidePlayer('1', 'http://www.districtleaderspodcast.org/wordpress/podpress_trac/play/61/0/DistrictLeadersPodcast-ep-17-KL.mp3',300,30, 'nopreview', 'http://www.districtleaderspodcast.org/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/podpress//images/vpreview_center.png'); --> Tags: High Stakes Testing  Bilingual Education  Retention and Graduation  Leadership  ARCHIVE  Making the Tough Decisions  Improving Student Performance  Trends in Education  Urban Education read less
Episode 16 Dr.John Deasy Interview
Mon June 09 2008
Interview with CEO, Prince Georgeâs County Public Schools, MD Dr. John Deasy Turning the Tide: Student Access and Achievement; Support and Collaboration in School Leadership Key Topics include: Leadership  Improving Student Performance  Making the Tough Decisions  Urban Education  Ed Tech  ARCHIVE  Turning the tide when a district has been marginalized over a long period of time is a great challenge; Dr. John Deasy is a school leader who is succeeding in changing that tide. Tune in to this episode to get to know a school leader who discusses his district and student struggle, and new pathway of success. In this episode of the District Leader's Podcast, Dr. Deasy, Chief Executive Officer of Prince Georgeâs County Public Schools (PGCPS) in Maryland, talks with with host Carolyn Pearson about his challenges and triumphs in his first two years in the district. Marylandâs second largest school system and the Nationâs 18th largest district offers more than 133,000 children and innovative, technology-infused curriculum that has produced significant academic gains. Additionally, PGCPS provides a wide range of âFOCUSâ programs, extended learning opportunities, and support for special needs students. Dr. Deasy also discusses the educational leaders and his fellow superintendents who inspire him and why. This testimony is a great example of the power of support and collaboration in school leadership! Biographical Background Prior to this role, Dr. Deasy served as Superintendent of the Coventry Public Schools in Rhode Island for five years. Dr. Deasy also served as a high school principal in two communities, director of personnel, and assistant superintendent of schools. Earlier in his career, he taught biology, chemistry, calculus, and English at the high school level, coached high school sports, and served as an assistant high school principal in New York. He continues to be a faculty member in university doctoral programs in several states. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Chemistry Education and a Master of Arts in Education Administration from Providence College, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the University of Louisville. Dr. Deasy is a Broad Fellow, was an Annenberg Fellow, State Superintendent of the Year, a presenter at numerous State and National conferences, a consultant to school districts undertaking high school reform and district-wide systemic improvement initiatives, and serves on numerous boards including Operation Public Education at the University of Pennsylvania and The Change Leadership Group at Harvard. He works for community and national service organizations, including the National Diabetes Association and his local parish. He is the author of numerous articles and research papers. Related Web Links: Prince Georgeâs County Public Schools http://www1.pgcps.org/ District Leaderâs Podcast is produced and copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2007-2008. All rights reserved. For more information email us at podcast@districtleaderspodcast.org or phone us at 1-866-435-5337 (toll free) and leave a voice message for our co-hosts. read less
