This week on The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome Dr. Kathryn Nieves Licwinko to discuss how generative AI technology can help educators reach all learners and design experiences that account for learner variability. We explore how teachers can use generative AI to enhance and expedite their efforts to apply a universal design to learning (UDL). UDL is a framework that helps educators make learning accessible to all students, regardless of their abilities or learning styles.

Dr. Licwinko has extensive experience in developing and implementing generative AI ideas and strategies for educators. To continue to learn from her, listeners can visit her website at http://katienieves.com/

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In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Sheyanne Smith, who is the High Ability Learning Specialist for Nebraska’s Department of Education, joins us to speak about the present efforts to build upon and enhance services for Nebraska’s H.A.L. students. We also discuss resources and support for the H.A.L. educators who teach and lead in those spaces.

For more information, the resources mentioned in the episode, or to contact Sheyanne Smith directly, please https://www.education.ne.gov/hal/

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Speaker, author, and all-around edu-rockstar, Allyson Apsey, joins The Good Life EDU Podcast this week to share ideas for school leaders who are looking to take their staff meetings to a whole new level this school year. Allyson explains the structure of her most recent book, Lead with Collaboration: A Complete Guide to Transforming Staff Meetings, and details easily implemented, practical strategies for each main section of the text. This episode is a must-listen for all educators who facilitate staff meetings and professional learning throughout the year.

For more info and resources visit: Lead with Collaboration – A Complete Guide for Transforming Staff Meetings

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The National Rural Education Association is a strong and respected organization of rural school administrators, teachers, board members, regional service agency personnel, researchers, business and industry representatives, and others who are interested in maintaining the vitality of rural school systems across the country. In this episode, NREA’s executive director, Dr. Allen Pratt, joins the podcast to talk about the NREA’s current work, the present challenges facing rural education in America, and the innovative and collaborative efforts being made to address them. We also chat about the myriad of ways in which NREA helps keep rural educators connected and informed.

To learn more about NREA (and to register for their annual conference), visit National Rural Education Association

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In this episode, Dr. Chris Haeffner with Lincoln Public Schools shares how LPS Library Services are connecting with students and their families to tell their stories through the video series, “The Seat Beside You.” This conversation illustrates Chris’ heart for helping students feel seen and understood. We also discuss how these brief windows into the lives of LPS learners can enhance the level of empathy and understanding that educators and students alike feel toward others in their school community.

To learn more, access LPS Library Services at The Seat Beside You (lps.org).

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In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Cody Talarico of NDE and Anne Alston of the Nebraska Arts Council for discussion about the Fine Arts in Nebraska and a unique grant opportunity for public schools statewide to receive funding for materials. This conversation highlights the collaborative efforts of NDE and the Nebraska Arts Council toward ensuring that learners have the resources they need to learn and grow in the Fine Arts.

For more information about the grant, visit Fine Arts Education – Nebraska Department of Education or reach out via email to nde.artsedgrants@nebraska.gov

Cody Talarico can be reached via email at cody.talarico@nebraska.gov 

Anne Alston can be reached via email at anne.alston@nebraska.gov

Visit the Nebraska Arts Council to learn more about their work and for information on additional grant opportunities.

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Julie Downing and Ryan Ricenbaw of the NDE SEED Team are back again this week with an update on their efforts with the Nebraska Teacher and Principal Performance standards. This episode highlights educator effectiveness as the “connective tissue” supporting a variety of education initiatives in Nebraska. In this NDE Admin Days preview, Julie and Ryan identify those connections that they will be presenting on across six sessions at our statewide conference later this month.

To learn more about the NDE SEED Team, visit https://www.education.ne.gov/educatoreffectiveness/

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This week on The Good Life EDU Podcast, Scottsbluff High School principal Justin Shaddick joins us to share about their unique approach to career academies and how that programming has enhanced student learning and fostered a career pipeline between their school and local businesses. While Justin is quick to point out that programs like this need to evolve to fit a local context, anyone can listen in and learn from the episode as he shares insights from over a decade invested in this work.

For more information on the Career Academies at Scottsbluff HS, visit https://www.sbps.net/families_and_students/students/career_academies

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