Best Makin A Difference Podcasts (2024)

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VOTING | is it enough? 29:26

2M ago29:26

29:26

HINT: Voting is NOT enough.By Makin' A Difference

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Throwback Episode: The HOW of Empowering Students & Educators 30:23

2M ago30:23

30:23

In this throwback episode, host Keri Beach chats with Dr. John Spencer, educator and author of the books Empower, Vintage Innovation, and more. Hear his take on student-centered learning, what an empowered learner looks like, and getting buy in from parents, subtle shifts that make a big difference in giving both students and teachers more ownershi…

1
X-Men 97 Review 44:58

2M ago44:58

44:58

Ken reviews the first season of X-Men 97 and predicts what will happen in the season finale! Plus Kendrick vs. Drake!By Makin' A Difference

1
Ep. 52 - A Different Kind of Learning Pathway in ELA 18:39

3M ago18:39

18:39

In this episode, host Keri Beach chats with Kim Lawson, ELA teacher at Batesburg-Leesville Middle School about their journey with personalized learning practices and her current new take on learning pathways with students. Hear more about her classroom structures and their impact on students having more transparency and ownership in their learning …

1
Ep. 51 - It’s Not Either Or: Leveraging LETRS To Personalize Learning For Students 24:13

4M ago24:13

24:13

In this episode, host Keri Beach chats with Jennifer Richardson and Michelle Maroney, Assistant Principals at Batesburg-Leesville Primary School about their journey with student-centered learning practices. Hear them share how LETRS training has helped them expand and scale their efforts for the benefit of students! Subscribe, share, & access more …

1
Power Up 22:38

5M ago22:38

22:38

Nice change of pace pod featuring one of Ken's favorite shows and guilty pleasures, Raising Kanan.By Makin' A Difference

1
We Need More Sankofas 38:27

5M ago38:27

38:27

In remembering the late Joe Madison, also known as "The Black Eagle," Ken finds inspiration in an African symbol of the past to come up with political and social solutions in the present. Not bird-brained at all.By Makin' A Difference

1
Throwback Episode: Intent vs. Impact 30:53

5M ago30:53

30:53

In this throwback episode, host Keri Beach chats with author and educational leader, Elena Aguilar to discuss educational change, accessing courage to continue moving forward in student-centered practices, and how to truly transform the educational system for ALL kids! Connect with Elena at ⁠https://brightmorningteam.com/⁠ Join the PersonalizeSC Co…

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Throwback Episode: What’s The Best That Can Happen? (New Year, New Shifts) 29:43

6M ago29:43

29:43

This episode is a throwback to Episode 4: What's The Best That Can Happen? Stay Connected with the SCDE Personalized Learning Team! ⁠https://linktr.ee/scpersonalize⁠ #PersonalizeSC

1
Power 29:38

6M ago29:38

29:38

We're starting off 2024 the right way! Katt Williams teaches us about the power of narratives and Ken talks about the importance of manifestation.By Makin' A Difference

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Ep. 50 - Opening The Gifts of Student-Centered Learning (featuring the SCDE Personalized Learning Team) 23:40

8M ago23:40

23:40

To celebrate our 50th episode of the Makin' It Personal Podcast, the SCDE Personalized Learning Team shares their favorite student-centered learning strategies, tools, and resources in the form of gifts! Tune in and check out the links below to access the "gifts" mentioned! Happy Holidays! Sarah G's Gift: ⁠⁠⁠Snailed It Mindset⁠⁠⁠ Video Kristen's Gi…

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Ep. 49 - Flexibility Within Fences: Let’s Talk About Assessing & Grading 29:19

9M ago29:19

29:19

Are assessing and grading one in the same? What is the role of assessing or grading in a student centered context? What about grading and motivation? How do I actually personalize learning for my students while still having to grade? In this episode, brought to you by the SCDE Personalized Learning Team, host Keri Beach chats with fellow Personaliz…

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Ep. 48 - Flexibility Within Fences Part 5: How Do You Personalize With So Much Content To Cover? 19:34

10M ago19:34

19:34

In this episode brought to you by the SCDE Personalized Learning Team, host Keri Beach chats with William Ash, Social Studies Teacher at Batesburg-Leesville High School about his approach to student-centered learning with his students. Hear his take on standards coverage, testing, and tips for preparing students to be lifelong learners. Contact Wil…

1
MAD After Dark | Whelmed. 30:08

10M ago30:08

30:08

Easy listening. Hard truths. And the space to think.By Makin' A Difference

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Ep. 47 - Flexibility Within Fences Part 4: Navigating Variation In Student Ability & Class Size (Through a Student-Centered Lens) 34:40

11M ago34:40

34:40

In this episode, host Keri Beach chats with Griggs Road Elementary School Teachers Dori Petriella & Samantha McCarter about their approaches to student-centered learning while navigating large class sizes and variation in the ability of their students. Get tips and strategies from their experiences that you can immediately take back to your classro…

1
Ep. 46 - Flexibility Within Fences Part 3: Trust, Choice, and Learner-Centered Coaching 21:11

12M ago21:11

21:11

In this episode, host Keri Beach chats with Tanner Slagle, Math Coach at Ebinport Elementary School in Rock Hill, SC. Listen in as he shares his journey to shifting his coaching practice to a more learner-centered model by cultivating trust, “modeling the model,” and giving teachers choice in their professional growth and feedback. Subscribe, share…

1
Ep. 45 - Flexibility Within Fences Part 2: Flexing Time 29:36

1y ago29:36

29:36

In this episode of the Flexibility Within Fences Series, host Keri Beach chats with Eric Gambrell, Assistant Principal at Batesburg Leesville High and Kristen Logan, Personalized Learning Coach about ways that educators can reimagine flexibility with time. Hear more about Batesburg Leesville's approach through their "Half-Time" initiative and other…

1
Ep. 44 - Flexibility Within Fences Part 1: The Reimagining 33:35

1y ago33:35

33:35

We're kicking off a brand new series called Flexibility Within Fences! In this opening episode, host Keri Beach chats with Stephanie DiStasio, Director of the Office of Personalized Learning about how educators can begin to rethink and reimagine our system of education in order to better serve all students in our state. Listen in as we discuss the …

1
SATE (Select Access To Excess) 33:32

1y ago33:32

33:32

SATE (Select Access To Excess) by Makin' A DifferenceBy Makin' A Difference

1
Ep. 43 - Keeping It Simple: A Different Take on Learning Pathways 20:33

1+ y ago20:33

20:33

In this episode, host Keri Beach chats with Bethany Elementary School teacher Tammy Crago about her simplistic approach to providing learning paths for her students. Hear more about her tips and techniques for creating a growth focused classroom and giving students opportunities to become more independent learners. Contact Tammy via email (Tammy.Cr…

1
Ep. 42 - Growth Is The Goal: Competencies in AP Art 22:51

1+ y ago22:51

22:51

In today’s episode, host Keri Beach chats with Audra Yesnach, Visual Arts Teacher at River Bluff High School about how her approaches to intergrating the PSCG Competenceis into her AP Art class. Hear more about the tool she created to merge the Competencies with AP guidelines to help students “play and experiment for play’s sake” and focus more on …

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Ep. 41 - Coaching & Supporting PCBL Across the State (Featuring iTalks Podcast) 36:05

1+ y ago36:05

36:05

Today's episode features an iTalks Podcast recording (hosted by our friends in Anderson District 5) featuring coaches from across South Carolina sharing their journeys with personalized learning and the ways they are supporting teachers in growing their PCBL practices (Access the full episode here). Subscribe, share, & plug into the SCDE Office of …

1
Program Building (feat. Olajuwon Paige) 25:41

1+ y ago25:41

25:41

Program Building (feat. Olajuwon Paige) by Makin' A DifferenceBy Makin' A Difference

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SC Legislative Review Preview 26:37

1+ y ago26:37

26:37

A review/preview of the the 2023 Legislative Workshop for the media. Ken fills in with some of the discussions that weren't had around the proverbial roundtable.By Makin' A Difference

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Ep. 40 - New Year, New Tool: How The Measuring PCBL Toolkit Can Help You Define & Expand Your Impact 34:11

1+ y ago34:11

34:11

In this episode, host Keri Beach chats with Sydney Schaef, Managing Director of reDesign about the Measuring PCBL Toolkit. This powerful resource is a one stop shop to help educators refine their practices and measure their impact on the journey towards making learning more personal for students. Access the Measuring PCBL Toolkit here and learn mor…

1
Ep. 39 - Time To GROW: A Chat with Lynette Vargo 30:44

1+ y ago30:44

30:44

In this episode, host Keri Beach chats with 3rd grade teacher Lynette Vargo from Westminster Elementary School in Oconee County about her teaching journey and the shifts she’s making to make learning more personal for her students. Hear more about her approach to small group instruction, assessments, and data tracking to help her students own their…

1
Leave No Doubt 34:30

1+ y ago34:30

34:30

Ken talks about the controversies surrounding Kanye and Kyrie, then laments the death of beloved Migos member Takeoff.By Makin' A Difference

1
Ep. 38 - Moving Mountains To See Student Ownership In Action: A Chat with Griggs Road Leadership 30:31

1+ y ago30:31

30:31

In this episode, host Keri Beach chats with Griggs Road Elementary School principal Nicole Thompson and innovation coach Joy Dillon about their school's journey towards personalizing learning for students. Hear more about how they got started, what support looks like for teachers as they implementing personalized practices at varied paces, how they…

1
Lynn Gladney | Soulful Service 20:55

1+ y ago20:55

20:55

Ken Makin speaks with Lynn Gladney, a candidate for Georgia House District 130, ahead of the November 8 election.By Makin' A Difference

1
When The Players Speak Up (feat. Troy Reddick) 52:40

1+ y ago52:40

52:40

Former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville recently made racist comments about Black people and the need for reparations. Now, one of his former players boldly responds with a personal, political and powerful narrative. Meet Troy Reddick.By Makin' A Difference

1
Stop Playing With Us 30:35

2y ago30:35

30:35

Stop Playing With Us by Makin' A DifferenceBy Makin' A Difference

1
Ep. 37 - Leveraging PCBL Resources For Teacher Development 25:19

2y ago25:19

25:19

In this episode, host Keri Beach chats with principal Margaret Guerin and instructional coach Laura Falls from Bethany Elementary School about how they are supporting teachers' PCBL learning journeys with resources like the Office of Personalized Learning Framework Foundations Series. Listen in as they share strategies and keys for helping teachers…

1
Ep. 36 - Meeting the Needs of Learners: A Conversation with Sarah Gams 24:22

2y ago24:22

24:22

In this episode, host Keri Beach chats with Sarah Gams, the SCDE Student Learning and Development Program Manager and the 2021 SC Teacher of the Year. Hear more about what it looks like to attend to the needs of learners at various levels and tips for establishing a culture of collaboration at the start of the year. Contact Sarah Gams (ssgams@ed.sc…

1
Ep. 35 - Strategies for Supporting and Leading The Work Well 25:47

2y ago25:47

25:47

As the new school year gets underway, gain insightful tips and strategies from SCDE Office of Personalized Learning Coaches Kristen Logan and Dr. Sarah Bowie on how to lead the work of PCBL well! In this episode, hear more about how to get buy-in and empower teacher leaders, how to ensure that other initiatives align with PCBL practices, how to str…

1
Work-life balance: Annie and Georgi Makin discuss generational differences 32:00

2y ago32:00

32:00

This special Veterinary Woman podcast is kindly supported by Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging – improving the lives of animals and of those who care for them. Mother and daughter duo Annie and Georgi Makin discuss their individual approaches to work-life balance and how that differs generationally. Annie is Chief Commercial Officer for Hallmarq Veterina…

1
Ep. 34 - Beginning The Journey: A Chat with Elizabeth Edwards 27:16

2y ago27:16

27:16

In this episode, host Keri Fersner chats with Elizabeth Edwards, a resource teacher at Devon Forest Elementary School in Berkley County. Hear how she got her personalized learning implementation journey started and how the small shifts she's making are impacting the students she serves! Connect with Elizabeth via email: edwardse@bcsdschools.net Sub…

1
America The Deadbeat 26:47

2y ago26:47

26:47

On this episode, Ken talks about the fallout from SCOTUS' decision to strike down Roe v. Wade and what it means for Black folks.By Makin' A Difference

1
Views From The Sixth Congressional District (feat. Marcel Dixon) 40:31

2y ago40:31

40:31

Host Ken Makin speaks with Gregg "Marcel" Dixon, a candidate for the Sixth Congressional District seat in South Carolina. Dixon speaks boldly about his campaign, with a centerpiece of Black reparations and points of reference about gun rights and immigration.By Makin' A Difference

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Ep. 33 - The HOW of Empowering Students & Educators: A Conversation with Dr. John Spencer 30:23

2y ago30:23

30:23

In this episode, host Keri Fersner chats with Dr. John Spencer, educator and author of the books Empower, Vintage Innovation, and more. Hear his take on student-centered learning, what an empowered learner looks like, and getting buy in from parents, subtle shifts that make a big difference in giving both students and teachers more ownership in the…

1
The Reparations Administration (feat. Tamara Johnson-Shealey) 22:30

2y ago22:30

22:30

Tamara Johnson-Shealey, a candidate for Georgia Senate, is running on a reparations agenda and explains it boldly with host Ken Makin.By Makin' A Difference

1
Ep. 32 - PCBL Mythbusters: Part 1 25:14

2y ago25:14

25:14

Ever wonder what makes personalized learning different from differentiation? Or if it's possible to personalize learning for students with a strict district curriculum? Get your questions answered and more in this episode as host Keri Fersner chats with fellow Office of Personalized Learning Coaches Kristen Logan and Dr. Sarah Bowie on a few myths …

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Ep. 31 - Making Innovative Moves Transparent: A Closer Look at the SC Education Flexibility Guide 24:23

2+ y ago24:23

24:23

Ever wonder what flexibilities exist for SC schools and districts who are interested in innovative approaches to student-centered learning? In this episode, host Keri Fersner chats with Stephanie DiStasio, Director of the SCDE Office of Personalized Learning and Dr. Sarah Longshore, Director of the SCDE Office of Accountability about the recently r…

1
Ep. 30 - Thinking and Innovating Outside of the Box: A Chat with North Charleston High School 39:51

2+ y ago39:51

39:51

Need an inspiring example of a SC school who is making strides and reimagining the learning experience for students? In this episode, host Keri Fersner chats with the North Charleston High School of Innovation staff about how they are leveraging state waived requirements, including seat time to allow for more flexibility and creativity in their app…

1
Declaration of Black Independence 40:03

2+ y ago40:03

40:03

Ken Makin revisits the Black National Political Convention of 1972 and speaks about the urgent need for a Black Agenda in 2022.By Makin' A Difference

1
Ep. 29 - Owning Learning In Kindergarten: A Chat with Jennifer Shea 24:01

2+ y ago24:01

24:01

In this episode, host Keri Fersner chats with Jennifer Shea, a Kindergarten teacher at Westview Primary School about how she personalizes learning for her students. Learn more about how Jennifer began her journey towards personalizing learning and how she tends to the culture and the learning environment in a way that empowers the "little humans" s…

1
We Were Already At War 39:54

2+ y ago39:54

39:54

On this episode, Ken responds to the saturated media response regarding Ukraine and Russia, and notes America's shameful practices both at home and abroad. Also, yes, that is a picture of yellow cake. Don't drop that s---.By Makin' A Difference

1
Manifesting Reparations (feat. Sandy Darity and Kirsten Mullen) 1:02:26

2+ y ago1:02:26

1:02:26

Dr. Sandy Darity and A. Kirsten Mullen graciously made a second appearance on our podcast. Originally recorded in July 2021, this conversation could have easily been recorded yesterday in light of the continuing need for reparations for Black people.By Makin' A Difference

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Ep. 28 - The SPED Connection: A Conversation with Britani and Jim 34:47

2+ y ago34:47

34:47

Is personalized learning only for certain populations? How can we leverage student strengths to help them take ownership and continue engaging in their learning? Find the answers to these questions and more as host Keri Fersner chats with Curriculum and Instruction Coaches Britani Magargle and Jim Cooke of Lexington County School District 1 about t…

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Ep. 27 - The Evolution of the Journey: A Chat with Maggie and Kim 38:57

2+ y ago38:57

38:57

Welcome to the NEW YEAR! Join host Keri Fersner as she chats with coach Margaret Ellis and teacher Kim Lawson about their journeys in personalizing student learning and sustaining this work. In this episode, hear them speak to the power of vertical conversations regarding critical standards, building the capacity of teacher leaders, connecting the …