Best Makin A Difference Podcasts (2024)

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

12d 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

3M 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…

1
Throwback Episode: What’s The Best That Can Happen? (New Year, New Shifts) 29:43

3M 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

4M 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

1
Ep. 50 - Opening The Gifts of Student-Centered Learning (featuring the SCDE Personalized Learning Team) 23:40

5M 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

6M 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

7M 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

8M 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

8M 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…

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

9M 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…

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Always be my Baby, Part 10: Family Ties 34:18

10M ago34:18

34:18

We've come full circle in our tale of preparing for co-parenting: FAMILY. Andrew and Amrita's biological families will be fused together by this new baby -- what will that look like for a platonic couple? How will our very different religious and cultural upbringings come into play for our new family unit? Host Marina Weiss helps bring this series …

1
Baby Don’t Hurt Me Part 9: Sex and Romance 39:27

10M ago39:27

39:27

We're nearing the end of our Baby Episodes! But we can't leave without confronting how sex and dating will work in Amrita and Andrew's new roles as friends raising a child together. Host Marina Weiss does a little after-hours therapy and guides us in an open and vulnerable conversation about our ideal romantic partners, and how they might fit into …

1
Baby Blue Part 8: It’s Different for Boys 34:58

10M ago34:58

34:58

In this week's exploration of nontraditional family, we look at a male perspective on parenthood. Andrew sits down with our friend JR Andre - an educator and school administrator who is on the pathway to parenthood along with his husband. We talk gay fatherhood, navigating relationships with the women involved in the process, and the importance of …

1
Baby Makin’ Part 7: It’s Different for Girls 37:44

11M ago37:44

37:44

On our journey to explore nontraditional family, we're taking a couple episodes to explore the gendered issues around the decision to have children (or not). This week, an episode very close to Amrita's heart. Special guest Ciara Pressler is an accomplished author and entrepreneur, and also confidently child-free. We talk cultural taboos, feminism,…

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

11M 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
Industry Baby Part 6: The Business (and Law) of babymaking 30:09

11M ago30:09

30:09

We've gotten a lot of questions about the legal aspects of our platonic coparenting situation, and there's plenty to discuss! We get into the finer points of tax policy for self-employed parents -- plus, our experience with the fabulous Chosen Family Law Center, who are helping us iron out a co-parenting agreement for unpartnered parents. (Which tb…

1
Baby Love Part 5: Pregnancy feels and facts 35:56

11M ago35:56

35:56

Things are chugging along. Now that the baby's cooking, how has it been? BFFs Amrita and Andrew steer through the pregnancy as friends, finding new ways to care for one another, and maintain boundaries. We also have several notes about the raggedy-ass American health care system....especially as uninsured freelancers. Yikes. Host Marina Weiss asks …

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Be My Baby Part 4: The (Most Accurate) Conception 35:22

12M ago35:22

35:22

All right people, time for this baby to get made (And we know you're curious, just admit it). In this week's installment, best buds Amrita and Andrew answer pressing questions such as: Why now? How did we, you know....do it? What's the "new" old-fashioned way? Why is it all so UNscientific? Plus, the shockingly apropos timing of the actual moment o…

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

12M 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
Ooh Baby Part 3: The Big Chill 40:20

12M ago40:20

40:20

Platonic life-partners Andrew and Amrita initially started their fertility journey by freezing embryos. In this episode, we take you through all the gritty details of cooking up frozen egg babies, as a nontraditional couple: from psychological fitness, to baton-twirling vaginal ultrasounds, to sperm embargoes...and the pornography that earned Andre…

1
Oh, Baby Part 2: The Decision to Parent 31:54

12M ago31:54

31:54

In this special run of episodes, hosted by Marina Weiss, platonic life-partners Amrita and Andrew explore the decision to make a baby together. In this installment: how has a lifetime of unconventional choices – professionally, personally, creatively – led to the decision to make a family in an unconventional way? How does our identity as artists p…

1
Baby, Baby Part 1: From Friends to Family 28:09

1y ago28:09

28:09

Amrita and Andrew are friends, business partners, creative collaborators, and now…they have a baby on the way. In this podcast, we have always advised "Don't Think Twice!" when it comes to making off-the-beaten-path career & creative choices. In this special run of episodes, we will be exploring a different kind of unconventional choice: becoming p…

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

1y 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

1y 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 …

1
Ep. 41 - Coaching & Supporting PCBL Across the State (Featuring iTalks Podcast) 36:05

1y 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

1y ago25:41

25:41

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

1
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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

1+ y 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

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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
EPISODE 41: Tell Me Sweet Little Lies 59:20

2y ago59:20

59:20

This month, your faithful freelancers talk falsehoods: Amrita's most egregious white lies; candles that secretly smell like farts; Andrew's explainer on why suburbs are a massive Ponzi scheme; and our conclusion that sex apps are the only truthful way to meet non-liars online.By Amrita Vijay & Andrew Stephens

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

2y 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…

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