Shows
De Facto LeadersSupporting underrepresented families with “Families and Educators Together” Teams (with Ari Gerzon-Kessler)Helping families feel involved in their child’s school experience is a challenge; and underrepresented populations may often feel like their voices aren’t being heard.While it can help if school staff buy in to the idea of family engagement, it’s difficult for schools to make it happen without the right systems in place. That’s why I invited Ari Gerzon-Kessler to episode 200 of De Facto Leaders to talk about the “Families and Educators Together”, or FET team framework he’s developed. Ari Gerzon-Kessler is a sought after speaker and professional learning provide...2025-01-2959 min
Schoolutions: Teaching Strategies to Strengthen School Culture, Empower Educators, & Inspire Student GrowthEducational Teams Bridging School and Family Communication with Leah Mermelstein and Dr. Jennifer GioiaIn this episode, I sit down with literacy expert Leah Mermelstein and school neuropsychologist Dr. Jennifer Gioia to explore how educators can better support students who are "stuck" in their learning journey. Together, we unpack how schools can build effective support systems directly into their educational framework through three core elements: dedicated time for team dialogue, appropriate resources and curriculum, and shared knowledge of research-based practices.The conversation delves into practical strategies for:➡️breaking down educational silos ➡️fostering family-school collaboration ➡️ensuring equitable student supportLeah brings insights from literacy consulting and tutoring, whil...2025-01-1335 min
Schoolutions: Teaching Strategies to Strengthen School Culture, Empower Educators, & Inspire Student GrowthBONUS: Coaching, Teaching, & Classroom Management Strategies Sparked From My Conversation with Ari Gerzon-Kessler (❤️ Olivia Wahl)In this bonus episode of Schoolutions: Coaching and Teaching Strategies, I discuss creating safe, inclusive school environments during election season. Following my interview with Ari Gerzon-Kessler, I explore how educators can lean on the strategies and writing of experts to support students and families during politically sensitive times. Drawing from various education experts and authors, I examine the importance of welcoming all perspectives while maintaining professional boundaries, processing fear productively, and fostering genuine curiosity. Rather than promoting specific political views, I urge us to consider the educator's role in facilitating...2024-11-0818 min
Teach Better TalkHow do you authentically connect with families on a consistent basis? Exploring this idea with Ari Gerzon-Kessler.How do you authentically connect with families on a consistent basis? Exploring this idea with Ari Gerzon-Kessler.
Teach Better Talk PodcastThe ultimate must-listen for every teacher and educational leader, Teach Better Talk dives into the key questions that drive education today.Weekly interviews with experts from around the world, sharing cutting-edge science, groundbreaking research, and practical tools to help you master the art of teaching, efficiently manage a school, and reach every learner in your community.Catch the official podcast of the Teach Better Podcast Network every Tuesday through Thursday for fresh...2024-11-0724 min
Schoolutions: Teaching Strategies to Strengthen School Culture, Empower Educators, & Inspire Student GrowthBuilding Authentic Family-School Partnerships: FET Teams to Transform Engagement with Ari Gerzon-KesslerIn this powerful episode, Ari Gerzon-Kessler shares practical strategies for creating meaningful connections between schools and underrepresented families through his innovative Families and Educators Together (FET) teams model. Drawing from his experience as a teacher, principal, and current leader of the Family Partnerships Department for Boulder Valley School District, Ari discusses:➡️The critical difference between family involvement versus authentic partnership➡️How to successfully launch and sustain FET teams ➡️The importance of moving beyond traditional involvement to true collaboration➡️Practical ways to build trust through intentional practices➡️Creating sustainable structures for family-school par...2024-11-0443 min
Life = Choices; Choices = LifeFamily and Educator Together TeamsIn this episode, I sit down with Ari Gerzon-Kessler, an educator whose groundbreaking work focuses on uniting teachers and families to create stronger, more collaborative learning environments. Ari’s approach centers on one key principle: listening to understand. By letting go of judgment and getting curious about what families truly want from educators, he’s building meaningful partnerships that prioritize students' success. The results? Not only are students thriving, but teachers are rediscovering the joy in teaching and choosing to stay in their roles longer. Ari shares his research-backed methods, the ripple effects of these powerful collaborations, and the tran...2024-10-1029 min
Aspire to Lead307. Bringing Leaders and Families Together: Featuring Ari Gerzon-KesslerIn this impactful episode, award-winning author and family partnerships expert, Ari Gerzon-Kessler, explores the crucial topic of building authentic connections between educators and underrepresented families. Ari shares his expertise on the current reality of family engagement in schools and how it often falls short of creating genuine, lasting partnerships.
We dive deep into the difference between family involvement and authentic partnerships, unpacking why traditional approaches to family engagement may not be enough. Ari also provides practical strategies for school leaders on how to create sustainable family partnerships that promote equity, trust, and collaboration.
Lastly, we explore the concept of FET...2024-09-2836 min
Learner-Centered SpacesAri-Gerzon Kessler shares how to engage families in schoolsAri Gerzon-Kessler is author of On The Same Team: Bringing Educators & Underrepresented Families Together, which won the Independent Publishers Book Awards 2024 IPPY Gold Medal for outstanding education book. He is a speaker, trainer, and coach working with schools and districts committed to forging stronger school-family partnerships. Ari also leads the Family Partnerships department for the Boulder Valley School District (CO).Ari has been an educator since 2000, having served as a principal and bilingual teacher. His leadership efforts to strengthen partnerships with underrepresented families and dismantle unjust practices was featured in Education Week in 2015. Ari regularly presents at...2024-08-2521 min
The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel BauerBuilding Bridges The Power of Family Engagement Ari Gerzon-Kessler is author of On The Same Team: Bringing Educators & Underrepresented Families Together, which won the Independent Publishers Book Awards 2024 IPPY Gold Medal for outstanding education book. He is a speaker, trainer, and coach working with schools and districts committed to forging stronger school-family partnerships. Ari also leads the Family Partnerships department for the Boulder Valley School District (CO). Ari has been an educator since 2000, having served as a principal and bilingual teacher. His leadership efforts to strengthen partnerships with underrepresented families and dismantle unjust practices was featured in Education Week...2024-08-0741 min
The Corner CAFE PodcastAri Gerzon-KesslerNikevia Thomas: Hello everybody. This is Nikevia and Jessica from MAEC’s CAFE and you’re listening to the Corner CAFE podcast. Families, schools, and communities in Maryland and Pennsylvania are looking for strategies to increase family engagement. On this show, we sit down with family engagement experts to discuss the ideas, best practices, and strategies that they use so that the rest of us can do the same. So let’s get started.
Jessica Webster: All right. Today we are thrilled to explore a powerful model for family advocacy and partnership in education known as Families and Ed...2024-07-2447 min
The Assistant Principal PodcastAuthentic Parent Partnerships with Ari Gerzon-KesslerShow Title: Authentic Parent Partnerships with Ari Gerzon-Kessler Power Quote: Description:Imagine that we have some time scheduled to meet together. What would you want to talk about? And how would I know what you wanted to talk about? You would either have had to tell me, or I would have had to ask. And if neither of those things happened before the meeting, we might both be a bit disappointed after the meeting. Now think about the classic parent-teacher conference:· Do all families want to know the sam...2024-07-0246 min
The Out of the Trenches PodcastEpisode #303: Ari Gerzon-KesslerAri Gerzon-Kessler leads the Family Partnerships department for the Boulder Valley School District (Colorado) and is an educational consultant working with schools and districts committed to forging stronger school-family partnerships. He has been an educator since 2000, having served as a principal, bilingual teacher, and SEL trainer. Ari is the author of the book, On The Same Team: Bringing Educators and Underrepresented Families Together (Solution Tree, 2024).
Find Ari online: LinkedIn @arigerzonkelzler, also on FB email: arigerzonatgmail.com
He can do coaching support, presentations, to help other districts.
2024-06-1234 min
The Authority Podcast — Expert Insights and Fresh Ideas for Education LeadersOn The Same Team with Ari Gerzon-Kessler — How to Bring Educators & Underrepresented Families TogetherFor this episode, it was a pleasure to speak with Ari Gerzon-Kessler about the critical topic of authentic family engagement. Ari leads the Family Partnerships department for the Boulder Valley School District (CO) and is an educational consultant working with schools and districts committed to forging stronger school-family partnerships.He’s author of On The Same Team: Bringing Educators & Underrepresented Families Together, which was just named the Independent Publishers Book Award 2024 IPPY Gold Medal for the best education bookThe conversation covers:Do educ...2024-06-0644 min
Schoolutions: Teaching Strategies to Strengthen School Culture, Empower Educators, & Inspire Student GrowthS3 E34: Science of Reading & Leading for Literacy (NYSED Literacy Brief 7~Part I) with Olivia Wahl & Dr. Wendy BunkerOlivia Wahl and Dr. Wendy Bunker continue their conversation about the recently released Science of Reading Literacy Briefs by the New York State Education Department, produced for the NYSED by Nonie K. Lesaux, PhD and Katie C. Carr, M.Ed. This episode is one of two episodes that focus on Literacy Brief 7: Science of Reading: Leading for Literacy. Episode Mentions:NYSED Literacy Briefs & Literacy Brief 7: Science of Reading: Leading for LiteracyDr. Nonie K. LesauxKatie C. Carr, M.Ed.Comprehensive Research-Informed Literacy InstructionS3E22: (Brief 1) & S3E24: (Brief 2)Even Geniuses Work Hard by Carol S. DweckCulturally Responsive-Sustaining E...2024-05-0628 min
Thriving EducatorFamily + Educator Together Teams (FETs)Ari Gerzon-Kessler
EMAIL: arigerzon@gmail.com
Ari spent two decades implementing SEL best practices as a teacher and principal, and led retreats for educators as well on SEL. He applies much of that to coaching teachers and school leaders on how to build stronger partnerships with underrepresented families and integrate those practices into gatherings with families, which include conversations around ways to support students and families mental health.
He also spent 16 years working as a teacher and school leader... 7 years coaching educators at 30 plus schools... extensive expertise on SEL, wi...2024-05-0135 min
Teach Different"Home is not where you live but where they understand you." - Teach Different with Christian Morgenstern - IdentityWhat does it mean to be “at home”?
The concept of home is more nuanced than it appears. On the one hand, we can think of home as a physical place of comfort and safety where needs for protection are met. But we can also think about home as a place where we feel listened to and where our humanity is acknowledged. Our unique definition of 'home' may change throughout our lives depending on who we meet and what experiences we have.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50...2024-04-0342 min
Time for Teachership155. The #1 Structure for Sustainable Family Partnerships with Ari Gerzon-KesslerIn today's episode with special guest and author Ari Gerzon-Kessler, Lindsay discusses the number one structure to use for sustainable family partnerships. Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share! Get In Touch With Ari Gerzon-Kessler: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/arigerzon-kessler Email: arigerzon@gmail.com Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/155 Lindsay's Links: LinkedIn: @lindsaybethlyons Instagram: @lindsaybethlyons Facebook Group: Time for Teachership 2024-03-1934 min
Principal Center RadioAri Gerzon-Kessler—On the Same Team: Bringing Educators and Underrepresented Families Together
Get the book, On the Same Team: Bringing Educators and Underrepresented Families Together
Visit Ari's Solution Tree page www.SolutionTree.com/ari/
Connect with Ari Gerzon-Kessler or access Families and Educators Together Consulting resources
About the Author
Ari Gerzon-Kessler leads the Family Partnerships department for the Boulder Valley School District (Colorado). He is also an educational consultant working with school districts committed to forging stronger school-family partnerships. Ari has been an educator since 2000, having served as a principal and bilingual teacher. Ari was a recipient of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund...2024-03-1829 min
Lifelong Learning Defined Podcast for Self ImprovementNurturing Parenthood, Relationships in Schools and Time in Nature with Ari Gerzon-KesslerJoin us as we embark on a journey of self-improvement and personal growth with Solution Tree author, Ari Gerzon-Kessler. In this episode, Ari opens up about the profound impact of becoming a parent and how it has shaped his perspective on education and family dynamics. Drawing from his experiences in both the educational district and consulting realms, Ari shares insights on fostering unity in schools and empowering parents to become active participants in their children's learning journey. He also teaches us about the transformative power of intentional connections with nature, and how immersing oneself in the natural world can...2024-03-1028 min
Have a Life TeachingHow to Involve Newcomer Parents (Ari Gerzon Kessler)Over 27 percent of all students in America have immigrant parents. In this episode, Ari Gerzon-Kessler and I discuss strategies for better engaging this traditionally underserved population of families.
Gerzon-Kessler, a former principal, currently serves as a coordinator of family partnerships and is the author of the new book "On the Same Team: Bringing Educators and Underrepresented Families Together". He and I discuss the power of newcomer parent-teacher teams as well as home visits in both helping educators to better connect with these families and in providing newcomer families with additional voice on and insight into their child's...2024-02-2731 min
Leading EquityLE 330: Practical Strategies for Engaging Underrepresented Families in Education with Ari Gerzon-Kessler Show notes information: Show notes Follow me on IG: @sheldoneakins Interested in sponsoring? Contact sheldon@leadingequitycenter.com today2024-01-2237 min