Shows
Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 14: Cage-Busting Insights from Rick HessIn this season 2 finale, Antonio and Michael skip the formalities and dive right into wokeness, the radical right and left, state testing, trans' rights, and race with resident fellow and director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, author of Cage-Busting Leadership, and renowned conservative voice, Rick Hess. 2022-05-271h 00Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 13: Early LiteracyIn this episode, Antonio and Michael share their biggest pet peeves, they talk about social belonging, and they receive a master class in early literacy from Joan Kelley and Frank Grossman. 2022-04-291h 03Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 12: The Achievement PlateauIn this episode, Antonio mixes up a nasty cocktail, the guys chat about snake-twerking, and they talk about The Achievement Plateau with principal, Rob Berretta. 2022-03-111h 02Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 11: An Education with Edward RichersonIn this episode, Antonio makes a discovery about music, the guys debate the viability of getting rid of their cell phones, and they get an education on African proverbs, baseball, cheesecake, and most importantly, school, from their guest, Edward Richerson. 2022-03-041h 21Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 10: The Importance of SystemsIn this episode, Antonio refuses to reveal what football team he roots for, Michael has strong thoughts about Eminem's beard, and our guest, Dr. Courtney Lemon-Tate, shares her thoughts on the importance of systems in schools. 2022-02-2559 minInformal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 9: Teacher EvaluationsIn this episode, the guys debate Mariah Carey vs. J-Lo, cookies vs. radishes, and they discuss the polarizing topic of teacher evaluations. 2022-02-1153 minInformal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 8: Why Is Professional Development the Worst?In this episode, the guys talk about Oprah, Metallica, dog poop, and they discuss the one thing everyone in K-12 Ed can agree on: PD sucks. 2022-02-041h 10Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 7: To Virtual or Not to Virtual? That is the Question.In this episode, Mike and Tony shorten their names, offend spinach and social studies, and discuss the current state of pandemic schooling and what they believe comes next. 2022-01-211h 02Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 6: Rebel Culture Part 1In this episode, the team discusses their Thanksgiving favorites (and least favorites), the Chinese character for learning, and they scratch the surface around their favorite topic: Rebel Culture. 2021-11-241h 02Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 5: Special Education Deep-Dive Part 1In this episode, the team talks pancakes, Tesla Cars, and our guest, Lauren Miller, shares on all things Special Education. 2021-11-191h 23Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 3: Ch-ch-ch-changes!In this episode, Antonio and Michael discuss cold showers, toxic positivity, and the existence (or not) of aliens. They also talk about why change is so hard and offer practical strategies for fostering it. 2021-11-051h 00Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 4: Education as a Political ActIn this episode, Michael promotes a radical theory about pop music, the guys discuss the most important life-skill a person can have, and our guest, Kirby, talks about instruction, culture, and relationships in schools. 2021-11-051h 07Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 2: Eliminate Girl HateOn this episode, Antonio and Michael discuss the perils of social media, drink wine straight from the bottle (well, one of them does), and they speak with entrepreneur and advocate Dawne Hanks - founder of Eliminate Girl Hate. 2021-10-011h 09Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationSeason 2 Episode 1: Back to SchoolIn this episode, Michael breaks the 4th wall, Antonio recites the Greek Alphabet (well, he tries to), and the team talks trends, pitfalls, and predictions for the new school year. 2021-09-171h 14Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationEpisode 13: The "Science" of SuccessOn this episode, Antonio challenges Michael to a tennis match, the team debates spending $100 on a golden cheesesteak, and they talk about whether or not there's a science to being good at everything (and Michael does talk about everything - except education). 2021-06-181h 04Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationEpisode 12: Organizational HealthOn this episode, Antonio challenges Michael to a race, the team creates a super-secret password, and they discuss an often overlooked but immensely important topic for schools and school leaders: organizational health. 2021-05-071h 11Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationEpisode 11: All In For KidsOn this week's episode, Michael gives Antonio a nickname, the team pays tribute to DMX, and veteran school leader, Sharifa Edwards, tells it like it is on all things K-12 education. 2021-04-231h 04Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationEpisode 10: The Equity HypocrisyOn their most controversial episode yet, Antonio and Michael talk about spicy food, staff appreciation, and they get really real about something they call The Equity Hypocrisy. 2021-04-091h 01Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationEpisode 9: Wisdom From The Other Side of the PondIn Episode 9, Antonio and Michael talk innovation in schools, education trends across the globe, and Royal Family Drama with life-long educator and International Man of Mystery, John Baumber.2021-03-1957 minInformal Observations with Skyrocket EducationEpisode 8: Teacher Coaching and Shots of JägermeisterIn this episode, Antonio and Michael talk classic movies, they make a plan to drink Jägermeister, and they get fired up about one of their favorite topics: teacher coaching. 2021-03-0559 minInformal Observations with Skyrocket EducationEpisode 7: Bacon, Egg, and Cheese(steaks) - Building Authentic RelationshipsIn Episode 7, Antonio and Michael talk tequila, bodega cats, NY "cuisine", and relationships in schools, with school leader Angel Pina.2021-02-2657 minInformal Observations with Skyrocket EducationEpisode 6: Goals, Goals, GoalsIn this episode, Antonio and Michael disagree about bees, talk about KC barbecue, make their Super Bowl predictions (let's see who was right), and go all-in on a conversation about setting and getting goals in schools. 2021-02-191h 03Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationEpisode 5: Beyonce, Buzz Words and Bold LeadershipIn Episode 5, Michael and Antonio debate the best pizza toppings and give a shout out to our newest listeners in France and Japan!! They are joined by guest Rashaun Reid, an expert on all things K-12 education in both virtual and brick and mortar settings. Thank you for listening!2021-02-041h 22Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationEpisode 4: Execution is EverythingIn Episode 4, co-hosts Antonio and Michael talk execution. Can you follow through on what you said you’d do? Do your plans come to life? Are they clear? Accessible? When you say, “We’re doing X, does X happen?” Or does it disappear? If these questions resonate with you, then Episode 4 is for you! Thank you for listening!2021-01-291h 03Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationEpisode 3: LiberatED talks Race, Class, and Privilege...with a side of Milwaukee's finest cuisineIn Episode 3, co-hosts Michael and Antonio welcome our friends Clintel Hasan and Alex Kautza, from LiberatED. Clintel and Alex founded LiberatED in 2015 and partner with K-12 schools, universities and non-profits to facilitate transformative learning for leaders and teams, focused on topics of race, class, power and privilege. Both Milwaukee natives, Alex and Clintel also serve up their best recommendations for fine dining in their city. Thank you for listening!2021-01-141h 00Informal Observations with Skyrocket EducationEpisode 2: What Makes the Thing the Thing?Listen as Michael and Antonio talk gin, The Bachelorette, Jerry Seinfeld, and an incredibly important idea that all educators could benefit from thinking about and taking action on. 2021-01-0651 minInformal Observations with Skyrocket EducationEpisode 1: Black Girls Love MathIn our first episode, co-hosts Michael Sonbert and Antonio Vance interview guest Atiyah Harmon, the founder of Black Girls Love Math. Atiyah shares about the mission of her organization, and gives her recommendation for the best Philly cheesesteaks. Thank you for listening! 2020-12-0947 min