Shows
What's Best For Kids?S4 Ep. 11 - ...And Justice For Some (Part 2)Individual plaintiffs are joining school districts in the legal battle over the impact of social media on mental health. As the data mounts, will tech giants buckle under the weight of litigation? More importantly, will these legal challenges affect change?
2026-02-2644 minWhat's Best For Kids?S4 Ep. 10 - …And Justice For Some? (Part 1)Individual plaintiffs are joining school districts in the legal battle over the impact of social media on mental health. As the data mounts, will tech giants buckle under the weight of litigation? More importantly, will these legal challenges affect change?
2026-02-1247 minWhat's Best For Kids?S4 Ep. 9 - Suicide SolutionsAfter years of heartbreaking data about teen suicide, a 2024 report shows that things are finally improving. What’s working, and what more do we need to do to save lives?
2026-01-291h 05What's Best For Kids?S4 Ep. 8 - Should I Stay Or Should I Go?Between increasing demands and a raging political culture, is it any wonder that teachers are asking the question, “Should I stay or should I go?” How do we hold onto veteran teachers, how do we keep from scaring new teachers away, and how do we attract new teachers to the profession?
2026-01-151h 10What's Best For Kids?S4 Ep. 7 - ClocksThe San Diego Unified School District recently moved some schools from a traditional schedule to a 4x4. What is a 4x4 schedule, and what impact does the bell schedule have on student learning and wellness?
2025-11-061h 06What's Best For Kids?S4 Ep. 6 - Walking on Sunshine?In an effort to counter all of the gloom and doom shared in the media about the current educational landscape, Rob and Don challenged each other to pick some highlights of improvements in education from decades past. It’s time to accentuate the positive.
2025-10-231h 10What's Best For Kids?S4 Ep. 5 - Boys Won't Always Be BoysIn our rush to protect girls from strangers, cyberbullying and discrimination, have we neglected the developmental needs of our boys? With data showing that suicidal ideation increases as boys become men, it’s critical that we stop and reflect to make sure our sons are ready for their future.
2025-10-091h 08What's Best For Kids?S4 Ep. 4 - Hal, Her, Megan and Our KidsAs artificial intelligence continues to evolve, teens are increasingly reliant on this new technology to learn how to think. But can it also help them feel? Virtual companions are replacing human connection all over the world. What does this mean for our kids and their future?
2025-09-251h 04What's Best For Kids?S4 Ep. 3 - A For Effort?As instruction changes, so too does assessment. More and more, students are expecting good grades just for their effort. While effort helps a student be successful, should it be the only measure? Should content mastery still count?
2025-09-1152 minWhat's Best For Kids?S4 Ep. 2 - Fan ServiceIf you’re a regular listener, you’ve heard us give a shoutout to one of our biggest fans, Reed Kendall. Well, why just hear about him when you can hear from him! Reed joins Don and Rob to talk about his experience as a new educator and what he has learned from the podcast that has helped him along the way.
2025-08-281h 05What's Best For Kids?S4 Ep. 1 - Attention PleaseGen Z is facing the most uncertain economic future since the depression. Meanwhile, tech giants are engaged in a Max Max style battle for their attention. What does this mean for their future, and how can we help?
2025-08-141h 20What's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 18 - Summer-yThe end of the school year was busy for both Don and Rob so the podcast had to take a backseat to other responsibilities. The boys are refreshed and ready to get back on track with some updates and maybe a preview of season four?
2025-07-181h 00What's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 17 - Morale BoostFor the first time since the pandemic, teacher morale is up. But the results vary depending on the state. Why the difference, and what do teachers think will increase their job satisfaction?
2025-04-1056 minWhat's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 16 - Is Print Dead?The benefits of reading are profound. But was Egon in Ghostbusters right? Is print dead? Gen Z is showing record low levels of reading for pleasure, and teachers are struggling to find a way to reverse that trend. What is the long term impact of a short attention span that doesn’t allow for analysis, nuance and discussion?
2025-03-271h 06What's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 15 - Teenagers: Behind the ScenesWe think we know our kids, but there is another side to them that only educators know. What is it like observing the behavior of teenagers in their natural habitat? Well, you’re about to find out.
2025-03-1348 minWhat's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 14 - What's NowAs the Trump Administration continues to revamp the Department of Education and immigration enforcement, what does that mean for our schools? Some schools are already feeling the impact, while others are watching and waiting. It’s a dynamic time for public education.
2025-02-2757 minWhat's Best For Kids?S3 Ep 13 - (More) Walking On SunshineEducation is often a political football kicked around in an effort to rally constituents by drawing on their deepest concerns - their kids. But all of the gloom and doom often shared in the media doesn’t reflect the reality of the magic that happens in classrooms all over the country every day. Rob and Don challenged each other to pick five highlights from the classroom that remind them, and us, why teaching is so important and soul satisfying.
2025-02-1359 minWhat's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 12 - Walking On SunshineEducation is often a political football kicked around in an effort to rally constituents by drawing on their deepest concerns - their kids. But all of the gloom and doom often shared in the media doesn’t reflect the reality of the magic that happens in classrooms all over the country every day. Rob and Don challenged each other to pick five highlights from the classroom that remind them, and us, why teaching is so important and soul satisfying.
2025-01-3051 minWhat's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 11 - What's Next?President Elect Trump is set to take office on January 20th, and speculation is swirling about his priorities and rhetoric regarding education. We’re going to try to make sense of what’s real, what’s possible and what’s likely for the future of education over the next four years.
2025-01-161h 10What's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 10 - The Camera EyeThe debate about social media often overlooks a critical component - the smartphone camera. Kids now have a high powered movie camera in their pocket and are lured to feed the insatiable appetite of a click hungry public. What’s the impact on schools, and more importantly, what’s the impact on the development of our kids?
2025-01-0253 minWhat's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 9 - Winter Break DownAs winter break is upon us, high school teachers around the country are gearing up for finals and bracing themselves for all of the demands, excuses and chaos that comes with the end of a semester. What are some of the survival techniques teachers use and what do they wish they could really say to students and parents?
2024-12-1949 minWhat's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 8 - Fair WarningIs it time to start treating social media like tobacco and alcohol? The Surgeon General thinks so, but others aren’t so sure. We have lots of data that show the negative impact of a steady habit of consuming social media, so why not require app developers to jump through the same hoops as those in the food and drug industry?
2024-11-2151 minWhat's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 7 - Under Pressure 2: Meet the ParentsParents are exhausted, burned out and perpetually behind. It’s gotten so bad, that the Surgeon General has called it an “urgent public health issue.” It’s always been hard to raise teenagers, but what’s pushing parents toward a breaking point?
2024-11-071h 03What's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 6 - AI: Dark Side of the BoomArtificial intelligence can be an effective tool in education, but like with most technology, it comes with a cost. Increasingly, AI is being used as a weapon, rather than a resource, and students and teachers are stuck in the crossfire.
2024-10-241h 00What's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 5 - In the NewsThis week Don and Rob share some recent news articles that highlight topics and points made in previous episodes. We’re talking about cell phone bans, school safety and the future of education.
2024-10-101h 02What's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 4 - Election NearingWith one of the most contentious election seasons heating up, how are teachers navigating this increasingly dangerous minefield?
2024-09-2649 minWhat's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 3 - What We’re Doing Isn’t WorkingIn the wake of the shooting at a high school in Georgia that killed four and injured nine, the debate about how to protect our schools has been reignited, and the all too familiar firestorm of rhetoric is set to paralyze us once again. There have been 46 school shootings and 261 mass shootings in the first eight months of 2024. As we progress through our third decade of these unrelenting horrors, we have to wonder, will there ever be a tipping point? No matter what side of the debate you’re on, one thing is clear - what we’re doing is n...
2024-09-121h 02What's Best For Kids?Podcast Extra: Georgia School ShootingDon and Rob react to the recent tragedy at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.
2024-09-0626 minWhat's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 2 - Road RulesGuest: Paige Colburn-Hargis
Kids have always loved the independence they get from skateboards, bikes and scooters, but that freedom often comes with an increased risk of injury. With the explosion of e-bikes, that risk has grown exponentially as a billion dollar market has flooded the streets with untrained children weaving in and out of traffic at speeds never before possible on traditional bikes. Special guest Paige Colburn Hargis from Scripps Healthcare joins Don and Rob for a discussion about traumatic brain injury (TBI) and what we can all do to keep our kids and...
2024-09-051h 10What's Best For Kids?S3 Ep. 1 - No Phone ZonesThe hottest topic for education during the summer of 2024 was the push to ban cell phones in schools. Several states passed laws to ban them, and LA Unified banned them districtwide. Best selling authors Jonathan Haidt (Anxious Generation) and Dr. Jean Twenge (Generations, iGen) are calling for phone bans in schools as a way to combat the epidemic of teen mental health. Is this where we should be putting our energy? Will it work? Will it even help? And more importantly, is it even possible?
2024-08-231h 01What's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 20 - Changes (Part 2 of 2)Education is stuck in an antiquated system that follows the same model established more than 200 years ago. Whether you call it “sit and get” or “sage from the stage,” it’s still the same thing - teachers talk, kids listen, and we give them a test to see if they learned (aka memorized) what we said. How can we expect a kid who has grown up consuming a raging torrent of media content to sit in a classroom with 40 students, all with widely different learning needs, for 6 hours a day while someone two generations older tells them how easy they have...
2024-06-1444 minWhat's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 19 - Changes (Part 1 of 2)Education is stuck in an antiquated system that follows the same model established more than 200 years ago. Whether you call it “sit and get” or “sage from the stage,” it’s still the same thing - teachers talk, kids listen, and we give them a test to see if they learned (aka memorized) what we said. How can we expect a kid who has grown up consuming a raging torrent of media content to sit in a classroom with 40 students, all with widely different learning needs, for 6 hours a day while someone two generations older tells them how easy they have...
2024-06-0745 minWhat's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 18 - Be Kind, RewindSeason 2 is almost over so Don and Rob take some time to reflect on past episodes as they prepare for the finale. Lots of new insights, quotes, and Gen-X references. This episode was recorded on Don’s birthday so help him celebrate by listening and sharing!
2024-05-241h 09What's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 17 - Carrots, Sticks, or Something Else?Guest: Scott Wild
The gap between what parents think student discipline is (or should be), and what it really is…is HUGE. Many parents grew up in a world where corporal punishment was common, and where accountability was expected. We now live in a world where accountability is optional, so gone are the draconian punitive measures as states look to eliminate suspensions so they can be replaced by restorative practices and “positive behavior interventions.” As student behavior issues continue to plague schools, teachers and administrators are trying desperately to implement these new changes while parents scratch their heads...
2024-05-151h 16What's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 17 - Carrots, Sticks, Or Something Else?Guest: Scott Wild - Principal PTMS
The gap between what parents think student discipline is (or should be), and what it really is…is HUGE. Many parents grew up in a world where corporal punishment was common, and where accountability was expected. We now live in a world where accountability is optional, so gone are the draconian punitive measures as states look to eliminate suspensions so they can be replaced by restorative practices and “positive behavior interventions.” As student behavior issues continue to plague schools, teachers and administrators are trying desperately to implement these new changes while parent...
2024-05-101h 16What's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 16 - Survey Says
For decades schools were driven by achievement data that gave us a narrow understanding of our students’ needs. Increasingly, schools are tasked with doing much more than providing academic instruction, so achievement data is less critical. But how do schools make informed, data driven decisions if they aren’t using achievement data? Surveys are the new data points administrators use to drive change, but what are these surveys and how do schools and districts use them?
2024-04-2657 minWhat's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 15 - I Don't Feel TardyDid school attendance suddenly become optional? Chronic absenteeism was an issue before the pandemic, but the school closures exposed a growing frustration with the strict structure of in person learning. In the years since schools reopened, absenteeism has exploded across the country across all demographics. What is the impact on schools and what can we do to address this threat to our system of education?
2024-04-1256 minWhat's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 14 - The Morning BellGuest: Scott Wild - Principal, Pacific Trails Middle School
In the fall of 2022, the State of California mandated that all public high schools move their start time to 8:30 am, and all public middle schools had to start after 8:00 am. The change was made in an effort to better support the sleep needs of developing teens, which (in theory) would help them be happier and healthier students. But the impact on schools has been significant, and the jury is out on the benefits to students. So was this change worth it?
2024-03-291h 23What's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 13 - Optimist Prime (Part 3)Teen optimism is at a new low. Are we surprised? The adults in their lives are enraged by the news and social media, the governments all over the world drift into war after war, there is legitimate fear that our environment is at the tipping point, and every day they expect to hear about yet another school shooting. On top of that, the social media landscape is destroying what little self esteem they have, and colleges are taking fewer and fewer applicants. In this episode, Don and Rob finally close out their conversation about what is working in public...
2024-03-2256 minWhat's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 12 - Optimist Prime (Part 2)Don and Rob continue the conversation about teen optimism they started in the previous episode. Teens are less hopeful because the adults in their lives are enraged by the news and social media, the governments all over the world drift into war after war, there is legitimate fear that our environment is at the tipping point, and every day teens expect to hear about yet another school shooting. On top of that, the social media landscape is destroying what little self esteem they have, and colleges are taking fewer and fewer applicants. In this episode, Don and Rob try...
2024-03-1550 minWhat's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 11 - Optimist Prime (Part 1)Teen optimism is at a new low. Are we surprised? The adults in their lives are enraged by the news and social media, the governments all over the world drift into war after war, there is legitimate fear that our environment is at the tipping point, and every day they expect to hear about yet another school shooting. On top of that, the social media landscape is destroying what little self esteem they have, and colleges are taking fewer and fewer applicants. In this episode, Don and Rob try to focus on what is working in public education by...
2024-03-011h 02What's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 10 - Rocky's Road (Part 2)Guest: Rocky Herron, Retired DEA Agent, Public Speaker
Rocky Herron is a tireless advocate for drug prevention and awareness. He draws on his life experiences as a DEA agent and a parent of three daughters to teach young people critical life lessons - never start using drugs, make different choices if they are using drugs, it’s not their fault if they are suffering from someone else’s drug usage, drug use isn’t normal (even though society makes it seem that way). Rocky's message empowers young people to respect their potential in life and to make smart...
2024-02-1651 minWhat's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 10 - Rocky's Road (Part 1)Guest: Rocky Herron, Retired DEA Agent, Public Speaker
Rocky Herron is a tireless advocate for drug prevention and awareness. He draws on his life experiences as a DEA agent and a parent of three daughters to teach young people critical life lessons - never start using drugs, make different choices if they are using drugs, it’s not their fault if they are suffering from someone else’s drug usage, drug use isn’t normal (even though society makes it seem that way). Rocky's message empowers young people to respect their potential in life and to make smart...
2024-02-0251 minWhat's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 9 - No Phone ZoneSince the iPhone launched in 2007, teachers and schools all over the country have been locked in an epic battle for the attention of students. With the rise of social media, that battle has reached a fever pitch. In an effort to keep kids focused on learning, some school districts are banning smartphone use during the school day. Will it work? Will parents who want to stay connected to their kids support it? Will they have a choice? Do schools have the resources to enforce these rules or is this another demand the public is putting on schools rather than...
2024-01-191h 05What's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 8 - MinefieldThe classroom has become a minefield as teachers are confronted with strong opinions, misinformation, polarized rhetoric, social media and parent criticism. How do teachers manage this onslaught, and what can we do to help them avoid these new dangers?
2024-01-0557 minWhat's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 7 - College or BustThe pressure to get into college is immense, and college acceptance rates have never been lower. Families start focusing on building a college transcript while kids are still in kindergarten, so is it any wonder that by the time they get to high school kids are stressed and depressed? We need to rethink the messages we send our kids about college and accept that it’s not right for every student. How do we break this cycle?
2023-12-221h 03What's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 6 - Meta LawsuitWhat started with the Seattle school district last year has now grown to 40 states joining the lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The claims are damning, including evidence that Meta knowingly acted in ways that damaged teen mental health. Is this the tobacco litigation all over again? Will schools see any of the money so they can address the growing needs of their students? There are more questions than answers right now, but there appears to be a reckoning on the horizon for social media companies.
2023-12-081h 03What's Best For Kids?Podcast Update 10/20/23We typically have a new episode every other week, but there won’t be a podcast this week. The terrorist attacks in Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza have deeply affected Torrey Pines High School and our community. As principal of the school, it’s critical that my attention stay focused on supporting our students and staff at this time. Don and I will be back with a new episode as soon as possible. If you are new to the podcast, this might be a good time to check out episodes from season one. If you are a long...
2023-10-2000 minWhat's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 5 - Put Me In CoachGuest: Brennan Dean, Varsity Head Coach Girls Volleyball, TPHS
The demands on the modern coach are immense. Some are devoting their lives to developing world class athletes, and others are devoting their lives to saving their sport. What are the challenges a modern coach faces, and how do they help student-athletes respond to the pressure they feel to succeed on and off the court. Special guest Brennan Dean, the TPHS Varsity Head Coach for Girls Volleyball, stops by for a surprise visit and an impromptu conversation.
2023-10-0648 minWhat's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 4 - Do We need AP?Advanced Placement classes that were once designed for a select few who wanted to challenge themselves academically have become de facto requirements for college admission. High school students are piling on what are supposed to be college level courses in a desperate attempt to out-perform the competition. But are these classes helping students learn content on a deeper level, or are they teaching them how to cram for a test? Since College Board is a billion dollar “non-profit” company, we need to examine the purpose and value of AP classes so we can better help kids and families make sens...
2023-09-221h 05What's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 3 - Take CoverGuests: TPHS Administration Team - Rebecca Gallow, Tracy Olander, Robby Shockney
School safety has dominated the conversation about school improvement for more than two decades. The rhetoric has done little to change the reality. Too many stakeholders are taking cover behind talking points that make them feel like they're addressing this crisis, but are failing to address the issue in an objective, rational, and productive way. Don and Rob sit down with the TPHS administration team following a national school safety conference to learn more about how schools, parents and law enforcement are addressing this complex issue...
2023-09-081h 06What's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 2 - Let's Chat (GPT)Artificial Intelligence is the latest in a long string of technology innovations that have created hyperbolic panic for parents and educators. Is it the world ending scourge that doomsayers warned us about? Or is it just another tool we all have to manage like the internet, cell phones and social media?
2023-08-2559 minWhat's Best For Kids?S2 Ep. 1 - Exposed
It’s been two years since education returned to normal after the pandemic, but as parents and teachers will tell you, things are definitely not normal. School closures have been blamed for everything from failing grades to suicide, but rather than creating problems, the pandemic exposed many of the problems in education. What’s really going on with our students in the aftermath of the most significant challenge to education since its inception?
2023-08-111h 09What's Best For Kids?Season 2 PreviewFrequent guest Don Collins is joining the podcast as a full-time co-host! This season, Don and Rob will tackle many of the complex issues facing parents and educators in the 21st century including artificial intelligence, school safety, dress codes, student discipline, teen suicide, the pressure to get into college, and many more.
The first episode of the new season will drop on Friday, August 11th. Rob and Don will dive into the many lessons we learned about teaching and learning during the pandemic, and we’ll discuss the critical role public schools play in our communities. Just li...
2023-07-2104 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 18 - Fix Everything Everywhere All At OnceGuest: Don Collins - Retired Educator
Increasingly, schools are being tasked with fixing problems that didn’t exist even five years ago. Teachers are expected to address suicide prevention, drug addiction, bullying, mass shootings, racism, social media, political turmoil, world conflicts, vaping, artificial intelligence, and oh, yeah, somehow teach their core subject and prepare students for success in college. The expectations are mounting, but the support is waning. Is this sustainable? What can we do to better help our kids and our schools?
2023-06-091h 01What's Best For Kids?Ep. 17 - Well Rounded or Over-Scheduled?Guest: Katie Wallace-Coppo - Youth Theatre Director
In our never-ending pursuit to make sure our children experience everything life has to offer, parents are increasingly pushing their kids to sign up for multiple organized activities so that they can find “their thing.” When does dragging kids to ballet and soccer and karate and violin lessons cross the line from helping the child be well rounded to being overscheduled and stressed out?
2023-05-301h 11What's Best For Kids?Ep. 16 - Parent Perspectives Vol. 1Guest: Traci Acers, Parent
It’s never been harder to be the parent of a teenager. More parents than ever work outside the home and they struggle to stay connected in an increasingly busy world. Unlike previous generations, today’s parents also have to navigate their teens’ access to screens, the influence of social media, and their response to violence on campuses all over the country. All this while finding creative ways to help their kids compete for fewer and fewer spots in elite colleges. Is it any wonder parents are confused, exhausted and desper...
2023-05-1252 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 15 - Training DayGuest: Christina Scherr - Athletic Trainer, Westview High School
High school athletics have become increasingly competitive as student-athletes vie for a coveted college scholarship. With increased competition, some students are specializing younger and younger, which can lead to repetitive motion injuries, and the higher level of skill for some players can create dangerous situations for less skilled players. Add to this mix the constant fear of concussions, and it’s no wonder high schools are desperate to hire and keep qualified, experienced, and caring certified athletic trainers. The need is clear, but do schools ha...
2023-04-2850 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 14 - RepresentGuest: Julie Union - School Board Member, Solana Beach School District
School Board meetings were once quiet, formal, and let’s be honest, boring. Over the last ten years, school board meetings have become a flashpoint for communities, and with live streaming now the norm, they’ve turned into reality TV. What is the role of a school board and its members, and why have they become such a focus in local politics? Do we really know what a school board does and why?
2023-04-1450 min
What's Best For Kids?Ep. 13 - FandamoniumGuest: Todd Cassen - Assistant Commissioner, CIF San Diego Section
Out of control fan conduct is a world-wide issue, so it’s no surprise that we’re seeing a rise in bad behavior in high school athletics. Unlike professional sports that have police, security, and team personnel to respond to incidents, high schools have limited staff to manage large crowds. Are high school athletics at a tipping point? If crowds, players and coaches continue to verbally (and sometimes physically) assault officials, will anyone be left to fill this critical role? If fans continue to escalate their behavior, will...
2023-02-171h 04What's Best For Kids?Ep. 12 - Seattle LawsuitGuest: Don Collins - Retired Educator
The Seattle School District recently took the bold step to sue social media app creators for contributing to the mental health crisis facing teens. Is this a cynical chess move to draw attention to the need for more mental health support in public education, or is it a legitimate attempt to hold content creators accountable for their impact on our youth?
2023-02-0348 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 11 - Sharer BewareGuests: Sgt. Garrick Nugent and Det. Steve Dickinson
There is a tremendous amount of data about the negative impact of cell phones on the mental health of our kids. But there are hidden dangers in devices that kids and parents sometimes overlook. Every post, every picture, every comment can expose students to a dark world that can have lasting consequences. When we share our private lives, they are no longer private, and there are cruel individuals waiting to take advantage of our vulnerabilities. On this episode, two veteran San Diego police officers share their insights on the...
2023-01-2648 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 10 - School & CommunityGuest: David Jaffe - Principal, Vista High School
What is the role of a high school? High schools used to be focused on preparing kids to leave the house and start their adult lives. Now, high schools are buried under the weight of expectations around college acceptance, mental health, and increasingly individualized learning paths. In this episode I talk to David Jaffe, a veteran principal with experience at all levels of education, about the changing role of high schools, and what the future might hold.
2023-01-0659 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 9 - The Ties That BindDon Collins returns to the podcast to talk about what makes a school site such a special place. Just like in our own families, the dynamics of the stakeholder relationships help shape us all as people. In recent years, schools have become an even more important element in our lives, and we find ourselves relying on schools the same way we rely on our families. But how do you create that “school family?”
Guest: Don Collins - Retired Educator
2022-12-1646 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 8 - Out of An Abundance of CautionWhen we say Uvalde, Sandy Hook, Parkland, or Columbine we all know exactly what we’re talking about. School safety continues to be a seemingly unsolvable problem. There are things that feel like the right thing to do, but are they? As the debate rages, schools continue to live with this reality as educators look for ways to protect kids. In this episode, I sit down with Robby Shockney, an Assistant Principal on my team, to discuss what school safety is like on a day to day basis, and our experiences with lockdowns, drills, and managing communication during a cr...
2022-12-0952 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 7 - Algorithms and AnxietyDon Collins is back on the show to talk about the impact of smartphones on the current generation of students. We are finding more and more that students expect the world to adapt to them rather than the student learning how to adapt to the world around them. Just like YouTube adapts to your views, kids think we will all adjust to their needs and likes so any minor challenge creates anxiety. Anxiety, which was once known as a diagnosed disorder, has become synonymous with any perceived discomfort. How did we get here and how do we help students...
2022-11-2558 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 6 - Shop Class EvolutionWith all of the focus on college admission, many high school parents long for the days of “shop class.” What a lot of people don’t know is that the “shot class” is alive and well under a different name, and a more relevant philosophy. Now called Career Technical Education (CTE), elective classes that teach practical, hands-on, transferable skills are thriving in high schools all over California. So why don’t more people know what they are?
2022-11-1143 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 5 - The Principal's OfficeWhen you think of a school principal, what comes to mind? Richard Vernon? Ed Rooney? Seymour Skinner? There isn’t a lot of truth in the pop culture stereotype of a principal, but we can’t seem to shake it. The job has changed profoundly over the past decade, but many still have an image of a mindless bureaucrat in a short-sleeved dress shirt. In this episode we explore what the job of a high school principal is like during the most challenging time in the history of modern education.
2022-10-2847 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 4 - Games Without Frontiers (Part 2)Guest: Charlenne Falcis, Athletic Director, Torrey Pines High School
What was once a fun way to get involved in school and make some lasting memories has become a simmering, high stakes cauldron of stress, pressure and manipulation. How and why did youth sports get so complicated, and what can we do to make it more fun?
2022-10-1437 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 4 - Games Without Frontiers (Part 1)Guest: Charlenne Falcis, Athletic Director, Torrey Pines High School
What was once a fun way to get involved in school and make some lasting memories has become a simmering, high stakes cauldron of stress, pressure and manipulation. How and why did youth sports get so complicated, and what can we do to make it more fun?
2022-10-0752 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 4 - Games Without Frontiers - TeaserI’m excited to announce that on October 7th I’ll post a two part episode on high school athletics. With me to discuss what’s working, what’s not, and what we can do about it, is Charlenne Falcis-Stevens, the current CIF San Diego Section Athletic Director of the Year.
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2022-09-2300 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 3 - In My DayMany parents have an image of high school and student learning that is stuck in the ‘80s - Long boring lectures followed by a test. The old instructional models are long gone, replaced by interactive lessons, backwards mapping, inquiry based learning, and so much more. In this episode we explore how education has changed through the lens of two Gen X educators.
2022-09-2338 minWhat's Best For Kids?Ep. 2 - Bubble WrappedMany parents have an understandable tendency to protect their kids from any potentially negative experiences. But we have to ask, does this do more harm than good? If students don’t experience the highs and lows of life they won't know how to overcome obstacles and develop a sense of pride in solving problems on their own. In this episode I talk to Don Collins, a veteran educator and father of two, who has spent decades supporting struggling students, developing resources to inspire teachers, and being a leader in social/emotional leaning and suicide prevention.
2022-09-0949 min