Shows
Data in EducationBehavior Is Data, Too: Making It Actionable, Not PunitiveSend us a textBehavior Is Data Too: Making It Actionable, Not PunitivePanelistsNilsa Real-Carleton, School Psychologist, PCATom Kaster, Educational Data Consultant, The Datafied ClassroomDr. Christopher Graves, K-8 Principal, Jordan Community SchoolEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Data in Education, Jenelle and Jessica are joined by school leaders and behavior experts to explore how behavior data can drive real skill-building without becoming punitive or dehumanizing.The conversation focuses on:How behavior data is often misused in ways that overlook skill...
2026-01-191h 04Data in EducationThe Students Who Don’t Qualify, But Still StruggleSend us a textHow do we catch and support the students who don’t qualify for services but clearly need something more?Panelists:Heather Millnick, MTSS Coordinator, Dogwood ElementaryCandia Sierra London, Program Specialist, Cajon Valley USDDr. Tim Gray, Data Coach, Anderson Community SchoolsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Data in Education, Jenelle and Jessica are joined by MTSS and student-support experts to explore how we catch and support the students who don’t qualify for services but clearly need something more.The conversation focu...
2026-01-1258 minData in EducationFrom Data to Daily Decisions: What Actually Changes PracticeSend us a textFrom Data to Daily Decisions: What Actually Changes PracticePanelists:Françoise Raoult, Teacher, Coach and EAL Coordinator, International Schools (Beijing, China)Dan Cox, Founder & CEO, Endurance EdgeEpisode SummaryIn this episode of Data in Education, Jenelle and Jessica are joined by instructional and system-level leaders to explore how teams can move from reviewing data to making clear, meaningful daily decisions in classrooms.The conversation focuses on:The gap between “looking at dat...
2026-01-0557 min
The Dr. Will Show PodcastJenelle McClenahen - How to Build an Edtech Start-UpJenelle McClenahen is the CEO & Founder of Symplifyed, a company born from her firsthand experience as a classroom educator. What began as a way to survive a chaotic year in her own classroom turned into a powerful system of intentional goal-setting and progress-monitoring that delivered transformative student growth. Her work is driven by the deeply-held belief that every data point represents a real child and that a focused plan can make all the difference, a perspective forged both in the classroom and as a parent working with her son's autism diagnosis. As CEO, Jenelle guides Symplifyed with a singular...
2025-11-1733 minData in EducationYour Data is Boring. Here's How to Fix It. with Danny BauerSend us a textI'm diving into this episode of Data in Education with Danny Bauer, the Chief Ruckus Maker from Better Leaders Better Schools. Danny is a 20-year education veteran, a bestselling author, and the host of a top 1% global podcast (RuckusCast) who is on a mission to prove that the best leaders are the best storytellers. He believes that to truly lead, you have to do more than just present the data; you have to wrap it in a story that connects to the heart. Danny’s entire philosophy is about helping school leaders do sc...
2025-10-3032 minData in EducationThe Head, Heart, Hands, and Guts of a Healthy Data Culture with Bethany ReesSend us a textLeaders—are you struggling with meetings that drain instead of deliver, team members who resist buy-in, or tough conversations that keep you up at night? You don’t have to tackle those challenges alone. Head over to leadershipontherocks.com/free where you’ll find practical, FREE resources—from meeting agendas and buy-in guides to tools for navigating conflict—that will help you survive and succeed in leadership.In this episode of Data in Education, I'm so excited to be chatting with Bethany Rees, a leadership coach, author, and an 18-year K-12 veteran wh...
2025-10-1640 minData in EducationAvoiding the School Initiative Graveyard with Dr. Kristilynn TurneySend us a textFrom Burn-out to Buy-in-Free Resource: https://forms.gle/L4Lpu4m1CsYuu4R7AIn this episode of Data in Education, I'm chatting with the absolute powerhouse that is Dr. Kristilynn Turney, a dear friend and a true force in educational leadership. With over 25 years in the game, she’s been a teacher, a principal, and now a consultant who has seen it all, from the highest-performing schools to those that need some serious love. She has this incredible gift for helping schools move past the fear and see data for wh...
2025-10-0240 minData in EducationClarity, Connection, Momentum with Jenelle McClenahenSend us a textRequest more information on Symplifyed here: symplifyed.com/pricingCommit before October 31st, 2025, and enjoy a 10% discount.This week’s episode is a little different, and I am (as my dad loves to point out) super excited about it. I was joined by the incredible Jenelle McClenahen, the CEO and founder of Symplifyed.Jenelle’s story is amazing. She was a teacher who, after her son was diagnosed with autism, saw the power of breaking down big milestones into tiny, measurable steps through his ABA therapy. She had...
2025-09-1859 minData in EducationSchool Stories: When a Soccer Ball Tells You More Than a SpreadsheetSend us a textIn this episode of Data in Education, I was joined by the incredible Emma Dukhovny. With over 25 years in the New York City Department of Education, Emma is a seasoned English Language Learner (ELL) teacher, data specialist, and professional developer. As an immigrant and an English language learner herself, she brings a deeply personal and powerful perspective to the table. She's the brilliant mind behind the Teachers of ELLs Facebook group and is all about making data work smarter, not harder.Learn more about Emma Dukhovny in her facebook group for...
2025-09-1147 minData in EducationHow to Move Beyond Buy-In and Cultivate True Teacher Ownership with Becca SilverSend us a textFree resources - www.thewholeeducator.com/free-resourcesIn this episode of Data in Education, I had a fascinating conversation with Becca Silver, the CEO and founder of The Whole Educator, and someone who is truly a kindred spirit in making data more human-centered. With a decade of experience in the classroom, including teaching abroad and co-oping a school in Tanzania, Becca brings a unique, global perspective to her work. After transitioning to instructional coaching, she had a lightbulb moment: the traditional, task-centered approach wasn’t creating lasting change. By integrating her li...
2025-09-0549 minData in EducationSchool Stories: The Data Set You Should Never IgnoreSend us a textEdChanger Pro AppIn this episode of Data in Education, I had a great conversation with Patrick Mongrain, a friend and fellow education data enthusiast who's all about building lasting systemic change. With a decade of experience as a history and leadership teacher, MTSS coach, and a restorative justice specialist, Patrick has a wealth of knowledge. He's passionate about moving past "shiny objects" in education to focus on the instructional practices at the heart of it all. We talked about why data and coaching are so powerful, and...
2025-08-2838 minData in EducationThe Measurable Impact of a Leader's Well-being with Dr. Brandi KellySend us a textWellness ChecklistLeadership Coaching CohortIn this episode of Data in Education, I'm chatting with Dr. Brandi Kelly, a dear friend and the founder of Spark Hope Edu. With over 20 years of experience, Brandi's unique perspective on leadership is shaped by her background in social work and a doctorate in educational leadership. She believes that data should go beyond test scores and start with leaders themselves, and that's exactly what her transformative H.O.P.E system is all about. We dove deep into how leaders...
2025-08-2139 minData in EducationBridging the Gap Between Big Data and Student Stories with Dr. Karen Dudek-BrannanSend us a textExecutive Functioning Guide: drkarendudekbrannan.com/efschools7-Day Course: drkarendudekbrannan.com/schoolleaders Karen’s Podcast: defactoleaders.comIn this episode, I interview Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan, a speech pathologist with a wide range of experience in education, from one-on-one student evaluations to designing state-level data systems. The conversation centers on the challenge of balancing large-scale data with the individual stories of students, particularly for difficult-to-measure skills like executive functioning. We discuss why many people are skeptical of data in education, often due to its historical misuse for punitive accountability rather than for...
2025-08-1444 minData in EducationSchool Stories: A Co-Teaching Duo Bridging the Gap in ReadingSend us a textThis episode is a testament to the power of authentic collaboration and the joy that comes from seeing real student growth. Jen, with her 27 years of special education experience, and Shana, with 20 years in general education, are a perfect blend of old school wisdom and new-school data strategy, proving that it's never too late to learn new tricks, even if you started with a chalkboard.---------Connect with Jennifer JohnsonEmail: jjohnson3339.jj@gmail.comLearn more about Logic* at www.logicreading.com*As my...
2025-08-0857 minData in EducationData Cafes & BAG Reports: How to Turn Data into a Conversation with Maricha MatthewsSend us a textIn this episode, I talk with Maricha Matthews, Assistant Principal of Attendance and Discipline at Alan B. Shepherd High School, about her journey as an educator and her passion for using data to build supportive school cultures. With a background spanning special education and MTSS leadership, Maricha explains how she demystifies data for teachers and overcomes the common "data anxiety" in schools. We dive deep into her innovative strategies like "BAG reports" (Behavior, Attendance, and Grades) and "Data Cafes," a unique approach to gathering qualitative data and building trust with at-risk students. Maricha...
2025-06-2640 minData in EducationEmpowerment Through Clarity and Data-Informed Practices with Casey WattsSend us a textClarity Over Clutter Freebiehttp://www.catchingupwithcasey.com/clarityoverclutterIn this episode, I chat with Casey Watts, CEO of Casey Watts Coaching and Consulting, about her extensive 20-year journey in education as a teacher, leader, and professor. We discuss Casey’s focus on helping leaders gain clarity within their organizations and the importance of building a thriving data culture with clarity at its core. Casey shares her experiences from various educational roles and introduces her book, 'The Craft of Clarity,' which outlines six steps for school improvement. We dive in...
2025-06-1931 minData in EducationWeaving Data into a Culture of Belonging with Jennifer FergusonSend us a textLearn more about WeCollab at jigsawlearning.ca/wecollabIn this episode of Data in Education, Jessica interviews Jennifer Ferguson, founder of Sapience Educational Services, shares her 20-year journey in education from teaching to district leadership. She discusses her passion for data-informed decision-making in education and collaboration with Kurtis and Lorna Hewson on the WeCollab software. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of a supportive data culture, celebrating small wins, and creating a psychologically safe environment for educators. She highlights specific success stories in improving educational outcomes for English language learners and encourages further...
2025-06-1238 minData in Education7-in-7 Bonus: Making Data Accessible to Drive Instructional Responses with Dr. Sarah RichterSend us a textCheck out Data in Education: A Virtual Summit - bit.ly/datasummit2025In this bonus episode, we're joined by Dr. Sarah K. Richter, an Instructional Coach from Springfield City Schools with over two decades in diverse educational settings. Sarah’s unique journey into data analysis, sparked at a pivotal moment in her career, has fueled her impactful work supporting teachers across all subjects. She’s now using those skills to drive measurable success and help educators truly reflect on their practice.Learn more about Sarah Richter at https://sara...
2025-06-0837 minData in Education7-in-7 Bonus: Bad Data Does Not Mean I'm a Bad Teacher with Emily MulcaheySend us a textCheck out Data in Education: A Virtual Summit - bit.ly/datasummit2025In this bonus episode, we have Emily Mulcahey, an Instructional Coach from North College Hill City Schools with 29 years in the education trenches. Emily’s seen how bringing teachers together around data, not just handing it to them, sparks incredible student growth. She's living proof that collaboration makes data less scary and way more impactful.---------Connect with Emily MulcaheyEmail: mulcahey.e@nchcityschools.orgX: @MulcaheyEmilyFacebook: Emily Russo Mulcahey
2025-06-0743 minData in Education7-in-7 Bonus: Using Data to Engage in School-Wide Conversations for Change with Rick KutcherSend us a textCheck out Data in Education: A Virtual Summit - bit.ly/datasummit2025In this bonus episode, we're talking data with Rick Kutcher, an Administrative Specialist from ESC Region 13 with a seriously diverse background in education. Rick's journey from band director and principal to his current data systems role gives him a unique perspective on leveraging data in schools. He even famously took a failing school to an A rating in under a year, largely by using data to drive incredible results.Learn more about Rick Kutcher at...
2025-06-0650 minData in Education7-in-7 Bonus: Aligning Data Visualization, Data Literacy, and Data Culture with Dr. Melissa WainwrightSend us a textCheck out Data in Education: A Virtual Summit - bit.ly/datasummit2025In this bonus episode, we're talking systems and strategy with Dr. Melissa Wainwright, an MTSS Consultant and Coach who brings over 25 years of experience to her work helping schools take action with data. Melissa is passionate about moving beyond just collecting data to actually solving problems, like the district who used data visualization to uncover how attendance was secretly tanking literacy. With a background in collective leadership and Appreciative Inquiry, she's all about leveraging data in a positive, people-centered...
2025-06-0544 minData in Education7-in-7 Bonus: Starting at Year Zero When Looking to Improve Chronic Absenteeism with Dr. Christopher GravesSend us a textCheck out Data in Education: A Virtual Summit - bit.ly/datasummit2025In this bonus episode, we're chatting with Principal Christopher Graves, a seasoned school leader passionate about structured improvement for students. Chris learned the power of tracking data the best way – by doing – building a skillset from his love of sports stats to make real impacts in areas like school culture and chronic absenteeism. He's all about finding that sweet spot where data is both powerful and practical for his staff.Learn more about Christopher Graves at grav...
2025-06-0436 minData in Education7-in-7 Bonus: Seeking Clarity Through Purposeful Use of Data with Casey WattsSend us a textCheck out Data in Education: A Virtual Summit - bit.ly/datasummit2025In this bonus episode, we're thrilled to welcome Casey Watts, CEO of Casey Watts Coaching & Consulting, who brings two decades of diverse education experience to her work. Casey is all about helping leaders find clarity, and she knows that clarity is a total game-changer when it comes to building a thriving data culture in schools. Learn more about Casey Watts at www.clarity-driven.com---------Connect with Casey WattsEmail: casey@c...
2025-06-0340 minData in Education7-in-7 Bonus: Establishing Data as a Starting Point for Powerful Collaborative Conversations with Hope MulhollandSend us a textCheck out Data in Education: A Virtual Summit - bit.ly/datasummit2025In this bonus episode, we're chatting with Hope Mulholland, a Technology Integration Specialist from Mansfield Public Schools with over 20 years in education. Hope is a driving force behind her district's data dashboard work, helping them move from struggling with scattered data to creating powerful, centralized visualizations. A Google Certified Trainer, she's passionate about using technology to make data accessible and actionable for everyone.Learn more about Hope Mulholland at ---------C...
2025-06-0245 minData in EducationA Global Perspective on Data-Informed Schools with Tom KasterSend us a textIn this episode of Data and Education, I chat with Tom Kaster, founder of Datafied Classroom, about his unique journey from firefighting to education to data consulting. Tom shares his experiences working with international schools and IB data, creating dashboards that help teachers and administrators make data-informed decisions. He highlights the importance of actionable insights from data, the challenges teachers face with data overload, and the benefits of using tools like Looker Studio. Tom also discusses his work with Datafied Classroom, offering practical tools for teachers to track student progress and emphasizes the...
2025-05-2933 minData in EducationSchool Stories: The Value of Data at a Secondary LevelSend us a textIn this episode of Data and Education, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jessica Bucceri, the school testing coordinator at Caroline High School. We explored her fascinating journey from working in group homes for adults with intellectual disabilities to her various roles in education, including special education and middle school administration. Jessica shared her experience in building data systems from scratch and creating a data-informed culture in schools. We took a dive into her use of data visualization to inform decision-making and her approach to managing state assessments and student progress. Jessica...
2025-05-2937 minData in EducationTransforming Schools using Data-Informed Collaboration with Kurtis HewsonSend us a textCheck out Data in Education: A Virtual Summit - bit.ly/datasummit2025Overview of Collaborative Response - bit.ly/CR-overviewIntroductory chapter for the book Collaborative Response (includes numerous templates and resources from the book) - bit.ly/CR-introIn this episode of Data and Education, I chatted with Kurtis Hewson, an award-winning educator and co-founder of Jigsaw Learning. We took a dive into Kurtis's journey from a teaching career in Northern Alberta to pioneering collaborative structures in schools. Kurtis discussed the concept of Collaborative Response and...
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