We Love Illinois Schools
We are the Illinois State Board of Education, and we love Illinois schools. We are inspired by the passionate and innovative people who have dedicated their lives to Illinois students. Join us as we learn about their journeys into education, what they’re proud of, and what keeps them coming back to education every day. Listen in to a new podcast from ISBE. Have an idea for a great guest? Email Dusty Rhodes at drhodes@isbe.net.
Episodes
20 episodes
We Can Do It Differently
“Some of us come into teaching because we always loved school. Some of us come into teaching because we didn't love school, and we want to change something about it.” That’s a glimpse into Dr. Rachael Mahmood’s journey. With ...
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Episode 20
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43:35
BEACON Lights the Way for Families in Crisis
BEACON is the state’s new online portal designed to help Illinois families connect to behavioral health resources. Available for use by state agency staff, healthcare providers, schools and families, it streamlines the process of finding and ac...
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Episode 19
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19:45
A Short Course on Parenting Teaches Students Essential Social-Emotional Skills
Focused on our mission to prepare all students for success in college and careers, it’s easy to overlook the fact that some instruction on caregiving would be useful. Katharine Bensinger took on a request from a student club and ended u...
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Episode 18
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22:02
Lassoed: How Illinois SEL Leaders Use the Hit Show to Inspire Educators
Ryan Wamser and Matt Weld from Regional Office of Education 40 are leaders in the world of school Social-Emotional Learning, or SEL. Together, they staff the Area 5 SEL Hub in Southwestern Illinois – one of seven regional hubs that offer profes...
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Episode 17
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28:00
Briana Morales Just Wants to Change the World
Briana Morales is our 2023 Illinois State Teacher of the Year. She’s a high school English teacher at Gordon Bush Alternative Center – the alternative school for East St. Louis School District 189. To learn more about our Teacher of the Year pr...
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Episode 16
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30:47
A Conversation with 2022 Teacher of the Year Kim Radostits
The National Teacher of the Year finalist and Oregon High School teacher known as Ms. Rad talks about why she advocates for having special education students in her Spanish class, how she overcame her fear of public speaking, the role llamas pl...
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Episode 15
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37:33
You Have to Maslow Before You Bloom -- and That Goes for Adults Too
Lindsay Record, the communications lead for our Learning Renewal team, hosts this episode. Her featured guests are
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Episode 14
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22:21
Believe the Data: A Principal Mentor Explains How 5E is Key to School Improvement
Steven Herkert is director of ROE services at Regional Office of Education 8. He is also a principal mentor with the Illinois Principals Association, and a passionate advocate for the 5Essentials Culture and Climate Survey. In this episode, he ...
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Episode 13
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40:29
A Space to Relate: Affinity Groups for Educators of Color
This episode features two guests:
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Episode 12
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37:11
Dr. Carmen I. Ayala Says Farewell -- for Now
Just before her official retirement, Illinois State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala reflects on her four decades in education and especially her four years at the helm of the Illinois State Board of Education. Ou...
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Episode 11
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26:57
All Means All
Gower District 62 Superintendent Dr. Victor Simon talks about data mining the 5Essentials, and how his personal background reminds him why it matters, and its connection to the Equity Journey Continuum.Our theme music is by José Rivera....
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Episode 10
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16:34
How a "Bad News" Summative Designation Can Lead to Great Results
Dr. James L. Hayes, principal of Harvard Park Elementary in Springfield, talks about the "Comprehensive" summative designation his school received in 2019, an...
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Episode 9
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29:48
Justin Johnson: Reflections on Being Illinois 2021 Teacher of the Year
Days before announcing our 2022 Teacher of the Year, we asked Justin Johnson, our 2021 Teacher of the Year, to tell us what he learned, what he missed, what advice he has for the next Teacher of the Year -- and what advice he has for ISBE, as w...
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Episode 8
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32:27
How a Preschooler Made Illinois History
Jett Hawkins wanted to wear his hair in braids. His school said that hairstyle violated the dress code. So Jett's mother, Ida Nelson, began working to change the school's policy. Less than a year later, she and 4-year-old Jett had transformed s...
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Episode 7
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28:59
Race in America
Have you ever heard of the "racial empathy gap"? Did your own education omit some important information? Is there anything you should know about the town that you live in? Hear our eye-opening conversation with Jessica Splain, a social studies ...
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Episode 6
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26:09
SOS: A Trauma-Informed Partnership Between Schools and Police
In the 2019-2020 school year, East St. Louis School District 189 lost four middle school students to gun violence. In response, Dr. Tiffany Gholson, director of Parent and Student Support Services, created...
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Episode 5
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41:31
Culturally Responsive Teaching & Leading: A Conversation With Three Educators
We are joined by three stellar educators for a lively chat about their personal experiences as students, the teachers who inspired them, the value of diverse educators, and what these Cultu...
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Episode 4
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32:37
When Kids Need Help
Sometimes, students need educators to connect them with advocates. Teachers are mandated reporters, duty-bound to act on suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. In this episode, hear how Child Advocacy Centers can help, in a convers...
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Episode 2
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37:17
