Brinda Ghiya’s Post

Tonight I went to “how to use junior high tech” class. As the teacher taught both the essentials & the nuances, it reminded me how essential access to resources to teach you things is — and as I watched people around me trying to sort out the various aspects of the tech and the experience, I started reflecting on … ✔️ The privilege to both have kids attending a school with resources & my time in being able to attend as a parent of new junior high kids. (If I can solve one problem beyond being able to teach them how to unlock a locker, it’s a winning week 🙂). 💡 How important the welcoming environment & guidance are for someone new to something. (New employee, new child in school, first-gen college student). So much is happening when something is new; thr value of being met with kindness and support is hard to measure. ‼️ The responsibility (and honor) we have as anyone who is part of helping someone acclimate to a new school, new organization, or a potentially transformational experience (like #highered). It made me think of Drew Dudley’s Lollipop moment” talk. I watched the teacher and principal answer what were probably repetitive questions with patience & kindness. I watched them respond to annoyed parents with grace & professionalism. Just a moment of reflection on my why, appreciation for those who take time to be thoughtful, & a reminder that the time it takes to be patient and caring with other individuals is time well-spent. #elevatingleadership #elevatingpeoplework

Meet our GEAR UP New Mexico's Regional Coordinator, Katherin Hinton, M.S.Ed.! . What is your position, and what do you do with GEAR UP? I am a Regional Coordinator with GEAR UP New Mexico. One exciting aspect of my role is focusing on workforce development and career pathways programming in collaboration with our partner schools and a wide range of entities and initiatives across our great state. . What is unique about GEAR UP New Mexico? The beauty of GEAR UP New Mexico is its reach as a state grant. It is such a privilege to work within this special and unique grant model that allows us to serve whole school populations with college and career readiness programming. This inclusive model will enable us to impact nearly 7,000 students statewide yearly. At New Mexico GEAR UP schools, EVERYONE is a GEAR UP student! . What advice would you give a student or parent about college and career readiness? As a former college advisor, I have lots of points of advice. My most significant advice would be to engage often with the people around you who are in roles of guidance and support-- like your school counselors and GEAR UP Program Coordinators, as well as college recruiters, advisors, and financial aid specialists. All of these people want to hear from you. They want you to ask lots of questions. That's why their job exists. So don't be afraid to reach out and talk to them frequently about their college and career goals, needs, and next steps! . What is the best part of your job? What energizes you at work? Witnessing student joy and the broadening of horizons and possibilities for young people is probably one of the most energizing aspects of this work. . . . #GEARUPNewMexico #GetToKnowUs #GEARUP #GUNM #RegionalCoordinator #GEARUPworks #GUNMStaff

🔊Hey, Enrollment Managers! 🔊 Want to buy an old iPhone? 📲 It's four years past its release date. Updates its OS frequently. Works reliably. The only thing is it keeps looking for new networks to join. Won't take that offer? Then why are you employing college seniors to do your "organic" social media posts? 🤷♂️ 🤷♀️ They are four years out-of-date. They don't know what's trending among high school juniors and seniors. They don't even use the same language. #OrganicOutreach #EnrollmentManagement #HigherEd ___________________________________ I'm passionate about helping enrollment managers like you create impactful student experiences. My calendar link is in the first comment. Let's chat and make this academic year exceptional!

When establishing a student success office, it's crucial to pay attention to not only your programming but also the location of your office. Having a visible location can significantly boost engagement and participation among students. By choosing a strategic location, you can increase your chances of positively impacting student success and overall academic performance. I call this process VIEW. - Visible - Intentional - Energetic - Welcoming

After years of disruptions caused by the #pandemic, a national educator shortage, safety concerns, and funding deficits, teacher #burnout is at an all-time high. So while many teachers are enjoying their much-deserved summer break, at Adobe we’re exploring the burnout crisis in #education and how we can do our part to support teachers and staff everywhere. In our latest study, bylined by Brian Johnsrud, PhD, we heard from 1K+ teachers, educators, and faculty and found that while over half of the educators agreed that burnout is increasing and higher than it ever was – the same number of folks said that creative activities decrease their feelings of burnout. When educators weave creative activities into the classroom, they report benefits like greater student engagement, joy in the classroom, adding to the enjoyment of their job, and enhanced well-being for them and their students. I’m encouraged to see the positive impact of bringing #creativity to the classroom, but I’m also reminded that there’s still more we can do to empower students and educators. Our mission to expand creativity for all has never been more important. I’m energized by what we can achieve together as we reimagine a brighter future for #education and the next generation. https://lnkd.in/gTuzUz8x

Check out this powerful piece by Elina Alayeva on making high school meaningful for young people. And, if you're curious about the rigorous and purposeful learning experiences mentioned in the article, reach out! I'd love to tell you more.

August is right around the corner and if you're a #schoolleader, it's time for you to prepare for the upcoming school year. Here are our five tips to help you prepare: 1️⃣ Keep your students first: As important as big-picture goals are for your school or district, it is also just as important to keep the primary goal in mind: serving your students. As students reenter schools for the first time, it’s important to remember that there may be a mix of emotions involved including, nerves and excitement. 2️⃣ Make sure your staff is set up well and shown appreciation: Setting your staff up well goes back to establishing strong relationships. Check in with them about how their summer went and if there is anything they need. 3️⃣ Use technology to engage with your staff and students: Technology is a great way to send out reminders and engage with your staff, students, parents, and school community throughout the summer to ensure that everyone is well prepared. This can be through different school-based apps such as ClassDojo, PikMyKid, Remind, Google Classroom, Sign-Up Genius Facebook groups, and more. Your school community will be excited to hear from you! 4️⃣ Define the responsibilities of your team: A great way to define the responsibilities of your team is to hold meetings with different segments of your staff and volunteer groups – your non-instructional staff, teachers, parents, etc. Share with each of your staff members a list of what needs to be done before your students come back and go through each task to make sure that your staff is aware of their key responsibility areas. This is a great way to connect with your staff and understand who is doing what to help your school function well. 5️⃣ Tap into innovative solutions for staffing: If you’re a school leader struggling with #schoolstaffing, don’t be afraid to tap into innovative solutions! Teleservices is a great way to do that. Through #teleservices, your school or district will have access to qualified and certified educators to meet the unique needs of your students. Read the full blog here: https://bit.ly/3YdubGD

Subject has brought me closer to Gen Z than I’ve ever been - even as a parent. And what’s stuck out most to me is how much the adult generation cares about what’s going on in the world around them. Through my work, I've had the amazing opportunity to connect with high school and college students by visiting classrooms, speaking to students, and participating in student-led events at classes and judging competitions at various schools. Whether it's collaborating with Stanford students on a social good project or evaluating innovative ventures in entrepreneurship competitions, these experiences have underscored for me the incredible passion and drive of today's youth. At each event, I encounter students engaged in complicated social and political discourse, committed to creating innovative and equitable solutions. I'm continually inspired by the dedication of students to make a positive impact on their world. While my daughter and her friends may sometimes feel resigned about their ability to effect change, their generation is still overwhelmingly eager to tackle real-world issues head-on. As a supporter of this generation and someone building technology for them, I view my involvement in their causes as more than just a professional endeavor; it's a personal challenge. It's about leaning further into my ability to carve out the path for the next generation's success. This is ultimately why I entered the field of education: to directly impact and support the growth and development of young minds. By engaging directly with the future leaders and change-makers of tomorrow, I feel closer to real solutions - and more hopeful, too.

“We don’t do anything that’s meaningful.” (A teen you know may have said this.) Yes, high school is broken. But it can be fixed. It starts by shifting away from offering teachers and students Band-Aids that doubles down on a failing formula. At Springpoint, we know just how critical this work is—that young people’s cognitive growth, social-emotional development, and emerging awareness of their roles and responsibilities as citizens are at stake. More in my op-ed for The Hechinger Report: 

Leaving the nurturing arms of Angel Oak for the promising horizons of Stiles Point on James Island was a leap into a new chapter of my teaching career. Lured by the allure of a quaint neighborhood school and guided by the wisdom of a mentor, I found myself at the doorstep of an opportunity that resonated. Interviewing with Principal Steve Burger, I felt an immediate connection with the school's vision, eager to dive into this new adventure. Extraordinary Educators Walking into Stiles Point, I was welcomed into a fellowship of master educators—Katie, Dana, Barbara, and Mary Beth. Their classrooms were realms of wonder, where every child's voice was heard and challenges transformed into triumphs. Amidst our brainstorming sessions, I marveled at their meticulous planning and innovative approaches. They were my Yodas, imparting wisdom and igniting a drive within me to push the boundaries of what I believed possible in education. Student Creativity: Diving into Roald Dahl's universe with The BFG was always a favorite of my students. We ventured through Giant Country, sipped Frobscottle, and embraced the quirks of friendship with a giant. The pinnacle was a student's ambitious project—a life-size BFG that towered in our library, a monument to the power of creativity when students are encouraged to dream big and bold. The Game-Changer:  The arrival of the Smartboard in my classroom changed everything. Rolled in during the suspense of state testing week, it quickly became our window to interactive learning. Bye Bye overhead projector. From constructing rollercoasters on Rollercoaster Tycoon to sparking lively discussions, it reshaped our educational experiences. This tool not only transformed my teaching approach but also catapulted me into a new role helping teachers realize the potential of meaningful Smartboard use for Charleston County. Reflecting on my journey at Stiles Point fills me with gratitude for the incredible community of educators, students, and technology that shaped my path. It was a chapter filled with learning, laughter, and the kind of memorable experiences that forge lifelong passions in education. “How have you navigated the exciting challenges of introducing new technologies or projects? Share your tales of educational adventures and the moments that have defined your teaching journey.” #jobjourney #TeachingAdventures #Innovation #LifelongLearning #hardworkpaysoff