Episode 28: Curriculum Innovations
We're kicking off the 2021-2022 school year with Head of School Roxanne Stansbury and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Brandon Wiley in conversation with Assistant Head of School Andrew Bishop about curriculum innovations at Dawson and around the world. Topics include educational trends, personalized learning, using data to set up frameworks for student success, and casting vision for the future of education and project-based learning at Dawson. You'll also hear about Dawson's Design Lab, the core of excellence, a new education committee, and what parents should look for in Curriculum Night. Tune in as we set our community up for success this year!
Episode 27: The Role of Schools in a Lifelong Learning Model
This is the time of continuous learning. In this episode, Assistant Head of School Andrew Bishop is joined by Donna Orem, president of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), for an in-depth conversation about the ways in which schools must evolve and innovate in the coming years. Topics include: education in this fourth industrial revolution and third education revolution; the four basic jobs of parents and what they're looking for in schools; diversity, equity, and inclusion through the lens of wellbeing and learning; and redefining the purpose of education as it relates to supporting children to develop the skillset and mindset to do anything.
Episode 26: Independent School Associations & Education with Mark Crotty
Assistant Head of School Andrew Bishop is joined by Mark Crotty, the executive director of the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS). They discuss the essential skills students need to thrive, what they hope schools learn from this pandemic year and advice for parents looking for the right school for their child. They also talk about the necessity for independent schools to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion conversations in order to become part of the greater solution. Other topics include the purpose of independent school associations, the in-depth accreditation process, and how Dawson uses that feedback to enhance its strategic direction.
Episode 17: Parent Education at Dawson
Three Dawson parents join Assistant Heads of School Roxanne Stansbury and Andrew Bishop in conversation about Dawson's Parent University series and Parent Education Pieces. The Alexander Dawson School hosts and facilitates Parent University workshops to provide current research in parenting and child development, as well as Parent Education Piece curriculum sessions as a means to more deeply involving each parent in their child’s educational experiences. Julio Melendez, Susan Perry, Susan Archibald reflect on the impact of the presentations in their daily lives as parents and therefore their children's lives. They also discuss the feeling of community and support at Dawson, including the sense of belonging they gain as parents.
Dawson Podcast Episode 4: The Importance of Early Childhood Education
A quality early childhood program sets the foundation for the transition to kindergarten and beyond, and a successful program should spark a love of learning and create excitement about school. In this episode, Dawson's Director of Early Childhood Amanda Murray-Musgrave joins Director of Admissions Andrew Bishop in conversation about the importance of education for young children.
Episode 1: What You Need to Know About Magnet/CTA High Schools
Dawson approaches the high school placement process with the same intensity as a high school's college placement program. Once your child graduates from Dawson, we know that the high school they attend will be critical in continuing their intellectual and personal growth in college and beyond. There are many options to consider, including local public magnet, career and tech academies, private schools and boarding schools. Dawson’s High School Guidance Team ensures that our families have the tools necessary to navigate this process. For those interested in learning more about local CCSD Magnet and CTAs, we recommend this conversation with Director of Admissions Andrew Bishop and Nancy West, Project Facilitator for CCSD’s Magnet Schools and Career and Technical Academies.