When it comes to centering students and accelerating their learning, we understand that the knowledge is in the room. We believe every child should have access to a world-class education. This podcast elevates educator voices so that we are learning together and collaborating for better outcomes for all students. This podcast is a production of the A+ Best Practices Center and A+ Education Partnership.
Lead Collectively with Peter DeWitt and Michael Nelson
Get your copy of Lead Collectively (https://www.corwin.com/books/lead-collectively-293334?srsltid=AfmBOoqtrxWr_joltBa63FO4bh7J502Nx0icfXarUX_WKS2Epw6jXSAV)
More information on the 2026-2027 Powerful Learning Network (https://aplusala.org/best-practices-center/powerful-learning-network/)
27 Aug 2026
Pelham Park Middle School - Building an Instructional Playbook
PPMS Implementation Plan Overview (https://aplusala.org/best-practices-center/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/PPMS-IP-25-26.pdf)
More about the 2026-2027 Powerful Learning Network (https://aplusala.org/best-practices-center/powerful-learning-network/)
21 Nov 2025
Public Charter Schools 101 with Logan Searcy and Dr. Tony Thacker
Alabama among states to receive federal funding for charter schools amid nationwide demand (https://www.wsfa.com/2025/09/29/alabama-among-states-receive-federal-funding-charter-schools-amid-nationwide-demand/)
Follow the Alabama Public Charter School Commission:
Website (http://www.alchartercommission.com/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566868123258)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alchartercommission?igsh=ZGdjdHc4ajNwdjQy)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/alabama-public-charter-school-commission/posts/?feedView=all)
14 Aug 2025
Learning Space Design Principles with Jeremy VanEgmond
Learning Space Design Principles:
Aligning Educational Environments with Effective Strategy article. (https://auix.org/learning-space-design-principles-braligning-educational-environments-with-effective-strategy/)
AUiX Website (https://auix.org/)
More about the Eagle Institute (https://auix.org/eagle/)
5 Aug 2025
Telling Your School's Story with Dr. Nate Ayers
Thank you for listening! Be sure to like and follow. You are welcome to contact Nate at nayers@ccboe.org.
23 Jul 2025
Alabama Teachers of the Year: Katie Collins and Aubrey Bennett
Listen to learn more about the newest Alabama Teachers of the Year (TOY), Katie Collins and Aubrey Bennett. We sat down and chatted about the TOY process, how they plan to use their platform to elevate teachers and students, and the Back to School Bash they are hosting next week (7/31/25).
Click here for more information. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TymVm538QB6YycDIUitRF_-VDpoMLuDh458fTSE1yn8/edit?usp=sharing)
1 May 2025
A Journey to Instructional Coaching with Vestavia Hills City Schools
Click here to learn more about the Peer Coaching workshop on May 14th, 2025. (https://aplusala.org/best-practices-center/instructional-partners-network/)
28 Aug 2024
School Culture and Climate w/ Todd Whitaker
You can find all of the resources mentioned in the episode here. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c6iZNp1nvilJbT1s1gVOm__UWoEXR-LWj9DasVTUmbU/edit?usp=sharing)
17 Apr 2024
2024 Alabama Teacher of the Year, Jeff Norris
You can keep up with Jeff Norris on all of the platforms below:
Email: jeffnorris0426@gmail.com
Twitter: @jeffnorris0426
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jeffnorris621/featured
10 Jan 2024
High Reliability Schools w/ Dr. Robert Marzano and Dr. Phil Warrick
In the first collaborative episode of the BPBS podcast, Tammy Dunn and Teri Thompson with A+ College Ready join us for our discussion with Dr. Robert Marzano and Dr. Phil Warrick of Marzano Resources.
We sit down and discuss the origin of the High Reliability Schools (HRS) framework, the footprint of HRS in Alabama, the current challenges schools are facing, and what drives their passion for students. Click below to access all of the resources mentioned in the episode.
Links and Resources (https://docs.google.com/document/d/191sk_LHu11I79QvBE5SJ2j19q96hVp9hLYJqLeyN_yA/edit?usp=sharing)
20 Jul 2023
Episode 5 with Kristin Rouleau
In this episode, we talk with Kristin Rouleau about her new book The New Classroom Instruction That Works and how she thinks it can be used to support educators in their practice. For even more insight on the text, be sure to listen to our previous episode with her co-author, Bryan Goodwin. (https://aplusala.org/best-practices-center/abpc-podcast/)
Click here to find all of the resources mentioned in the episode. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IM-7C-JqOOvlsD3nnOgwYpKREjSTYBK_F-1WAQyHTiU/edit?usp=sharing)
16 Jun 2023
Episode 4 with Vic Wilson
In this episode, we talk with Vic Wilson about the new School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act. Listen to learn more about the act, how it will be implemented, and what it means for Principals and Assistant Principals in the state of Alabama.
Click here to find all of the resources discussed in the episode. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kHCkJvvvtADCZTb2Qp_LIDS3bl8LI04O11XiV7-BON4/edit?usp=sharing)
20 Apr 2023
Episode 3 with Jackie Walsh, Cathy Gassenheimer, and Beth Thompson
In this episode, we talk with Jackie Walsh, Cathy Gassenheimer, and Beth Thompson. Together, this panel discusses what effective professional learning facilitation looks like and how the upcoming Facilitators Institute can bolster those skills.
All of the resources we discuss in this episode can be found here. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JjYMoz2icuWmQ4h7U3szJOapdC-t1qE5-FG25Xd5xTc/edit?usp=sharing)
21 Feb 2023
Episode 2 with Bryan Goodwin
In this episode, we talk with Bryan Goodwin, President and CEO of McREL International. We discuss his new book The New Classroom Instruction That Works which will be used as the guiding text in our 2023-2024 Key Leaders Network and Powerful Conversations Network. We cover student curiosity, where educators should start with the new text, and how Bryan recommends using the text to engage learners.
All of the resources we discuss in this episode can be found here. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uIOtSb_21F03GtKUpSUUH28lyPp2bdK7Th4mx2oz52I/edit?usp=sharing)
13 Dec 2022
Episode 1 with Jim Knight
In this episode, we talk with Jim Knight about all things coaching. See below for timestamped resources that are discussed throughout the episode. Thank you for listening! Let us know if you, or someone you know, would like to be a future guest on the Better Practices | Brighter Students Podcast.
To access the show notes and resources, please click here. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/17Wh4UjVzYzbOU4ngu6j5iF8LDZO9OSi0dGvAwl9ds7A/edit?usp=sharing)
If we missed any resources mentioned in the episode, please reach out to us and we will do our best to send it your way. Thanks for listening!
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