ClassCast Podcast Ep.085 features Sonny Thadani, CEO & Co-Founder of Robin, discussing social-emotional learning, mindfulness, the value of personal/life coaching, and how we can serve students' and teachers' emotional needs as we strive to improve education.  Sonny initially found success as a realtor and business consultant, but a series of important personal experiences compelled him to shift paths and seek opportunities to support students (and teachers).  Initially, after forging relationships with families from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, Sonny became interested in social-emotional learning and supporting mental health; he then became a father and had a transformational experience with a personal life coach and saw the potential for coaching in schools. Now, in his role as CEO of Robin, a cutting-edge social-emotional learning and coaching program, Sonny is doing everything he can to promote mindfulness, peace, and productivity in schools across the country. If you are interested in making SEL work for students, teachers, and communities around you, don't miss Sonny's coaching-based approach.

You can learn more about Robin at my-robin.com, on Twitter @robin_stories, on Instagram @robin_stories, or by contacting Sonny directly.

ClassCast Podcast Ep.084 features Jeff Harris, President and Co-Founder of Xello, discussing college and career planning, supporting students' long-term goals, and the concept (and reality) of "future ready" students.  Jeff and host Ryan Tibbens discuss their own experiences with past versions of "career planning," why talking about and structuring long-term planning is more important than ever, and how services like Xello can serve students without over-burdening teachers and counselors. This discussion goes beyond shallow platitudes about being "future ready" and digs into how local communities and students' experiences shape their goals and options, how classical/liberal/traditional schools may need college and career planning services even more than public and STEM schools, and even how school divisions go about testing and adopting cutting edge edtech like Xello. If you are a counselor, special education transition teacher, career/technical education teacher, parent, or community member concerned about how we're preparing students for their lives beyond high school, this episode is a must-listen. You can learn more about Jeff Harris and Xello at Xello.world and through their social media accounts, including on Twitter and YouTube. 

ClassCast Podcast Ep.083 features Jessica Kirkland, a high school English teacher in Loudoun County, Virginia (and Twitter superstar), talking shop and exchanging ideas about improving schools, building relationships, navigating the pandemic, and much more with host Ryan Tibbens. In this laidback, funny, yet insightful discussion, you'll hear Jess proclaim that she's "pro-nonsense," share her strategies for connecting with students, divulge her secret wish to indoctrinate students (with a love for trees), and much more. Part of what makes this discussion so refreshing is that Jess has nothing to promote, nothing to sell. She has amassed over 11,000 Twitter followers in around three years just by being honest, thoughtful, and likeable -- and it all shines through in this discussion. Whether you're looking for honest perspectives on the current state of schools, a funny conversation between coworkers, or ideas about how to scale your social media presence (Jess says, "All of my demons are in the drafts"), you will love this episode.

You can learn more about Jess and follow her on Twitter @JKirk___ (three underscores, LOL).