Chronic absenteeism: what is it, how do we fix it, and who can help? In a two-part special field recording from the 2nd annual Georgia DOE Attendance Summit "Georgia Goes to School," we examine contributing factors to the attendance struggle from various agencies' vantage points. Representatives from UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, DBHDD, and GaDOE School Nutrition illuminate their organization's role in supporting student attendance in Part 1.

Scanning the horizon for a way to help educators work hard, and work well? Look no further than College Park Elementary, where care, connection among colleagues, and coordinated initiatives uplift educator wellness. Principal Maisha Otway and Wellness Ambassador Jetanne Dugger share the positive impacts of Georgia DOE and local RESA "Wellness in Action" sessions, noting that prioritized educator wellness keeps teachers and staff fit for the challenge of educating students across the 180-day school year.

What can educators and districts do to improve their absentee data? Hear Forsyth County Schools' successful vertical model for getting students into the school building, "safe, connected, and thriving." Forsyth's Director of Student Support Sarah Von Esh and Little Mill Middle School Principal Molly Lavin reveal the beautiful choreography between schools and the district that's making big strides for student attendance.

In the Season 8 premiere, meet Georgia's Teacher of the Year from Morgan County. Rachel Kinsaul grew up on a beef cattle farm as a rodeo kid. Today, she lassoes that lived experience into teaching agricultural science with an added mission of community service. Learn about Rachel's innovative CTAE courses, her push for an upcoming Georgia public schools "Day of Service," and her take on getting students to want to come to school.

Our season-long examination of personalized learning, the student-centered practices for heightened student engagement, draws to an uplifting close in the finale episode. Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Sarah Bazzy from Camp Creek Elementary School in Gwinnett County Public Schools joins the podcast with an alliterative set of priorities inspired by her “littles” that propels PL instruction in every content area.

How do teachers assess content mastery in personalized learning, when students choose their own learning trajectory? Georgia's runner-up for 2025 Teacher of the Year and 3rd-5th grade STEM teacher from City Schools of Decatur Alicia Reno visits the podcast with her sensational STEM strategies. By connecting the standards to real life, application person Alicia first hooks students on the process of learning, then co-designs authentic, individualized assessments to help learners show what they know.

Hear the impactful story of Cherokee County students who operate a personalized learning-driven food pantry to fulfill a need in their home community. Cherokee High School's World Languages Teacher and Bilingual Student Support Specialist Jennifer Rasmussen dishes on the self-made Workplace Spanish curriculum that enabled students to explore individualized career paths through the vehicle of collaboration.

Teaching that focuses on student strengths rather than weaknesses often leads to a resurgence of creativity in the classroom. Richmond Hill Middle School's new science teacher, PLC Lead, and Gifted Lead Charvez Holmes clues us in on asset-based personalized learning initiatives that she is bringing to Bryan County Schools to bring out the best in students.