Erik M. Francis, M.Ed., M.S., is an international author, educator, presenter, and professional development provider with 30 years of experience in education. He is the author of

• Inquiring Minds Want to Learn: Posing Good Questions to Promote Student Inquiry (Solution Tree),
• Deconstructing Depth of Knowledge: A Method and Model for Deeper Teaching and Learning (Solution Tree),
• Now That’s a Good Question! How to Promote Cognitive Rigor Through Classroom Questioning (ASCD).

Erik is the owner of Maverik Education, providing professional learning and support on how to plan and provide teaching and learning experiences that are standards driven and student supportive. He is also consistently ranked as one of the World’s

Top 30 Education Professionals by the international research organization Global Gurus and the Top 10 Global Thought Leaders in Education by the organization Thinkers360.

Maverik Education: www.maverikeducation.com

Twitter / X: @maverikedu12

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maverikeducation/

Deconstructing Depth of Knowledge: A Method for Deeper Teaching and Learning:

www.solutiontree.com/truedok

Inquiring Minds Want to Learn: Posing Good Questions to Promote Student Inquiry:

www.solutiontree.com/inquiringminds

In this episode of They’ll Be Fine, we speak with Crawford Leavoy, National Speech & Debate Tournament Champion coach. For the past 12 years as Director of Speech & Debate at Durham Academy, he's built a program that consistently dominates the national stage: 12 straight years of Top 20 finishes at the National Speech & Debate Tournament, with multiple Top 10 placements. He's a three-time North Carolina Coach of the Year and a two-diamond coach with the NSDA. Crawford creates an environment where gifted students are challenged, where their passions ignite, and where they learn to apply their academic skills in a competitive, yet supportive, arena. He prioritizes developing well-rounded individuals, fostering leadership, confidence, and critical thinking. For him, it’s about building good people, not just good debaters. Get ready to learn more about Speech & Debate from one of the most successful speech and debate programs in the country in this conversation with Crawford.

Welcome back to They’ll Be Fine, the podcast where we dive into the most impactful practices in gifted education and beyond. In this episode, we’re exploring an instructional approach that transforms classrooms into vibrant spaces for critical thinking, inquiry, and meaningful dialogue—the Paideia approach.

We recently had the privilege of sitting down with two incredible school leaders in Charlotte, NC– Kelly Dowdy and Jane Armbruster, They implement the Paideia framework at their schools with remarkable success. They shared invaluable insights into how this philosophy fosters deep learning, student engagement, and a culture of intellectual curiosity.

Kelly Dowdy is in her 25th year in education. She has served as the principal of Elon Park Elementary since January 2017. Her career began as a fifth-grade teacher at the same elementary school she attended as a student. She has also taught fourth grade, worked as a literacy facilitator, and served as an assistant principal. In 2005, she earned her National Board Certification as a classroom teacher and has chosen to maintain it even after transitioning out of the classroom. She earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from Winthrop University in 2011. A native of Charlotte and a graduate of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Kelly has always had a love for learning at every level.

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Born in Hong Kong, Jane Armbruster comes from a family of educators, a legacy that began with her grandparents. Her passion for education runs deep—her sister previously taught at the university level, working with master's students, while her brother teaches in international schools at the middle and high school levels. With 28 years of experience in education, Jane currently serves as the Principal of Providence Spring Elementary in Charlotte, NC, which is home to one of the largest populations of gifted students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). Since joining CMS in 2000, she has held various roles, including classroom teacher, Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) teacher, facilitator, and assistant principal. She holds National Board Certification and an Academically Gifted Licensure and is deeply committed to creating enriching learning experiences for all students. Beyond school leadership, she has presented at the National Gifted Conference, the NCAGT Conference, and the National Paideia Center. She thrives on problem-solving and critical analysis, always seeking ways to enhance education for all students. The daily joys of working in a school continue to energize her, and she finds fulfillment in collaborating with educators, students, and families to create meaningful learning experiences. She is dedicated to working with all stakeholders to develop not only strong learners but also responsible citizens and stewards of the world.

In this episode of They'll Be Fine, Kim Tredick, a seasoned educator with 36 years in public education, discusses her journey and passion for gifted education. She details her professional background from being an elementary school teacher to an assistant superintendent, emphasizing the need for differentiation. Kim introduces the Depth and Complexity framework, developed in the early 1990s by Dr. Sandra Kaplan and Betty Gould, as a way to enhance critical and creative thinking among students of all learning levels. She explains how the framework utilizes visual icons to help students actively engage in metacognition, promoting inclusive and equitable education. The interview covers practical applications of the framework, its benefits, and success stories, along with resources available through J. Taylor Education and the Center for Depth and Complexity for educators and parents alike.

Kim Tredick is currently a lead trainer and curriculum writer for the Center for Depth and Complexity. Kim has applied Depth and Complexity for three decades in various educational roles as a teacher, principal, district administrator, and Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. In 2006, she was awarded the Milken National Educator award for her work with differentiation. Kim is the author of the best-selling Differentiation Smart Reference Guide, which is used in over 40,000 classrooms. As one of the original participating educators during the first PD rollout of Depth & Complexity in the 1990s, she provides practical, effective strategies for utilizing the Depth & Complexity framework.

Welcome back to They'll Be Fine! This week, we're tackling a complex and often misunderstood topic: intelligence testing. But we're not just scratching the surface. We're going straight to the source, speaking with Dr. Jack Naglieri. Dr. Naglieri, an Emeritus professor at George Mason University and senior research scientist at the Devereux Center for Resilient Children, has dedicated his career to creating more equitable and accurate assessment tools. He's the driving force behind the Naglieri General Ability Test, a recent winner of the 2024 Excellence in Equity – Industry Impact Award, and a recipient of the prestigious New York Association of School Psychologists Legends Award.

Dr. Naglieri's work revolutionizes how we understand intelligence. In this episode, he explains how tests can measure thinking itself, not just accumulated knowledge. He also explains his COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM, which focuses on four essential cognitive processes: Planning, Attention, Simultaneous, and Successive – or PASS. We'll delve into how these assessments can provide a fairer, more nuanced understanding of intelligence across diverse populations, and how this data can empower teachers to tailor their instruction for every student. Let's welcome the brilliant Dr. Jack Naglieri!

https://jacknaglieri.com/

https://jacknaglieri.com/tests

Dr. Dina Brulles is a true leader in the field of gifted education. She is the Gifted Program Coordinator at Arizona State University, a former Director of Gifted Education, and a co-author of the Naglieri General Abilities Test. She's also served in key leadership roles at the National Association for Gifted Children and has actively supported and served as a mentor for the Javits Frasier Scholarship Program since 2010.

As you will hear, Dina is passionate about creating equitable and inclusive gifted education programs. This episode dives deep into creating inclusive gifted services that truly support all learners. We discuss identification, DOK framework, cluster grouping, flexible grouping, and collaborative learning. So, whether you're a teacher, parent, or just curious about the future of gifted education, this episode offers valuable insights and practical ideas.

Dina received the 2022 NAGC Anne Isaacs Award for Distinguished Service, the 2019 and the 2020 NAGC Book of the Year Award (practitioners), NAGC’s inaugural 2014 Gifted Coordinator Award, and the Professional Development Network Award in 2013.

Dina’s books include A Teacher’s Guide to Flexible Grouping and Collaborative Learning; Designing Gifted Education Programs; Differentiated Lessons for All Learners; The Cluster Grouping Handbook; Teaching Gifted Kids in Today’s Classrooms; Helping All Gifted Children Learn; Understanding and Using the Naglieri General Ability Tests: A Call for Equity in Gifted Education and the Naglieri Ability Test – Verbal.

More information on Dina Brulles can be found at Gifted Education Consultants

Naglieri Gifted Tests

What is Depth of Knowledge

Erik Francis’ Now That’s a Good Question

Welcome to They'll Be Fine! We are Kim Hackman and Lisa Pagano,  and we're the new hosts of this podcast. We're really looking forward to connecting with all of you about the needs of our academically and intellectually gifted. But first, we want to introduce ourselves. Starting next Friday, new episodes will be released every other week, so be sure to follow us!

Whether you're deeply involved in the world of gifted education, constantly searching for the latest research and best practices, or just starting to explore this complex and often overlooked area, you're in the right place.

On They'll Be Fine, we're going to dive deep into the realities of gifted education, focusing on the students who are so often missed and underserved. Think of this as your go to resource for understanding the challenges, exploring the solutions, and amplifying the voices of those who need to be heard. We'll be exploring the lack of academic and social emotional support, discussing systemic inequalities, and celebrating the potential of every gifted child.

Please let us know in the comments, who you'd like us to interview and what burning questions you have about gifted education. What were your favorite episodes of the past two years? We are doing this to support you. So please let us know what topics you would like us to focus on by sharing it with us in the comments.

In this episode, Julia, a former teacher turned school counselor, shares how her experience in the classroom led her to write 126 children's books focused on positive parenting, teaching strategies, and emotional growth. She discusses her new website, Cookie Bites, offering resources for parents and educators to help children manage anxiety, build self-esteem, and navigate social-emotional challenges.

Julia also talks about the importance of trust, communication, and setting boundaries in both parenting and teaching, providing practical tips for managing classroom behavior, morning routines, and boosting engagement. She shares strategies for fostering empathy and supporting gifted or differently-abled children, plus how her Cookie Bites platform is making a difference in virtual classrooms.

Tune in for valuable insights on empowering kids and creating a positive learning environment!

Show Notes: https://www.juliacookonline.com/cookie-bytes/

https://www.juliacookonline.com/about-julia/

Link for picture: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sx6-Fq9P2SkY3TYwbmNSGU92CyI_8Q1W/view?usp=drive_link