The EdCounts Podcast

The first 18 months of a child's life are incredibly important when it comes to brain development. So how can we ensure that both children and parents are healthy at this stage? In this episode, Candy Yoder, Senior Strategist with Building Strong Brains, and Paul Shetler-Fast, Executive Director of Maple City Health Care Center, show us how local organizations are collaborating to provide early childhood and family supports.

Access and affordability of pre-K have been challenges for decades. But recent state budget cuts in Indiana are making those challenges much more acute. In this episode, we'll hear from Aleyna Mitchell, Director of Development and Community Outreach at El Campito Child Development Center, about the impact of funding cuts on families and pre-K providers. 

AI is now present in schools across the nation, and it's not going away anytime soon. But how are teachers and administrators responding to its academic pros and cons? Amy Dirlam, Assistant Superintendent of St. Joseph Public Schools, and Ben Rimes, Director of Technology at Coloma Community Schools, will help us learn about developing policies that balance the support of AI with human interaction in learning.

Whether it's in homes, schools, or on social media, it takes a community to ensure the safety and growth of children. In this episode, Angie Skwarcan of The CASIE Center and Kim Yoder of Child and Parent Services - Elkhart take us through some of the different ways that we can prevent child abuse and neglect.

Science is a vast and complex field, and it can be challenging for scientists to share their work with students and the general public. In this episode, we'll chat with Dr. Maggie Fink and Dr. Shahir Rizk, professors at Indiana University South Bend, who both have experience in making science accessible through art, conversation, and connection.

Teachers are the heartbeat of classrooms - but they deal with a number of stressors on a daily basis, which can lead to burnout. So how can we ensure that educators are physically and mentally healthy? Heather Miller and Rebekah Enzler with School Care Team, a non-profit that specializes in this work, join the podcast to share their thoughts on teacher well-being practices and supports.

How are communities, schools, and businesses reshaping partnerships amidst an ever-changing education landscape? We'll hear from Lauren Hall Riggins, a director at Empower Schools, and Dr. Byron Ernest, a member of the Indiana State Board of Education, about how rural communities are working together to create innovative pathways for students to succeed.

Cell phone bans in schools are growing across the United States, as educators and policy makers hope to improve student performance and well-being. But are the bans achieving their goals? High school principals Justin Zobrosky and Lindsay Gorham-Pflug join the podcast to talk about their experiences implementing cell phone bans in their schools.

Thanks for listening to the EdCounts Podcast, where we explore the exciting world of education! New episodes will premiere on July 8th - follow us so you don't miss out!