Learn, Grow, Teach, Parent

My guest on this episode is Connecticut educator Kim Cody, a 35 year veteran teacher who retired last June, but was pulled back into teaching because she identified a need for qualified math tutors and simply could not stay away. Kim is very charming and quite thoughtful regarding the current state of elementary school education in our country. We had an easy going conversation that covered various topics and also clearly identified the need for a new crop of fresh, energetic educators to enter the profession. I hope you enjoy meeting Kim as much as I did and find our conversation equally enjoyable!

Jamie York shares the story behind his math teacher's geometric dream house, a unique architectural project inspired by geometric shapes. Here is the link to the YouTube documentary https://youtu.be/TCbXNHgrBHY He discusses his fascination with the close packing problem and the discovery of the rhombic triacontahedron as the foundation for the house. Jamie emphasizes the importance of architecture in promoting emotional and spiritual well-being and encourages students to think independently and pursue their dreams. He also highlights the need for balanced optimism and discernment in today's world. The conversation explores the connection between geometry and philosophy and the value of pure geometry in education. Jamie emphasizes the importance of real geometry and how it strengthens the imagination, leading to creative problem-solving. The conversation then transitions to the connection between geometry and architecture, highlighting the creative side of building. Jamie shares the story of the Phi House, a rhombic triacontohedron, and how it was brought to life. The concept of bringing dreams to reality is explored, emphasizing the importance of determination and taking action. The significance of the Phi House and the phi ratio is discussed, with a recommendation to watch the accompanying video. Takeaways: Architecture plays a crucial role in promoting emotional and spiritual well-being. Independent thinking and pursuing one's dreams are essential for personal growth and making a positive impact on the world. Balanced optimism and discernment are necessary in navigating a polarized society. Geometry can be a powerful tool for developing critical thinking skills and fostering a deeper understanding of the world. Real geometry strengthens the imagination and fosters creative problem-solving. Geometry and architecture are closely connected, with architecture being the creative side of building. Bringing dreams to reality requires determination and taking action. The Phi House and the phi ratio hold significance and are worth exploring further.

Jared Coady is a teacher who routinely challenges himself to educate his students at every level needed to inspire a deep love of learning. He is insightful, deliberate and controlled by every measure that a parent would want from a teacher for their child. I've known Jared for more than a decade and even worked with him side by side. In doing so I encountered and highly dedicated educator with the highest of standards for himself and a leader that chooses carefully every interaction and encounter with his students. He taught both my daughters but most deeply impacted Annabella as her main teacher from 4th to 8th grade. I had a great conversation with Jared and I know you'll enjoy the topic we cover in this episode.

Episode 11 features Jamie York as we discuss the trending topic of homeschooling. Homeschooling rates have quadrupled since the COVID-19 lockdowns. An estimated 3.26 million students are currently being homeschooled. This number is easily increasing and it is now safe to say that, moving forward, a significant number of students will enter society having been educated by dedicated parents who carefully curate their curriculum to match the needs of their children. In the near future we'll have credible data as to the outcome of this trend. The numbers will either make or break the decision to homeschool. I am among the parents who chose homeschool, so I can say first hand that the experience was rewarding and successful beyond our wildest estimations. Jamie York and his excellent math academy was pivotal to our success. Therefore I'm quite happy to highlight this episode and feature questions and thoughts that could help the many families who enter into the world of modern homeschooling. Hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did in bringing Jamie York back to the podcast!

In today's 10th Episode of the podcast, I'm speaking with Michele Yulo a friend and dedicated parent. Michele tell us about her personal journey raising her daughter and her choices surrounding our public school system. She has always been a strong advocate, a mindful parent and balanced guide with a clear voice that has brought out the very best from her daughter Gabi. She is the founder and president of Princess Free Zone, Inc. and creator of SUIT HER, a potential line of suits for girls. In 2017 she gave a powerful TED talk entitled Parenting a Gender Non-Conforming Child that has garnered over 300,000 views. Her book Super Tool Lula: The Kind Warrior (Available at Amazon) is thoughtful and deeply inspiring. We had a great conversation that allowed us both to reflect and in some cases reimagine K-12 public education. I hope you enjoy the episode and as always leave a comment so I can continue to entice many more excellent guests like Michele to the Learn, Grow, Teach, Parent podcast!

In this "mini "episode I have a brief conversation with Brian Reedy. He is an extremely talented artist and a 30 year veteran art teacher. He has a gregarious demeanor that is enormously accessible to both his student and to fans of his work. I was impressed by the grounded and practical approach he takes in the classroom that translates to a pathway which students who seek to make a go of the art world can model. The development of life skills, such as planning and strategy, combine to give structure to talented students who can then bring real world sensibilities to their burgeoning craft. He tell us about how teaching and being a working artist go hand in hand - and how his own life experiences inform his approach in the classroom. I hope you enjoy this episode even though it's a bit shorter than usual, but take to heart that with a guest like Brian Reedy there will be more to follow!

In this episode I chat with Sandy Valdez a 29 year science teacher at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. We learn about the highly compassionate Marist brothers who founded this school in 1958 and their mission to build a school from which to develop educated and well rounded men. In addition to science classes, Sandy teaches a SLS class that prepares young men for college life and beyond. She is highly conscientious in her task and works hand in hand with her colleagues to take 9th grade boys and guide them into becoming men. It's a unique opportunity to be a woman teaching in an all boys school, but the cohesive staff at Columbus has a secret sauce developed over years of honing a singular mission. It works, and Sandy's passion for teaching exemplifies the very real way that guiding principles of old are very much alive in modern education. Her track record speaks for itself as the boys of Columbus become the men of our future. Men of God, men of compassion who lead their families and transform society through worthy missions of service.

In this episode I talk with Michael Sinisgalli, a 20 year veteran teacher in the public school system. We follow him on a path which led him to the classroom two decades ago as an elementary school music teacher. He is thoughtful, introspective and deeply committed to how his interaction with students impacts their lives. He speaks to how we need to transform all levels for modern education and touches on the role which parents can play in helping students get more out of modern education. Michael is a deep thinker who uses meditation to self-improve and aims for emotional balance professionally and personally equally. I hope you enjoy our conversation and as always thank you for listening.

In this episode I catch up with my old friend Andrew Disney. Andy, as he in known to many of us who grew up with him in the 70's and 80's in Miami, is an English teacher in Winter Park High School; An International Baccalaureate school that delivers Advanced Placement courses to over 3500 students. Andy has a refreshing take on education marked by a vast optimism for the future of a generation that most of us worry about. He's keen on the prospects of young minds which he whole-heartedly educates with an infectious love of literature. In this episode you'll learn about his fascinating journey from Florida to a wintery mid-west America. Whereby a chance meeting took him on a wild adventure which found him living 6 years in Japan as a mentor and football coach. Andy eventually found his way back to the US and began a career teaching. His mind is among the strongest I have known; it's tempered by a no nonsense East meets West philosophy undergirded by faith, family and solid old world values. In catching up I have found him to be sharp minded, deeply dedicated to teaching and at the top of his game. He's worthy of the honorific "Teacher" and brings a new found respect to that title. I hope you enjoy our conversation as, much as I did recording this episode.

In this episode I share a warm and beautiful chat with Joy Galliford, PhD affectionately known as Dr. Joy. She is an exceptional person who has dedicated her life to music education. Her foundation, Friends of South Florida Music, brings free music classes to over 1400 children in many under served areas of Miami Dade County. Her unique curriculum is called Music FUNdimentals. It was developed over many years directly in the classroom. She thoughtfully and intentionally creates lessons that engage both students and teachers and that uses developmentally impactful, evidence based modalities, designed to bring out the best potential outcome in both. We talk about her foundation, her methods and learn about how she came to be so very passionate about serving her community through music. As one student puts it "She the Dr. who comes to our school and helps us feel happy" In truth she is Dr. Joy!

In this episode I'm talking with Lloyd Golburgh a family law attorney here in South Florida. We have and open and honest conversation about the effects of divorce on the family dynamics and his views on the types of changes to the divorce process which can positively impact parents and children. I pose the question of how modern education can step in and help young minds develop better communication skills and how modernity could use some older ideals which have been seemly lost to help build a better foundation surrounding contemporary relationships. Lloyd is a very thoughtful person and deeply guided by helping his clients come out of difficult situations with dignity and a sense of optimism about the future. I hope you enjoy this episode and please leave me a message with your thoughts about our discussion and some topics for future podcasts!

In this episode we take a deep dive into how intuition plays a role in mathematics. Expect to learn about how philosophy influenced the development of math and how learning can take a form beyond logic. We discuss the state of and intersection between belief and empirical evidence. How math and logic in antiquity evolved from Pythagorean ideals to Cartesian skepticism. Where Jamie differs from Pinker, and how it's critical to meet children's educational needs within their development needs. As always you can find more information at https://jamieyorkacademy.com/ Thank you for listening, and please leave us a review and comment - it really helps us bring this podcast to the many parents who investigate and learn more about how to make math meaningful to their children wherever they may be.

Part 2 of my conversation with educator Jamie York. In this episode we discuss the importance of balance in education and in life. We explore the reality of "Math Trauma" and how confidence along with learning age appropriate skills can help overcome this very real condition. How learning is a by product of student engagement and enthusiasm and not just skill development along with other interesting topics. If you are a student, parent or teacher challenged by the subjects of mathematics or science, or simply looking for a way to make learning math more meaningful - Jamie York is the kind of educator that will help you see math in a different way and take you on a learning journey that is fun and enriching. I encourage you to learn more at https://jamieyorkacademy.com/ Please enjoy the episode and don't forget to leave me a few comments; as always i appreciate you listening! Warmly, Mark

My conversation with Jamie York. Self ascribed Math Missionary and the brilliant creator of Making Math Meaningful books. Jamie is an educator who thinks deeply about how to bring the subjects of math and science to young minds and creates a unique environment where leaning and thinking are at the forefront. He pulls ideas from a broad range of teaching experience into a method that is attainable and sustainable to students from early childhood through the challenges of high school years. His online school - Jamie York Academy should be experienced by all children but especially those who are currently challenged to advance in their math journey. His academy pulled off the near impossible feat of advancing student learning during the difficult days of school closures and distance learning. I invite to to sit back and enjoy our conversion. Link to learn more -- www.JamieYorkAcademy.com