• EP9: How Do We Make STEM a Place Where Girls Belong?
    Jan 19 2026

    In this episode, Shanita Canady, Detroit educator and community leader, shares insights on how to make STEM a place where girls truly belong. Drawing on her work in computer science education and community programming, she discusses how schools can break down gender stereotypes, build inclusive learning environments, and inspire more girls to see themselves as future innovators and leaders in STEM.

    Hosts: Jay Haffner - Literacy Consultant, Katie Morrison - Mathematics Education Consultant, Dr. Steven Snead - Supervisor of Curriculum & Assessment.

    This podcast is proudly brought to you by Oakland Schools Intermediate School District in the great state of Michigan. Oakland Schools is an educational service agency that offers support services to school districts that are best delivered regionally and provide cost, size and quality advantages to those we serve. Oakland Schools is an autonomous, tax-supported public school district governed by Michigan General School Laws and is one of 56 intermediate school districts (ISDs) established in Michigan in 1962.

    If you are an educator in Oakland County, Michigan, check out www.oakland.k12.mi.us to explore the services and professional learning opportunities available to support you.

    Have feedback for the hosts? We'd love to hear from you! Email steven.snead@oakland.k12.mi.us to connect with us.

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    39 Min.
  • EP8: What Does True Differentiation Look Like In A Secondary Classroom?
    Jan 12 2026

    In this episode, Jill Gumz, High School Math Coach with Rochester Community Schools, explores what effective differentiation can look like in secondary classrooms. She shares insights on why it’s both challenging and essential, how collaboration and co-teaching support diverse learners, and what it takes to create classroom systems that help every student succeed.



    Hosts: Jay Haffner - Literacy Consultant, Katie Morrison - Mathematics Education Consultant, Dr. Steven Snead - Supervisor of Curriculum & Assessment.

    This podcast is proudly brought to you by Oakland Schools Intermediate School District in the great state of Michigan. Oakland Schools is an educational service agency that offers support services to school districts that are best delivered regionally and provide cost, size and quality advantages to those we serve. Oakland Schools is an autonomous, tax-supported public school district governed by Michigan General School Laws and is one of 56 intermediate school districts (ISDs) established in Michigan in 1962.

    If you are an educator in Oakland County, Michigan, check out www.oakland.k12.mi.us to explore the services and professional learning opportunities available to support you.

    Have feedback for the hosts? We'd love to hear from you! Email steven.snead@oakland.k12.mi.us to connect with us.

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    36 Min.
  • EP7: How Can The Kids Lead Us?
    Dec 10 2025

    ELA teacher Peter Haun joins Jay, Katie, and Steven to explore how student ownership transforms learning. From AP Language writing projects to innovative uses of AI, Peter shares how giving students real responsibility builds stronger writers, deeper collaborators, and more confident leaders inside and outside the classroom.



    Hosts: Jay Haffner - Literacy Consultant, Katie Morrison - Mathematics Education Consultant, Dr. Steven Snead - Supervisor of Curriculum & Assessment.

    This podcast is proudly brought to you by Oakland Schools Intermediate School District in the great state of Michigan. Oakland Schools is an educational service agency that offers support services to school districts that are best delivered regionally and provide cost, size and quality advantages to those we serve. Oakland Schools is an autonomous, tax-supported public school district governed by Michigan General School Laws and is one of 56 intermediate school districts (ISDs) established in Michigan in 1962.

    If you are an educator in Oakland County, Michigan, check out www.oakland.k12.mi.us to explore the services and professional learning opportunities available to support you.

    Have feedback for the hosts? We'd love to hear from you! Email steven.snead@oakland.k12.mi.us to connect with us.

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    32 Min.
  • EP6: Why Are We Talking About Dyslexia?
    Nov 11 2025

    School Psychology Consultant Dr. Susan Koceski joins Jay, Katie, and Steven to unpack why dyslexia is finally receiving long overdue attention. We explore how reading is learned, why structured literacy benefits all students, and what Michigan’s new dyslexia law means for teachers, families, and schools.

    Hosts: Jay Haffner - Literacy Consultant, Katie Morrison - Mathematics Education Consultant, Dr. Steven Snead - Supervisor of Curriculum & Assessment.

    This podcast is proudly brought to you by Oakland Schools Intermediate School District in the great state of Michigan. Oakland Schools is an educational service agency that offers support services to school districts that are best delivered regionally and provide cost, size and quality advantages to those we serve. Oakland Schools is an autonomous, tax-supported public school district governed by Michigan General School Laws and is one of 56 intermediate school districts (ISDs) established in Michigan in 1962.

    If you are an educator in Oakland County, Michigan, check out www.oakland.k12.mi.us to explore the services and professional learning opportunities available to support you.

    Have feedback for the hosts? We'd love to hear from you! Email steven.snead@oakland.k12.mi.us to connect with us.

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    41 Min.
  • EP5: What Do We Do About Cell Phones?
    Oct 28 2025

    For this week's episode, we welcomed two outstanding teachers from Avondale School District to discuss unique and innovative ways to support staff and students with with cell phone policies and practices that keep the classroom focused on learning. Jennifer Bahorski, ELA Teacher at Avondale Middle School and Vanessa Wentzloff, Science Teacher at Avondale High School engaged our hosts Jay, Katie, and Steven in a lively discussion on Avondale's cell phone policy, including practical steps that teachers and school leaders can take.

    Hosts: Jay Haffner - Literacy Consultant, Katie Morrison - Mathematics Education Consultant, Dr. Steven Snead - Supervisor of Curriculum & Assessment.

    This podcast is proudly brought to you by Oakland Schools Intermediate School District in the great state of Michigan. Oakland Schools is an educational service agency that offers support services to school districts that are best delivered regionally and provide cost, size and quality advantages to those we serve. Oakland Schools is an autonomous, tax-supported public school district governed by Michigan General School Laws and is one of 56 intermediate school districts (ISDs) established in Michigan in 1962.

    If you are an educator in Oakland County, Michigan, check out www.oakland.k12.mi.us to explore the services and professional learning opportunities available to support you.

    Have feedback for the hosts? We'd love to hear from you! Email steven.snead@oakland.k12.mi.us to connect with us.

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    34 Min.
  • EP4: What Do We Do with A.I.?
    Oct 7 2025

    Oakland Schools Learning Design Consultant Dr. Andrea Zellner, self described A.I. passionate skeptic, joins Jay, Katie, and Steven to dive deep into the mysteries of Artificial Intelligence (AI) use in schools. From thinking critically about the careful use of AI in classrooms, to positioning students to learn and lead the charge with this phenomenon, Dr. Zellner provides insightful tips to teachers and leaders alike.

    Hosts: Jay Haffner - Literacy Consultant, Katie Morrison - Mathematics Education Consultant, Dr. Steven Snead - Supervisor of Curriculum & Assessment.

    This podcast is proudly brought to you by Oakland Schools Intermediate School District in the great state of Michigan. Oakland Schools is an educational service agency that offers support services to school districts that are best delivered regionally and provide cost, size and quality advantages to those we serve. Oakland Schools is an autonomous, tax-supported public school district governed by Michigan General School Laws and is one of 56 intermediate school districts (ISDs) established in Michigan in 1962.

    If you are an educator in Oakland County, Michigan, check out www.oakland.k12.mi.us to explore the services and professional learning opportunities available to support you.

    Have feedback for the hosts? We'd love to hear from you! Email steven.snead@oakland.k12.mi.us to connect with us.

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    39 Min.
  • EP3: How Do We Get Kids to Come to School?
    Sep 30 2025

    Oak Park Schools’ Assistant Superintendent Shana Holden-Murphy joins Jay, Katie, and Steven Jay to tackle the challenge of chronic absenteeism. We explore the roots of student disengagement, the role of family and community partnerships, and strategies that help transform the school into a school house–a place where every student feels they belong and want to show up.

    Hosts: Jay Haffner - Literacy Consultant, Katie Morrison - Mathematics Education Consultant, Dr. Steven Snead - Supervisor of Curriculum & Assessment.

    This podcast is proudly brought to you by Oakland Schools Intermediate School District in the great state of Michigan. Oakland Schools is an educational service agency that offers support services to school districts that are best delivered regionally and provide cost, size and quality advantages to those we serve. Oakland Schools is an autonomous, tax-supported public school district governed by Michigan General School Laws and is one of 56 intermediate school districts (ISDs) established in Michigan in 1962.

    If you are an educator in Oakland County, Michigan, check out www.oakland.k12.mi.us to explore the services and professional learning opportunities available to support you.

    Have feedback for the hosts? We'd love to hear from you! Email steven.snead@oakland.k12.mi.us to connect with us.

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    35 Min.
  • EP2: How Do We Get Kids Excited About School?
    Sep 23 2025

    Educator, author, and performer Dr. Giani Clarkson joins Steven, Katie, and Jay to discuss the art of student engagement. From building authentic relationships to creating culturally relevant learning, we explore strategies that inspire excitement, belonging, and purpose so every student sees school as a place they want to be.



    Hosts: Jay Haffner - Literacy Consultant, Katie Morrison - Mathematics Education Consultant, Dr. Steven Snead - Supervisor of Curriculum & Assessment.

    This podcast is proudly brought to you by Oakland Schools Intermediate School District in the great state of Michigan. Oakland Schools is an educational service agency that offers support services to school districts that are best delivered regionally and provide cost, size and quality advantages to those we serve. Oakland Schools is an autonomous, tax-supported public school district governed by Michigan General School Laws and is one of 56 intermediate school districts (ISDs) established in Michigan in 1962.

    If you are an educator in Oakland County, Michigan, check out www.oakland.k12.mi.us to explore the services and professional learning opportunities available to support you.

    Have feedback for the hosts? We'd love to hear from you! Email steven.snead@oakland.k12.mi.us to connect with us.

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    39 Min.