Bright Spots: The Podcast
Bright Spots: The Podcast highlights the work in the region through conversations with WREN staff and local educators working to effect systemic change in our schools, districts, and communities.
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Episode links below include resources and full transcripts, but you can also find Bright Spots on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify!
Kanoe Bunney and Education Pathways — Co-hosts Alyssa Leraas and Cameron Yee visit with Kanoe Bunney, Education Faculty and Department Chair of Education and Human Development and Family Studies at Linn Benton Community College. Kanoe talks about her teaching background, how she got involved with the WREN, and her work as a Coordinating Body member and change project team lead focused on preparing high school students for the education workforce. (30Minutes)
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Alyssa Leraas and Data & Measurement — Meet WREN's Data and Measurement Coordinator Alyssa Leraas, learn about the different types of data the WREN collects, and the accessible and human-centered principles that guide these efforts. (28 Minutes)
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Anil Oommen and Identity-Safe Classrooms — Co-hosts Cameron Yee and Michelle Hjelm visit with Anil Oommen, Associate Director of Clinical Practices and Continuing Education at Pacific University's College of Education. Anil talks about his experience teaching in the classroom, partnering with the WREN to develop PD for local educators, and the framework that guides him in developing these popular courses. (29 Minutes)
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Michelle Hjelm and Professional Development — Meet WREN's Professional Development Coordinator Michelle Hjelm as she pulls back the curtain to show what's involved in getting our amazing professional learning opportunities off the ground, including how our waitlist process operates and more! (30 Minutes)
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Amanda Sarles and Leading Change — Co-hosts Cameron Yee and Aly Nestler visit with Amanda Sarles, a music teacher at Siuslaw Elementary School in Florence, OR. Amanda talks about her journey as an educator and the path that led her to joining the WREN Coordinating Body and then leading a change project in her district. (35 Minutes)
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Aly Nestler and Improvement Science — In the debut episode, meet WREN's Lead Continuous Improvement Coach Aly Nestler; learn how improvement science differs from continuous improvement plans; and find out about the WREN's new PD Follow-Up Coaching options. (31 Minutes)