Our guest today is passionate about getting dads involved in schools and their kid's learning. Tune in as he shares keen insights about the promise and challenges of engaging fathers. Follow: @Joe_Mazza @strongfathers @bamradionetwork J. Michael Hall is the father of two sons (18 and 22) and the husband to a beautiful middle school teacher. He has been a special education teacher, a teacher of the gifted and talented, and an intermediate and middle school principal. As an educator, speaker...

In this segment we explain Twitter hashtags and discuss how this powerful tool is being used to build school communities. Follow: @Joe_Mazza @MNebel @kylepace @lauragilchrist4 @kwesibaby58 @bamradionetwork Michelle Nebel is the Chief Innovations Officer for Excelsior Springs School District in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. Laura Gilchrist is 6th grade Teacher of the Year at NKC Schools and a #EdcampKC co-organizer. Kyle Pace is an Instructional Technology Specialist for the Lee’s Summit...

In this segment we speak with the organizer of the family engagement conference along with the keynote speaker for the event. The centerpiece was the new family engagement framework. Follow: @Joe_Mazza @kwesibaby58 @bamradionetwork Karen L. Mapp, Ed.D., is a senior lecturer on education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and the faculty director of the Education Policy and Management master’s program. Kwesi Rollins, a member of the Institute for Educational Leadership’s...

In this segment we explore the challenges of using Twitter for professional development. Follow: @TonySinanis @Joe_Mazza @Lisaodavis @bamradionetwork Tony Sinanis, is lead Learner of Cantiague Elementary- Jericho, NY. Lisa J. Davis is a Parent Leader and serves as Past President of the Cantiague Elementary School PTA. Lisa is a co-founder of ParentSchoolPartners, a blog that promotes parent engagement and advocacy. Dr. Joe Mazza serves as K-12 Director of Connected Teaching, Learning...

Developing literacy begins in the home. In this segment, our guests share strategies and tools for inspiring kids to read and develop their literacy skills. Follow: @NCFL @KnappElementary @Joe_Mazza @bamradionetwork Donna Elder, director of literacy and family learning services at the National Center for Families Learning. Gwen Pescatore is a mother of 3, serving as the home and school association president at and on the planning committee for #ParentCamp. Dr. Joe Mazza serves as...

During our 2/26/14 PTChat, many participants who identified themselves as introverts, helped to clarify what it means to be one and how they can best be engaged. It was a lively and insightful chat. Follow: @lisadavis @jesslahey @Joe_Mazza @bamradionetwork Jessica Lahey is an educator, correspondent for the Atlanti and a commentator for Vermont Public Radio. Lisa J. Davis is a Parent Leader and serves as Past President of the Cantiague Elementary School PTA. Lisa is a...

Our guest spent two years interviewing school-aged boys about the complicated socila challenges boys face today and what adults need to know about boys lives. Follow: @rosalindwiseman @Joe_Mazza @bamradionetwork Rosalind Wiseman is a teacher and thought leader on bullying, ethical leadership, the use of social media and media literacy. She is the author of Masterminds & Wingmen: Helping Our Boys Cope with Schoolyard Power, Locker-Room Tests, Girlfriends, and the New Rules of Boy...

Digital Learning day was a big success attracting hundreds of organizations to the mission of providing every child the opportunity to learn in a robust digital environment everyday. Follow: @NPedtech @TerriThinks @OfficialDLDay @All4EdProject24 @Joe_Mazza @bamradionetwork Terri Schwartzbeck serves as a Senior Digital Outreach Associate at the Alliance for Excellent Education. Sara Hall is director of the Alliance’s Center for Secondary School Digital Learning and Policy. Dr. Joe...

In this episode of PTChat Radio, we talk with three trailblazers about how they use social media to brand their schools, tell their school's story and engage parents. Follow: @Joe_Mazza @NMHS_Principal, @TonySinanis @Joesanfelippofc @bamradionetwork Dr. Joe Sanfelippo is the Superintendent of the Fall Creek School District in Fall Creek, Wisconsin. Tony Sinanis, is lead Learner of Cantiague Elementary- Jericho, NY. Eric Sheninger is an award-winning Principal at New Milford High...

In this episode of PTChat Radio, we discuss the new standards for family school partnerships developed by the National PTA. Follow: @Joe_Mazza @PJR100, @President_Ray @bamradionetwork Paul Richman is the executive director at California National PTA. Ray Leone is the President of Maryland PTA. Sherri Wilson is the Senior Manager for Family and Community Engagement at National PTA. Dr. Joe Mazza serves as K-12 Director of Connected Teaching, Learning & Leadership (@NPedtech) in...

In this episode of PTChat Radio, we discuss the use of Twitter as tool for school leaders. Our guests share benefits, Twitter tactics and strategies for getting started. Follow: @Joe_Mazza @DrJoeClark @TonySinanis Joe Clark, Ph.D. Superintendent, Nordonia Hills City Schools; Tony Sinanis is the Lead Learner of Cantiague Elementary School, which was recognized as 2012 Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education. Dr. Joe Mazza, is lead learner at Knapp Elementary in suburban...

In this episode of PTChat Radio, we discuss the highlights of the 01/08/14 #ptchat on extending the learning environment from home to school through technology. Follow: @Joe_Mazza @RobertRcp111 @@bamradionetwork Dr. Bob Perry is a 37 year California educator having taught pre-k through graduate school. Elissa Malespina is South Orange Middle School Librarian and Owner of ELM Educational Technology Consulting. Dr. Joe Mazza, is lead learner at Knapp Elementary in suburban Philadelphia....

this episode of PTChat Radio, we discuss the highlights of the 12/11/13 #ptchat about parents taking action to push back on unpopular education policies and drive change. Follow: @Joe_Mazza @zansari8 @bamradionetwork Zakiyah Ansari, @zansari8, is the Advocacy Director with the New York State Alliance for Quality Education (AQE) the leading statewide organization that has been working to fight for educational equity. Zakiyah resides in Brooklyn, New York with her husband of 26 years...

In this episode of PT Chat Radio, we ask our guests to help map a plan for better Parent/Teacher conferences. Follow: @Joe_Mazza @SOMSlibrary @bamradionetwork Heidi Rosenberg is a senior research analyst at Harvard Family Research Project. Her work focuses on family engagement in education, with a particular emphasis on how families can support their children’s learning across multiple settings, including at school, at home, and in afterschool and community-based programs. Elissa...

In this segment we get a working definition of individualized learning plans and discuss how to use them effectively. Follow: @Joe_Mazza @CappiesCorner @bamradionetwork Mindy Larson is a senior program associate at the Institute for Educational Leadership’s Center for Workforce Development (IEL/CWD). Alissa Smith is a Virtual Kindergarten Teacher and Teacher Blogger that specializes in Early Childhood and has been teaching for over five years. Dr. Joe Mazza is lead learner at Knapp...

In this segment two educators share with us how they use blogs as a way to give parents a window into what is transpiring in school, and a compelling way to foster two-way communications with parents. Follow: @Joe_Mazza @Cantiague_Lead, @mattBGomez @bamradionetwork Tony Sinanis is a principal at Cantiague Elementary in Jericho, NY- 2012 National Blue Ribbon School; the 2013 Bammy Award Elementary School Principal of the Year and dad. Matt Gomez has been a kindergarten teacher since...

A failure to communicate effectively with parents can translate into student failure. Language barriers, cumbersome or outdated communications systems and education jargon can all contribute to communication breaks. In this segment our guests offer guidance and tools. Follow: @Joe_Mazza @kwesibaby58, @4crains, @bamradionetwork Kwesi Rollins is a member of the Institute for Educational Leadership’s Senior Leadership Team, and guides IEL’s portfolio of programs designed to develop and...

The events at Sandy Hook Elementary raised concerns, awareness and the stakes for school leaders in the area of creating the ideal school climate. In this segment we expand on the best ideas gleaned from this week's PTchat on the subject. Follow: @Joe_Mazza @bamradionetwork Charles Dumais is the principal of Newtown High School in Newtown, Connecticut. He began his career in education more than two decades ago as a science teacher. Sherri Wilson served as Director of the Alabama Parent...

Parents, teachers and child advocates increasingly agree that our children are being over-programmed. In this PTchat we explored strategies for restoring balance. Follow: @@cybraryman1 @Sirotiak02 @Joe_Mazza @bamradionetwork Jerry Blumengarten began his journey over 30 years ago as a teacher of grades 6 to 9 and a teacher librarian for the New York City School System. In taking his experience and resources, he shares over 20,000 links for teachers, free online as the Cybraryman. Dana...

In this edition of PTChat we discuss highlights from the #ptchat discussion on how to design the optimum space for student learning. Follow: @KleinErin @Sirotiak02 @Joe_Mazza @bamradionetwork Erin Klein is a Second grade teacher who also blogs for Scholastic aa s member of the National Writing Project. Dana Sirotiak is a History Teacher at Hackensack High School in Hackensack, New Jersey. She is an advocate for family involvement by creating a transparent classroom. Dr. Joe Mazza...

In this edition of PTChat we discuss highlights from the #ptchat discussion on talking to students about tragedies like 9/11 and Sandy Hook. Follow: @peterlevine @Cantiague_Lead @Joe_Mazza @bamradionetwork Peter Levine is the Lincoln Filene Professor of Citizenship & Public Affairs in Tufts University’s Jonathan Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service. Tony Sinanis is the Lead Learner of Cantiague Elementary School, which was recognized as 2012 Blue Ribbon School by the...

In this edition of PTChat we discuss highlights from the #ptchat discussion on how to create meetings that really engage parents and students. Follow: @gpescatore25 @LisaODavis @Joe_Mazza @bamradionetwork Gwen Pescatore is serves as the home and school association president at @KnappElementary, and is on the planning committee for #ParentCamp. Lisa Davis @LisaODavis is Past President on the Cantiague Elementary PTA Board and member of the district PTA Council. Dr. Joe Mazza...

In this premier edition of PTChat we discuss highlights from the #ptchat discussion on how parents and teachers can connect well from day one. Follow: @PTAswilson @stumpteacher @Joe_Mazza @bamradionetwork Sherri Wilson served as Director of the Alabama Parent Information and Resource Center for over 16 years before joining the National PTA as Senior Manager of Family and Community Engagement. Josh Stumpenhorst is a junior high Language Arts and Social Science teacher as well...