Each show invites a guest to take a seat at the virtual table to have a conversation about their area of expertise. It also grants viewers and listeners an opportunity to have a seat at the table where they would not normally be able to sit to learn and grow. The show themes center around education, technology & entrepreneurship.

Welcome to "A Seat at the Table" Podcast - Episode 007, where host Wiley Brazier, V invites educational leader and founder of EduGladiators, Marlena Gross-Taylor, to the table. Join them as they delve into the world of educational leadership, discussing the critical need for leaders to prioritize instructional leadership, engage with parents, and find balance in their roles and responsibilities.

In this episode, Marlena Gross-Taylor shares her wealth of experience as a district leader in schools, emphasizing the importance of knowing one's strengths and investing in professional development for instructional tools. She stresses the need for schools to understand the generational differences in parent engagement, offering strategies such as the use of digital newsletters, social media platforms, and video content to effectively engage parents and students. The discussion also touches upon the universal nature of children's needs in different school settings and how educators can create a meaningful environment for children.

As the conversation unfolds, Marlena shares her insights on finding balance in educational leadership roles, advocating for the empowerment of assistant principals, teachers, and staff to handle certain tasks. She offers strategies for creating white space in the calendar for self-development and visioning, highlighting the importance of avoiding the unrealistic expectation for principals to be everything to everyone.

The episode also delves into personal preferences, with discussions about a perfect day and desired abilities or qualities. Marlena shares her personal story, providing a glimpse into her passion for education and her vision for EduGladiators, a platform focused on advocacy for the profession, branding in schools, and the power of leveraging social media to share positive stories of achievements in education.

Throughout the episode, Marlena Gross-Taylor and Wiley Brazier, V engage in a dynamic and informative exchange, touching on topics such as the Association of Middle Level Educators (AMLE), the importance of networking and sharing experiences, and the impact of becoming a connected leader to influence personal, professional, and school growth.

This episode is a must-listen for educators, administrators, and anyone passionate about the field of education. Join Wiley Brazier, V and their guest Marlena Gross-Taylor for a thought-provoking and insightful discussion on "A Seat at the Table" Podcast, Episode 007.

Welcome to A Seat at the Table Podcast, where meaningful conversations about education and digital citizenship take center stage. In Episode 006, titled "The Dynamic Duo w/ Marialice & Curran," hosts Wiley Brazier and V invite guests Marialice and Curran to the table for a thought-provoking discussion.

The episode kicks off with Marialice highlighting the importance of teaching young people the rules of the road, both in physical and digital contexts. The hosts and guests all agree that a community effort is necessary to guide children and protect against things like bullying and cyberbullying. This leads to a deep dive into the iCitizen project, which Marialice describes as an initiative born out of cyberbullying and suicide cases at her university. The project aims to empower students to act as responsible digital citizens, and the hosts express interest in making the syllabus and related content accessible to a wider audience.

As the conversation turns personal, Wiley asks Curran about a quality or ability he would like to have, to which Curran responds with a desire to cure the world water crisis. Throughout the episode, Marialice emphasizes the need for using technology for good and making a positive impact both inside and outside the classroom. The hosts, especially Wiley, are keen on advice about using technology and digital citizenship.

Marialice stresses that teaching digital citizenship is everyone's responsibility and emphasizes the importance of connected learning and global collaboration. The guests mention resources such as Empatico, Skype in the classroom, and Flipgrid for connecting with others globally. Additionally, they discuss upcoming digital citizenship courses and personalized professional development for districts.

The importance of involving parents in digital citizenship efforts is highlighted, and Marialice and her son Curran emphasize the need for an online 'neighborhood watch.' They also discuss their joint Twitter account as an example of modeling safe and responsible online behavior.

The episode delves into the positive and proactive approach towards teaching digital citizenship, focusing on what students should do rather than what they shouldn't do in terms of tech policies. The concept of a digital footprint is discussed, highlighting the idea of online actions being permanently recorded.

Marialice and Curran share inspiring stories of students using technology to solve local and global problems, ranging from fundraising for toilets for the homeless to advocating against plastic bag use in Houston. They discuss their involvement in various initiatives related to digital citizenship, including a summit, a certification program, and working with kids. The episode wraps up with a heartwarming story about connecting with kids in Nigeria through a global read-aloud program and sharing books and educational resources with them.

With fascinating insights and actionable advice, this episode of A Seat at the Table Podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of digital citizenship and its impact on students and communities. Listeners are left with a deeper understanding of the power of technology for good and the importance of nurturing responsible digital citizens.

To learn more about the meaningful work of Marialice and Curran, and to stay updated on digital citizenship resources and initiatives, don't miss this enlightening episode of A Seat at the Table Podcast.

Keep up with the hosts and guests on social media and tune in for more impactful discussions in the world of education and digital citizenship