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AVID Open Access

If it relates to education and matters to you, we're talking about it on our podcasts. Unpacking Education shares in-depth conversations each Wednesday on timely topics with guests who share their expertise and experience—from teaching strategies, to educational technology, to equitable access to future-driven skills for all students. Tune in every Tuesday for a new Tech Talk For Teachers. 5 minutes jam-packed with practical and actionable tech integration strategies and tool tips you can immediately apply in your classroom.

Unpacking Education & Tech Talk For Teachers

When schools focus on what’s working and align around a shared vision, transformation becomes possible.

In this final installment in our National Principals Month series, Principal David Shaffer of Port Salerno Elementary shares how the AVID program has impacted his leadership and his school by providing structure, focus, and identity. 

David Shaffer and his team have used AVID not just as a program, but as a foundation for building schoolwide coherence and student agency. From “WICOR Wednesdays” to student-led collaboration, AVID structures help shift the cognitive load from teachers to students—giving learners ownership of their path and purpose.

At the heart of it all is a community-driven approach. As David explains, “It really takes that community to create the system.” His team’s grassroots efforts have improved academic outcomes and reshaped how students advocate for themselves—even long after they leave elementary school. This episode is a blueprint for schools seeking to embed AVID into their DNA while staying rooted in their local context and strengths.

Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Lessons from an Elementary Principal, with David Shaffer

In today’s episode, we'll explore the key features of NotebookLM as well as ways both teachers and students might use them productively. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

The Continued Evolution of NotebookLM

High School Leadership, with Dr. Scott Rodriguez-Hobbs

In today's episode, we'll explore the student group generator, Grouper, how it works, and how it can save you time setting up customized student groups. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Creating Student Groups with Grouper

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Darrell Potts, Principal of Northridge Middle School in Charlotte, North Carolina. As an AVID alum, former AVID teacher, and now AVID-focused leader, Darrell shares how he’s cultivated a schoolwide culture rooted in the belief that every student is an achiever. 

In fact, at Northridge Middle School, success is not an abstract ideal but rather a daily practice, fueled by a shared mantra: “We will strive for excellence in all that we do . . . because we are achievers.” Darrell embodies this belief in every facet of his leadership, using AVID as the framework to embed college and career readiness into the school’s culture. His approach centers on building systems that empower both students and teachers to believe in their potential and work toward it, one step at a time.

Whether it's through the Triple A initiative that rewards attitude, academics, and attendance, or the intentional use of student voice to shape school incentives, Darrell prioritizes relevance, recognition, and relational capacity. His advice to fellow educators is clear: Start small, lean on your network, and don’t be afraid of the struggle because without it, there’s no progress. This episode offers powerful insights for leaders looking to build a culture where excellence isn’t just expected, it’s achieved. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Striving for Excellence in the Middle School, with Dr. Darrell Potts

In today’s episode, we'll explore the features and functionality of Google Gemini's image generation tool, Nano Banana. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

AI Image Generation with Nano Banana

Dr. Rosalind (Rose) Henderson, principal of March Middle School in Moreno Valley, California, shares how an experiment with student-led PD evolved into a transformative movement at her school. You’ll hear how middle school students are taking charge of real instructional design, presenting to teachers, and even leading sessions at teacher conferences. With high expectations, authentic ownership, and a belief in every child’s potential, Rose explains how student-led PD builds skills, confidence, and schoolwide culture.

Student-led PD positions students as experts, coaches, and collaborators in shaping the very instruction they receive. Rose shares, "We're future builders," which is a belief that runs deeply through her leadership philosophy.

This episode highlights the profound shift that occurs when students are trusted with real responsibility. These young learners are becoming confident speakers, critical thinkers, and advocates, not just for themselves but for their peers. As Rose reminds us, “How do you become responsible if you’re not given the opportunity to be responsible for something?” Her story is a compelling reminder that when we co-create knowledge with students, we are going beyond teaching and are truly transforming lives. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Student-Led PD, with Dr. Rosalind Henderson

In today’s episode, we'll explore Gems, custom chatbots created in Google Gemini. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Google Gems

In honor of National Principals Month, Unpacking Education is kicking off a new series this October to spotlight school leaders making a difference. In this episode, Brett Bowers, Vice President of School District Leadership at AVID Center and a former principal of two award-winning high schools, joins the conversation to reflect on his leadership journey.

Through the lens of a powerful “general contractor” analogy, Brett shares what it takes to lead a school with vision, adaptability, and trust. This episode offers valuable insights for any educator committed to building schools that truly serve students, as Brett discuss empowering teacher leaders, navigating budget constraints, and sustaining long-term success. Tune in for practical strategies, candid stories, and a celebration of the unsung complexities of the principalship. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

A Principal's Journey, with Brett Bowers

In today’s episode, we'll explore the features and functionality of TeacherServer, an AI tool designed to support teachers. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

TeacherServer

In this episode, we hear the story of Jonathan Grant Brown. Jonathan grew up in foster care after having been abandoned by his mother at an early age, which led to behavior issues and struggles in school. But his teachers never gave up on him.

 Jonathan talks about the “consistent and unwavering determination by educators to just keep helping, no matter how disruptive I was. No matter how many times I cursed or hurt a teacher’s feelings, they just wouldn’t quit on me.”

Jonathan’s story is both heartbreaking and inspirational. Through the efforts and actions of his teachers, he graduated from high school, college, and grad school to become a successful public speaker and communications expert, now serving as the Community Engagement Manager for AVID Center. These experiences have taught him to pay it forward. He encourages educators to “be brave in activating your community around you and ask for help. And help those who need it, because together, there’s nothing we can’t overcome, and there’s not a student we can’t impact.” Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Activating Possibility, with Jonathan Grant Brown

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