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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

Teach Like a Pirate, with Dave Burgess

In today’s episode, we'll explore how to increase efficiency using the features and functionality of Google Document Tabs. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Google Document Tabs

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

Stephen Johnson, educator, author, and founder of AptivPrep, shares his inspiring journey from growing up in inner-city Los Angeles to building an AI-powered platform that helps students reach top-tier SAT and ACT scores. With the mantra “Better scores lead to more open doors,” Stephen explains how early preparation, access to free resources, and intentional mindset shifts can transform college and career opportunities for students, especially those facing systemic barriers.

The conversation dives into his philosophy of service, how technology can scale impact without losing the human touch, and practical strategies educators can use to demystify standardized testing for their students. Along the way, Stephen offers encouraging reminders that persistence, preparation, and the right tools can change life trajectories. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Pathways to Successful Career and Test Prep, with Stephen Johnson

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