Informal Observations with Skyrocket Education

Meredith Howell-Turner

What is INFORMAL OBSERVATIONS? A no-holds-barred, raw and unfiltered deep dive into all things K-12 education, co-hosted by Michael Sonbert (Founder) and Antonio Vance (Chief Schools Officer) from Skyrocket Education. read less

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Season 2 Episode 14: Cage-Busting Insights from Rick Hess

Season 2 Episode 14: Cage-Busting Insights from Rick Hess

In this season 2 finale, Antonio and Michael skip the formalities and dive right into wokeness, the radical right and left, state testing, trans' rights, and race with resident fellow and director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, author of Cage-Busting Leadership, and renowned conservative voice, Rick Hess.

Episodes

Season 2 Episode 14: Cage-Busting Insights from Rick Hess

Season 2 Episode 14: Cage-Busting Insights from Rick Hess

In this season 2 finale, Antonio and Michael skip the formalities and dive right into wokeness, the radical right and left, state testing, trans' rights, and race with resident fellow and director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, author of Cage-Busting Leadership, and renowned conservative voice, Rick Hess.

Season 2 Episode 13: Early Literacy

Season 2 Episode 13: Early Literacy

In this episode, Antonio and Michael share their biggest pet peeves, they talk about social belonging, and they receive a master class in early literacy from Joan Kelley and Frank Grossman.

Season 2 Episode 12: The Achievement Plateau

Season 2 Episode 12: The Achievement Plateau

In this episode, Antonio mixes up a nasty cocktail, the guys chat about snake-twerking, and they talk about The Achievement Plateau with principal, Rob Berretta.

Season 2 Episode 11: An Education with Edward Richerson

Season 2 Episode 11: An Education with Edward Richerson

In this episode, Antonio makes a discovery about music, the guys debate the viability of getting rid of their cell phones, and they get an education on African proverbs, baseball, cheesecake, and most importantly, school, from their guest, Edward Richerson.

Season 2 Episode 10: The Importance of Systems

Season 2 Episode 10: The Importance of Systems

In this episode, Antonio refuses to reveal what football team he roots for, Michael has strong thoughts about Eminem's beard, and our guest, Dr. Courtney Lemon-Tate, shares her thoughts on the importance of systems in schools.

Season 2 Episode 9: Teacher Evaluations

Season 2 Episode 9: Teacher Evaluations

In this episode, the guys debate Mariah Carey vs. J-Lo, cookies vs. radishes, and they discuss the polarizing topic of teacher evaluations.

Season 2 Episode 8: Why Is Professional Development the Worst?

Season 2 Episode 8: Why Is Professional Development the Worst?

In this episode, the guys talk about Oprah, Metallica, dog poop, and they discuss the one thing everyone in K-12 Ed can agree on: PD sucks.

Season 2 Episode 7: To Virtual or Not to Virtual? That is the Question.

Season 2 Episode 7: To Virtual or Not to Virtual? That is the Question.

In this episode, Mike and Tony shorten their names, offend spinach and social studies, and discuss the current state of pandemic schooling and what they believe comes next.

Season 2 Episode 6: Rebel Culture Part 1

Season 2 Episode 6: Rebel Culture Part 1

In this episode, the team discusses their Thanksgiving favorites (and least favorites), the Chinese character for learning, and they scratch the surface around their favorite topic: Rebel Culture.

Season 2 Episode 5: Special Education Deep-Dive Part 1

Season 2 Episode 5: Special Education Deep-Dive Part 1

In this episode, the team talks pancakes, Tesla Cars, and our guest, Lauren Miller, shares on all things Special Education.

Season 2 Episode 4: Education as a Political Act

Season 2 Episode 4: Education as a Political Act

In this episode, Michael promotes a radical theory about pop music, the guys discuss the most important life-skill a person can have, and our guest, Kirby, talks about instruction, culture, and relationships in schools.

Season 2 Episode 3: Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Season 2 Episode 3: Ch-ch-ch-changes!

In this episode, Antonio and Michael discuss cold showers, toxic positivity, and the existence (or not) of aliens. They also talk about why change is so hard and offer practical strategies for fostering it.

Season 2 Episode 2: Eliminate Girl Hate

Season 2 Episode 2: Eliminate Girl Hate

On this episode, Antonio and Michael discuss the perils of social media, drink wine straight from the bottle (well, one of them does), and they speak with entrepreneur and advocate Dawne Hanks - founder of Eliminate Girl Hate.

Season 2 Episode 1: Back to School

Season 2 Episode 1: Back to School

In this episode, Michael breaks the 4th wall, Antonio recites the Greek Alphabet (well, he tries to), and the team talks trends, pitfalls, and predictions for the new school year.

Episode 13: The "Science" of Success

Episode 13: The "Science" of Success

On this episode, Antonio challenges Michael to a tennis match, the team debates spending $100 on a golden cheesesteak, and they talk about whether or not there's a science to being good at everything (and Michael does talk about everything - except education).

Episode 12: Organizational Health

Episode 12: Organizational Health

On this episode, Antonio challenges Michael to a race, the team creates a super-secret password, and they discuss an often overlooked but immensely important topic for schools and school leaders: organizational health.

Episode 11: All In For Kids

Episode 11: All In For Kids

On this week's episode, Michael gives Antonio a nickname, the team pays tribute to DMX, and veteran school leader, Sharifa Edwards, tells it like it is on all things K-12 education.

Episode 10: The Equity Hypocrisy

Episode 10: The Equity Hypocrisy

On their most controversial episode yet, Antonio and Michael talk about spicy food, staff appreciation, and they get really real about something they call The Equity Hypocrisy.

Episode 9: Wisdom From The Other Side of the Pond

Episode 9: Wisdom From The Other Side of the Pond

In Episode 9, Antonio and Michael talk innovation in schools, education trends across the globe, and Royal Family Drama with life-long educator and International Man of Mystery, John Baumber.

Episode 8: Teacher Coaching and Shots of Jägermeister

Episode 8: Teacher Coaching and Shots of Jägermeister

In this episode, Antonio and Michael talk classic movies, they make a plan to drink Jägermeister, and they get fired up about one of their favorite topics: teacher coaching.