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Voices for ExcellenceAuthor: Dr. Michael T Conner
Welcome to Voices for Excellence, hosted by Dr. Michael Conners, where we explore the dynamic world of education, leadership, and innovation. This podcast offers in-depth conversations with thought leaders, educators, and industry experts, providing listeners with actionable insights and strategies to drive excellence in their fields. Season 3 continues our journey with a focus on cutting-edge topics like diversity in education, equality and inclusion, the impact of AI in the classroom, and transformative leadership strategies. Each episode is designed to inspire educators, leaders, and professionals committed to fostering positive change and achieving outstanding results. Across all seasons, Voices for Excellence delves into: Innovative educational practices and strategies Leadership development and personal growth Diversity and inclusion in the educational landscape The role of technology and AI in modern learning environments Join us for thought-provoking discussions and gain valuable perspectives on how to excel in todays rapidly evolving world. Whether youre an educator, a leader, or simply passionate about making a difference, this podcast provides the tools and inspiration you need to elevate your impact. Subscribe to Voices for Excellence and stay at the forefront of educational and leadership excellence! Language: en Genres: Education, Education for Kids, Kids & Family Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Breaking the Score Barrier — Dr. Mark King and Melinda Cook on Redefining Student Success
Episode 110
Monday, 19 January, 2026
How do we move beyond the limits of a single test score to truly see the brilliance and potential of every child? In this riveting episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner is joined by two extraordinary education leaders who bring over six decades of combined insight to answer that very question.Dr. Mark King, Vice President of Education at Arts for Learning Maryland and author of The Middle School Master, joins Melinda Cook, Head of Assessment Strategies at Riverside Insights, to reimagine what it means to educate and evaluate the whole learner. With a fierce devotion to equity, they dismantle outdated models that narrowly define success, instead championing structures that are developmentally responsive, cognitively rich, and rooted in relationships.From rethinking the master schedule to unlock deeper learning, to providing teachers with purpose-driven professional development, to using multiple measures of data that recognize each student's unique capacity—Dr. King and Ms. Cook offer a framework for systemic transformation. Their stories and strategies illuminate what’s possible when schools value students not just for their output but for their complexity, strengths, and promise.What you’ll learn in this episode: Why arts integration, engagement, and differentiation are essential to middle school successHow multiple measures of data reveal student potential—not just proficiency Why professional development must evolve to align with Generation Alpha & Beta learnersHow shifting from a deficit lens to an asset-based mindset changes lives Why erroneous placement in special education is an equity issue—and what to do about itHow accountability should be redefined as growth-centered and relational, not punitiveDr. Conner, as ever, guides the discussion with both urgency and humanity, highlighting how leaders must build agile, high-performing systems that honor students’ lived experiences, cultural assets, and future readiness. This episode is a call to see students as whole—as gifted, as creative, and as capable of extraordinary success.Subscribe and share to continue driving the future of education for all.
