We Love Illinois Schools
We are the Illinois State Board of Education, and we love Illinois schools. We are inspired by the passionate and innovative people who have dedicated their lives to Illinois students. Join us as we learn about their journeys into education, what they’re proud of, and what keeps them coming back to education every day. Listen in to a new podcast from ISBE. Have an idea for a great guest? Email Dusty Rhodes at [email protected].
- Update frequency
- every 77 days
- Average duration
- 29 minutes
- Episodes
- 20
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
We Can Do It Differently
“Some of us come into teaching because we always loved school. Some of us come into teaching because we didn't love school, and we want to change something about it.”
That’s a glimpse into Dr. Rachae…
BEACON Lights the Way for Families in Crisis
BEACON is the state’s new online portal designed to help Illinois families connect to behavioral health resources. Available for use by state agency staff, healthcare providers, schools and families,…
A Short Course on Parenting Teaches Students Essential Social-Emotional Skills
Focused on our mission to prepare all students for success in college and careers, it’s easy to overlook the fact that some instruction on caregiving would be useful.
Katharine Bensinger took on a re…
Lassoed: How Illinois SEL Leaders Use the Hit Show to Inspire Educators
Ryan Wamser and Matt Weld from Regional Office of Education 40 are leaders in the world of school Social-Emotional Learning, or SEL. Together, they staff the Area 5 SEL Hub in Southwestern Illinois –…
Briana Morales Just Wants to Change the World
Briana Morales is our 2023 Illinois State Teacher of the Year. She’s a high school English teacher at Gordon Bush Alternative Center – the alternative school for East St. Louis School District 189. T…
A Conversation with 2022 Teacher of the Year Kim Radostits
The National Teacher of the Year finalist and Oregon High School teacher known as Ms. Rad talks about why she advocates for having special education students in her Spanish class, how she overcame he…
You Have to Maslow Before You Bloom -- and That Goes for Adults Too
Lindsay Record, the communications lead for our Learning Renewal team, hosts this episode. Her featured guests are Mashana Smith, Ph.D, director of REACH at the Center for Childhood Resilience at Lur…
Believe the Data: A Principal Mentor Explains How 5E is Key to School Improvement
Steven Herkert is director of ROE services at Regional Office of Education 8. He is also a principal mentor with the Illinois Principals Association, and a passionate advocate for the 5Essentials Cul…
A Space to Relate: Affinity Groups for Educators of Color
This episode features two guests: Chanice Artis is a Project Coordinator for Valley View Schools, and previously taught middle school language arts in Romeoville and Bolingbrook.
Italy Wallace is an i…
Dr. Carmen I. Ayala Says Farewell -- for Now
Just before her official retirement, Illinois State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala reflects on her four decades in education and especially her four years at the helm of the Illinoi…
All Means All
Gower District 62 Superintendent Dr. Victor Simon talks about data mining the 5Essentials, and how his personal background reminds him why it matters, and its connection to the Equity Journey Continu…
How a "Bad News" Summative Designation Can Lead to Great Results
Dr. James L. Hayes, principal of Harvard Park Elementary in Springfield, talks about the "Comprehensive" summative designation his school received in 2019, and how IL-Empower helped his campus achiev…
Justin Johnson: Reflections on Being Illinois 2021 Teacher of the Year
Days before announcing our 2022 Teacher of the Year, we asked Justin Johnson, our 2021 Teacher of the Year, to tell us what he learned, what he missed, what advice he has for the next Teacher of the …
How a Preschooler Made Illinois History
Jett Hawkins wanted to wear his hair in braids. His school said that hairstyle violated the dress code. So Jett's mother, Ida Nelson, began working to change the school's policy. Less than a year lat…
Race in America
Have you ever heard of the "racial empathy gap"? Did your own education omit some important information? Is there anything you should know about the town that you live in? Hear our eye-opening conver…
SOS: A Trauma-Informed Partnership Between Schools and Police
In the 2019-2020 school year, East St. Louis School District 189 lost four middle school students to gun violence. In response, Dr. Tiffany Gholson, director of Parent and Student Support Services, c…
Culturally Responsive Teaching & Leading: A Conversation With Three Educators
We are joined by three stellar educators for a lively chat about their personal experiences as students, the teachers who inspired them, the value of diverse educators, and what these Culturally Resp…
When Kids Need Help
Sometimes, students need educators to connect them with advocates. Teachers are mandated reporters, duty-bound to act on suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.
In this episode, hear how Child Ad…
CTE During COVID-19
Career and Technical Education courses are now more important than ever. They prepare students for high-wage jobs in the post-pandemic economy, and bolster local businesses by supplying the necessary…
Make Illinois Count
On National Census Day, we're featuring an in-depth interview with Anita Banerji, who leads the organization Forefront's 2020 Census efforts for Illinois. We also drag a teenager away from his video …