Feb 19, 2021
In this episode, Getting Smart team member, Rashawn Caruthers, talks with two educators from Phoenix Charter Academy about their Primary Person Model. This model is a one-on-one advisory system that puts mental health and wellness at the forefront of student progress, which now — more than ever — is so important.
Phoenix Charter Academy is a member of the Strategy Lab cohort, which is part of the Always Ready for Learning Network; a project from The Learning Accelerator. As storytelling partners on the project, Getting Smart is thrilled to share this vital work that helps districts work together to accelerate the development of a more resilient and equitable education future.
Rashawn’s two guests today are Scarlet Im and Marisa Balleani of Phoenix Charter Academy. Scarlet is a Mathematics teacher and Marisa is an Academic Support Teacher and IEP/504 Case Manager. These two educators demonstrate care and a willingness to learn and iterate for the benefit of their learners.
In their conversation, Scarlet and Marisa share about the Primary Person Model from its successes to its challenges and the future of the practice. At the end of the episode, Scarlet shares a special one-on-one conversation with her and a scholar to demonstrate what the PPM model looks like on a daily basis.
Key Takeaways:
[:11] About today’s episode with Scarlet Im and Marisa Balleani of Phoenix Charter Academy.
[1:18] Rashawn Caruthers welcomes Scarlet and Marisa to the podcast.
[1:31] Scarlet shares her background and gives an introduction to the Phoenix Charter Academy.
[2:56] Marisa speaks about her role at Phoenix Charter Academy.
[3:42] About the Primary Person Model and how it originally began.
[5:36] How Marisa has witnessed the Primary Person Model create a shift for students.
[7:09] Key findings that Scarlet is seeing from these one-on-one meetings with students and educators.
[9:19] Marisa shares her personal experience with her PPM caseload and the benefits she is seeing amongst students.
[10:06] How are they collecting data from the PPM program to continue to build the program post-COVID-19 and in different reflective practices?
[11:35] Scarlet shares how they have used professional development to support the PPM work within their school.
[14:21] Marisa shares how they use the data they collect to shift their teaching practices and their level of support for one another.
[15:55] Is the PPM model scalable? Can other schools utilize it?
[19:38] What would students say about the PPM model? What do they like most about it?
[21:44] A special check-in between Scarlet and one of her scholars where they go over his weekly schedule, upcoming goals, and more!
[32:46] Rashawn thanks Scarlet and Marisa for joining the podcast!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Always Ready for Learning Network
Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 217: “How Educators Can Positively Impact a Child’s Cognitive Development with Dr. Pamela Cantor”
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