Our episode delves into the role of literacy in education, specifically in the sweet spot of the fourth and fifth grades at Detroit Country Day School. My guests: Tara LaBarre, Lisa Momblanco, and Nicole Jakubowski emphasize that literacy is not confined to English Language Arts (ELA) but is a foundational skill that permeates all subjects. They share that writing is a tool for demonstrating understanding post-learning as well as a critical means through which students develop and refine their understanding. Our conversation highlights teacher efficacy -the ability to positively affect student learning, behavior, and engagement, We continue on to discuss how teachers collaborate to create a consistent literacy framework across disciplines, fostering a shared responsibility for student learning. This approach enhances students' writing skills as well as builds their confidence in academics. By embedding writing practices throughout the curriculum, students learn to view writing as a communication tool essential for thinking and learning across all subjects. Tara, Lisa, and Nicole illustrate this through practical classroom examples, demonstrating how writing is integrated into science experiments and discussions, ultimately shaping students into capable thinkers and communicators who see their voices as valuable in the learning process.

In this episode, I dive into the importance of departmental leadership in the arts, featuring insights from KT Robinson, Upper School Art teacher and Visual Arts Department Chair at Detroit Country Day. We explore how effective arts leadership involves more than fostering collaboration and a supportive environment among colleagues, it also requires nurturing each individual's creativity . KT emphasizes the significance of setting clear goals, expectations and being consistent in communication, especially when tough decisions need to be made. KT also interviews me about my path to Detroit Country Day and my partnerships with students and teachers at DCDS. We discuss how The Studios allow students and teachers to create, explore, and share their artistic stories, bridging various disciplines and enhancing the overall educational experience. Join us as we chat about the impact we have on our school community.

In this episode, we explore the comprehensive PreK–12 Learning Support program at Detroit Country Day School and how it helps every student understand how they learn best. Director of Learning Support Prathima Mistry, Middle School Consultant Alaina Trivax, and Upper School Consultant Rob Messanger share how a consistent, brain-based approach builds confidence, independence, and strong partnerships across the school community. Together, they show how learning support at DCDS is less about remediation and more about empowering students to thrive in an academically challenging environment.