Join our discussion all about Ascent Academies of Utah and the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM). With 5 campuses (Lehi, Saratoga Springs, West Valley, West Jordan, and Farmington), Ascent Academies provides an education not only geared to a student's learning type but to their expression type of learning through SEM. Developed at the University of Connecticut, Ascent teachers receive deep training in SEM to help children become engaged, self-motivated learners.

In our discussion, Wade talks about how the students thrive with this learning style by taking charge of their own education with careful guidance from trained teachers. Wade has been in education for over 20 years as a teacher, principal, and now executive director over several campuses. We talk about how education has changed, including his optimism about the remarkable children in school now. He shares how Ascent has cross-campus collaboration for teachers and students to strengthen the community. We also talk about the role of schools in society.

We hope you enjoy our discussion!

The Utah Association of Public Charter Schools is a non-profit organization that promotes excellence in Utah's public charter schools through advocacy, training, and technical support. Our podcast is produced, hosted, and edited by Gina James. Original music was composed by James Valentine.

Please subscribe to this podcast and visit us on Facebook and Instagram. Find student stories and training videos on our YouTube channel.

UAPCS partners with several companies to offer shared services at better rates and with more options that a school may be able to receive on their own.

Able & Strong, formerly Verapath, offers financial services including retirement investment options including a 401K program. In this podcast, we speak with Greg Misener, Chief Compliance Officer, and Sarah Cox, Director of Business Development and Client Relations. We cover it all:

• Budgeting tips
• Determining how much to take out of your paycheck for retirement
• Determining how much money you need for retirement
• Different long term saving options

We had a great time (really!) talking all things finance!

The Utah Association of Public Charter Schools is a non-profit organization that promotes excellence in Utah's public charter schools through advocacy, training, and technical support. Our podcast is produced, hosted, and edited by Gina James. Original music was composed by James Valentine.

Please subscribe to this podcast and visit us on Facebook and Instagram. Find student stories and training videos on our YouTube channel.

Join our conversation with Jared Ferguson, Executive Director, at Athenian eAcademy. Athenian has six campuses in Tremonton, Delta, Ephraim, Nephi, Richfield, and Ballard in addition to a blended program that combines home learning with school supports.

Jared believes in the importance of each person at school from students to parents, and support staff to teachers. Athenian strives to provide differentiated learning for their multi-grade classrooms to meet each student at their level. Teacher training is targeted to be meaningful and highly pertinent. Jared believes in building trust and sees lack of trust as one of the big problems in education. To combat that, he values each person's perspective and advocates for using agency to be deliberate in interactions with others.

A former high school biology teacher, with a particular interest in entomology, Jared makes time to visit each campus and give a presentation on insects that is a highlight for students, and for him. Listen to learn more about this school that caters to rural Utah.

The Utah Association of Public Charter Schools is a non-profit organization that promotes excellence in Utah's public charter schools through advocacy, training, and technical support. Our podcast is produced, hosted, and edited by Gina James. Original music was composed by James Valentine.

Please subscribe to this podcast and visit us on Facebook and Instagram. Find student stories and training videos on our YouTube channel.