Episodes

  • Expanded Community
    Apr 24 2025

    Today’s students are growing up in a world that moves fast and is forever changing. It's time to move past the occasional field trip and dig into immersive learning off campus. In this episode, we discuss the benefits of exposing students to industry professionals to better understand how their learning applies in the real world and receive authentic feedback on their projects and innovations.

    Join us for our final episode this season as we dive deeper into TAF’s last component: Expanded Community. Hear how career awareness, real-world skills, innovation, and much more are fostered in collaboration with community partners to provide an authentic, student-led learning experience that can have a lasting impact in public education.

    Host: Trish Millines Dziko, Executive Director, Technology Access Foundation

    Guest: Rochelle Gandour-Rood, Education & Sustainability, Tacoma Public Utilities

    Guest: Sarah Frisbie, STEMbyTAF TransormED Coach, TAF

    Let us know what you’d like to hear us discuss in future episodes by filling out this ⁠⁠quick survey⁠⁠ or by leaving a comment!

    Transcripts and information on today’s episode are available at techaccess.org/podcast.

    Questions? Email us at podcast@techaccess.org.

    Learn more about Technology Access Foundation and our work at techaccess.org.

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    38 mins
  • Diverse Staff
    Apr 10 2025

    Who is teaching can often be just as impactful as what is being taught for students. In this episode, we discuss the wealth of expertise, and the invaluable lived experiences educators of color bring to their students.

    The school system was not designed for students of color, let alone teachers of color. Join us as we dive deeper into TAF’s next component, diversity of staff, and explore what can be done to support teachers of color and why we should strive to have staff at all levels mirror the student population at schools.

    Co-Host: Trish Millines Dziko, Executive Director, Technology Access Foundation

    Co-Host: Amrita Kauldher, Director of Network for EdWork, Technology Access Foundation

    Guest: Scott Friedman, Associate Director, Association of Washington School Principals

    Guest: Elizabeth Brobbey, Tacoma Educator and AWSP Aspiring Leader

    Let us know what you’d like to hear us discuss in future episodes by filling out this ⁠⁠quick survey⁠⁠ or by leaving a comment!

    Transcripts and information on today’s episode are available at techaccess.org/podcast.

    Questions? Email us at podcast@techaccess.org.

    Learn more about Technology Access Foundation and our work at techaccess.org.

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    57 mins
  • Curriculum
    Mar 27 2025

    How does the content used to teach today’s students impact their learning experience? In this episode, we explore how curricular content can cover the same subject matter through different approaches that are relevant to the students and their lived experiences.

    Our guests discuss the impact of curricular content on student learning and share how a diverse curriculum is foundational to preparing students for the complexities of the modern world and addressing historical inequities in education.

    Host: Denise McLean, Director of Professional Learning, Technology Access Foundation

    Guest: Bethany Avery, Senior Program Manager, Technology Access Foundation

    Guest: Ann Balala, Former Boze Instructional Coach

    Guest: Shaylyn Karan, 2018 TAF Alum

    Let us know what you’d like to hear us discuss in future episodes by filling out this ⁠⁠quick survey⁠⁠ or by leaving a comment!

    Transcripts and information on today’s episode are available at techaccess.org/podcast.

    Questions? Email us at podcast@techaccess.org.

    Learn more about Technology Access Foundation and our work at techaccess.org.

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    59 mins
  • Pedagogy
    Mar 13 2025

    How students are taught is a critical component of education that is often misunderstood. In this episode, we discuss pedagogy, the practice of teaching, and the methodology used to influence children's learning and development. It is essentially the how and why of teaching, a foundational element that can drive all the other components of transforming education.

    We’ll be joined by guests who share their perspectives as students, educators, and coaches on the impact and importance of having a pedagogy that truly centers student voice, choice, and learning.

    Host: Denise McLean, Director of Professional Learning, Technology Access Foundation

    Guest: Dr. Malesia Britt, Director of TransformED, Technology Access Foundation

    Guest: Steven Kwan, TAF Board Member & Former TAF Participant (TTIP)

    Let us know what you’d like to hear us discuss in future episodes by filling out this ⁠quick survey⁠ or by leaving a comment!

    Transcripts and information on today’s episode are available at techaccess.org/podcast.

    Questions? Email us at podcast@techaccess.org.

    Learn more about Technology Access Foundation and our work at techaccess.org.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Philosophy & Culture
    Feb 27 2025

    What does it take to transform public education and educate the whole child?

    A wholistic approach that addresses various components of education. In this episode, we explore TAF’s six components of rebuilding schools; philosophy, culture, pedagogy, curriculum content, diversity of staff, and expanded learning. We’ll dive deeper into the first two components, philosophy and culture, with our guest, Arron Wilkins. Arron previously served as Principal at TAF TransformED partner school, Boze Elementary School, and is currently the principal at Giaudrone Middle School in Tacoma, Washington.

    Co-Host: Trish Millines Dziko, Executive Director, Technology Access Foundation

    Co-Host: Denise McLean, Director of Professional Learning, Technology Access Foundation

    Guest: Arron Wilkins, Principal, Giaudrone Middle School

    Let us know what you’d like to hear us discuss in future episodes by filling out this quick survey or by leaving a comment!

    Transcripts and information on today’s episode are available at techaccess.org/podcast.

    Questions? Email us at podcast@techaccess.org.

    Learn more about Technology Access Foundation and our work at techaccess.org.

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    50 mins
  • Welcome to the Learn More Podcast
    Jan 27 2025

    Welcome to LEARN MORE, a podcast designed to give you an up close and personal view of our public education system through the eyes and experiences of a critical friend and community partner: Technology Access Foundation, or TAF!


    Who is TAF?

    Since 1996, TAF has partnered directly with educators and administrators in Washington State public schools.

    Our mission is to help them create healthy and safe learning environments that center student voices and cultivate students into socially conscious and self-aware critical thinkers, problem solvers, ideators, creators, and leaders.


    What do you want to LEARN MORE about?

    We’re providing a place for you to respond to each episode. We’ll use your comments to dive deeper into the education issues that impact you.


    We’re so excited you’re here to LEARN MORE!

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    2 mins