{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Beyond the Box","title":"Early Learning, Teacher Retention, and Equity Systems Beyond the Box with Zeek Edmond","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2714,"description":"On Beyond the Box, host Dr. Ronald G. Taylor sits down with Zeek Edmond, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning for Tacoma Public Schools. Zeek shares how Tacoma is expanding equitable access to early learning, strengthening teacher retention, and building aligned systems that support both students and educators.\n\nFrom scaling preschool from a handful of pilot sites to districtwide access, to creating structured mentorship for new and transitioning teachers, this conversation explores how intentional design turns equity goals into everyday practice. Zeek also reflects on his leadership journey featured in 178 Days: Confronting a History of Failure, offering honest lessons on transparency, data-informed culture, and why systems matter as much as strategy.\nKey Moments\n\n04:57 Expanding preschool access across Tacoma\n06:27 Facilities and logistics of scaling early learning\n07:16 Moving from half-day to full-day preschool\n09:21 BEST Mentor Program for teacher retention\n11:12 Supporting new teachers beyond instruction\n14:55 Lessons from 178 Days school turnaround work\n17:06 Using data to build student ownership\n21:03 Student-selected support through Friday “FaceTime”\n24:21 Whole-child systems in daily instruction\n29:50 Reducing disruptions to protect learning time\n34:23 Course access and scheduling as equity levers\n41:17 Field trips as an equity and opportunity strategy\nWhy You’ll Love This Episode\n\nThis episode offers a clear, systems-level look at how district leaders move from isolated initiatives to coherent, scalable practice. Zeek shares practical examples of early learning expansion, teacher mentorship, and whole-child frameworks that directly improve academic outcomes.\nYou’ll also hear thoughtful insights on equity that go beyond intention, including how master scheduling, course access, and shared language across departments can either create or remove barriers for students. It’s a valuable listen for leaders focused on sustainability, alignment, and...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/6F5INjP28d1joK7ccr19ewduLyMSv8aIwuVtglKc25Q/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81OTc2/N2ZkOThhNmY2NmFk/ZDhkMjMxZGUwMTEy/NzU4OC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}