{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Lumos Learning","title":"Closing Achievement Gaps Through Relationships, Mindset, and Targeted Instruction with Graham Aderholt","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1636,"description":"In this episode of Lumos Lens, host Rich Katz, Superintendent-in-Residence with Lumos Learning, sits down with Graham Aderholt, Principal of Elkmont High School in Alabama.\nGraham shares his 18-year journey in education, from college basketball player and high school coach to classroom teacher, assistant principal, and now school leader in the community he calls home. Throughout the conversation, he explains why closing achievement gaps requires more than programs and interventions. It starts with relationships, belief, and a culture where students and teachers feel seen, supported, and challenged to grow.\nRich and Graham dive into why traditional approaches to remediation often fall short, and how intentional relationship-building, better questioning strategies, and student-owned data conversations are helping shift both mindset and outcomes. Graham also shares how Elkmont is using targeted, individualized instruction for key subgroups, while still maintaining high expectations and expanding opportunities for all learners.\nKey Moments\n\n01:04 Graham’s path into education through athletics and coaching\n02:17 Returning home and stepping into leadership at Elkmont High School\n03:03 Launching Lead Full Circle and connecting leadership at work and home\n05:43 Why relationships are foundational to closing achievement gaps\n06:44 A 23% science growth story driven by teacher-student trust\n08:09 Using questioning strategies and technology to support assessment readiness\n08:49 Student-owned data conversations and building skill awareness\n10:48 Early signs of growth and shifting student effort\n11:28 Individualized instruction for students with disabilities and English learners\n13:34 Supporting teachers through simplicity, trust, and protected time\n16:05 Character education and modeling leadership for students\n17:45 Engaging families through Parent University and curriculum nights\n19:46 Why mindset and belief separate stagnant schools from growing ones\n23:10 Navigating social...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/0UUq5pSq77lSHelVk7kuKwmWsD5s4sI5LUGfUQfIxIU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zMWRh/ZTNkOWZlM2UxMTFi/ZDllNWIyYzQ4ZTgy/YWY1OS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}