Artwork for podcast Engaging Leadership
Engaging Young Minds for Limitless Futures
Episode 38313th March 2025 • Engaging Leadership • CT Leong, Dr. Jim Kanichirayil
00:00:00 00:38:51

Share Episode

Shownotes

Summary: Join CT and guest Dr. Jennifer Root, Superintendent of Menifee Union School District, as they explore how her district is living up to its vision of "engaging young minds for limitless futures." This insightful conversation delves into building job-specific pathways for TK-8 students and developing soft skills (or core skills) to prepare them for high school, college, and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

  • "Engaging Young Minds": The district focuses on engaging students and preparing them for an uncertain future.
  • Core Skills (Not Soft!): Menifee USD emphasizes six core attributes (e.g., responsibility, integrity) to help students adapt and succeed.
  • Attribute Integration: Core skills are woven into the curriculum through modeling, literature, SEL programs, and praise.
  • Job Pathways in TK-8: Dr. Root is implementing job-specific pathways by backward-mapping from high school/college to align with industry needs.
  • Community Support: These job skills taught in school are augmented through parent support.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction: Engaging Young Minds

1:04 About Dr. Jennifer Root

2:13 About Menifee Union School District

4:24 Vision: Engaging Young Minds for Limitless Futures

9:09 Student Success Attributes (Core Skills)

14:58 Integrating Attributes & Addressing Concerns

20:43 Challenges in Deployment

23:37 Job-Specific Pathways in TK-8


Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Dr. Jennifer Root: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-root-ed-d-63b2aa46

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



Join us at Engaging Leadership to learn and connect with a community of leaders in education just like you. This is the space where top people leaders share actionable insights and practical playbooks in fostering a high-performing workplace of the future.

Sign up as a member today for community updates on the latest leadership resources and exclusive event invites: www.engagingleadershipshow.com/subscribe

Chapters

Video

More from YouTube