How to Design Effective Student Intervention Programs and Environments

In the 20th episode of The Schoolyard Podcast, host Nancy Chung welcomes guests Soo Goda and Nicole Hill to discuss student intervention strategies in education.

Soo Goda is the District Coordinator of Expanded Learning for grades TK-6 at Saddleback Valley Unified School District. She has over 30 years of experience in education as a multilingual teacher, instructional coach, and champion of equitable access to education.

Nicole Hill is the Subject Matter Expert for Instructional Solutions at School Specialty. Her experience includes teaching and administration from early childhood to grade 12. Nicole brings expertise from curriculum and instruction to professional development and leadership.

Effective Student Intervention

In this episode, Soo and Nicole share their insights on designing effective intervention programs tailored to meet the needs of students.

They begin by discussing how to properly identify students needing intervention while avoiding premature labeling or stigma. They highlight the significance of building relationships and understanding individual student needs.

Soo and Nicole stress the importance of integrating data-driven decision-making into intervention strategies, emphasizing the need for consistency and collaboration among educators. They share personal anecdotes and experiences to highlight the value of personalized learning plans and culturally sensitive interventions.

Educators may face challenges when exploring and implementing intervention programs. Soo and Nicole offer practical advice on overcoming resistance to these programs and utilizing available resources effectively. They also emphasize celebrating progress and maintaining a positive learning environment as critical factors in successful intervention programs.

Tag, You’re It!

The episode concludes with our favorite game, “Tag Your It!” Soo and Nicole are asked whether they would rather be the funniest or smartest person in the room. Listen in on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music to hear their responses!

Soo Goda

Soo’s journey in education spans over three decades, embodying a commitment to linguistic diversity and student empowerment. With a career that commenced as a Bilingual Education teacher 31 years ago, she has traversed various roles. Hailing from Korea, Soo’s formative years were marked by a rich cultural tapestry, spending a portion of her childhood in South America before immigrating to the United States, where she received her education. From her tenure as a Spanish Dual Language Immersion teacher to assuming the role of an Instructional Coach, Soo’s expertise has been instrumental in shaping pedagogical practices. Currently serving as the District Coordinator of Expanded Learning TK-6 at Saddleback Valley Unified School District, she continues to champion equitable access to education. Drawing from her experiences as a multilingual learner and her extensive engagement with diverse student populations, she possesses a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted needs of learners today.

Nicole Hill

Nicole Hill has served within the field of education for 16 years as a classroom teacher, specialist, assistant principal, and principal. She is certified as an educator in EC-12 Principal, EC-8 Generalist, 8-12 English Language Arts, Reading and Social Studies, EC-12 Special Education, EC-12 Gifted and Talented, and EC-12 English as a Second Language. Her school experience varies to include work with students in pre-K through 12th grade, both in Texas and Europe, and within communities that were each uniquely diverse in terms of their demographics, size, and campus needs. While serving in these roles, she developed expertise in curriculum and instruction, professional development, and leadership. Nicole is currently the Instructional Solutions Subject Matter Expert at School Specialty.