Notes from the Backpack: A PTA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Overcoming Math Anxiety Oct 12, 2022

Show notes

Do you start sweating when your kids ask for help with math homework? Lots of parents struggle with math anxiety—our child’s and our own—but math is everywhere and it’s our job to help our children embrace it. We sat down with Eugenio Longoria Sáenz, founding director of the Center for Family Math at The National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement (NAFSCE). He shares how you can overcome your own math anxiety and help your child learn how to approach math with curiosity and an open mind.

Resources:

Visit FamilyMath.org and follow @NAFSCE on social media to learn more
Explore National PTA’s STEM+ Families Math Night resources
Check out “Have a Math Chat with Your Kids” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine

An Inside Look at School Ratings Sep 28, 2022

Show notes

What goes into a school rating? School ratings often leave families feeling confused, wondering what a singular number tells them about the quality of a school. To get to the bottom of this, our hosts interviewed Jon Deane, CEO of GreatSchools.org who shares how families can use school ratings as a starting point for making informed choices for their child’s education.

Resources:

Check out this Parents Magazine article, “What Do Public School Rankings Really Mean?”
Learn more about GreatSchools.org and their college success award
Follow GreatSchools.org at @GreatSchools

Supporting Children through School Transitions Sep 14, 2022

Show notes

School transitions can be hard—and not just for the kids, but for parents, too! Our guest, child development expert and author, Deborah Farmer-Kris, has tips for making school transitions a little smoother. Whether your child is struggling to get out the door in the morning, experiencing anxiety in the classroom or melting down when they get home, Deborah has advice to ease your back-to-school transition.

Resources:

Learn more about our guest, Deborah Farmer-Kris at parenthood365.com and enjoy her picture book series with your kids
Check out the CDC’s tips for Helping Children Transition Back to School
From the Archives: For those of you with a new middle schooler, check out our episode with Phyllis Fagell for helpful tips
Read “Get Your Routine Back on Track” in PTA’s Our Children online magazine

Improving Student Wellness May 18, 2022

Show notes

Our nation is facing an adolescent mental health crisis. Teens are struggling in the classroom and at home. Our guest, Instructional Support Specialist and Social Emotional Learning Lead, Leona Fowler, shares her experiences navigating these challenges and what approaches can equip our kids with the coping skills they need. She discusses how mindfulness and other social emotional learning techniques can improve student wellness at school and at home.

Resources:

Explore Educators for Excellence’s new report, Voices from the Classroom 2022: A Survey of America’s Educators, for additional insights on student wellness from educators
Visit PTA.org/HealthyMinds to explore more resources related to student mental health and social emotional wellness
Discover virtual learning materials brought to you by Phi Delta Kappa at the NSPDK E-Learning Academy
Follow Leona Fowler on social media at @MizBossLady82

Addressing Learning Loss May 11, 2022

Show notes

Since the pandemic began, the phrase “learning loss” has become a frequently used term in the education field. What kind of “learning loss” are teachers actually seeing in their classrooms and how are they working to address it? Angela Burley, sixth grade social studies teacher and a 2021-2022 Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellow, joins the show to share her perspective on the issue.

Resources:

Read Angela Burley’s piece in the Dallas Examiner, “Students can’t help being absent because of COVID. We need to help them, not label them chronically absent.”
Read another teacher’s perspective on the issue in the ASCD blog article, “Why ‘Learning Loss’ Is So Complicated (and How to Address It Constructively).”
From the Archives: Listen to “How is Your Kid Really Doing in School?” featuring Learning Heroes’ Bibb Hubbard.

The Teacher Burnout Crisis May 04, 2022

Show notes

In the last few years, teachers have faced unprecedented challenges that have left a lot of them feeling burnt out. Experienced educator and activist, Sofia Gonzalez, shares her thoughts on teacher burnout and how systemic changes could make teaching a more sustainable profession.

Read the National Education Association’s article, “Getting Serious about Teacher Burnout”
Read the Brookings Institution’s article, “How much do teachers struggle with stress and burnout?”
Visit PTA.org/ThankATeacher for teacher appreciation resources
Follow Sofia Gonzalez on social media at @MrsG_P214 and learn more about her nonprofit organization, Project 214

Fostering Student Motivation Apr 27, 2022

Show notes

Fostering motivation is an important part of a teacher’s job. Larry Ferlazzo, veteran high school teacher and Education Week writer, shares his insights on how to motivate students. Learn what teachers most want you to know about student motivation and get tips on how to get your child to do their homework, chores and more.

Resources:

Check out “4 Tips to Keep Kids Engaged in Learning” on PTA’s Our Children online magazine
Read one of Larry’s many books, including Building a Community of Self-Motivated Learners and Self-Driven Learning: Teaching Strategies for Student Motivation
Follow Larry Ferlazzo on social media at @LarryFerlazzo and read more of his work on his blog

Parents’ Guide to College Admissions Mar 02, 2022

Show notes

The college admissions process was stressful enough before the pandemic, now it’s more confusing than ever. Ffiona Rees, board chair of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), joins us to answer all of your questions. Listen to discover her top tips for supporting your teen as they navigate through the college admissions process.

Resources:

Check out “College Planning: 6 Questions Every Family Should Ask” on PTA’s Our Children online magazine
From the Archives: Listen to “How College Ready Are You?” featuring UNCF’s Sekou Biddle
Explore more resources from NACAC at nacacnet.org
Share your ideas for next season in the 2022 Podcast Feedback Survey

Helping Kids Understand Money Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

What do your kids know about money? Jen Hemphill, host of the podcast, Her Dinero Matters, shares tips from her experience as an accredited financial advisor and as a mom. Learn how to talk about money with children of all ages and how you can help them to become financially responsible.

Resources:

Listen Jen Hemphill’s podcast Her Dinero Matters on all major podcast platforms
Explore Money As You Grow, a resource from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau to help parents and caregivers talk to kids about money
Get more tips to help your child become financially responsible in “Adulting 101: From Cooking to Credit Cards” on PTA’s Our Children online magazine

Why Aren’t There More Black Teachers? Feb 02, 2022

Show notes

Most people can count on one hand the number of Black teachers they had during their schooling. Our guest Sharif El-Mekki is working to change that. Sharif discusses how underrepresentation of Black teachers has repercussions for all of our children, and for Black children in particular.

Resources:

Visit TheCenterBlacked.org to learn more about Sharif’s work, including opportunities for paid apprenticeships and other teaching experiences
From the Archives: Listen to our podcast episode featuring Rodney Robinson
Read “Diverse Teachers Matter,” from the National School Board Association
Follow the Center for Black Educator Development and Sharif El-Mekki on social media: @CenterBlackEd and @SElMekki