Teach Better Talk

Latest Episodes:

152: Teaching is Dope. - Dwayne Reed chats with us about using the gifts and talents you have, building relationships, and the incredible opportunity teachers have to positively impact kids. Mar 05, 2020

Show notes

Viral YouTube star, and 4th grade teacher, Dwayne Reed, chats with us about using the gifts and talents you have, building relationships, and the incredible opportunity teachers have to positively impact kids.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/dwaynereed

Episode Highlights

1:45 - Highlighting Dr. Neil Gupta (@drneilgupta).
- Check out Episode 41 with Dr. Neil Gupta.
5:24 - Previewing the episode with Dwayne Reed.
9:18 - Dwayne introduces himself.
10:40 - Discussing Dwayne's first viral song, "Welcome to the 4th Grade."
15:19 - Dwayne's failure: Having troubles with his 4th grade class. Struggling to connect with a student.
18:50 - Dwayne's success: One of his scholars said "I like taking quizzes now."
21:16 - What's keeping Dwayne excited about education right now: Connecting with people.
25:55 - Dwayne's advice for teachers: Find one thing that you like about that kid that you "don't like." Find ways to over-emphasize your appreciation for your scholars.
30:00 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
33:00 - How to connect with Dwayne.

Dwayne's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Class Dojo
Book: "How to be Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi.
Who to Follow on Social Media:
- Ron Clark (@mrronclark_)
- Dwayne's wife (@MonieFreshh)
- Michael Bonner (@MichaelBonner_)
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: Edutopia
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: Have chants that you use.
Best piece of advice you've ever received: Ask as many questions as possible.

Links to Connect With Dwayne

Twitter: @TeachMrReed
Facebook Page: TeachMrReed
Instagram: @TeachMrReed
YouTube: Mr. Reed
Email: DwaynePReed@gmail.com

151: Lifelong learner. - Drew Coleman chats with us about being a lifelong learner, making decisions that are best for students, and changing the culture of our communities. Mar 02, 2020

Show notes

Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Drew Coleman, chats with us about being a lifelong learner, making decisions that are best for students, and changing the culture of our communities.

Drew talks about the importance of building relationships, constantly planning our days and weeks, and always being in reflection mode.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/drewcoleman

Episode Highlights

2:04 - Chatting about our upcoming FREE PD SERIES in our private Facebook Group.
6:02 - Previewing the episode with Drew Coleman.
9:38 - Drew introduces himself.
14:02 - Drew's failure: Not making decisions based on what's best for students.
17:40 - Drew's success: Changing the culture of their community.
20:44 - What's keeping Drew excited about education right now: New teachers!
23:31 - Drew's advice for teachers: We will never know everything. Get it out of your mind!
26:35 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
31:24 - How to connect with Drew.

Drew's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Google
Book: “Lead with Endurance” by Greg Helmer.
Who to Follow on Social Media:
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: www.classhook.com
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine:
- Daily: Wake up early and reflect about the upcoming day.
- Weekly: Reflect and journal about pros and cons and make a plan.
- Monthly: Review your plan.
Best piece of advice you've ever received: The best advice I received is that.. Failure is inevitable. Do not quit.

Links to Connect With Drew

Twitter: @MrDrewColeman
Instagram: @MrDrewColeman

BONUS - Live from IDEAcon 2020 w/Natalie Perry and Carrie Jordan Feb 29, 2020

Show notes

We went to IDEA Con 2020 in Schaumburg, Illinois this week, so we decided to snag a couple live recordings with a couple awesome educators. Enjoy!

To connect with Natalie Perry:

Twitter: @NataliePerry3

To connect with Carrie Joran

Twitter: @Mrs_Jordan623

150: STEAMing up the classroom - Tori Cameron chats with us about learning how to fail, surrounding yourself with positive people, and the power of saying yes. Feb 27, 2020

Show notes

STEAM teacher, podcaster, and author, Tori Cameron, chats with us about learning how to fail, surrounding yourself with positive people, and the power of saying yes.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/toricameron

Episode Highlights

3:20 - Highlighting D. Valerie Camille Jones.
7:21 - Previewing the episode with Tori Cameron.
9:58 - Tori introduces herself.
12:05 - Talking about Tori's podcast, "STEAM Up the Classroom."
14:30 - Talking about how Tori started working with a school in Somalia.
16:35 - Tori's failure: I’d love to chat about lessons that fail and how I teach my students that failure is ok. A huge part of STEAM is failing, fixing and trying again. We don’t even have erasers in the STEAM lab!
19:57 - What's keeping Tori excited about education right now: STEAM lab- steam family event. I’m excited more schools and programs are integrating STEAM.
22:26 - Tori's advice for teachers: Surround yourself with people are positive. It’s not always easy. Give yourself some grace.
24:16 - Talking about Tori's book, and how YOU can win a FREE COPY.
27:14 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
31:08 - How to connect with Tori.

Tori's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Flipgrid
Book: All Harry Potter.
Who to Follow on Social Media:
- Jenna Mercury @science4usSays
- Erika Sandstrom @greenscreengal
- Mandi Figlioli @mrsfigmakes
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: Erika Sandstrom
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: Greeting students everyday. Checking in on colleagues. Reaching out to PLN on Twitter.
Best piece of advice you've ever received: Say yes and put yourself out there.

Links to Connect With Tori

Website: steamuptheclassroom.com
Twitter: @steamuptheclsrm
Facebook Page: STEAM Up the Classroom
Instagram: @steamuptheclassroom
Podcast:

149: Flipping your perspective. - Alicia Sullivan chats with us about flipping our perspective, resetting mid-year, and having the tough conversations. Feb 24, 2020

Show notes

Alicia Sullivan chats with us about flipping our perspective, resetting mid-year, and having the tough conversations.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/aliciasullivan

Episode Highlights

0:50 - Highlighting our friend, Tim Cavey of www.teachersonfire.net.
5:48 - Previewing the episode with Alicia Sullivan.
8:11 - Alicia introduces herself.
9:59 - Alicia's failure: Realizing she had to have tough conversations with people.
14:30 - Alicia's success: Completely resetting her classroom mid-year.
19:37 - What's keeping Alicia excited about education right now: Helping teachers learn how to differentiate. Reciprocal Teaching & Resources. DI Math.
24:16 - Alicia's advice for teachers: Go slow to go fast.
26:36 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
28:05 - How to connect with Alicia.

Alicia's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Google Keep
Book: "Sharp Objects" by Gillian Flynn.
Who to Follow on Social Media:
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: Responsive Classroom
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: A set schedule to arrive and leave, that honors your life outside of school.
Best piece of advice you've ever received: You can’t do it all, and do it all well. Be intentional about how you choose to use your energy.

Links to Connect With Alicia

Website: writesolutions.org
Twitter: @writes_olutions
Facebook Page: facebook.com/writesolutions4teachers
Instagram: @writesolutions
TPT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Write-Solutions

BONUS EPISODE - Chad Ostrowski's Keynote at the 2019 Teach Better Conference Feb 21, 2020

Show notes

Chad Ostrowski delivers a keynote talk at the 2019 Teach Better Conference in Akron, Ohio.

For more information on the Teach Better Conference, visit www.teachbetterconference.com

148: Shifting our role. - Alex Valencic chats with us about the shifting role of teachers in the classroom, finding your people, and changing the way we're helping students learn the skills they need. Feb 20, 2020

Show notes

Alex Valencic chats with us about the shifting role of teachers in the classroom, finding your people, and changing the way we're helping students learn the skills they need.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/alexvalencic

Episode Highlights

1:36 - We may or not have release some very secret information early for you...
7:04 - Previewing the episode with Alex Valencic.
10:13 - Alex introduces himself.
12:09 - Alex's failure: Homework catastrophe.
16:21 - Alex's success: After School Tabletop Club.
18:57 - What's keeping Alex excited about education right now: Inquiry-driven instruction.
20:45 - Alex's advice for teachers: Find the people who are going to help you become a better teacher by supporting you.
23:19 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
26:11 - How to connect with Alex.

Alex's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Pencil and paper.
Book:
1. "Instructional Rounds in Education" by Elizabeth A. City.
2. "Inquiry Mindset" by Trevor MacKenzie.
3. "Hacking School Discipline" by Nathan Maynard and Brad Weinstein.
4. "Better Learning Through Structured Teaching" by
5. "The Internal Coherence Framework" by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey.
6. "Alexander Hamilton"
7. "Schulz and Peanuts" by David Michaelis.
8. "Talking to Strangers" by Malcolm Gladwell.
Who to Follow on Social Media:

Dennis Dill (@DennisDill)
Dr. Teresa Lance (@teresa_lance)
Matt Weimann (@MrWeimann)

YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: Facing His

147: Get off the stage. - Kyle Niemis chats with us about flipping your classroom, making global connections, and the power of getting off the stage. Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

Educational Technology Coach, and co-founder of ClassroomQ, Kyle Neimis, chats with us about flipping your classroom, making global connections, and the power of getting off the stage.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/kyleniemis

Episode Highlights

3:14 - Celebrating Allyson Apsey's new book, "The Serendipity Journal." Follow Allyson on Twitter (@AllysonApsey).
6:24 - Previewing the episode with Kyle Neimis.
8:50 - Kyle introduces himself.
10:26 - Chatting about ClassroomQ.
14:04 - Kyle's failure: First attempt at flipping his classroom.
17:14 - Kyle's success: Getting off the stage.
18:54 - What's keeping Kyle excited about education right now: Global connections.
20:25 - Kyle's advice for teachers: Take lots of chances.
21:34 - Kyle's first steps to getting into Global Connections:
- Impactico
22:55 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
25:09 - How to connect with Kyle.

Kyle's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Trello
Book: "Talking to Strangers" by Malcolm Gladwell.
Who to Follow on Social Media: @Wegotteched @fuglefun
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: Cult of Pedagogy
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: Give yourself buffer time.
Best piece of advice you've ever received: Everyone’s fighting their own battle.

Links to Connect With Kyle

Website: ClassroomQ.com
Twitter: @kyleniemis

AUDIO BLOG - 4 Reasons You Should Love What You Do Feb 14, 2020

Show notes

This is an audio version of the blog post, "4 Reasons You Should Love What You Do" Written and read by Jeff Gargas (@JeffGargas). Read the post at www.teachbetter.com/blog/4-reasons-you-should-love-what-you-do

In This Post:

Loving what you do is important for many reasons.
Four reasons why you should really love teaching and why what you do is important.

Ok, let's be honest; sometimes work can suck. Yep, I said it. Me, Mr "I love Mondays because I love what I do." Because it's true. Even when you love what you do, you still get stressed, still get tired, and still have bad days.

The thing is, if you really do LOVE what you do, those bad days, those stressful days, they're just a little less painful. When you love what you do, there are fewer of those days. And when they come, you can climb back much faster, and much more easily. Because, when you truly love what you do, that love drives everything you do, including dealing with the stress and frustrations that will occur no matter what.

I love what I do. Like, I really love it. I love it so much, I actually don't love weekends. I mean, I love spending time with my wife and kids and seeing friends and family. But I'm always aching to get back to work. I get pumped up on Sundays because I love Mondays.

I want this for you. I hope you already love what you do. But if not, here are 4 reasons I think you should.

146: We're better together - Scott Nunes chats with us about infusing edtech into our curriculum, taking calculated risks, and how we're better together. Feb 13, 2020

Show notes

146: We're better together - Scott Nunes chats with us about infusing edtech into our curriculum, taking calculated risks, and how we're better together.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/scottnunes.

Episode Highlights

1:43 - Talking about our #TeachBetter Challenge for February.
5:04 - Previewing the episode with Scott Nunes.
7:53 - Scott introduces himself.
11:03 - Scott's failure: Failing as a graphic designer.
23:42 - Chatting about Scott's podcast, the TNT EdTech Podcast.
15:47 - Scott's success: Taking calculated risks.
19:32 - What's keeping Scott excited about education right now: 3D Printing.
20:38 - Scott's advice for teachers: Get on Twitter. Choose your one thing to be good at.
21:59 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
24:11 - How to connect with Scott.

Scott's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Flipgrid
Book: "Rev Up Robotics" by Jorge Valenzuela.
Who to Follow on Social Media:
- Julia Dweck @GiftedTawk
- Jesus Huerta @jesush1979
- Erin Kiger @EBGtech
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: 3D Printing Nerd - Joel Telling
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: Make some quiet time.
Best piece of advice you've ever received: "Never let anybody take your peace."