Teach Better Talk

Latest Episodes:

AUDIO BLOG - Adjust Your Leans - Student Behavior is Information Jan 17, 2020

Show notes

This is an audio version of the blog post, "Adjust Your Leans - Student Behavior is Information." Written by Jacqueline Goodburn (@PDwithJG). Read by Rae Hughart (@raehughart). Read the post at www.teachbetter.com/blog/adjust-your-lens-student-behavior-is-information.

In This Post:

The importance of removing your personal feelings from student behavior issues.
Behavior is information, use it to help provide a better learning experience!
Ways to adjust your thinking to better meet the needs of your students and colleagues.

138: Let It Go. - Jana Zipfel chats with us about taking time to focus on relationships, the importance of self-care, and why you shouldn't try to do everything. Jan 15, 2020

Show notes

19 year teaching veteran, Jana Zipfel chats with us about taking time to focus on relationships, the importance of self-care, and why you shouldn't try to do everything.

Jana shares how she's implemented student led conferences, how it takes time to figure things out, and why we need to learn to let it go.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/janazipfel

Episode Highlights

1:37 - Rae talks about Seesaw, and how she uses it in her classroom.
5:37 - Previewing the episode with Jana Zipfel.
8:19 - Jana introduces herself.
10:18 - Jana's failure: Early years of her career. Not taking the time to build relationships.
12:55 - Jana's success: Student led conferences.
16:12 - What's keeping Jana excited about education right now: Working toward her admin certification.
18:00 - Jana's advice for teachers: Do not try to do everything.
- Jeff mentions the "5 Minute Journal" app he uses.
  - Get it for Apple iOS
  - Get it for Android
22:20 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
24:52 - How to connect with Jana.

Jana's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Seesaw
Book: "Fully Charged Systems" - PJ Caposey
Who to Follow on Instagram: PJ Caposey, Maria Papiez, Joe Sweeny
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: Kid President, Ryan and Craig Storytime
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: Self care - make some kind of daily routine
Best piece of advice you've ever received: “Let it Go”

Links to Connect With Jana

Twitter: @JanaMrszipfel
Instagram: @firstgradecoolcats

137: Think of teaching like a taco. - Kate MacFarlane chats with us about building relationships, connecting with others, and why we should think of teaching like a taco. Jan 12, 2020

Show notes

18 year veteran teacher, Kate MacFarlane, chats with us about building relationships, connecting with others, and why we should think of teaching like a taco.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/katemacfarlane

Episode Highlights

0:46 - Chatting about our friend, Jorge Valenzuela's new book, "Rev Up Robotics." Follow Jorge @jorgedoespbl.
6:39 - Previewing the episode with Kate MacFarlane (@PrimarilyKate)
9:24 - Kate introduces herself.
12:00 - Kate's failure: Attempting to implement an idea to help with a divisive environment, and making it worse.
16:11 - Kate's success: Teaching 2nd graders that were struggling. Setting up co-teaching and seeing success in students.
18:04 - What's keeping Kate excited about education right now: Connecting with other educators.
20:31 - Kate's advice to teachers: Think of teaching like a taco.
22:39 - Chatting about Teachers Pay Teachers. Kate recommend's Kayse Morris's course.
24:35 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
26:16 - How to connect with Kate.

Kate's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: FlipGrid
Book: "Think and Grow Rich" by Napolean Hill.
Who to Follow on Instagram: eddiebcomedy
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: classroomscreen.com
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: Gratitude journal.
Best piece of advice you've ever received: This too, shall pass.

Links to Connect With Kate

Website: primarilykate.com
Facebook Page: Primarily Teaching
Instagram: @PrimarilyKate

AUDIO BLOG - Supporting Student Productive Struggle Jan 10, 2020

Show notes

This is an audio version of the blog post, "Supporting Student Productive Struggle" Written by Dr. Matthew Joseph (@MatthewXJoseph). Read by Rae Hughart (@raehughart). Read the post at www.teachbetter.com/blog/supporting-student-productive-struggle

In This Post:

The definition of student productive struggle.
Why productive struggle is important for students.
Ways to promote productive struggle in your classroom, from planning to implementation.

136: Still learning. - P. Sloan Joseph chats with us about being transparent, being reflective, and finding the humor in life. Jan 09, 2020

Show notes

Instructional technology coach, P. Sloan Joseph, chats with us about being transparent, being reflective, and finding the humor in life.

P. Sloan shares why you need to give your students, and yourself, some grace, the importance of self-care, and why you need to water the flowers, not the weeds.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/psloanjoseph

Episode Highlights

2:00 - What's got Rae excited right now: The new Teach Better Speakers Network.
6:52 - Previewing the episode with P. Sloan Joseph.
10:56 - P. Sloan introduces herself.
12:05 - P. Sloan's failure: Not realizing that culture is the first, and most important thing.
14:15 - P. Sloan's success: Past students telling her about things she did or said, that still impacts them.
16:11 - What's got P. Sloan excited about education right now: Her podcast and the opportunity it provides her to share education with others not in education.
18:41 - P. Sloan's advice for teachers: Take the time to have "off the content" conversations with your students. Give yourself grace.
21:34 - P. Sloan talks about her podcast, "Greater Is In Me." #InformInspireInfluence
25:40 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
30:42 - How to connect with P. Sloan.

P. Sloan's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: YouTube
Book: Hack Learning Series
Who to Follow on Instagram: @Edutopia, @CultofPedagogy
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: www.controlaltachieve.com
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: Whatever you consider self-care, do it!
Best piece of advice you've ever received: Water the flowers, not the weeds!

Links to Connect With P. Sloan.

Twitter: @psjoseph718
Instagram: @greaterisinme_
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/greaterisinmepodcast

135: Promoting education. - Katelynn Giordano chats with us about giving students an active role in learning, the power of personalized learning, and being someone who promotes education. Jan 05, 2020

Show notes

6th grade ELA teacher, and Teach Better's Digital Content Editor, Katelynn Giordano, chats with us about giving students an active role in learning, the power of personalized learning, and being someone who promotes education.

Katelynn shares how she negotiates grades with her students, the power of reaching out to other educators, and why your voice matters.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/katelynngiordano

Episode Highlights

2:06 - Talking about heading back to school after Winter break.
4:37 - Previewing the episode with Katelynn Giordano.
9:59 - Katelynn introduces herself.
11:24 - Katelynn chats about her role with the team.
14:02 - Katelynn's failure: Transitioning content areas, and teaching writing "so badly."
17:28 - Katelynn's success: Changing the way she reports grades in her classroom.
21:34 - What's keeping Katelynn excited about education: Personalized learning gaining popularity. Kids taking a more active role in education. Conversations about equity and representation in education.
24:23 - Katelynn's advice for teachers: Your voice matters.
26:22 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
28:28 - How to connect with Katelynn.

Katelynn's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Google Docs.
Book: "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo.
Who to Follow on Instagram: Cornelius Minor (@MISTERMINOR)
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: TedEd.
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine:
1. Daily- hitting the gym & taking time for YOU
2. Weekly- checking in with students in the classroom
3. Monthly - planning ahead to ensure your lessons/plans are good to go
Best piece of advice you've ever received: Reach out to other educators, connect with them, hold your dates to chat/hangout. People are always willing to share.

Links to Connect With Katelynn

Website: curriculumcoffee.com & katelynngiordano.com
Twitter: @kngiordano
Facebook Page: Katelynn Giordano
Instagram: @kngiordano

AUDIO BLOG: Tips For Happier Teaching. - From the "Teach Happier" Blog Series at www.teachbetter.com. Jan 04, 2020

Show notes

This is an audio version of the blog post, "Tips For Happier Teaching." Written by Suzanne Dailey (@DaileySuzanne) as part of our Teach Happier Blog Series. Read by Rae Hughart (@raehughart). Read the post at www.teachbetter.com/blog/teach-happier-tips-for-teaching-happier.

In This Post:

Introducing a new monthly piece: Teach Happier!
An overview of what Suzanne will be sharing each month to help educators teach happier.

134: Take risks. Go with your gut. - Sarah Lalonde chats with us about navigating the first few years of your teaching career, building strong relationships, and taking risks. Jan 02, 2020

Show notes

Sarah Lalonde chats with us about navigating the first few years of your teaching career, building strong relationships, and taking risks.

Sarah shares how she had to do a lot of unlearning to start embracing failures, the feeling of community social media can offer, and how having a podcast is like another extension of yourself.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/sarahlalonde

Episode Highlights

1:35 - Let's talk goal setting for 2020.
13:03 - Sarah introduces herself.
14:02 - Talking about Sarah's podcast, "Que Sera Sarah?"
17:12 - Sarah's failure: The month of November last year.
21:00 - Sarah's success: Taking her podcast to "the next level" this season.
23:41 - What's keeping Sarah excited in education right now: The continuous connections, and the new conversations coming from social media and the podcast. Her students' Eco-Friendly Thrift Store project.
- Check out the project's Instagram! @Deuxieme.vaguee
28:25 - Sarah's advice for teachers: Take risks. Go with your gut.
31:16 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
33:46 - Jeff's EPIC BURN on Rae.
35:55 - How to connect with Sarah.
37:51 - Sarah takes us out in French!

Sarah's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Canva.com
Book: "Relentless" by Hamish Brewer.
Who to Follow on Instagram:
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: The Explained Show
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine:
1. Tweet weekly about a successful practice in your class.
2. Creates portfolio.
3. Inspires others.
4. Values students (if you show them).
Best piece of advice you've ever received: If it’s not a HELL YES, it’s a no.

Links to Connect With Sarah

Website: sarahannelalonde.com
Twitter: @sarahlalondee
Podcast: Que Sera Sarah?

133: Purpose Driven. - LaTezeon Humphrey Balentine chats with us about helping others reach their maximum potential, making mistakes, and being driven by a purpose. Dec 30, 2019

Show notes

LaTezeon Humphrey Balentine chats with us about helping others reach their maximum potential, making mistakes, and being driven by a purpose.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/latezeonhumphreybalentine

Episode Highlights

0:35 - Nonsensical argument about goals, and a little #TeachBetter19 and #TeachBetter20 conference talk.
9:07 - Previewing the episode with LaTezeon Humphrey Balentine.
12:01 - LaTezeon introduces herself.
16:14 - LaTezeon's failure: Rejections.
19:33 - LaTezeon's success: A student that struggled with reading, volunteering to read, and reading more than she was required.
22:34 - What's keeping LaTezeon excited about education: Knowing that she's helping.
24:20 - LaTezeon's advice for teachers: Focus on the outcome, not the income.
26:45 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
32:06 - How to connect with LaTezeon.

LaTezeon's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: KaHoot
Book: "Teach Better." by Teach better Team.
Who to Follow on Instagram: @MelSideB, @tinormous, @EducationGalaxy
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: www.teachbetteracademy.com
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: Something for yourself. Get some "Me Time."
Best piece of advice you've ever received: "Enjoy the moment."

Links to Connect With LaTezeon

Website: lhblovesedu.home.blog
Twitter: @LHBLovesEdu
Facebook Page: LaTezeon Humphrey Balentine
Instagram: @LHBLovesEdu
YouTube: LHBLovesEdu
Pinterest:

132: The Teacher Guy - Abbas Manjee chats with us about focusing on what you can control, redefining what it means to learn skills, and the importance of taking care of yourself. Dec 26, 2019

Show notes

Chief Academic Officer and Co-Founder of Kiddom, Abbas Manjee, chats with us about focusing on what you can control, redefining what it means to learn skills, and the importance of taking care of yourself.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/abbasmanjee

Episode Highlights

0:47 - Happy Holidays!
2:32 - Celebrating the FREE PD Series in our Facebook Group.
5:35 - Previewing the episode with Abbas Manjee.
8:18 - Abbas introduces himself.
9:07 - Chatting about Kiddom, how it came about, and what it's built for.
12:02 - Abbas's failure: His student during his 4th year of teaching, slipping through the cracks.
15:05 - Abbas's success: Forging a partnership that helps them to offer a resource of high quality curriculum.
18:02 - What's keeping Abbas excited about education right now: Enabling schools and districts to operate and meet the needs of growing learners in equitable fashion.
19:44 - Abbas's advice for teachers: Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.
22:23 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
24:43 - How to connect with Abbas.

Abbas's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: YouTube
Book: "The Pragmatist: Bill de Blasio’s Quest to Save the Soul of New York" by Joseph Viteritti.
Who to Follow on Twitter:
- Twitter - Matt Barnum,
- Instagram - Nathan Pyle
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: Cult of Pedagogy
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: Make your own routines, figure out a way to stick to them, and then break them from time to time.
Best piece of advice you've ever received: Everything in moderation, including moderation