Teach Better Talk

Latest Episodes:

100: Tim Cavey Takes Over Teach Better Talk - The Teachers On Fire host flips the mic on Jeff and Rae for our 100th episode. Sep 05, 2019

Show notes

Tim Cavey, host of the Teachers On Fire Podcast, flips the mic on Jeff and Rae for our 100th episode. Tim chats with us about the journey to 100, what we love about producing the podcast, how the show has grown, and the challenges we've faced along the way. We discuss the ups and downs so far, who has helped us get here, and what we're looking forward to in the next 100 episodes.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/episode100

Episode Highlights

0:36 - How does it feel to get to 100 episodes?
3:14 - What are your favorite things about the podcast?
4:28 - Dipping into the analytics; which countries listen the most to Teach Better Talk?
- The United States
- Australia
- Canada
5:23 - Who's up for a Teach Better Talk Tour?
5:57 - Where do you each listen to podcasts, and what do you listen to?
7:39 - Looking back on the journey to 100. What are some of the issues/challenges we've ran into.
12:28 - How has this been personally rewarding? How have you grown as a person during this process?
13:57 - Jeff gets all sorts of "sappy" about his and Rae's relationship.
17:06 - Who would you like to credit for giving you the love, support, patience, and space to make this happen over the past 100 episodes?
19:48 - Talking about our upcoming book, "Teach Better."
23:35 - What are you looking forward to at the Teach Better Conference?
27:47 - How would you like to see the podcast grow from here?
32:37 - Rae's challenge to you: think of 1 educator that you always go to for support, send their name to us!
- Tweet @raehughart or @jeffgargas, or email us at Jeff@teachbetter.com.

99: Fail. Reflect. Move Forward. - Amber Heffner chats with us about learning from failures, reflecting in order to grow, and rethinking the way we facilitate education. Sep 02, 2019

Show notes

IDEA Executive Director, Amber Heffner, chats with us about learning from failures, reflecting in order to grow, and rethinking the way we facilitate education.

Amber shares her journey to becoming Executive Director of IDEA, why she credits a failure for getting her there, and talks about why the passion of teachers has her excited about education right now.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/amberheffner

Episode Highlights

0:53 - Rae tries to blame Jeff for an idea she actually had, that caused her to have to do more work.
2:22 - Check out our "Back to School" blog series at www.teachbetter.com/blog.
3:14 - Shoutout to some of our Guest Bloggers!
8:15 - Previewing the episode with Amber Heffner.
10:52 - Amber introduces herself.
13:22 - Amber shares her journey of becoming the Executive Director of IDEA.
16:45 - Amber's failure: Applying for, but not getting a principal position. The first job she had interviewed for and not gotten.
23:00 - What's got Amber excited about education right now: The passion that educators have today. Seeing changes happening.
26:45 - Amber's advice for new teachers: Build relationships...with students AND with other passionate educators.
31:17 - Some cool things coming up with IDEA.
33:08 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
35:40 - How to connect with amber.

BONUS EPISODE - Rae's Keynote Talk at the Hot Springs Tech Institute - June 2019 Sep 01, 2019

Show notes

This is the audio from Rae's keynote talk at the Hot Springs Technology Institute in June, 2019. Rae shares insight into how teachers and IT leaders can work together so that technology is used effectively and efficiently to reach more students. For more on the Hot Springs Technology Institute, visit: www.hsti.org.

98: Learn to Love Failure - Meghan Deegan chats with us about the power of reflection, getting over the fear of failure, and surrounding yourself with the right people. Aug 29, 2019

Show notes

Meghan Deegan chats with us about the power of reflection, getting over the fear of failure, and surrounding yourself with the right people. Meghan shares how she learned to love failure, why we need to instill that same love in our students, and how we can question ourselves in the right way.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/meghandeegan

Episode Highlights

0:46 - Previewing the episode with Meghan Deegan.
1:33 - Breaking down what The Grid Method is.
9:36 - Meghan introduces herself.
11:30 - Meghan's failure: Being afraid to fail and try new things.
13:57 - Meghan's success: Changing to love failure.
18:34 - What's got Meghan excited about education right now: The amount of teachers we can collaborate with.
20:01 - Meghan's advice for teachers: Find those positive teachers that are passionate about what they're doing.
25:18 - Meghan discusses her journey of trying out The Grid Method.
30:29 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
33:43 - How to connect with Meghan

Meghan's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Gimkit.
Book: "Hacking Leadership" by Joe Sanfelippo.
Who to Follow: Joe Sanfelippo (@JoeSanfelippo).
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: Math Anticsand www.teachbetter.com.
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: Self Care & balance.
Best piece of advice you've ever received: Reflect. Often. All the time. A lot.

97: Start A Revolution - Derek McCoy chats with us about loving what we do and who we do it with, bringing the excitement and joy, and how magic can take place if we embrace it. Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

Director of Learning and Innovation, and author of "The Revolution," Derek McCoy, chats with us about loving what we do and who we do it with, bringing the excitement and joy, and how magic can take place if we embrace it.

Derek talks about doing better for our learners, taking care of ourselves, and how change is the only constant we have in our lives.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/derekmccoy

Episode Highlights

1:07 - Highlighting some featured speakers at the Teach Better Conference. Use code "PodcastTalk" to save $50.
6:39 - Previewing the episode with Derek McCoy
9:30 - Derek introduces himself.
11:27 - Derek dives into the details of his book "The Revolution: It's Time to Empower Change in Our Schools" written with Darren Ellwein.
14:18 - Derek's failure: Managing change at schools is an ongoing challenge.
18:07 - Ways Derek's district tries to communicate to their community that they care and are there for the right reasons.
22:08 - What's got Derek excited about education right now: Seeing and hearing stories of schools/teachers/principals/districts taking risks to abandon practices that we've just been doing out of tradition or habit.
24:16 - Derek's advice to new teachers: Take your K-16 experience, love it, but put it in a small jar. Know that your learners are going to need something fundamentally different.
33:26 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
37:16 - How to connect with Derek.

AUDIO BLOG - Integrating Technology in Education: Are You Making These Top 5 Mistakes? Aug 23, 2019

Show notes

This is an audio version of the blog post, "Integrating Technology in Education: Are You Making These Top 5 Mistakes?" Written by Tiffany Ott (@TechieTeachOtt). Read by Rae Hughart (@RaeHughart)

Read the post at www.teachbetter.com/blog/top-5-mistakes-integrating-technology-in-education

In This Post:

Benefits of technology integration
If it doesn’t actually improve the learning process, it doesn’t really belong in your classroom.
There is a danger in jumping on an edtech tool bandwagon too quickly.
There are dozens of reason why a teacher would hold off on trying a new tech tool.
It is really easy to fall into the trap of technology as a babysitter.
The overwhelming majority of teachers have access to and regularly use technology in their daily life. It becomes very easy to assume that our students do also.

96: AR/VR in EDU - Jaime Donally chats with us about AR and VR in education, how we need to adjust technology to fit our classrooms, and why we need to let our students be partners in the experiences Aug 22, 2019

Show notes

Jaime Donally chats with us about AR and VR in education, how we need to adjust technology to fit our classrooms, and why we need to let our students be partners in the experiences.

Jaime shares why you don't need to be the most tech savvy person to use tech in your classroom, what the first step to implementing AR/VR is, and why it's really not about the tech tool at all.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/jaimedonally

Episode Highlights

0:33 - Rae explains her descriptive word choice...and makes fun of Jeff.
2:05 - One of the biggest mistakes people make with AR/VR.
9:17 - Jaime introduces herself.
11:00 - Jaime's failure: Not naturally enjoying writing. Supporting Rachelle in a session, and sharing an article that created a very awkward atmosphere in the room.
16:01 - Jaime talks about her book "Learning Transported: Augmented Virtual Mixed Reality For All Classrooms."
17:38 - Jaime's success: Finishing the book. Working on a second book. Going out on her own, consulting with school districts.
19:38 - What's got Jaime excited about education right now: Augmented Reality, and the tend that it's not just for techies anymore.
22:25 - Jaime explains the differences between AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality).
26:32 - Jaime's advice for teachers new to AR/VR: There is no one tool. Every classroom is different. Address where your students are struggling.
29:12 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
33:07 - How to connect with Jaime.

Links to Connect With Jaime

Website: www.arvrinedu.com
Twitter: @JaimeDonally
Instagram: @JaimeDonally
YouTube: Jaime Donally
Hashtags to Follow: #ARVRinEdu

95: A Team Approach - Nick Sutton, chats with us about getting back to good instruction, working as a team, and why you shouldn't be afraid of your evaluations. Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

Superintendent, Nick Sutton, chats with us about getting back to good instruction, working as a team, and why you shouldn't be afraid of your evaluations.

Nick shares why he thinks we're in such a cool time as educators right now, what leads to a building's success, and how administrators really just want to do what's best for kids, too.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/nicksutton

Episode Highlights

0:34 - Shoutout to Janelly (@JanellyArc) for Rae's descriptive word.
1:16 - Going on and on about our AMAZING guest bloggers. Check them out here!
2:46 - Challenging you to focus on your goals.
- Tweet out your 3-week goal - Use #TeachBetter and tag @RaeHughart and @JeffGargas.
6:46 - Previewing the episode with Dr. Nick Sutton.
9:16 - Nick introduces himself.
10:33 - Nick's failure: Not addressing someone who needed to grow, out of fear of hurting the relationship.
13:20 - Nick's success: The professional development plan they've put into place in their district.
17:40 - What's got Nick excited about education right now: Getting back to good instruction.
19:57 - Nick's advice for new teachers: Don't forget that you made the best career decision in the world. You're going to love it. Appreciate that and find other likeminded people. Don't be scared of your evaluations. If they wanted to fire you, they wouldn't have hired you in the first place.
22:32 - Chatting about Nick's podcast, "Learning Through Leading."
- Connect with Nick's cohost Matt Jacobson (@yodamatt68).
25:48 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
27:16 - How to connect with Nick.

Links to Connect With Nick

Website: drnicksutton.blogspot.com
Twitter: @DrNickSutton
Podcast: "Learning Through Leading.

AUDIO BLOG - Student Teacher Mentoring 101 Aug 17, 2019

Show notes

This is an audio version of the blog post, "Student Teacher Mentoring 101" Written by Rae Hughart(@RaeHughart). Read by Rae Hughart

Read the post at www.eachbetter.com/blog/student-teacher-mentoring-101/

In This Post:

Student teacher mentoring is an ART
Anytime you have a new student teacher, the first priority is learning about your mentee.
It is essential to build a trust-filled relationship with your mentee.
After understanding your mentee, and building a strong relationship, you need to provide tactical next steps for them to continue to grow.

94: A Two-Way Conversation - Christine Witcher chats with us about the importance of feedback, and how to make sure our students are emotionally ready for it, and prepared to learn from it. Aug 15, 2019

Show notes

Christine Witcher chats with us about the importance of feedback, and how to make sure our students are emotionally ready for it, and prepared to learn from it. Christine shares how fixing a problem in her classroom lead to creating an app to help others solve the same problem, and why we need to ask our students everyday what they need, and then listen to them.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/christinewitcher

Episode Highlights

0:35 - Shoutout to Jess Hamilton for Rae's descriptive word.
- Tweet @RaeHughart or join our Facebook Group to give Rae a word and get a shoutout!
1:54 - Talking about how much Rae loved this episode.
3:05 - Talking about feedback and why it is so important in our classrooms.
6:30 - Previewing the episode with Christine Witcher.
8:59 - Christine introduces herself.
9:54 - Talking about Floop; the feedback tool that Christine co-created.
14:40 - Christine's failure: Was experiencing "student resistance" and surveyed Felt stuck. Total flop. Conducting anonymous survey to get feedback. Almost quit teaching after seeing their feedback. Students where telling me exactly how to be a better teacher.
19:15 - Christine's success: Switching entirely to self-assessment. Listening to her students' feedback on her teaching.
28:17 - Christine's advice to teachers: Understand that feedback is a conversation. It is a two-way conversation between you and each student.
29:50 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
33:10 - How to connect with Christine.