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93: Practice What You Preach - Robert Breyer chats with us about setting the tone, leading by example, and practicing what you preach. Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

Elementary Principal, Rob Breyer, chats with us about setting the tone, leading by example, and practicing what you preach. Rob shares why he loves classrooms that are never quiet, the reason he has the best kids in all of North Carolina, and what you need to do in order to successfully implement change.

Why he loves classrooms that are never quiet.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/robertbreyer

Episode Highlights

0:55 - Discussing how Jeff torments Rae.
1:50 - Resetting and remembering what our focus should be on right now.
4:43 - Previewing the episode with Robert Breyer.
7:57 - Rob introduces himself.
11:32 - Robbie Wobbie's failure: When he first took over his school, fell into the trap of feeling like he always has to be at work. Lost his balance.
15:37 - The Robster's success: Taking his school's morale and culture to a positive. Was a D rated school. Found that there was actually a lot of celebrations. Made them feel important. Had a teacher pushing back hard against doing small group work. Rob went with her to another school to see it in action. She came back and did it, and rocked it. At the end of the year, she thanked him for pushing her.
22:03 - What's got Robertooski excited about education right now: Huge fanatic about project-based learning, STEM, STEAM education, anything that gets kids engaged with learning and gets them excited.
24:21 - Robert The Great's advice to young teachers: Take initiatives. Find opportunities for personal growth. Ask to go see veteran teachers teach. Get involved in Twitter Chats.
26:22 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
29:50 - How to connect with Sir Robert of Educationadia.

Links to Connect With Rob

Website: www.beyondthedeskleadership.com
Twitter: @rbreyer51
Facebook Page: The Guiding Principals Facebook Group
Podcast: “The Guiding Principals Podcast” on Anchor and Apple

AUDIO BLOG - How to Fight Mental Illness Through Authenticity Aug 10, 2019

Show notes

This is an audio version of the blog post, "How to Fight Mental Illness Through Authenticity" Written by Christine Ravesi-Weinstein (@RavesiWeinstein). Read by Rae Hughart (@raehughart)

Read the post at www.teachbetter.com/blog/fight-mental-illness-through-authenticity/

In This Post:

Authenticity is a growing necessity in education, for both teachers and students.
A job may be just a job, but teaching is more than that; it’s a work of love and sacrifice.
Although there are certain things we must temper when we are in front of our students, the inherent qualities that define who we are must be conspicuous and unchanged.
The foundations of authenticity are compassion, patience, positivity, and humor.
Positive relationships and authenticity give students cause to be authentic in return.

92: Mic Drop Moments - Brianna Shaner chats with us about staying true to yourself, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and looking for your "mic drop moments." Aug 08, 2019

Show notes

Brianna Shaner chats with us about staying true to yourself, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and looking for your "mic drop moments." Brianna talks about trying new things, the importance of focusing on your strengths, and why we all need to embrace the "suck."

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/briannashaner

Episode Highlights

0:32 - Shoutout to Rachelle Dene Poth for Rae's descriptive word.
- Check out Rachelle on Episode 89!
1:16 - Talking about the craziness of the start of the year, and advocating for yourself when you need support.
7:32 - Jeff tells a story...because Jeff tells stories...
9:28 - Previewing the episode with Brianna Shaner.
12:16 - Brianna introduces herself.
14:05 - Brianna's failure: Spending time trying to create the perfect "show" for an evaluation, and not staying true to herself. It fell flat. A student actually said "Ms. Shaner, this lesson is not going well."
16:49 - Brianna's success: "Mic drop moment." Working with a student with severe anxiety. Student wouldn't even come into a classroom. Having that student take the initiative to go across the room to help another student.
19:28 - What's got Brianna excited about education right now: The push for personalized education.
23:12 - Brianna's advice for teachers: Make a list of your strengths in the classroom. From there, think about your goals. Celebrate your goals.
27:42 - Tools Brianna uses for setting goals, planning, and reflecting.
29:04 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
32:10 - How to connect with Brianna.

Brianna's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Flipgrid for student use and Flocabulary for content based technology.
Book: "Above the Line" by Urban Meyer
Who to Follow: @burgessdave @loveandlogic
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: Focus3.com and cultofpedagogy.com
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: Feet up Friday- Not as a way to post a picture of your cute shoes on Instagram, but as a reminder to sit back and reflect on the week you had and what you have coming up. Truly taking time to reflect and not just “reflecting” while you are running around making last minute copies.
Best piece of advice you've ever received: Embrace the “suck.”

Links to Connect With Brianna

Twitter: @brianna_shaner
Instagram: @shaner_stories

91: Just A Dreamer - Amanda Fox shares how we need to really think through the problems we're trying to solve, and why you should surround yourself with dreamers. Aug 05, 2019

Show notes

Author, speaker, and dreamer, Amanda Fox, chats with us about the importance of recalibrating after a failure, building relationships for the foundation of how we help students, and how to make sure technology is for our students, not just us.

Amanda talks us through AR and VR in education, how we need to really think through the problems we're trying to solve, and why you should surround yourself with dreamers.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/amandafox

Episode Highlights

1:15 - Talking about purposeful tech integration.
6:07 - Preview the episode with Amanda Fox.
8:30 - Amanda introduces herself.
9:59 - Amanda's failure: Seeing early success with after school programs, expanding quickly, and renting an actual brick and mortar makerspace for after school programs. Focused on her problem of moving equipment, NOT what students and parents needed.
15:11 - Chatting about Amanda's books:
- "Teachingland" written with Mary Ellen Weeks
- "Zom-Be A Design Thinker"
19:34 - Your chance to win your own Zip the Zombie!
22:56 - What's got Amanda excited about education right now: Figuring out the best uses for new technology. AR/VR in education getting outside of the fad and getting used in ways that get students creating.
25:35 - Amanda's advice to teachers: It comes down to relationships. Build a PLN.
27:56 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
30:13 - How to connect with Amanda.

Amanda's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Google Suite
Book: "Educated By Design" by Michael Cohen and "One Drop of Kindness" by Jeff Kubiak
Who to Follow: @GameboyDrew, @sarahdateechur, @burgessdave
YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: Steve Bambury AR/VR on YouTube
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine: Blogging. Period.
Best piece of advice you've ever received: "Surround yourself with dreamers."

AUDIO BLOG - Breaking Down Why District Initiatives Break Down Aug 03, 2019

Show notes

This is an audio version of the blog post, "Breaking Down Why District Initiatives Break Down" Written by Chad Ostrowski (@chadostrowski). Read by Rae Hughart (@raehughart)

Read the post at www.teachbetter.com/blog/breaking-down-why-district-initiatives-break-down/

In This Post:

The sad truth is, most district initiatives fail.
There are common mistakes that are typically to blame for district initiatives failing, and they can be avoided.
Start small, plan long-term, involve all stakeholders, provide follow-up, and choose the right provider, and you'll be off to a better start, with your initiative much more likely to succeed.

90: Rethink Everything - Stefanie Crawford chats about gamification, knowing you're good enough, and rethinking everything about education. Jul 31, 2019

Show notes

Stefanie Crawford chats with us about gamification, knowing that you're good enough, and being okay with asking for help.

Stefanie discusses the importance of building a PLN and actually utilizing it, how your role is bigger than your title, and why she is excited for the rethinking of the traditional school model.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/stefaniecrawford

Episode Highlights

1:51 - Highlighting podcasts you can use to declutter your head as the new school year approaches
5:55 - Previewing the episode with Stefanie Crawford
8:49 - Stefanie introduces herself.
11:33 - Stefanie's failure: Not getting the instructional coach job two times before getting it.
18:40 - Stefanie's success: Students that say hi in the halls, or connect with you after they've graduated. Gamifying her district's professional development.
25:00 - What's got Stefanie excited about education right now: People rethinking the idea that we have to sit and listen in order to learn. Rethinking the traditional school model. The stronger focus on restorative justice.
28:15 - Stefanie's advice to teachers: Remember a few things:
- You are truly not alone. Seek out a good PLN.
- You are good enough. Don't compare yourself to others. Be you.
- It's okay to ask for help.
33:08 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
36:19 - A bunch of nonsense about coffee.
40:20 - How to connect with Stefanie.

89: Just Learning Every Day- Rachelle Dene Poth shares her love of learning, and why she feels like her job is relaxing Jul 29, 2019

Show notes

Teacher, author, consultant, and ISTE Making IT Happen Award winner, Rachelle Dene Poth, chats with us about exploring AR/VR, why she feels like her job is relaxing, and how she sees Artificial Intelligence potentially impacting education.

Rachelle shares her love of learning, the reason she gets excited about every new day, and why you do not need to teach whatever it is you think you need to teach on the first day of school.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/rachelledenepoth

Episode Highlights

0:44 - Discussing Rae's favorite word: quixotic
5:30 - Previewing the episode with Rachelle Dene Poth
- Come see Rachelle at the Teach Better Conference! Use the discount code "PodcastTalk" and save $50 on either of the 2-Day Registrations.
12:32 - Rachelle introduces herself.
14:48 - Rachelle's failure: Failing an exam in law school that she had worked extremely hard preparing for.
18:06 - Rachelle's success:
20:24 - Celebrating Rachelle's ISTE "Making IT Happen" Award (Because she is too humble to say anything about it.)
24:34 - What's got Rachelle excited about education right now: The AR/VR movement. Artificial Intelligence in education.
26:25 - Rachelle's advice to teachers looking to explore AR/VR and/or Artificial Intelligence: Check out Jaime Donally and ARVRinEDU.com
28:46 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
32:31 - A new tool Rachelle discovered at ISTE19: A couple EdTech startups using AI to filter appropriate content and ads on YouTube videos to protect kids. Also, MyTapTrack
34:15 - How to connect with Rachelle.

88: A Work in Progress - Lori McEwen chats with us about focusing on best practices for all students, bringing everything back to deep and joyful learning for kids. Jul 24, 2019

Show notes

Dr. Lori McEwen chats with us about focusing on best practices for all students, bringing everything back to deep and joyful learning for kids, and how we're all just works in progress, learning every day.

Lori chats about her excitement around mastery learning, how we can approach student-centered learning, and why we need to celebrate all wins.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/lorimcewen

Episode Highlights

0:46 - Chatting about mastery learning.
6:26 - Sharing some awesome data from one of our amazing school districts.
9:04 - Previewing the episode with Lori McEwen
12:26 - Lori introduces herself.
13:47 - Lori's failures: All my failures come from the times I forget to plan properly and communicate clearly.
17:01 - Lori's success: Launching two mastery-based schools, and the impact their students (scholars) felt. Building up those schools, and getting others to come along with her.
24:18 - What's got Lori excited about education right now:
28:14 - Lori's advice to teachers trying to have a student-focused classroom: Ask for feedback. Lots of feedback. Invite people into your room.
31:46 - 6 questions answered in 15 seconds or less.
34:40 - How to connect with Lori.

Lori's Recommendations

EdTech Tool: Google docs
Book: "In Search of Deeper Learning: the Quest to Remake the American High School" by Jal Mehta and Sarah Fine
Who to Follow:

Jen Gonzalez @cultofpedagogy
Catlin Tucker @Catlin_Tucker
Thomas Guskey @tguskey

YouTube/Podcast/Website/Blog: TED
Daily/Weekly/Monthly Routine:
1. Breathe, visualize your day, meditate, plan
2. Do a weekly review and visit another teacher’s classroom
3. Celebrate wins
Best piece of advice you've ever received:
1. Seek first to understand, then to be understood (Covey)
2. Remember that all parents love their children the best way they know how. (Gene Connolly)

Links to Connect With Lori

Website: lorimcewen.com
Twitter: @lorimcewen

AUDIO BLOG - Getting The Most Out Of Collaboration Time - Audio Blog Jul 24, 2019

Show notes

This is an audio version of the blog post, "Getting The Most Out Of Collaboration Time." Written by Bryan Zwemke (@BryanZwemke). Read by Rae Hughart (@raehughart)

Read the post at www.teachbetter.com/blog/getting-the-most-out-of-collaboration-time

In This Post:

Time to collaborate with colleagues is limited. We need to take advantage of it.
Working together towards a common goal takes flexibility, dedication, vision, a good sense of humor, and a positive mindset.
Collaboration time and meetings are not a single event on a single random day.
Meetings need to have a plan and protocols.
If you have it, work together with your teams to flex your time.
When teams are absolutely fried from the daily grind, don’t meet.

About Bryan Zwemke

Bryan Zwemke is a middle school principal in Illinois. He is the Vice President of the Association of Illinois Middle Schools (AIMS) and the co-founder of the #aimsnetwork Twitter chat. Bryan is currently in a doctoral program for Education Leadership. As a veteran of middle level education, Bryan has developed a passion for the necessary change toward the #ModernMiddleSchool – a ecosystem dedicated to student growth, collaborative spaces and practices, and research supported techniques to long term success. You can connect with Bryan on Twitter @bryanzwemke or via email at bryandzwemke@gmail.com.

87: Principal On A Skateboard – Michael Earnshaw chats with us about getting back the real you, the importance of modeling what you expect from others, and why he doesn't care about test scores. Jul 22, 2019

Show notes

The Principal on a Skateboard, Michael Earnshaw, chats with us about getting back the real you, the importance of modeling what you expect from others, and why he doesn't care about test scores.

Michale shares why we need to get out of our comfort zones, how you can use "speed dating" with your staff, and why if you know in your heart that what you want to do is right for kids, you need to just try it.

More at www.teachbetter.com/podcast/michaelearnshaw

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