Teach Me, Teacher

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#216 Decolonizing the Creative Classroom (Felicia Rose Chavez pt.2) Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

Hello everyone! If you have been paying attention to the news surrounding education at all, then you have probably heard people debate over terms like anti-racism, whiteness, decolonization, and white supremacy. As someone who is deeply invested in being better for my students, I feel like it's my duty to understand these highly contentious debates, the terms used, and why certain parties feel the way they do. In part 2 of my discussion with Felecia Rose Chavez about the Anti-Racist Writing Workshop, we dive into her personal experiences in the writing workshop, and open up the above terms in ways I believe truly help everyone involved learn why these terms are used, and what they actually mean in the context of our work in the classroom. Felicia Rose Chavez is an award-winning educator with an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from the University of Iowa. She is author of The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop: How to Decolonize the Creative Classroom and co-editor of The BreakBeat Poets Volume 4: LatiNEXT with Willie Perdomo and Jose Olivarez. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, she currently serves as the Creativity and Innovation Scholar-in-Residence at Colorado College. You DO NOT want to miss this one. If you missed it last week, click here. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann—the leading publisher of professional books and resources for educators—and their professional book, Start Here, Start Now: A Guide to Antibias and Antiracist Work in Your School Community by Liz Kleinrock. Most of us want to help cultivate an antibias and antiracist classroom and school community, but we don't know how or where to start. This book helps us set ourselves up for success and prepare for the mistakes we'll make along the way. Start Here, Start Now addresses the challenges that educators committed to antibias and antiracism face every day. Liz provides concrete strategies to overcome some of the barriers that prevent us from engaging in this work and includes lessons and activities we can start using in our classrooms right away. This book will help break habits that hold us back from this work, as well as build positive, sustainable teaching for the future. Start Here, Start Now is available as a book, ebook, and audiobook. To learn more and download a sample, visit Heinemann.com.

#215 The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop with Felicia Rose Chavez (pt.1) Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

Hello everyone! If you have been following me on social media at all, then you have seen me gush about The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop book by Felicia Rose Chavez. After ten pages I was sold. After twenty I had nearly as many screenshots taken of key phrases and insights. By page thirty, I was certain I needed to bring Felicia's powerful voice onto the show. Luckily, she agreed, and I could not be more excited to bring this to you today. Felicia Rose Chavez is an award-winning educator with an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from the University of Iowa. She is author of The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop: How to Decolonize the Creative Classroom and co-editor of The BreakBeat Poets Volume 4: LatiNEXT with Willie Perdomo and Jose Olivarez. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, she currently serves as the Creativity and Innovation Scholar-in-Residence at Colorado College. In this episode, we dive into her insight into how an anti-racist writing workshop differs from the traditional workshop model, why we need to alter how we view the teacher as "master," and how altering our practices can empower the future voices of this country. You DO NOT want to miss this one. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann—the leading publisher of professional books and resources for educators—and their professional book, Start Here, Start Now: A Guide to Antibias and Antiracist Work in Your School Community by Liz Kleinrock. Most of us want to help cultivate an antibias and antiracist classroom and school community, but we don't know how or where to start. This book helps us set ourselves up for success and prepare for the mistakes we'll make along the way. Start Here, Start Now addresses the challenges that educators committed to antibias and antiracism face every day. Liz provides concrete strategies to overcome some of the barriers that prevent us from engaging in this work and includes lessons and activities we can start using in our classrooms right away. This book will help break habits that hold us back from this work, as well as build positive, sustainable teaching for the future. Start Here, Start Now is available as a book, ebook, and audiobook. To learn more and download a sample, visit Heinemann.com.

#214 A Talk on Race, Equity, and Advocacy in Schools (Peter Mishler pt.2) Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

Hello everyone! Last week, Peter Mishler and I discussed his book, FOR ALL YOU DO (which you should buy). This week, we examined one of his beliefs—the belief that self-care for teachers also includes advocating for what is best for students. This inevitably led us into a discussion on Critical Race Theory, current legislation issues, and discussing why teaching is inherently a political act. I loved this discussion, because it wasn't planned. This was two teachers talking about advocacy and what that means in today's climate. Teach Me, Teacher has always faced the real world head on, and this episode is no different. I believe this episode will be one of many that mentions Critical Race Theory, as we all work through the facts before us, and what they mean for our schools. While this discussion covers hot button issues, I believe it is done in a way to invite teachers into a place of safety for thinking about Critical Race Theory, and any other contentious issue. Teach Me, Teacher is not a place that forces ideas down your throat, it is a place that allows us to think, question, advocate, and support the kids in our schools. Many of us have different views on how to do this, and we should be listening to each other as we navigate the changing landscape before us. Peter is a high school English teacher of thirteen years and has twice been named Teacher of the Year at schools in New York and Kansas. His first collection of poems, Fludde, published by Sarabande Books in 2018, won the prestigious Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry. Peter is also a regular contributor to Literary Hub, and the author of his latest book, For All You Do. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann—the leading publisher of professional books and resources for educators—and their professional book, Start Here, Start Now: A Guide to Antibias and Antiracist Work in Your School Community by Liz Kleinrock. Most of us want to help cultivate an antibias and antiracist classroom and school community, but we don't know how or where to start. This book helps us set ourselves up for success and prepare for the mistakes we'll make along the way. Start Here, Start Now addresses the challenges that educators committed to antibias and antiracism face every day. Liz provides concrete strategies to overcome some of the barriers that prevent us from engaging in this work and includes lessons and activities we can start using in our classrooms right away. This book will help break habits that hold us back from this work, as well as build positive, sustainable teaching for the future. Start Here, Start Now is available as a book, ebook, and audiobook. To learn more and download a sample, visit Heinemann.com. Teachers, if you're looking for new ways to elevate your classroom and accelerate learning – then listen up! RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8!That's right – less than $30 a year. RISE identifies learning gaps and creates a unique learning sequence and pace for each child. Covering over a thousand key grade learning objectives in math and ELA, teachers get real-time feedback and progress.Plus, kids can access RISE offline too through the app. Teachers, check out RISE today for your students!Go to mheonline.com/rise1. RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8. That's so affordable! Check out RISE today.

#213 For All You Do with Peter Mishler (pt.1) May 31, 2021

Show notes

Hello everyone! As one of the hardest years is winding down, many of us are thinking about self-care. We're eyeing the beach turning off alarm clocks, and getting ready to have some serious R&R with our loved ones. But if you're like me, maybe that self-care looks different. Maybe taking on special projects rejuvenates you, or even (gasp), thinking about teaching and the changes you will make next year is how you recover during the summer months. Regardless of your perspective, I think my talk with Peter Mishler will enlighten you on your personal journey to self-care and recovery from the year that will be defined for all of us as the PANDEMIC year. Peter is a high school English teacher of thirteen years and has twice been named Teacher of the Year at schools in New York and Kansas. His first collection of poems, Fludde, published by Sarabande Books in 2018, won the prestigious Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry. Peter is also a regular contributor to Literary Hub, and the author of his latest book, For All You Do. In this episode, we dive into why he write the book—which isn't as obvious as it might seem, and then meander through various topics, such as receiving PD from people outside of teaching, the art of being a rebel vs a yes-man, and questioning traditional methods to self-care heaven. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann—the leading publisher of professional books and resources for educators—and their professional book, Start Here, Start Now: A Guide to Antibias and Antiracist Work in Your School Community by Liz Kleinrock. Most of us want to help cultivate an antibias and antiracist classroom and school community, but we don't know how or where to start. This book helps us set ourselves up for success and prepare for the mistakes we'll make along the way. Start Here, Start Now addresses the challenges that educators committed to antibias and antiracism face every day. Liz provides concrete strategies to overcome some of the barriers that prevent us from engaging in this work and includes lessons and activities we can start using in our classrooms right away. This book will help break habits that hold us back from this work, as well as build positive, sustainable teaching for the future. Start Here, Start Now is available as a book, ebook, and audiobook. To learn more and download a sample, visit Heinemann.com. Teachers, if you're looking for new ways to elevate your classroom and accelerate learning – then listen up! RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8!That's right – less than $30 a year. RISE identifies learning gaps and creates a unique learning sequence and pace for each child. Covering over a thousand key grade learning objectives in math and ELA, teachers get real-time feedback and progress.Plus, kids can access RISE offline too through the app. Teachers, check out RISE today for your students!Go to mheonline.com/rise1. RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8. That's so affordable! Check out RISE today.

#212 In Defense of the Literary Canon with Matthew Ryan (pt.2) May 24, 2021

Show notes

Teach Me, Teacher has released a lot of episodes about literacy, books, choice, and fostering a love for reading in students. In several of those episodes, we have discussed the literary canon, and its role in modern classrooms. In general, those episodes do not put the canon in a positive light. Because I believe in diverse viewpoints and giving several sides to an issue, I wanted to change the one sided look at the literary canon on Teach Me, Teacher and bring on someone who not only defends it, but uses sound reasoning for doing so. In this episode, I am returning with Matthew Ryan — a high school teacher and host of #CanonChat on Twitter. Last week we discussed why he believes the canon should be taught, and in this episode, we look into how he teaches it... among many other things! If you missed part one, click here. If you are familiar with the canon debates, or are just passionate about books and how to use them in the classroom, this is a great discussion worth your time. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann—the leading publisher of professional books and resources for educators—and their professional book, Writing Unbound: How Fiction Transforms Student Writers by Thomas Newkirk. Writing Unbound is about the value of writing fiction in secondary classrooms. Tom Newkirk asks a tough question: if reading fiction is the center of most English classrooms, why is writing fiction often ignored? Why do we separate fiction reading and fiction writing? Tom argues that when our writing curriculum is too analytical, students think of "writing" as impersonal, formulaic, and…well…boring. He says that opening a door to fiction writing can ignite students' interest and convince them of the value of writing. He even argues that allowing kids to write fiction will improve their analytic writing. Learn more about how fiction can transform student writers. Visit Heinemann.com to download a sample from Writing Unbound. Teachers, if you're looking for new ways to elevate your classroom and accelerate learning – then listen up! RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8!That's right – less than $30 a year. RISE identifies learning gaps and creates a unique learning sequence and pace for each child. Covering over a thousand key grade learning objectives in math and ELA, teachers get real-time feedback and progress.Plus, kids can access RISE offline too through the app. Teachers, check out RISE today for your students!Go to mheonline.com/rise1. RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8. That's so affordable! Check out RISE today.

#211 In Defense of the Literary Canon with Matthew Ryan (pt.1) May 17, 2021

Show notes

Teach Me, Teacher has released a lot of episodes about literacy, books, choice, and fostering a love for reading in students. In several of those episodes, we have discussed the literary canon, and its role in modern classrooms. In general, those episodes do not put the canon in a positive light. Because I believe in diverse viewpoints and giving several sides to an issue, I wanted to change the one sided look at the literary canon on Teach Me, Teacher and bring on someone who not only defends it, but uses sound reasoning for doing so. Matthew Ryan is a high school teacher and host of #CanonChat on Twitter. In this discussion, we start by examining why educators are casting out the canon and why he believes we shouldn't. From there, we examine how educators who support #DisruptTexts and educators like himself have a lot more in common than debates on Twitter might allow for teachers to realize. If you are familiar with the canon debates, or are just passionate about books and how to use them in the classroom, this is a great discussion worth your time. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann—the leading publisher of professional books and resources for educators—and their professional book, Writing Unbound: How Fiction Transforms Student Writers by Thomas Newkirk. Writing Unbound is about the value of writing fiction in secondary classrooms. Tom Newkirk asks a tough question: if reading fiction is the center of most English classrooms, why is writing fiction often ignored? Why do we separate fiction reading and fiction writing? Tom argues that when our writing curriculum is too analytical, students think of "writing" as impersonal, formulaic, and…well…boring. He says that opening a door to fiction writing can ignite students' interest and convince them of the value of writing. He even argues that allowing kids to write fiction will improve their analytic writing. Learn more about how fiction can transform student writers. Visit Heinemann.com to download a sample from Writing Unbound. Teachers, if you're looking for new ways to elevate your classroom and accelerate learning – then listen up! RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8!That's right – less than $30 a year. RISE identifies learning gaps and creates a unique learning sequence and pace for each child. Covering over a thousand key grade learning objectives in math and ELA, teachers get real-time feedback and progress.Plus, kids can access RISE offline too through the app. Teachers, check out RISE today for your students!Go to mheonline.com/rise1. RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8. That's so affordable! Check out RISE today.

#210 The Continued Loss of a Generation with Jennifer Sey May 10, 2021

Show notes

When I released my 2 part episode with Brian Mendler saying SCHOOLS SHOULD BE OPEN, many were quick to react. While most of Teach Me, Teacher's listeners were positive and supportive of this episode, many came out of the woodwork to spout ad hominem attacks at myself and Brian. A select few of honest and passionate listeners offered valid criticisms and counter points, to which I quickly engaged with readily. I love quality discussions. Brian's episode was 5 months ago. People still email me with letters of thanks for speaking to the issues of schools being closed. This season of the podcast has been defined by Covid—understandably so—and yet I can't say I expected to see teachers, unions, and politicians questioning whether schools should be open this coming August. With many schools open and safe, vaccines rolling out in record numbers, and data to support school openings (including both Trump and Biden administrations), I figured all schools would be opening their doors again to the students and families who need them to be. But they aren't, and Jennifer Sey has a lot to say about it. Jennifer is the author of Chalked Up and is a proud parent and supporter of teachers and public schools. She has taken up the rough fight to advocate for schools to open, and for teachers and kids getting back in the classroom. In this talk, we examine the attacks she has faced in her advocacy for schools, why she left California, the political nature of school closures, and ultimately, why school doors should be open, especially this coming fall. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann—the leading publisher of professional books and resources for educators—and their professional book, Writing Unbound: How Fiction Transforms Student Writers by Thomas Newkirk. Writing Unbound is about the value of writing fiction in secondary classrooms. Tom Newkirk asks a tough question: if reading fiction is the center of most English classrooms, why is writing fiction often ignored? Why do we separate fiction reading and fiction writing? Tom argues that when our writing curriculum is too analytical, students think of "writing" as impersonal, formulaic, and…well…boring. He says that opening a door to fiction writing can ignite students' interest and convince them of the value of writing. He even argues that allowing kids to write fiction will improve their analytic writing. Learn more about how fiction can transform student writers. Visit Heinemann.com to download a sample from Writing Unbound. Teachers, if you're looking for new ways to elevate your classroom and accelerate learning – then listen up! RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8!That's right – less than $30 a year. RISE identifies learning gaps and creates a unique learning sequence and pace for each child. Covering over a thousand key grade learning objectives in math and ELA, teachers get real-time feedback and progress.Plus, kids can access RISE offline too through the app. Teachers, check out RISE today for your students!Go to mheonline.com/rise1. RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8. That's so affordable! Check out RISE today.

#209 Can You Hear Me Now? (Suzanne DeMallie pt.2) May 03, 2021

Show notes

Hello everyone! If you have been following me AT ALL on social media, you know I talk about change a lot. Not just change I think should occur in the school system, but changes other people believe should occur as well. But one aspect I have struggled with is how to make change happen at all. Sometimes, it feels like the system of public education is too big to change in any meaningful way… And yet, Suzanne DeMallie made significant change by being an advocate and educator, and now she is pushing for us to continue talking about change and taking action to do so. Last week, we dove into the overview of what change can look like, and in this episode we dive into the steps it takes to make change happen at various levels. Suzanne DeMallie taught for seven years in the Baltimore County Public Schools system. Research into her own son's learning difficulties led her to author the Classroom Auditory Learning Issues resolution, adopted by the National PTA in July 2007. Her work has appeared in Our Children Magazine, T.H.E. Journal, Towson Times, and The Baltimore Sun. She has presented at the National School Boards Association's Annual Convention; to national, state, and local PTA groups, and to politicians. Suzanne was awarded the National PTA's Life Achievement Award in May 2007, the highest honor from the nation's largest child advocacy organization. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann—the leading publisher of professional books and resources for educators—and their professional book, Writing Unbound: How Fiction Transforms Student Writers by Thomas Newkirk. Writing Unbound is about the value of writing fiction in secondary classrooms. Tom Newkirk asks a tough question: if reading fiction is the center of most English classrooms, why is writing fiction often ignored? Why do we separate fiction reading and fiction writing? Tom argues that when our writing curriculum is too analytical, students think of "writing" as impersonal, formulaic, and…well…boring. He says that opening a door to fiction writing can ignite students' interest and convince them of the value of writing. He even argues that allowing kids to write fiction will improve their analytic writing. Learn more about how fiction can transform student writers. Visit Heinemann.com to download a sample from Writing Unbound. Teachers, if you're looking for new ways to elevate your classroom and accelerate learning – then listen up! RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8!That's right – less than $30 a year. RISE identifies learning gaps and creates a unique learning sequence and pace for each child. Covering over a thousand key grade learning objectives in math and ELA, teachers get real-time feedback and progress.Plus, kids can access RISE offline too through the app. Teachers, check out RISE today for your students!Go to mheonline.com/rise1. RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8. That's so affordable! Check out RISE today.

#208 Advocating for Change with Suzanne DeMallie (pt.1) Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

Hello everyone! If you have been following me AT ALL on social media, you know I talk about change a lot. Not just change I think should occur in the school system, but changes other people believe should occur as well. But one aspect I have struggled with is how to make change happen at all. Sometimes, it feels like the system of public education is too big to change in any meaningful way... And yet, Suzanne DeMallie made significant change by being an advocate and educator, and now she is pushing for us to continue talking about change and taking action to do so. Suzanne DeMallie taught for seven years in the Baltimore County Public Schools system. Research into her own son's learning difficulties led her to author the Classroom Auditory Learning Issues resolution, adopted by the National PTA in July 2007. Her work has appeared in Our Children Magazine, T.H.E. Journal, Towson Times, and The Baltimore Sun. She has presented at the National School Boards Association's Annual Convention; to national, state, and local PTA groups, and to politicians. Suzanne was awarded the National PTA's Life Achievement Award in May 2007, the highest honor from the nation's largest child advocacy organization. This episode is sponsored by Heinemann—the leading publisher of professional books and resources for educators—and their professional book, Writing Unbound: How Fiction Transforms Student Writers by Thomas Newkirk. Writing Unbound is about the value of writing fiction in secondary classrooms. Tom Newkirk asks a tough question: if reading fiction is the center of most English classrooms, why is writing fiction often ignored? Why do we separate fiction reading and fiction writing? Tom argues that when our writing curriculum is too analytical, students think of "writing" as impersonal, formulaic, and…well…boring. He says that opening a door to fiction writing can ignite students' interest and convince them of the value of writing. He even argues that allowing kids to write fiction will improve their analytic writing. Learn more about how fiction can transform student writers. Visit Heinemann.com to download a sample from Writing Unbound. Teachers, if you're looking for new ways to elevate your classroom and accelerate learning – then listen up! RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8!That's right – less than $30 a year. RISE identifies learning gaps and creates a unique learning sequence and pace for each child. Covering over a thousand key grade learning objectives in math and ELA, teachers get real-time feedback and progress.Plus, kids can access RISE offline too through the app. Teachers, check out RISE today for your students!Go to mheonline.com/rise1. RISE Math and ELA program bundles from McGraw Hill, are less than $30 a year for grades 3 through 8. That's so affordable! Check out RISE today.

#207 Collective Belief with Dr. Jim Van Allan Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

Hello everyone! These days, positivity is difficult to come by. It might be easier than this time last year, but I think most of us can agree that we aren't living in the best of times... because of this, many of us are struggling to create a positive school culture in our classrooms, and community at large. Jim Van Allen is here to help us realize we can change this trajectory, and work together to create spaces WE ALL want to be in, students and staff alike. Through the power of collective belief and teacher efficacy, we can all put in the effort to foster healthy school environments. Dr. Jim Van Allan is the Vice President of Schools for The Jon Gordon Companies. He leads The Energy Bus for Schools and The Power of Positive Schools groups. The mission is to help schools create a positive culture that creates positive results. The programs accomplish this by providing sustainable and ongoing professional development, coaching, and workshops for schools across the country. Jim has worked with international best-selling author Jon Gordon for 15 years. Additionally, Jim is a Professor of Communication Studies for Keiser University and teaches public speaking and interpersonal communication fully online. His Ph.D. research was on using 'The Energy Bus' curriculum to create a positive campus culture at a model school in Ohio. Jim lives with his wife and two boys, ages 6 and 4, in sunny South Florida. Energy Bus for Schools: https://energybusschools.com/ Power of Positive Schools: https://www.powerofpositiveschools.com/ Jim's Podcast: https://communicatetomotivate.libsyn.com/ This episode is sponsored by Heinemann—the leading publisher of professional books and resources for educators—and their professional book, Writing Unbound: How Fiction Transforms Student Writers by Thomas Newkirk. Writing Unbound is about the value of writing fiction in secondary classrooms. Tom Newkirk asks a tough question: if reading fiction is the center of most English classrooms, why is writing fiction often ignored? Why do we separate fiction reading and fiction writing? Tom argues that when our writing curriculum is too analytical, students think of "writing" as impersonal, formulaic, and…well…boring. He says that opening a door to fiction writing can ignite students' interest and convince them of the value of writing. He even argues that allowing kids to write fiction will improve their analytic writing. Learn more about how fiction can transform student writers. Visit Heinemann.com to download a sample from Writing Unbound.

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