The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

224: Some Thoughts on Teachers Crying in the Classroom Mar 17, 2024

Show notes

Crying in front of your students can be a humiliating experience. Not the kind that happens when you're moved to tears by a poignant story or you react to upsetting news; those moments can actually bond you to your students. It's the kind that comes from frustration, shame, anger, or loss of control. It might be something you experience as a new teacher, but it can also happen well into your career. Regardless, if it happens to you, it can shake you up. In this episode, I share a few thoughts that might help.

Thanks to Edge•U Badges and EVERFI for sponsoring this episode.

To read a written version of this episode and find links to all the resources I mention, go to cultofpedagogy.com/crying-in-class.

223: Why Students Give You the Blank Stare, and What to Do About It Mar 03, 2024

Show notes

It's happened to so many teachers: You teach your heart out. Really just knock it out of the park. Then you ask a question all students should know the answer to … and nothing. What's going on? In this episode, educator and writer Blake Harvard offers four possible explanations for why we get the blank stare, along with four solutions that will help us see a lot less of it.

Thanks to Edge•U Badges and The Modern Classrooms Project for sponsoring this episode.

To read Blake's article, go cultofpedagogy.com/stare.

222: Building Better Collaboration Between Families and Schools Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

As our student population grows ever more diverse, many schools haven't been quite as successful as they'd like to be when trying to connect with students' families. If current efforts aren't working, it's time we tried a different approach. In this episode I talk with Nawal Qarooni, author of the new book Nourishing Caregiver Collaborations about the specific approaches teachers can take to more authentically involve families in their children's education

Thanks to Listenwise and Khan Academy Kids for sponsoring this episode.

For links to Nawal's book and a transcript of this conversation, go to https://cultofpedagogy.com/pod and choose episode 222.

221: The Photography Project That Showed Teachers Through a New Lens Feb 04, 2024

Show notes

When high school English teacher Dan Tricarico started taking photos of his colleagues, he didn't expect them to create new bonds among his staff. Teachers rarely get an opportunity to have their humanity and uniqueness showcased in this way, but these beautiful portraits do just that — and anyone with a smartphone can do the same thing for the teachers at their school.

Thanks to WeVideo and The Modern Classrooms Project for sponsoring this episode.

To view the full portrait gallery go to https://cultofpedagogy.com/pod and choose episode 221.

220: What do we do about standardized tests? Jan 21, 2024

Show notes

Standardized testing has, without a doubt, created a lot of problems in education, and far too often, our conversations about these problems end in statements like "we need to just get rid of them all" or "Oh well, nothing we can do to change things." In this episode, education researcher Jenn Binis joins me to talk about a different approach to solving the problems around standardized testing: moving away from all-or-nothing thinking and towards the idea of reducing harm. Jenn offers 5 specific strategies educators can take to make things better.

Thanks to NoRedInk and Edge•U Badges for sponsoring this episode.

Read Jenn's full blog post by going to cultofpedagogy.com/standardized-tests-what-to-do

219: Eight Ed Tech Tools to Try in 2024 Jan 10, 2024

Show notes

It's a brand-new year, and to celebrate the launch of the 10th edition of our Teacher's Guide to Tech, we're exploring 8 tech tools that are worth a look in 2024. I'm joined by my team of ed tech geniuses — Brandie Wright, Lucia Hassell, Kim Darche, and Marnie Diem — to talk about a collection of tools that can make your teaching richer, more efficient, and more satisfying. Enjoy!

Thanks to WeVideo and The Modern Classrooms Project for sponsoring this episode.

Check out the 2024 Teacher's Guide to Tech at https://teachersguidetotech.com.

218: How to Help Students Without Being a Savior Dec 10, 2023

Show notes

As a teacher, you probably find yourself in situations pretty often where you're made aware of a student having needs or challenges that exceed what your school typically offers them. The list of student needs in so many schools is never-ending, and your desire to help meet them is probably pretty strong, too. But attempting to meet these needs on your own — to become a kind of "savior" to your students — can not only lead to burnout for you, it's also not ultimately that helpful to the student long-term. In this episode Alex Shevrin Venet, author of the book Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education, returns to talk about the danger of getting into a savior mentality when helping our students, how to tell if you're slipping into that kind of thinking, and how to shift toward healthier and more helpful ways of thinking about and approaching student needs.

Thanks to NoRedInk and The Modern Classrooms Project for sponsoring this episode.

You can find links to Alex's book and a full transcript of our conversation at cultofpedagogy.com/savior-mentality/.

217: How to Talk about Race in Your Classroom Nov 12, 2023

Show notes

Our classrooms have the potential to be spaces where we learn how to have conversations about challenging topics with respect, curiosity, and kindness. Contrary to the voices that say race is not an appropriate topic for school, in this episode we're saying just the opposite. My guests are Matthew Kay, author of the book, Not Light, But Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classroom, and Jennifer Orr, Kay's co-author of the follow-up book, We're Gonna Keep On Talking: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Elementary Classroom. I talked with Matt and Jen about the value of discussion as a teaching tool, the elements that are necessary for creating a healthy ecosystem for race conversations, some strategies for having these conversations in organic and authentic ways, and a message for teachers working in states that are hostile to conversations about race.

Thanks to NoRedInk and The Modern Classrooms Project for sponsoring this episode.

You can find links to both books and a full transcript of our conversation at cultofpedagogy.com/classroom-conversations-about-race/.

216: Your Teachers Need a Win Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

I have no new strategies or tools or books to share with you this week. Nothing new to implement. Just a simple call to action for administrators to start giving your teachers more specific, genuine positive feedback. They need it.

Thanks to NoRedInk and The Modern Classrooms Project for sponsoring this episode.

You can read this podcast as a post at cultofpedagogy.com/your-teachers-need-a-win/.

215: Seventeen Tweaks That Make a Big Difference in Group Work Oct 01, 2023

Show notes

Cooperative learning can be a powerful learning strategy, but only if it works well. In this episode Connie Hamilton, author of Hacking Group Work, returns to the podcast to share 17 small changes you can try that will make group work more effective in your classroom.

Thanks to EVERFI and Verizon Innovative Learning HQ for sponsoring this episode.

You can read a full transcript of this podcast at cultofpedagogy.com/group-work-17-tweaks/.

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