In this episode, Craig Randall interviews Malik Bryant, a dedicated educator at Martin Luther School, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. 

Malik shares his personal journey from pursuing a business degree to finding his calling in teaching, driven by his innate desire to help others. 

His story unfolds from his initial job roles to his impactful position at Martin Luther School, thanks to his brother's encouragement. Martin Luther School, specializing in social and emotional behavior support, has a unique approach to education, focusing on behavioral management alongside academic excellence to reintegrate students into their districts. 

Malik's transformative teaching methods, which emphasize understanding each student's needs, differentiation, and encouragement, are discussed. His approach, based on building strong relationships and fostering confidence through continuous encouragement and a rewards system, has had a profound effect on his students. 

The conversation delves into Malik's first-hand experiences and successful strategies in the classroom, emphasizing the importance of asking questions to promote self-learning among students, rather than providing answers. This approach ensures students grow academically and personally, fostering a positive learning environment. Malik's exemplary dedication to teaching and personal philosophy of making learning accessible and enjoyable sets a remarkable example for educators everywhere.

00:00 Introduction to Trust Based Observations with Malik Bryant

00:29 Malik Bryant's Journey into Teaching

02:59 The Unique Approach of Martin Luther School

05:36 Building Confidence and Relationships in the Classroom

07:01 Understanding and Adapting to Each Student's Needs

16:06 The Art of Questioning to Enhance Learning

18:45 Personal Teaching Philosophy and Building Student Confidence

In this episode Craig interviews Claire Littell, an English literature teacher at a Catholic high school in Ocala, Florida. 

Claire shares her unexpected journey into teaching, highlighting the critical role of mentorship and the importance of forming authentic, trust-based relationships with students. 

Despite initial challenges, including adapting to different school environments and student backgrounds, Claire discovered her passion for teaching through connecting with students on a personal level and leveraging literature to engage them deeply. 

Her strategy includes using puns for humor and building rapport, meticulously planning lessons to manage cognitive load, and employing literature as a tool for personal reflection and ethical consideration among students. 

The conversation underscores the transformative power of education when teachers genuinely invest in their students' educational and personal growth.

00:31 Claire Littell's Journey into Teaching

01:42 Challenges and Triumphs in Early Teaching Experiences

05:11 Building Relationships Through Vulnerability and Humor

06:09 The Impact of Mentorship on Teaching Paths

08:01 Deep Dive into Teaching Shakespeare

22:15 Utilizing Literature to Reflect on Life Choices

In this episode, Craig Randall interviews Stephanie Guy, an elementary teacher at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Boise, Idaho. 

Stefanie shares her journey from a career in fashion to becoming an educator, now in her ninth year. She discusses the positive impact of her customer service experience at Nordstrom on her teaching approach, emphasizing the importance of catering to students' needs. 

She elaborates on her teaching strategies, highlighting the use of songs, peer teaching, and student-led learning to enhance engagement and understanding. 

The episode explores Stephanie's focus on building a classroom community based on trust, respect, and high expectations, where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities. 

She also underscores the significance of visible learning, self-assessment, and feedback in fostering student ownership and success.

01:27 Stefanie's Journey from Fashion to Education

02:33 Incorporating Business Strategies into Teaching

03:41 Visible Learning and Student Engagement Techniques

11:01 Creating a Classroom Culture of Trust and Learning

13:19 Effective Classroom and Student Behavior Management

16:15 Building Strong Relationships and Community in the Classroom

18:03 Leveraging Music and Student Leadership in Lessons

24:32 The Power of Self-Assessment and Feedback in Learning

In this episode, Craig Randall hosts Jasmine Hanson, a dedicated educator with extensive experience in teaching, mentoring, and coaching from Lathrop, Missouri. 

Jasmine shares her journey through various educational roles, highlighting her transition from teaching elementary to middle school science, and her focus on classroom management and student engagement. 

She discusses the importance of building strong relationships with students, the challenges of teaching post-COVID, and the necessity of adapting teaching strategies to meet students' needs. 

Jasmine emphasizes the role of feedback, the impact of small changes in teaching practices, and the significance of creating a supportive learning environment that encourages student participation and growth. The conversation also covers strategies for managing diverse classrooms and fostering a culture of respect and understanding among students.

02:23 The Impact of Diverse Teaching Experiences

05:50 Classroom Management: Beyond Discipline

07:37 Building Relationships and Engagement in the Classroom

17:02 Innovative Teaching Strategies and Peer Learning

26:41 Embracing Growth Mindset in Education

Fostering Lifelong Learners with Rachel Solis

In this edition of '20 minutes of teaching brilliance on the road with trust-based observations', the host Craig interviews Rachel Solis, a dedicated sixth-grade reading and writing teacher from Trinity School of Midland, Texas, about her teaching journey and methods. Rachel shares her experiences teaching diverse groups of students over her nine-year career, including working with gifted and talented learners, English Language Learners, and public Title I schools before moving to an independent setting. She emphasizes the importance of building authentic connections with students, understanding their cultural backgrounds, and integrating their interests into the curriculum to make learning engaging and meaningful. Rachel discusses her strategies for classroom management, the significance of trust and relationship in teaching, and how her previous career in the medical field and her own educational experiences have shaped her teaching philosophy. The conversation highlights Rachel's commitment to creating an inclusive classroom environment where students are motivated to learn, feel supported, and are encouraged to become lifelong learners through thoughtful, differentiated instruction and high expectations.

00:00 Welcome to Trust-Based Observations with Rachel Solis
02:25 Rachel Solis: A Journey from Medical Field to Middle School Teaching
04:01 Building Relationships and Classroom Management for Effective Learning
09:02 The Power of Student Choice and Engagement in Reading
16:02 Strategies for Differentiation and Adaptive Practice
24:30 Understanding and Supporting Each Student Individually

In this episode, Craig Randall interviews Doris Cerda, a second-year Pre-K teacher specializing in working with children on the autism spectrum. 

Doris shares her journey from initially enlisting as a pre-nursing major to discovering her passion for teaching at the Boys and Girls Club, leading to her current role. 

Teaching in a high-need, Title I school in suburban Reno, Doris emphasizes the importance of establishing trust and routines in her classroom to cater to her students' specific needs. S

She highlights her strategies for building relationships, language development, and teaching routines to her autistic students, including the use of visual schedules, hands-on guidance, and consistent, patient modeling.

Doris also discusses the significance of collaboration with aides and specialists, utilizing data tracking for IEP goals, and continuously adapting her teaching methods to ensure the holistic development of her students. 

00:59 Doris Cerda's Journey into Teaching

04:04 The Impact of High Expectations and Persistence

06:01 Strategies for Building Routines and Relationships

09:06 Consistency and Adaptability in Classroom Management

16:34 Embracing Collaboration, Reflection, and Growth Mindset

22:07 The Importance of Data in Tailoring Student Learning

The episode covers a discussion between Craig Randall and Tiffany Goettle, a seasoned educator with a passion for teaching math, particularly to second graders.

Tiffany shares her journey through various grades and schools, emphasizing her love for making math engaging and accessible for her students. The conversation delves into specific teaching strategies employed in Tiffany's classroom, such as the 'Century Game' and 'Stick Flash' activities, derived from the Bridges Math Curriculum.

These activities utilize tangible tools and peer interaction to foster a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. Tiffany highlights the importance of strategic student pairing for effective peer learning, classroom management techniques, and the use of visual aids and whiteboards to enhance learning.

This episode also touches upon Tiffany's experiences with professional development and mentorship, underscoring the impact of inspired teaching on student engagement and understanding in math.

Connect with Tiffany here.

00:21 Meet Tiffany: A Journey Through Teaching
01:34 Diving into the Century Game
03:07 Exploring Stick Flash and Student Engagement
09:08 Strategic Pairing and Learning Through Teaching
14:21 The Importance of Early Year Socialization and Teaching Strategies
25:35 Reflecting on Mentorship and the Passion for Teaching Math
30:20 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode, guest Barb Duecker shares her extensive teaching experience and the importance of building a trust-based community in the classroom for effective learning. 

With over 40 years in education, Barb discusses her approach to capturing students' hearts, setting the stage for a successful year from day one by emphasizing empathy, understanding, and collective responsibility within the classroom. 

Through examples from her own teaching, Barb emphasizes the power of responsive teaching, role-playing, and using creative teaching strategies such as the Jigsaw method to foster engagement and comprehension, particularly in challenging subjects like math. 

The conversation touches on the significance of creating an engaging learning environment that encourages students to take risks, the role of trust in student-teacher relationships, and adapting teaching strategies to meet the moment, showcasing Barb's dedication to responsive and compassionate teaching.

00:31 Barb Duecker's Teaching Journey: 40 Years of Experience
01:27 Building a Classroom Community: The Importance of Trust and Engagement
09:24 Responsive Teaching: Adapting Lessons for Maximum Engagement
10:45 The Power of Jigsaw Method in Teaching and Learning
12:44 Responsive Teaching in Action: A Case Study
24:19 Reflecting on the Observation Process and Its Impact
25:33 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode, Craig Randal chats with Joleen Boelter, a math and science teacher from Ober Elementary School in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Boelter shares teaching strategies implemented in her classroom, particularly a method that emphasizes a student-centered framework grounded on trust-based observations. This involves establishing group work fostering peer evaluation, direct instruction, and individual self-assessment. 

She also uses tools such as a 'mild, medium, and spicy' system to motivate differentiation in problem-solving and incorporates descriptive progress feedback, primarily through inquiry-based questions. She also emphasizes the importance of developing resilience towards mistakes and fostering a nurturing yet challenging learning environment. 

01:07 Joleen Boelter's Journey to Teaching
02:03 The Transition to Teaching and Classroom Dynamics
02:53 The Power of Trust-Based Observations
04:22 The Role of Peer Assessment and Feedback
04:51 Building Thinking Classrooms: A Book Review
06:37 The Impact of Group Work and Student Autonomy
08:50 The Importance of Student Self-Assessment
28:48 The Power of Randomized Grouping
33:50 Conclusion: The Value of Trust-Based Observations

In this episode of 20 Minutes of Teaching Brilliance, the host, Craig Randall, author of the book "Trust-Based Observations" and the creator of the TBO model is joined by Mike Caldwell and Glen Woodburn, two experienced educators who have been trained in trust-based observation. Glen and Mike share their experiences using the TBO model in their schools.  

The concept of trust-based observations revolves around unannounced twenty-minute observations focused on building trust, enhancing teacher's risk-taking and innovation capabilities, and ultimately improving teaching and learning. 

00:00 Introduction to Trust-Based Observations
00:49 Guest Introduction: Glen Woodburn
00:57 Glen's Journey with Trust-Based Observations
04:55 Guest Introduction: Mike Caldwell
05:02 Mike's Experience with Trust-Based Observations
08:59 Understanding Trust-Based Observations
09:10 The Research Behind Observations
15:27 The Trust-Based Observations Model
16:38 The Impact of Trust-Based Observations
25:59 Future Plans for Trust-Based Observations
38:41 Closing Remarks