Hello everyone! It is no secret that times are changing...and have changed. Kids seem different. Behavior is all over the place (regardless of the level you work at). There are pressures from seemingly every angle...

And yet, there is still joy to be found. Don't believe me? Well, no need. I brought back Ms. Chyna to the podcast to talk about all the things she is grateful for in this work, while also acknowledging the many difficulties all educators are facing.

Ms. Chyna is a behavioral special education teacher, otherwise known as @especiallysped on Instagram, and is insightful, relatable, and always helpful.

In part 1 of this discussion, we cover:

1. Why she is a special education teacher
2. How Covid has affected many parts of our jobs
3. Student behavior
4. The need to find the people who bring you joy (not misery!)

...and so much more!

This episode is sponsored by Heinemann—the leading publisher of professional books and resources for educators—and their new book, Whispering in the Wind: A Guide to Deeper Reading and Writing Through Poetry, by Linda Rief.

Do your students cringe when you teach a poetry unit? Do you? Whispering in the Wind is Linda Rief's latest book and it's a cure for poetry agony.

This book shows you how to launch a simple, self-directed student poetry project that will help your students read more poetry, respond to it authentically, and maybe even discover that they actually enjoy it.

Focusing on poetry really can make your students stronger readers and stronger writers.

And you'll finally have a plan for teaching poetry that you'll love too.

Learn more and download a free sample at Hein.pub/Whispering.