ClassCast Podcast

In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, early elementary education expert Megan Moffett describes her "ideal" school. A standard ClassCast question, Ms. Moffett responds with enthusiasm and a clear vision -- an elementary school that focuses on play, collaboration, social-emotional learning, age-appropriate skills, and reading.  Her goals are lofty, but what makes them truly great is that they are practical and attainable -- nothing except stubborn stakeholders, cautious administrators, and dusty legislation prevent us from reinvigorating elementary education as Ms. Moffett envisions in this 6-minute clip. Let us know what you think!

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, early childhood education expert and teacher Megan Moffett talks with host Ryan Tibbens about the essential elements of education for preschool and early elementary students in hopes of helping parents navigate "homeschooling" and COVID-19 school closures. Ms. Moffett focuses on the benefits of purposeful play, guided practice, flexibility, stress-reduction, and -- above all -- reading. Several ClassCast listeners have requested an early-childhood episode just like this in recent weeks; this discussion should address the needs so many of us are experiencing. If you or someone you know is struggling with (or stressed about) helping young children to keep learning while staying at home, this highlight clip contains essential advice, research, and grace for parents. 

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.025, host and high school English teacher Ryan Tibbens offers some simple suggestions for this year's Teacher Appreciation Week and then reminisces about some of his most influential teachers, offering them thanks for their efforts along the way. If you want to hear more about how teachers impact future teachers, or if you ever attended school with Mr. Tibbens, this clip may have something special for you -- it is far more personal than most ClassCast Podcast discussions.  

THANK YOU to all the educators working hard to help others!

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This clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.025 features host Ryan Tibbens addressing the current problems facing teachers' compensation, largely resulting from the COVID-19 social distancing and business closures which seem likely to set off a recession. Many plans for reopening schools next year call for staggered schedules, more teacher cleaning duties, increased technology dependence, blending learning, and more -- and that's not even considering the health risks many teachers will face. Teachers, school boards, and tax-payers should all be cognizant of the pressures on teacher compensation and how those changes may affect both the short and long-term strength of the profession.  With budget cuts coming, most teachers remember pay freezes, furloughs, and other problems from a decade ago; but the current changes in education may require different administrative and fiscal plans if teachers are going to be asked to do even more in the course of providing education and safety for the nation's youth.

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This clip from ClassCast Podcast features host Ryan Tibbens examining grading and arguing for a variation of pass/fail grading at all times. "Any argument you make against grading right now works just as well any other time." Grades distract from learning; promote external, rather than intrinsic, motivation; increase anxiety; and waste time. During COVID-19 closures, many school divisions across the nation have adopted some variety of pass/fail grading, and where the works is made optional, people act amazed at the changes in student motivation and behavior. We need to re-examine our grading systems to increase true learning, student motivation, and equity. 

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.025, host Ryan Tibbens addresses one of the most significant challenges facing schools as they make plans to reopen -- substitute teachers. Most school divisions across the country already struggle to hire enough substitutes, and COVID-19 will exacerbate that problem next fall. Most substitutes are older, making them at higher risk of infection and serious illness. How many people are willing to risk their health for a crummy part-time job that pays $11-$14 per hour? As we plan to reopen schools, most people are thinking about separating desks, staggering schedules, and disinfecting buildings.  Everyone seems to be overlooking the most obvious problem of all -- the teachers, not the students, are at greatest risk. What will we do when large numbers of teachers are out of work for two weeks or more (even if they are asymptomatic, a positive test will yield a required absence)?  

All our preparations and contingency plans must address the need for substitutes and increased blended learning.  Host Ryan Tibbens outlines those issues and a path forward in this clip. 

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This episode of the ClassCast Podcast features host and teacher Ryan Tibbens discussing four topics in relation to COVID-19 and school closures: 1) the need for more substitute teachers and blended learning, 2) teacher pay and new responsibilities, 3) Teacher Appreciation Week 2020, and 4) Grading.  In each section, Tibbens identifies problems or concerns that all community stakeholders should consider and offers insights and solutions.  In Part 3, Teacher Appreciation Week 2020, he takes a more personal approach than most ClassCast clips by thanking many of his own teachers and explaining their impacts on his life.   
(Note: The four clips cut from this episode do contain some additional commentary and information that did not fit into this full episode's upload. Most content is the same, but additional details, particularly in Part 3, are available in the highlight clip.)

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ClassCast Podcast Ep.024 features talented AP Government teacher and former baseball State Coach of the Year Jason Miller speaking with host Ryan Tibbens about the value of sports, winning titles, valuing family, teaching AP classes, improving schools, pedagogy, as well as how Coronavirus closures have affected personal routines, sports recruiting, class discussions, and more. Mr. Miller is a talented teacher, accomplished coach, and sincere family man -- listeners have much to gain from his insights into our education and sports institutions. 

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In this highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.024, acclaimed teacher Jason Miller speaks with host Ryan Tibbens about how to improve schools -- increasing vocational, technical, and entrepreneurial programs -- and what students actually get from school now. The ClassCast Podcast is all about how education institutions can be improved, and Miller offers great common sense solutions that are both progressive and in keeping with many other guests' suggestions. 

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In this highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.024, acclaimed teacher Jason Miller speaks with host Ryan Tibbens about how Coronavirus closures and the shift to online schooling impacts soft skills, teachers' impacts on students, and ensuing class discussions, particularly at the high school level.  If you're a teacher, student, or parent considering how closures might affect your student, or how teachers might address the pandemic in class discussions, this clip provides great perspectives. 

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