Classroom Matters

This is episode #62 of "Classroom Matters" by Educate.Today.  We are a program dedicated to speaking with some of the most outstanding educators in the nation, covering different topics in the world of teaching and learning.

On today’s episode I will be sitting down with Dr. Stephanie Ryan, a chemist,  boy mom, and a social media influencer who enjoys using her background to create superior educational products and content.  Although an academic at heart, Dr. Ryan is passionate about learning through play and can be found helping young kids explore the fascinating world around them. Over the years, Dr. Ryan has taught science to all age groups, both in and out of the classroom, helping toddlers learn about their world and college students define theirs. She is an active member of the chemistry education community and is currently a committee member of the International Activities Committee for the Division of Chemical Education.

During this conversation we will be discussing why teaching chemistry to young kids so scary for parents and how parents and teachers can expose and teach students about chemistry without fancy chemicals, supplies or textbooks.

Links to: 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/letslearnaboutscience/

Website - http://letslearnaboutscience.com/

Classroom Matters Host - Kristy Houle

Podcast Producers - Jessica Pierce and Kristy Houle

Podcast Audio Editing - Jessica Pierce

Educate.Today Executive Director - Tim Gore

This is episode #61 of "Classroom Matters" by Educate.Today.  We are a program dedicated to speaking with some of the most outstanding educators in the nation, covering different topics in the world of teaching and learning.

On today’s episode I will be sitting down with author, career coach and innovative thinker, Holly Sharp as we discuss how to help kids discover career options and interests so they can grow into happy adults. Along with this mission, Holly also works with parents to help them overcome the stress of finding the right hobbies and interests for their kids to help set them in the right direction. Holly talks about working with teachers around approaching the "career" topic with greater purpose in the classroom and her book Dream It & Do It, which presents kids with 100 different career and modern-day role models.

During this conversation we will be discussing why we should stop asking kids, "What do you want to be when you grow up,” the three-step process for developing career interests and advice for parents at every stage of the career choice process.

Links:  https://www.dreamitanddoitkids.com/

Classroom Matters Host - Kristy Houle

Podcast Producers - Jessica Pierce and Kristy Houle

Podcast Audio Editing - Jessica Pierce

Educate.Today Executive Director - Tim Gore

Megan Sweet is an author and systems-thinker who has been in education for more than twenty-five years. She's been a teacher, school administrator, and school district leader.  Megan also has a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and her academic and professional interests rest mainly with how to create effective change in educational contexts. She's passionate about meditation, mindfulness, and the power of love to heal our world.  Megan believes that when we approach educating our youth from the inside-out, by building a supportive and heart-centered connection with ourselves first, we have the confidence and resilience to tackle the important work of transforming our educational settings. Megan shares her unique approach to school change in her book, An Educator’s Guide for Using Your 3 Eyes.

During this conversation we will be discussing the idea behind the "inside out approach" in education and how it impacts student learning, relationships and the overall educational experience for kids and the top 3 challenges we are facing in our educational system today. 

Website:    https://www.your3eyes.com/

Book Purchase Link: 

https://www.amazon.com/Educators-Guide-Using-Your-Eyes-ebook/dp/B07KS2C5S6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=using+your+3+eye+book&qid=1622573423&sr=8-1

Classroom Matters Host - Kristy Houle

Podcast Producers - Jessica Pierce and Kristy Houle

Podcast Audio Editing - Jessica Pierce

Educate.Today Executive Director - Tim Gore

Children have been isolated at home for months, staring at screens, and parents are looking to summer camps as a critical opportunity for social interaction, physical activity and enriched learning. Getting kids moving and socializing are top priority as we move into the summer months.

According to the 2021 Summer Camp Outlook by Blue print4SummerSTL, 82% of responding STL regional families plan to send their child to in-person camp this summer. 

On today's episode of Classroom Matters I will be chatting with Zasmine Johnson of Blueprint4SummerSTL as we discuss how this organization is tackling this issue head-on . 

Classroom Matters Host - Kristy Houle

Podcast Producers - Jessica Pierce and Kristy Houle

Podcast Audio Editing - Jessica Pierce

Educate.Today Executive Director - Tim Gore

On today’s episode I will be sitting down with Suzanne DeMallie, who is not only a driving force in the world of educational change, but also a breath of fresh air for parents and educators across the globe.  Suzanne is a former math teacher, advocate for auditory reform and the author of the book Can You Hear Me Now?  where she exposes the unsettling reality of our classrooms with a brutally honest account of the policies and practices that leave so many children behind.

During this conversation we will be discussing the challenges that educators face when attempting to make educational change and initiating courageous conversations. 

Led by Sports Foundation Director Solomon Alexander, the Musial Moments
program was inspired by the life and legacy of the great Stan Musial. The
Musial Moments program was created to help schools and organizations
foster kindness, character, and respect among young people My guest today,
Solomon Alexander is a former teacher, experienced public speaker and
authority on sportsmanship, Solomon encourages students to have fun, be
good and play right. He motivates students to show kindness, integrity and
selflessness, just as Stan The Man did during his illustrious career and life.
Also during this episode we will discuss the challenges that students and
parents face maintaining sports involvement during the pandemic and
strategies that can be used to stay active.

Classroom Matters Host - Kristy Houle
Podcast Producers - Jessica Pierce and Kristy Houle
Podcast Audio Editing - Jessica Pierce
Educate.Today Executive Director - Tim Gore

 On today’s episode I will be sitting down with former educator, Brittany Long as we dive into the topic of how to realize your talents in the teaching world and how to know when to move on. Brittany Long is a former science teacher turned freelancer and entrepreneur who now works from home and is the host of the Life After Teaching podcast. Brittany knows what it's like to feel burned out, tired and desperately wanting more for her life, and although she still advocates for great teachers in the classroom, she also helps teachers find whatever path brings them joy. During this conversation we will be discussing the challenges that educators might face with making a smooth transition out of teaching and what steps to take when making the decision to either stay or go.

Classroom Matters Host - Kristy Houle
Podcast Producers - Jessica Pierce and Kristy Houle
Podcast Audio Editing - Jessica Pierce
Educate.Today Executive Director - Tim Gore

Darrion Cockrell joined a gang by age 10, navigated the challenges of the foster care system, struggled to find love and security during his adolescence, but with the help of his teachers became a teacher himself -- one of the best in Missouri, in fact.  Cockrell, or "Mr. DC" as his students affectionately call him, was named Teacher of the Year by the Missouri Department of Education earlier this year.    

During this conversation we will discuss his journey into education and how being named Teacher of the Year has changed his outlook on teaching and life in general. We will also discuss the impact that his prior challenges and the title of Teacher of the Year has had on being a husband and father.

On today’s episode I will be sitting down with Dr. Bryan Pearlman as we dive into the topic of how to meet a student’s human needs before academic needs. Dr. Bryan Pearlman is a veteran educator/school administrator, a mental health therapist, PD leader, keynote speaker, and adjunct professor. He is the author of two books: Maslow Before Bloom: Basic Human Needs Before Academics released in May 2020 & Whatever It Takes For All Students To Succeed In School and Life, released in January 2019. Dr. Pearlman is also the co-founder and board member of the mental health non-profit DSMHW.org.

During this conversation we will be discussing the challenges that educators might face with this approach in a remote learning setting and strategies that can truly make a difference in struggling students. 

Classroom Matters Host - Kristy Houle

Podcast Producers - Jessica Pierce and Kristy Houle

Podcast Audio Editing - Jessica Pierce

Educate.Today Executive Director - Tim Gore

On today’s episode I will be sitting down with Bob Chapman, Chairman and CEO of St. Louis based Barry-Wehmiller. Over the last two decades Bob has dedicated his work and life to creating an environment where people feel truly valued and cared for.  In his book Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family, Bob writes about his journey to find his true calling, going behind the scenes as his team tackles real-world challenges with caring, empathy, and inspiration.

During this conversation we will be discussing the challenges that educators face in leadership positions and how the truly human leadership approach can turn disgruntled, burned out teachers into high-performing teams. 

Classroom Matters Host - Kristy Houle

Podcast Producers - Jessica Pierce and Kristy Houle

Podcast Audio Editing - Jessica Pierce

Educate.Today Executive Director - Tim Gore