We’re starting to wrap up 2019 and that means the 12 Days of PodcastPD is coming soon! From December 25 – January 5 we will be sharing 1 podcast recommendation per day. We’d love for you to be a part of it and contribute! Go to podcastpd.com/feedback to send us audio and tell the PodcastPD community about an entire podcast or one episode we should listen to and why. Also, tell us about you and how people can connect with you. Get us your submissions by December 20, 2019.

Featured Content

Mike Brilla is currently a TOSA at Owen J. Roberts Middle School in Pottstown, PA. The school is located about 40 miles west of Philadelphia and they house grades 7 and 8 with roughly 900 students. Before becoming a TOSA, Mike taught Social Studies (since 2004) in both 7th and 8th grade at OJR. Aside from being a teacher, Mike is also an assistant wrestling coach at OJR and believes that much of what he does in his teaching and coaching is easily transferable.

We discussed:

1. Technology: When used correctly technology can absolutely bring us closer to one another and not further. I used to be one of those teachers that had kids work on projects in my room or watch videos on Zaption so I could check email and grade–it took me a while to fully take advantage of using that time to connect with my kids through conversation. I also have found and used a bunch of ideas to get to know your students and to constantly allow for them to express their own thoughts and feelings in class. 
2. Focus on the Kids: I once had a parent tell me I was a pretty good teacher but would be even better when I have kids of my own. At first, I was offended but then I thought about it and how right she was. I have constantly tried to remember that we are teaching people’s children, not just students. That framework has really helped me to put my students first. 
3. Kids Need It: I see it in my own kids, they are good with technology but they need to learn how to use it responsibly, productively and educationally. I recently read Marching off the Map and it hammered home the idea that now, more than ever, we need to be teaching the “soft skills” in class so our kids can develop meaningful relationships and navigate the uncertain waters their futures hold. 

What We’re Listening To

AJ: The 5 AM Miracle with Jeff Sanders – Episode 307: Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention w/ Nir Eyal – Nir Eyal is the author of the bestselling book, Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life., which is about the many options we have to keep our eye on the prize.

Chris: Work Your Podcast – Bonnie L. Frank and Emily Prokop deliver weekly podcasting and business strategies to help you balance podcasting and life, simplify the process, and grow your business.

Episode 1 – Why Podcast?

Mike: https://www.edmylett.com – Toney Gonzalez

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