In this conversation author and educator Gina Giordano Byrne shares strategies that we can use to create a thriving classroom culture. 

Topics Covered:
Gina:

1. Create a classroom environment where students feel safe and comfortable to push outside of their comfort zone

2. Make it visible to the students that success is filled with mistakes and learning moments.

3. Normalize mistakes in the classroom

4. Put ideas and concepts into terms students understand.

5. Make concepts relatable to students. 

6. You can give the same message to multiple different ages by bringing content down or up to the students level.

7. Creative a classroom culture where positive peer pressure helps encourage students.

8. Help your students create a “Band of Believers” that will cheer them on.

9. Teach students about positive self talk vs. negative self talk

10. Make students truly feel heard.

11. Walk students through a problem. Help them find their own solutions.

12. Get to know who the students are and let the students know who you are. 

13. Let your students know that they are part of a family. Help create that safe place feeling.

14. The mood and tone of the building makes the students feel safe.

15. Students should have people in the building that they feel safe talking to.

16. When getting students to step outside of their comfort zone start with something that peaks their interest. 

17. Give students different opportunities and environments to challenge themselves.

18. We are our own Superheroes! 

Gina's Bio:
Gina Giordano is the author of Otis the Trash Talking Octopus to be released in 2023 by Mascot Kids (Amplify Publishing). She also published Yet in 2022. She is an educator in Virginia Beach City Public Schools with over 20 years experience working with elementary school aged children, most of those years in gifted education. She has written many stories and poems over the years to teach her students about a variety of topics and is now putting them into the world for all to enjoy.  

Book link:
https://www.amazon.com/Yet-Gina-Giordano/dp/164543513X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=K89HR8OBX96U&keywords=yet+gina+giordano&qid=1679201293&sprefix=Yet+gina%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1

Website:
https://www.ginagiordanoauthor.com

Social Media:
Twitter: @ginabyrne68

 Instagram: @ginagb68