For the final episode of Dear Teacher I interviewed two of my very first interviewees, Anne Grogan and Chrissie Lockman. Anne and Chrissie are both trained elementary school teachers turned homeschool moms who are passionate about education. In this interview they trade stories about out-of-the-box teaching ideas, how to survive the stress of homeschooling, and how to practice grace and good self-care.

Dr. Maureen Gallagher talks about her experiences teaching English at Slippery Rock University. She also reflects on the ups and downs of teaching during the pandemic.

Faculty developer Dr. Laurel Willingham-McLain shares insights from her career teaching and caring for teachers. From directing a university center for teaching and learning to consulting one on one with faculty during the pandemic, Laurel talks about adaptation, growth, and valuing people.

Your host Rachel becomes the interviewee! In this episode, learn about what it’s like to teach full-time high school, part-time college, and manage both during the pandemic. Podcast sound editor and husband extraordinaire Mike makes an appearance as interviewer.

Justin Fanzo teaches Game Design at Penn State University. Listen in as he shares why he chose the profession, the unique challenges and rewards of teaching game design, and what it was like to start a new position during the pandemic.

North Carolina Music teacher Ralph Shoemaker shares his experiences with adapting to the pandemic and reflects on why he pursued a career in music education.

Rachel Ferguson talks about her experiences working as an elementary school teacher at a private project-based school. She shares her school’s plan for navigating the pandemic face-to-face and remembers the women who inspire her to teach. Editing credits go to my super fabulous husband Mike.

Annie McCumber, homeschool teacher and mom of four, shares her love for homeschooling, her thoughts on unschooling, and her passion for math and reading.

History professor turned high school science teacher, Dr. John Wineland talks about the heroic feat of transitioning from teaching college to high school and from teaching history to science all while adapting to the pandemic in the public high school classroom.

When I was a graduate student, I was inspired by Dr. Danielle St. Hilaire‘s confidence as a woman in higher education. In part two of her two-part interview, Danielle talks about her experiences leading the Duquesne University English department during the pandemic, reminisces about the teachers who inspired her, and shares nuggets of wisdom from her own journey creating a persona and appearance that feel authentically hers in the classroom. She also shares insights from her own vantage point about the future of higher education post pandemic.