Difficult Student

Difficult Student

By John VergaraEducation
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Difficult Student episodes

  • MS Math Teacher | Eric Glen | #21

    Eric Glen, Middle School Math Teacher, discusses his role as a coach, teacher, and mentor, emphasizing the connection he forms with the students. The discussion touches on the misconception that teaching is solely about academics, emphasizing the importance of teaching life skills and character building. The conversation explores the importance of maintaining power and control in the classroom, handling student misbehavior, and building relationships with students and their families.

    59 min
  • Parenting a Child With SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) | Alex Mojarro | #20

    Alex Mojarro is a Father, parenting a child with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). In this conversation, Alex shares his son Diego's diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and the challenges they faced. Alex also discusses the emotional journey of receiving the diagnosis and shares his experiences as a parent of a child with a disability and offers advice to other parents in similar situations.

    57 min
  • 6th Grade Dual Immersion Teacher | Laura Vazquez | #19

    Laura Vasquez, a sixth-grade dual immersion teacher, discusses her experience teaching in a dual language program. She highlights the significance of routines and procedures in the classroom and the use of questioning techniques to redirect students. Laura's approach to teaching is centered around respect, understanding, and individualized support. Laura emphasizes the importance of prioritizing relationships with students over content and shares tips for future educators

    48 min
  • Mash Makhlyagina | SPED Advocate/Coach | #17

    In this conversation with Mr. Vergara the educator, Mash, a special education advocate and coach from Seattle, Washington, discusses the complexities of coaching teachers. They cover challenges such as evolving student needs, systemic flaws, and building inclusive classrooms. Mash emphasizes collaboration, support, and practical solutions for overwhelmed teachers while also stressing the importance of recognizing neurodiversity.

    53 min
  • Thomas Gelardi | ES PE Teacher | #16
    This conversation explores strategies for building strong teacher-student relationships within physical education. Tom Gelardi delves into the importance of establishing routines, using social media for engagement, and adapting PE for various settings. He stresses the use of videos, personal development for classroom management, and the value of building positive connections with students. Tom also addresses challenges faced by PE teachers and the need to change educational stereotypes.
    53 min
  • Karen Bures | After School Program Director | #15

    Karen Bures, the executive director of a nonprofit afterschool program, discusses her experience in the education system and the inspiration behind starting her after school program. The program focuses on skill building, social-emotional learning, and academic support. Karen highlights the positive impact the program has had on students' self-regulation and academic engagement. In this conversation, Karen and John discuss the ineffectiveness of suspending students and the need for alternative approaches to behavior management. They emphasize the importance of building relationships with students and creating a positive classroom environment.

    1 hr 2 min
  • Dylan Alter | 1st Year MS Teacher | #14

    In this conversation with Mr. Vergara the Educator, Dylan Alter, a first-year eighth-grade US history teacher in Naples Florida, discusses his experience and insights. Dylan also talks about the challenges and rewards of teaching eighth graders, particularly their uncertainty about their future careers. He emphasizes the importance of encouraging students to pursue their dreams while also teaching them the value of hard work and consistency. Dylan discusses the role of social media in shaping students' career aspirations and the need for teachers to provide guidance and support. He also shares his strategies for building relationships with students and creating a positive classroom environment. The conversation touches on the reasons why teachers quit, including underfunding in schools. They conclude by sharing tips for future educators, such as being involved in the school community and not getting discouraged by bad days.

    56 min
  • Octavio Fierros | MS PE Teacher | #13

    Octavio Fierros, a middle school physical education teacher, discusses his experiences and challenges in the field with Mr. Vergara the Educator. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students and understanding their behavior. Octavio shares creative strategies for engaging students and encouraging physical activity, even during remote learning. He highlights the importance of building relationships with students and creating a safe and welcoming environment in the PE class.

    49 min
  • Rhea Davis | Educational Advocate | #12

    In this conversation with Mr. Vergara the Educator, Rhea Davis, an Educational Advocate and former special education teacher, discusses the importance of advocacy for parents and the challenges within the education system. She shares her experience starting her own business to provide accessible advocacy services for families. Rhea emphasizes the need for parents to understand their rights and navigate the special education process effectively. She also highlights the significance of building relationships with students, addressing difficult behavior, and creating a positive classroom environment.

    44 min

About Difficult Student

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We explore how to connect with students with challenging behavior through real stories and strategies from educators.

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