Difficult Student

Difficult Student

By John VergaraEducation
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Difficult Student episodes

  • Victorio Gutierrez | LAUSD School Board Candidate #11

    In this conversation with Mr. Vergara the Educator, Victorio Gutierrez shares his journey of running for the District 5 board member seat in LAUSD. He talks about the importance of prayer and feeling a calling to run for office. He emphasizes that he is not backed by unions and will not ask for their money or endorsement. Victorio addresses the issues of indifference and lack of transparency in the district and the need for change. He also discusses the importance of addressing homelessness, safety, and the quality of school food and water. Victorio emphasizes the need for tough love and building relationships with students and parents. He concludes by addressing the challenges of the school budget and the importance of addressing the needs of students and the community.

    47 min
  • Jenny Hernandez | MS Dean #10

    In this conversation with Mr. Vergara the Educator, Jenny Hernandez, a middle school dean, discusses her role and the challenges she faces in building relationships with students and addressing their behavior. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the reasons behind student actions and creating a safe space for them to express themselves. Jenny also shares her approach to consequences and apologies, highlighting the need for trust and rapport with students. She discusses the balance between discipline and support, as well as the importance of positive interactions and small gestures in building relationships. Jenny also reflects on the ongoing work of teachers and the need to adapt to changing student needs and technology use. The conversation covers topics such as teaching during COVID, the changing education landscape, avoiding teacher burnout, building relationships with students, and tips for future educators.

    54 min
  • Principal Skeewee | Principal Primary Center | #9

    Michelle Thomas is a principal at a primary center in Texas. In this conversation we talk about transitioning from a teacher to a principal at the same school, developing a school mission and vision, how to handle misbehavior in the classroom, creating systems and routines for success, and much more

    55 min
  • April Williams | Assistant Principal #8

    April Williams is an administrator in Los Angeles. She discusses her experiences and insights in education. She shares her background and role as a middle school college and career coach, focusing on supporting students during the transition from middle school to high school. April and I discuss the challenges we face in our roles as administrators and the importance of creating a safe space for students. We also explore the strategies we use to build relationships with students and support teachers in managing difficult behavior.

    1 hr 8 min
  • George Vlahakis | HS History Teacher #6

    George Vlahakis is a HS History Teacher working out of the city of Illinois. He has been a HS Teacher for the last 15 years. In this conversation, Mr. Vlahakis shares his experience and strategies for effective classroom management. He discusses the implementation of a hand signaling procedure to reduce disruptive behavior and create a more orderly classroom environment.

    1 hr 1 min
  • Molly Johnson | MS ELA Teacher #5

    Molly Johnson discusses her experiences as a teacher and the importance of building relationships with students. She shares her insights on managing stress in the classroom and maintaining work-life balance. Molly also emphasizes the need for a shift in education to focus on empathy, resilience, and inspiring students. She highlights the impact of trauma on student apathy and the role of teachers in breaking the cycle.

    1 hr 4 min
  • Brandon Piasecki | 5th Grade Stem Teacher #4

    Brandon Piasecki, a teacher passionate about science, discusses his journey from Teach for America in Mississippi to teaching fifth-grade science in Stockton, California. He addresses combating student apathy using music, technology, and creativity in lessons. Brandon shares insights on navigating social media as an educator and handling negative comments on TikTok. Topics include behavior management, creating a positive classroom culture, balancing consequences, mental health benefits of running, content creation joy, and combating teacher burnout. Brandon offers tips for educators on wellness, emphasizing mindful communication, wellness-boosting activities, effective planning, and defining an ideal classroom, setting expectations, and prioritizing personal wellness for future educators.

    1 hr 16 min
  • Jose Pacheco MS Counselor #3

    Summary

    In this episode, Mr. Vergara interviews Jose Pacheco, a middle school counselor, about the impact of building positive relationships with students. They discuss the cultural differences between schools in different regions, the importance of infusing culture in counseling, and the inspiration behind Jose's career in education. They also explore the role of counselors in handling difficult student behavior and reaching checked-out students. The conversation highlights the significance of teaching character traits and implementing restorative practices in schools. Jose shares tips for future educators and discusses his social media presence and personal experiences with educator burnout.

    Takeaways

    • Building positive, respectful, and supportive relationships with students is crucial for their academic and emotional growth.
    • Cultural differences in schools can significantly impact the way students interact and engage with their education.
    • Infusing one's own culture in counseling can help students feel seen, understood, and supported.
    • Restorative practices and restorative conversations can be effective in addressing student behavior and promoting accountability.
    • Future educators should be proactive in building relationships, have patience and empathy, and be open to learning and adapting to different school environments.

      • 44 min
    • Sergio Vera Assistant Principal Episode #2

      Summary

      In this conversation, John and Sergio discuss the importance of building positive relationships with students and teaching good character. They also explore the use of restorative practices in resolving conflicts and promoting empathy. Sergio shares his experiences as an educator and offers tips for preventing teacher burnout. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by educators, particularly in terms of evaluation and recognition. It also explores the importance of effective communication and building relationships with students. The main takeaways include the need for improved evaluation processes, the impact of assumptions and miscommunication, and the importance of getting to know students.

      Takeaways

      • Building positive relationships with students is essential for their academic success and personal growth.
      • Teaching good character and modeling positive behavior helps students develop important life skills.
      • Restorative practices can be effective in resolving conflicts and promoting empathy among students.
      • New teachers should not be afraid to make mistakes and should focus on building routines and managing behavior. Educators often feel undervalued and lack proper evaluation and recognition.
      • Miscommunication and assumptions can lead to misunderstandings and frustration.
      • Building strong relationships with students is crucial for effective teaching.
      • Young educators should focus on getting to know their students and not taking themselves too seriously.


        • 49 min

      About Difficult Student

      From the publisher's feed

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

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