No more, "I am just a teacher."

We need just teachers - those who teach and lead for justice. After all, teaching is the profession that makes all others possible.

In this introductory episode of Just Schools, Jon Eckert and Erik Ellefsen highlight some of the key elements of how "Just Schools" are supported by "Just Teaching." And we unpack the importance of focusing on the F.E.W. core elements of teaching to simplify increasingly complex work. F.E.W stands for feedback, engagement, and well-being. When we begin to address these F.E.W elements for each student, we can truly begin to teach for justice.

For an in depth look at the F.E.W core elements of teaching, pre-order Jon's book, Just teaching: Feedback, engagement, and well-being for each student.

The Just Schools Podcast is brought to you by the Baylor Center for School Leadership. Each week, we'll talk to catalytic educators who are doing amazing work.

Be encouraged.

Timestamps

[1:40] - Find out why teachers should stop introducing themselves as "just teachers."

[3:00] - Jon discusses why a teacher's well-being is so important.

[3:40] - How can teachers focus on individual students during this polarized time?

[4:20] - Jon and Erik explain why it's important for teachers to be both confident and humble.

[5:00] - Teaching on a human level will help teachers find joy.

[6:02] - When teachers value themselves and their colleagues then public policy makers will value teachers as well.

[7:00] - How the F.E.W core elements of teaching can create just schools.

[9:00] - Jon gives advice on how to keep passion while working in education.

[10:40] - Being in the classroom with students is where Jon finds his joy.

[13:05] - When teachers lead from the classroom they can have an impact upward.

[14:00] - Kids' attention spans are getting shorter. Jon discusses.

Resources:

The just teaching outcome model

Books:

Just teaching: Feedback, engagement, and well-being for each student by Jon Eckert

Connect on Twitter:

Center for School Leadership at Baylor University: @baylorcsl

Jon Eckert: @eckertjon

Erik Ellefsen: @epellefsen