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EP 009 | Transatlantic Teaching: a Conversation with Transitioning High School Teacher, Aliya Scott

From the UK to Indiana, Li has taught high school health and social care in London for 8 years in a prestigious cosmopolitan school. She has spent the last decade teaching culinary classes in inner city -> rural districts in the US for the last few years. In addition to her work in the classroom, she has also established an international travel chapter with over 150 students and families to venture abroad.

Li discusses the separation of personal & professional life in Europe vs America, taking care of your mental health (see: Sunday Scaries), and transparency around the financial realities of a 2 teacher household. Li speaks to the absolute joy she has found in the classroom, and shares stories of mixing her passion for travel and teaching, and her desire for more growth opportunities within education.

This episode brings up topics ranging from traveling with educational tours, balancing postpartum depression and going back to the classroom, & why she has is pivoting in her career. Li is a remarkable individual - 1st generation college student inspiring her students and families in the classroom & abroad (her inspirational student memory will give you chills). Her stories will definitely leave you enlightened on the realities many teachers are facing, and inspired about the future realities of educators.

Find out more about Li here !

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EP 008 | Side Hustles & Podcast Management: a Conversation with Learning & Development Specialist, Ethan Silva

Tuning in from Texas for this episode, Georgia & Christine chat with Ethan, Making the Grade’s podcast launch manager & fellow educator. Ethan truly embodies the essence of a teacher - encouraging, knowledgeable, and always honing his skills. A self-described lifelong learner, Ethan has transitioned out of his role as a middle school teacher and now works in learning and development as well as podcast management. He is still connecting with the education community by raising teachers’ voices in spreading their messages via podcasting. 

Calling it “one of the hardest decisions he has ever had to make”, Ethan describes his transition leaving the classroom and the realities teachers face in finding a balance of livelihood and passion. This episode covers the financial realities of side hustles, his own journey to podcast management (which began in his OWN classroom!), and recommendations for education reform. Ethan speaks about the importance of bringing passions into the classroom as a source of motivation. 

A huge influence in Making the Grade coming to life, Ethan shares the behind the scenes of how 2 teachers in Boston connected with a podcast manager in TX to bring an idea to life. “Is our millennial showing?” - Ethan dishes about his preferred methods of contact (hint: it’s not a phone call) & you will definitely want to hear his favorite movies and show from the 90’s. Ethan’s wisdom and one-liners will leave you feeling inspired to spend time on what sets your soul on fire - and if you’re like Christine and Georgia, maybe SO inspired that you just start your own podcast.

Find out more about Ethan here !

Ethan’s Podcast Management Business: 

Instagram: @Mr_SilvaLinin @thepoduild

Website: www.thepodguild.com

Email: [email protected]

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EP 007 | From the moment we connected with Locha, we could just feel her passion. After a decade in the classroom as an English Language Arts teacher, Locha realized that her goals for herself and how she wanted to impact the education world needed to shift. And she is now doing the work…bringing school communities together by having critical conversations about the diverse history of all people, sharing their stories & uncovering how this affects the current ways we relate to each other.

Calling it “the largest class project that I have ever participated in”, Locha created the internationally recognized consulting organization, 1st Class Educators LLC. She specializes in staff development and enjoys assisting organizations and educators with providing strategically aligned culturally responsive practices.

From Starbucks hacks to dissecting generational ideas of race, Locha is truly making waves in not only the education community, but also the larger networks of those being impacted from this profound work. This episode covers diversity and equity practices, tangible resources for staff development  & the importance of loving what you do (“you gotta be happy!”) . If you are looking for a fresh perspective from a fellow (homeschool) teacher & renowned consultant, look no further!

Find out more about Locha here !

Link to Locha’s Consulting Program: https://bit.ly/3HRSYJA

Book Locha reference: “Everyday Antiracism: Getting Real about Race in School” by Mica Pollock

https://books.google.com/books/about/Everyday_Antiracism.html?id=HdeLW41dxn0C

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EP 006 | Thinking Like a Teacher: a Conversation with Matt Foster

Georgia & Christine are coming at you from Florida today in a really candid conversation with former principal turned curriculum designer, Matt. It’s clear why Matt was an effective educator & principal  - his story feels like listening to a really motivating TED Talk! 

Matt shares how leaving the classroom allowed him the ability to care for himself - he found time to get back into swimming, baking, and even lost 50 pounds in the process.

This episode brings up topics ranging from taking care of yourself “there’s only ONE you!”, how our soft skills as educators are our biggest asset, & some favorite memories from his classroom days. If you are curious about curriculum design & wanting to learn more about the impressive clients Matt has worked with (hint: 1 institution is older than our country & NOT related to education), make sure to tune in!

Find out more about Matt here !

Matt’s consulting business: https://www.diversifiedlearning.org/


Book resource Matt recommends from the show:
https://www.rickhanson.net/resilient/

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EP 005 | On this next episode of Making the Grade podcast, Georgia & Christine are back in the classroom talking to 1st-grade teacher of 10 years (& Georgia’s cousin!), Meghan. This episode really gets into it - as passionate as Meg is about what she does, she also gives her hot takes on the struggles she & other educators are facing as an educator, mom & individual.

This one is full of authentic moments: from balancing motherhood & teaching, standardized testing, & the little moments that keep Meghan in the classroom doing what she loves.

This episode brings up topics ranging from finding support with coworkers, how the pandemic changed society’s perspectives on teachers (for better THEN worse), & finding your Disney moments as a teacher. If you are in the field & looking for a refreshing & real account from a fellow teacher, you don’t want to miss this one!

Find out more about Meghan here !

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EP 004 | On this next episode of Making the Grade podcast, Georgia & Christine chat with transitioned teacher Kristen about her unique perspectives as a mom & educator who knows the importance of taking a step back (three times!) from the classroom to reflect & explore. Kristen’s journey is “bumpy” or not linear, and it’s a good reminder for all educators (& individuals) to remember that sometimes our heart can get there before our head does.

This conversation covers it all: from Lizzo’s advice on perfectionism, navigating the barriers many teachers & parents face getting students the services they need, to why the classroom environment is so important.

Kristen, a former educator turned interior designer, chats with Christine and Georgia about her career in education and how her experiences at home and in the classroom coincided to show her the next steps. This episode brings up topics ranging from compassion fatigue, the draw of the classroom community, & how experimenting with your passion in the classroom can help you find your next big thing. Listen in for more!

You can find the link to her resources & gorgeous design business mentioned in the episode here:

Kristen’s book: The Purposefully Busy Book: A Silly Educational Busy Book Designed To Foster a Love of Learning. https://a.co/d/iziZE76

Kristen’s design business: https://kiteastondesigns.com/

Find out more about Kristen here !

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EP 003 | "I teach, what's your superpower?" This is a phrase that many of us have heard, or have maybe even seen on teacher-themed decor or a gift one of our students gives us during the holidays.

When you hear it so often, it loses its meaning-- but on today's episode, Georgia and Christine are talking to Andrea, who seems to embody the phrase all on her own.

Andrea, a bilingual Pre-K teacher, joins the conversation with Christine and Georgia about her history in education and how her personal experiences have shaped her career (as many of us can relate). This episode brings up topics ranging from the ESL classroom, Sunday School, and how to balance it all while being a busy mom. Tune in for more!

You can find the link to her Donor’s Choose page mentioned in the episode here:
https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom/8817596

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EP 002 | On the second episode of Making the Grade podcast, Christine and Georgia talk to Amanda, an international teacher who took a chance and moved from Massachusetts to Southeast Asia to teach kindergarten at an international school. Amanda shares how the international teaching community is welcoming and supportive, and how she found comfort in the similarities between schools around the world.

Amanda also discusses her experience teaching at a school for refugees and how education can empower individuals and communities. The importance of community building and the positive impact of education are front and center of the conversation, as well as Amanda’s current experience in her grad program at Harvard studying education policy. Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights into teaching abroad and be inspired by Amanda’s unique perspective on education!

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EP 001 | In the debut episode of the Making the Grade Podcast, educators Christine and Georgia share their insights on classroom success and the challenges and rewards of teaching. Christine’s personal experience with an exchange program is discussed, providing a unique perspective on education and expanding one’s worldview. Listeners will gain valuable insights from the hosts’ personal experiences as educators and their passion for exploring the different aspects of teaching.

Throughout the episode, Christine and Georgia share their motivations for starting the podcast and explain their goal of creating a valuable resource for current and former educators. With engaging discussions on teaching and education, this episode sets the stage for future conversations that will provide valuable insights for educators and those considering either entering or exiting the field. 

About Christine

Christine is a former K-12 special education teacher of 9 years who currently works with undergraduate and graduate students in all areas of supporting new teachers. 

Since leaving the traditional classroom, she has been tutoring, instructing workshops, and teaching classes at local colleges in areas of teacher training.

About Georgia

Georgia began teaching right after college and most recently was a Pre-K teacher at a public school for 9 years until 2022.

Leaving the classroom had nothing to do with Georgia’s love of students and fellow teachers, or of being an educator! In fact, teachers are one group of people she works with in her business, and she uses her own teacher skills every day in her new creative design career too.

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Welcome to Making the Grade, an Education podcast for current and former teachers to share notes, define success, and assess their own happiness in the classroom and beyond. We are your hosts, Christine and Georgia. 

The problems in education may seem endless, but so are the possibilities. Listen, laugh, and leave our episodes empowered. Find your own success as an educator and an individual.

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