Guest Bio: 

Christopher Younggren is an award-winning stage actor, playwright, director, public speaker, YouTuber and magician. He is currently a first year teacher, teaching 6/7 grade ELA at the Academy of Tucson in Arizona, where he has adapted his theatre training to enhance student engagement, via distance learning with a series of improv games designed for Zoom. He also has a YouTube Channel, Classroom Confidential, where he shares these and other student engagement techniques with educators for use in their own classrooms. 

 

Episode Summary: 

Today we talk about creating a positive classroom culture that promotes authentic engagement online. We’ll discuss passion and self-care as well as the importance of relationships and giving students grace. 

 

Timestamps:

What Christpher has learned during his first year of teaching online [3:20]

How a Russian theater practitioner can help us with engagement [5:40]

Morning meeting at middle school [9:20]

Value of community over curriculum [10:08]

Picking battles with discipline online [12:36]

Not just virtual learning, learning within a pandemic [13:30]

Kids are not adults and the impact of that fact [14:10]

Online teaching is a different job and that’s okay [15:48]

Letting go of “camera on” requirements [16:22]

Focus on what students are doing and thinking, not compliance [19:09]

Making sure all kids feel included [20:12]

Quieter ways for students to participate and engage online [21:00]

Planning lessons with students at the focus [24:36]

Passion as a necessary teaching tool [24:56]

Breaking down kids’ preconceived notions about learning [26:02]

Moving forward after a lesson flops [29:19]

Educators’ need to take care of themselves first [30:24]

The importance of having fun [32:30]

 

Resource Links:

Christopher’s YouTube Channel Classroom Confidential

Christopher’s Self-Care Video

Christopher’s ZoomProv Games

WellCheq.com