School Appropriate with Pat Potter

The guests have returned!  Rafal is a high school social studies teacher with experience at two different suburban Chicago high schools.  In Episode 14, he shares his insight on helping students to become more compassionate, the creativity that comes from remote learning, and staying grounded.  Enjoy! The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved.  They do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer.

The first day of school in the midst of a global pandemic is in the books!  In Episode 13, I share some of my experiences during Day One, including but not limited to: hiccups, missing water bottles, and sore feet.  Enjoy! The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved.  They do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer.

I'm on my own this week.  It's mid-August; teachers tend to be busy this time of year, dawg.  This episode I discuss the beginning of the school year and other shenanigans. Also keys. Keys come up several times in this episode. Enjoy!

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved.  They do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer.

Lauren is a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment and an Orientation and Mobility Specialist who works with dozens of students in multiple different schools.  In Episode 11, she details her responsibilities in helping students with different levels of impairment succeed and advocate for themselves, and how educational professionals can better support each other and their shared students. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved.  They do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer.

Find out more about the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act HERE!

Bernie is a high school band director in the Chicago suburbs.  He has more than 20 years of experience teaching students about music, performance, and as you'll hear in this episode, leadership.  In Episode 10, we discuss how to provide students with opportunities to grow, make mistakes, and take on greater responsibilities as leaders of their peers.  The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved.  They do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer.

Patrick is an international teacher with experience teaching multiple subjects, particularly math and physical education, across multiple different grades.  So far, he has taught in Thailand, Poland, and Uganda, and will be relocating to South Korea later this year.  In Episode 9, he shares his thoughts on his decision to go overseas, the challenges and rewards to teaching in foreign countries, and the the universal qualities of students around the world. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved.  They do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer.

Tom is a band teacher at an arts middle school in Florida.  In Episode 8, we discuss the opportunities afforded to students by the arts, teaching during the pandemic, and the work to be done to improve education in our country.  He is also one of the masterminds of the National Friendship League Podcast, a podcast about fantasy football and, more importantly, friendship.

Learn more about Diane Ravitch here.

Read David Berliner's "Effects of Inequality and Poverty vs. Teachers and Schooling on America's Youth" here.

Listen to the National Friendship Podcast here. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved.  They do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer.

Kelsey is a social studies teacher in Chicago Public Schools with seven years of experience.  In Episode Seven, we discuss how teachers have to change and reflect on what we do in light of the racial injustices in the United States, and how teachers can help future generations understand their role in fighting against racism and discrimination. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved.  They do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer.

Photo credit: https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/heal/how-to-respond-to-racial-oppression/

After an uncharacteristically long hiatus, Episode 6 focuses on parallels between the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and teaching, as well as how the current state of race relations and the resulting protests against societal injustice will inform the roles and responsibilities of educators in the future. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved.  They do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer.

Nora is a teacher in Rhode Island.  She has a wealth of experience teaching multiple different grades, and currently teaches both teens and adults.  In Episode 5, she joins me to discuss, among many other things, how teachers can maintain their mental and emotional health and the numerous different ways that she teaches her students to write effectively and passionately.

Nora is also part of the Rhode Island Writing Project's New Teacher Camp, an online professional development course for teachers in the early stages of their career.  If you're interested, check it out here! The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved.  They do not necessarily reflect the views of any employer.

Finally, as mentioned in the episode, Nora is a writer and poet herself.  Check out her published work here!