Today, we explore the role of a teacher as an activist in the classroom. Our good friend and experienced educator - Aiyeshia Wong - gets at the heart of what it means to be an educator in a polarizing political climate. As a high school English teacher, she helps us navigate some key and relevant questions: What is your responsibility as an educator to teach issues of social justice? How, if at all, should you approach teaching these current political issues that are controversial but very real in your classroom? Afterwards, we hear about the challenges of working in a school where complacency is the norm, budget cut implications, and much more. Happy listening! 

S0 Ep 6 - Teaching as Activism

Counting down the days until the end of the year? Escape the stress of school with Class Dismissed, a podcast designed for educators by educators. Each week, we swap real stories - funny and heartbreaking - from our daily lives in school and beyond. Join us to hear lively debate on policy issues, questions from listeners seeking advice, and ridiculous stories from a day in the life of an educator. In a profession that is all-consuming, we need a place to discuss the good and the bad - without censorship or judgement. Tune in on the drive home. These are the conversations that need to be had...after the kids leave. Class Dismissed is hosted by Cristin Kelly, Andy Schmitz, & Cal Wysocki. Follow the show @ClassDismissedu.

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Andy, Cal, and Cristin interview Anna Pavechevich, longtime educator and current Principal at Amundsen High School in Chicago. They also talk about the closure of Hope High School, how childhood trauma can manifest as illness, and the importance of not coaching teachers on minutia. Finally, they take a call from a leadership coach who is wondering what to do when you believe that someone you support is just not right for the role they are in. Episode Information: What's on our Mind: 2:50 Interview: 30:44 Phone Call: 49:07

S1 Ep 11 Anna Pavechevich

The recent school shooting is on everyone's mind, included the educators at Class Dismissed. Andy, Cal, and Cristin also talk to Allison Hansen, the Director of Clinical Experience at Marian University, about how their program marries theory and practice and prepares new teachers to be classroom ready on day one of the job. Finally, the CD team fields a call from a teacher going through the all-too-typical February dilemma of whether or not to stay at her school for another year. Is the grass really greener at another school? Give a listen to find out! Episode Details: 2:10--What's on Our Mind 17:00--Allison Hansen Interview 33:45--Caller at a Crossroad about leaving their school  

S1 Ep 10 Allison Hansen

Chicago was blasted by some old school snow last week which kept Andy, Cal, and Cristin out of the studio. They will be back in two weeks with a brand new episode, and, in the meantime, leave you with a throwback episode. Please enjoy this episode with our very first guest ever, high school ELA teacher activist and all around all star Ms. Ayeishia Wong.

We Had a Snow Day! So Here's an Awesome Repeat Episode

Andy, Cal, and Cristin sit down with Bill Kennedy, the Director of the Urban Teacher Education Program at UChicago, to talk urban teacher residencies and new teacher preparation. They also field a call from a teacher dealing with an intrusive supervisor and talk about everything from the tension between traditional and progressive methods of education, the merits (and problems) with subsidized teacher housing, and why the data on Chicago students' recent academic gains is so contentious.  Segment Timing Info: What's On Our Mind: 1:50 Interview with Bill Kennedy: 31:20 Call and Advice: 55:24

S1 Ep9 Bill Kennedy

Happy Winter Break! Cal, Andy, and Cristin are spending their winter break making Class Dismissed even better for you, but they need your help! Take a listen for how YOU can help contribute to the Class Dismissed content.

S0 Ep 6 - Teaching as Activism

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