The Amazing Teacher Podcast

In this episode, I share what I've learned about changing Johnny's bad behavior.

You know Johnny. He's the student that you go home talking about. Your family knows who Johnny is. When you go home happy, your family assumes it's because Johnny was absent.

Yes, that Johnny.

We spend the entire year, giving Johnny lectures about the how he needs to change his behavior, but nothing seems to get through. Then we take the next step: giving consequences.

We start small, like a detention or a loss of a recess. When the bad behavior continues, what do we do?

Right. We give greater consequences. We're trying to change his behavior by adding some kind of pain to his life, so that he considers the pain of the consequence before he chooses to act out. This is what think is an effective strategy for changing Johnny's behavior.

What I've discovered, however, is that we've been doing it all wrong.

In this podcast, I share that in order to change Johnny's behavior,  we have to change what Johnny believes.

It's a statement based on a lot of good research out there.

Once we understand this, we can focus on what really will have an impact on changing Johnny's bad behavior - changing what Johnny believes.

There are four questions that we need to answer in order to change Johnny's behavior.

In this episode, I only have time to talk about the first question:

What does Johnny believe about education?

I wish I would have known this earlier in my career. I would have had better success with my Johnnys.

Take a listen. Share it with a friend who might be struggling with their Johnny.

Until next time,

Be amazing!

Thanks,

Sam

Welcome amazing teachers to the 35th episode of the Amazing Teacher Podcast.

In this episode, I share what I call, The Amazing Teacher Goal Creation Formula.

You can find more details on the Formula at SuccessInTheClassroom.com, where I take the different parts of the formula, and write a post for each.

In the podcast, I share how success in the classroom begins with setting a goal. What happens, however, is that the goals we create are often times never reached for one reason or another. We either get distracted or discouraged, and we end up never reaching our true success.

That is where the Amazing Teacher Goal Creation Formula can help. I've read a lot of books about goal setting, and I've taken the best elements of some of them, and I modified them to fit our needs in education.

Amazing teachers set amazing goals.

I believe that once you learn how to make goals using this formula, you will never set goals the same again.

Using this formula has allowed me to reach some goals that have always seemed out of reach for me, and I had to share it with my audience.

I know you will find this podcast valuable.

I would love to hear what you think about it.

Also mentioned in the podcast:

Brad Currie's book - All Hands on Deck

Until next time...

Be amazing!

Thank you,

 

Sam

Welcome to the 33rd episode of the Amazing Teacher Podcast.

In this episode, I share what I learned while on a trip to a conference.

Not knowing how to get to the conference, I asked my iPhone, and the pleasant, patient voice that I've come to know and love took me straight to my destination.

As I was driving the two miles, listening to the lady in my iPhone, and it occurred to me that there are three ways that amazing teachers are like her.

I know that sounds a little out there, but I think you'll understand once you hear the show.

Thank you again for listening.

I would love to hear from you. Please connect with me on Twitter or Facebook.

Be Amazing!

Sam

This is a special episode of the Amazing Teacher Podcast.

It is the final episode.

Yes, this is the last episode.

I have had a great year of inspiring interviews with amazing teachers, and as much as I have enjoyed putting on the podcast, I feel it’s time to bring it to an end.

I know that I have become a better educator after picking the brains of these amazing teachers, and I have received so many messages from the listeners who have told me that they also have found great value in the podcast, so I’m happy about that.

I would like to thank all of the subscribers who have supported the podcast by sharing it with your friends and colleagues. I especially want to thank the 31 amazing guests who have taken time to sit down with me and share their experience and expertise and their heart and their passion for teaching and love for students. I have been so inspired by all of you.

I don’t want to close the door completely. You never know. I might post another podcast in the future, but for now, this is the final episode.

So I thought, who would be a great guest for the final episode?

Why not interview the teacher who inspired this podcast?

If you heard the very first episode of the Amazing Teacher Podcast, I share how I was sitting with one of my colleagues at my school, and she was sharing her insights on teaching, and talking about what she does in her classroom, classroom management, connecting with students, etc.

I thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if I could share her ‘amazingness’ with new teachers and soon-to-be teachers?”

And that’s when the podcast idea came to me.

31 podcasts later, here we are.

So I am happy and honored to have my colleague and friend Dr. Jackie Sapp on the podcast.

We had an amazing conversation, and she shared some advice and tips that I know you will find valuable.

She also shares with the listeners about an incident that happened last year that she considered one of the most difficult times in her life, and it is truly inspiring how she was able to go through this episode in her life, and still be that amazing teacher for her students, so listen for that.

Listen also for when we talk about the “hug line.” That is good stuff right there – showing how important it is to show your students that you care about them.

I had an incredible time speaking with Jackie. We could have gone on for another two hours just talking about how to best connect with kids.

Jackie is truly an amazing teacher, and I know that you will find what she shares both valuable and inspiring.

 

Again, I want to thank you for listening to the podcast. It has been one of the most inspiring years of my life.  I would love to hear from you. Let me know how the podcast has helped, what value you have found. The emails and messages on Twitter I receive always make my day.

You can email me at [email protected] or send me a tweet at @amazingpodcast.

Thank you for spreading the word about the podcast.

Until next time,

Be Amazing!

Thank you,

Sam

 

Find Jackie at: [email protected].

In this episode,  I have Dorina Sackman the 2014 Florida State Teacher of the Year. She was also one of the finalists for the National Teacher of the Year.

I had such a great time picking Dorina’s brain about teaching and education. She’s a middle school teacher, so you know as a former middle school teacher myself, we had so much to talk about.

We spoke a lot about the importance of building positive relationships, and if you have heard any of the other podcast, you know that is something that I believe in, and it is a common thread among the amazing teachers I’ve had on the podcast. They focus on building those positive connections with their kids right off the bat, and it pays off all year long. Dorina reinforces that on the podcast.

I was impressed and inspired by how far she goes to build those relationships.

She has survey that she gives her students at the beginning of the year that goes beyond just asking the basic information on a student. It asks for information about their family and their community. She then takes this information and goes out into the community to make those connections with their family and the community members. Amazing.

Dorina also shares about B.E.L.I.E.V.E.  - Be the Educators who Lead to Inspire and Empower Via Excellence!

It’s her way to inspire teachers to have an impact and be effective. So listen for that.

This was another very inspiring conversation with a truly amazing teacher.

I know you will find this podcast  full of value and great take-aways.

Thank you again for  spreading the word about the podcast.

Until next time,

Be Amazing!

Thanks,

 

Sam

Find Dorina:

Website: DorinaSackman.com

Twitter: @2014FloridaTOY

Facebook: 2014FloridaTeacherOfTheYearDorinaSackman

Mentioned on the podcast:

In this episode, I sit down with 2014 Montana Teacher of the Year, Dr. Anna Baldwin, and we have great conversation.

Dr. Baldwin teaches on an Indian Reservation in Montana, and she shares some great advice for new teachers and soon-to-be teachers on the podcast.

She encourages new teachers who might be struggling in those first few years  to go ahead and ask for help from other teachers. Many new teachers, and I was one of those, are hesitant to ask for help, because they don’t want to be seen as weak or not knowing what to do. Dr. Baldwin encourages teachers to let go of the ego, and find a mentor and ask for help, so listen for that.

Also, she encourages new teachers to have a sense of adventure.

She says that “a sense of adventure is really an important part of keeping things exciting for both the teacher and the student.” So, again, listen for that.

I had a great time speaking with Dr. Baldwin, and I know you will find a lot of value in what she shares as well.

Thank you again for taking time to listen to the podcast and for sharing these interviews with your friends and colleagues.

Until next time...

Be Amazing!

 

Find Dr. Baldwin:

Website: The Warrior Trail

Twitter: @annaebaldwin

In this episode,  I have 2014 Arizona Teacher of the Year, Beth Maloney, on the show, and I have to tell you that I had a great time speaking with Beth. I know you will find her as inspiring as I did.

She has so much to share on the podcast and I know you will come away with many take-aways. One part of the show that I thought especially important was when she shared with me the importance of investing time into learning about brain research and how understanding how the brain works can help us become better teachers and allow us to better understand our kids.

She quoted her assistant principal, "It's educational malpractice if you learn about brain research, but you don't use it in your classroom."

I thought that was extremely valuable, so listen for that.

Also, listen for when she describes her meeting with the president.

That was hilarious. You’ll hear me in the background laughing my head off.  So funny, so listen for that as well.

She also encourages teachers to be enthusiastic in the classroom. Her favorite quote is, "Inspired enthusiasm is contagious." She adds, "The bottom line is that when they see that I love to learn...they see me as a life-long learner."

I want to offer a special thanks to Beth, because I think I hit the mother lode. I’m always looking for guests to come on the show and share their "amazingness" with my audience, and Beth was kind enough to put me in contact with other State Teachers of the Year, and I already have four or five either recorded or in the pipeline, so I’ll be pretty busy with these podcasts for a while, so thank you Beth.

I know you will find what Beth has to say very valuable and inspiring.

Thank you again for spreading the word about the podcast.

Until next time,

Be Amazing!

Thanks,

Sam

 

Find Beth:

Website: BethMaloneyDaringToTeach.Wordpress.com

Twitter: @DaringToTeach

Mentioned on the podcast:

Teach Like a Pirate - Dave Burgess

In this episode of the Amazing Teacher Podcast, I sit down with Ben Kuhlman. Ben has a website called, Writing Teaching and Teaching Writing.

Reading his blog posts, I was particularly impressed with his knowledge of Twitter.

I have come to learn that if a teacher wants to be amazing in the classroom, he/she needs to connect with successful teachers and learn from them. Twitter allows teachers to do just that.

I asked Ben to share his expertise in this area, and I learned a lot. I know you will as well.

Ben also shares his insights on the qualities of amazing teachers as well as his tips on classroom management.

"Effective instruction is part of classroom management. You can make them quiet and get them to listen, but then if you have nothing to say, you've managed the classroom into boredom."

I had a great time picking Ben's brain on the podcast. I know you will find his advice valuable and practical.

Thank you again for spreading the word about the podcast.

Until next time,

Be Amazing!

Thanks,

Sam

Find Ben:

Website: BenKuhlman.com

Twitter: @bkuhl2you

Also mentioned on the podcast:

#teachwriting

Josh Stumpenhorst @stumpteacher

This week's guest is Tammy Tweten, from Ed Tech Nerdo.

In this episode, I have a great time speaking with Tammy about technology and how she is using it in the classroom. I was very impressed with how she has incorporated Chromebooks in her lessons. I have seen how iPads have been utilized in classrooms, but Tammy shares how she was able to acquire 30 Chromebooks for her students and how she is using them in her classroom.

I found it fascinating.

Tammy also shares her what she learned while attending the CUE conference. Her biggest take away was the power of Twitter.

Tammy shares that there are three things that come to mind when describing the characteristics of amazing teachers:

1. They have a passion for learning.

2. They love working with kids.

3. They have the ability to take criticism and learn from their mistakes.

Her advice to new teachers is, "Don't stop learning."

Although the recording has a few glitches, I know you will find what Tammy shares very informative and inspiring.

I know I did.

Thank you again for spreading the word about the podcast.

Until next time,

Be Amazing!

Thanks,

Sam

 

Find Tammy:

Website: Ed Tech Nerdo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tammy_tweten

 Pinterest: Edtechnerdo

 

Mentioned on the Podcast:

https://www.khanacademy.org/

Chromebooks

CUE

This week, my guest is Jeff Shoemaker, known online as the Gifted Teacher. 

He has an amazing blog where he shares some insights on teaching students who are identified as "Gifted."

What is a gifted student?

What characteristics are common in gifted students?

How do you best engage gifted students?

These are all questions that Jeff answers on the podcast.

Jeff also shares his insights in what makes teachers amazing. He shares on the podcast that amazing teachers are passionate. The love what they do.

Jeff states that amazing teachers have the ability to inspire students to go beyond what they believe they can do.

I had a great time picking speaking with Jeff.

He is a great resource for teachers who are looking for ways to better meet the needs of not only gifted students, but all students.

Make sure you check out his blog for more amazing tips.

As always, thank you again for spreading the word about the podcast.

Until next time...

Be Amazing!

 

Thanks,

Sam

 

Find Jeff:

Website: Ramblings of a Gifted Teacher

Twitter: @jeff_shoemaker

Mentioned on the podcast:

 #GTBlogHop

 

Project-Based Learning for Gifted Students by Todd Stanley