The Amazing Teacher Podcast

This week, my guest is amazing teacher, Amanda Dykes who has a blog called Upside Down Education where she shares what is happening in her class in a way that is refreshingly honest.

Amanda is a sixth grade teacher who is passionate about integrating technology into the classroom.

In this episode, Amanda shares with us about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and STEM-Based learning , and how teachers can use each of these areas in their teaching.

Her advice to new teachers, "Don't sweat the small stuff" and "Don't let boredom happen" gets right to the heart of classroom management.

"Keep is simple" is another great piece of advice that Amanda shares with us. It's easy to get overwhelmed with grading and record keeping, and Amanda offers some amazing tips on how to keep the paperwork to a minimum.

I really had a great time speaking with Amanda.

I know you will also enjoy what she has to share on the show.

Thank you again for spreading the word about The Amazing Teacher Podcast.

Be amazing!

Sam

 

Find Amanda:

Website: Upside Down Education

Twitter: @AmandaCDykes

This week, my guest is Robin Dubiel from Learning Past June.

Robin is an instructional coach in a school up in Canada, which made this podcast officially international. : )

I had such a great conversation with Robin.

She encourages teachers to keep learning and to collaborate. She reminds us also to not only keep self-reflecting, but to take action.

"Baby steps is still action."

Building relationships is also very important, according to Robin. "Relationships aren't easy, but they're typically worth it."

Robin's bright personality and insightful advice made this podcast so amazing. I know that you will find what she shares in the interview to be exactly what new teachers need to be amazing in the classroom.

Thank you again for spreading the word about The Amazing Teacher Podcast.

Sam

Find Robin:

Website: Learning Past June

Twitter: @RobinDubiel

Pinterest: Robin Dubiel

Mentioned on the podcast:

Teach Like a Pirate - Dave Burgess

This week my guest on the Amazing Teacher Podcast is Lisa Mims from https://www.diaryofapublicschoolteacher.com/.

Lisa is a fifth grade teacher who is doing amazing things the classroom in the area of technology. She shares in the podcast how she is using Skype in the classroom to not only connect with other classes around the world, but also to provide an authentic audience for her students.

Lisa shares how important it is for teachers, and especially new teachers, to collaborate. She encourages new teachers to get a mentor - someone positive who can help make those first years easier.

She also shares how her online PLN (Personal Learning Network) is so valuable to her. "They share that passion. That's what makes it so great." She encourages new teachers to follow different Twitter chats like #ntchat.

I had a great time picking Lisa's brain on the podcast. She has so much to offer new teachers.

Thank you for spreading the word about The Amazing Teacher Podcast!

Until next time…Be Amazing!

Sam

 

Mentioned in the podcast:

Skype in the Classroom

Mystery Skype

Rita Pierson on TED Talks

Edmodo

KidBlog

Responsive Classroom

Find Lisa:

Website: https://www.diaryofapublicschoolteacher.com/

Twitter: @BriteEyes49

Pinterest: Pinterest.com/briteeyes49/

Here is the Ted Talk presentation by Rita Pierson that was mentioned in the podcast.

This week my guest on the Amazing Teacher Podcast is Julia Thompson from JuliaGThompson.com.

Julia is not only a classroom teacher, but she is a best-selling author.

Her book, The First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide, offers practical strategies for new teachers to not only survive those first few years, but to thrive.

I found Julia sharing her wisdom on Twitter, and felt that she would be the perfect guest for the podcast.

In the interview, Julia shares her thoughts on classroom management, connecting with students, and how to have a lasting impact on kids.

Julia shares, "If a student thinks you don't trust them, you don't like them, you don't care about them, then nothing good is going to happen in your classroom."

Julia offers some amazing tips on her blog. Among them is her post: Fifty Reasonable Options You Have When Students Misbehave. Julia elaborated a little on a couple of these options - #11: Make students feel worthy of trust,  and #28: Be emotionally accessible to your students. Grouchy teachers have more problems than positive ones. 

I asked her if it would be OK to create a downloadable PDF version of the 50 Options for the listeners, and she was so gracious to agree. Below, there is a link where you can download this great resource. Please download it, and share it with your colleagues.

I had a great time speaking with Julia. She is an amazing teacher, and I know you will find great value in what she shares.

Thank you for spreading the word about The Amazing Teacher Podcast!

Until next time…Be Amazing!

Sam

 

Download: Fifty Reasonable Options You Have When Students Misbehave (Click Here)

Find Julia:

Twitter: @TeacherAdvice

Website: www.JuliaGThompson.com

Blog: JuliaGThompson.blogspot.com

The First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide

This week, my guest on the Amazing Teacher Podcast is Matt Gomez from MattBGomez.com.

Matt is a Kindergarten teacher in N. Dallas, Texas and  the co-founder and an organizer for EdcampDallas. He is also a moderator for the twitter chat #Kinderchat.

I had a great time picking Matt's brain on the podcast.

He shares about the importance of building relationships - with everybody - parents, teachers, administrators, and especially students.

"Rarely does significant learning happen without significant relationship."

He also talked about EdCamp Dallas. As an organizer, Matt shared how EdCamp allows teachers to share their expertise with each other - What a concept!

Matt is also leading the way with incorporating technology in the classroom. His Kindergarten class has a Twitter account - yes - a Kindergarten Twitter account! His class connects with other classes around the world. Amazing!

Matt also is big on helping kids find their passion, and giving them a way to express their passion.

"The most powerful thing we can do is help kids find their passion."

When it comes to classroom management, Matt's only rule is ,"Be Brave."

He has eliminated the classroom management systems that many Kindergarten teachers use, and he has built his classroom management on relationships and the "Be Brave" rule.

He says that it's been an amazing change for him and for the kids.

It was great spending time with Matt and picking his brain. I came away with an even greater appreciation for Kindergarten teachers.

I know you will find great value in what Matt shares in the podcast as well.

Thank you for spreading the word about The Amazing Teacher Podcast!

Until next time...Be Amazing!

Sam

 

Find Matt at:

Website: MattBGomez.com

Twitter: @MattBGomez

Facebook: My Hullabaloo

 

Mentioned in the poscast:

Amy Murray @happycampergirl

This week, my guest is Pat Hensley from Successful Teaching.

She's known online as Loony Hiker.

Pat was one of the first bloggers who I found online when I started SuccessInTheClassroom. She has always been so helpful to teachers, new teachers especially, so I was so pleased when she agreed to share some of her amazing wisdom on the podcast.

Pat shares that amazing teachers are flexible, organized and willing to try new things.

One of the ideas that Pat offers new teachers is something that she did with her students. She would call home to brag about each student. Yes, brag! She says that this was one of the strategies that had the greatest effect in her classroom.

She also made each of her students write, "I am a born winner" on their papers. I thought this was a great take-away that teachers can do with their students to help reinforce that self esteem that is so important for student success.

I left my interview with Pat Hensley inspired to want to make a bigger difference in the lives of my students. I am confident that you will find great value in what she shares as well.

Take a listen, and be inspired.

Until next time...be amazing!

Sam

 

Find Pat at:

Twitter: @loonyhiker

Website: successfulteaching.blogspot.com/

Plurk: loonyhiker

This week, I sat down with Krissy Venosdale from Venspired.com.

It was a great interview, and although we had some technical issues, Krissy was so patient and understanding and amazing.

Krissy offers some great advice on how to set the tone for learning. "If you're excited, the kids will be excited."

She also encourages new teachers to be "learners" along with their students. "You don't have to be the expert. Just be a facilitator of learning with your students."

Her other piece of advice for teachers is to focus on the learning, and not so much on controlling everything. Teachers should empower students to control themselves, which she admits might not be easy, but it "ends up being a kind of controlled chaos where the kids are responsible for their own learning."

What I appreciated most about the interview was the information that Krissy shared about teaching students who are on the Autism spectrum. I learned on her blog that her daughter is on the spectrum, and Krissy provides us with some amazing insights in this area.

Her first piece of advice is to partner with the parents of the students, because "the parents have the key to understanding them."

She also encourages teachers to be open to asking for help from other teachers. "Don't be afraid to try and reach out and try and learn from them."

Krissy Venosdale is an amazing teacher, and it was a sincere pleasure getting to speak with her.

I know you will also find her insights to be very valuable.

 

Find Krissy at:

Twitter: @Venspired

Website: Venspired.com

 

Mentioned on the podcast:

Emints

This week, I sat down with Larry Ferlazzo, who publishes a blog at Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day.

Larry has written several books, and he has won many awards. He contributes weekly to Education Week Teachers and the New York Times.

We had a great phone conversation where he shared many great tips in the areas of student motivation and relationship building.

We all have that student who just doesn't seem to be motivated to do any work. Larry offers some great advice in this area. He says that he has never motivated a student. What he's done is to help create the conditions where the student can motivate himself.

He places an emphasis on building positive relationships with students. "Without it, nothing else will work."

He also discusses the power of an apology. When teachers are willing to say, "I'm sorry," it not only maintains the positive relationship, but it also serves to model appropriate behavior that students can take and use in their own personal conflicts.

This podcast was filled with valuable advice for not only new teachers, but experienced teachers as well.

Larry uses a "marshmallow" study to help with his classroom management. "Don't eat the marshmallow." I thought this was a cool way to keep students on task and making positive choices. Below, is a video where you can learn more about the study.

It was another inspiring interview. I know you will agree.

Find Larry at:

Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day

Twitter: @Larryferlazzo

The Marshmallow Study:

Check out a couple of Larry's Books:

This week, I sat down with Danielle Mizuta, who is the State lead mentor with the Hawaii Department of Education Teacher Leadership Institute.

Danielle mentors new teachers. She helps new teachers be successful earlier in their career with analyzing student work, setting professional goals, coaching and observations, and anything else the teacher needs.

She's the perfect guest for the podcast.

Her advice on classroom management and connecting with students is exactly what new teacher need to hear.

She shares her three P's that identify amazing teachers: They're PROFESSIONAL, PASSIONATE, and they PERSEVERE. I found this to be very profound.

Danielle also shares on the podcast the power of Pinterest. This was a lesson for me. I have a Pinterest board, but I learned that teachers can find ideas for classroom activities, tips on classroom management, and any other topic of interest just by searching the different boards on Pinterest. Cool!

I had a great time picking her brain on the podcast.

I know listeners will find great value in Danielle's unique perspective of teaching.

Mentioned on the Podcast:

Dr. Anthony Muhammad

Phases of First Year Teaching by Ellen Moir

New Teacher Center

 

Find Danielle on Twitter at: @kohola11

On Pinterest at: Teacher Stuff

This week, my guest on the Amazing Teacher Podcast is 2012 National Teacher of the Year, Rebecca Mieliwocki.

In the podcast, Rebecca shared how and why she became a teacher, and she takes us through her educational journey that led her to earning the highest award given to a teacher.

Yes, I asked her what it was like to meet the President. You know I had to.

Through her words, we are taken into the White House to rub shoulders with President Obama.

That was cool.

Rebecca gives new teachers some very valuable advice in the areas of classroom management and lesson planning.

Her love for and belief in students is evident in her answers to my questions.

She shares with us how important it is to give students "a great tomorrow," and she leaves us with an image of a "teacher with a shovel" - that teacher who is willing to do whatever it takes to help a student dig himself out of the hole he has made.

I was inspired by Rebecca to use her "great tomorrow" approach with a particularly challenging student of mine, and I found it to be amazingly effective.

I know you will find great value in this podcast episode. I know I did.

 

You can find Rebecca on Twitter at @MrsMieliwocki

You can also email her at [email protected].

Also mentioned in the podcast is Rick Morris from NewManagement.org