Hello amazing teachers,

Welcome to the first episode of season 2 of the Amazing Teacher Podcast.

I am so happy to be back on the air, and I am looking forward to more episodes where I pick the brains of amazing teachers for tips, strategies and advice, so teachers can have more success in the classroom.

Meredith is not only an amazing teacher, but she’s a blogger, an author, and a podcaster.

In this episode, Meredith shares with us how teachers can take steps to bring more energy into their lives. 

Meredith shares some great advice on teachers can not only cope during this challenging time, but experience more joy and gratitude.

Please make sure you follow Meredith on Social Media and check out her book, Captured Fireflies: Truths, Mistakes, And Other Gifts of Being an English Teacher

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.

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].

http://theamazingteacher.com/dr-jackie-sapp-never-give-up-on-kids-the-final-episode/

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: @Dorina_BELIEVE

Facebook: 2014FloridaTeacherOfTheYearDorinaSackman

http://theamazingteacher.com/dorina-sackman-florida-state-teacher-of-the-year/

In this episode,  I have Jeff Baxter, the 2014 State Teacher of the Year for Kansas, and this was one of the most inspiring interviews I have had on the podcast.

I am so glad that I was able to spend a little bit of time with him, not only for the amazing advice that he offered to new teachers, but for the inspiration that he gives with his life story.

He is such an amazing person. I know you will enjoy our conversation.

Listen for when he shares about the moment when his life and his career was transformed and the effect it had not only on his family, but on his students. I was blown away, and I know you will be saying, “Wow!” when you hear it.

He shares so much about building positive relationships and how important that is to have success in the classroom.

He talks about rigor, and something that he shares is that rigor is just mean if there’s no relationship. I thought that was so true. Rigor is so popular now in education, but for it to be effective, there has to be a positive relationship between the teacher and the student.

Jeff surprised me when he said that he has read Herman Melville’s Moby Dick over 50 times. He uses this novel in his classes, and his kids are excited to read this book. I was surprised, because when I read it in college, I hated the book, and as we discussed, it all goes back to something that all amazing teachers have –  passion.  His passion for Moby Dick is evident, and since our interview, I have downloaded the audio version of the book, and I’m listening to it on my way to school each day, and I am understanding why it is considered a classic.

Jeff has a way of igniting passions in others that I found totally inspiring.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Jeff and  went away with a great desire to have an impact on the kids I come in contact with. I know you will find him just as inspiring.

Thank you again for spreading the word about the podcast.

Until next time,

Be Amazing!

Thanks,

Sam

Find Jeff:

Website: 2014ktoy.weebly.com/jeff-baxter.html

Twitter : @MobyJeff

http://theamazingteacher.com/jeff-baxter-2014-kansas-state-teacher-of-the-year/

In this episode, I sit down with Laura Gilchrist who is a Bammy Award Finalist and Christa McAuliffe Pioneer in Education Award winner. She also was selected as the Teacher of the Year in her school district.

Laura was so great on the podcast.

She shared her insights on teaching which focuses on connecting and believing in kids and stepping outside the box.

I was particularly impressed with what she shares about Edcamp. As you know, I like the idea of Edcamp, where teachers learn from each other, and Laura shares her insights on Edcamp from the perspective of an Edcamp organizer. What she has done, however, is bring Edcamp into her school with what she calls a one-hour Edcamp.  I was really excited about that, because that can be done in any school. So listen for that.

Laura also shares her advice on classroom management which focuses on building that positive relationship with students. Her advice is a must listen for any teacher who may be struggling with that tough class.

As always, I come away inspired after every conversation that I have with these amazing educators, and my time with Laura was no different.

I had a great time speaking with Laura, and I know you will find her insights and advice very inspiring and valuable as I did.

Thank you again for spreading the word about the podcast!

Until next time…

Be Amazing!

Thank you,

Sam

Find Laura:

Twitter: @LauraGilchrist4

http://theamazingteacher.com/amazing-teacher-laura-gilchrist-teaching-out-of-the-box/

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

http://theamazingteacher.com/amazing-teacher-dr-anna-baldwin-2014-montana-teacher-of-the-year/

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.

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

http://theamazingteacher.com/amazing-teacher-beth-maloney-2014-arizona-teacher-of-the-year/

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

http://theamazingteacher.com/amazing-teacher-ben-kuhlman-power-twitter/

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

http://theamazingteacher.com/amazing-teacher-tammy-tweten-using-chrome-books-in-the-classroom/

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

http://theamazingteacher.com/amazing-teacher-jeff-shoemaker-reaching-gifted-students/