The Grounded Learners Guild

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One thing that’s pretty clear about the GLG, especially if you’ve listened to our “Pop Culture Playground” mini episodes, is that we typically skew, as a guild, towards pop music. Much in the same way, in our journey as a podcast to capture what it’s like to teach, learn, team, and lead in school systems during the early-mid 2020s, we realize our discussions have been tuned closely into the “United States K-12 Education” station.Up next, we’re going to spin that dial…and consider the “Alternative” station.  Where or how else can those with a curious mind, an empathetic heart, and a love for teaching and learning make a difference in education?
“Stay Tuned” throughout this mini-series on “AlternativeEDU” with the GLG …starting with this very episode!

One thing that’s pretty clear about the GLG, especially if you’ve listened to our “Pop Culture Playground” mini episodes, is that we typically skew, as a guild, towards pop music. Much in the same way, in our journey as a podcast to capture what it’s like to teach, learn, team, and lead in school systems during the early-mid 2020s, we realize our discussions have been tuned closely into the “United States K-12 Education” station.Up next, we’re going to spin that dial…and consider the “Alternative” station.  Where or how else can those with a curious mind, an empathetic heart, and a love for teaching and learning make a difference in education? Stay tuned throughout this mini-series on “AlternativeEDU” with the GLG!

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It’s not uncommon these days to see teachers clamoring for a hack that will change how student discussion plays out in the classroom. Our students still have a tremendous desire for interaction with each other, but it can feel like the second that topic of conversation aligns to a learning objective, the struggle for engagement is REAL. 

When the odds are against us like this, it seems as if we need to pull off something BIG to get student discussion where we want it to be…almost like pulling off some kind of heist! Yet, we're flipping the classic heist narrative here – it's about giving, not taking. And the GLG is just the right team to dive into the vast “ocean” of possibilities.

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On a scale of 1 - 10, how would you rate your ability to use AI in your classroom?Considering all we discussed in our last episode, it’s understandable if that number isn’t very high.  But there’s another side to AI, where it may not be out to defeat or even replace educators…but to be our companion in brainstorming, solution seeking, and creation for our students.

Welcome to the GLG “nerd lab” where we’re going to consider how AI might have the potential to be “The Big Hero”, too.

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“Come with us if you want to live.”  Okay, it’s not THAT drastic, but at this moment in time, we are in dire need of quite a few conversations about the many facets of Artificial Intelligence when it comes to learning and teaching. 

Some educators see a post-apocalyptic world bearing down on us, while others just see a tool that can be incredibly useful, even …fun. Wherever your own personal programing has you on this continuum, there’s going to be a few bits and bytes here for you as the GLG explores AI in schools.

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From the very first episode of Abbott Elementary, you can immediately pick out Barbara Howard as a veteran teacher who makes a massive impact on her school. Her classroom routines are on point, her students feel safe and loved, and her colleagues view her with a range from hero worship to trusted collaborator.  With all that seasoned veteran teachers like this give back to a school environment - we have to flip the script and consider. What do OUR Barbaras need and deserve in the final phase of their careers as educators? We’re going there - stick around.

Quinta Brunson’s show “Abbott Elementary'' has struck a chord with folks everywhere.  No other show about education has managed to encapsulate the real struggles faced by urban educators like this one has. Even more impressive is how perfectly balanced the portrayal of real-world educational issues is …juxtaposed with laugh out loud hilarious lines and deftly witty characterization.

As educational podcasters who LOVE a good comedy series, it’s time we talked about it.  That said, speaking in generalities is not our way, so stay tuned while we utilize our discussion of “Abbott Elementary” to dig deeper into an important idea in our newest series: the educator experience divide. Join us.

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Hey there smelly cats! How-YOU-doin? You’ll want to grab yourself a HUGE cup of coffee - because we are visiting the pop culture winter wonderland one more time, And this time we’re tuning into 90s classic “Friends”. Get ready for some education-adjacent connections to six highly-caffienated friends and the hilarious ins and outs of their lives shared with us over 10 seasons.  Let’s just hope this doesn’t turn into a Joey Tribbiani-level disaster faster than Ross can pivot into a pair of leather pants.

We are sure when you hear the name “Britney Spears”, your thoughts might revolve around any number of danceable tracks or eras where she dominated the headlines, but education and learning are far from the top of your mind. And yet, while we discussed Britney Spears in our Season 1 episode “The Apathy Zone”, we felt we hadn’t fully given this queen of pop her due.
Britney's music isn't just about the many phases of relationships, iconic outfits, and amazing dance routines. That’s why this pop culture winter wonderland is for embracing all things catchy and chaotic alike and diving headfirst into the unexpected parallels between Britney's bops and the world of K-12 education. 

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We may be outnumbered, under-resourced, and emotionally drained at times, but we’re teachers. Like Kevin McCallister in the holiday classic Home Alone, we are resourceful, resilient, and ultimately, victorious. Because even in the face of endless homework revisions and standardized test anxieties, educators are still working their hardest to make learning more fun for kids than, say, sledding down the stairs and out the front door.
So buckle up, educators and learners, because in this episode, we're leaving the traps of the day-to-day grind behind and zip-lining into a proverbial tree house full of hilarious, surprisingly heartwarming connections to our classrooms and staff rooms. Welcome to the Pop Culture Winter Wonderland.

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