The Teacher Story

I interviewed Raheen Fatima, who is an Entrepreneur, Gen Z Peace & Climate Activist, Podcaster, Speaker, Educator, and SDGs Ambassador. Raheen decided traditional school was not working for her. She left her school, did some research, connected with many experts on LinkedIn, and found the perfect school for her. She was also awarded a scholarship. The Socratic Experience is an online innovative school in the United States. TSE has transformed Raheen as a student and person. In her time at TSE, she has become a Tedx speaker and created innovative real-world application based projects. Raheen is 15 years old. This is Gen Z! They are the leaders of today and tomorrow!

Raheen Fatima’s LinkedIn

Raheen Fatima’s YouTube

Raheen Fatima’s Tedx Youth-Exploring Your True Purpose

The Socratic Experience LinkedIn

The Socratic Experience Website

I interviewed Rachel and Rebecca, who are both former refugees and former students of Patsy Koay (a good friend and guest who was on both Ep.11 and Ep.30 in Season 1). Rachel and Rebecca are originally from Myanmar and came to Malaysia for refuge. Patsy was their teacher and inspiration for both of them to go into education. Rachel is a Pre-K Art Teacher and Rebecca is a Teacher at the Early Childhood Creative Writing Center in Texas. They talk about resilience, passion for helping others, and how they have stayed connected with Patsy over the years. This is a continuation of the ripple effect. There is so much heart and joy in this story!

I interviewed my former student, Lauren DePiero, who is now a middle school and high school English Teacher. She is also an Assistant Varsity Swim Coach at her school. She was an exemplary student and now is a passionate and courageous educator. Lauren started her teaching career at the height of the pandemic. She was thrown into a hybrid teaching model while she was a student teacher, and started her first contract position in that same mode. She speaks highly about being an educator while also realizing what we can fix in education. She is the type of educator we want to keep in the field. I am so honored to share her story with all of you. I love Gen Z educators!

I kick off Season 2 with the first episode continuing the Diary Entry Series with Diary Entry #3. I talk about the holiday season, reflect on 2022, looking ahead to 2023, and preview the theme of the ripple effect in this season. My first interview of this new season will be on Sunday, January 8th featuring a former student of mine who is now a teacher. I am so excited to start Season 2 with all of you. Enjoy!

This is my last episode of Season 1. In this episode I share my experience at school during a busy fall as well as thank my 28 guests that were part of this season. I am taking a much needed holiday break between November 28th-December 31st. I want to rest and restore in December to get ready to kick off 2023.

Season 2 starts January 1st, 2023! I often talk about the ripple effect in my posts, and that will be a major theme in the next season. I cannot wait to share these stories with all of you. I wish for you all to have a restful and restorative holiday season. Happy Holidays!

Gloria Chuang is a Concert Pianist, Educator, and Founder of Contemporary Keyboard Music of Madison. She teaches in her own studio and creates concert opportunities for young aspiring musicians in a creative format. Gloria inspires these young people to love music and love to create the excitement of performance and preparations with intensity. She is also a violinist and has a standing quartet for the last 10 years. She performs in concerts to educate, enrich and enlighten her audience. Gloria was Patsy's music professor, and in this episode they sit down to share their intimate connection and love for music education. It is a beautiful story of how a teacher and student can become lifelong friends! Patsy Koay was on the show in Ep.11-“The Humanitarian Educator” if you would like to learn more about her story. LinkedIN profiles and Ep.11 linked below.

Part 1-Inspiration (00:57-4:31)

Part 2-Gloria/Patsy connection (4:32-13:48)

Part 3-Gloria’s teacher (13:49-21:05)

Part 4-Patsy’s takeaways from Gloria (21:06-25:19)

Part 5-Ideas for ed. (25:20-41:25)

Gloria Chuang’s LinkedIN

Gloria Chuang’s website

Gloria Chuang’s YouTube

Patsy Koay’s LinkedIN

Ep.11-Patsy Koay-“The Humanitarian Educator”

Audrey Forgeron and David Carpenter are experienced international teachers who have taught all over the world. The countries where they have taught include Jamaica, Senegal, Ethiopia, Morocco, Italy, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia. Audrey is currently in Jamaica working on her coaching business and David is in Virginia working as an Instructional Coach for Wellness. They are about to launch their "Educators Going Global" podcast in December 2022! They want to promote international teaching to any educators looking for a new and different experience in this profession. They explain in detail the many benefits as well as give sound advice about how to find the right fit as far as school and country.

Part 1-Inspiration (00:57-3:24)

Part 2-Early teaching exp. (3:25-8:04)

Part 3-Teaching in various countries (8:05-19:36)

Audrey Forgeron’s LinkedIN

David Carpenter’s LinkedIN

David Carpenter’s Portfolio

Educators Going Global Podcast-scroll down page for information

(Podcast launch will be in December 2022)

Shifting Our Schools Podcast

Kenny Peavy is teaching in a holistic and authentic way at the Green School in Bali. There are four Green Schools around the world; other locations are in South Africa, New Zealand, and Tulum. Kenny started out in the science field and found his way to education through exploring nature. He found a passion for bringing the classroom outside. He was a Science Teacher in Kuala Lumpur, an Educational Consultant for Earth Matters Education, and Head of Curriculum for Ecofieldtrips. More than ever our focus should be taking care of the Earth. Fostering environmental stewardship with this generation by exploring the beauty of Mother Nature is the way!

Part 1-Inspiration (00:57-3:25)

Part 2-Early teaching exp. (3:26-8:09)

Part 3-Pandemic (8:10-12:20)

Part 4-Green School Bali (12:21-16:24)

Part 5-Ideas for ed. (16:25-28:00)

Kenny Peavy’s LinkedIN

Kenny Peavy’s linktr.ee

Green School website

The BOX People-Sustainable Solutions Facebook group

Joel Felsenstein is a music teacher and the Founder/CEO of RockstarX who is on the autism spectrum. This is a part 2 episode. I had Joel on in episode 7 where he shares his whole story. He has a goal to open up his own music school, and use music and the space to have conversations about autism. In this Part 2 Joel shares the development of his company and new ideas for how it can grow. His ultimate goal is to bring neurodiverse and neurotypical people together by connecting individuals through music. Music and Joel's message is powerful! He is an amazing human being, and it was such an honor to interview Joel for the second time and share his story. Enjoy!

Part 1-Background/recap Ep.7 (00:57-4:41)

Part 2-RockstarX dvpt..(4:42-17:08)

Part 3-Queen Elizabeth passing conversation (17:09-20:38)

Part 4-RockstarX media events (20:39-22:47)

Ep.7-Joel’s Story on The Teacher Story

Joel Felselstein’s LinkedIN

RockstarX LinkedIN

RockstarX Patreon Website

John Schembari has spent his whole career in education in various roles around the world. He is a former Educator/Director of Curriculum at an American School in Saudi Arabia, and currently is an Educational Consultant in the NYC/NJ area. He works with the Center of Education of Innovation in NYC. John's role now is to assess the climate in schools and help to support teachers in leadership roles. He wants to merge the art and science of leadership. John says "We need to treat the causes and not just the symptoms in schools." He is a brilliant mind, and not only has the experience but the progressive mindset to change the landscape of education.

Part 1-Inspiration (00:57-3:46)

Part 2-Early teaching exp.(3:47-12:15)

Part 3-Pandemic (12:16-21:29)

Part 4-Ideas for ed.reform (21:30-52:00)

John Schembari’s LinkedIN

John Schembari’s Website-quick hack teaching courses