We Teach Inspired!!

We had the distinct pleasure of having our great friend Vanessa Torborda Cronin on the podcast again for a conversation that was supposed to be about how to control what you can, but as it happened we just talked about what we missed about teaching. Then we talked about our high school experiences and how we would have coped with this time. Then we talked about what we want to teach our kids if the fall brings distance learning and how we can do a better job of connecting with them. We hope you enjoy this episode of the podcast and while you're at it go subscribe to the EMPOWERED TEACHING PODCAST!

To learn more about our projects visit our website!

As teachers we know the importance of communication, meaningful feedback,  and consistent interactions.

What do you do when all of those things cease? 

In this time of crisis learning we all have struggle to connect with our kids and provide them meaningful feedback. One of the biggest challenges we have faced during this time of crisis learning has been lag time. We are sending out assignments that we won't get back for over a week and by then we've already had to move on to new stuff. Our kids don't respond to emails and don't engage in our online communities. 

All of these have made our team feel like we haven't done enough to support our kids. We suspect you might be feeling the same way. 

We hope you'll listen to this conversation our team had about what we have learned during this time and how we plan to be ready for whatever next year brings! 

Above all we want you to know you're doing an amazing job and no matter where you are in the content you're right where you need to be!

Please reach out if you need help with ANYTHING! Even if you just need someone to talk. Here's how you can connect with us.

Instagram:

@itskylekrueger

@its.wil.law.iii

@therealtravelingteacher

@conhortofcare

@teachingoutsidethebinary

To learn more about our projects visit theledproject.com!

To support our work head to classy.org/valueaddsvalue!

We are so thrilled to share this episode of VALUE ADDS VALUE with y'all because we get to introduce you to our new team members!!!

Lauren Roig (@therealtravelingteacher)

Ace Schwarz (@teachingoutsidethebinary)

Dailene Hendon (@cohortofcare)

With these three amazing educators on our team we hope to bring additional perspectives to the podcast and to our professional developments.

On this episode we talk about what engagement has looked like for us during this time of crisis/distance learning and how we would like to redefine it. We start out by talking about the assumptions we made in how this transition would go and how those assumptions have caused us problems.  Assumptions like students would be more engaged with content on digital platforms because they are ''digital natives." We also discussed the role of discourse in classrooms and how important it is to our students learning. 

We finished up by discussing corrections we've tried to make during this time and changes we'd like to make for the future! We hope you enjoy this episode of VALUE ADDS VALUE and please go out and follow our new team members if you don't already!

If you'd like support the podcast, learn more about our projects, or connect with us on social media here is how!

theledproject.com

classy.org/valueaddsvalue

anchor.fm/valueaddsvalue and click the SUPPORT button

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BvEi4G9a_Q

We want to start out by saying to all the teachers out there that are doing there very best in a difficult situation. We are honored to stand with you in this profession. We wrap up this series on what we are striving to do during this time of COVID-19 when we have found ourselves with more time and space to think and reflect. We hope that you'll use this time to find yourself again,  figure out how you can remove someone of the baggage you've been carrying, and come back in the fall as a new teacher! We are on this journey with you of becoming the teachers our kids deserve! 

If you want to learn more about our projects please visit theledproject.com!

Follow us on Instagram: @its.wil.law.iii @mr.k.inroom508 and @valueaddsvalue

In part two of this three part series we talk about how after we work to re-find ourselves we must shift over to refining ourselves. We pick up from last week's episode talking about why we seek out those and why the silence can be so unnerving. We have both been very candid about the challenges we've faced in our careers with facing the person in the mirror and giving ourselves tough love. In this episode we dive into why we fear letting our mistakes out of the dark, how to own our wrongs, and how kids are more forgiving than we think. 

If you would like to learn more you listen to the previous episode, find us on social media, or visit our website theledproject.com!

Social Media:

@its.wil.law.iii @mr.k.inroom508 @valueaddsvalue

This is a strange time for us as people, but also as educators. Trying to figure out how to teach our kids during a crisis while prioritizing our own health and the health of those we love. As social distancing has stretched for more than a month now we have learned how to live with this new routine. Many of us as teachers have more time and space to work than we ever thought we'd have. Time to think about who we are and who we want to be. In this three part series we want to help you REFIND YOURSELF, so you can REFINE YOURSELF, and REINVENT YOURSELF this fall.  As teachers we can so often lose the forest for the trees, but now is the perfect time to find yourself and we hope you'll take this journey with us!

In this episode we discuss: 

The influence of Dr. Eric Thomas on us.

How we can lose the forest for the trees.

How much we appreciate the everything we love is truly in our homes.

Finding authenticity in our home and school lives.

Why we've become addicted to noise.

To learn more about the work we do please visit theledproject.com!

Please follow us on TWITTER and INSTAGRAM: @its.wil.law.iii @valueaddsvalue @mr.k.inroom508

To support our non-profit work please donate at classy.org/valueaddsvalue

Here's a conversation we had this week about what the new normal for teachers looks like and how it will change the way we approach our classrooms in the fall. This is one of the most incredible opportunities of our lifetime for us to be a part of the generation that changes what education looks like in America. If you need support you know where to find us!

This is certainly unexpected. We didn't think we'd be in a situation that requires us to all leave our classrooms and so of us won't return at all this year. This is an incredible opportunity for us as educators to grow and sharpen our tools. We are with you on this journey for whatever you need. Please reach out and let us know how we can help! Our resources are below!

Go to theledproject.com and download our 4 REASONS TO USE PODCASTS AS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PDF!

Or check out theledproject.com/hub to find a list of podcasts for educators!

We're about 2/3 of the way done with the 2019-20 school year and we all know this can be a very trying time as an educator. After spring break ends it will be a long road with no breaks to the end of the year. Most likely you'll be doing some kind of testing between right now and the end of the year. As the weather gets warmer the students and teachers get antsy. Yet, this is the most crucial time of the year. IT IS OUR LAST CHANCE TO MAKE THE JOB OF THE TEACHERS OUR STUDENTS HAVE THIS YEAR A LITTLE EASIER! 

We have a chance in these last three months to pour into our students more of what they will need to be successful in the next grade and next phase of life. On this episode we share some of our tricks for reverse engineering the end of the year. It starts with thinking about how you want your kids and yourself to feel on that last day of school. Then work backwards to outline the steps you'll need to take to make that moment a reality. We hope this episode helps you make the most of the last part of your year!

To learn more about the projects of Lighthouse Educator Development and Value Adds Value visit theledproject.com!

To try Nearpod for FREE head over to go.nearpod.com/valueaddsvalue!

To support this podcast go to anchor.fm/valueaddsvalue and click the SUPPORT button!

This is part 2 of our conversation with Stephanie Edmonds and on this episode we talked about the importance of co-curricular activities and why they can't always be tied to behavior and grades. Before you dismiss this conversation saying that kids need to earn field trips and other privileges listen to Steph's perspective on how to bring co-curricular activities into the classroom. She talks powerfully on how bringing the student's passions to the classroom can change the atmosphere and culture of the room. This is a challenge because to bring your the passions of your students to the classroom you have to build a relationship with them that allows them to open up to you about what is truly important to them. As is the usual for this podcasts everything centers around building relationships! We hope you'll listen to this episode and deploy some of Steph's strategies in your classroom! 

Be sure to go follow Steph on Youtube! 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFsqeatY7gJGYLPYc-AXslQ

If you'd be willing to be a hero for the students in the Music and Arts Collective you can donate to their Donors Choose Project below!

https://www.donorschoose.org/project/the-music-and-arts-collective-speak-you/4738878/