We Teach Inspired!!

On episode #55 of the podcast Kyle is joined for a conversation on social justice and self reflection by the Senior Editor of Teaching Tolerance Magazine Monita Bell! Teaching Tolerance is a magazine that was created in 1991 with aim to nurture future generations to be more empathic and accepting of others. During our conversation we talked to Monita about her time as a professor in the English department of both Alabama State and Auburn and how the value of writing as a skill is that it allows you to appropriately navigate discourse. During our discussion of what resources and training are provided by Teaching Tolerance we were struck by how important it is for us as teachers to use self reflection as a tool when creating lessons centered around social justice. Monita used the term "our visible and invisible identity" to describe why we need to be reflective to understand our on biases. If we are not honest with ourselves it will be a challenge for us to create spaces for students to speak and learn about others. If your are looking for resources on social justice please visit tolerance.org and look through their library of texts as well as their curriculum on social justice. Lessons are broken down by grade level focus on IDENTITY, DIVERSITY, JUSTICE, and ACTION. You can also find Teaching Tolerance on Facebook and Instagram if you'd like to learn more or connect with them. Once again thank you for listening to the podcast and if you're finding value in our show please leave a review on iTunes... it would mean the world to us!

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On episode #53 of the podcast Kyle is joined by Bethany Younkers. We got connect to Bethany through one of our previous guests CJ Reynolds. "Students will always give you a window in... and will test you to see you care and if you'll stick around." This is the key to connection and relationships in the classroom according to Bethany. We had an incredible talk about how at times we've both missed the 'windows' our students have given us because we didn't recognize their stories. Bethany teaches at an all boys school in Philly and we discussed how she sets expectations and boundaries with her boys as well as how she gains cultural awareness of the reality her students live in. Bethany (IG: @polkadotsofgratitude and polkadotsofgratitude.com) is a believer in the power of gratitude as much as we are and even against the will of teenage boys makes them "present to their blessings." Sprinkle in a bit of international travel and some talk on eating vegan and you have the recipe for a tremendous podcast!

If you'd like to join the conversation please reach out!!

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On this episode Kyle is joined by the creator of The Cutesy Class (cutesyclass.com) online store Brittanie McGregor! Not only does Brittanie (IG: @thecutesyclass) create some of the most popular teacher apparel out there she also is a passionate math teacher and coach. During our conversation we talked about how Britt strives to help every student feel the same way she does about school and learning. She also spoke of the importance of teachers taking time for themselves and stepping away from the stress of the classroom. One of our favorite things Brittanie said was her answer to the question of the best advice she's received, "It'll be ok...everything will still get done!" This was such powerful advice for teachers who struggle with the ever growing to-do list and have a serious fear that it will never go away. She explained how this is a part of taking time for herself and that she has learned the things that need to get done will always find a way to get done. It was such a fun conversation and we hope you enjoy it... and while you're at it go check out her store and maybe buy a shirt!!

To connect with us, ask a question, or be a guest on the show:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @valueaddvalue

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On this episode of the podcast Kyle was joined by the incredibly engaging Megan Forbes!! Megan (IG: toocoolformiddleschool) is a middle school English and History teacher in Los Angeles after growing up in Northern California. During our conversation Megan discussed how restorative justice and educational equity have become a part of her history curriculum. Megan is fortunate to have gotten some great training on and shared several great resources for talking about social problems in the classroom. Much of what she talked about on the show centered around knowing ourselves, our history, and the world around us to take actions in an effort to make things better. Megan also spoke on how the job of the teacher never gets easier, so we as teachers must continue to improve our craft. A point of emphasis for her on improving as a teacher is to surround yourself with a tribe the continually makes you better. We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for listening and becoming a part of our tribe! To learn more about Megan or to check out her fantastic content click on the YouTube link below!!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUC_22Y1A_uHZ9kEXSRPCKA

Here is how you can connect with us:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @valueaddsvalue

Facebook: Lighthouse Educator Development

On this episode of the podcast Kyle is joined by one our favorite Canadians Gary Gray Jr! Gary (IG: @garyrgrayjr) is currently teaching abroad in Singapore after having taught in Kuwait. It was interesting to talk with someone on a Friday night in Wisconsin and have him drinking coffee on a Saturday morning because of the 13 hour time difference. During our conversation Gary spoke on the importance of kids seeing people who look like them in the classroom. Our conversation centered around him being black and male and the importance for those two groups of people to see that it is possible for them to become teachers. Gary works at a school in Singapore that is for diverse both in cultures and nationalities, but he explained how at a school like his diversity allows them to use empathy as a teacher. They foster empathy and use it to learn by embracing the need to have the hard conversations and practicing the skills it takes to make the conversations meaningful. And to top it off he gives advice to any teachers who are thinking about making the choice to teach abroad. We hope that you enjoy Gary's story and this conversation as much as we did! If you'd like ask questions or share your story on the podcast don't hesitate to reach out!

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @valueaddsvalue

Facebook: Lighthouse Educator Development

Juan Gonzalez Jr. is a teacher and proud of it. We're proud to be able to call him a colleague and a friend. During this conversation with Kyle and Wil he talks about why our stories matter. Juan (IG: @teaching3rdwithmrg) has a love for reading that is infectious and passion for showing others the power that reading has to open up our world. "Reading is an insight into the world before they live it," according to Juan as he explains how we can shift students mindset to understand that books tell the same stories as TV and the internet. Juan strives to shine a positive light on education and urges teachers to let students know the why of everything that they do in order to establish the relevance of learning. And his most power piece of advice, "we don't know the impact we have on students." He stressed that we can show students that reading isn't a chore and that as teachers we are never alone in our struggles. And as an added bonus he discusses the Teach Your Heart Out Cruise in June of 2019!! So to get details on that and learn to love Juan as much as we do listen up!!

To learn more about the TYHO cruise click the link below:

http://www.teachyourheartoutcon.com/bahamas-cruise/

To connect with us, ask a question, or be a guest on the show:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @valueaddsvalue

Facebook: Lighthouse Educator Development

On episode 50 Kyle is joined by Kimberley Moran of We Are Teachers. The mission of We Are Teachers is to be the best place for teachers to come to get the resources and support that they need. Kimberley is one of the editors at We Are Teachers and she discussed how they want to see teachers thrive without competition. With all of the expectations and 'professionalism' that teachers are expected to live up to she describes how teachers can create learning experiences for students. The content on We Are Teachers is for teachers and created by teachers. It is how they maintain the culture of cooperation over competition. One of the most important parts of our conversation was when she describe the process of how they select humor at We Are Teachers. Kimberley talked on how they refuse to use any humor that makes teachers or students the joke. Humor is essential for all of us, but they won't provide it at our expense. At the end she challenges teachers to READ, RESIST, AND RISE in their pursuit of improvement in their craft. We hope you enjoy it!!

Here is how you can connect with Kimberley and We Are Teachers:

*[email protected]

*Instagram: @weareteachers

*Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreTeachers/

*Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/weareteachers/

To connect with us, ask a question, or be a guest:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @valueaddsvalue

Facebook: Lighthouse Educator Development

On this episode of the The LED Project Podcast Kyle was joined by Josie Bensko! Josie (@maniacsinthemiddle) is a rockstar 6th grade Science teacher in Illinois who sums up teaching as "the process of engagement." We thought that was such a fantastic way to describe the intersections of relationships, teaching style, and content in creating true learning for students. Josie discusses how she uses relationships, hands on activities, and music to create engagement with her students. If you follow her InstaStory you'll see all of the amazing activities that her team creates and delivers to serve their students. If you don't follow her stop what you're doing and do it! As always thank you for listening and if you'd like to connect with us use any of the methods listed below. If you want to subscribe to our newsletter and get more free content head over to theledproject.com!

Instagram: @valueaddsvalue

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Lighthouse Educator Development

On episode #46 of the podcast Kyle was joined by Monica Genta. Monica (@monicagentaed and monicagenta.com) is a middle school teacher, speaker, and trainer who we're excited to see present at Teach Your Heart Out Las Vegas! Monica spoke during the show about her hunger for learning drives her everyday and it drove her to among other things learn how to DJ for a school event without any prior experience.

Monica and Kyle talked about how she strives to help her students become "Captain Confidence" by owning who they are and becoming invest in their day to day education. But to put it simply her philosophy on education is to make everyone love school... including parents and teachers! Within that we talked about the importance of building face to face relationships and how teacher self care is a must. We finished up the conversation talking about her books GAME CHANGERS and 180 DAYS OF AWESOME. This episode was so fun to record and we hope that you enjoy it as much as we did. If you have questions you'd like us to answer or you're interested in being a guest on the show please reach out to us!!

Instagram: @valueaddsvalue

Facebook: Lighthouse Educator Development

Email: [email protected]

On this episode of the podcast Kyle was joined by The Dapper Teacher himself Jon Avery. "Education is the greatest form of service," was the answer Jon gave when asked about his teaching philosophy and it sums up our conversation well. Jon spoke of how a teacher named Ms. Cross create an inclusive classroom and how that is a reflection of the classroom he's created for himself. During our time together Jon talked the need for teachers to evaluate each moment they are in to look for how they could have made that moment better and how that mentality has helped him show up authentically to his students. In this episode you'll hear how Jon embraces his personality and culture, the need to teach conflict resolution in schools, what it means to teach dapper and so much more. If you don't follow him hurry up and do so @thedapperteacher. If you want to connect with us the methods are below! We hope you enjoy this episode of The LED Project Podcast.