Episodes

On today's episode, I am talking with Patty Alper the author of Teach to Work: How a Mentor, a Mentee, and a Project Can Close the Skills Gap in America. Our discussion focuses on the concepts within her book - …

In this episode, I am talking with Ellen Bernstein about the national TURN report. TURN stands for Teacher Union Reform Network and its stated purpose is "to promote progressive reforms in education and in teacher unions." TURN was founded 20 …

Today, I'm talking with Darya Yegorina. She has developed an app that makes learning fun through books and AR (augmented reality). Not only is it cool to use it's also free. Yep. That's right free. Its all about promoting equality …

Marching Off the Map and the Travel Guide Andrew McPeak Today, I am talking with Andrew McPeak who co-wrote Marching Off the Map with Dr. Tim Elmore. Marching Off the Map takes a peek at the "world's newest generation of …

In this episode I draw to a close the series that began with Episode 165 concerning Primary and Secondary sources of information. I share three reasons why primary sources are important in the classroom, I explain three ways to use …

Jim was born in Dooley County, Georgia in 1923. This is the part 4 of 4. This episode focuses on his early business ventures following WWII and into the 1960's. In this segment listen for Jim to talk about working …

Last week you heard Jim talk about the importance of education in his life. This week Jim talks about his experience in the Navy and his role in World War II. Remember that Jim is a primary source. He is …

This is part 3 of my interview of Jim Spradley. Today we are talking about his military experience in World War II. Here are some samples from our discussion: How Jim ended up in the Navy. What he was trained …

This is my reflection on part 2 of my interview with Jim Spradley. If you haven't listened to Part 1, it is episode 166. His focus during this segment of the interview is the importance of school. He wanted to …

This is part 2 of my interview with Jim Spradley. He was born in 1923 in south Georgia. He is in his 90's. Today we are talking about education and a desire to go to school. Jim mentions books that …

In episode 165 I talked about the upcoming series of shows that would be focused on my interview with Mr. Jim Spradley. In the first segment of the interview (episode 166), Jim shares his thoughts about growing up in rural …

Mr. Jim Spradley was born in 1923. He was the child of sharecroppers in Dooly County, Georgia. This is the first part of my interview with Jim. At the time of this interview he was 91 years old. (By the …

Do you take time to explain the difference between primary and secondary sources of information to your classes? Do you require the kids to learn to use primary sources not just secondary? Today I will introduce you to the difference …

Do you give homework? If so, do you know why you give homework? Today's discussion centers around questioning why we give homework. I talk about 3 great reasons for giving homework and 5 problematic reasons. Additionally, I speak to understanding …

Corey Knight is a middle school science teacher in Indiana. He also has created a way for you to get started in using technology in the classroom. Even though he has had offers to leave the classroom (since he knows …

Sargy Letuchy is a teacher in suburban Chicago and he has created a book that will hook you up with excellent graphic organizers to help you get the kids to a greater level of understanding. I like to find tools …

John Tibbetts is a 21-year veteran of the US Army and he is now the 2018 Georgia Teacher of the Year. He served in combat as a tank commander in Desert Storm, was deployed to Turkey in the Iraq War …

Do you have procedures for the electronic devices that the students use in your classroom? Now I don't mean the cell phones and other technology that the kids bring. I'm talking about the laptops, chromebooks/netbooks, and calculators that you have …

Attendance, part 2 - Paying attention and following up. This is a continuation of episode 158 where I talked about the importance of taking attendance. I have seen adults take forever to determine if all kids are in class or …

Taking attendance is very important, but it shouldn't take you more than a minute or two. If it is taking you 5 or more minutes then you may be avoiding starting class. 3 Don'ts in taking attendance: 1. Don't take …

The first day and week of school and what you need to do to be ready. Wow! Is it that time already? The first day and week of school are so very important. Kids and teachers, believe it or not, …

In episode 155, I introduced the idea that there are many aspects of our jobs as educators that we do not get paid to do. Instead, these details are expected. I talked about these three areas for example: 1. Connect …

So what do we get paid to do as educators? When you sign on to work in schools there may be things that you are expected to do that you didn't realize were part of the job. Do we get …

Why do you do what you do? Have you thought about it? If so or if not, how could you use those thoughts to keep you focused on what matters? I recently read Simon Sinek's book, Start With Why. Simon …