Attentive Teaching

Join Attentive Teaching as we welcome Superintendent Cecilia Robinson-Woods, Superintendent of Millwood Public Schools, Oklahoma City for a robust discussion about the teaching of Critical Race Theory and Community Building in Oklahoma.

Attentive Teaching takes the discussion of C.R.T. and moves it forward with a deep dive into the ways states are passing laws that are prescribing what teachers can and cannot teach. It appears that the teaching of racism, sexism and bias are on the chopping block and we'd like to explore how the mental health of teachers is being affected. Can stressed teachers teach and can stressed students learn?

Attentive Teaching continues their discussion about the controversy over the teaching of C.R.T. and racism in America. The question that today's podcast focuses on is: " Does the banning of teaching about C.R.T. violate the First Amendment rights of educators? "

C.R.T. - Join Attentive Teaching as they embark on the first of three episodes devoted to defining and unraveling the controversy surrounding the teaching of Critical Race Theory in America's classrooms.

Educators have the ability to design an environment that will influence student outcomes. How can teachers do this? Classroom Coordinator James Rossi recommends appealing to the five senses to influence your classroom. We hope you enjoy this narrated selection from the Attentive Teaching blog. You can read this blog post and more at the Attentive Teaching blog. Subscribe for future "blogcasts" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/ Second Nature by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/ Serenity by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Teachers choose to go into education for various reasons, but, according to several polls, most say they want to make a difference in children's lives. In the final episode of season 2, host Cindy Schwartz discusses the joys of teaching and shares what (and who) inspired her to become a teacher. Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Canon In D For Two Harps by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6959-canon-in-d-for-two-harps License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Winter Chimes by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4631-winter-chimes License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Two Together by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4555-two-together License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Pensif by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4202-pensif License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Touching Story by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4540-touching-story License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Pleasant Porridge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7614-pleasant-porridge License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

When you or your class is in need of taking a breath, maybe a rainstick is the instrument you can turn to for healing. Teacher-Mentor Warren F. Jacobson shares how this creative project can be used as both a grounding and educational tool for teachers and students alike. Narrated by: Tessa Altman We hope you enjoy this narrated selection from the Attentive Teaching blog. You can read this blog post and more at the Attentive Teaching blog. Subscribe for future "blogcasts" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Attentive Teaching's Rebecca Bellan discusses the window of tolerance and shares techniques that teachers can use to soothe their students while in states of hyper and hypoarousal. Subscribe for future midweek "mindfulness snacks" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/ Second Nature by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

It's no surprise that, while teaching during a pandemic, teachers have been under immense pressure, often putting their jobs ahead of their own mental well-being. Teacher-Mentor Karen Bracco proposes that it's time for educators to put themselves first. After all, self-care isn't selfish - it's essential. Narrated by: Tessa Altman We hope you enjoy this narrated selection from the Attentive Teaching blog. You can read this blog post and more at the Attentive Teaching blog. Subscribe for future "blogcasts" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

According to a January 2021 poll conducted on behalf of the American Psychological Association, 84% of adults reported feeling at least one emotion associated with prolonged stress, most notably anxiety, sadness, and anger. Teachers are not immune to these feelings, especially while teaching remotely, which can result in higher levels of anxiety, stress, and anger than most educators would say they are comfortable with. In this episode, we share doable, practical tips on how to make your teaching day, and ultimately your students' day, calmer, more compassionate, and less frenetic. Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Windswept by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4629-windswept License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Touching Moments One - Pulse by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4537-touching-moments-one---pulse License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Pensif by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4202-pensif License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Winter Chimes by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4631-winter-chimes License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Touching Moments Three - Deeper by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4538-touching-moments-three---deeper License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Two Together by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4555-two-together License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Luminous Rain by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4007-luminous-rain License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Almost Bliss by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5032-almost-bliss License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Attentive Teaching's Rebecca Bellan shares how you can utilize Tara Brach's R.A.I.N. method to practice self-compassion when you are feeling overwhelmed or going through a difficult time. This practice can also help you be more vulnerable with your students. Subscribe for future midweek "mindfulness snacks" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/ Second Nature by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Distance learning comes with so many challenges, but there are ways teachers can make this work for them and their students. Gloria Giambrone, Teacher-Mentor at Attentive Teaching, shares five things teachers must know when it comes to teaching remotely. Narrated by: Tessa Altman We hope you enjoy this narrated selection from the Attentive Teaching blog. You can read this blog post and more at the Attentive Teaching blog. Subscribe for future "blogcasts" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/ Serenity by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

When we speak with teachers, they invariably tell us that they are suffering from stress and anxiety more than they ever have in the past. So we thought we'd take a look at one teacher's explanation of why human beings suffer and what he believed could be done to alleviate it. In this episode, we provide an overview of Buddha's story and how and why he left his privileged life as an Indian prince to become the founder of Buddhism. Buddha believed that our insatiable desires are the root causes of our suffering and that following The Noble Eightfold Path could help us attain peace, balance and ultimately nirvana, which is the absence of suffering. Can you utilize The Eightfold Path to help you understand and manage your own suffering and perhaps that of your students? Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: River Flute by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4713-river-flute License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license The Sky of our Ancestors by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4510-the-sky-of-our-ancestors License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Ritual by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4293-ritual License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Reign by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4272-reign License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Summer Day by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4433-summer-day License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Stoic Morning by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4418-stoic-morning License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Laid Back Guitars by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3964-laid-back-guitars License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Attentive Teaching's Rebecca Bellan narrates a simple mindfulness meditation to help you be responsive, and not reactive, in the classroom. Subscribe for future midweek meditations and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

There are so many benefits of being part of a community, and in these times, we are learning just how much of an impact it can have on our personal and professional lives. Attentive Teaching co-founder and Executive Director of Social-Emotional Learning Lori Bellan outlines how important it is to belong to a group with a common purpose. Narrated by: Tessa Altman We hope you enjoy this narrated selection from the Attentive Teaching blog. You can read this blog post and more at the Attentive Teaching blog. Subscribe for future "blogcasts" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

The Other Things Matter, a website that many teachers might not know about, is host to a number of articles from what appears to be teachers all over the world. It posts eclectic, honest, and educationally-relevant content, and, in March of 2014, they shared an article by Kevin Stein entitled “Shaken not stirred: 8 ways to start your class different.” This article caused us to wonder about the myriad of ways that teachers can begin their lessons. Stein urges teachers to try more unconventional ways to start their classes and to motivate their students to learn. He is out of the box, and his suggestions are worth looking into. In this episode, we share Kevin Stein's strategies for beginning a lesson along with other practical and creative tips that we feel can help you jumpstart your teaching day. Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Canon In D For Two Harps by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6959-canon-in-d-for-two-harps License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Luminous Rain by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4007-luminous-rain License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Parting of the Ways - Part 1 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4195-parting-of-the-ways---part-1 License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Touching Moments Five - Circle by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4535-touching-moments-five---circle License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Two Together by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4555-two-together License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Windswept by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4629-windswept License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Winter Chimes by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4631-winter-chimes License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Attentive Teaching's Rebecca Bellan explores how the concept of negative visualization can help improve your mood and break negative thought patterns. Subscribe for future midweek "mindfulness snacks" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Practicing gratitude in your daily life can have numerous benefits. Lauren Navarra, Director of Psycho-Education for Attentive Teaching, shares what it means to embrace an attitude of gratitude, why it's not second nature for humans, and how we we can incorporate gratitude into our everyday lives. Narrated by: Rebecca Bellan We hope you enjoy this narrated selection from the Attentive Teaching blog. You can read this blog post and more at the Attentive Teaching blog. Subscribe for future "blogcasts" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Much has been written about the necessary, sometimes difficult, sometimes lovely, interactions between parents and teachers. These interactions can take the form of organized parent-teacher conferences, phone calls, emails, texts and department meetings. But, regardless of the venue, the meetings can trigger feelings of stress and anxiety in both teacher and parent. However, it doesn't have to be this way. The Parent Connection can be a positive, fulfilling experience for both teacher and parent if the interactions are approached in a more mindful way. Today's podcast offers simple, doable tips about how to use what, veteran educator Cindy Schwartz calls - the D.E.A.L. approach. Diffuse, Empathize, Assure and Love…D.E.A.L. If you have felt any anticipatory stress and anxiety about meeting with parents, give a listen. D.E.A.L.-ing with your feelings will open the door to a calmer, less stressful and more productive parent connection. Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Continue Life by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3545-continue-life License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ White by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4626-white License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Sovereign Quarter by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4396-sovereign-quarter License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Two Together by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4555-two-together License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Angel Share by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3367-angel-share License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Summer Day by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4433-summer-day License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Those Bright Eyes by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4171-open-those-bright-eyes License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Attentive Teaching's Rebecca Bellan narrates a loving-kindness meditation to help send goodwill, kindness, and warmth towards others. Subscribe for future midweek meditations and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

To say that the way we live and work has changed drastically during the COVID pandemic would be an understatement. For teachers, it can seem impossible to maintain a sense of peace and happiness while struggling to adapt to the new normal of distance education. Teacher-Mentor Christine Quigley shares the two mental shifts that have helped her manage the stress of teaching during the pandemic and all that has come along with it. Narrated by: Rebecca Bellan We hope you enjoy this narrated selection from the Attentive Teaching blog. You can read this blog post and more at the Attentive Teaching blog. Subscribe for future "blogcasts" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Attentive Teaching's Rebecca Bellan explores how mindfulness can help us understand our brain and its reactions to trauma. Subscribe for future midweek "mindfulness snacks" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

In May, 2019 CNN reported that 75% of school districts in the United States reported student lunch debt. Children in Alabama who have almost depleted their lunch accounts or are without money to pay their lunch debt have had, “I need lunch money” stamped on their arms. In Pennsylvania, one district sent a letter to 1,000 parents warning them that if they did not pay their child's lunch debt they would have them charged with negligence and would recommend their child be placed in foster care. What is happening? Why is this happening? Is shame and blame a viable option for school districts to recoup loses when children and their families are unable to pay off their lunch debt. And how can this be happening if we are trying to create more socially and emotionally aware, trauma informed schools? Join us as we begin our second season with a deep dive into this very pressing and disturbing issue-an issue that is being considered in our Congress today with new legislation that could outlaw on a national scale the practice of “lunch shaming”. The United States Department of Agriculture tells us that almost half of America's schools practice some form of “lunch shaming” to deal with lunch debt. Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Clear Waters by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3516-clear-waters License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Windswept by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4629-windswept License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Easy Lemon by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3697-easy-lemon License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Continue Life by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3545-continue-life License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ White by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4626-white License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Montauk Point by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4074-montauk-point License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Weaving music into your classroom curriculum is a great way to ensure that whatever you're teaching — be it compassion, empathy, kindness, caring, truth, justice, honesty, or tolerance — really sinks in. Roxee Lore, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Elementary Education at Attentive Teaching, provides suggestions for how to incorporate Rock n' Roll into various school subjects. Listen to the songs mentioned in this blogcast on our companion playlist! Narrated by: Rebecca Bellan We hope you enjoy this narrated selection from the Attentive Teaching blog. You can read this blog post and more at the Attentive Teaching blog. Subscribe for future "blogcasts" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more!

Attentive Teaching's Rebecca Bellan provides simple grounding techniques for dealing with anxiousness, stress, and hyperarousal. Subscribe for future midweek "mindfulness snacks" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

5th century Greek philosopher Socrates once said, "An unexamined life is not worth living." So how do we make sure our students are living an examined life? Socrates would tell us to encourage our students to ask more questions. By questioning, we come to the truth. Are our students asking enough questions? Are we, as teachers, asking enough questions ourselves and taking time to wait for responses? This episode dives into the role of questioning in the physical and remote classroom and poses our own essential question - "Is handraising obsolete?" We hope not. Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Midnight Tale by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4710-midnight-tale License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Easy Lemon by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3697-easy-lemon License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Midsummer Sky by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4049-midsummer-sky License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Almost New by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3353-almost-new License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Touching Moments Four - Melody by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4536-touching-moments-four---melody License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

When was the last time you made time to sit with yourself and just be? Attentive Teaching's Head of Yoga & Mindfulness Carmella Stone-Klein explains how to create a sacred space in your home where you can practice self-reflection and cultivate calm. Narrated by: Rebecca Bellan We hope you enjoy this narrated selection from the Attentive Teaching blog. You can read this blog post and more at the Attentive Teaching blog. Subscribe for future "blogcasts" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

It's the age old question – why don't some kids like going to school?” We know kids like to learn. That is a given. And since school is for learning, why wouldn't all kids want to go? Why do younger children generally seem eager and excited to go to school and answer their teachers' questions, while older students do not exhibit that same excitement and enthusiasm? What happened? Studies show that our awareness of the ‘disaffected' or ‘disconnected' student may hold the answer. Students who are ‘disaffected' are usually overly quiet and passive or disruptive and overtly rebellious. They have ‘checked out', are not engaged and have poor grades. Being ‘disaffected' has nothing to do with intelligence. It has to do with not being engaged. So, how do we as teachers engage the ‘disaffected', ‘disconnected' student? How do we help those students become connected to our classrooms, our classwork and us as teachers? How do we get ‘disaffected' students to get excited about learning again? This episode offers a number of doable tips on how to engage the ‘disaffected' and ‘disconnected' student. It starts with engaging and connecting! Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Touching Moments One - Pulse by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4537-touching-moments-one---pulse License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Easy Lemon by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3697-easy-lemon License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ White by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4626-white License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Facile by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3733-facile License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Almost New by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3353-almost-new License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Bathed in the Light by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3425-bathed-in-the-light License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Has 2020 made it even harder to maintain a healthy work-life balance? Teacher-Mentor Elzy Muñoz highlights five easy ways to set personal boundaries for yourself during these difficult times. Narrated by: Rebecca Bellan We hope you enjoy this narrated selection from the Attentive Teaching blog. You can read this blog post and more at the Attentive Teaching blog. Subscribe for future "blogcasts" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

In July of 2018, New York School Talk put out an article entitled, “The Power of Vulnerability in the Classroom”. In the article, author Vivett Dukes quotes educator Whitney Hollins, who writes, “being vulnerable is often viewed as synonymous with being weak.” Therein lies the problem. If being vulnerable requires us to take chances, to think ‘outside the box' and change course, we wonder if it is worth the risk? Maybe this is the best time to be vulnerable. Especially for teachers. The worldwide pandemic has created such fear, apprehension and disconnectedness that maybe, just maybe being more vulnerable is the antidote. What have we got to lose? Let's just change it up. In this episode, we challenge teachers to think about taking the risk to teach more vulnerably-to teach in a more humane way by sharing with their students who they are as people without worrying if this new found vulnerability will cause them to lose control over their classrooms. Being human, forgiving and compassionate and sharing a bit of yourself in terms of your likes and dislikes, in an appropriate manner, might be just the way to reduce behavioral issues and student apathy. Give your students a bit of a window into who you are and they will flock to your class. When teachers are more vulnerable and more human, students feel a greater sense of connectedness and trust. Experts agree those components of connectedness and trust must be present for students to truly learn. So…let's show just how human we all are. Perhaps this is the best time to do so. Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Windswept by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4629-windswept License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Luminous Rain by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4007-luminous-rain License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ We Are The Best Team! by WinnieTheMoog Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6235-we-are-the-best-team- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Sweet Ukulele by Rafael Krux Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5948-sweet-ukulele License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Inspiration by Rafael Krux Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5493-inspiration- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Inspiration and Success by Rafael Krux Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5664-inspiration-and-success- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Winter Chimes by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4631-winter-chimes License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Can history teach our students to empathize? Secondary educator Cindy Schwartz highlights specific activities that you can utilize to teach empathy in your classroom. We hope you enjoy this narrated selection from the Attentive Teaching blog. You can read this blog post and more at the Attentive Teaching blog. Subscribe for future "blogcasts" and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Acoustic Meditation 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Attentive Teaching's Lauren Navarra narrates a guided meditation for teachers focusing on safety, health, and peace. Subscribe for future midweek meditations and visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources to help create a peaceful and safe classroom for your students and yourself. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more!

With Thanksgiving coming and looking very different this year, we thought we'd take some time to consider what gratitude is and how we can build a “thank you” mindset into our own lives and the lives of our students. How do we build gratitude into our classrooms and our lives? We can ask our students to keep gratitude journals, we can ask our students to write and acknowledge their strengths and how they can use their strengths to do something nice for someone. We could read stories about gratefulness like The Gift of the Magi or have a “Good Week Reflection” like the Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley suggests. Ultimately, if we practice gratefulness, we will be physically, emotionally and mentally healthier. Well-known psychologist and researcher Dr. Robert Emmons says, “Grateful people…feel more hope, optimism, and a desire to get along with others.” Need we say more? Happy “Different” Thanksgiving. We wish you health, happiness and peace. We are grateful for you! Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Soft Piano by Agnese Valmaggia Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6509-soft-piano License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ A New Beginning by Agnese Valmaggia Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6510-a-new-beginning License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Relaxing Piano Improvisation by Alexander Nakarada Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5978-relaxing-piano-improvisation License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Relaxing Dreams by MusicLFiles Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6787-relaxing-dreams License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Piano Mood by Agnese Valmaggia Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6299-piano-mood License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Farewell by MusicLFiles Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6466-happy-farewell License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In 2013, EdTech posed an interesting question – “If you were offered a job that paid an average annual salary of $49,000 and required you to work 12-16 hour days, would you take it?” This very same article from EdTech continued to remind us that although the average teacher workday is 6.7 hours, the average teacher gets to school one hour earlier in the morning and often stays an average of 3-5 hours beyond the traditional school day for meetings, grading and other administrative or volunteer activities. Business Insider reported in 2019 that on average, teachers take home 2-3 hours of work a day. So, we wonder, how do teachers find time for self-care? How do teachers nourish their need to rest, re-charge and re-set for the next day at school if there isn't any time both at school or at home to do that? And ultimately, will teachers be able to be their best in the classroom if they are unable to find time for self-care? In today's episode, we ask teachers to consider being selfish. We are offering a number of simple practices that could help teachers find ways to increase their self-care. Let us help you find some You Time so that you can feel nourished, rested and in love with teaching again. At Attentive Teaching we firmly believe that when teachers are nourished, rested and calm, their students will be too. It's a win-win. Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Continue Life by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3545-continue-life License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Touching Moments One - Pulse by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4537-touching-moments-one---pulse License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ White by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4626-white License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Midsummer Sky by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4049-midsummer-sky License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Almost Bliss by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5032-almost-bliss License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Edutopia, an educational foundation founded by award-winning filmmaker George Lucas in 1991, tells us that 16% of all children and 40% of students diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have oppositional defiant disorder also called ODD. These students exhibit behaviors that can include temper tantrums, a disregard for rules and authority and a propensity to annoy other students while claiming that they are victims not responsible for their misfortunes. These students can be vindictive as well. Education experts tell us that negative reinforcement or punishments often exacerbate these feelings in students who suffer from ODD. 19th century naturalist and writer, Henry David Thoreau once said that “the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Perhaps, our job as teachers is to unwrap what the kinds of desperation that our students are experiencing and tailor our approach to their oppositional behavior with compassion, positive reinforcement and strategies to help them self-soothe. Today's episode asks teachers to consider “bending with the wind” when approaching oppositional students in their classroom. Understanding and managing oppositional behavior within our classrooms with self-regulating activities that could include deep breathing exercises, meditation chimes, project-based assessments, coloring exercises and other forms of positive reinforcement might just help us enable the most oppositional of students to ‘bend with the wind” rather than break during the storm. Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Windswept by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4629-windswept License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Midnight Tale by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4710-midnight-tale License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Almost Bliss by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5032-almost-bliss License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Facile by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3733-facile License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Touching Moments One - Pulse by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4537-touching-moments-one---pulse License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Touching Moments Four - Melody by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4536-touching-moments-four---melody License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Winter Chimes by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4631-winter-chimes License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Crinoline Dreams by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3560-crinoline-dreams License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In our second episode, we focus on an ever present problem for teachers – quieting down a class. How can we, as educators, better help our students to ‘settle in' for the day or for a particular lesson without being reactive or encouraging our students to be reactive? Psychology Today tells us that all individuals respond to respect. Additionally, students follow our lead and we need to model non-reactive behavior, compassion and calm if we expect them to. Today's episode offers practical, doable tips on how to calmly, mindfully and creatively quiet down students so that classes start on time, are productive and engaging. Ever try using a meditation bell to start your class? “Chime In” with us to see how it works! Visit AttentiveTeaching.com for more resources and to read the transcript of this episode on our blog. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Easy Lemon by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3697-easy-lemon License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Continue Life by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3545-continue-life License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Bee by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3853-happy-bee License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Clear Waters by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3516-clear-waters License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Somewhere Sunny by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4390-somewhere-sunny License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Almost Bliss by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5032-almost-bliss License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Groundwork by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3832-groundwork License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In 2019, The Pacer Center, an organization dedicated to helping schools and families attend to the needs of students with disabilities, revealed that approximately 20% of students in our nation's schools were bullied. That's one out of five students. Psychologists tell us that when students do not feel safe in their classrooms and schools at large, genuine learning cannot take place. The brain is not hardwired to process information under that kind of physical and emotional stress. In today's episode we recognize the importance of October as National Bullying Prevention Month by offering strategies that help educators identify bullying behavior, address it and provide calmer and more peaceful classrooms where students can better control their behavior through self-regulating activities. Visit AttentiveTeaching.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with us and learn more! Music: Summer Day by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4433-summer-day License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ White by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4626-white License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Clear Waters by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3516-clear-waters License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Almost New by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3353-almost-new License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Windswept by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4629-windswept License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Attentive Teaching is an education nonprofit that aims to help teachers create peaceful and safe classrooms by recognizing and addressing trauma and stress-related issues through mindfulness and self-regulating techniques. The Attentive Teaching podcast is here to help listeners improve themselves, and their classroom.