Building Educators With Wood

It's been a minute! Let me catch you up and give you some lessons I'm taking into the new school year!

Needing some encouragement to make it to spring break and/or the end of the school year? The OG has some tips!

I know you've heard “We don't talk about Bruno”…but we need to!

I don't know who needs to hear this, but…

Your assignment as a teacher is very clear this week: no lesson plans or grading. Finish the break with lots of Netflix!

Is there anything left in education to be thankful for?

Teachers, we're in the fight of our lives. COVID sucker punched us, but we are fighting back!

The OG pops in for a quick summer school episode. You won't believe what the OG decided to do this summer….

Let’s go back through some of the best moments of Season 2!

What is the biggest mistake you’ve made in your teaching career? What did you learn from it? The OG has a vulnerable and transparent moment dishing about some big mistakes I’ve made in my career.

In this episode, we discuss the Netflix hit, “Malcom & Marie,” through our teacher lens. When Marie says “You didn’t thank me,” I felt that in my teacher heart. If no one has thanked you lately, I got you!

The OG has three points and a shout: What Black students and Black teachers need you to know in 2021.

Let’s talk about data. Do we need it? What should it do? What should it not do?

The OG has 5 tips on how you can have tough conversations in your classroom.

Bridgerton is what you need to watching on Netflix this week instead of grading!

Teacher friends, which list are you on this school year? Listen in to find out.

Let’s chat about these lesson plans, shall we?

In the very first crossover event for “Building Educators With Wood,” the doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial and teachers from schools all over the world come together in this special episode.

It’s time for a good ole class meeting. We’re addressing the elephant in the classroom: teacher anxiety. We’re also having some real talk about the anxiety this political climate has caused teachers. Teachers, we gotta fix this! Let’s start by learning the ABCs for overcoming teacher anxiety.

In this episode, the OG talks about how harmful toxic positivity is to teachers. What if there were days for teachers like kids have for Red Ribbon Week? Is your spouse being supportive? I also have a movie to distract you from grading!

In this first episode of Season 2, the OG asks the question burning on our minds: Is anyone listening to teachers? How is in person learning going? Well... Also, we’re done with the martyr mindset! Adam Sandler released a movie for teachers! (At least, I feel like it’s a feel good flick for us in spite of all we’re dealing with!) Listen in!

The OG told us she would randomly pop up and check in during the summer. Find out what the ‘Rona and Racism courses taught the OG in summer school!

This is the finale of season 1! Lyrics from a Missy Elliot song give the instructional strategy this week! Look...I’m not trying to start nothing, but there’s a “Happy Madison” movie on Netflix. I hope things never go back to normal...

Episode 17 is a celebration for the 17 years the OG has been teaching! Here are my favorite moments from this season of “Building Educators With Wood!”

Happy “Teacher Appreciation Week!” Let me give you your flowers while you can still see and smell them! In this episode we celebrate teachers, but we’re taking the red pen to safety nets. Whatever dream won’t let you rest at night...go for it! Now is the time. Slash up that safety net! Do teachers have love languages? Listen in and I’ll tell you all about mine! Congratulations to the class of 2020!

In this episode, the OG tells a story about Tevin Campbell that brings this time of digital learning into perspective! Parents...the honeymoon is over. You’ve got a changeling! I know! Stop looking at that work thinking “Really????” Let me distract you for a bit with a Netflix movie.

I know that first wind of digital learning has come and left, but your second wind is here! In this episode, we celebrate SpEd teachers and therapists keeping the learning going for their students. Teachers, beware! Everyone isn’t offering discounts and free things. What do you do if you feel you are being asked to do too much for digital learning? Last, I’ve got a Netflix suggestion for all you wine sommeliers!

Instagram has their celebrity battles and some well known teachers are about to battle for their titles. Who will win?? Check out the battles: “Most Effective Principal,” “Worst Teacher Who Has the Best Transformation,” “The Extra Mile,” “Pulled A Rabbit Out Of A Hat,” and “Most Impactful Coach”

This episode is all about encouragement. Our new normals are sinking in and it’s different, but “different” doesn’t have to mean “devastating.” Let me tell you about my different spring break. I’ve been outside and up in da club. Here’s your tough love moment: Move! You’re blocking the SON.

We are all trying to make sense of our new normals. We’re throwing it back to the late 90s and early 2000s with our strategy for teacher shaming: Can I Live? My teacher bag is full of gold stars! Teachers, you are really going I.N. during this time. We play our first ever game! The movie suggestion is intense, but a great one!

Most of us have turned our living rooms and offices into classrooms! We are figuring out our new normals as we teach from home. To make it through, we’ll need some GUM! Kudos to all of the educational based companies offering their products for $Free.99. We see you! Will we make it through this time? What will the future hold? Listen now!

The OG turned 40 and I gotta say it like I feel it: When are we going to start holding students more accountable? The “Gold Star” goes to teachers navigating the tricky terrain of the coronavirus. Teacher friends...let’s talk about teacher anxiety. It’s not healthy! Instead of going into panic mode during this time of year...go IN!!!

It’s “Read Across America” Week and the NEA is shifting the focus. This means it’s time to diversify your classroom libraries! Teachers, you have time for that read aloud. Go for it! What can we do about the blurred lines between teacher duties and parent responsibilities? I’ve got an easy “two-fer” that might help. Do you need a Netflix suggestion? I got one!

This episode honors Black History month and Black excellence!!! I tell my story as a Black student and teacher growing up and teaching in a predominantly white town. I pay homage to local Black influencers who shaped me as a student and a teacher.

This episode is all about love! There is nothing like the power of teacher love! We will define the term “struggle love” and talk about what what it means to drive the “Struggle Love Bus.” I asked my students “How Do You Know Mrs. Wood Loves You?” Their answers were interesting. Last, you need a romantic movie to watch instead of grading. I found a good one.

Real talk: Sometimes it’s hard to connect with certain students no matter what you do. This week we take a red pen to training...we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death during a lot of this training!! Rest In Peace, Kobe! Kudos to the teachers who took a time out from standards this week to help kids grieve.

Admin, we need to gently suggest something to you. Open your hearts to receive this feedback! This week, I answer the question “How do I help struggling learners?” with a “Bad Boys For Life” connection.

Is your district giving rewards and incentives to teachers for NOT taking sick days? We need to talk about that, Dubsmash and TUI (teaching under the influence..of illness!)

On the very first episode of “Building Educators with Wood,” we talk about everything from Teachers Pay Teachers, balancing school with life and even what Netflix shows to watch when you should be grading.