Cultivating Connection with KG Education

Devon is a PhD Candidate at the University of Victoria. In this episode, she shares her journey as a PhD student. Hear about the challenges she has overcome and the skills she has developed as she tackles each step of her program. If you're a teacher taking a graduate studies program, check out The Strategic Scholar workshop for tips, strategies and tech tools for succeeding in your program. kgeducation.ca/StrategicScholar

Need some inspiration for your classroom activities or coaching practice? In this episode, Leah shares some of her favourite learning activities to engage learners. These classroom activities work for different grade levels and subject areas. They are fun to teach and are usually a hit with students!Be sure to check out the show notes at kgeducation.ca/episode27 for links to resources and templates you can use to try these activities in your own classroom!

With the substitute teacher shortage and lack of funding in education, leaving your school and travelling to a conference can be difficult. That's why we're bringing the conference to you! In this episode, we share our top takeaways from one of our favourite ed tech conferences--Riding the Wave in Gimli, Manitoba. From the dynamic keynote to informative sessions, you'll hear about the big ideas and useful tools that made this conference so worthwhile. We'll share about the importance of creativity and how to cultivate it as well as e-sports and broadcasting your school announcements--there's something for everyone in this new episode of Cultivating Connection. Show notes at: https://kgeducation.ca/26RTW

We are heading into the final months of the school year here in Manitoba. If you're also winding down your school year, we want to cheer you on as you finish strong!  We've definitely had school years where it felt like we were dragging ourselves to the finish line on the brink of burnout, feeling disorganized and overwhelmed.  We've also had really fun final stretches, with loads of rich, meaningful learning in our classrooms and feeling great physically and mentally. In this episode, we're sharing 5 strategies to help you finish your year strong.  If you're ready for more ideas at the end of this episode, we're sharing 5 *more* strategies to finish strong at our Teacher Success Squad community call on May 9.  Head to kgeducation.ca/SuccessSquad to register! Full show notes with links to resources mentioned in this episode at: kgeducation.ca/25strong

While driving to a conference, Devon and Leah spend some time talking about one of their favourite topics--books. In this episode, they share some of their favourite books across a variety of genres and why they think you'd like them too. Tune in, open your Goodreads app, and add these titles to your "to read" shelf--there are some great recommendations in this fast and fun episode! Follow the Kenton girls on Goodreads: Devon Leah

James Allen is currently the Statewide School Library Lead and a Digital Learning Coach for the Kentucky Department of Education. He was a public K-12 school librarian for sixteen years. In this episode, James shares tips and ideas for working with your school librarian. Connect with James @TLJamesA on Twitter and www.tljamesa.com Show notes are on our blog at https://kgeducation.ca/23jamesallen

The BYTE (Build Your Teaching Experience) Conference is an annual, all-day event that features multiple break-out sessions following a keynote speaker. Held on February 17, 2023, in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, the conference has a strong educational technology focus and attracts K-12 educators from around the province. Devon and Leah have attended and presented for many years, and love the great variety of sessions and opportunities to connect with friends and colleagues. The theme for 2023 was BYTE-Size Technology Infusion, inspired by the idea that EVERYONE is able to make small, daily learning gains in a busy educational environment. Take a few minutes to listen to the Kenton girls' biggest takeaways from BYTE 2023. You'll hear about some new tools and ideas as well as some great educators to connect with on social media. Tools to check out: Noun Project: huge selection of free icons and images Quick, Draw!: AI-powered drawing database of doodles Flip: Microsoft's video discussion and sharing app Read&Write extension for Chrome OrbitNote extension for Chrome

Emily Thomas is a Technology Integrator and Trainer for Northeast Metro Intermediate School District 916 in Minnesota. Her most recent project is an accessible STEAM Mobile Makerspace that provides differentiated activities for students from pre-K through post-high school. Tune in to this episode to find out how Emily is bringing accessible makerspace activities to the learners in her school district. Access Emily's Makerspace activities in the full show notes at: https://kgeducation.ca/21emilythomas

Dear Teacher, you're wonderful just the way you are. But we've come up with three creative ways to help you be an even better teacher in 2023….and they might not be the kind of things that immediately come to mind. We're not talking about boosting literacy scores or strengthening your classroom management, but we are confident that these three suggestions will make the new year a great one. Free 7 Day Journalling Challenge available here Free Teacher Wellness Toolkit available here

"Programs don't teach kids. Teachers teach kids." Dr. Joe Stouffer is a literacy researcher, consultant, and assistant professor at Brandon University's Faculty of Education, and he has a thing or two to say about teaching children to read. In this jam-packed episode, Dr. Stouffer discusses balanced literacy programs, the Science of Reading movement, and assessment. He shares the most important thing that teachers can do to be effective teachers of literacy, and it's surprisingly simple. Questions about sight/high-frequency words? He talks about that too. Tune in, listen a couple of times, and share it with your teacher friends, because this is an episode that you don't want to miss. Show notes available at: https://kgeducation.ca/19literacy/

Join us for the 2022 Holly Jolly Holiday Connection – a simple and free online project we created to connect you with other students and teachers while generating some holiday spirit. This will be the third year we've hosted this project and we are excited to see the greetings start rolling in from different places! Find out more at kgeducation.ca/hollyjolly Interested in our Kindergarten Essentials webinar? Learn more about how to foster playful learning in Kindergarten on Sunday, November 20, at 10 am CST.

In this episode, Leah shares 3 things you need to know about coding and computational thinking. What is coding? What is computational thinking? Why might you want to integrate them in your classroom? Leah will address these questions and share her experiences with teaching coding and computational thinking. Access the resources mentioned at: https://hourofcode.com/ca

In this episode, we share why classroom connections are important and the simple and accessible tools you can use to connect your classroom. We also discuss some of our favourite projects to provide you with inspiration and ideas for connecting with other classrooms, organizations, and experts for powerful and authentic learning. Find out more at Kindergarten Diva or KG Education. Register for Kindergarten Essentials webinars here.

Welcome to the third season of Cultivating Connection! There are many benefits to integrating yoga into your early years classroom. It's the perfect movement break, it's non-competitive, and can be practiced without any equipment. Research has demonstrated that yoga enhances children's ability to self-regulate and sustain attention, and it can be useful for managing anxiety. Wondering how to get started with yoga in the classroom? Tune in to this new episode of Cultivating Connection for the all ideas and tips! Find out more about the Kindergarten Essentials webinar series here Blog post about getting started with yoga available here Namaste Kid for yoga scripts and other resources Yoga pose flash cards: my favourite set

As we wrap up the current school year, our thoughts turn to summer holidays and a very well-deserved break. However, a small (or big) part of our mind is already thinking about the upcoming school year and what we can do to make it better or different. This podcast episode is for all the educators teaching early years next year who are wondering how to start off next fall in the best possible way. Keep listening...we've got four practices to save your sanity and set you up for success! Blog post with links and resources available here. Register for Kindergarten Essentials webinar on July 28 at 10 am CDT here.

Katie and Megan are teachers and best friends from Edmonton, Alberta. They're also planner designers and business owners who have developed an amazing line of planners and accessories based on their own experiences of what busy teachers and moms need to stay organized. In this episode of Cultivating Connection, Katie and Megan tell us all about how their business got started and how they got their name (it's a good story), their favourite features that make their planners unique and super useful, and their best tips for keeping it all together and living their best lives. This teacher-entrepreneur duo shares how they do everything locally in their business and how much their ever-growing community means to them and it's nothing short of inspiring. You can find Katie and Megan on social media at @twoplannerbabes and online at twoplannerbabes.com. Show notes available at: https://kgeducation.ca/twoplannerbabes/

In this episode of the Cultivating Connection podcast, you'll hear from educator Jana Gerard. Jana works as the coordinator of the EDvolution Center at Southeast Missouri State University. In this role, she supports pre-service teachers and faculty with developing digital competencies. She's passionate about the intentional and purposeful use of technology in education. Listen to this episode for some inspiration on how we can use technology effectively in education. Show notes available at: https://kgeducation.ca/12janagerard

Are you thinking about pursuing a graduate degree? Does the huge amount of information about different programs seem overwhelming and confusing? Not sure if graduate studies are for you? Tune in to a new episode of Cultivating Connection as Leah and Devon share their experiences with different graduate programs at the M.Ed. and PhD levels. You'll learn more about: -important considerations before beginning -finding the right program for you -the difference between post-baccalaureate/graduate diplomas, Master of Education programs, as well as EdD and PhD studies -tips for managing work and university responsibilities -Devon and Leah's favourite tech tools for writing papers and researching Access show notes at: https://kgeducation.ca/11graduatestudies/

Jeff Bradbury is an ISTE Award Winning (2021) and globally-recognized educator, educational broadcaster, public speaker, and entrepreneur whose powerful message has inspired thousands of educators through the TeacherCast Educational Network. Jeff works as a Technology Integration Specialist for Norwalk Norwalk Public Schools in Connecticut. In this episode, he shares how he builds connections with colleagues and students while working in many different classrooms as an instructional coach. He offers tips for technology-integration and shares some of the recent projects he's worked on with teachers. Learn with Devon & Leah Join us at our upcoming learning retreat for an inspiring day of professional learning, wellness and community connections on April 18, 2022. Details at kgeducation.ca/retreat

Teacher professional learning experiences run the gamut of amazing and inspiring to boring and irrelevant. So many factors contribute to a great day of professional development, and in this new episode of Cultivating Connection, we're excited to share some of our favourite experiences and PD must-haves with you. What makes a professional learning experience one to remember? Keep listening to find out, and don't hesitate to reach out to us and share your favourite professional learning experiences! Join us at our upcoming learning retreat for an inspiring day of professional learning, wellness and community connections on April 18, 2022. Details at kgeducation.ca/retreat

Leslie Dent Scarcello is a teacher-librarian and elementary educator in Manitoba. Leslie shares her perspective on building connections with students and staff.  She provides ideas for incorporating technology, play and inquiry in learning activities and gives some tips for fostering a love of literacy. Tune in for ideas and inspiration on teaching, learning and connecting! Connect with Leslie on Instagram @mrsdentscarcello Read more on our blog at: https://kgeducation.ca/8LeslieDentScarcello

Virtual and in-person museum visits can really enhance teaching and learning in a variety of subject areas. Museum hacking is a pedagogical approach that goes beyond passive viewing to actively engaging with museum exhibits to question, critique, and disrupt. Learn more about the museum hack in the latest episode of KG Education's Cultivating Connection podcast. Blog post with more information available here Based on the following work: Clover, D. E., Taber, N., & Sanford, K. (2018). The Feminist Museum Hack. A pedagogy of seeing and possibility. Storia Delle Donne, 14, 125–140. https://doi.org/10.13128/SDD-25662 As mentioned in the podcast: Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano

Have you every wanted to completely reimagine education? That's exactly what Jamie Ewing challenged himself to do when he left his public school teaching position for a private Waldorf school in New York City. An award-winning educator known for STEM, science, and technology integration, Jamie exchanged technology for a chalkboard and embraced a brand-new teaching approach. In this episode of Cultivating Connection, we have a fascinating conversation with this dynamic educator and author based in The Bronx, New York City. His passion for teaching and learning is unmatched, and you can't help but be inspired to reimagine education yourself after listening to Jamie's story. You can find Jamie on Twitter @mrewingteach.

In this collaborative episode hosted by Joel Templeman of Tech Manitoba, Leah Obach and Devon Caldwell are joined by other podcasters in education for a panel discussion. As you listen, you'll learn more about how to get started with podcasting and recommended tools/software/apps. All participants share the lessons they've learned about podcasting and some pitfalls to avoid. Tune in to discover why podcasts are a powerful and fun teaching and learning tool. Interested in getting started with podcasting? Visit kgeducation.ca/podcastguide to sign up for your free guide to podcasting in education. It's a three-page handbook that's jam-packed with tips and tools for launching your own podcast.

We know how busy teacher life can get—and November offers some extra challenges with the demands of assessment and reporting. It's more important than ever to squeeze in some wellness, so in this episode, we share our favourite practices and how to fit them into your hectic day. Learn more about how breathwork, mindfulness, movement, and meditation support your mental and physical health to keep you healthy and happy during this busy season. Interested in more accountability and support to strengthen your wellness? Join our November Winter Wellness Week for 7 days of recorded and live practices with a fun and encouraging community! More information available at https://kgeducation.ca/wellness.

Lisa Baylis is a mindfulness and self-compassion expert, an educator, and a published author from beautiful Vancouver Island. In this episode of Cultivating Connection, we chatted about what educators need to know about mindfulness, self-compassion, and sustainable wellness, as well as Lisa's tips for how to get started. Lisa shares from an authentic place—she doesn't just write and present about these practices, she embodies them, and any conversation with her is both uplifting and incredibly informative. Lisa has generously agreed to give away a copy of her book to someone in the KG Education community, so listen for the key word in the podcast and find out how you can be entered in this special October book giveaway! Find out more in the show notes at kgeducation.ca/blog.

Imagine if you could set yourself up for a great school year by implementing three new strategies in your life. In this episode of Cultivating Connection, Leah and Devon share three practices that have made a big difference for them, why they work, and how you can customize them to work for you. Links and resources are shared in the show notes, available at https://kgeducation.ca/2/ Passion Planner offer code for 10% off: DEVONnLEAH10

Kerri Malazdrewicz is a Grade 9-12 teacher at Neelin High School in Brandon, Manitoba and the Vice President of the Manitoba Student Leadership Association. In this episode, she shares with us how she uses social media in education and how she fosters student leadership at her school. Kerri also shares her ideas for building connections with colleagues and students. Listen to this episode for some great ideas to try with your students or colleagues this school year! Show notes at: https://kgeducation.ca/1

Do you ever struggle to find your voice and use it? In this guided meditation, we explore the power and expansiveness of saying YES to yourself and YES to more of what you want in your life. Using breathwork, mantra, and a guided visualization focusing on the throat chakra, we find the strength to use our voices to invite in joy, possibility, and new experiences.

Danielle is an educator in Trinidad who is deeply committed to school improvement and adding value through her contributions in the field of education. Devon met her when she traveled to Trinidad and Tobago in 2015 to deliver professional development workshops as part of Project Overseas. In this episode, Danielle tells us all about the school system in Trinidad and shares her passion for school improvement and ongoing professional learning. It's jam-packed with interesting information about what school looks like in this island country and we know you'll find Danielle totally inspiring as she shares about her career and her commitment to making a difference! Show notes at: https://kgeducation.ca/DanielleAli

Spencer Cotter is an instructional coach and teacher mentor from Michigan. Tune in as the Kenton girls talk to Spencer about boundaries, energy input and output, and wellness in the teaching profession. Spencer shares her personal story, relatable examples, and simple techniques to help teachers make changes to avoid burnout and exhaustion. You won't want to miss learning about the 3 Cs of boundaries, key aspects of Spencer's morning routine, and how to curate your Instagram feed for healthy energy input. To find out more, visit the show notes at https://kgeducation.ca/spencercotter.

Devon and Leah reflect on two years of working with teachers to offer their unique blend of professional learning and wellness. They share their favourite moments, lessons learned, and their plans for the upcoming year. Show notes at: https://kgeducation.ca/podcasthappyanniversary/

Based on the ideas shared in James Clear's book, Atomic Habits, this guided meditation uses visualization, affirmations, and the feeling state to support healthy habit development.

Sarah Harrison is a globe-trotting teacher who loves to travel. This Manitoba girl is currently teaching in an international boarding school in England and recently completed her Master of Education degree. In this episode, we talk about what it's like to teach (and live) in a boarding school and her recommendations for pursuing a similar path. Sarah also shares about play-based learning and tips for getting started if you'd like to add more playfulness to your classroom practice. Meet Sarah and learn about her journey in this episode of Cultivating Connection. Show notes available at: kgeducation.ca/sarahharrison

On the anniversary of Leah's year of daily meditation, yoga, and journaling, the Kenton girls discuss all things habits and routines. In this episode, you'll learn more about developing new habits, tools and strategies for habit-tracking, and the girls' best tips for success. Devon and Leah also share their favourite books on habits and routines and their new April book club selection, Atomic Habits by James Clear. Learn more at http://kgeducation.ca/bookclub. Show notes with links to the books and resources mentioned in this episode are available at: https://kgeducation.ca/buildingbetterhabits/

This 7-minute meditation is perfect to connect you to your body, your breath, and the present moment. Leave anxiety and worry behind as you engage in two different grounding techniques that you can practice anytime, anywhere.

Listen to this simple guided meditation to begin your morning in the best possible way! Enjoy six minutes of visualization, affirmations, and grounding for a day filled with intention and gratitude.

Jennifer Casa-Todd is a well-known Canadian teacher-librarian and author of KG Education's first-ever book club selection, Social LEADia: Moving Students from Digital Citizenship to Digital Leadership. Devon and Leah chat with Jennifer about her teaching practice, her favourite books (she's all about young adult fiction these days), how she takes care of herself (hint: it's not about disconnecting), and her go-to tech tools. Listen all the way to the end for a discount code to join KG Education's book club which launches on Februrary 22! Show notes with links at https://kgeducation.ca/jcasatodd/

Loving kindness (known as "metta") meditation is the practice of sending warm, kind thoughts to yourself and the people in your life. It's a great way to cultivate kindness and compassion while repeating a series of mantras. Committing to this practice regularly has been associated with more positive emotions, increased social connection, and greater self-compassion (among many other benefits cited in a variety of studies). Take ten minutes and give it a try

Do you love to read but struggle to fit it in? In this podcast episode, Devon and Leah talk about why reading for pleasure is so important and share some tips for making time in your busy schedule to read. They also interview each other about their favourite books and how they use the Goodreads app to track what they're reading and what they'd like to read. Find out their hacks for squeezing in reading for pleasure and professional learning as well as get a sneak peek into KG Education's latest offering!

Any time is the perfect time to set new goals and intentions, but there's nothing like a brand-new year to set or recommit to important goals! Beginning with breathwork and a body scan, this soothing guided meditation helps you hone in on short-term and long-term goals.

This meditation is designed to give you the space to examine, experience, and manifest what you truly desire. Gain clarity, explore the emotions, and express gratitude to come into true alignment with what you wish to attract. 

A little twist on the traditional version for our teacher friends!

The winter solstice is a time to acknowledge the shortest day of the year as a return to light--a time for both reflection and re-birth. Use this guided meditation as an opportunity to consider what you wish to release. Make space for new and exciting opportunities in the months ahead as you step from darkness to light.

Feeling out of balance, anxious, or uncertain doesn't feel good. Meditation is a powerful tool for helping you restore equilibrium and that feeling of "I am okay". Working with the mantra of "I am okay", enjoy this ten-minute guided meditation to lead you to a place of balance and ease. 

Devon shares current research and helpful strategies to identify and reframe your feelings during these challenging times. Visit the show notes to find more information about the topics she's discussed as well as how to access the MTS Educator Assistance Program and local mental health services.

This 8-minute body scan guides you through a full-body relaxation experience, from the crown of your head to the tips of your toes. This meditation is perfect for the transition from school to home or to help you drift off to sleep.

Adopt a simple, but powerful gratitude practice to boost your well-being and increase your happiness. Show notes at kgeducation.ca/gratitude

This 9-minute gratitude meditation allows you to explore and express gratitude for different aspects of your life, including loved ones, colleagues, health, and the challenges we face. A regular gratitude practice is linked to stronger mental, physical, and emotional health...get started with this meditation!

Just because we're socially distanced and/or learning remotely doesn't mean that collaboration has to end. Join the Kenton girls as they share a few of their favourite tech tools to inspire collaboration, communication, and discussion. GooseChase: https://www.goosechase.com/edu/ Padlet: https://padlet.com/ Parlay: https://parlayideas.com/ Flipgrid: https://info.flipgrid.com/ Wakelet: https://wakelet.com/

Setting an intention is a powerful way to connect to your purpose and experience the day YOU want. This 9-minute guided meditation connects you with your breath and your heart to set an intention for the day ahead.