Education Elevator

Betsy Torres is a Marine Veteran and and has worked for some various government agencies before she decided to become a teacher. She has been teaching for 5 years. She spent her first 2 years teaching at Gaither High School in Tampa, Florida and the last 3 years   in Alief ISD at Olle Middle School in Houston, Texas. She has taugh FIVE contents and currently teaches 7th grade Texas History. She talks about what it’s like to go from being a marine to a teacher and the types of vulnerability that can happen in both of those spaces. I love that she really speaks truth about the days that are challenging for so many reasons and opens up about how it’s okay to accept the emotions that come along with those days. This episode had some powerful stories that are capable to truly reframing perspective.Where to find Ms. Torres:Twitter: @HistorywithMsTInstagram: @HistorywithMsTMentioned in this episode:Papermate Inkjoy pensEducated - Tara WestoverUntamed -  Glennon Doyle MeltonBored and Brilliant - Manush Zomorodi

Samson Varughese has been teaching for 10 years in Alief ISD at Olle Middle School in Houston, Texas. He has been teaching 8th grade U.S. History for his whole career. He is also an Alief ISD alumni himself! We talk about many topics including our calling as educators and this new "hybrid" world of education that we currently find ourselves navigating.

Leah Friar has been teaching for 21 years. She is currently a Co-STEM Coordinator and 7th Grade ELAR teacher at Olle Middle School in Alief ISD. Her many accolades include years of teaching as well as being Olle Middle School’s Teacher of the Year.I have had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Friar for my whole career and she has incredible aura about her presence. She exudes hope, wisdom and positivity about education and for the kids. In part 2, we cover some of the following:- The level of respect that teachers should receive. - How her mom influenced her passion for dressing for success- Her passion to continue to grow and thrive as an educator- Her wishes that others could see what teachers do in a day- The many things she’s most proud of in her 21 years of educationThere are so many takeaways from both parts of these episodes and I’m so grateful that she shared with us her positive outlook and insight.Twitter: @LeahFriar1Mentioned:Book - Energy Bus, John GordonBook - No Complain Rule, John Gordon

Leah Friar has been teaching for 21. She is currently a Co-STEM Coordinator and 7th Grade ELAR teacher at Olle Middle School in Alief ISD. Her many accolades include years of teaching as well as being Olle Middle School’s Teacher of the Year.I have had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Friar for my whole career and she has incredible aura about her presence. She exudes hope, wisdom and positivity about education and for the kids. In part 1, we cover some of her early teaching stories and how she progressed along her journey as a teacher. She mentions the importance of instilling hope into today's youth. There are so many takeaways from both parts of these episodes and I’m so grateful that she shared with us her positive outlook and insight.Twitter: @LeahFriar1Mentioned:Book - Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story

Troy Thomas has been teaching at Olle Middle School in Alief ISD for 12 years. His many accolades include years of teaching and coaching as well as being Olle Middle School’s Teacher of the Year.I have had the pleasure of working with Coach Thomas for my whole career and his wealth of wisdom and passion for the kids and teaching is incredible. In part 1, we cover his philosophy, some teaching stories and experience in teaching. There are so many takeaways from both parts of these episodes and I’m so grateful that he shared with us his positivity and passion weaved into his insight and wisdom.Twitter: @CoachThomas7AMentioned:Book - My Posse Don't Do Homework - LoAnne Johnson (Adapted in "Dangerous Minds" screenplay/movie)

Troy Thomas has been teaching at Olle Middle School in Alief ISD for 12 years. His many accolades include years of teaching and coaching as well as being Olle Middle School’s Teacher of the Year.I have had the pleasure of working with Coach Thomas for my whole career and his wealth of wisdom and passion for the kids and teaching is incredible. In part 1, we cover his philosophy, some teaching stories and experience in teaching. There are so many takeaways from both parts of these episodes and I’m so grateful that he shared with us his positivity and passion weaved into his insight and wisdom.Twitter: @CoachThomas7A

In the fifth episode of Education Elevator, I had the honor of talking with George Tennison who has been teaching for 27 years. In unique and loyal fashion, he has spent his ENTIRE teaching career at the same school: Olle Middle School in Alief ISD in Houston, Texas, teaching 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts along with being the Speech and Debate Coach. He has been Olle Middle School’s Teacher of the Year as well as Alief ISD’s Teacher of the Year. He has many accolades as both a teacher and speech and debate coach and as you’ll hear in the podcast, attributes it all to his students and those around him. I was so moved with the many stories and experiences he has had over the years.I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Tennison for the last four years and his wealth of wisdom and passion for the kids and teaching is incredible. In part 1 of episode 5, we cover his philosophy, some teaching stories and experience in teaching. There are so many takeaways from both parts of these almost 1 hour episodes and I’m so grateful that he shared with us his insight and wisdom.Twitter: @OlleSpeech + @GeorgeTennison3Mentioned this Episode:Book: Savage Inequalities, Johnathan KozolBook: Lies My Teacher Told: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong - James Loewen

In the fifth episode of Education Elevator, I had the honor of talking with George Tennison who has been teaching for 27 years. In unique and loyal fashion, he has spent his ENTIRE teaching career at the same school: Olle Middle School in Alief ISD in Houston, Texas, teaching 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts along with being the Speech and Debate Coach. He has been Olle Middle School’s Teacher of the Year as well as Alief ISD’s Teacher of the Year. He has many accolades as both a teacher and speech and debate coach and as you’ll hear in the podcast, attributes it all to his students and those around him. I was so moved with the many stories and experiences he has had over the years. I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Tennison for the last four years and his wealth of wisdom and passion for the kids and teaching is incredible. In part 1 of episode 5, we cover his philosophy, some teaching stories and experience in teaching. There are so many takeaways from both parts of these almost 1 hour episodes and I’m so grateful that he shared with us his insight and wisdom.Twitter: @OlleSpeech + @GeorgeTennison3Mentioned this Episode:Book: Errors and Expectations, Mina P. Shaugnessy

It was my honor to talk with Alaya Mitchell in Education Elevator, Episode 4. Coach Mitchell has been teaching for 2 years at Olle Middle School in Alief ISD. She has had quite the experience before getting into education including being a personal trainer and police officer. She has some really incredible insight and perspective on why she became a teacher and stories to go along with her past experiences and how it inspired her switch to education and influences some of her philosophy today as a teacher and human. I’ve been grateful to work with Coach Mitchell for the last couple of years but because she’s usually in the gym which is somewhat far away from the other parts of our school, I don’t get to chat with her much, so I learned so many new things about her from her story, and was inspired by her unique outlook and experiences. You can sense her awesome positive energy in our conversation as it always shines through in person as well. I know this conversation will get you uplifted and be resourceful and enjoyable. Twitter: @CoachAMitchell5Youtube: Olle Owl Fit TubeWhenweallvote.orgMentioned in the Episode: "IGGY" The CoolerRTIC CupRTIC Water BottleEXPOs! Dry Erase MarkersCan't Hurt Me - David GogginsThe Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

http://www.lafonedu.com/blog/black-lives-matter

It was my honor to talk with Alaya Mitchell in Education Elevator, Episode 4. Coach Mitchell has been teaching for 2 years at Olle Middle School in Alief ISD. She has had quite the experience before getting into education including being a personal trainer and police officer. She has some really incredible insight and perspective on why she became a teacher and stories to go along with her past experiences and how it inspired her switch to education and influences some of her philosophy today as a teacher and human. I’ve been grateful to work with Coach Mitchell for the last couple of years but because she’s usually in the gym which is somewhat far away from the other parts of our school, I don’t get to chat with her much, so I learned so many new things about her from her story, and was inspired by her unique outlook and experiences. You can sense her awesome positive energy in our conversation as it always shines through in person as well. I know this conversation will get you uplifted and be resourceful and enjoyable. Twitter: @CoachAMitchell5Youtube: Olle Owl Fit Tubehttps://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

Byron Demerson has been teaching math for 10 years. He has spent his whole teaching career at Olle Middle School in Alief ISD in Houston, Texas. Most recently, he has been a part of the Citgo Innovation Academy at Olle Middle School, teaching math with a focus on Project / Problem Based learning and STEM. He's been a nominee for Olle Middle School’s teacher of the year, a conference keynote speaker, and put on many incredibly professional development sessions. He is also the founder and creator of iTeachDifferently.His energy and passion for teaching and life is like hardly anyone I have ever met. It has been a gift to be able to work with and watch him teach and coach as it has made me a better person. This conversation is full of gems from his unique perspectives! Bryon Demerson on the web: - Twitter: Dem_STEM - Iteachdifferently.comMentioned in the show: -Mr. Clean - Gain Scent -"Juicy"! Expo Markers -Empower - John Spencer -Go for No - Richard Fenton -Go Giver - Bob Burg and John David Mann

Byron Demerson has been teaching math for 10 years. He has spent his whole teaching career at Olle Middle School in Alief ISD in Houston, Texas. Most recently, he has been a part of the Citgo Innovation Academy at Olle Middle School, teaching math with a focus on Project / Problem Based learning and STEM. He's been a nominee for Olle Middle School’s teacher of the year, a conference keynote speaker, and put on many incredibly professional development sessions. He is also the founder and creator of iTeachDifferently.His energy and passion for teaching and life is like hardly anyone I have ever met. It has been a gift to be able to work with and watch him teach and coach as it has made me a better person. This conversation is full of gems from his unique perspectives! Twitter: Dem_STEM Iteachdifferently.com

Amelia Cote is a 12th year teacher in Alief ISD at the Citgo Innovation Academy at Olle Middle School. She has taught in Chicago and New York. She has been teaching in Houston at Olle Middle School for the last 9 years.In this episode, part 2 Cote continues to share her experience, insight and a bit about her journey in as a teacher along with some tips, tricks and fun rapid fire round. She believes in the power of our youth and her realness and passion shine through when she shares some of her moments throughout teaching. We talk about her routines and what's made her feel most successful and proud as a teacher so far. Her spirit, knowledge, professionalism and generosity has made me a better person and teacher.Twitter: msameliacoteMentioned in the show: Teacher Man - Frank McCourtDry Erase Color Expo Markers

Amelia Cote is a 12th year teacher in Alief ISD at the Citgo Innovation Academy at Olle Middle School. She has taught in Chicago and New York. She has been teaching in Houston at Olle Middle School for the last 9 years. In this episode, Cote shares her experience, insight and a bit about her journey in as a teacher. She believes in the power of our youth and her realness and passion shine through when she shares some of her moments throughout teaching. We talk about her quirky style and how cultivating, sustaining and modeling a strong foundation your first year as well as positive relationships can transform a teaching career. Her spirit, knowledge, professionalism and generosity has made me a better person and teacher. Twitter: msameliacote

Leanna Niemann is a 6th year ELAR teacher in Alief ISD at the Citgo Innovation Academy at Olle Middle School.Niemann or "Nemo," as her students sometimes refer to her, joins Education Elevator (in the library!) as the first interview guest to share experiences through her educational journey in and out of the classroom. In the conversation we discuss how she starts off her year with a really unique activity, the nuances of her day, how her why is a continual manifestation of change, the sharing of her ideas in merging a library science background into the classroom, the writing of her first book, and what people really should know about the profession.You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @readwithlee313https://twitter.com/readwithlee313

Welcome to the Education Elevator podcast, designed to vitalize, support, encourage and lift educators through shared experiences and human connection. In this episode, I'll share about the who, what, when, where and why of the podcast in order to shed more light on who I am and purpose behind the the creation of the Education Elevator.