Pod for Teacher

Episode Notes Aaron, Nate, and Kristen celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week by thanking the teachers who inspired them to follow in their footsteps, and some of their colleagues share their stories and gratitude in our Season 4 finale. Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Episode Notes All parents want what's best for their kids, but what happens when they take things a little too far? Aaron, Nate, and Kristen discuss the struggles of working with "helicopter" and "bulldozer" parents and how we can all work together to do what's best for our students. Special guest: Heather Giammaria Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Aaron, Nate, and Kristen revisit the topic of mental health — this time through the lens COVID-19. Special guest: Barb Martz Crisis Text Line: crisistextline.org Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is available for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment. Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Episode Notes While the goal of education reform may be to make meaningful, lasting, and systematic school improvements, the reality is that many initiatives are left behind, replaced, or forgotten. Aaron, Nate, and Kristen discuss this trend as well as some nuances for inspiring progress, regardless. Special guest: Jeff Griffith Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Episode Notes In the last episode of 2020, Aaron, Nate, and Kristen reflect on the year that was and what we can and can't control as we strive to make 2021 a better year in education (and in general). Special guests: Eight members of the Freedom Area High School class of 2021 For more on The Question Behind the Question® (QBQ), visit www.qbq.com. Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Episode Notes Aaron, Nate, and Kristen discuss the new Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma, how social media is impacting our educational system and society, and what can we do to get a handle on it. Disclaimer: This episode is not affiliated with or sanctioned by Netflix or the makers of The Social Dilemma in any official capacity; however, we're always open to new endorsements! ;) Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

The diversity that exists among teachers, students, and communities is a great asset for public education, and students thrive when they learn in diverse and inclusive learning environments. Aaron, Nate, and Kristen delve into this important topic as the first quarter of the 2020-2021 school year comes to a close. Special guest: Ruthanne Gudzan Election Day is November 3. Make a plan to vote! Find your polling place and mail-in ballot information at vote.org. Pennsylvania voters: Polls are are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., and as long as you’re in line before 8 p.m., you will be able to cast your ballot. If you’re voting by mail in PA, make sure you don’t submit a “naked” ballot! Put your ballot in the privacy envelope, then put that envelope in the postmarked envelope and sign it. As long as your ballot is postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day and received by November 6, your ballot WILL count. Visit votespa.com for all of your voting needs. Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Aaron, Nate, and Kristen are back (virtually, at least) to kickoff Season 4 by sharing their experiences and some tips for teaching virtually in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, a new game!

Aaron, Nate, and Kristen discuss COVID-19's impact on the student experience with special guest co-host, John Blinn, of RMU Sentry Media/"Where's the News?" podcast fame, in the final episode of Season 3, out now!Special guest: Hannah ShumskyFind out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Aaron, Nate, and Kristen reflect on their new normal — teaching online under quarantine, and balancing everything else that goes along with it — and hear how some colleagues are adapting.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Aaron, Nate, and Kristen, like many educators today, find themselves at home under quarantine, as schools across the country are closed to help curb the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. In this episode, the gang's first fully remote pod, they discuss the pandemic, its impact on all stakeholders in the public education system, and how we'll need to come together to persevere. Special guest: Dr. Jeffrey Fuller, Freedom Area School District Superintendent As we mention in the episode, many companies have made their resources available and free to teachers dealing with school closings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This site has compiled quite a few of them, and that list keeps growing: http://amazingeducationalresources.com/While we do not endorse the site or resources found within in any official capacity, we hope it helps some.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Bullying might look different now than it did 20 years ago, but it isn't going away. Aaron, Nate, and Kristen (with a little help from their students) look into the symptoms and some solutions on this month's episode.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Teachers are leaving the profession in droves. But, why? Aaron, Nate, and Kristen discuss teacher morale and burnout in their quest to get to the bottom of it on this month's episode. Special guest: April EnglishFind out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

A lot has happened since we first covered certain topics on the pod. So, as Semester 1 comes to a close, Aaron, Nate, and Kristen share some updates and nuances on school start time, teacher evaluations, mental health, and more (plus some other shenanigans) on this special midterm bonus pod.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

A lot has changed in the world of education over the years. In this last pod of 2019, Aaron and Nate reflect on the past 2-3 decades of teaching and learning in America's classrooms before catching up with a familiar voice.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

How safe are our schools, and what is being done to make them safer? Aaron, Nate, and Kristen explore those big questions and more with special guest, School Resource Officer Tom Liberty.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Aaron, Nate, and Kristen explore the vaping epidemic and discuss how it should be addressed with teens in and out of school. Special guest: Mr. Steve MottFind out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Season 3 premiere: Aaron and Nate welcome a new co-host and tackle the topic of mental health in America's schools. Special guest: Joe TestaFind out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

On this bonus pod, Brad delivers the keynote speech to the Freedom Area High School class of 2019, Aaron and Nate discuss its message, and we share some bittersweet news.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

At a time when respect for the profession seems to be at an all-time low, the guys dig in to the symptoms and solutions on this Season 2 finale. Special guest: Keith KovalicFind out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

In the second installment of "The Politics of Ed. Policy" series, Aaron discusses the importance of the Special Olympics with special education teacher, Jessika Fontaine, and the guys are joined by middle school principal, Ryan Smith, to break down proposed revisions to the teacher evaluation system.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

The guys consider the impact that extracurricular involvement can have on students and teachers/sponsors/advisers alike with special guest and admitted fan of the pod, Señor Craig Bohon. Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

With the help of a number of Freedom Area High School student journalists, the guys tackle the topic of fake news and the importance of media literacy in today's society in this special Scholastic Journalism Week bonus pod. #RealNews #SJW2019Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Is there a one-size-fits-all solution to school reform? In this episode, Aaron, Nate, and Brad consider the value of stakeholder input along the path for change, and they sit down with Director of Curriculum and Instruction and Special Education, Misty Slavic, to discuss her dissertation and focus group initiative.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

The guys consider the difference between teaching and coaching and what they've gleaned from their experience in both arenas. Featuring Chris Coennen and the long-anticipated visit from "Uncle" Jeff Griffith. Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

The guys prepare for Thanksgiving break and take some time to reflect on the many things for which to be thankful in the world of public education.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Education policy affects students, teachers, administators, and communities alike. So, who drafts these policies, and how do the folks in the system believe the process should function? That's what Aaron, Nate, and Brad break down in this special election episode, with special guests Tom Hickey and Mr. Bill Deal.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

The guys kick off Season 2 by tackling one of the most condescending stereotypes in education with the help of guests Dave Badamo and Kristen Milanovich.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

Nate, Brad, and Aaron take a break from the issues and share their stories of how they each wound up in the world of education.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

On this bonus pod, Aaron and Nate deliver the keynote speech at the Freedom Area High School 2018 Commencement ceremony and seek to answer one of life's toughest questions: "What's the point?!" Brad hosts this special episode and offers his take on the speech and the speech's essential question. Recorded live at Freedom Area High School, June 1, 2018. Special thanks and shout out to Mr. Keith Kovalic for making this pod possible.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

We sit down with our very first guest—our friend, physics teacher, Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year finalist, and published author, Dr. Brian Wargo, to discuss the topic of assessment. Wargo shares his thoughts on the A-F grading system and what reform might look like. We apologize for our technical hiccups and are well aware that Brad's mic was not functioning properly. We promise this isn't a long-running joke to slight Brad as often as possible, and we'll continue to work to improve the quality our pod. #AlwaysCheckTheMicsFirst We also realize that our Memorial Day reference and speaking of Commencement in the future tense is now a bit dated, but hey, it was a busy week, and we'd like to think you'll enjoy it anyway.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co

On their first episode, Aaron, Nate, and Brad weigh the pros and cons of moving school start time.Find out more at https://pod-for-teacher.pinecast.co