Save the Teacher! Podcast

Have you ever heard the story of the Monkey Experiment? In this episode Phyllis discusses how our education system can feel like this experiment. In the experiment a group of monkeys were placed in a room with a bunch of bananas on top a ladder. Whenever a monkey would go for the bananas they would get sprayed with cold water. After a while a new monkey was brought into the room. When he went for the bananas the other monkeys attacked him and pulled him down, protecting him from the cold water. One by one, an old monkey was replaced with a new monkey, and one by one they attacked the new monkeys and pulled them down, until only new monkeys were in the room, none having been sprayed with cold water. Then one more new monkey was added to the mix. As he enthusiastically went for the bananas all the other monkeys repeated what had been done to them, not knowing why they did but just that that’s what has always been done. Do you ever feel like a monkey? Phyllis also reflects on her experience in New Zealand when the Federal Government, on the original Goals 2000 Grant, sent her to investigate: • Why New Zealand’s Literacy standards are so high? • Why the US was borrowing from New Zealand’s literacy development? • What was the education system that New Zealand teacher’s come from that make their literacy model a success? Listen to what Phyllis found. Learn the 4 Steps to get the esteem we need and really turn education around, as Phyllis passionately proclaims, “the best is yet to come in education!”

Phyllis responds to the news story of the Waycross, GA 3rd grade murder plot, which brings into question the role fear, parents and educators play in the classroom. Phyllis addresses the necessity of personalized education and the importance to not make excuses for kids, limiting their potential to change and grow. Phyllis also announces a job opening at her experiential private school in WA and how to apply. To apply go to: http://www.oasis-school.org Application deadline is April 15th but Oasis School will accept applications for waitlisted consideration post-deadline. You can now watch Phyllis’ 2008 ORA Conference Sessions on Phonemic Awareness and Oral Language at http://www.youtube.com/SaveTheTeacher or at http://www.save-the-teacher.com/video.html

Phyllis and Becky reflect on their experience at the 2008 Oregon Reading Association Conference. Phyllis notes how in education and as a society we honor teachers that take risks but we pressure teachers to fit in a box and play it safe. Phyllis examines John Maxwell's book "Failing Forward," and how it applies to teachers, our classrooms and our future. Become a phenomenal teacher by taking risks and changing your perception of failure. Amazon.com Widgets

Phyllis answers a listener’s question, “Are heroic teachers fearless?” In doing so Phyllis gives an example of fears she has had to overcome daily in her life and classroom. She explains how her learning disabilities contribute to her greatest fear; a fear many of us face, the fear of failing. In this episode, learn how Heroic Teachers respond to fear with the “4 Fs”. As well as how committed and not coerced, Professional Learning Communities, are an asset to create a support system of trust and to combat fear.

Episode #5 - Todays heroes are teachers. Share yours! Phyllis expands on her Hero Teacher, Mrs. Fredrickson and how she influenced Phyllis' teaching style and discipline techniques. Phyllis gives practical strategies to modify student behavior in a positive manor. Phyllis wants to know about your heroes. She has set up a webpage so you can celebrate and honor your heroes. Write a teacher appreciation letter, upload a photo and share your inspiring stories. It's called the "Hero Initiative", tell us your story and them tell them. Go to : http://www.save-the-teacher.com/the-hero-initiative.html

Episode #4: A Call to Action Natural disasters hit the world everyday, being it the recent fires in Southern California, Hurricane Katrina or a Tsunami. The Disaster of education is that the perception nationwide is that schools are failing instead of teachers are succeeding, children are succeeding. In this episode Phyllis addresses the fact that sometimes in education we loose sight of what is really important. Phyllis responds to the AP news story about schools as "Drop-out Factories" and she challenges the 2008 Presidential canidates after the October 30th MSNBC Democratic Debate to address the real issues in education. Phyllis sends out a "Call to Action" to all teachers.;"Stand up, Speak out, we are Teachers, we Touch the Future!

Episode #3: In this episode Phyllis and her Sidekick discuss the importance of self-actualization for the teacher, the learner, and the heroic life. Phyllis also shares a fun new song, "Black Socks", that she uses in her classroom to gather her kids for rally time. As well as introduces songs from her album "Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover" that she uses to develop literacy through music and as classroom energizers. Phyllis talks about her "Hero Teacher" and the small thing Mrs. Fredrickson did to change Phyllis' life. This small shift in mindset can change your classroom and your students.

Episode #2: Did you know that fear can stop the brain from learning? In this episode Phyllis and Becky discuss the 10 Indicators of fear in kids. Some of these indicators include, agression adn violence, hate, sleep deprivation, depression, failure to process information, and much more. Also in this episode Phyllis discovers the importance of the number 18 and why it is important in how we view our life and teaching our kids.

Phyllis Ferguson MEd., inspiring Save-the-Teacher.com founder, lives by her motto, “Make Teaching and Learning a Joy”. Listen to this inspiring keynote address Phyllis recently gave to Southern Oregon's Educational Service District's Curriculum Council. Hear her stress the importance of stopping the pendulums in education from swinging from one program to another. Instead she emphasizes the importance of getting back to "good teaching" by supporting teachers like the professionals that they are.