A crowd-sourced, positive way to start your day! Listen to educators from all over the world as they tell stories, share uplifting anecdotes, and offer inspiring messages to encourage your heart and energize your mind as you prepare to meet your students each day.
Desmond Hall is the author of the YA novel Your Corner Dark, which takes an unflinching look at the harsh realities of gang life in Jamaica and how far a teen is willing to go for family. Desmond was born in Jamaica, West Indies, and moved to Jamaica, Queens. He has worked as a high school biology and English teacher in East New York, Brooklyn; counseled teenage ex-cons after their release from Rikers Island; and has served on the board of the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. Desmond lives outside of Boston with his wife and two daughters. You can learn more about him at his website, https://desmondhallauthor.com/.
Luke Reynolds has been teaching for almost 20 years, originally as a public high school and middle school teacher, and, more recently, as an adult education public speaking teacher and a professor in the school of education at Endicott College. He and his wife, Jennifer, have four boys who love living room dance parties—and one dog who does not. Luke is the author of Surviving Middle School, the Fantastic Failures series (including his most recent release of Even More Fantastic Failures), and a number of other books for kids and teachers. For more about Luke Reynolds and his work, visit: https://lukewreynolds.com/.
Matthew Ross Smith is the author of two middle grade novels, Lizzy Legend and The Million Dollar Race, which you should absolutely check out when you're done listening to this. To connect with him and set up classroom visits, contact him through his website matthew-ross-smith.com. For more information on the project and The "Spaces Between Your Fingers" story mentioned in this podcast, visit http://www.sbyfproject.com/story/
Here to join us on Teacher Pep Talk on World Kindness Day is Matthew Cordell. Matthew is the Caldecott Medal winning author and illustrator of Wolf and the Snow, and the illustrator of numerous highly acclaimed children’s books including his newest book Hello, Neighbor! The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers. You can learn more and follow along with Matt on Twitter @@cordellmatthew , where he will be doing many special events in honor of World Kindness Day. You can also learn more about him by visiting theauthorvillage.com.
Colby is a father of 5 and a 5th grade teacher in Parma, Michigan. You can find him on Twitter @colbysharp.
Ms. Kass Minor is a Human Teacher who is radically pro-kid. She is also a community organizer and capacity builder in Brooklyn, New York. You can find her on Twitter @MsKass1 and at her website kassandcorn.com.
Dr. Tom Kuntzleman is a professor of chemistry at Spring Arbor University and a former middle school science teacher. You can find him on Twitter @pchemstud. Make sure to check out his awesome YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/user/TommyTechnetium.
Colby and I try to articulate our 10 favorite things about teaching going into our first full week of 100% virtual learning.
"You can do hard things." While, getting a podcast episode together for today was hard. And, it's not perfect. :) Either way, I did the thing!
Bethany Bickel is a middle and high school choir teacher in Parma, Michigan.
Colleen is a Great Start Readiness Program Preschool Teacher in Parma, Michigan. You can fin her on Istagram @colleenishteawesome.
Jeremy Tuller is a Special Education Teacher at Waverly East Intermediate School in the Waverly Community School District. This is his 23rd year in the classroom. Jeremy is also a husband and father of 4. You can find him on Twitter @jertuller.
Dr. Towanda Harris believes that "Student-centered instruction is born out of educators closely attending to students' needs, being mindful of their strengths, and designing a learning experience that is relevant and timely." She is the author of The Right Tools: A Guide to Selecting, Evaluating, and Implementing Classroom Resources and Practices. Her experience ranges from a classroom teacher, staff developer, literacy content specialist, and an instructional coach. Currently an Instructional Leadership Coordinator and an adjunct professor of reading and writing in Atlanta, Georgia, she brings years of experience to the education world. You can follow her on Twitter @drtharris or Instagram @harrisinnovationcg or visit www.harrisinnovationconsulting.com.
Angie is a wife, a mom of 2 teenage boys, and a teacher librarian in Mason, Michigan. You can find her on Twitter @almemoore.
Colby is my husband, a father of 5 kids, and a 5th grade teacher in Parma, MI. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @colbysharp. Make sure to check out his website at www.mrcolbysharp.com.
Amy is a school librarian at Findley Oaks Elementary School In Johns Creek, GA. You can find Amy on Twitter @librarianrubin.
Todd is a parent of 3 and 7th grade science teacher at Warren Woods Middle School in Warren Michigan. He’s also a board member of the Association for Middle Level Education, a Middle Level Advocate, and host of the #MSchat on Twitter every Thursday night at 8PM ET. You can find him on Twitter @blocht574.
Carrie is a mom, a wife, a teacher librarian, a former classroom teacher, a reader, and a runner from Grand Rapids, MI. You can find her on Twitter at @readwithdavies.
Shannon Anderson has taught first grade through college level and was named one of the top 10 Teachers who inspired the Today Show last year. She is also a children’s book author. Her newest titles are Y is for Yet: A Growth Mindset Alphabet and Mindset Power: A Guide for Growing Better Every Day. You can visit her website at www.shannonisteaching.com, and follow her on Twitter @shannonteaches.
Jess is in her 11th year teaching at Barnwell Middle School in St. Charles, Missouri. In addition to being a bonus mom to over 1300 students and former students, she is the proud mama to four of her own kids. She was raised by the best teacher there is: her mom.
Ken is a science teacher and coach at Jackson High School in Jackson, Michigan. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram @wedgwoodsci.
Sammy is a new mom and elementary STEAM teacher in Jackson, MI. You can find her on Twitter @MrsRebandt.
Dr. Troy Hicks is a professor of English and education at Central Michigan University. He directs the Chippewa River Writing Project and, previously, the Master of Arts in Learning, Design & Technology program. A former middle school teacher, Dr. Hicks has earned CMU’s Excellence in Teaching Award, is an ISTE Certified Educator, and has authored numerous books, articles, chapters, blog posts, and other resources broadly related to the teaching of literacy in our digital age. Follow him on Twitter: @hickstro
Katherine is a mom, writer, and veteran teacher currently teaching 7th grade in central Illinois. You can follow along with her @katsok on Instagram and Twitter for teaching and @katryanwrites for her writing. Make sure to check out her blogs, https://readwriteandreflect.blogspot.com and https://katryanwrites.com. Her first short story comes out November 30 and she's slated to have two books published next summer!
Josh is a former teacher and current school counselor at Western High School in Parma, Michigan. You can find him on Twitter @MrSmithWestern
Katie is a GSRP preschool teacher in Jackson, Michigan. She also happens to be one of my former chemistry students, and I couldn't be more excited to have her.
Nick is husband, dad, tennis coach, and Northwest Community Schools board trustee who runs an educational nonprofit in Jackson, Michigan. You can find him on Twitter @coachnickrush and @nickrushforNW1
Jason is the owner of Smarty Design Co. and teaches Graphic Design at Adrian College in Adrian, MI. You can find him on Instagram and Twitter @smartydesign and on his website smartydesign.co
Brady is a former classroom teacher and superintendent of Michigan Center Schools in Michigan Center, MI. You can find him on Twitter @BradyLCook.
Monica is a veteran educator, mom, and principal at Jackson High School in Jackson, Michigan. You can find her on Twitter @mrs_pierce1.
Dakota is an adventurer, scientist, environmentalist, dreamer, and first-grade teacher at Grass Lake Elementary in Grass Lake, MI. You can follow her on Twitter @dbahlau.
Mr. Wiley is a father and physical education teacher in Parma, Michigan. Besides being Mr. Sharp's friend, he is one of Hobbes's favorite teachers. :) You can find him on Twitter @PWileyPE.
Trevor Muir is an educator, storyteller, speaker, and author. His books include The Collaborative Classroom and The Epic Classroom. He's from Grand Rapids, Michigan. You can find him on Twitter @TrevorMuir and at his website trevormuir.com.
Julie Kirchner is a Library Media Specialist at North Woods Elementary in Plymouth, MN. She's also one of the organizers of #nerdcampMN and a proud member of #NCTE #ALA #nerdybookclub and #BookVoyage. You can follow her on Twitter at @KirchnerJulie and on Instagram @kirchnerjulie12.
Joe is a father of 4 and veteran classroom teacher from St. Joseph, MI. He's also a technology integration specialist at Berrien RESA and Board Member for the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL). You can find him on Twitter @jrommel.
Jess is an award-winning author, cartoonist, speaker, zoologist, and creative mindset mentor who calls Canada home. You can find her on Twitter @jess_keating, on Instagram @JessKeatingBooks, and on Youtube at JessKeatingBooks. Her website is https://www.jesskeatingbooks.com/.
Rachelle is the Assistant Superintendent of Academic & Student Services for Lake Shore Public Schools in St. Clair Shores, MI. She's also an educator, mom, reader, hiker, explorer, and seeker. You can find her on Twitter @RachelleinMI.
Brad is a National Distinguished Principal, speaker, and avid reader from Wayzata, MN. He's also an author. His latest book is Reclaiming Our Calling: Hold on to the Heart, Mind, and Hope of Education. You can find him on Twitter @GustafsonBrad or at his website, BradGustafson.com.
Kathy Burnette is the owner of the independent bookstore, Brain Lair Books, in South Bend, Indiana. You can find her on Twitter @thebrainlair or at the bookstore's website, brainlairbooks.com.
Lucas Sponsler teaches ELA, Social studies, and PE at Western High School and Western Career Prep High School in Parma, Michigan. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram @elspondo.
Jarrett Lerner is the author of Enginerds and Revenge of the Enginerds. He is a dad and co-founder of the MG Book Village and #KidsNeedMentors. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram @Jarrett_Lerner or at his website https://jarrettlerner.com/.
Andrew Hacket is a father of 3 and 2nd grade teacher in Holden, Massachusetts. He also writes picture books! You can find him on Twitter @AndrewCHacket or at his website andrewhacket.com.
Jen Vincent is a middle school ELA and Social studies teacher in Mundelien, Illinois. She's a Latinx writer, a mom, and the founder of Story Exploratory. You can find her on twitter @jvincentwrites or at her website jenvincentwrites.com and teachmentortexts.com.
Briona McKinney is an ASD consultant for Birmingham Public Schools in Birmingham, Michigan. She is also a non-violent crisis intervention trainer with Crisis Prevention Institute. You can find her on Twitter @bmckinney5678.
Ann Smart is a technology consultant for the Lenawee ISD in Adrian, MI. She's queen of the Maker Movement in Michigan and knows everything there is to know about makerspaces. She's a hockey mom, and has the best laugh of anyone I know. You can find her @asmart17 on Instagram and @annsmart17 on Twitter.
Colby Sharp is a 5th grade teacher in Parma, Michigan. He can be found @colbysharp on Instagram and Twitter.
Abby Tanner is a history and AP US History teacher at Northwest High School in Jackson, MI. She can be found on twitter @tannerlovestro .
A crowd-sourced, positive way to start your day! Listen to educators from all over the world as they tell stories, share uplifting anecdotes, and offer inspiring messages to encourage your heart and energize your mind as you prepare to meet your students each day.
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