Teachers Aid

This conversation explores the profound impact of recent immigration policy changes on teachers and students, focusing on the emotional and practical challenges faced in educational settings. Panelists discuss the anxiety and fear stemming from the potential presence of immigration agents in schools, the importance of clear communication and support systems, and strategies for creating safe spaces for students. The discussion highlights the importance of collaboration among educators, community organizations, and school leadership in effectively navigating these challenges. Follow on Twitter @Jenschwanke @drjenschwanke.bsky.social | @jehan_hakim | @msdarasavage @ExcelLYNNCE | @kbustosdiaz | @jonHarper70bd | @bamradionetwork Jehan Hakim is a mother and Houston-based educational consultant with over a decade of experience in empowering educators and organizational leaders through culturally responsive pedagogy and professional development. Jen Schwanke, Ed.D., has been an educator for almost three decades, teaching or leading at all levels. She is the author of four books published by ASCD, including The Principal's Guide to Conflict Management, and has published hundreds of articles in various education publications. In addition to providing professional development to districts in the areas of school climate, personnel, and instructional leadership, Schwanke presents at conferences for ASCD, NAESP, NASSP, AASA, and various state and local education organizations. She is the co-host of the popular “Principal Matters” podcast and an instructor in educational administration at The Ohio State University and Miami University of Ohio. Dr. Schwanke currently serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio.– Kenya Bustos Diaz is a freshman ENL Teacher From Veracruz, Mexico, DACA recipient. Social Justice Mentor for Future Teachers of Color at Butler University Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education from Butler University. Dara Laws Savage is a 26-year educator from the great state of Delaware. She has served on numerous local, regional, and state committees, and has been Teacher of the Year in two different districts. She is an Emeritus national faculty member of PBLWorks, and is presently the English 9 teacher and Instructional Coach at the Early College High School at Delaware State University while working on her doctorate. Dara is a proud Board of Education member for the Seaford School District (alumna) and she is the owner of Savage Educational Consulting. Tom Rademacher has spent the last two decades devoted to students and education. He's the author of 50 Strategies for Learning without Screens, It Won't Be Easy, Raising Ollie, and the forthcoming chapter book series Bucket and Friends. Tom was named Minnesota's 2014 Teacher of the Year, and before teaching mostly wrote bad poetry and talked about Kurt Cobain. He lives too close to the Mall of America in Minnesota with his wife, son, and absolute chonk of a dog.

This conversation explores the implications of recent changes to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in education. A panel of educators discusses how these changes affect teaching practices, classroom environments, and student relationships. They emphasize the importance of maintaining inclusivity and building strong relationships with students and families, regardless of policy shifts. The discussion highlights the need for educators to adapt while remaining committed to fostering an equitable learning environment. Follow on Twitter: @_CrystalMWatson @CrystalMWatson on BlueSky | @jehan_hakim | @JM_Butcher | @DevonBeck365 | @MarantoRobert |@AggieAshley | @jonHarper70bd | @bamradionetwork Crystal Watson is a passionate mathematics educator from Cincinnati, serving as an elementary school principal. She is dedicated to helping cultivate spaces of belonging where deep learning and positive growth can happen. Her motto, “What do the students think?” reminds her to always take time to hear different perspectives, especially the children, in order to make sound decisions. Jehan Hakim is a second-generation Arab-American Muslim woman and mother of four. She is a Bay Area native who was born and raised in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco, California – and graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. Though she's been a community organizer and educator for decades. The depths  of her experience span from program management and coordination within school districts, to interfaith coalition building, community outreach, foreign affairs, and diversity. Robert “Bob” Maranto is the 21st Century Chair in Leadership in the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas, has served on his local school board, and with others has written or edited 18 books so boring his own mother refused to read them. He co-edited a forthcoming book, The Free Inquiry Papers, to by published by the American Enterprise Institute in April. Maranto. “Bob”and James V. Shuls. (2011). Lessons from KIPP Delta. Phi Delta Kappan 93: (November) 52-56, at https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/003172171109300313. Jonathan Butcher is the Will Skillman Senior Research Fellow in Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation. He has researched and testified on education policy around the U.S., including testimony before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. He is the author of Splintered: Critical Race Theory and the Progressive War on Truth (Bombardier Books, April 2022). He co-edited and wrote chapters in The Critical Classroom (The Heritage Foundation, 2022), discussing the racial prejudice that comes from the application of critical race theory in K-12 schools. In 2021, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster nominated Jonathan to serve on the board of the South Carolina Public Charter School District. Ashley Eberhart is in her 11th year of teaching as a Spanish Teacher at Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas. She serves as the Vice President for the Texas Foreign Language Association and the Austin Area Chairperson for the Texas A&M Hispanic Network. Ashley has presented from the campus level all the way to the national level on various topics such as SEL classroom strategies, building relationships in the virtual space, and implementing authentic resources for World Languages to advance interpretive proficiency. Devon Beck is a dynamic leader and advocate for education, equity, and community development. His career spans multiple sectors, including education, community engagement, and the music business, where he has pioneered new roles to address organizational needs. A graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Devon began his career in education, holding various roles such as Teacher's Assistant, Behavior Specialist, Geometry/Algebra Teacher, Family & Student Liaison, and Pre-Referral Coordinator for the Talbot County Board of Education. Through these positions, he developed expertise in mentoring and supporting students who faced learning challenges. His work reinforced his belief that reaching students at critical stages in life can have a lasting impact.

This conversation explores the challenges educators face in creating safe and supportive environments for students. It highlights the importance of emotional support, effective discipline, and collaboration among teachers and administrators. The discussion emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding in addressing student behavior, as well as the critical role of school leadership in fostering a positive school culture. Follow on Twitter: @mrzachg @jonahdavids1 @d4griffin3 @larryferlazzo @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Larry Ferlazzo is the author or editor of 12 books, including Helping Students Motivate Themselves: Practical Answers To Classroom Challenges, The ESL/ELL Teacher's Survival Guide, and Building Parent Engagement In Schools. He also maintains the popular Websites of the Day blog. In the Education Week Opinion blog, Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo, he responds to readers' questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, and other challenges teachers face. He is an award-winning English and social studies teacher at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, Calif. Zach Groshell, PhD, is a former classroom teacher who now supports schools around the globe in implementing high-quality instruction based on the science of learning. He is the host of the popular podcast Progressively Incorrect and the author of Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching. His advocacy and consulting have resulted in powerful changes in culture, behavior, coaching, and instruction in a variety of school settings. Jonah Davids is a research fellow at Maine Policy Institute, an analyst at The America Fund, and writes the Substack newsletter Mental Disorder. Dennis Griffin, Jr. serves as the principal of Prairie Elementary School and is pursuing his doctoral studies in Educational Leadership at Cardinal Stritch University. Dennis is a servant leader who seeks to build collaborative cultures that enhance the future for ALL students, educators, and communities at large.

This conversation explores the complexities of classroom censorship, the impact of educational policies on teacher autonomy, and the importance of fostering trust and transparency in education. Experts discuss the challenges teachers face in navigating restrictive guidelines while striving to engage students in meaningful discussions. The dialogue emphasizes the need for professionalism, objectivity, and skills development for constructive conversations in the classroom. Additionally, the panel shares resources and strategies to effectively support educators in addressing these challenges. Follow our PLN on Twitter:  @rickwormeli2 @rpondiscio @mellyteaches @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd @curriculumblog Dr. Steven Weber is an Assistant Principal at Rogers Heritage High School (AR).  He has spent over twenty five years in education, serving as a teacher, administrator, and adjunct professor.  His leadership experience includes serving as  Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with Fayetteville Public Schools (AR), Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (NC), and Director of Secondary Instruction for Orange County Schools (NC). Weber was a social studies curriculum specialist with the Arkansas Department of Education and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. In 2019, Weber was named the AACIA (Arkansas Association of Curriculum & Instruction Administrators) Administrator of the Year. Weber is the past president of Arkansas Association of Curriculum & Instruction Administrators, vice president of Arkansas ASCD, and has served on multiple state and national boards. Robert Pondiscio is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute where he focuses on K–12 education, curriculum, teaching, school choice, and charter schooling. He is also a former New York City public school teacher and the author of many books, including “How the Other Half Learns: Equality, Excellence, and the Battle over School Choice” (Avery, 2019), about Success Academy Charter Schools. Rick Wormeli is a long-time teacher, education leader, and teacher/principal trainer. He is the author of nine books, including The Collected Writings (So Far) of Rick Wormeli: Crazy, Good Stuff I Learned about Teaching Along the Way (AMLE), Fair Isn't Always Equal: Second Edition (Taylor & Francis), Metaphors & Analogies: Power Tools for Teaching any Subject (Taylor & Francis), and Summarization in any Subject: 60 Innovative, Tech-Infused Strategies for Deeper Student Learning, 2nd edition, co-authored with Dedra Stafford. He is currently working directly with schools and organizations in variety of education elements, including accurate/ethical grading, equity, motivation, cognitive psychology applications, teacher professionalism, literacy, and teacher leadership. Christina Andrade Melly, an English teacher at Ritenour High School in the Ritenour School District in St. Louis, Mo., was recently named the 2023 Missouri Teacher of the Year 2023.

The conversation explores the implications of AI in education, particularly in writing. It features educators discussing foundational skills necessary for writing, the evolving nature of these skills, and the potential role of AI as a tool for enhancing learning. The participants express diverse perspectives on whether AI can support or hinder the development of essential writing skills, emphasizing the need for careful technology integration in the classroom. The discussion highlights the importance of critical thinking, collaboration, and the human element in teaching and learning. Follow us on Twitter: @JSerravallo @jeremybballer @MelanieMeehan1 @heymrsbond @T_F_Berger @JonHarper70bd @BAMRadioNetwork Chanea Bond is a North Texas English and literacy teacher, scholar, and activist. Her areas of interest and advocacy include diversifying literacy curriculum to better represent the lived experience of her students and their communities. Tom Berger is the Managing Editor, Contributor, and he is a former high school and college English teacher. As an editor and writer, he has covered travel, world news, and community economic development, and I'm excited to now be back in the world of education, working on high-quality content that's of value to teachers. He is a former high school and college English teacher. As an editor and writer, he's covered travel, world news, and community economic development, and he is excited to now be back in the world of education, working on high-quality content that's of value to teachers. Melanie Meehan is the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator in Simsbury, Connecticut. She develops curriculum and assessments, coaches teachers, and works with students to help them become confident, competent writers. Melanie has written several books about writing instruction, co-authored the popular blog Two Writing Teachers, and co-hosted its companion podcast. Additionally, she consults with school districts and educational companies and tutors writers worldwide. Jeremy Hyler was a middle school English teacher for almost 22 years. Currently, he works as a Manager of Educational Partnerships for the nonprofit Center for the Collaborative Classroom, where the science of reading is a key component of the literacy programs. He is also a teacher consultant/leader for the Chippewa River Writing Project. Jeremy has co-authored the best-selling book Create, Compose, Connect! Reading, Writing, and Learning with Digital Tools (Routledge/Eye on Education, 2014) with Dr. Troy Hicks, along with From Texting to Teaching: Grammar Instruction in a Digital Age (2017), and Ask, Explore, Write: An Inquiry-Driven Approach to Science and Literacy Learning. Jennifer Serravallo is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning educator, literacy consultant, frequent invited speaker at state and national conferences, and former member of the Parents Magazine editorial board. Jen is best known for creating books (including The Reading Strategies Book 2.0) and resources rooted in research that help make responsive, strategic, differentiated literacy instruction possible for all educators.

A deep dive into the decline of reading among students, examining the factors contributing to this trend, including busy lifestyles, technology, and curriculum constraints. The discussion highlights the importance of fostering a love for reading through engaging teaching methods, social interactions, and empowering educators to have a say in curriculum decisions. Experts share insights on how to make reading a more enjoyable and communal experience for students, emphasizing the need for sustained attention and cognitive engagement with texts. Follow on Twitter: @aldenejones @Doug_Lemov @DTWillingham @LisaPas220 @MattRKay @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Alden Jones is a professor at Emerson College and the author, most recently, of The Wanting Was a Wilderness. She is the editor of the forthcoming Edge of the World: An Anthology of Queer Travel Writing (May 2025). She is on the Fulbright Specialist roster as an expert in creative writing pedagogy. Lisa Leaheey has taught English at North Providence High School for the entirety of her 23-year career. A lifelong voracious reader and movie buff, she spends every day sharing her passion for stories with her students, and she continuously seeks out new ways to elevate her students' individual strengths and to support their individual needs. Lisa was recently named the 2023 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year, Matthew R. Kay is a proud product of Philadelphia's public schools and a founding teacher at Science Leadership Academy (SLA). He graduated from West Chester University and holds a Master's in Educational Leadership with a Principal's certificate from the California University of Pennsylvania. At SLA, he teaches an innovative, inquiry-driven, project-based curriculum. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of Philly Slam League (PSL). Daniel Willingham is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia, where he has taught since 1992. Until about 2000, his research focused solely on the brain's basis of learning and memory. Today, all of his research concerns the application of cognitive psychology to K-16 education. He is the author of several books, including the best-selling Why Don't Students Like School?, and Outsmart Your Brain. His writing on education has appeared in twenty-three languages. In 2017 he was appointed by President Obama to serve as a Member of the National Board for Education Sciences. Doug Lemov is the author of Teach Like a Champion (now in its 2.0 version) Reading Reconsidered and Practice Perfect—studies of top teachers, top teaching and the PD tools that can make more of those things. He works at Uncommon Schools and lives in upstate NY.

The 2024 review of the Teacher's Aid podcast with Jon Harper focuses on enhancing teacher well-being and providing practical strategies for educators. Key themes include managing job-related stress and anxiety, trauma-informed practices, and fostering a supportive classroom environment. Episodes cover topics such as using the Spoon theory for energy management, creating calming corners, and implementing brain breaks tailored to student needs. The podcast emphasizes the importance of leveraging strengths-based teaching approaches. Listeners are encouraged to apply these insights to create engaging and supportive learning environments. Mic Drop is a pilot project from BRN's Gen AI Podcast Labs. The first iteration is promising, and we look forward to improving the channel as the technology evolves. See an error or have a suggestion? Leave your comments below.

This conversation explores the transformative power of journaling for teachers, emphasizing its importance for reflection, mental health, and personal growth. The guests share their experiences and practical tips on how to incorporate journaling into a busy teaching schedule, highlighting the benefits of prioritizing self-care and reflection in the teaching profession. Follow on Twitter: @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd @EducationHall @outsideteacher Pete Hall is a capacity-builder. A former principal and author of 12 books, he supports professional learning and personal growth through keynotes, workshops, and coaching across the globe. Alissa Alteri Shea is an instructional coach at a K-6 elementary school in Vernon, Vermont, where she partners with teachers to improve student learning. She is committed to building strong public schools and joyful learning opportunities for children. Her favorite place is outside in nature, where she helps students learn from the world around them. Christina Compton Director of Program Development received her doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2016, with a concentration in the teaching of English. She began her career in education as a NYC Teaching Fellow, teaching in a Title 1 school, while completing her Masters in Childhood Education. Cristina serves as the Director of Program Development at CPET, overseeing a wide range of school-based projects and the Student Press Initiative, an initiative that supports teachers and students in developing projects that culminate in professionally designed, print-based publications. www.tc.edu/CPET

This conversation explores the significance of brain synchrony in education, emphasizing the importance of diverse teaching methods, social connections among students, and the role of teachers in facilitating engagement. The discussion highlights research findings that link student engagement to academic success and offers practical strategies for teachers to enhance learning environments. Follow on Twitter: @SuzanneDikker @mrs_frommert @YoukiTerada @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Suzanne Dikker's work merges neuroscience, digital art, and education to bring human brain and behavior research out of the lab, into real-world, everyday contexts. As a Research Associate Professor affiliated with New York University and the University of Amsterdam and founding member of the art/science Harmonic Dissonance Collective, Suzanne leads various projects, including MindHive, a community science platform that supports student-teacher-scientist and community-scientist partnerships. Her projects are funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the European Research Council, among others. Youki Terada is the Research Editor at Edutopia, a division of the George Lucas Educational Foundation. He leads the research beat, covering a broad range of topics from the science of learning to effective classroom management and assessment strategies. Prior to Edutopia, Youki was an educational technology, STEM, and informal science learning researcher at UC Berkeley and the Lawrence Hall of Science. Crystal Frommert, M.Ed, brings over two decades of diverse educational experience, spanning from elementary to post-secondary levels. She currently holds the positions of middle school math teacher and deputy head of secondary at Awty International School in Houston. Crystal is also a published author of the 2023 book When Calling Parents Isn't Your Calling: A Teacher's Guide to Communicating With Parents.

This conversation explores the challenges teachers face in supporting students who feel overwhelmed. Experts discuss the importance of understanding emotions as data, the need for emotional education for both students and teachers, and practical strategies for navigating the hidden struggles students bring to class. The discussion emphasizes the significance of co-regulation and the necessity of addressing adult emotional skills to foster a healthier learning atmosphere. Follow on Twitter: @marcbrackett @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork @mrswendymturner Dr. Lori Desautels has been an assistant professor at Butler University since 2016, where she teaches both undergraduate and graduate programs at the College of Education. Lori was also an Assistant Professor at Marian University in Indianapolis for eight years, where she founded the Educational Neuroscience Symposium, which has now reached thousands of educators and is in its 16th year. Lori's passion is engaging her students through social and relational neurosciences, which apply to education. She does this by integrating the tier one trauma accommodating Applied Educational Neuroscience framework, and its learning principles and practices into her coursework at Butler. Lori is the author of 4 books with more to come. Her most recent books are: Intentional Neuroplasticity, Our Educational Journey Towards Post Traumatic Growth, Connections over Compliance: Rewiring our Perceptions of Discipline. Her newest book will be a manual coming out in 2024 titled Body and Brain Brilliance: A manual to cultivate Awareness and Practices for our Nervous System. Wendy Turner is not just a teacher. She is an experienced elementary educator, author, and teacher leader with a passion for social-emotional learning. Wendy currently teaches 3rd grade in Wilmington, Delaware, and regularly contributes to blogs, podcasts, and other education spaces with the goals of sharing ideas and supporting everyday educators. Her first book, Embracing Adult SEL (December 2023). Marc Brackett, Ph.D., is the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a professor in the Child Study Center at Yale University. His research focuses on the role of emotional intelligence in learning, decision-making, creativity, relationships, health, and performance. He has published over 150 scholarly articles, received numerous awards, and is featured regularly in popular media outlets such as the New York Times, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, and The Today Show. Marc serves on a number of boards, including the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the nonprofit that founded the field of social and emotional learning (SEL). Marc also regularly consults with corporations, including Facebook, General Electric, Google, Microsoft, and Pinterest, on integrating emotional intelligence principles into employee training and product design, and is co-founder of Oji Life Lab, a digital emotional intelligence learning system for businesses. Marc is the author of Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help our Kids, Ourselves, and our Society Thrive, published by Celadon (Macmillan), which is being translated into 15 languages.

Preparing for class discussions when students are not prepared can be a challenge for teachers. It can lead to tough choices on how to spend class time and can have repercussions for students academically and socially. However, there are strategies teachers can use to address this issue, such as providing alternative ways for students to participate in discussions and creating a supportive and inclusive classroom environment. It is important for teachers to show that they value students' participation and effort and to help students understand the importance of being prepared for class. Follow our PLN on Twitter:  @LisaPas220 @MattRKay @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Lisa Leaheey has taught English at North Providence High School for the entirety of her 23-year career. A lifelong voracious reader and movie buff, she spends every day sharing her passion for stories with her students, and she continuously seeks out new ways to elevate her students' individual strengths and to support their individual needs.  Lisa was recently named the 2023 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year, Matthew R. Kay is a proud product of Philadelphia's public schools and a founding teacher at Science Leadership Academy (SLA). He graduated from West Chester University and holds a Master's in Educational Leadership with a Principal's certificate from the California University of Pennsylvania. At SLA, he teaches an innovative, inquiry-driven, project-based curriculum. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of Philly Slam League (PSL).

A recent survey found that nearly a quarter of middle school students and a third of high school students feel they don't belong. This conversation explores the concept of belonging uncertainty and its impact on students' well-being and academic success. The guests discuss the importance of creating a sense of belonging in schools and offer strategies for addressing this issue. They emphasize the need for adults to have conversations about identity, race, gender, and sexual orientation with students, and to validate their experiences. Small interventions, such as assigning buddies to new students and using value-affirmation activities, can also help reduce belonging uncertainty. Daniel Leonard is a journalist and assistant editor at Edutopia, a division of the George Lucas Educational Foundation. He writes about classroom tips, tech tools, and the latest research in education. Prior to Edutopia, Daniel wrote for outlets including Scientific American and Scienceline, and has a master's degree in science journalism from New York University. 2024 National Teacher of the Year Missy Testerman is a kindergarten through eighth grade English as a second language (ESL) teacher who is a staunch advocate for students, teachers and families. She served as a first and second-grade teacher at Rogersville City School in Rogersville, Tennessee, for three decades before taking advantage of the state's Grow Your Own initiative and adding an ESL endorsement three years ago. Jen Cort is a counselor, author, podcast host, and former school administrator in many roles, including principal and senior administrator. She works around the United States and multiple countries on advisory program support, diversity, and skill building for navigating challenging topics. Christina Cipriano, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Yale Child Study Center and Director of Research at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (YCEI). Dr. Cipriano's research focuses on the systematic examination of social and emotional learning (SEL) to promote pathways to optimal developmental outcomes for the traditionally marginalized student and teacher populations.

The conversation explores the importance of considering executive function skills when designing classrooms. The guests discuss how classroom design can impact students' executive function and offer practical strategies for creating a supportive environment. They emphasize the need for clear organization, visual cues, and predictable routines to help students manage their working memory and develop executive function skills. The conversation also highlights the role of reflection and flexibility in classroom design, as well as the role of empathy and self-compassion for teachers in supporting students' executive function development. Follow on Twitter: @childsplaynyny @mrs_frommert @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Related Resources: | Using Games to Reinforce Classroom Routines | Games That Boost Working Memor | Playful Classroom Management | Hacking Gen AI in Education Jocelyn Greene is Child's Play NY's founder and executive director, an award-winning theater education company based in New York. She partners with dozens of schools to connect social-emotional learning (SEL) with academics through residencies and professional development. Jocelyn founded Child's Play NY in 2009, drawing from her work as a student (MFA, NYU graduate acting; BA, Wesleyan University), an actor (The Public Theater, LA Shakespeare Festival), and a teacher (Will Power to Youth, Oddfellows Playhouse, Epic Theater) to develop the rigorous curriculum and imagination-based games that ignite the program today. She is a contributor with Mt. Sinai Parenting and writes about the intersection between theater and child development at childsplayinaction.com Sarah Kesty is an executive function and ADHD coach, author, and speaker. She created Brain Tools School and hosts the Executive Function Podcast. A 4-time teacher of the year, Sarah's coaching and learning program supports high school and college students in developing skills and mindset for independence. Crystal Frommert, M.Ed, brings over two decades of diverse educational experience, spanning from elementary to post-secondary levels. She currently holds the positions of middle school math teacher and deputy head of secondary at Awty International School in Houston. Crystal is also a published author of the 2023 book When Calling Parents Isn't Your Calling: A Teacher's Guide to Communicating With Parents.

Panelists share effective strategies they have used to accommodate and empower students facing challenges with mathematical concepts. The discussion raises awareness of dyscalculia, an overlooked learning challenge that our guests say needs more research, attention, and support. Follow on Twitter: @bobsonwong @bamradionetwork @jonharper70bd Honora Wall never liked math or being cold when she was younger, but now she does math every day and lives in the Midwest! Her passion for helping struggling students led her to get her Master's degree in Applied Learning & Instruction from the University of Central Florida, and an Ed.D in Curriculum & Instruction from Concordia University Chicago. Dr. Wall is a 19-year educator who specializes in helping people who have a math learning disability, as well as neurodivergence, anxiety, and depressive disorders. Dawn Pagliaro-Newman has been an elementary educator in New York City public schools. She has a passion for working with students with disabilities and has developed a unique approach to teaching that combines academic and pedagogical experience with social-emotional approaches that allow for the support and development of the whole child. She has been recognized as a Master Teacher by Math For America. She lives in Queens, New York, with her husband, daughter, and cat. Bobson Wong has taught math at New York City public high schools since 2005. He is a three-time recipient of the Math for America Master Teacher Fellowship, a New York State Master Teacher, and a 2014-15 recipient of the New York Educator Voice Fellowship. Bobson has written and spoken extensively on mathematics education in print, on television, and online. As an Educational Specialist for the New York State Education Department, he writes and edits questions for the state's high school math Regents exams. He is a member of the Advisory Council of the Museum of Mathematics.

This panel discussed why brain breaks are important for students during class time. More importantly, the guests unpack how to differentiate brain breaks to meet students' specific needs– using them as tools to enhance social-emotional learning and academic performance. Follow our PLN on Twitter: @mrswendymturner @judywillis @Upegui @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd David Upegui, PhD, serves as a science teacher at his alma mater, Central Falls High School (RI) and as an adjunct professor of Education at Brown University. He completed his doctoral degree in education at the University of RI, focusing on science education and social justice. His latest book, Integrating Racial Justice Into Your High-School Biology Classroom: Using Evolution to Understand Diversity, was recently released. Wendy Turner is not just a teacher. She is an experienced elementary educator, author, and teacher leader with a passion for social-emotional learning. Wendy currently teaches 3rd grade in Wilmington, Delaware, and regularly contributes to blogs, podcasts, and other education spaces with the goals of sharing ideas and supporting everyday educators. Her first book, Embracing Adult SEL, (December 2023). Dr. Judy Willis, a board-certified neurologist, combined her 15 years as a practicing neurologist with 10 subsequent years as a classroom teacher to become a leading authority in the neuroscience of learning. With her unique background as both in neuroscience and education, she has written ten books and more than 200 articles about applying neuroscience research to classroom teaching strategies. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa as the first woman graduate from Williams College, Willis attended UCLA School of Medicine where she was awarded her medical degree. She remained at UCLA and completed a medical residency and neurology residency, including chief residency. She practiced neurology for 15 years before returning to university to obtain her teaching credential and Masters of Education degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She then taught in elementary and secondary school for 10 years.

Many educators support the idea of allowing students to retake exams or redo submitted assignments. However, there are significant complexities and challenges involved when teachers have large and multiple classes. In this discussion, we explore the educational value of retakes, stressing the importance of structured learning processes over mere grade chasing. The consensus was that retakes when managed well, can greatly aid student learning but require clear policies to ensure they do not overwhelm teachers. Follow our PLN on Twitter: @SarahR_Morris @LisaPas220 @RickWormeli @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd @curriculumblog Related Resources: Retakes for Grading Equity – Edutopia | Redos and Retakes Done Right (ascd.org) | Blindsided by AI Lisa Leaheey has taught English at North Providence High School for the entirety of her 23-year career. A lifelong voracious reader and movie buff, she spends every day sharing her passion for stories with her students, and she continuously seeks out new ways to elevate her students' individual strengths and to support their individual needs. Lisa was recently named the 2023 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year. Rick Wormeli, a long-time classroom veteran, now award-winning author and teacher trainer, was one of the first Nationally Board Certified Teachers in America as well as Disney's Outstanding English Teacher of the Nation in 1996. Today, he trains teachers and principals in all 50 states and eight countries, writes for education journals and magazines, and is working on his 12th book. Sarah Ruth Morris is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas and a strategic data partner for the Northwest Arkansas school districts at the Office for Education Policy. She researches grading practices and the ninth-grade year. Dr. Steven Weber is an Assistant Principal at Rogers Heritage High School (AR). He has spent over twenty-five years in education, serving as a teacher, administrator, and adjunct professor. His leadership experience includes serving as Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with Fayetteville Public Schools (AR), Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (NC), and Director of Secondary Instruction for Orange County Schools (NC). Weber was a social studies curriculum specialist with the Arkansas Department of Education and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. In 2019, Weber was named the AACIA (Arkansas Association of Curriculum & Instruction Administrators) Administrator of the Year. Weber is the past president of the Arkansas Association of Curriculum & Instruction Administrators, vice president of Arkansas ASCD, and has served on multiple state and national boards.

The trauma experienced by teachers is often overlooked, or discounted in favor of focusing on student trauma. The guests discuss the need for systemic changes to support teachers, including the provision of therapists specifically for educators, regular check-ins on mental health, and a shift in culture to prioritize teacher wellbeing. Follow on Twitter: @DrKpsychologist, @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Related Articles: Trauma-Informed Care for Teachers | Edutopia How Childhood Trauma Affects Teachers | Edutopia Dr. Laura McGuire is an internationally recognized consultant, survivor, researcher, seminarian, and author of the book Creating Cultures of Consent and The Sexual Misconduct Prevention Guidebook: Consent and Conduct for Higher Education Campuses. They were named as one of the 2022 Champions of Pride by The Advocate magazine and are regularly featured in media outlets for their expertise and approachability. Tarn Wilson is a high school teacher and new teacher mentor in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the author of a memoir, an essay collection, and a book of creative writing prompts and has been published in numerous literary journals as well as educational websites. Jelena Kecmanovic, Ph.D., is the founding director of the Arlington/DC Behavior Therapy Institute and an adjunct professor of psychology at Georgetown University.  In addition to academic articles, she has written for the Washington Post, The Conversation, Psychology Today Magazine, and others.

The conversation explores the importance of considering executive function skills when designing classrooms. The guests discuss how classroom design can impact students' executive function and offer practical strategies for creating a supportive environment. They emphasize the need for clear organization, visual cues, and predictable routines to help students manage their working memory and develop executive function skills. The conversation also highlights the role of reflection and flexibility in classroom design, as well as the role of empathy and self-compassion for teachers in supporting students' executive function development. Follow on Twitter:  @childsplaynyny @mrs_frommert  @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Related Resources: | Designing Your Classroom to Support Executive Function Skills  | Edutopia, Using Games to Reinforce Classroom Routines | Games That Boost Working Memor   | Playful Classroom  Management | Hacking Gen AI in Education Jocelyn Greene is Child's Play NY's founder and executive director, an award-winning theater education company based in New York. She partners with dozens of schools to connect social-emotional learning (SEL) with academics through residencies and professional development. Jocelyn founded Child's Play NY in 2009, drawing from her work as a student (MFA, NYU graduate acting; BA, Wesleyan University), an actor (The Public Theater, LA Shakespeare Festival), and a teacher (Will Power to Youth, Oddfellows Playhouse, Epic Theater) to develop the rigorous curriculum and imagination-based games that ignite the program today. She is a contributor with Mt. Sinai Parenting and writes about the intersection between theater and child development at childsplayinaction.com Sarah Kesty is an executive function and ADHD coach, author, and speaker. She created Brain Tools School and hosts the Executive Function Podcast. A 4-time teacher of the year, Sarah's coaching and learning program supports high school and college students in developing skills and mindset for independence. Crystal Frommert, M.Ed, brings over two decades of diverse educational experience, spanning from elementary to post-secondary levels. She currently holds the positions of middle school math teacher and deputy head of secondary at Awty International School in Houston. Crystal is also a published author of the 2023 book When Calling Parents Isn't Your Calling: A Teacher's Guide to Communicating With Parents.

In a thought-provoking discussion on work-life balance, our guests delve into the evolving challenges educators face in harmonizing their professional and personal lives. They discuss the varying approaches to work-life balance and even challenge the narrative of the need for it. Follow on Twitter: @Rdene915 @mrs_frommert @Jonharper70bd @bamradionetwork The OnBeing podcast is a nice resource as well for living more fully with both contentment and purpose: The Huffington Post Well-being activities Published article on emotionally intelligent school leadership Dr. James L. Floman is an Associate Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. He received his Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia, where he studied the effects of mindfulness and compassion meditation on teacher emotion regulation and prosocial behavior with Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl. Dr. Floman has three core research streams: 1) The assessment of dynamic social-affective processes (i.e., developing and validating EI and well-being measurement tools); 2) EI, mindfulness, and well-being training (i.e., developing, optimizing, and scaling EI and well-being-enhancement interventions for real-world applications); and 3) Affective neuroscience (studying mental training-induced changes in ‘emotional brain' function and structure). Dan Jones earned a BS in Middle Grades Education from Ashland University and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the American College of Education. Dan is an FLGI Master Teacher whose professional interests include e-learning, technology, and Project-Based Learning. Rachelle Dené Poth is an accomplished edtech consultant, presenter, author, blogger and teacher. She currently teaches Spanish and a course on emerging tech that covers AR/VR, artificial intelligence, coding, gaming, digital citizenship, video animation and more. She presents regularly at conferences on technology and ways to drive student learning. Poth is the president of the ISTE Teacher Education Network and serves on the leadership team for the ISTE Mobile Learning Network. At ISTE19, she received the Making IT Happen Award and a Presidential Gold Award for volunteer service to education. She's a Buncee Ambassador, Edmodo Certified Trainer, Nearpod Certified Educator and PioNear, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and Google Certified Educator Levels I and II. Poth is the author of In Other Words: Quotes That Push Our Thinking, The Future Is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead and Unconventional Ways to THRIVE in EDU. She's a contributing author to Education Write Now, Volume 3; several volumes of the Edumatch book Snapshot in Education; and the ISTE book Gamify Literacy. Poth is a regular blogger for Getting Smart and DefinedSTEM.

Multiple sources report that the number of students challenged with emotional regulation has grown exponentially. Our guests highlight the importance of creating a safe, structured, and predictable environment for children. We identify ways to maintain our composure and provide clear, assertive instructions. We also cover strategies to help students identify their emotions and offer proven methods to manage them. Follow on Twitter: @letyenconciencia @brukner_lauren @LoriWebber9 @Jonharper70bd @bamradionetwork Resources: Edutopia article: What to Do About Increasing Dysregulation in the Early Grades | The Zones of Regulation | A Curriculum For Emotional Regulation Lety Valero has been a teacher and assistant principal and was the director of a preschool at an international school in Mexico City, Mexico. She is a Conscious Discipline Master Instructor. She has been an enthusiastic, innovative and committed educator for over 30 years and has been in charge of the implementation process of Conscious Discipline in several schools around the world and has been a key part in their transformational process. In her commitment, concern, and dedication to the healthy emotional well-being of children, Leticia co-created the Feeling Buddies and participated in the development of the Feeling Buddies self-regulation curriculum with Dr. Becky Bailey. Lori Webber has been teaching Kindergarten for the past 18 years in Acworth, GA, at McCall Primary School. She received her Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Kennesaw State University in 2006 and is currently pursuing her Master's degree. She has a passion for social-emotional learning and has been responsible for bringing the Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E. framework to her school. Lauren Brukner is a Senior Occupational Therapist and published author of six books with Jessica Kingsley Publishers. She currently works as a Senior Occupational Therapist and evaluator for the NYC Department of Education. She has contributed to Scary Mommy, the Huffington Post, and Edutopia. Lauren was a speaker at UNESCO's Virtual Special Kids International Summit in April of 2020. She appeared as a guest on the Sue Larkey Show, The Autism Show, The Manhattan Neighborhood Network's School-Home Connection, the Sue Atkins Show, and The Matt Townsend Show. She was quoted in the Wall Street Journal on self-regulation tips for traveling. Her books have been endorsed by experts in the field such as Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, and Dr. Winnie Dunn, and listed as resources on websites such as Real Simple Magazine, Inc. Magazine, Psych Central, Romper, Everyday Health, Aol's Health and Wellness, MSN Health, Singapore's Child, and Friendship Circle, among other websites/libraries/community/academic/parenting sources.

What are the most effective ways to restore a class that's spinning out of control? We discovered that the answer depends on the grade level.  An Edutopia survey identified the top 34 strategies to quiet a rowdy classroom.  We review the findings with an elementary school teacher, a middle school math teacher, and an assistant principal. Follow on Twitter: @dalorleon @mrs_frommert @EmilyAPaschall @Mr100Teacher  @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Related Edutopia Article: 34 Ways to Quiet a Rambunctious Class | Edutopia Daniel Leonard is a journalist and assistant editor at Edutopia, a division of the George Lucas Educational Foundation. He writes about classroom tips, tech tools, and the latest research in education. Prior to Edutopia, Daniel wrote for outlets including Scientific American and Scienceline, and has a master's degree in science journalism from New York University. Crystal Frommert, M.Ed, brings over two decades of diverse educational experience, spanning from elementary to post-secondary levels. She currently holds the positions of middle school math teacher and deputy head of secondary at Awty International School in Houston. Crystal is also a published author of the 2023 book When Calling Parents Isn't Your Calling: A Teacher's Guide to Communicating With Parents. Jeremiah Short is entering his 10th year in education and eighth as a teacher, and he's presented at the State and National level. He's the author of Phenomenal Intervention: The Playbook and the host of The Phenomenal Student Podcast. Emily Paschall, author and education leader, has served as a teacher, district coach, school administrator, professional learning trainer, and motivational speaker. Her passions lie in teaching, learning, and serving others. Her work is recognized around the world by educators who desire to learn how to create a climate and culture that promotes excellence.

Some call it a calming station, calming corner, or pause place.  Whatever the name, it's a helpful tool for helping students regulate emotions. Our guests explain how the stations work, how to set one up, and the essential key to using them effectively. Follow on Twitter: @jenorr @SELtreasures @Jonharper70bd @bamradionetwork Mary Karapetian Alvord, Ph.D., is a psychologist and director of Alvord, Baker & Associates, LLC, located in Rockville and Silver Spring, Maryland. She specializes in individual and group treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adults, and ADHD and problems of emotional and behavioral regulation in children and teens. Dr. Alvord holds a position as Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, where she supervises psychiatry fellows in cognitive-behavioral therapy. With more than 35 years of experience. Marie Weller has over 30 years of experience in education and has recently retired after serving 17 years as an elementary school counselor in central Ohio. As a school counselor, she worked with many teachers to incorporate calming corners (Pause Places) into their classrooms. This experience led her (and her principal) to co-author the Cranium Critters picture book series for elementary students. The books feature Scout, the brain's safety pup, and Einstein the wise owl, who work together to teach children (and adults) how the brain works and offer ideas for creating and using Pause Place tools in the classroom or at home. More information about Cranium Critters can be found on their website craniumkidsmedia.com.   Jennifer Orr has been an elementary school classroom teacher for more than two decades, teaching kindergartners through fifth graders. She is the author of Demystifying Discussion: How to Teach and Assess Academic Conversation Skills, K-5 and the coauthor of We're Gonna Keep on Talking: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Elementary Classroom. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, a Teacher Consultant with the Northern Virginia Writing Project, and a frequent mentor to new and pre-service teachers.

The stories we tell ourselves impact students and our relationships with them. In this discussion, we explore some of those stories and identify ways to improve students' experiences by modifying the stories we tell. Follow Twitter: @KacLLL @Upeguijara @Jonharper70bd @bamradionetwork Self-compassion.org/category/exercises/ | GGIA.berkeley.edu/mindfulness | Edutopia article: How to Shift Your Mindset and Feel Present| Other book from author(s) David Upegui, PhD, serves as a science teacher at his alma mater, Central Falls High School (RI) and as an adjunct professor of Education at Brown University. He completed his doctoral degree in education at the University of RI, focusing on science education and social justice. His latest book, Integrating Racial Justice Into Your High-School Biology Classroom: Using Evolution to Understand Diversity, was recently released. Dr. James L. Floman is an Associate Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. He received his Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia, where he studied the effects of mindfulness and compassion meditation on teacher emotion regulation and prosocial behavior with Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl. Dr. Floman has three core research streams: 1) The assessment of dynamic social-affective processes (i.e., developing and validating EI and well-being measurement tools); 2) EI, mindfulness, and well-being training (i.e., developing, optimizing, and scaling EI and well-being-enhancement interventions for real-world applications); and 3) Affective neuroscience (studying mental training-induced changes in ‘emotional brain' function and structure). Kathy Collier is a learner and a collaborator. Her current, and dream role is Language and Literacy Equity Specialist, and she has 16 years of classroom experience (K–5 Spanish, first, third, and fourth grade), seven years as a Learning Resource Coordinator, and three years as an Elementary Curriculum Coordinator. Her passions include equity, mentoring, coaching, language, beliefs, and systems. She integrates learning from my master's degree in literacy and multicultural education, licensure programs (ESL and reading teacher), and two coaching credentials into my work with teachers and curriculum.

We often face challenges between Halloween and Thanksgiving, marked by decreasing student engagement and increasing fatigue. This discussion highlights the heightened energy and focus issues observed in students across various grades and the impact on teaching. The conversation explores creative methods to maintain a positive and energetic classroom atmosphere, including thematic activities and non-content-related interactions. Key themes include the importance of creativity to navigate this challenging period in the academic year effectively. Follow on Twitter: @MsRandazzo @sgthomas1973 @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Karen Randazzo is an enthusiastic chemistry teacher in New Jersey. She believes that every student has the power to learn anything, even chemistry. Chemistry teacher by day, teacher-author by night, she's dedicated to making teachers' lives more manageable by offering professional development, sharing her engaging resources on her website, and collaborating with educators on various social media platforms. A former ‘chalk and talk' teacher, she shares her journey navigating the Next Generation Science Standards and student-centered learning on her YouTube channel. Breanna Taylor is licensed to teach K-12 Special Education. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a Bachelor of Arts P-4 Early Childhood Education, and a Master of Education Degree. Shawn Thomas is in her 20th year of teaching in the largest county in Georgia. She has taught Kindergarten, Second and Third Grade, and ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) K-5.

A 2022 study from the University of Essex and the University of Reading found that tone shifts significantly impact classroom health and student behavior. In this session, we discuss how to cultivate a warm, confident, firm tone that can minimize student misbehavior and create a conducive climate for learning. Follow Twitter: @YoukiTerada @parrishlearning @AnnettePonnock @Jonharper70bd @bamradionetwork Youki Terada is the Research Editor at Edutopia, a division of the George Lucas Educational Foundation. He leads the research beat, covering a broad range of topics from the science of learning to effective classroom management and assessment strategies. Prior to Edutopia, Youki was an educational technology, STEM, and informal science learning researcher at UC Berkeley and the Lawrence Hall of Science. Annette Ponnock, PhD is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Yale Center Emotional Intelligence. Dr. Ponnock's research focuses on teacher motivation and well-being, with an emphasis on urban schools. She received her PhD in Educational Psychology from Temple University and her MA in Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. Nina Parrish has 20 years of experience in the field of education, where she has worked as a special education teacher, education center director, speaker, and educational consultant. Nina is the co-founder and chief academic officer of Parrish Learning Zone in Virginia and the author of The Independent Learner: Metacognitive Exercises to Help K-12 Students Focus, Self-Regulate, and Persevere. Nina holds a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of Mary Washington, a teaching certification in special education from North Carolina A &T, and a Master's Degree in education for school counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. James L. Floman is an Associate Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. He received his Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia, where he studied the effects of mindfulness and compassion meditation on teacher emotion regulation and prosocial behavior with Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl. Dr. Floman has three core research streams: 1) The assessment of dynamic social-affective processes (i.e., developing and validating EI and well-being measurement tools); 2) EI, mindfulness, and well-being training (i.e., developing, optimizing, and scaling EI and well-being-enhancement interventions for real-world applications); and 3) Affective neuroscience (studying mental training-induced changes in ‘emotional brain' function and structure).

Student engagement remains high on the priority list this school term. Recent studies suggest keenly listening to students' needs can make a significant difference. In this session, we explore what students really need us to hear and how we can improve our ability to hear what matters most to each of them. Follow our PLN on Twitter: @brandihalverson @LisaPas220 @5Silber @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd @curriculumblog Related Resources: Orchestrating the Move to Student-Driven Learning | by Bena Kallick and Allison Zmuda Inclusive Schools: Does Your Classroom Support Introverts | by Steven Weber Brandi Halverson is a mental health professional currently working as a School Counselor. She has 25 years of experience in education ranging from elementary to high school students. Ms. Halverson obtained her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health from San Houston State University. She plans to continue her career by pursuing her LPC and research in mental health studies. Lisa Leaheey has taught English at North Providence High School for the entirety of her 23-year career. A lifelong voracious reader and movie buff, she spends every day sharing her passion for stories with her students, and she continuously seeks out new ways to elevate her students' individual strengths and to support their individual needs. Lisa was recently named the 2023 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year, Sara Silber is an award-winning elementary school teacher and a lead mentor with 30 years of classroom experience. Sara has written two blogposts, for BehaviorFlip's Blog — “Social Emotional Growth Maps” and “A Teacher's Journey Through Hacking School Discipline.” More recently, she authored a chapter in the inspiring book Thank You, Teacher. Sara enjoys working with her students and helping them grow and become independent learners. When she is not teaching or planning she is finding ways to support her colleagues. She loves to share her expertise, funny stories and other things that happen in the life of a teacher. Dr. Steven Weber is an Assistant Principal at Rogers Heritage High School (AR). He has spent over twenty five years in education, serving as a teacher, administrator, and adjunct professor. His leadership experience includes serving as Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with Fayetteville Public Schools (AR), Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (NC), and Director of Secondary Instruction for Orange County Schools (NC). Weber was a social studies curriculum specialist with the Arkansas Department of Education and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. In 2019, Weber was named the AACIA (Arkansas Association of Curriculum & Instruction Administrators) Administrator of the Year. Weber is the past president of Arkansas Association of Curriculum & Instruction Administrators, vice president of Arkansas ASCD, and has served on multiple state and national boards.

Many of you have been working hard to reconnect with students since the pandemic subsided. A recent student survey suggests a few areas that need special attention as we return to school this term. What are the factors affecting student teacher trust and how do we maintain and restore the trust needed to teach in our post-pandemic classrooms? Follow on Twitter: @MJBowerman @Doug_Lemov @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Rachel Palumbo is a 24-year-old passionate educator in her second year of teaching, dedicated to nurturing young minds as a 4th-grade teacher. Her approach revolves around child-centered teaching and a strong emphasis on childhood literacy, aiming to empower all students to reach their fullest potential. She firmly believe in the power of inclusion, diversity, and unlocking each student's creative potential to create a supportive and thriving learning environment.” Doug Lemov is the author of Teach Like a Champion (now in its 2.0 version) Reading Reconsidered and Practice Perfect—studies of top teachers, top teaching and the PD tools that can make more of those things. He works at Uncommon Schools and lives in upstate NY. Matthew J. Bowerman is a husband and father of 6, an educator of 26 years, and a author/speaker/trainer for Teacher Goals. Additionally, Matthew is a professional actor/singer/dancer, and his book, Heartleader, on trauma responsive teaching and leading is out this summer!

Many of us routinely park our emotions at the classroom door by compartmentalizing our stress and anxiety. It turns out that putting on a chronic happy face is harmful. The impact of this practice is well-known among mental health professionals. We invited a panel to explore productive, proven alternatives. Follow Twitter: @5Silber @froehlichm @Jonharper70bd @bamradionetwork #mentalhealthawareness Dr. James L. Floman is an Associate Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. He received his Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia, where he studied the effects of mindfulness and compassion meditation on teacher emotion regulation and prosocial behavior with Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl. Dr. Floman has three core research streams: 1) The assessment of dynamic social-affective processes (i.e., developing and validating EI and well-being measurement tools); 2) EI, mindfulness, and well-being training (i.e., developing, optimizing, and scaling EI and well-being-enhancement interventions for real-world applications); and 3) Affective neuroscience (studying mental training-induced changes in ‘emotional brain' function and structure). Sara Silber is an award-winning elementary school teacher and a lead mentor with 30 years of classroom experience. Sara has written two blogposts, for BehaviorFlip's Blog — “Social Emotional Growth Maps” and “A Teacher's Journey Through Hacking School Discipline.” More recently, she authored a chapter in the inspiring book Thank You, Teacher. Sara enjoys working with her students and helping them grow and become independent learners. When she is not teaching or planning she is finding ways to support her colleagues. She loves to share her expertise, funny stories and other things that happen in the life of a teacher. Mandy Froehlich is the former Director of Innovation and Technology in Ripon, WI. She also consults, presents and keynotes nationally on teacher engagement, edtech, leadership, and climate & culture. She is the author of several books, Reignite the Flames, The Educator's Matchbook,The Fire Within and Divergent EDU.

As always, we've given all we have this school year, and now many of us are beyond teacher tired. So what can we do? I've invited a group of colleagues to talk about practical ways to manage our emotional and physical energy over the final stretch of the school year. Follow Twitter: @AnnettePonnock @Jane Kise @Kakraeger @GaskellMGaskell @Jonharper70bd @bamradionetwork Dr Jane Kise is an education consultant and author of over 25 books. She works with schools and leaders around the world on leadership development, instructional coaching, differentiated instruction, and collaborative teaming. Her most recent book is Educator Bandwidth, from ASCD. Annette Ponnock, PhD is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Yale Center Emotional Intelligence. Dr. Ponnock's research focuses on teacher motivation and well-being, with an emphasis on urban schools. She received her PhD in Educational Psychology from Temple University and her MA in Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. Karen Kraeger is a National Board Certified elementary teacher who specializes in gifted and advanced learning. She is an avid reader, lifelong learner and cheerleader for student voice, choice and creativity. Dr. Michael Gaskell is a veteran principal in New Jersey, author of over four dozen articles on best practices and solutions to persistent problems and has made the most-read section of ASCD Smartbrief numerous times, top 10 blogs of 2021. He has written books (Microstrategy Magic, Leading Schools Through Trauma, & Radical Principals), and presented on disrupting inequity, at numerous national conferences including Learning and the Brain and FETC. He mentors new principals and works tirelessly to support instructional excellence, student success, and the wellness and equity of all children.

Most of us are so committed to our students, colleagues, and schools that we are hesitant to take time off even when we really need it. Who will cover my class? What impact will my absence have on my students? Join us as we talk candidly about why many teachers feel guilty taking time off, why feeling comfortable taking off is essential, and explore ways to help make hitting pause more acceptable when needed. Follow our PLN on Twitter: @FerraroOnAir @Ben_Educating @LisaPas220 @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd Dr. James L. Floman is an Associate Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. He received his PhD at the University of British Columbia, where he studied the effects of mindfulness and compassion meditation on teacher emotion regulation and prosocial behavior with Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl. Dr. Floman has three core research streams: 1) The assessment of dynamic social-affective processes (i.e., developing and validating EI and well-being measurement tools); 2) EI, mindfulness, and well-being training (i.e., developing, optimizing, and scaling EI and well-being-enhancement interventions for real-world applications); and 3) Affective neuroscience (studying mental training-induced changes in ‘emotional brain' function and structure). Joe Ferraro is currently in his 24th year as an educator, teaching English 12, Public Speaking, and Creative Writing.   In addition to his work in the classroom, he is the founder of DamnGoodConversations.com, a company whose mission is to teach you repeatable ways to have the best conversations in your life and work. His flagship service is the weekly personal growth podcast One Percent Better. Every Sunday, Joe releases conversations with fascinating people like Mitch Albom, Seth Godin, Daniel Pink, James Clear and Debbie Millman designed to help people leverage small changes in mindset, language, and behavior in order to get life-changing results. Recently named the 2023 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year, Lisa Leaheey has taught English at North Providence High School for the entirety of her 23-year career. A lifelong voracious reader and movie buff, she spends every day sharing her passion for stories with her students, and she continuously seeks out new ways to elevate her students' individual strengths and to support their individual needs. Benjamin Kitslaar is the principal of West Side Elementary School. He started his career teaching 4th and 5th grade and has been in administration for the last nine years. He's a husband to his wife, Sarah, and father to two beautiful girls, who keep him busy! RELATED RESOURCES: Self-compassion Exercises Mindfulness Matters

As educators, we have to balance increasing demands with fewer resources everyday. One potential solution is reducing teacher expectations, but this is difficult due to teacher shortages and the need to support students. As a result, we are often forced to make difficult choices about where to focus our time and energy. In this discussion, we identify practical strategies to manage this challenge. Follow on Twitter: @nireyal @sgthomas1973 @bamradionetwork @jonharper70bd Nir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. Nir previously taught as a Lecturer in Marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. He is the author of two bestselling books, Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. Indistractable received critical acclaim, winning the Outstanding Works of Literature Award and one of the Best Personal Development Books of the Year by Audible. Shawn Thomas is in her 24th year of teaching in the largest county in Georgia. She has taught Kindergarten, Second and Third Grade, and ESOL K-5. She currently coaches new teachers at her school in Georgia.

From elementary classrooms to high schools, getting students back to learning after the winter break requires additional attention, intention, and skill.   In this discussion, I asked educators to share the most effective strategies they've found to reenergize their classrooms and get students back on task after the holidays. Follow on Twitter: @JYooBrannon  @5Silber @thezenteacher @mattwachel , @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Jennifer Yoo-Brannon is a teacher and instructional coach in El Monte, California, with over 16 years of experience teaching high school students, mentoring teachers, and designing and facilitating professional learning. Jennifer's passions include: building collective teacher efficacy, designing meaningful professional learning, and fostering emotional resilience among all educators. She is an Edsurge Voices of Change Writing Fellow and has written for Edsurge and The California Educator. Sara Silber is an award-winning elementary school teacher and a lead mentor with 30 years of classroom experience. Sara has written two blogposts, for BehaviorFlip's Blog-“Social Emotional Growth Maps” and “A Teacher's Journey Through Hacking School Discipline.” More recently, she authored a chapter in the inspiring book Thank You, Teacher. Sara enjoys working with her students and helping them grow and become independent learners. When she is not teaching or planning she is finding ways to support her colleagues. She loves to share her expertise, funny stories and other things that happen in the life of a teacher. Dan Tricarico has been a high school English teacher for over twenty years. He is author of The Zen Teacher: Creating Focus, Simplicity, and Tranquility in the Classroom (DBC, Inc. 2015) and You're a Teacher...So Act Like One! Improving Your Stage Presence in the Classroom. In his spare time, he enjoys writing fiction, listening to classic rock, reading mystery novels, staring out of windows, and watching movies. Breanna Taylor is licensed to teach K-12 Special Education. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a Bachelor of Arts P-4 Early Childhood Education, and a Master of Education Degree. Matt Wachel is an ASCD emerging leader and an elementary principal in the Gardner Edgerton School District in Gardner, KS. He is the co-author of the book, Having an impact on learning, the public relations professional and the principal. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 4 Strategies for Building Momentum in the Spring Getting Back on Track After the Holidays—10 Tips from Top Blogs Seven Tips for the Transition Back to School From Winter Break

Our guests agree there are better ways to think about and help our students accelerate learning in the wake of the COVID Pandemic. They share their stories about using the one percent better principle, combined with celebrating small wins to reduce stress and increase learning. Follow our PLN on Twitter: @FerraroOnAir @GaskellMGaskell @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd. Erin Geary teaches high school English in New York. She researches the power of non-carceral classrooms and has an upcoming piece about the topic in NCTE's English Leadership Quarterly. Geary is also a poet/essayist (2020's The Island) and hosts a podcast about pop culture (Hivemind). Joe Ferraro is currently in his 24th year as an educator, teaching English 12, Public Speaking, and Creative Writing. In addition to his work in the classroom, he is the founder of DamnGoodConversations.com, a company whose mission is to teach you repeatable ways to have the best conversations in your life and work. His flagship service is the weekly personal growth podcast One Percent Better. Every Sunday, Joe releases conversations with fascinating people like Mitch Albom, Seth Godin, Daniel Pink, James Clear and Debbie Millman designed to help people leverage small changes in mindset, language, and behavior in order to get life-changing results. Dr. Michael Gaskell is Principal at Hammarskjold Middle School in East Brunswick, NJ. following experience as a special educator and assistant principal in Paramus, NJ. He continues to model the pursuit of lifelong learning as he serves to mentor new principals through the New Jersey Leaders to Leaders program. An NJPSA Stars recipient, he has been published in over 2 dozen articles in education journals and blogs, including eSchoolNews, NASSP, Edtech and ASCD Smartbrief, he has made the most-read section of ASCD Smartbrief numerous times. Mike had a book published in October, 2020 (Microstrategy Magic), and a second book published in September 2021 (Leading Schools Through Trauma).

By December, most of us are ready for the long holiday break. What's fascinating though is how some of us can fully disconnect and leave school behind for the holidays while others struggle to turn off our school brain. I invited a few educators to talk about making the most of the holiday break — what works for them and what doesn't? Follow our PLN on Twitter: @FerraroOnAir @bkulak11@LisaPas220@bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd. Ashley Stephens, Ed.D. is the creator of the weekly Family Academy video series which helps families intentionally build relationships with one another and make the most of their children's educational opportunities. She serves as the Family & Community Engagement Facilitator for Cabell County Schools in West Virginia. Brian Kulak is the Chief Academic Officer of a K-12 district in NJ. Before that, he taught high school English and journalism for 15 years. He is the founder of leveluplead.com, a teaching and leadership blog and was a featured speaker at NCTE/CEL and ECET2NJPA, and has written for Edutopia and Educational Viewpoints. Joe Ferraro is currently in his 24th year as an educator, teaching English 12, Public Speaking, and Creative Writing. In addition to his work in the classroom, he is the founder of DamnGoodConversations.com, a company whose mission is to teach you repeatable ways to have the best conversations in your life and work. His flagship service is the weekly personal growth podcast One Percent Better. Every Sunday, Joe releases conversations with fascinating people like Mitch Albom, Seth Godin, Daniel Pink, James Clear and Debbie Millman designed to help people leverage small changes in mindset, language, and behavior in order to get life-changing results. Lisa Leaheey has taught English at North Providence High School for the entirety of her 23-year career. A lifelong voracious reader and movie buff, she spends every day sharing her passion for stories with her students, and she continuously seeks out new ways to elevate her students' individual strengths and to support their individual needs. Lisa was recently named the 2023 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year,

This week millions of teachers and school leaders will turn our attention to gratitude. In the spirit of the season, I've invited a group of educators to talk with me about what silver linings they see in education today that make them feel grateful. Follow on Twitter: @LainieRowell @sgthomas1973 @5Silber @ideasforteacher @kylehamstra @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd Lainie Rowell is an educator, international consultant, writer, podcaster, and TEDx speaker. She is the lead author of Evolving Learner, a contributing author of Because of a Teacher, and her latest book, Evolving with Gratitude, was just released. An experienced teacher and district leader, she is dedicated to building learning communities and her areas of focus include learner-driven design, social-emotional learning, online/blended learning, and professional learning. Shawn Thomas is in her 20th year of teaching in the largest county in Georgia. She has taught Kindergarten, Second and Third Grade, and ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) K-5. Sara Silber is an award-winning elementary school teacher and a lead mentor with 30 years of classroom experience. Sara has written two blogposts, for BehaviorFlip's Blog-“Social Emotional Growth Maps” and “A Teacher's Journey Through Hacking School Discipline.” More recently, she authored a chapter in the inspiring book Thank You, Teacher. Sara enjoys working with her students and helping them grow and become independent learners. When she is not teaching or planning she is finding ways to support her colleagues. She loves to share her expertise, funny stories and other things that happen in the life of a teacher. Dan Jones earned a BS in Middle Grades Education from Ashland University and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from American College of Education. Dan is an FLGI Master Teacher whose professional interests include e-learning and technology, as well as Project-Based Learning. He is the author of Flipped 3.0 Project Based Learning: An Insanely Simple Guide. Kyle Hamstra is an Instructional facilitator at Westlake Middle school Apex, North Carolina.

We all agree that in teaching, relationships are everything. So how do we restore relationships with students when they become strained for any reason? Our guests share their experiences, what they've discovered works, and what doesn't. Follow our PLN on Twitter: @brandihalverson @LisaPas220@bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd. Brandi Halverson is a mental health professional currently working as a School Counselor. She has 25 years of experience in education ranging from elementary to high school students. Ms. Halverson obtained her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health from San Houston State University. She plans to continue her career by pursuing her LPC and research in mental health studies. Lisa Leaheey has taught English at North Providence High School for the entirety of her 23-year career. A lifelong voracious reader and movie buff, she spends every day sharing her passion for stories with her students, and she continuously seeks out new ways to elevate her students' individual strengths and to support their individual needs. Lisa was recently named the 2023 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year,

Some days being fully present with students is more challenging than others. Today, we share our best strategies for consistently giving students our full attention and backup plans for those quirky days when those strategies aren't working. Follow on Twitter: @DrKpsychologist, @LisaAImel @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Breanna Taylor is licensed to teach K-12 Special Education. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a Bachelor of Arts P-4 Early Childhood Education, and a Master of Education Degree. Jelena Kecmanovic, Ph.D., is the founding director of the Arlington/DC Behavior Therapy Institute and an adjunct professor of psychology at Georgetown University. In addition to academic articles, she has written for the Washington Post, The Conversation, Psychology Today Magazine, and others. Lisa Imel, M.Ed. is the Founder & CEO of EdSolutions Consulting Group and Balanced Powerhouse. Lisa is a former teacher, principal, curriculum coordinator and licensed superintendent.

This panel discussion echoes the findings of recent EducationWeek Research Center surveys.  Supporting teachers requires more vigilance and a more personalized approach this school year. Our panel explores three options gaining support in school districts. Follow our PLN on Twitter: @hohrein_jean @jon_wennstrom @brandihalverson @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd Jean Hohrein is entering her 29th year in education and has been in her current district for 27 years, 22 of which had been at the high school level as a special education teacher. This coming school year, Jean will be returning to her roots at the elementary level as a special education teacher. Jon Wennstrom is the principal of Riley Upper Elementary in Livonia Public Schools, Livonia, Michigan. This is his 28th year in education, mainly in the role of building principal. He is the past president of the Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA) and is currently the Zone 6 Director for the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Brandi Halverson is a mental health professional currently working as a School Counselor. She has 25 years of experience in education ranging from elementary to high school students. Ms. Halverson obtained her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health from San Houston State University. She plans to continue her career by pursuing her LPC and research in mental health studies. Dr. James L. Floman is an Associate Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. He received his Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia, where he studied the effects of mindfulness and compassion meditation on teacher emotion regulation and prosocial behavior with Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl. Dr. Floman has three core research streams: 1) The assessment of dynamic social-affective processes (i.e., developing and validating EI and well-being measurement tools); 2) EI, mindfulness, and well-being training (i.e., developing, optimizing, and scaling EI and well-being-enhancement interventions for real-world applications); and 3) Affective neuroscience (studying mental training-induced changes in ‘emotional brain' function and structure). Robert C. Schmidt, Ed.D, LCPC, NCC is a national speaker and consultant on building sustainable school mental health and suicide prevention programs centered on data collection, outcomes, quality of services, and student achievement. With interests embedded in research, Dr. Schmidt has published chapters in recognized books, including the award-winning book by Dr. Kathryn Seifert, How Children Become Violent (2006) and Youth Violence (2011). He has led studies on youth suicide and school mental health and was a contributor to Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools: Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Dr. Schmidt previously worked at Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus in Baltimore, Maryland, and provided coverage to the Johns Hopkins Psychiatric Children's Center, Baltimore Adolescent Treatment Program, Outpatient Clinic, and 24-hour Baltimore Child & Adolescent Crisis.

A calm classroom with students on task is what we all want. In this discussion, two teachers, two psychologists, and a school superintendent unanimously agree that current events outside of the classroom are impacting our ability to reach and teach our students. What follows is a refreshingly honest and insightful discussion about what it takes to create a calm climate for learning during exceptionally stressful times. The result is a practical guide for every educator and school leader. Follow on Twitter: @LDamour @pfagell @JYooBrannon @KFelicello @Jonharper70bd @bamradionetwork Dr. Lisa Damour is recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association, and writes about teenagers for the New York Times, appears as a regular contributor to CBS News, and works in collaboration with UNICEF. She is the author of two New York Times best sellers, Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood and Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls. Dr. Damour graduated with honors from Yale University and worked for the Yale Child Study Center before earning her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Michigan. drlisadamour.com. Dr. Damour co-hosts the Ask Lisa podcast,. Dr. Kris Felicello has been in the field of education for over 25 years as a Teacher, Coach, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, and he is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in the North Rockland Central School District in Rockland County, New York. Kris obtained his Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from St. John's University in 2011. Phyllis L. Fagell, LCPC is the school counselor at Sheridan School in Washington, D.C. and a therapist at The Chrysalis Group. Phyllis frequently writes columns on counseling, parenting and education for The Washington Post, and she's the author of Middle School Matters (Hachette, 2019). Phyllis blogs at phyllisfagell.com. Jennifer Yoo-Brannon is a teacher and instructional coach in El Monte, California, with over 16 years of experience teaching high school students, mentoring teachers, and designing and facilitating professional learning. Jennifer's passions include: building collective teacher efficacy, designing meaningful professional learning, and fostering emotional resilience among all educators. She is an Edsurge Voices of Change Writing Fellow and has written for Edsurge and The California Educator.

We're all gearing up to bring our best selves to school so we can bring out the best in our students. In this episode, we talk about balancing relentless positivity with the need to respond authentically and realistically to those challenging and frustrating moments. Follow Twitter: @AnnettePonnock @Glennr1809@5Silber@Jonharper70bd @bamradionetwork Annette Ponnock, PhD is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Yale Center Emotional Intelligence. Dr. Ponnock's research focuses on teacher motivation and well-being, with an emphasis on urban schools. She received her PhD in Educational Psychology from Temple University and her MA in Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. Breanna Taylor is licensed to teach K-12 Special Education. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a Bachelor of Arts P-4 Early Childhood Education, a Master of Education Degree. Sara Silber is an award-winning elementary school teacher and a lead mentor with 30 years of classroom experience. Sara has written two blogposts, for BehaviorFlip's Blog-“Social Emotional Growth Maps” and “A Teacher's Journey Through Hacking School Discipline.” More recently, she authored a chapter in the inspiring book Thank You, Teacher. Sara enjoys working with her students and helping them grow and become independent learners. When she is not teaching or planning she is finding ways to support her colleagues. She loves to share her expertise,funny stories and other things that happen in the life of a teacher. Taren Nance is the high school principal at Urbana School District. Glenn Robbins is the proud Superintendent of the Brigantine Public School District in Brigantine, New Jersey. His passion is harnessing a school culture that thrives on design thinking, futurism, innovative digital spaces, technology integration, Social Emotional Learning Zen Dens, and Maker cultures. In addition, Glenn encourages all students to have a voice, not only in building a school culture but also in designing student-led entrepreneur opportunities. Glenn is a New Jersey representative for the AASA Aspiring Superintendent Mentor Program, AASA Governing Board, CoSN Empowered Superintendent Panel, NJ Innovative Superintendent Award, NASSP National Digital Principal of the Year, the co-chair for the NJASA Technology Committee in New Jersey, and has received numerous state and national leadership distinctions during his career.

The four-day school week is not new, but the speed at which schools are adopting the model is breathtaking. Largely driven by the difficulty in attracting and retaining teachers, school districts are making the leap at increasingly rapid rates. In this episode we ask, what do teachers and school leaders need to consider ahead of time to be prepared? Follow on Twitter: @sgthomas1973 @bamradionetwork @jonharper70bd @DocSig @askpang Dr. Robert Sigrist currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations for the St. Joseph School District in St. Joseph, MO. He is beginning his 29th year as an educator. He received his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He earned his M.S. in Secondary Administration from Northwest Missouri State University and his B.S. in Natural Science from Missouri Western State University. Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, PhD., is the author of “REST: WHY YOU GET MORE DONE WHEN YOU WORK LESS.” Rest has been translated into a dozen languages, and recently appeared in a new paperback edition with a foreword by Arianna Huffington. Shawn Thomas is in her 20th year of teaching in the largest county in Georgia. She has taught Kindergarten, Second and Third Grade, and ESOL K-5.

Dr. James L. Floman is an Associate Research Scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. He received his PhD at the University of British Columbia, where he studied the effects of mindfulness and compassion meditation on teacher emotion regulation and prosocial behavior with Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl. Dr. Floman has three core research streams: 1) The assessment of dynamic social-affective processes (i.e., developing and validating EI and well-being measurement tools); 2) EI, mindfulness, and well-being training (i.e., developing, optimizing, and scaling EI and well-being-enhancement interventions for real-world applications); and 3) Affective neuroscience (studying mental training-induced changes in ‘emotional brain' function and structure). Jennifer Yoo-Brannon is a teacher and instructional coach in El Monte, California, with over 16 years of experience teaching high school students, mentoring teachers, and designing and facilitating professional learning. Jennifer's passions include: building collective teacher efficacy, designing meaningful professional learning, and fostering emotional resilience among all educators. She is an Edsurge Voices of Change Writing Fellow and has written for Edsurge and The California Educator. Kevin Leichtman is an adjunct professor and former English teacher of grades 7-12. He is the author of two books and a researcher in the fields of burnout, mindset, SEL, and equity. You can learn more about Kevin by visiting tlceducate.com John Griesse has been teaching for 13 years with Fayetteville Public Schools. He spent the first four years teaching all subjects in third grade. The last 9 years he taught in a departmentalized fourth grade. He focused on math, reading, science, and social studies in those nine years.