Teachers' Cup of Coffee

This time of year, we can wonder if kids learned anything LAST year... But the fact is, if we do not teach in a way that leads to deep learning, it's possible they don't remember much.  In this episode, I share 3 tricks we can use in our planning and teaching to ensure that students practice deep learning in our classroom.  Ten minutes could change the learning your students experience this year!

In this episode, we discuss the racism continuum and how to teach it to students.  Let's give racism a language and a framework for kids to understand.   This is episode 2 in our series focused on equipping schools and educators with concrete, anti-racist practices!

Schools have come a long way in how they address bullying.  More work can be done, but progress has definitely been made.  What about racism?  Have schools improved their prevention and elimination of racism?  I would argue, not really.  And thus, this is our opening episode in a series dedicated to equipping schools and educators with concrete ways to implement anti-racist practices.  Come along for the journey!

Drawing is a powerful way to improve teaching, learning, and assessment.  It seems so simple on the surface, but it actually leads to a lot of brain work and deepening of learning.  In under 10 minutes, we go over the why/how/what of bringing drawing into our classrooms. Check out this video and consider showing it to your students before you incorporate this new strategy: https://www.edutopia.org/video/powerful-effects-drawing-learning

In a few weeks, many of us will be responding to students who have experienced trauma.  Let's open our school year using some simple proactive measures to support challenging students right from the jump!

Teacher retention and teacher well-being are pretty much at a crisis level.  What can we do?!!  How can teachers stay sane enough to continue in the profession?  I bring in some experts for ideas.   https://www.corcreativepartners.com/

Academic safety allows students to ask questions, take risks, and grapple with challenging material.  How can we make sure that students in our classrooms feel academically safe?  

Apathy, disrespect, and disruption: The Big 3. How can we deal with these behaviors in a way that keeps us sane, is trauma-informed, and helps kids regulate?

This year has to be better.  But it's on us to find the joy in our jobs.  Here's four easy steps to bringing it back. (Who knew that the Dalai Lama could teach us so much about schools?!)

A simple equation for engaging students in our lessons... inspired by Omar from The Wire!

How do we bounce back from this COVID rut as educators?  Part 1 provides ideas on truly motivating students to learn and motivating ourselves in the process!

We must see in color in our classroom.  Teaching and supporting Black, male students requires specific strategies.  We review these strategies and discuss how to start implementing them at the classroom and school level.  Check us out at www.npteducation.com.

What can we do, as white educators, to make sure we are supporting our colleagues and supporting anti-racism?

Two steps to being an anti-racist educator that are simple, but powerful: 1. Listen 2. Take action Special thanks to Cornelius Minor and his great work that is summarized in this episode.  Be anti-racist in your practice and you can make a difference for kids! Check out our website: www.npteducation.com  

How can we be anti-racist in our practice as educators?  This approach to discipline in our school and classroom is a good first step.This begins a series of episodes that will provide actionable anti-racist practices.Check out all Podcasts and more at www.npteducation.com

School is different this year and it will no doubt be stressful!  Not putting the stress on students will be key.  We go into the vault for a great reminder on how to stay positive amidst the chaos. Check out all episodes at www.npteducation.com  

Some simple advice on how make sure you're taking steps personally, and in education, to be anti-racist and push your practice. 11 minutes that can change the start of your school year! Thank you for listening! Please email me with any thoughts or feedback or questions at tca19782@gmail.com.  And be sure to check out NPT Education at www.npteducation.com.  

OK, now what?  Many people have awoken in new ways to our systemic racism.  But what can educators, schools, and districts do to prepare students to change the system and be anti-racist?  This incredible panel of educators tackles this exact question.

As a white man, I must strive, as much as possible, to understand the experience of Black people.  In this episode, the great Ta-Nehisi Coates is my guide in this journey.  

I conclude our journey through White Fragility with some next steps in the fight as outlined by Robin Diangelo.    

I continue my reflection, as a white man, on racism and white fragility.  Part book report, part introspection; all aimed at pushing thinking forward.  

This begins our deep dive into racism.  Learning and self-reflection being the goals.  This episode focuses on the first few chapters of an incredible book, White Fragility, by Robin Diangelo.

Many of us have been forced to start teaching online.  Despite the horrible reason why, this does give us as educators a unique opportunity to adapt and evolve.  Listen in for some quick ideas on how to make the most of a very tough situation.

Helping students learn when they're experiencing trauma is no easy task.  But wearing cement shoes can help.  Under 9 minutes... and this episode can really help your next 5 weeks!

Are you an I.G. or an I.T.?  The answer could make or break your school year.  Just 11 minutes!

This week we talk about how we as educators can take care of ourselves as we start a new school year.  Building and maintaining our own mental health is essential to our performance in the classroom!

As the new school year approaches, let's capitalize on feeling re-energized and turn this into concrete improvements in our classroom!

George Couros is inspirational!  He understands the big picture in education and he delivers a message that will keep you positive, motivated, and improving.  In this episode, I do my best to echo his message from a recent presentation.  

Supporting English Learners can be both challenging and rewarding. Needless to say, there is a lot to it. Guest Peter Gillen provides some concrete best practices to help all EL students thrive!

This episode we are lucky...we get to learn about both policy and the experience of a student who overcame many challenges to thrive!  We are thrilled to welcome Laura Schifter, a lecturer on education teaching courses on federal education policy and on special education at Harvard University. She also works as a fellow with the Century Foundation where she writes about issues impacting students with disabilities.  In this episode, she brings us up to speed on current trends in policy and shares the story of her educational journey.

Empathy.  The holy grail when it comes to supporting learning.  Here are four simple things we all can remember to make our classroom and instruction more empathetic of students.  

Bad habits in the classroom can make us dread work and keep our students from learning.  There is still time to fix this if we follow the right steps!  (just under 10 minutes this episode)

Who would have thought that Jerry Seinfeld could help us teach better?

Change one word in your job description and you will see a major change in your thinking and in your students' learning.  Welcome back to the school year and thanks for subscribing!

Some simple advice on how to take care of yourself during the school day. Short, restorative breaks can make all the difference.

Our toughest kids are tougher than ever.  That said, many of us are still trying to work with them in traditional ways.  In less than 10 minutes, we give you a new way to work with these students, starting with two magical words!

School shootings.  Way too normal.  Fear.  Heartbreak.  Despair.  Is there anything we as educators can do?

Testing season is creeping up on us.  (Boring!!!!)  Keep the learning fresh by taking a play out of Steve Jobs' playbook.

Students' brains are filled with chemicals that can either help or hurt learning.  This week, in 9 minutes, we give you ideas on which chemicals you want to be sure to activate and how to activate them effectively.  

Happy New Year!  Time to commit to an educational resolution.  We give you 15 quick choices, any of which will improve teaching and learning in your classroom!

One paragraph that can significantly improve learning in your classroom! (As well as train students to be empathetic, critical thinkers).

...One paragraph that can significantly improve learning in your classroom!

Who you hang out with at school can have a huge impact on your mood and energy.  This week we go into the vault to remind ourselves to find those marigolds!

Remembering what we teach is the kids' responsibility, right?  Actually, HOW we teach directly impacts whether learning can reach students' long term memory.  5 steps to make sure our teaching maximizes memory; don't forget to listen!

Starting to feel a little frustrated?  Losing the optimism that comes with the start of a new year?  Limping toward the 3-day weekend?  We have the cure: Hug a porcupine!

Flipping the classroom is way too hard.  It's not worth the frustration and time.  Kids aren't ready... unless we listen to today's guest: A middle school math teacher who has changed teaching and learning by successfully flipping her classroom!  Thanks for joining us, Melissa Hine.

We are back for School Year 2 and we are starting with 3 quick ideas on how to start your school year UNUSUAL!

Students are perceptive.  Very perceptive.  And it's the end of the year; no better time than now to ask them what worked and what didn't work in our classroom.  This week we hear from an 8th grade student reflecting on what type of instruction works for her.  We hope you're inspired to ask your students the same type of questions before they head off into summer!

It's May. Now is the time to experiment and try new things. How about reinventing homework so kids are motivated and their learning is multifaceted?  Give it a try!

Let's keep the innovative thinking going!  Genius Hour is a way to redefine teaching and learning in your classroom.  Here are some easy steps to get started.

Let's be honest, March is tough!  We're tired, on edge, and feeling lost in the abyss of the daily struggle of teaching and learning.  This week, we review an article that can help us all feel good again!