Teaching Unmasked

On this episode, Jon and Zahria speak with Nick Karn, Dean of Culture at Panorama Middle School. Nick discusses his why he sees education as his life's calling. The group talks about what schools can do to build or maintain a more positive school environment.

Jon and Zahria speak with Lauren Swisher and Lenore Johnson about their experiences teaching choir and band during the pandemic.

Jon and Zahria speak to Paula Hergert, former teacher and public health and policy specialist, about what it means to take care of oneself as a teacher during the pandemic. They discuss what happens when schools don't make self-care a priority, and the ripple effect it can have on students. Sit back, relax and take a listen! Additional Resources Brainwise: This curriculum helps teach executive functioning and critical thinking skills to both students and adults.

Zahria and Jon speak with a a social studies teacher who is teaching in Chinle, Arizona, a city in the Navajo Nation that has become known in recent months for its high rate of COVID infections. Additional resources: Watch "Basketball or Nothing" on Netflix to see the school district Ryan teachers at Learn more about the Navajo Nation at https://www.navajo-nsn.gov/ or https://chinle.navajochapters.org/

Jon and Zahria speak to a teacher in New England who has had success with remote and hybrid learning. The trio discusses educational inequity that has been made more apparent during the pandemic. Additional Resources: Check out the following Facebook groups for biology teaching resources. https://www.facebook.com/groups/159490740867256/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/244945040096200 Braiding Sweetgrass is about bringing indigenous wisdom to the sciences. Buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/Braiding-Sweetgrass-Indigenous-Scientific-Knowledge/dp/1571313567

Zahria and Jon speak to Chris, Jon's brother, and Kylie about adjustments they have had to make as college instructors. As it turns out, teaching other teachers is not easy. Additional resources: Jamboard Google Extension. It's an online whiteboard.

Jon gets quarantined in his apartment for two weeks after the school receives its first positive COVID case. He must navigate teaching online...again. Meanwhile, Zahria experiences what in-person schooling looks like when several teachers are quarantined.

Students have returned in-person. Jon and Zahria talk to another teacher at their school who has been trying to figure out the hybrid model--all while holding down several side hustles. Additional Resources: https://nearpod.com/ https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/

Jon and Zahria speak to an elementary school teacher who is back in the classroom with students. His school has been using a hybrid teaching model--a mix of online and in-person. When all else fails, at least there are virtual pet parties! Additional reading: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/08/14/hybrid-learning-coronavirus-risk/ https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/how-to-plan-for-hybrid-teaching-and-learning

It's Week 3 of remote learning! Just as the hosts have finally started to figure out online teaching, the district rolls out a new hybrid learning plan that will allow students to return in-person. Additional resources: A national coronavirus tracker for schools: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/08/28/906263926/how-many-coronavirus-cases-are-happening-in-schools-this-tracker-keeps-count For more on coronavirus reporting in schools: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/22/us/school-reopenings-coronavirus-reporting.html

Temperature checks, technology problems and palpable anxiety. It can only be the first day of remote learning. Welcome back! We're reflecting on what went wrong and what went right on our first day online. ***Please note: The perspectives outlined in this podcast are only the views of the hosts and do not reflect the opinions of the school district.

What happens when two middle school teachers spill their true thoughts about teaching during a pandemic? Introducing Teaching Unmasked, a podcast where teachers muddle through a school year filled with unpredictability.