The Teacher Collaborative Podcast

Are you a new teacher who is feeling overwhelmed? A seasoned teacher worried about the future of the profession? Tune in to hear what teachers have to say about how to support new teachers who are striving to thrive.Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at https://www.theteachercollaborative.org/ Or follow us on Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab.

Curious about AI? Fearful of ChatGPT? Wondering how it will impact teaching and learning? Tune in to hear how current teachers are utilizing AI, get inspired about trying it yourself, and to think about how this new technology can be used to support teachers and students alike. Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at https://www.theteachercollaborative.org/ Or follow us on Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab.

Whether you're a teacher with strong opinions, a parent eager to learn, or a voter trying to get informed, tune in to hear what a few teachers think about MCAS, its future, and where teaching and learning fit into it all. Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at https://www.theteachercollaborative.org/ Or follow us on Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab.

It seems like everyone has an opinion about what we teach, what we don't teach, and everything in between. But, where do teachers--the professionals and experts, the people responsible for classrooms and the learning that happens within them--, come into the conversation? Tune in to hear what 3 teachers have to say about teacher autonomy, what they've learned over the years, and what they hope others can learn as well. For related reading or resources, please check out:Two-Thirds of Teachers Censor Themselves Even When They Don't Have ToEducation Week - Teacher Autonomy Isn't Dead. Here's How to Achieve ItWhy Teacher Autonomy is Central to Coaching SuccessEdutopia - Making Space for Your Autonomy Within a Set CurriculumLearning Forward: 8 Dimensions of Wellness for EducatorsLearn more about the Teacher Collaborative at https://www.theteachercollaborative.org/ Or follow us on Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab.

The Teacher Collaborative Podcast is back, with Season 7! In the 2024 educational landscape, there is no shortage of debates swirling around the field. We hear about book banning and AI, standardized testing and the state of the field. We hear reports, read articles, and see teachers mentioned in the headlines. But, what we don't hear is what teachers themselves have to say about these issues.In Season 7, we'll hear teachers' takes on the hottest topics in education right now, and center teacher voices in the conversation for a change. Tune in as teachers from across the state dialogue with each other, share their perspectives, learn from their peers, and ensure that teacher voices, perspectives, and ideas are reflected in the hottest conversations being had in education right now.Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at https://www.theteachercollaborative.org/ Or follow us on Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab.

Meet The Teacher Collaborative Team! Learn about the challenges teachers are facing, what they need, and how The Teacher Collaborative is committed to helping them get there.Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at https://www.theteachercollaborative.org/ Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab.

Meet Raymond Zapata, 6th and 7th grade science teacher at Boston Green Academy in Boston. Learn about how Raymond balances his identities in and out of the classroom, and how he works to make his classroom a safe and responsive space for his students. Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at https://www.theteachercollaborative.org/ Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab.

Meet Althea Terenzi, high school English teacher at Revere High School in Revere, MA. Learn about Althea's journey with boundary setting as an educator, as well as her hopes for the next generation of teachers. Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at https://www.theteachercollaborative.org/ Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab.

Meet Julie Lundstedt, 6-8th grade ASD Sub-Separate teacher at Joseph F. Plouffe Middle School in Brockton, MA. Learn about the unique challenges of special education, and about Julie's experiences as a new teacher navigating her career both during and after Covid. Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at https://www.theteachercollaborative.org/ Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab.

Meet Eva Soto Perello, AP Spanish teacher at Excel Academy Charter High School in East Boston. Learn about how Eva's migrant journey informs and fuels her passion for teaching, and how her work has become a positive force for identity affirmation. Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at https://www.theteachercollaborative.org/ Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab.

Meet Denise Cote, middle school Language Arts teacher at Springfield Conservatory of the Arts in Springfield, MA. Learn about Denise's evolution as an educator and how setting boundaries has helped her continue to do the work she loves. Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at https://www.theteachercollaborative.org/ Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab.

Coming soon: Season 6 of The Teacher Collaborative Podcast features teachers from across Massachusetts who have made change in their classrooms, schools, and beyond.This season we're going to explore the teacher identity and take a look at how and why a teacher's job becomes a teacher's life. We'll hear from teachers in their own voices about the joy and challenge they find in this intersection,Find yourself in their stories and be inspired!

In the final episode of Season 5: Changemakers, you will meet Lisa Brown, a veteran educator in the Nauset Regional School District on Cape Cod. You'll learn about how she created a course called Exploring and Respecting Differences 22 years ago, long before similar courses were more popular in schools. Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at theteachercollaborative.org. Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab. . 

Bringing the real world into the classroom is a common enough goal, but - bees? For math teacher Benadette Manning, bringing a living bee hive into her classroom to support math teaching was only one of the many ways she has connected students to authentic learning experiences over the course of her career. In this episode of The Teacher Collaborative's podcast, we'll hear about how high school math can be brought to life with daring classroom changes—from building tiny houses to Button Algebra to bees. Find The Teacher Collaborative Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts or find a web-based version at www.theteachercollaborative.org/podcast. Learn more about Classroom Hives at www.classroomhives.org.

In episode 3 of season 5 of The Teacher Collaborative podcast, teacher Marcie Day from Seacoast High School in Revere (@marcielday) shares her work to create restorative justice and competency-based education programming that includes one magic ingredient that is all too often overlooked: student agency. Marcie shares her journey as a classroom teacher, coach and collaborator and how empowering students has sparked her passion for being part of school change. Find The Teacher Collaborative Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts or find a web-based version at www.theteachercollaborative.org/podcast

In Episode 2 of this season of The Teacher Collaborative podcast, you'll meet Devin Morris co-founder and Executive Director at The Teachers' Lounge (www.theteachersloungma.org), along with Boston Public Schools Pre-K teacher and new board member at The Teachers' Lounge, Chantei Alves. Devin and Chantei share how they knew The Teachers' Lounge, which offers programming and spaces for teachers of color to connect, was something teachers needed. They share how the idea developed over time and what's next as The Teachers' Lounge looks to the future.  Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at theteachercollaborative.org. Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab. 

Meet Marta Garcia, Multilingual Educator at Witchcraft Heights Elementary School in Salem, MA, and the 2022 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. Learn about Marta's journey as an immigrant to the United States and how that experience informs her teaching and relationship-building with her students. Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at theteachercollaborative.org. Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab. 

Coming soon: Season 5 of The Teacher Collaborative Podcast features teachers from across Massachusetts who have made change in their classrooms, schools, and beyond. Find yourself in their stories and be inspired!

In Episode 8, 2021 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Jennifer Hedrington shares the power of lived experience in informing teaching and professional practice. She shares how her experiences as a student and early-career teacher shaped her approach to teaching and inclusivity. Jennifer concludes by asking teacher-in-residence Randyl Wilkerson about how she connects with teachers and learns about their lived experience through her own teaching role.Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at theteachercollaborative.org. Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab. 

In episode 7, Garceline Champagne, a Humanities & ESL teacher and coach at Boston Adult Technical Academy, shares her experience with teacher coaching and evaluation, and her passion as a freedom fighter in leading conversations around racism at both her school and her daughter’s school. Garcie ends the episode by asking teacher-in-residence Randyl Wilkerson about how she uses The Teacher Collaborative's social media channels as platforms for teachers.Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at theteachercollaborative.org. Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab. 

In Episode 6, Dana Vera, a high school math teacher at Prospect Hill Academy Charter School in Somerville, shares her path to teaching, her approaches to teaching math as art and providing actionable feedback to students, and how the imposter syndrome gets in the way of teachers sharing their expertise.  She explores the double-edged sword of perfectionism and shares examples of fostering a love for mathematics among her students as they interpret their world. Dana also asks host Brad Clark, the Manager of Teacher Engagement at The Teacher Collaborative, about co-designing professional learning with teachers versus designing professional development for teachers.Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at theteachercollaborative.org. Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab. 

In Episode 5, Brigitte Leschhorn, an English teacher at Phillips Academy in Andover, talks about the links between better assessment practices, student mastery, and culturally sustaining practices. She shares her journey from English major to English teacher, reflects on the complexities of teacher expertise as a female educator of color, and advocates for teacher self-care. And, Brigitte asks host Brad Clark, the Manager of Teacher Engagement at The Teacher Collaborative, about how the organization measures success.Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at theteachercollaborative.org. Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab. 

In Episode 4, Raks Derival, a high school Science teacher at Innovation Academy Charter School in Tyngsboro shares her journey to becoming a teacher, her love of green chemistry, and how “good teaching” is actually culturally responsive teaching. She shares samples of ways she engages students, even during remote and hybrid teaching, along with her class motto that ensures each student knows they are valued and loved. And, Raks asks host Kat Johnston, the Manager of Professional Learning at The Teacher Collaborative, about the origins of Co-Labs and how bringing teachers together to collaborate, problem solve, and lead is the foundation of the organization’s work. Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at theteachercollaborative.org. Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab. 

In Episode 3, Christina Balkaran, a high school Math Transformation Coach at Madison Park Vocational Technical High School in Boston, talks about assessment and how this often loaded and cringe-worthy term is really just information. She shares her own experiences as a student, teacher, and now a coach in reflecting on the bright spots and areas of opportunity data provides. Stay tuned at the end when Christina asks Kat Johnston, The Teacher Collaborative’s Manager of Professional Learning, about her time working at the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at theteachercollaborative.org. Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram@TheTeacherCoLab. 

In Episode 2, Francis Pina, a math teacher at Charlestown High School in Boston, talks about the importance of adopting a reflective mindset in the classroom and beyond. Francis shares his teacher leadership journey and reflects on how it feels to be in leadership roles—particularly as an educator of color. And Francis asks host Maria Fenwick, the founder and ED of The Teacher Collaborative, about the organization’s early days.Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at theteachercollaborative.org. Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab. 

In Episode 1, Takeru Nagayoshi, a high school English and Research teacher in New Bedford and the 2020 MA Teacher of the Year, talks with Teacher Collaborative Founder and Executive Director Maria Fenwick about defining teacher leadership, being a state-recognized educator, and applying advice from spin class to teaching. Stay tuned until the end when TK asks Maria how the Teacher Collaborative supports teacher leadership, and how she transitioned from being a teacher to launching a non-profit.Learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at theteachercollaborative.org. Or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TheTeacherCoLab. 

This season, we're tackling what it means to be a teacher leader. How do educators recognize, cultivate, and share their expertise? Find out on May 4. 

Listen to educator mentors and hosts of “Real Talk, Real Time” Chandra Joseph-Lacet and Gorgette Green-Hodnett discuss what teachers are feeling and needing through the pandemic, along with special education teacher & mentor coordinator Alison Sheedy and second grade teacher Julia Haidar.Teachers need to be supported now more than ever. Learn what that means to this diverse group of guests: What are they looking for? How are they supporting themselves and their colleagues? In the final episode of Season 3, we hope you can listen and reflect: What do you need? And how can you make sure you get it?Chandra Joseph-Lacet is a New Teacher Developer with Boston Public Schools, and the CEO of CJ Education Consulting. You can find her on Instagram.Gorgette Green-Hodnett is an Instructional Resource Teacher at General Smallwood Middle School in Maryland. You can find her on Instagram.Alison Sheedy is a special education teacher and Mentor Program/Onboarding Coordinator for Atlantis Charter School in Fall River. Julia Haidar is a second-grade special education teacher at Atlantis Charter School. You can learn more about the Teacher Collaborative at theteachercollaborative.org and on social media @TheTeacherCoLab. 

Schools are unique because they engage so many different stakeholders and are often integral parts of the communities that they inhabit. In this episode, we talk to education organizers from Teach Western MA and the Cambridge Equity Collaborative about what it is like to really make a school an inclusive, culturally responsive space.@TeachWesternMA on Twitter and Instagram@CambridgeEquityCollaborative on InstagramIrene Hill is a student in Cambridge, a member of the Cambridge Youth Council, and the Youth Coordinator for the Equity Collaborative. Emie Michaud Weinstock is the Equity Collaborative's Healing, Wellness, and Thriving Coordinator, and a core organizer of the Cambridge Families of Color Coalition (CFCC). You can find her on Twitter @Emie_MW. Matt Dunkel is an instructional coach at Vassal Lane Upper School, and the Equity Collaborative's Process Coordinator. He's on Twitter @MattDunkel.Alicia Thomas is the Manager of Teacher Development for the Teach Western Mass Residency Program. You can find more about the Teacher Collaborative at theteachercollaborative.org and @TheTeacherCoLab on social media. 

In this bonus episode, Teacher Collaborative team members read educators’ submissions about what’s going well so far in the 2020-21 school year. What’s going well for you? What are you proud of? Our team would love to know and celebrate along with you. Tell us about it or shout out a colleague by submitting this quick form.

Our episode title may be a tongue twister, but the work of developing project-based learning doesn’t have to be. Listen now to tap into how project-based learning is fueled by a teacher’s passion, a community’s fervor, and, well, a few other key nuts and bolts (we can’t give it all away!). Supported by the Shah Family Foundation, Passion to Teach is a fellowship for Boston Public Schools teachers.Want to learn more about our guests’ projects and other examples of project-based learning? Follow us on social media @theteachercolab!Luisa Sparrow teaches special education at the Perry School in South Boston.  She first got involved with Community Based Instruction (CBI) through the BTU Inquiry Project, and has continued to develop CBI opportunities for her students through the Passion to Teach fellowship. Luisa worked in Texas, Costa Rica, Delaware, and Philadelphia prior to moving to Boston, and she has road tripped in every state except Alaska. Find her on LinkedIn and follow her on Instagram @luisiana1803.Jason Wise teaches Theater Arts at the Haley Pilot School in Roslindale, where he creates original performance pieces and productions that allow students to explore the intersection of history and social justice through an artistic lens. A 16-year BPS veteran, he has also worked extensively with Facing History and Ourselves, Discovering Justice, and the Judge David S. Nelson Fellowship. Marvin Vilma is a facilitator with the Teacher Collaborative, primarily supporting teachers in the Passion To Teach program. Marvin was a classroom teacher at an independent school and continues to teach part-time at Milton Academy’s Saturday Course program where he pilots new curriculum on leadership and entrepreneurship. You can find him on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. 

What does anti-racist teaching really look like? In Episode 2, teachers Masha Stine, of Lawrence Public Schools, and Stacey DeCotis, of Hanover Public Schools, share their personal anti-racist teaching journeys, lessons learned, and approaches to anti-racist pedagogy.Masha is a high school math teacher in Lawrence Public Schools. She has worked with groups such as Boston Public Schools Office of Equity, Boston Educators for Equity and DIY Coaching Boston to increase awareness and knowledge of implicit bias, anti-racist teaching, and culturally responsive teaching. Connect on LinkedIn to continue the conversation or follow her on Instagram @mashaklostine to follow her model ship building!Stacey is a 5th grade ELA teacher in a middle school on the South Shore. She believes that “reading is an act of empathy” and all kids should see themselves in books. She is an avid reader of KidLit and believes inclusive literature can start anti-racist conversations in the classroom. Find her on Twitter @readinginthemg, on Instagram @readinginthemiddlegrades, and at www.readinginthemiddlegrades.com.

Questioning practices matters in every classroom and every subject area. In the first episode of Season 3, Rob Powers, Social Studies Coordinator for Plymouth Public Schools, and Jon Bassett, teacher and creator of The Four Question Method, discuss how the right questions can drive student engagement and increase inquiry in the classroom.Connect with Rob Powers on Twitter @Rob_Powers and with Jon Bassett on 4QMTeaching.net!Jon Bassett is a world history teacher at the Match Charter Public High School in Boston, and the co-creator of the Four Question Method for teaching history. He has been teaching for 30 years, and has taught all high school grades in both urban and suburban schools. Learn more about Jon and his work at 4QMTeaching.net and on Twitter @4qmTeaching.Rob Powers is the K-12 Social Studies Coordinator for Plymouth Public Schools and has over a decade of classroom experience as a high school social studies teacher. He is a National Board Certified Teacher and is slowly chipping away at his doctorate at the University of Virginia, where he studies how social studies teachers develop their ability to deliver inquiry-based learning experiences. He's on Twitter @Rob_Powers.

Be on the lookout for Season Three of the Teacher Collaborative Podcast, coming December 8th. The Collaborative's Teacher-in-Residence, Randyl Wilkerson, will be in conversation with educators all over Massachusetts who are reinvigorating their profession amidst challenging times.Learn more at theteachercollaborative.org.Follow the Teacher Collaborative on Twitter and Instagram.

From Boston to Pittsfield, educators are returning to school after an unprecedented spring and summer. Hear what they're thinking as they begin teaching remotely, physically, or in hybrid. We're hard at work on Season Three of the Teacher Collaborative Podcast, coming out at the end of this semester. If you want to learn more about the show, or hear more from these amazing teachers, head to theteachercollaborative.org, or follow us on social media @TheTeacherCoLab. Remember, Massachusetts educators are #BetterTogetherinMA!

Listen as Dan, Chantei, and other Massachusetts teachers reflect on this spring and discuss how to take action going forward. 

Listen as Dan and Chantei meet teachers who are figuring out how to take care of themselves so that they can care for their students.

Listen as Dan and Chantei talk with Massachusetts teachers about how to address inequity in their virtual classrooms. 

Listen as Dan and Chantei explore the many, many digital resources teachers are experimenting with right now. 

Season Two available now! Our classrooms were turned upside down when COVID-19 hit. Listen to teachers share what is working for them and discuss bold ideas as we think about going from pandemic to possibility.

Season One Recap + Season Two News!

Andrew Turchon​ is a social studies teacher at Revere High School where he teaches 9th grade U.S. history and an outdoor education elective. He is a National Board certified teacher, mentor, and Ph.D candidate at Umass Boston. His research foci is placed-based learning, outdoor education, and the benefits of time spent in the natural world. He co-advises the RHS Outdoors Club which was born from the importance of providing urban students with access to experiences outside. As a diverse group of students and teachers, we strive to honor diversity, inclusion, and equity as we build an outdoor community in Revere. Follow them on Instagram @revereoutdoors.Bethanne Goldman​ is in her fifth year teaching math at Revere High School. This is her second year working with Andrew to co-run the Revere High School Outdoors Club through which they take students on monthly hikes and camping trips throughout New England. Bethanne completed the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Youth Opportunities Program​, making her eligible to apply for grants to purchase clothing and materials for students in the RHS Outdoors Club.

James Likis​ is a former math teacher at the Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Boston and a graduate of the Boston Teacher Residency. While in the classroom, James took on a variety of leadership roles, from leading the Burke's Math Team to facilitating cross-sector collaboration through multiple grants to participating in Stanford University's Hollyhock Fellowship, all with a focus on improving instruction to better serve students. All of these efforts led to James co-founding DIY ( “Do It Yourself”) Coaching, an alternative approach to traditional instructional coaching that develops teachers as coaches for themselves and one another through the use of classroom video. Learn more about DIY Coaching at diycoaching.org and connect with James on Twitter @jameslikis.  DIY coaching site: ​www.diycoaching.org The site DIY uses to host videos:www.classforward.comEdVestors Seed Fund:https://www.edvestors.org/school-solutions-seed-fundHollyhock Fellowship:cset.stanford.edu/pd/hollyhockBoston Foundation EdTalk about DIY Coaching:https://youtu.be/bcUZbUBSt5wTwitter: @Edvestors, @BostonSchools, DIY CoachingHollyhock Fellowship@jameslikis

Jen Powell is a Physical Education teacher at the Eliot K-8 Innovation School in Boston. Jen has been a teacher for 13 years. She’s the Specialist Team Liaison and a seven time recipient of the Sontag Award. She’s also played women's football (American) for 10 years, winning 2 championships with the Boston Militia (now the Boston Renegades). Passion to Teach:https://www.theteachercollaborative.org/passiontoteachInstagram: Eliot School - @eliotk8school - BPS @ @bostonschoolsSontag:http://www.doe.mass.edu/amazingeducators/sontag/ Boston Militia (Renegades)http://bostonrenegadesfootball.com/13 book:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/132525.13

Sarah Harrington​ is entering her 9th year as an ELL History teacher at Chelsea High School. She has participated in the Hollyhock Fellowship at Stanford University as a fellow for two summers and then again as an alumni for two more summers, which was an incredible experience. You can reach Sarah at harringtons@chelseaschools.com​.

Randyl Wilkerson is in her 7th year as a 6th grade Reading and Writing teacher at Gardner Pilot Academy. She is in her 3rd year leading Anti-Racist Initiative at her school and providing teachers professional development on combatting bias. Randyl has also worked as a consultant for The Teacher Collaborative and other education organizations in Boston. Hailing from Chicago and growing up in a tracked public school system, Randyl is committed to working on programming in the educational field that promotes an equitable space for all stakeholders of a school community.Alison Mann is an early childhood teacher and has been serving students and families at Gardner Pilot Academy (GPA), in the Boston Public School district, for over a decade. She has served as a teacher leader at GPA for 8 years. Together with her colleague, Randyl Wilkerson, she is leading teaching staff, families, and students, in anti-racist work.Teaching Tolerance article:https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/fall-2019/a-h opeful-case-of-teacher-leadership-and-confronting -bias-in-educationBoston Public Schools

Cara Pekarcik is a high school science teacher at North Quincy High School. Cara is the 2018 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year and is currently serving as a WGBH Educator Ambassador. In this podcast, Cara shares her passion for learning on a personal level and how this passion influences her teaching practice. Connect with Cara on Twitter @MsPekarcik and read about her Antarctic adventures at https://www.polartrec.com/expeditions/southern-ocean-diatoms.