The Teachers' Classroom

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Explores current issues and topics in education and how they relate to teaching and students.

Matt Weld


    • May 24, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 37m AVG DURATION
    • 110 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Teachers' Classroom

    Resilient Schools with Kristin Souers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2023 33:50


    Trauma researcher and author Kristin Souers talks about her work, and discusses what makes a school resilient, and how the systems of a school need to come together and work in tandem toward being trauma-informed.

    Becoming a Trauma-Operational School with Lisa Dinhofer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2023 42:10


    Is your school or district walking the talk? Are they training educators to become trauma-informed but then still run the school as if it's the 1050's? Using the Appreciative Inquiry model as her framework, guest Lisa Dinhofer takes us through questions a team of educators can ask themselves as they go through the work of ensuring that the operations and systems within their workplace are actually trauma-informed.

    Secondary Trauma, Vicarious Trauma, Compassion Fatigue, and Burnout

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2023 40:31


    Crisis expert Lisa Dinhofer is back to explain the nuances of compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, vicarious trauma, and burnout. As we are navigating this new world of SEL and mental health-focused schools and programming, it's important to understand the differences. Language matters.

    COSEM Book Author Talk with Tracy Heilers and Lindsey Frank

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2022 39:17


    Founder and CEO Tracy Heilers and Board President Lindsey Frank of the Coalition of Schools Educating Mindfully (COSEM) share how the organization came about and how they created their book, "Educating Mindfully: Stories of School Transformation Through Mindfulness." This text has become one of their most popular tools it helping schools and districts implement a climate of mindfulness based SEL.

    Why We Need Parenting & Caregiving Curriculum in High School

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2022 45:58


    Host Matt Weld speaks with ParenTeach and ParentABLE founder/CEO Katharine Bensinger about the importance of teaching parenting and caregiving to high school students. It's important for kids to understand Adverse Childhood Effects while they are young and to gain enough child development and personal advocacy skills to avoid 'unintentional' parenting mistakes.

    The Power of Relationships with Greg Wolcott

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2022 32:52


    Author and educator Greg Wolcott joins host Matt Weld in discussing the importance of relationships in schools. Greg also gives easy classroom strategies to strengthen relationships with students and teachers.

    Mindfulness-Based SEL with Lindsey Frank

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2022 57:27


    Social Emotional Learning - SEL - is the buzzword in education. Author, coach, and teacher Lindsey Frank stops in to talk about what SEL is, how adding the mindfulness piece adds power, and how teaching kids her HEART process can be a lifelong gift.

    The ELL Student Experience with Bridget

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2022 23:22


    What's it like attending an English-speaking school from the perspective of a student who doesn't know English? In this conversation, Bridget, a High School Junior tells her story of how she navigated teachers, friends, and the friction between her White and Latin identities as she learned the language and culture of America through school.

    How2Inform with Dr. Vesna Markovic & Kimberley Skubic

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2022 48:01


    'Verify before you Amplify' is the catchphrase of How2Inform, a website dedicated to teaching students about misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation on social media and the Internet in general. Dr. Vesna Markovic and Kimberley Skubic, both with backgrounds in criminal justice, talk with host Matt Weld about their program.

    Meditation in the Classroom with Dr. Bill Meyer

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2021 44:33


    Meditation in the Classroom with Dr. Bill Meyer, author of the book, "Three Breaths and Begin: a Guide to Meditation in the Classroom." In addition, we discuss the hallmarks of good SEL programming in schools and the different ways in which they can start.

    Upcoming Illinois Conferences You Need to Know About

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2021 53:45


    Learn about Illinois Education & Technology Conference (IETC), Raising Student Achievement Conference (RSAC), Educating Mindfully Conference (EMCon), The Teacher Leadership Summit (TLS), and The Illinois Digital Educators Alliance Conference (IDEACon) coming up later in 2021 and into 2022.

    The Substitute Teacher Experience with Amanda von Moos

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 35:44


    There is a substitute teacher shortage in the United States. Substantial Classrooms used design thinking to come up with possible solutions on where and how to recruit subs, how to train them, provide ongoing support, and also how very little changes in school procedures can make a big difference in the substitute's experience.

    PD Post-COVID : Cross-post from EdTechDistilled

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 55:10


    Adam Geisen and David Lerch from the podcast EdTechDistilled had host Matt Weld on as a guest to talk about the future of Professional Development post-COVID. Discussion includes edtech updates, the Directions Conference, and a summary of what we are doing in our own lives and what we're drinking that night.

    A Candid Conversation with Julie Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2021 47:24


    Host Matt Weld has a conversation with Communications Professor Julie Smith that ranges from Formula 1 Racing to Star Wars to trips out west to empty nesting and more.

    Wellbeing and Self Care for Educators and Students with Dr. Matt Dewar

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2020 53:21


    ​A required course for all Freshmen on Personal Wellbeing facilitated by a Wellbeing Coach? A multi-layered system for educator support? It's actually a thing at the high school in Lake Forest, IL, a suburb of Chicago. Dr. Matt Dewar, the wellbeing coach for the district describes the program and why it's so effective. In addition to providing his go-to tips for on-the-spot stress reduction, he explains the importance of breath and our mind-body connection as well as how our society's view of intense exercise as a stress-reliever might not be as effective as we think it is.

    Wellbeing and Self Care for Educators and Students with Dr. Matt Dewar

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2020 53:21


    ​A required course for all Freshmen on Personal Wellbeing facilitated by a Wellbeing Coach? A multi-layered system for educator support? It's actually a thing at the high school in Lake Forest, IL, a suburb of Chicago. Dr. Matt Dewar, the wellbeing coach for the district describes the program and why it's so effective. In addition to providing his go-to tips for on-the-spot stress reduction, he explains the importance of breath and our mind-body connection as well as how our society's view of intense exercise as a stress-reliever might not be as effective as we think it is.

    Human Trafficking Awareness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2020 41:15


    Tens of thousands of Americans and millions of persons worldwide are trafficked each year and compelled into labor or the sex trade. Ginger Coakley, co-executive director of Eden's Glory, a rehabilitation center for exploited women, and Winda M., a trafficking survivor, describe the situation and offer some suggestions on how teachers and schools can help identify victims and prevent human trafficking through education.

    Human Trafficking Awareness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2020 41:15


    Tens of thousands of Americans and millions of persons worldwide are trafficked each year and compelled into labor or the sex trade. Ginger Coakley, co-executive director of Eden's Glory, a rehabilitation center for exploited women, and Winda M., a trafficking survivor, describe the situation and offer some suggestions on how teachers and schools can help identify victims and prevent human trafficking through education.

    Empathy, Disabilities, and Differences with Katy Fattaleh

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2020 41:18


    Katy Fattaleh of the NORA Project sits down with host Matt Weld to talk about empathy, compassion, sympathy, the use of the word 'disability' as well as how to use 'person first' language when talking about people with differences and disabilities. Katy goes on to give examples of how to make differences and disabilities part of what's normal in the classroom.

    Empathy, Disabilities, and Differences with Katy Fattaleh

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2020 41:18


    Katy Fattaleh of the NORA Project sits down with host Matt Weld to talk about empathy, compassion, sympathy, the use of the word 'disability' as well as how to use 'person first' language when talking about people with differences and disabilities. Katy goes on to give examples of how to make differences and disabilities part of what's normal in the classroom.

    Personal Digital Inquiry with Julie Coiro, Ph.D.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2019 46:52


    Personalized Digital Inquiry emphasizes the personal relationships that we build, the role that digital texts and tools play, and the way in which we cultivate a culture that inspires learners to grow and change in relevant ways. Dr. Julie Coiro is a professor of reading and digital literacy at the University of Rhode Island, landing here after having taught PreK - 8 students with learning disabilities. In addition to speaking nationally and internationally, Dr. Coiro works with educators to support their understanding of digital inquiry as part of comprehension strategy instruction designed to foster engaged reading and deeper learning.

    Personal Digital Inquiry with Julie Coiro, Ph.D.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2019 46:52


    Personalized Digital Inquiry emphasizes the personal relationships that we build, the role that digital texts and tools play, and the way in which we cultivate a culture that inspires learners to grow and change in relevant ways. Dr. Julie Coiro is a professor of reading and digital literacy at the University of Rhode Island, landing here after having taught PreK - 8 students with learning disabilities. In addition to speaking nationally and internationally, Dr. Coiro works with educators to support their understanding of digital inquiry as part of comprehension strategy instruction designed to foster engaged reading and deeper learning.

    Teaching With Poverty in Mind with Eric Jensen, Ph.D.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2019 55:12


    Listen in to Dr. Eric Jensen as he discusses poverty with host Matt Weld in a conversation that covers the definition of poverty, classroom teaching techniques, ideas for parental involvement, the importance of educator self-care, and more. Dr. Jensen is the author of more than 30 research-based books, and speaks internationally.

    Teaching With Poverty in Mind with Eric Jensen, Ph.D.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2019 55:12


    Listen in to Dr. Eric Jensen as he discusses poverty with host Matt Weld in a conversation that covers the definition of poverty, classroom teaching techniques, ideas for parental involvement, the importance of educator self-care, and more. Dr. Jensen is the author of more than 30 research-based books, and speaks internationally.

    Trauma and Shakespeare

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2019 39:49


    Schools aren't the only place where trauma is studied, unpacked, and used as a new lens through which to view human psychology and behavior. DeCruit is a nonprofit whose mission is to help veterans work through their trauma with the help of Shakespeare. Matt's conversation with Dawn Stern illustrates just how much of what happens in schools to help students with trauma can work throughout their lifetime.

    Trauma and Shakespeare

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2019 39:49


    Schools aren't the only place where trauma is studied, unpacked, and used as a new lens through which to view human psychology and behavior. DeCruit is a nonprofit whose mission is to help veterans work through their trauma with the help of Shakespeare. Matt's conversation with Dawn Stern illustrates just how much of what happens in schools to help students with trauma can work throughout their lifetime.

    People You Should Know: Kim Darche

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2019 32:46


    You know how every once in a while you cross paths with someone and you wonder why you’ve never met this person before? In this episode of The Teachers’ Classroom, we are going to take a slight detour so that I can introduce you to Kim Darche who is definitely someone you should know.

    school education teacher classroom people you should know edupodcast
    People You Should Know: Kim Darche

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2019 32:46


    You know how every once in a while you cross paths with someone and you wonder why you’ve never met this person before? In this episode of The Teachers’ Classroom, we are going to take a slight detour so that I can introduce you to Kim Darche who is definitely someone you should know.

    school education teacher classroom people you should know edupodcast
    The Anger of Others

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2019 23:12


    Anger is one of the most common human emotions and one that educators often face from other people, whether parents, colleagues, or community members. Understanding what anger is from a physiological standpoint, how we receive anger, and then how we can best deal with the anger of others helps us to maintain control of our lives and sanity.

    The Anger of Others

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2019 23:12


    Anger is one of the most common human emotions and one that educators often face from other people, whether parents, colleagues, or community members. Understanding what anger is from a physiological standpoint, how we receive anger, and then how we can best deal with the anger of others helps us to maintain control of our lives and sanity.

    Illinois Teacher Shortage (2019 ReMix)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2019 37:17


    The teacher, substitute teacher, and administrator shortage continues to cause classes to be cancelled or filled by unqualified people. Dr. Jim Rosborg, long-time educator in Illinois, discusses the history of teacher certification as well as the poor choices that have been made. This is a republishing of the most-listened to episode on this podcast with an update on developments since the original publication.

    Illinois Teacher Shortage (2019 ReMix)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2019 37:17


    The teacher, substitute teacher, and administrator shortage continues to cause classes to be cancelled or filled by unqualified people. Dr. Jim Rosborg, long-time educator in Illinois, discusses the history of teacher certification as well as the poor choices that have been made. This is a republishing of the most-listened to episode on this podcast with an update on developments since the original publication.

    Student Voice with Desiree Alexander

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2019 25:22


    As educators empower students with personalized learning and problem-based learning, we need to make sure that their opinion matters. In this episode, Desiree Alexander defines Student Voice, how it differs from Student Choice, and how teachers and schools can start hearing their students' voices.

    Student Voice with Desiree Alexander

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2019 25:22


    As educators empower students with personalized learning and problem-based learning, we need to make sure that their opinion matters. In this episode, Desiree Alexander defines Student Voice, how it differs from Student Choice, and how teachers and schools can start hearing their students' voices.

    Digital Equity in Schools

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2019 40:08


    Digital Equity in schools involves many different conversations, from big-picture politics to families and their access to - and knowledge about - technology used for learning. Dr. Beth Holland from the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and Mindy Fiscus from the Illinois Learning Technology Center discuss what digital equity conversations are going on at both the national and state level before we dig down to talk about what schools and teachers can do to ensure equity within their classrooms.

    Digital Equity in Schools

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2019 40:08


    Digital Equity in schools involves many different conversations, from big-picture politics to families and their access to - and knowledge about - technology used for learning. Dr. Beth Holland from the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and Mindy Fiscus from the Illinois Learning Technology Center discuss what digital equity conversations are going on at both the national and state level before we dig down to talk about what schools and teachers can do to ensure equity within their classrooms.

    Teaching, Technology, Leadership, and NoWorksheetWeek

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2019 38:09


    Sometimes the people you meet by being a Connected Educator help you with a single question. Others remain long-term collaborators, like Rae Fearing with Matt Weld's NoWorksheetWeek project. In this episode, Rae and Matt talk about teaching, leadership, technology, NGSS, Google Innovators, and more.

    Teaching, Technology, Leadership, and NoWorksheetWeek

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2019 38:09


    Sometimes the people you meet by being a Connected Educator help you with a single question. Others remain long-term collaborators, like Rae Fearing with Matt Weld's NoWorksheetWeek project. In this episode, Rae and Matt talk about teaching, leadership, technology, NGSS, Google Innovators, and more.

    Building Student-Teacher Relationships with Kiera Vargas

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2019 29:14


    Positive relationships between students and teachers solve both discipline and instructional challenges while making the classroom experience even more rewarding for everyone. Kiera Vargas gives concrete methods on how to form positive relationships with students.

    Building Student-Teacher Relationships with Kiera Vargas

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2019 29:14


    Positive relationships between students and teachers solve both discipline and instructional challenges while making the classroom experience even more rewarding for everyone. Kiera Vargas gives concrete methods on how to form positive relationships with students.

    The Superintendency with PJ Caposey and Ken Wallace

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2019 37:40


    In a continuation of our 'What Do They Do?" series, host Matt Weld of TeachIllinois talks to two IL school superintendents about their roles and responsibilities. Their answers may not be what you'd expect.

    education teaching illinois teachers classroom superintendents ken wallace pj caposey superintendency matt weld
    The Superintendency with PJ Caposey and Ken Wallace

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2019 37:40


    In a continuation of our 'What Do They Do?" series, host Matt Weld of TeachIllinois talks to two IL school superintendents about their roles and responsibilities. Their answers may not be what you'd expect.

    education teaching illinois teachers classroom superintendents ken wallace pj caposey superintendency matt weld
    Forgiveness with Ashley Monier and Abigail Haloftis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2019 39:41


    Two college students talk about how they teach forgiveness - what it is and steps to getting there - to incarcerated youth. They discuss the different forms of forgiveness including re-forgiveness, something we all need to practice.

    Forgiveness with Ashley Monier and Abigail Haloftis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2019 39:41


    Two college students talk about how they teach forgiveness - what it is and steps to getting there - to incarcerated youth. They discuss the different forms of forgiveness including re-forgiveness, something we all need to practice.

    Responding to School Crises with Lisa Dinhofer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2019 52:18


    What are the most compassionate responses to students immediately following a traumatic situation, and how that compassion extends into the long term? Real do's and don'ts from an expert in navigating traumatic events. We're publishing this Bonus Episode in response to the uptick in student deaths we have seen in our region this season.

    Responding to School Crises with Lisa Dinhofer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2019 52:18


    What are the most compassionate responses to students immediately following a traumatic situation, and how that compassion extends into the long term? Real do's and don'ts from an expert in navigating traumatic events. We're publishing this Bonus Episode in response to the uptick in student deaths we have seen in our region this season.

    Quickly Providing Relevant Feedback to Students with Amy Mayer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2019 35:40


    There's a difference between advice and feedback, and there are ways to work smarter not harder. In this episode, Amy Mayer, a nationally known speaker and Google professional development guru, shares her secrets to quickly providing feedback that is personally relevant to students.

    Quickly Providing Relevant Feedback to Students with Amy Mayer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2019 35:40


    There's a difference between advice and feedback, and there are ways to work smarter not harder. In this episode, Amy Mayer, a nationally known speaker and Google professional development guru, shares her secrets to quickly providing feedback that is personally relevant to students.

    Creating Meaningful Content for Schools on Social Media with Taylor Siebert

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2019 36:45


    As schools become aware of the importance on their brand and how their presence on social media can drive the brand and the culture of their buildings, it's important to understand what makes good content. Taylor Siebert of ClassIntercom is an entrepreneur from Nebraska who has found that through servant leadership, working hard comes naturally, with connections that actually hold value.

    Creating Meaningful Content for Schools on Social Media with Taylor Siebert

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2019 36:45


    As schools become aware of the importance on their brand and how their presence on social media can drive the brand and the culture of their buildings, it's important to understand what makes good content. Taylor Siebert of ClassIntercom is an entrepreneur from Nebraska who has found that through servant leadership, working hard comes naturally, with connections that actually hold value.

    The Trauma of Teaching with Lisa Dinhofer (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2019 27:45


    More often than not, people in helping professions are experiencing Role Creep, where they are expected to do more than what the job description outlines. In order to maintain the mental health of everyone in schools, we talk about possible shifts in new teacher training as well as pre-emptive resilience training and the importance of friends.

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