The Teacher's Desk

In Episode 10, we talk more about the Gap, and how this pandemic may be affecting it. An important, if understated, role of schools is to help to close that gap amongst our children, and distance learning adds new obstacles to many old problems.Our guest for this episode is Annie, a dynamic 7th Grade English LA teacher and mother of two. She shares insights on teaching from home, equity in these "hybrid" school models, and appreciating what we are because of this. Note:I mention a review that was recently released by the NWEA. The link to that review can be found HERE.

Back to discussing education in the middle of unknown territory. In Episode 9 we discuss the presumed roles of education, and the gaps that exist in schools, both now and before the pandemic. The truth is, our job, as educators, is very much the same as it has always been: provide accessible and rigorous education, and close the gaps!

In Episode 8, we discuss some of the ways that parents and others can help to keep students focused, and make the most of the time you have devoted to school during the week. This also includes a bit on Discipline, and how it can be different as a teacher than as a parent or other adult.This episode features a wonderful interview with Balika, a middle-school science teacher and mother of two. She shares some advice, experiences, and a heaping spoonful of common sense for today's school ordeals.

In Episode 7, we look at some strategies to help teach several kids at different ages. It can be daunting trying to work with one student, let alone more than one, and of different levels! The tips here are focused on ways that you can keep your students as focused as they can be during your school day. Please share any ideas or strategies through social media or email The Teacher's Desk at teachersdesk.podcast@gmail.com. We would love to share new ideas with our listeners!This episode features Kristie, a secondary science teacher, talking about how she's working with her students, how they're dealing with distance learning, and what she hopes to see from it all. Wonderful guest, and check out our extra content about Human's on Mars!P.S. - Kristie mentions a website she uses for fun educational opportunities, called Zooniverse. The web address is www.zooniverse.org, for anyone interested. I have checked it out, and it is every bit as fun as Kristie said it was!

Episode 6 focuses on something known to teachers as the Gradual Release of Responsibility (known to many parents as "Now watch mommy/daddy do it"). Incorporating this into your home-based classroom could be a game changer, but it needs to be done well to be effective.This episode features our interview with Brett, a high school Social Studies teacher. He offers some juicy insights on just what studying history does for us as a society, as well as some wise advise for our home-bound school scenario.

Episode 5 continues with our focus of trying to help those that are trying to create a learning environment at home during these times of school closures and social distancing. We discuss creating that environment, setting up a schedule that helps your students, and using student voice to inform your teaching.My guest for this episode is middle school humanities and English teacher, Caity. She is sharp, dynamic, witty, and works very hard to help her students. She tells us a bit of what led her to teaching, as well as her thoughts on those that are assuming the role of teacher at home.

Episode 4 marks a slight shift in the focus of The Teacher's Desk, at least for the time being. During this global crisis, I have heard from an abundance of people that are suddenly trying to run some sort of classroom from their home. Not only is this incredibly daunting, it can add to the stress of an already intense situation. The Teacher's Desk, from this episode forward, will offer professional advice and tips for parents, grandparents, and anyone else trying to assume the role of a teacher during these trying times.It is important for parents and others to understand, they are not expected to suddenly "become" a teacher. Rather, to those that are assuming part of that teacher's role, you are ensuring that the interruption to these students' lives will be as small as we can make it.This episode also features an interview with Elementary School teacher Rachel. The interview was conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but is a wonderful look inside the mind of an excellent teacher, and a remarkable human being.* Rachel references "Visual Learning" by John Hattie. I realize now I have read some of his work previous to this, but didn't remember. It is, however, where a lot of teaching pedagogy is focused these days. www.visiblelearning.com

Episode 3 focuses on the contentious and oh-so controversial subject of GRADES! Why do we still use such an antiquated system when we know it is flawed? If we were to replace it, what would that look like? As teachers, we must have some form of assessment to track growth, and to identify obstacles, or gaps in understanding. However, the carrot-and-stick relationship students have with grades is often quite detrimental. So...We interview a wonderful teacher, Marcy. She comes with experience in both middle and high school, and she teaches both Social Studies and English. She has a great story about how she became a teacher, and her perspective on her students' learning is delightfully insightful.

In this episode of The Teacher's Desk, we dig into a common, and sometimes frustrating obstacle in school: the fear of being wrong. Students, and even adults, often see wrong answers as being signs of weakness, and it can be difficult to foster that courage to take risks when the fear of being wrong is looming. What can we do to push through that? This episode features an interview with Ian, a high school English teacher, coach, and all around great guy. We talk about frustrations of teaching, as well as the challenges that make it fun. Ian's approach to his students is refreshing, frankly, and his students love him for it.

Welcome to The Teacher's Desk! This Pilot Episode gives listeners a detailed background on the podcast itself, and what to expect from future episodes. It also works as an introduction to it's host, Ivan, and who he thinks he is, taking on such an endeavor. Lastly, this pilot episode delves into that burning question, what is it like to be a teacher?This episode features a montage of interview clips instead of the usual interview.