The Workshop Teacher Podcast

Amanda returns after a long hiatus, excited to start a new season focused on mindfulness, neurodiversity, equity, and student engagement. In this special episode, Amanda shares a recording of her first mindfulness class from her practicum, which is part of her Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher Training Certification Program(MMTCP). The class includes a 10-minute talk on the challenges of slowing down and using the breath to do so, followed by an 8-minute meditation to practice using the breath as an anchor. Amanda discusses the significance of breath as a tool for calm and peace amid the chaos of life, particularly for teachers. She also introduces various breathing techniques and their benefits. The episode concludes with a guided meditation exercise aimed at helping listeners find tranquility. 00:00 Welcome Back! 01:00 Introducing the Practicum 04:35 The Power of Breath 10:05 Personal Meditation Journey 13:09 Breathing Techniques 19:39 Guided Meditation 28:01 Closing Thoughts

Show Notes, Transcript and More: https://amandawritenow.com/fixing-the-oppressive-foundations-teacher-prep-induction-and-pay/ In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, hosts Amanda and Trina dive deep into the complex and often controversial topic of teacher pay. Joined by special guest Jess, they explore the historical roots of teacher pay, referred to as "step and column". They discuss the unique challenges faced by teachers across different states and the impact of oppressive teacher pay systems on both new and veteran educators. In addition to the topic of teacher pay, the hosts unpack the topics of the high cost of teacher preparation and induction programs that require teachers to shell out even more time and money. ***Correction: Hello Listeners--Trina has issued a couple of small corrections--firstly, the two year post-graduate induction exception in California which allows a teacher to finish up in one year instead of two requires 3 not 5 years of teaching. Secondly, the year she completed her administrative services credential, in 2020, was not the first cohort required to complete induction for admin, it was the first cohort who was required to complete the CAL APA's--which is an entirely different requirement.

In this thought-provoking episode, co-hosts Trina, Amanda, and Jess delve into the challenges and frustrations faced by educators in today's educational landscape. Focusing on the controversial adoption of canned curriculums in secondary education, they explore the implications for teacher autonomy, mental health, and the broader impacts on the K-12 system. Jess shares her powerful reactions and insights from a recent episode featuring two high school teachers, sparking a candid discussion about the systemic issues plaguing the profession. https://amandawritenow.com/educators-or-pawns-unpacking-the-realities-of-being-a-k-12-teacher-in-america/ Check out that previous episode here: https://amandawritenow.com/the-teacher-shortage-crisis-lessons-from-an-esl-teachers-stand-against-canned-curriculum/ Key Takeaways: Teacher Autonomy: The episode highlights the stark contrast between the autonomy traditionally granted to secondary teachers and the rigid structures often imposed on elementary educators. Mental Health: Amanda discusses the toll that teaching takes on mental health, especially under the current educational policies and societal expectations. Systemic Issues: The conversation underscores the systemic problems within the educational system, including the lack of understanding and support from those outside the K-12 world. Personal Reflections: Jess opens up about her own experiences and frustrations, offering a raw and honest look at the life of a teacher who feels more like a pawn in an ever-changing game. Gender and Roles: Trina touches on the gendered nature of teaching roles and how societal expectations impact female educators in particular. Quotes: "I felt like a pawn in a game I didn't want to be in." "Being a teacher today is like being part of a system that sacrifices your mental health for the sake of maintaining order." "Elementary school feels high stakes, but it's treated with less urgency and respect compared to secondary education." Discussion Points: How the adoption of canned curriculums impacts teacher creativity and effectiveness The importance of teacher autonomy in fostering a positive educational environment The intersection of gender, societal roles, and the teaching profession Strategies for teachers to advocate for their needs and mental health within the system Connect with Us Email us your thoughts and stories: amandawritenow@gmail.com Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform and sharing it with your friends and colleagues.

Show Notes Page: https://amandawritenow.com/teaching-in-turbulent-times-our-take-on-snls-yall-won/ In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda and co-hosts Trina English and Jessica Martin react to the recent Saturday Night Live sketch "Y'all Won." As the school year comes to a close, they dive into the humor and the harsh realities depicted in the skit, sharing their mixed feelings and personal experiences from the classroom. They explore the systemic issues plaguing K-12 education, from the increase in student trauma post-COVID to the inadequacies of administrative responses. Join them for a candid discussion on the state of public education, the urgent need for systemic change, and how teachers can band together to advocate for a better future.

Ambient Cinematic | Sky by Alex-Productions | Music promoted by http://onsound.eu/

Show Notes: https://amandawritenow.com/unpacking-the-impact-of-school-climate-and-culture-on-the-teacher-shortage-crisis/ In this podcast episode, the hosts Amanda and Trina, both teachers, are joined by guest Jessica Martin, a teacher, author, and entrepreneur. They discuss climate and culture in schools and its impact on the teacher shortage crisis. Jessica shares her diverse teaching experiences and insights from her social media followers, revealing that many teachers feel demoralized and burnt out. The conversation covers the challenges faced by educators during the pandemic, the emotional toll of student behavior, and the struggle for fair contracts and working conditions. The episode concludes with a message of solidarity among teachers and the importance of advocating for change in the education system. Jessica's social media engagement is also highlighted, with a mention of her Instagram handle so teachers listening can follow her: whimsical_teacher.

In this podcast episode, Trina and Amanda discuss major challenges in the American public education system, including the teacher shortage crisis, the state of reading instruction, and the impact of curriculum mandates on teacher autonomy. They reflect on previous episodes, including an interview with Amanda's sister, and express frustration with the lack of teacher agency and the systemic issues stemming from structural sexism in the profession. They criticize the dominance of certain reading programs and the pushback against the science of reading. The episode also touches on the need for teacher-led curriculum development, the problems of climate and culture in schools, and the severe impact of the pandemic on teaching conditions. They call for respect, proper compensation for teachers, and a shift in focus from strictly academics to trauma-informed practices to address the burnout and behavioral issues they're observing in students. The episode is a candid discussion about the current state of education and the urgent need for change. Visit Show Notes Page: https://amandawritenow.com/podcast/ Resources Mentioned: https://www.fulcrum-oakland.org/home https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/ https://www.therighttoreadfilm.org/ https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/ https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/teachers-leaving/ https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/teacher-shortage/ https://naacp.org/resources/naacp-supports-every-child-reading-first-grade-mastery-third-grade

In this episode, host Amanda interviews Vanessa Jones, an English teacher, writer, and voice actor who has recently authored a guidebook on adult ADHD. Vanessa discusses her personal experience with an adult ADHD diagnosis, the unnoticed symptoms in women, and the impact on her life and career. She shares insights on teaching with ADHD, the benefits of structured environments, and the accommodations that helped her succeed. The conversation also touches on Vanessa's transition to voice acting and entrepreneurship, and the importance of recognizing neurodiversity in education. Both Amanda and Vanessa reflect on the strengths that individuals with ADHD bring to teaching. Vanessa Jones's Book: https://www.vanessa-jones-writes.com/adhdstore/p/adultadhd

In this episode of Empower Students Now, host Amanda interviews her sister Shelly Gonsalves, who opens up about her lifelong struggle with reading and learning difficulties. Shelly recounts her early educational challenges, the lack of support she faced, and the emotional toll it took on her self-esteem. Despite these obstacles, she persevered, exploring various career paths from graphic design to welding, and ultimately finding her place in law enforcement. Shelly's story is one of resilience and determination, as she now uses her experiences to advocate for children with similar struggles and to inspire others through her volunteer work and creative pursuits. The episode is a touching testament to overcoming adversity. But, it is also reveals the heart breaking reality of what happens to struggling readers in a system not built to support them, or their teachers. Check out the show notes, transcript, and more here: https://amandawritenow.com/the-revealing-reality-struggling-readers-face-within-the-u-s-education-system/

In this episode, hosts, Amanda and Trina, discuss the significant challenges of reading instruction in education. They delve into their personal experiences as teachers and parents, grappling with the complexities of teaching reading effectively and the impact on students. The conversation covers the history of reading, the disparities in instruction across socioeconomic lines, and the struggles faced by students with learning disabilities. The speakers call for systemic changes, emphasizing the need for high-quality curriculum, experienced teachers, and comprehensive support for struggling readers. They express frustration with the lack of resources and advocate for recognition of teachers' expertise in advancing students' reading skills. Show Notes, Resource Links, and Transcrip: https://amandawritenow.com/forgotten-narratives-from-frontline-of-the-reading-wars/

In this episode, hosts Amanda and Trina, along with guest Manuwella Allen (Mani), discuss gender equity in education, with a focus on the intersection of race and gender. They address issues of sexual harassment and abuse in schools, highlighting several disturbing cases. The conversation covers the lack of attention given to gender equity in education, the need for a more intersectional approach, and the importance of implementing Title IX. They also discuss the adultification of black girls' bodies, the problematic nature of dress codes, and the structural sexism in the teaching profession. The episode emphasizes the urgent need for change in the American public education system. Check out the show notes here: https://amandawritenow.com/courageous-teachers-speak-out-against-a-serious-problem-being-overlooked-in-k-12-schools/ Check out our affinity space and join here: https://www.ssasv.org/ Nonsexist Dress Code :https://noworegon.org/issues/model-student-dress-code/ Girl Up Student Club/Union:https://girlup.org/

In this podcast episode, Trina shares her expertise around gender equity in K-12 schools. She discusses the lack of support and unjust treatment of female students in schools, emphasizing the need for comprehensive discussions on gender equity. Amanda and Trina discuss topics such as period equity, the inclusion of girls in STEM programs, biases in the education system, anti sexist dress codes, and the lack of  implementation of Title IX in our public education system. Trina shares her frustration with the lack of support for girls who experience sexual harassment and violence in schools. The episode ends with a teaser for the next episode, which will focus on the intersectionality of race and gender in educational equity. Resources mentioned in this episode: https://noworegon.org/issues/model-student-dress-code/ https://girlup.org/

In this episode of the podcast series "Teacher Shortage Crisis Exposed," hosts Trina and Amanda discuss the topic of educational equity and the confusion surrounding its definition. They criticize the narrowing down of the term equity to only focus on racial equity, excluding other marginalized groups. They also discuss the culture wars happening in schools and the lack of teacher representation in these conversations. They also touch on the polarized state of the country and its impact on schools, as well as the need for teachers to be respected and supported.

In this episode, Amanda and Trina interview two teachers who pushed back against using canned curriculum and discuss the sensitive nature of the stories shared by teachers and the importance of protecting their identities.  They share stories from Teacher A, a veteran ELD (English Language Development) teacher, and Teacher B, a new teacher, who both experienced the limitations and ineffectiveness of canned ELD curriculum. The hosts emphasize the vital importance of valuing teachers' expertise when developing curricula, especially for marginalized students. Check out the episode page here: https://amandawritenow.com/the-teacher-shortage-crisis-lessons-from-an-esl-teachers-stand-against-canned-curriculum/

In this podcast episode, Amanda and Trina discuss the use of canned curriculum in schools and its impact on teachers and the education system. They recognize canned curriculum is useful in certain contexts and subjects, such as for long term substitutes, new teachers, or Math and Science teachers. However, in this episode they highlight the drawbacks of canned curriculum, such as job dissatisfaction because of the lack of autonomy for educators. Canned curriculum also increases disengagement among students. They discuss the influence of school boards and politics in education decision-making. Amanda and Trina emphasize the need for change and the importance of teachers' voices and expertise in shaping our American education system. Overall, they advocate for a more personalized and relevant approach to teaching. Check out the episode show notes and more here: https://amandawritenow.com/the-teacher-shortage-crisis-exposed-outsourcing-teacher-expertise-to-canned-curriculum-part-5/

This is part 4 of The Teacher Shortage Exposed series. It's a discussion about the insane amount of time, money, and work it takes to becoming a teacher only to face even more red tape, expectations, costs, and time sucks from the teacher induction process. This podcast series is from real teachers' perspectives. Too much information is being spread about the teacher shortage from people who are not even teachers. It's time to hear our side of the story. It's time to hear from real teachers about why this teacher shortage crisis is happening and how to fix the problems. Kelvin was a brand new teacher who decided to leave the profession, only two years after starting his teaching career. Trina is a teacher who has been in the profession for a decade now in a wide range of school settings. Amanda has taught many grade levels, both elementary and secondary, and has moved to three different states throughout her career as a teacher. They all discuss the personal challenges and sacrifices they had to make to becoming a teacher. They talk about the induction process and the exorbitant expectations placed on new teachers. Student loans, night classes, costly exams, paperwork, and formal observations are all the norm. Navigating a new career and all the challenges that come with being brand new teacher is already challenging. This episode exposes how completely inequitable, unrealistic, and onerous the process to becoming a teacher is and the toll it is taking on our education system.

Amanda and co-host Trina discuss the challenges and expenses involved in becoming a teacher. Trina highlights the financial, time, and emotional investment required to become a teacher in the United States, particularly in California. They discuss the high cost of teacher preparation programs, the unpaid nature of student teaching, and the bureaucratic red tape that discourages new teachers. Both Amanda and Trina share their personal experiences with the financial burden of becoming a teacher and express frustration with the misconceptions about teaching and the heavy workload teachers face. Trina suggests that teacher preparatory programs should be free and streamlined to address income inequality and privilege in the profession.

In this episode, Amanda introduces Kelvin Mak, a recently resigned high school English teacher, who shares his experiences and frustrations with the education system. Kelvin discusses his burnout and the lack of fair compensation for teachers. He and co-host Trina express their frustrations with the oppressive nature of the profession and the limitations they face in bringing about change. They feel that their voices are not heard or respected and that the system is resistant to improvement. They emphasize the need for systemic change and hope that their conversation will create a sense of unity among teachers facing similar struggles.

In this podcast episode, Amanda, the host of the Empower Students Now podcast, introduces Trina English as a special guest and co-host for a series of episodes on the teacher shortage crisis. They discuss the importance of addressing this issue, especially for students in low-income and urban areas. Trina provides insights into the history of the education system, the impact of structural racism and sexism, and the oppressive way teachers are paid. She highlights the need for change in teacher salaries, representation in the teaching profession, and the misalignment between stated values and actual funding levels. They urge listeners to share the episode to raise awareness. Check out the episode show notes here: https://amandawritenow.com/the-teacher-shortage-exposed-how-to-fix-teacher-pay-part-1/

In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner shares her personal journey of discovering that she has ADHD and the importance of teachers understanding this condition. Amanda explains that many students in classrooms may be undiagnosed with ADHD, and that girls are often not diagnosed due to societal expectations of girls. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the science behind these conditions and recognizing the strengths that come with these differences, such as creativity and high intelligence. Listen to this episode to learn how to embrace your differences and recognize your strengths. Learn more about ADHD from the best source of information on this topic: https://www.additudemag.com/

Do you want to teach your students how to read more effectively and prepare them for college and life? In this podcast episode, Amanda discusses the book "Reading Reconsidered" by Doug Lemov, which provides a wealth of information on how to improve students' reading abilities. The book emphasizes the importance of equity in education and student engagement. It is organized around four important elements of reading instruction. Amanda goes through the chapters of the book and highlights key points, such as the importance of selecting challenging texts, using close reading practices, and analyzing meaning via text-dependent questions. While Amanda praises the book overall, she expresses some reservations about the authors' reliance on cold calling as a teaching technique. She also recommends being mindful when practicing reading with students who have learning disabilities. If you want to learn how to teach rigorous analytical reading skills, check out this episode and the book talk series available for purchase here: https://www.empowerstudentsnow.com/equity-book-talks-for-english-teachers

Are you an English teacher looking to create an anti-racist writing workshop that prioritizes student voices and celebrates diversity? Look no further than "The Antiracist Writing Workshop" by Felicia Rose Chavez. In this episode, Amanda provides a detailed review and valuable insights on how to transform the traditional writing workshop model. From creating a safe and inclusive environment to incorporating mindfulness and reflection, this episode emphasizes the importance of prioritizing student agency and building partnerships with students. Tune in and learn how to create a student-centered workshop that fosters camaraderie and celebrates the collective power of diverse voices. Purchase the entire Social Justice and Equity Book Talk Series here: https://www.empowerstudentsnow.com/equity-book-talks-for-english-teachers

In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda shares her summer plans and introduces a series of episodes where she provides overviews of eight books on educational equity and social justice that she read in 2021. She also offers a toolkit for teachers that includes editable planning tools, charts, posters, mentor texts, assessment tools, and conferencing tools. Amanda then discusses the book "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain" by Zaretta Hammond, which focuses on moving students toward becoming independent learners, especially marginalized students or students of color. She highlights the importance of cultural awareness and establishing trust with students. Purchase all the equity book talks and notes here: https://www.empowerstudentsnow.com/equity-book-talks-for-english-teachers

In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda introduces her new course, The Empowered English Classroom, which aims to increase student engagement through equitable teaching practices. The host discusses the Empowered English Classroom framework, which includes steps for increasing student engagement, implementing equitable grading practices, and developing a systematic planning system. Amanda emphasizes the importance of building relationships, avoiding biases, and adapting teaching methods to meet students' needs. The course starts on June 3rd, and teachers who sign up will receive all the necessary resources to implement the framework. The episode concludes with a reminder to think about how their classroom can become an empowered one. You can sign up for this new course here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nwK2RHPs1bbXCJqFimIJhelAUfrhak3WzNzhm9MlY0k/edit?usp=sharing

In this podcast episode, Amanda discusses the negative impact of shaming kids and ourselves for screen use. She argues that screens can have benefits for neurodivergent individuals and others seeking community, and emphasizes the importance of cultivating a safe environment for students to communicate with each other in the classroom. Amanda also shares her personal experiences with therapy and the harmful effects of labeling behaviors as "good" or "bad." She suggests having conversations with children to understand their screen use and interests, discussing internet safety with them, and incorporating screen time into the classroom. Amanda concludes by emphasizing the importance of not shaming children for their screen use and creating a supportive environment for them instead.

In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda discusses how to handle apathetic and defiant students in the classroom. She shares her personal experience as a parent of a neurodivergent child and suggests a collaborative approach that involves building relationships with students and engaging them in conversation about their behavior and the impact it might be having on others. Amand emphasizes the importance of explaining the purpose of classroom work and valuing students' intelligence and bright spirits. She also encourages teachers to have heart-to-heart conversations with the whole class or specific groups of students to address the classroom environment and highlights how overloading students with constant work may be exacerbating the mental health crisis among students and adults.

In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda shares that she is currently enrolled in a mindfulness and meditation teacher program and leads a guided meditation for teachers called "Dropping the Suitcases of Worries and Regrets" to help them reduce anxiety and let go of feelings of not doing enough for their students. Amanda instructs listeners to find a comfortable place to sit or lie down and relax their bodies, and guides them through a visualization exercise where they drop their worries and regrets. Amanda concludes by reminding listeners that they are enough and have everything they need in the present moment.

Are you looking for fun and engaging writing projects for your students at the end of the school year? Look no further! In this episode, I share five writing projects that will keep your students motivated and excited about writing until the last day of school. You can recreate these projects yourself using Google Docs and Slides or purchase them below. You can find information about all the projects on my website here: https://amandawritenow.com/podcast/

Any English teacher can tell you that argumentative essays written by students are more often than not, dry, dull, and formulaic. I'm here to tell you, it's not our students' fault. The writing units most teachers follow to teach argument essays are dry, dull, and formulaic. Common core standards require that teachers prioritize the core concepts of argument writing such as the writing process, thesis statement, claim statement, reasoning, evidence, and the annotated bibliography. Teachers have to use a step-by-step process because students need these foundations. In all the years I've been an English teacher I have found that writing surpasses expectations when students have a purpose for writing and are given permission to write with voice and passion about high-interest topics. Listen to learn about 8 high interest argumentative articles (mentor texts) you can use with your students tomorrow. Each article includes possible writing skills you could teach as well as discussion questions! Support this podcast (you'll benefit too, I promise) by purchasing high quality resources that increase student engagement, promote equity, and are editable here: https://amandawritenow.com/shop/

Rules dictate so much of our lives in schools. But, so many of the rules we follow in schools are extremely outdated and even oppressive. These rules need to be questioned and changed. In this off the cuff episode I share steps for teachers who are ready to start taking rule breaking and action taking seriously. Even if you aren't, which I totally respect and understand, this episode is definitely worth a listen.

Over the years I've learned that the first lesson of an argumentative writing unit is key to the success of the entire unit. The first lesson needs to accomplish a lot, so it's hard to do it right. Argumentative writing can also become boring fast. I want to help you save planning time and boost engagement through the lesson plans I create. I believe argumentative essay writing can be motivating for young writers and simple to plan for teachers. In this episode, I've put together a five day plan that I believe is the absolute best way to start any argumentative writing unit.

The neurodiversity movement is happening right now. It's exciting, invigorating, and gaining more and more momentum every day. But, what is the neurodiversity movement? Why do students need to know about it? How can we introduce students to the complex and sometimes controversial concepts related to neurodiversity? I'll answer all these questions and more in this episode!

This podcast is no longer called The Workshop Teacher Podcast. I'm changing the name of the podcast to The Empower Students Now Podcast! Listen to this episode to find out why.

It's about time for teachers to start their opinion, persuasive, or argumentative writing units (depending on the grade you teach). Most teachers realize that sample sentences and essays are an important component of any writing unit. But, one of the hardest parts about teaching this type of writing is finding writing samples that are age appropriate. It's easy to look on websites of popular newspaper outlets and find an opinion piece, opinion polls, and someone's personal opinion shared via an editorial. The problem is these newspapers have paywalls set up, limiting access. Also, the writing is written at the high school level and much too complex for say, fifth graders. Plus tools like Newsela and CommonLit require payment. But, I'm here to shout from the rooftops that finding a variety of writing samples is easier than ever with a new tool called Chat GPT and right now it's completely free, but it might not be for long! I recently published a three-part series about how Chat GPT, and future iterations of this tool, are going to have a significant impact on the way we teach. This tool is striking fear in the hearts of teachers worried about plagiarism. But, getting stuck in fear is a mistake! English teachers need to take advantage of its ability to generate sentence examples, opinion questions, persuasive writing prompts, and more. Teachers can use this tool to enhance their teaching and save time, and I'm going to prove it to you right here, right now.

The best way to handle new technology being introduced to the education world is to investigate the tools for ourselves, with an open mind, rather than getting caught up in fear and overwhelm. I know this is hard to do, believe me, I'm a fairly neurotic, anxious person. But, as an English teacher, it is our job to teach students how to utilize critical thinking, be open minded, and organize all the information coming at us in a cohesive manner. It's our job to model this kind of behavior. Yes, our initial feelings may be that of fear and overwhelm and even defeat. Many teachers are feeling like their jobs are going to be replaced by machine learning and a chat interface. In my opinion though this new chatbot won't ever replace the importance of a human being in the classroom or the beauty and creativity that comes from human language. Check out this three part series below: Part 1: What are some of the possible impacts of AI tools like Chat GPT on teachers and students (please tell me something positive!)? Part 2: How do I prevent cheating and plagiarism when tools like this exist? Part 3: How do I talk to my students about Chat GPT? I hope these episodes help you begin to think about how these tools can change the landscape of education for the better.

Now that students have easy access to artificial intelligence chatbots like Chat GPT, teachers are pondering how to prevent students from using these tools to do their work for them. Cheating seems to be easier than ever these days. English language arts teachers are especially panicked. When I started playing with Chat GPT I felt a mixture of excitement and fear. I was excited about the potential to improve my writing with feedback from artificial intelligence, to have a tool for getting ideas for blog posts, and to be able to produce writing samples for students. I also toyed with having it write blog posts for me, knowing full well I would absolutely never copy and paste what it produced and call it mine. It lacks my voice and personality. The prospect made my head spin. I wracked my brain and the internet searching for ways to prevent plagiarism and cheating but also harness the tool to support students without hindering their thinking and learning. I decided I needed to write a series of blog posts on this topic to try and grapple with the complexities of this new technology. Each part attempts to answer essential questions teachers are asking about artificial intelligence tools like Chat GPT. Here are the questions I'm attempting to answer with this series: Part 1: 7 Ways Chat GPT Will Impact Education…Positively. Part 2: How do I prevent cheating/plagiarism when tools like this exist? Part 3: How do I talk to my students about Chat GPT? I hope these episodes help you begin to think about how these tools can change the landscape of education for the better.

I believe the topic of AI tools and how they impact education is incredibly important. So important in fact that I've decided to dedicate the next series of episodes to helping teachers grapple with these new and fast moving technological developments. In this series I'll discuss three essential questions teachers are asking about AI tools like Chat GPT. I'll also attempt to answer these questions to the best of my abilities using the extensive research I've done about AI tools over the last couple of months. Here's a break down of the blog posts that are to come: Part 1: What are some of the possible impacts of AI tools like Chat GPT on teachers and students (please tell me something positive!)? Part 2: How do I prevent cheating and plagiarism when tools like this exist? Part 3: How do I talk to my students about Chat GPT? I hope these episodes help you begin to think about how these tools can change the landscape of education for the better.

Sign Up for the Free Webinar 3 Steps to Finally Getting Students Consistently Reading and Writing Independently: https://www.workshopteacherschool.com/reading-and-writing-independence-webinar Every classroom has struggling writers. There are many reasons young writers struggle during our writing units. They may feel overwhelmed, be uninterested, have writing skill deficits because of past experiences with writing, or have learning differences. Often these struggling writers tend to be writing far below grade level and their writing abilities cause many unforeseen problems throughout their school careers. For struggling writers, any writing assignment no matter how small or big can cause anxiety, acting out, off-task behavior, or all of the above. In middle and especially high school, the struggle with writing becomes even more problematic as expectations increase. In order to avoid the struggle, these students may get other students off task. Or they may ask for help incessantly or suffer in embarrassed silence. For all of these reasons and more, it's incredibly important for writing teachers focus on building confidence in these writers. To do that we must have a toolbox of strategies they can pull from to support these struggling writers. The good news is that this episode post has twenty-eight essential tools you can utilize no matter what type of struggling writers you have and no matter how their struggles show up in your classroom.

https://amandawritenow.com/rethinking-reading-assessment-with-equity-in-mind/ I wrote this six part equity series to better understand the inequities surrounding the ways in which we teach and assess reading and writing skills in the United States. I wanted to know more. Not only that, I wanted to find practical solutions for the problems all teachers (not just English teachers) face, such as: A lack of understanding about how to teach reading and writing effectively and with equity in mind The immense challenge of helping 30+ students with many differing needs Students receiving low grades and over again on assessments, throughout the entire school year Systemic racism and how it all plays out within our educational institutions After writing the six parts in this series (they are all linked below), I've discovered that these topics are fraught with a lot of controversy and many historically significant events that have had massive ripple effects. My hope is that by synthesizing all the information, I can help busy teachers make informed decisions in their classrooms when it comes to choosing the most impactful and equitable ways to teach.

In this episode I challenge some of the inequitable grading practices that pervade our school systems. I also lay out a step-by-step solution to some of the issues we face when it comes to grading writing.

In this episode, Amanda discusses three problematic issues when it comes to unit planning. She proposes solutions to these problems too! Take a listen to discover the problems and solutions. This part four of a six-part series all about rethinking workshop practices with equity in mind.

https://amandawritenow.com/rethinking-conferencing-with-equity-in-mind/ We know conferring is a vital component of promoting equity in our classroom because doing so provides students with opportunities to advocate for themselves, voice their needs, and get support from the teacher. We know conferencing is important. But, how do we overcome all the problematic issues we as teachers face when trying to conference with our students? What about the challenges of conferencing that everyday teachers face? What is a teacher to do when it just doesn't seem to work the way all the workshop gurus say it will? And most important of all…how can we use conferencing practices successfully, to promote equity in our classrooms? This episode outlines a five-step process for rethinking conferencing with equity in mind!

In this episode I examine reading workshop through an equity lens. I discuss three problematic aspects of reading workshop and propose solutions to these problems. Check out the full blog post here: https://amandawritenow.com/rethinking-reading-workshop-with-equity-in-mind/

This is part one in a six part series outlining exactly how I'm rethinking my workshop classroom with an equity lens. For part one I focus on rethinking writing workshop with an equity lens. I discuss three problematic aspects of writing workshop and possible solutions for these problems.

I've learned and changed tremendously since the events of 2020-2021, you might even call what's happened an identity crisis…I want to share this story here to make sense of everything for myself but also because I know there are many teachers out there that can relate. https://amandawritenow.com/the-story-of-a-teacher-authors-identity-crisis/

This summer I'm hosting the first ever English Teacher Summer Reading Series! This event is taking place June 4th-August 14th. We will delve into 8 very popular professional development books and you don't have to read a word. I'll do all the work for you:) Go to amandawritenow.com to sign up. In this episode I share a brief summary of each of the 8 books including the most important takeaways I had from reading the books.

The end of the school year can be chaotic, so keeping students engaged and having fun is incredibly important. I have used the project detailed in this episode every year I've taught and it never fails to keep students loving their school work and writing until the very end. In this episode I discuss how simple this project is to get going and the steps to get this project rolling.

How big is the stack of books you want to read this summer? If you are like most English teachers, the stack is sky high. This is exactly why I'm hosting The English Teacher Summer Reading Series! It's a free event that is happening between June 4th-August 7th! Attendees of the event will: Go deep into 8 super popular professional development books without reading a single word (unless you want to of course!). Receive a 5 minute video overview of each book every Saturday (except during my camping adventure vacation to Colorado, I'm finally getting out of the house woohoo!)  The video overview will include a one sentence summary of the book. Participate in discussions with other teachers in a private Facebook Group! Receive 5 key insights gained from each book.  Get recommendations about how to use each book to improve your teaching practice. Access a whole bunch more bonuses, learn more here! So, in this episode I kick off The English Teacher Summer Reading Series with an important book I recently read called 7 Myths About Education by Daisy Christodoulou. Sign up for The English Teacher Summer Reading Series here: http://bit.ly/summer-reading-series-2021 Read the blog post here: https://amandawritenow.com/english-teacher-summer-reading-seriesfirst-book-up-7-myths-about-education-by-daisy-christodoulou/

Have you ever gone through a paradigm shift before? A paradigm is a set of patterns. Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, says paradigms are just beliefs. But, what if those patterns, beliefs or paradigms shift? What if the beliefs you've held for so long begin to change? In this episode I discuss 5 paradigm shifts I've had recently when it comes to best teaching practices and the books that caused them! https://amandawritenow.com/when-you-find-out-youve-been-teaching-wrong/

Are you often feeling overwhelmed with all you have to do? Maybe you feel scattered and aren't sure what to focus your energy on. Mindfulness in your personal and professional life can most definitely help alleviate these anxieties. In this blog post I'll share ten ways you can begin to bring more mindfulness into both your personal and professional life. You'll learn what mindfulness is and how you can begin practicing in your personal life so you can start bringing these practices into your classroom.

Have you ever felt you weren't supporting a group of students with writing? Maybe these students had IEPs, maybe they didn't, maybe they were the students who turned in writing that was all over the place, spelling mistakes, run-on sentences, no paragraphs...you know what I'm talking about. And you just didn't know how to support these students or even where to start!?! You are not alone. I've felt at a loss for how to support struggling writers every single year of my 13 years as a teacher. There are so many varying levels within one classroom. It can be hard to wrap your mind around how to support students who are struggling with writing and seem far behind all the other writers in your classroom. However, there are things we can do, that all students can benefit from, both advanced writers and struggling writers. According to Natalie Wexler, author of The Knowledge Gap and co-author of The Writing Revolution, students who struggle with writing, and all students for that matter, need explicit instruction at the sentence level. After reading Wexler's books, I couldn't agree more. In this episode I discuss 5 simple mini lessons you can teach this week if you wanted!