The Podcast

We are creating a short series of podcasts for those who are graduating soon and/or are on the search for a teaching job. This first mini episode we talk about the process as a whole, what to expect, and a few pieces of advice. Coming soon we have two longer episodes. One (EP 12) with advice on how to write a cover letter, resume, and advice on the process of completing an application. The next episode (EP 13) will be about the interview process. We will share questions you may be asked as well as advice on how to answer that final question… “What questions do you have for us?”

As always, please feel free to contact us at scholes2chlebowski@gmail.com if you have other questions about the application process, or would like a cheerleader! We are here for you!

In this episode, we have our very first guest, Lindsay Swiatek, a STEM teacher who works with Josh. Both Josh and Erin have collaborated with Lindsay in a variety of ways, and she is the perfect person to help us think about how to bring project based learning into the classroom. She has great stories from her own classroom as well as suggestions on how to try something new (and possibly scary) in your classroom. You will see from the list of Shoutouts, this episode has a lot to offer our listeners. 

Shoutouts

Engineering Design Process

Defined Learning - A site that has all sorts of project based learning lessons for all subjects and grades. If you live in CT, the state has paid for access for us.

PBL Works - great site for PBL 

Flat Stanley Project

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Open STEM - You can get curriculum, borrow kits, and participate in STEM activities. 

CT State Library Division of Library Development: Equipment Catalog - The Middletown Library Service Center has STEM kits you can borrow. If you live outside CT, start with your local library to see what sort of kits are available. 

Arthur: Homework Tonight

In this episode we discuss the importance of work life balance. We give suggestions as to how to make “work” a little easier for you, along with suggestions to make the amount of work more manageable.

As we head toward a holiday break weekend, we encourage you to find a way to truly take a break from work. 

Shoutouts from this Episode: 

New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS)

IXL, Other Quiz Websites Quizizz, Socrative, Kahoot

AI for schools MagicSchool, SchoolAI, Eduaide.AI

Edpuzzle

Google Classroom (this actually links to another site Erin built and curated, Tech4Teachers, where you can learn about different tech for your classroom)

Flipped Classrooms (this is a 2 min video about Flipped Classrooms)

January is a l..o..n..g month, and yet somehow we still didn’t get this episode out until February 1st! Listen to this minimally edited episode where we talk about how we make it through these long winter months. 

In this episode we go back and forth sharing different classroom management strategies as well as how they worked in our own classroom. Listen in for a game-like episode where we compare notes on a wide variety of tips and “tricks” that have worked for us. We know classroom management isn’t easy, but we hope you will find a few new things to try to help you improve your own management.

Shout outs from this Episode: 

The game Scattergories by Hasbro, you can play a round online here.  

YMCA by Village People, The Final Countdown by Europe. Erin’s favorite brain break sing & dance along,  Bread/Cheese/Bread by Koo Koo

Monica Genta’s article “How to Use Dice to Decrease Classroom Problems and Increase Student Engagement” 

In this episode we explore the idea of classroom management, starting with the foundation; setting clear expectations. More than just a beginning of the year activity, it is important to take the time to review and practice them after engaging students in setting and reevaluating the expectations. Even though it is November, we want to remind you that you can always go back, reset, and try something new. Tune in to episode 7, where we list over 20 different classroom management tools.

Shout outs from this episode: All the mechanics that help those of us who don’t know much about cars and Scot Peaslee, who not only edits our podcasts, but gives great advice for the classroom.

In this short episode we discuss how to embrace the idea of failure and help our students find ways to learn from their mistakes. We share a few ways that you can create a classroom culture where it is ok to fail. 

Shout outs from this episode: Boredom Busters by Katie Powell, The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires 

Other Children’s books about Mistakes: The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken and Taco Falls Apart by Brenda S. Miles PhD

In this short episode we hope to help you prepare for the upcoming holiday of Halloween, or those spirit days throughout the year. We definitely feel differently about their levels of dressing up, but we agree on one thing, you should always walk into school feeling comfortable (and confident) in what you are wearing.

Shout outs from this episode: Karen Cassidy

See a variety of Erin’s Halloween Costumes on instagram @From.Student.To.Teacher

In this episode we talk about grading, what does that look like in the classroom? And is it ok to change philosophy over time? Absolutely! We talk about different ways we have graded, what we grade, and how we grade. We talk a lot about feedback and how to give it. We also talk about growth and standards grading. 

Shout outs from this episode: ClassKick, a digital platform Erin recommends. De-Grading Education Tedx Talk by Elizabeth Wissner-Gross.  AMLE, our favorite organization, and where we both learned a lot about grading.  Rick Wormeli, you can read several articles on his site. We suggest Accountability: Teaching through Assessment and Feedback, Not Grading. IXL, please note to use the full site there is a subscription fee. 

Items created and used by Erin, Late Work Slip, Quiz Correction Form, Quarter Star Reflections, IXL Score to Percentage

In this episode we continue to talk about relationships within the classroom setting starting with helping to build relationships among students. We also talk about some of the ways Josh worked to repair relationships and improve classroom management. Another important relationship you have is with the students’ adults at home. We share ways for them to get to know you and how to make that difficult phone call when something isn’t going right. Finally, there is a little bonus when Erin shares her first day activity that includes not having to cold call names and starting the year with content while also getting to know your students.

Shout outs from this episode: Clever Groups, a group generator that allows preferences, Smithsonian Online Exhibits, Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration by Soomo (this is a MUST see), 24 the Card Game

In this episode, we tackle building relationship. Student to Teacher, Teacher to Paraprofessional, Teacher to Team, and Teacher to Mentor. Listen in to hear how a doorway helped Erin build relationships and how Josh has found mentor teachers helpful at the start of his career

Shout outs from this episode: Dave Burgess' book "Teach Like a Pirate" and Jennifer Gonzalez blog post "Find Your Marigold: The One Essential Rule for New Teachers"

Welcome to From Student To Teacher: A Podcast for Beginning Educators. In our intro episode you will hear about both Erin and Josh, their educational journeys, how this podcast came to be, and where we hope to go. If you have questions please feel free to reach out.