Teacher's Aid

Many of us are increasingly forced to choose between teaching lessons that are relevant, authentic, and meaningful or watering down our approach to certain material to avoid conflict. In the episode, we ask our guests to share strategies for teaching in a toxic climate. Follow on Twitter: @eduflack @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork @AndrewSharosAP and @all4sAnd5s @David_Elbaum Patrick Riccards is the executive director of Best in the World Teachers and the founder of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. He is also the author of the nationally recognized Eduflack blog and its companion Twitter feed. PR News named Pat the Not-for-Profit Communications Professional of the Year for his work in teacher preparation and higher education transformation (2015). A former local school board chairman, Patrick is also the author of the award-winning Dadprovement. Host of TrumpED and former co-host of Common Core Radio. Andrew Sharos is a current administrator and teacher who lives in Chicago. He is the fo

Pandemic learning has many downsides. In this episode, we acknowledge the ugly and go searching for the silver lining. Follow on Twitter: @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork @DrKpsychologist Alana Stanton is a kindergarten teacher at Mulberry Elementary in Gwinnett County, Georgia. She has taught 13 years teaching K-3 literacy special, first grade, second grade, and kindergarten. She believes that relationships always come first in the classroom and the classroom should be a place where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. She currently writes a blog called More Than A Lesson. Joseph Hamer is a second and third-grade combination classroom teacher in Wichita, Kansas. Mr. Hamer is passionate about empowering children to explore their greatest potential through social-emotional learning and liberty. Joseph has utilized his passion by co-authoring the brand new activity book, Brain Awakes: Empowering Children Through Breath, Balance, and Reflection. Additionally, he hosts the Cup of Joe podca

We are teaching in extremely uncertain and stressful times. Our established habits are either helping or retarding our ability to successfully navigate these times.  Join us as we talk about the habits that help us become more resilient and effective and more in control. @bjfogg @craigyen @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @bamradionetwork Dr. BJ Fogg is a behavior scientist at Stanford, where he directs research and innovation at the Behavior Design Lab. He also teaches his models and methods in graduate seminars. On the industry side, BJ trains innovators to use his work so they can create solutions that influence behavior. The focus areas include health, sustainability, financial wellbeing, learning, productivity, and engagement. His early work on Persuasive Technology has informed the design of products that millions love and use every day (including Instagram, which one of his students co-founded). BJ created a new method of habit formation called Tiny Habits®. Craig Yen is a 5th-grade teacher from Californi

In our last episode, we discussed whether we should teach young children about race, and if so, at what age do we start? In this segment, we look at how to begin to teach young students about race in our classrooms. @MattRKay @PrincipalKafele @TirrellCorbin @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @bamradionetwork Matthew R. Kay is a proud product of Philadelphia’s public schools and a founding teacher at Science Leadership Academy (SLA). He is a graduate of West Chester University and holds a Masters in Educational Leadership with a Principals’ Certificate from the California University of Pennsylvania. At SLA, he teaches an innovative inquiry-driven, project-based curriculum. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of Philly Slam League (PSL). Award-winning educator Baruti Kafele is a leading keynote speaker and best-selling author. His books include Is My School Better a Better School BECAUSE I Lead It?, The Principal 50: Critical Leadership Questions for Inspiring Schoolwide Excellence, and The Teacher 50: Crit

Discussions about race and injustice will be coming to schools this year whether we are ready for them or not. Students are seeing what’s transpiring in the nation, and they are talking with each other. In this episode, we aim to determine the age at which it’s appropriate to discuss issues of race and injustice in our classrooms. @MattRKay @PrincipalKafele @TirrellCorbin@jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @bamradionetwork Matthew R. Kay is a proud product of Philadelphia’s public schools and a founding teacher at Science Leadership Academy (SLA). He is a graduate of West Chester University and holds a Masters in Educational Leadership with a Principals’ Certificate from the California University of Pennsylvania. At SLA, he teaches an innovative inquiry-driven, project-based curriculum. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of Philly Slam League (PSL). Award-winning educator Baruti Kafele is a leading keynote speaker and best-selling author. His books include Is My School Better a Better School BECAUSE I

We’ve tried to balance the need to reopen schools closed during the pandemic, with the safety of students, teachers, and communities. But have we considered all of the angles and possibilities? Follow on Twitter: @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @j1berger @TeachMrReed @Glennr1809 @bamradionetwork Jonah Berger is a Marketing Professor at the Wharton School and Bestselling author of Contagious, Invisible Influence, and most recently The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind..Teaching phenom and educational activist, Dwayne Reed, has been crisscrossing the globe, promoting his message of love and equity in education. After seeing viral success with the release of his educational music video, "Welcome to the 4th Grade," and appearing on Good Morning America, CNN, and MTV's TRL, Reed has been on a mission to convince the world that relationships mean everything in education, and that every child, no matter their race or social status, deserves a fair chance at a quality education. Glenn Robbins is a Lead Learner/Desig

Most agree that teachers have risen to meet the needs and demands of teaching during the pandemic. But do any of us really understand what teachers need during these unprecedented times? Follow on Twitter: @TchrBreakroom @drchriscip @turnerhj @Jonharper70bd @bamradionetwork Monica Swift, M.Ed., is an educator with 20+ years varied experience in the field of education. She currently serves as an intermediate literacy instructional coach and an elementary classroom teacher. Throughout her years in the profession, Monica has served in private, public, and post-secondary education as teacher, coach, consultant, trainer, researcher, education systems strategist, and more. Christina Cipriano, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Yale Child Study Center and Director of Research at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (YCEI). Dr. Cipriano’s research focuses on the systematic examination of social and emotional learning (SEL) to promote pathways to optimal developmental outcomes for traditionally marginal

There’s a rising wave of agreement that the time has finally come to have that long-overdue discussion about race, injustice. In this segment, we talk about how to keep that discussion on track. Follow on Twitter: @docjorich@DrDorindaCA @d4griffin3 @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @bamradionetwork Dr. Dorinda Carter Andrews is an internationally-renowned professor and the chairperson for the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on racial equity and justice in education and helping school leaders and youth develop and maintain culturally responsive learning environments. She has given two TEDx talks and is widely published on teacher education and culturally relevant teaching. Dr. Joseph B.. Richardson’s research focuses on four critical areas: 1) the intersection of structural and interpersonal violence among Black boys and young Black men 2) the intersection of the healthcare and criminal justice systems among violently injured young Black men; 3) violence preve

There’s a rising wave of agreement that the time has finally come to have that long-overdue discussion about race, injustice, and our differing views about systemic bias. Join us as we make our own humble attempt to start that discussion. Follow on Twitter: @docjorich@DrDorindaCA @d4griffin3 @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @bamradionetwork Dr. Dorinda Carter Andrews is an internationally-renowned professor and the chairperson for the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on racial equity and justice in education and helping school leaders and youth develop and maintain culturally responsive learning environments. She has given two TEDx talks and is widely published on teacher education and culturally relevant teaching. Dr. Joseph B.. Richardson’s research focuses on four critical areas: 1) the intersection of structural and interpersonal violence among Black boys and young Black men 2) the intersection of the healthcare and criminal justice systems among violentl

Yes, it feels good to be viewed as a rockstar, superhero teacher. But the image of the super teacher can create unrealistic and ultimately harmful expectations. Join us for a look at why we need to shatter the myth of the superhero teacher for our wellbeing and the betterment of our students. Follow on Twitter: @RoxannaElden @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @bamradionetwork Roxanna Elden’s teacher advice book, See Me After Class: Advice for Teachers by Teachers, has long been a staple in many school districts and training programs. Her recently released novel, Adequate Yearly Progress, follows several teachers as their professional lives impact their personal lives and vice versa. (Washington Post calls it “a funny but insightful look at teachers in the workplace… reminiscent of the TV show The Office, but set in an urban high school.”)

Teaching remotely, in a crisis, with inadequate preparation can quickly drain the patience, energy, and creativity we need to teach well. Join us as we discuss ideas to make sure we are teaching with a full tank. Follow on Twitter: @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @bamradionetwork@theWellEd Kiesha Easley is a certified educator with over 17 years of teaching experience. She is a burnout survivor. A few years ago, burnout and chronic fatigue led her on a health journey that enabled her to shed 75 pounds and recover her lost energy. With renewed strength, she became inspired to help other educators experience the same level of rejuvenation, so she founded Well Ed and began serving as a wellness coach for educators. www.theWellEd.com. Robert C. Schmidt, Ed.D, LCPC, NCC is a national speaker and consultant on building sustainable school mental health and suicide prevention programs centered on data collection, outcomes, quality of services, and student achievement. With interests embedded in research, Dr. Schmidt

As the pandemic-driven demands placed on teachers escalates, the need for self-care and self-compassion are rising as well. Join us as we clarify the difference between the two and discuss how we can do both better. Follow on Twitter: @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @stantonalana @self_compassion @bamradionetwork Kristin Neff is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first empirical studies on self-compassion over fifteen years ago. She has co-developed an empirically-supported training program called Mindful Self-Compassion, and is author of the books Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals and founder of www.self-compassion.org. Alana Stanton is a kindergarten teacher at Mulberry Elementary in Gwinnett County, Georgia. She has taught several grades over her 15-y

In this episode, we look at ways we can rise above this difficult moment by changing our routine and embracing creative, enriching, and uplifting activities. Follow on Twitter: @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @bamradionetwork @DrKpsychologist @CoachHawkinsUMES Jelena Kecmanovic, Ph.D is the founding director of the Arlington/DC Behavior Therapy Institute and an adjunct professor of psychology at Georgetown University.  In addition to academic articles, she has written for the Washington Post, The Conversation, Psychology Today Magazine, and others. Shelton Hawkins is a father of three former college basketball coach, now a high school art teacher. His main focus is putting creative art on run down outdoor basketball courts to help with community engagement.

It’s becoming clear that online learning is leaving a hole in our souls that was routinely filled by face-to-face contact. Join us as we look at how to adapt our need for close relationships to teaching remotely. Follow on Twitter: @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @bamradionetwork @chasemielkeChase Mielke is a writer, speaker, and award-winning high school teacher. He holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and runs affectiveliving.com He is the author of The Burnout Cure: Learning to Love Teaching Again. His work has been featured on CNN and on these websites: We Are Teachers, Edutopia, HuffPost, and Cult of Pedagogy.

As the relentless coronavirus pushes us deeper into this rapid transition to online learning, more challenging questions surface. To what extent can we bring structure to the vast amount of unstructured time students now have? Is it possible to differentiate instruction online? Should we even try? Follow on Twitter: @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @bamradionetwork Debra Bernstein is the owner and co-director of Lifestone Bible-Based Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten in San Bernardino, California. She began home educating with her first child in 1992 and continued her career through the graduation of her fourth child 22 years later. Debra is a certified Gurian Institute trainer,and has a passion for ensuring all of her students receive the best possible learning opportunities.

We are all trying to figure out how to handle this unprecedented disruption of the school year. In this episode, we talk about what some teachers are saying they need from their administrators during these stressful and demanding times. Follow on Twitter: @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @pfagell @bamradionetwork @Joe_Mazza Phyllis L. Fagell, LCPC is the school counselor at Sheridan School in Washington, D.C. and a therapist at The Chrysalis Group. Phyllis frequently writes columns on counseling, parenting and education for The Washington Post, and she’s the author of "Middle School Matters" (Hachette, 2019). Phyllis blogs at phyllisfagell.com. Joe Mazza, Ed.D. is Principal at Seven Brides Middle School in the Chappaqua Central School District (NY). He is a strong advocate for middle-level ed, family and community partnerships and connected learning while embracing the idea of today’s educators serving as the lead learners in their schools. Joe's innovative work has been featured in 17 books dating back to 2005.

Is it possible to meet the social-emotional needs of students while teaching online? Yes and no. Tune in for a candid look at what we can do, what we can't do, and what we should do to help students through this emotional period. Follow on Twitter: @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @pfagell @bamradionetwork @Joe_Mazza Phyllis L. Fagell, LCPC is the school counselor at Sheridan School in Washington, D.C. and a therapist at The Chrysalis Group. Phyllis frequently writes columns on counseling, parenting and education for The Washington Post, and she’s the author of "Middle School Matters" (Hachette, 2019). Phyllis blogs at phyllisfagell.com. Joe Mazza, Ed.D. is Principal at Seven Brides Middle School in the Chappaqua Central School District (NY). He is a strong advocate for middle-level ed, family and community partnerships and connected learning while embracing the idea of today’s educators serving as the lead learners in their schools. Joe's innovative work has been featured in 17 books dating back to 2005.

Keeping up to speed on education technology is challenging during normal times. What will teachers and students need to get and need to know to come up to speed on online learning fast. Follow on Twitter: @debbyatwater@jonHarper70bd @kylehamstra @froehlichm @bamradionetwork Debby Atwater is the Director of Digital Learning and Libraries for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. During the past 22 years, she has been a District Administrator, an elementary and middle school teacher, and Instructional Technology Facilitator in Illinois and North Carolina. In her current role, Debby works to support and sustain learning opportunities and access to both technology and libraries for all school community stakeholders. Kyle Hamstra teaches fifth-grade math and science at Davis Drive Elementary for fourteen years. crafting learning experiences as a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) specialist. He is a 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader, a member of the Wake Science Core Leadership

As more schools respond to Covid-19, by making a rapid transition to online learning, what is happening to special needs students and their parents? Can these students receive the attention they require remotely? What are the specific challenges teachers face? What does every teacher moving to distance learning need to know? Follow on Twitter: @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @bamradionetwork Dr. Chris Swanson is the director of the IDEALS Institute in the School of Education, and creator of the International Teaching and Global Learning master’s cohort program. He leads a team of experts focused on improving the quality of care and education globally, with emphasis on improving cross-sector collaboration around health, social services, care and teaching for young children and vulnerable adults. Joyce Pemberton is a special education teacher with the New York City Department of Education. Joyce has over 20 years of experience working with students who have special needs. Terasai Harris is a special needs couns

Join us for a discussion on why we expect so much of ourselves, why it's time to stop and how we can change our inner dialogue. Follow on Twitter: @PhilEchols @jonHarper70bd  @froehlichm   @LDamour  @bamradionetwork Phil Echols is the Senior Administrator of Professional Learning for the Wake County Public School System, supporting Professional Learning Teams and Coaching. Born into a family of servant-leaders, he believes relationships are paramount and leading by example is imperative.