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This podcast was developed to help high school teachers better reach students, as well as gain more self-fulfillment by doing just that. We will discuss essential strategies and stories to help new, experienced, burned-out, and/or growth-focused teachers find their way in a world of confusing, endless, and oftentimes overwhelming resources for educators. Hopefully, you will find these both tangible and applicable in your own professional journey. This podcast is definitely not about “polish” ...
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The obvious reality is that teachers are overworked. Also, there is no such thing as "giving 110%." Why do we take on more classes, more clubs, and more duties just to get a nickel back? Effective teachers know that we have to make hard choices. We have to learn to say "no" when it doesn't also benefit us and our own personal and professional growt…
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The moment your class (or you) becomes mundane for students is the very moment our process begins to be less effective. Even the best instructional and assessment strategies have to be used thoughtfully and intentionally. Is your class the same each and every day? I hope not -- and so do your students.…
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A simple truth: Low expectations almost certainly equal low results. From homogenizing the population to pushing 50% "zeroes," the system seems built to soften expectations and push students through regardless of actual learning. As educators, we have to resist and lead the culture of learning in our classrooms. We have to focus on developing grit,…
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We have to take a deep and empathetic look at what is affecting our kids today. From school dances and time management woes to friend drama and bullying, there is a great deal of kryptonite out there making it harder and hardener to effectively reach students in the classroom and beyond. We can't teach (or coach) in a bubble and/or stick our heads …
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More and more classrooms are becoming absolute clown shows and ineffective learning environments because of student populations that are becoming increasingly disruptive, disinterested, and disillusioned. While effective teachers primarily focus on controlling what they can control, they also know that emphasizing the ABC's of teaching, remaining d…
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Strive for equitable access to education, knowing your classroom will never be perfect. However, don't obsess with trying to create equitable outcomes - no matter how much some in society and educational leadership push you to do so. Equitable outcomes are both unrealistic AND undesirable. Students are individuals with different backgrounds, life e…
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As you know, 20% of people do 80% of the work. It's no different in our profession. In the high-functioning world of eduction, years of "heavy lifting" by a teacher can inevitably lead to burnout, health repercussions, time management issues, and yes, resentment and hostility. Get better at margin and setting personal and professional goals for you…
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Secondary teachers are getting absolutely buried by the number and types of preps they are assigned. Subject/content-areas aren't arbitrary -- and neither are the teachers. We need to focus on putting educators in the appropriate classrooms that match training, experience, and motivation. It's about putting people where they are most effective. If …
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Effective teachers realize that there are some four-letter words that are crucial in the classroom and our academic process. Words like "can't," "fear," and "love" have a huge impact on our students. They should have a huge impact on us too if want to better reach those we serve.توسط Matt Bramuchi
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Effective teachers, by definition, reach their objectives and desired goals. They are also efficient. Falling short on either efficacy or efficiency means students and other stakeholders are paying the price academically. Hold your process to that standard each and every day.توسط Matt Bramuchi
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It's time we ditch the useless professional development (PD). That doesn't mean we stop PD - it just means we stop wasting the valuable (and limited) time of educators with tired ideas and inapplicable training. It's time we provide teachers with meaningful PD and collaborative opportunities that support and complement their own growth and goals.…
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As a teacher, you need to reflect on your lessons and decide if they tend to be built for younger or older students. As you diversify instruction and assessment, effective teachers also need to balance your mix of "crayon" and "pencil" lessons. Students are on a spectrum developmentally and academically. Therefore, if our lessons aren't dynamic on …
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Teachers play a huge role in helping students achieve their goals and dreams. However, if we aren't honest with them and don't help them find value in education, we are likely doing more harm than good.توسط Matt Bramuchi
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We're back and adjusting our format a little this season! Join us for all new topics and expanded discussions of current events in education that will make all of us better educators. This week, let's talk about some things in today's academic world that have most of us veterans totally confused....توسط Matt Bramuchi
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Effective educators move the needle for their students on standardized test performance. From curriculum integration and innovative lesson planning to regular practice and parent education, we need to put students in position to be the best version of themselves. Teachers, because of our unique expertise and relationship-building ability, can help …
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From managing our resources to building effective school supply lists and enriching lessons, teachers need to take control of the financial spending and planning in our classrooms. It's difficult to be effective when the needs of our students aren't met. Teachers also shouldn't carry the burden of spending personal income on lessons and infrastruct…
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As the cliche goes, education is messy and change is inevitable. Do yourself and your students a favor - be flexible. Effective teachers know that improvising, renovating, and adjusting your approach and process are the keys to long-term growth and meaningful success.توسط Matt Bramuchi
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Don't let helicopter parents have a death grip on you or your process. Use classroom management strategies and policies that promote healthy professional relationships with parents. Those relationships will subsequently generate better experiences and student outcomes.توسط Matt Bramuchi
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Get out of your comfort zone and venture into the unknown. As always, exploration and application should be built into your lessons. Build a classroom that does not trap students by your own personal strengths and weaknesses. Be a facilitator that is on a journey of learning with your students. It makes the process more meaningful for you and them.…
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It's time for us to accept that students communicate primarily through social media. Instead of running from it, teachers should embrace it in their lessons and in their classroom communications. Effective teachers know that they should focus on leading in technology and modeling responsible use.توسط Matt Bramuchi
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Even if we successfully empower students, if we don't build in time for exploration, as well as model it consistently, our students will not likely individualize or own the learning. Effective teachers know that relationships must come before the content. Help develop those relationships with you, each other, AND the content by building exploration…
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While educators can never completely separate business and personal, effective teachers know that finding work-life balance, unplugging, and focusing on personal and professional growth are the keys to both success and improved quality of life. It's possible to be extremely effective, passionate, and empathetic while still having a boundary between…
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Take a little time and regroup before regrading assessments. Effective teachers know that making rash or "on the spot" decisions about feedback can negatively impact the learning process and the data. Encourage students to advocate and ask questions, but don't be quick to add add points, curve grades, or throw out questions. Always ask "why" studen…
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Effective teachers know that using feedback from assessments is the key to achieving mastery. Thus, we can't be scared to reteach. This may mean our classes across the day don't pace together or even get identical lessons. Shouldn't that actually be the norm? If learning is messy and the goal is to achieve mastery, you would certainly expect less s…
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It may be cliche`, but effective teachers know that it has to be less us and more them. Our goal should be to partner with them in the learning - not simply preach all day. Stay passionate about what you're teaching, but remember, they have to be the star.توسط Matt Bramuchi
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Effective teachers diversify their assessment strategies. This should include occasionally giving open-book/note assessments. These types of assessments offer another powerful way to assess a student's ability to apply and analyze information, as well as for a teacher to measure his/her own instructional/assessment practices (i.e. amount of memoriz…
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It's time to change your relationship with standardized testing. Fair or foul, right or wrong, they are an important metric for identifying where kids are in the learning process. Are they flawed? Absolutely. However, standardized tests are a metric of learning, and your students need to be successful on them. We have to stop dwelling on excuses fo…
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If you're not using the entire classroom to provide both a better experience for your students and an enriched learning process, you're missing out on crucial opportunities to improve outcomes. From developing effective lessons to diversifying instructional and assessment strategies, the physical classroom plays a major role. Effective teachers lev…
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Clear role identification is crucial in generating better academic outcomes. This is particularly true when it comes to the partnership between teachers and school counselors. Teachers aren't trained counselors. School counselors aren't always trained teachers. We have to have clear boundaries, protocols, procedures, and mutual support to work toge…
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Effective teachers know that modeling behaviors is hugely impactful in generating positive student outcomes. However, they also know that modeling has its limits. It's important to remember that teachers are professionals at work and not children at school. They should always be treated as professionals. Also, healthy student-teacher relationships …
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You know why learning isn't "sticky" for most students? The answer is not an oversimplification. The truth is that we simply don't spend enough time reinforcing content and allowing for practice/feedback throughout the academic year. This affects a student's ability to actually master content, and in turn, leads to poor academic outcomes - especial…
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If you haven't done so lately, it's time to inspect your "why". Why do you teach? Why are/aren't you happy? Why are your kids learning/not learning? Why are you successful/not successful? These kinds of questions are important because they help you self-reflect on your own motives, needs, and process. The answers in-turn allow you to better underst…
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If you aren't using AI as an educator, you are missing out on both an incredibly useful tool and an important piece of our future. AI shouldn't be feared. It should be embraced and taught effectively. Don't stick your head in the sand or dwell on the negatives. Instead, direct your energy on generating positive outcomes for your kids using these am…
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In this episode, we revisit some key priorities with assessment. Effective teachers know that grading policies have to make sense in order to properly assess mastery. We have to understand why we do the things we do and how our choices affect our students. Sound grading practices and feedback must be in the DNA of every classroom's process.…
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Effective teaching requires students to learn to think and build/analyze arguments. When you frame content, you are limiting their ability to do just that. Focus on building capable students that are exposed to both diversity and diverse ideas. That in turn will help them better understand your lessons and themselves.…
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If you are battling stress and anxiety about starting the school year, working as an educator, etc., remember that teaching is incredibly rewarding. Are there challenges? Absolutely. However, the positives far exceed the negatives. We teach because few can do what we do. We teach because we can reach kids. We teach because we are obsessed with watc…
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Effective teachers focus constantly on community building because it generates better learning experiences and outcomes. Strong communities are built by consistent student investment, student empowerment, and a personalized learning environment. A sense of community in your classroom will also allow your students to overcome mistakes and difficult …
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It's time to come to terms with the necessity of tools like lesson plans and curriculum mapping. Many teachers spend a significant amount of time complaining that these tools are in fact a waste of time. No, that kind of attitude and mentality are a waste of time. An effective process needs a defined plan to better assess what is working and what i…
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Bathroom policies are draconian, and even some of the best schools and teachers obsess over them. Beyond the potential medical consequences of denying a student a bathroom trip, it is also a questionable violation of student rights and respect. Effective teachers know that good classroom management centers around relationships and trust. We need to…
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As we have talked about many times, effective teachers know that they bring a ton of value to the classroom. You bring so many superpowers and unlimited experience and expertise. Not everyone can teach. With the current teacher shortage and countless challenges facing educators today, now is the time to recognize our value, advocate for ourselves, …
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Effective teachers are solution-oriented. However, if you don't clearly identify the problem, it's unlikely you will ever solve it. Stop putting band-aids on symptoms, and instead, start solving real problems with real solutions. If you stay intentional about doing so, your classroom management, process, and outcomes will improve.…
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Effective teachers ask for help when they need it. The phrase "I don't know" is not a sign of weakness. Not being able to say it, however, is definitely a weakness. You have to be resourceful and turn to others to improve, grow, and learn. If you don't, you will not be at your best and neither will your students.…
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This episode is about a critical choice. Will you choose to dwell in the negative and surround yourself by negative people or will you choose to walk a path of positivity? In a world and occupation that seems often out of our control, you need to know that we are in charge of making that choice. You must make the right one.…
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There is no question that athletics has an important and necessary place in our schools. However, the balance is becoming increasingly disproportional and kids (and their childhoods and families) are paying the price academically. Effective teachers understand they shouldn't be at war with athletics. Instead, teachers should be part of the solution…
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As teachers, we spend most of our time making great lessons, developing content materials, and writing/grading assessments. However, how often do we actually think about what characterizes our "ideal" classroom? How often do we think about what success looks like in our classroom? If we don't think about those things, how could we ever effectively …
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Update your process in stages - one assignment, unit, and student at a time. However, don't feel like you have to go home and blow up your whole process and start over. Instead, study, research, and be intentional about why and when you renovate things. Keep it fresh, and keep it current. Your kids will appreciate it, and they will likely learn mor…
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Trusting your instincts will guide you down the right path most of the time, especially when working with kids. Effective teachers know that trusting ourselves as professionals is necessary. We have to be bold enough to be innovative, creative, and different - even if that means occasionally going against "consensus." Trust is important in any rela…
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Student ownership goes beyond students being "busy" or even "engaged." Classrooms with a culture of ownership place students at the center, connect them to the content, empower them, present both challenges and successes, ask them to apply information (even in ways we don't expect), and motivate them to like learning. As effective teachers, we have…
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Effective teachers know that students MUST read regularly. But, HOW do you get kids to actually read and learn from it? In this episode, some key strategies and approaches are discussed. From using multiple formats and knowledge checks to breaking down reading assignments into smaller parts, this episode will help you and your students meet learnin…
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Stop blaming yourself. Perfection is NOT obtainable - no matter how much parents, administrators, and the school system itself try to demand it. Effective teachers don't try to be perfect. Here are a couple of truths talked about in this episode: 1. Few (if any) lessons will reach all learners. 2. A student's academic progress is rarely one person'…
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