In a lightning-quick round of thought sharing, Chris Aubrey and I discuss our thoughts on developing a growth mindset in our students. How do our actions and goals influence the way our students approach their own learning? How can we better empower our students to achieve success through trials and failure? Much of our discussion hinges on a recent podcast by Rich Roll and his interview with Jessica Lahey, so check that out for some great additional thoughts.

Links:
Jessica Lahey on the Rich Roll Podcast

After discovering just how much we have in common, Desi and I chat about her adventures in going gradeless in her ELA classroom. We discuss its impact on her professional life, plus the lives of her students as they discover the value of revision.

Links:

Desi St. Amant on Twitter
Edumorphosis (Desi's blog)

After years of teaching, a time comes when we must look in the mirror and ask ourselves: why am I still doing this? Ironically, our panel this month includes recent turncoat Jeremy Cooper, now serving as a school counsellor, and future defector Jessica Moen, whose plans include leaving her current educational assistant position to pursue further education in social work.

While we do certainly count ourselves as being within the education realm, we are all serving in slightly different ways. What follows is a great discussion on what it takes to stay in that realm: the common characteristics of the "educator heart" and whether educators are simply born or made.

Links:

Kith & Kin Stout by Innis & Gunn
Stranger Things on Netflix

After a long day, it's nice to know that we can cozy up to the wisdom of those smarter than us: such is this conversation with Rachel Marker, a curriculum consultant with real chops in the tech department. We talk about using tech in the class, letting kids fail, the value of Twitter, and so much more.

Links

Rachel Marker on Twitter
Rachel's Blog

After welcoming our new panelist, Jasmine, to the show, we tuck in to some crowd-sourced notions of what it means to be a "Real Teacher". We discuss everything from drinking wine and crying, to singing the clean-up song all the way home. Don't forget to strap in for wins and fails, plus some really great (and nerdy) timeouts!

Links:

Magnus available on Netflix
Art Gallery of Alberta

This month, I'm joined by Dan Scratch. Our conversation covers his experiences using a blend of hip hop and social justice to reach his students, many of whom find themselves in difficult circumstances: homelessness, abuse, drugs, and beyond. Dan shares some excellent wisdom how, as "a white guy from the 'burbs" he has managed to bridge the gap and create meaningful relationships with the students who many consider to be beyond help.

Links:

Dan Scratch on Twitter
danscratch.blogspot.ca
Inner City High School

This month, the Ed crew takes on the ins-and-outs of teacher conventions. We also chat about creativity - why we ought to be creative, the risks and rewards of being creative, as well as the challenges to going off the beaten path. As always, there's wins and fails along with timeouts.

Links:

Netflix series Life in Pieces
Videogame Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Solve household problems creatively with Value Village and Salvation Army

This time out, I'm chatting with Robyn Keystone, founder of Literal Change, whose mandate is to teach literacy to inmates. Our conversation covers the ins-and-outs of Robyn's experiences as a teacher behind bars, plus the strategies she uses to help ensure that learning takes place (hint: it's not that different from what you'd expect in your own classroom).

Links:

Literal Change:

Website - Donate Here
on Instagram
on Twitter

The truth? Sometimes teaching gets boring, stressful, or even painful. The cure? Fun. This month, we chat openly about what it takes to have fun in this job: everything from co-worker relationships to embracing failure. As always, we talk wins and fails, plus timeouts.

Stuff we Talk About:

Homecoming
Limetown
The Truth
Alice isn't Dead
Do Over, by Jon Acuff

This month, I'm joined by Ted Ed Innovative Educator Will Gourley to talk about the best ways to ignite students' passions.

Links:

TED Clubs

Will's TED Ed Presentation

TED Ed Lessons created by Will

Will on Twitter and Email