Welcome to the Transforming Public Education Podcast!

Creating REAL Reform Through Compassion, Love, and Gratitude

  

The Transforming Public Education Podcast is dedicated to helping teachers, administrators, and parents create a school environment where students of all ages can’t wait to get their days started! Through interviews, personal insights, and conversations, you’ll learn how to transform public education by creating REAL reform that begins with you.

Listen in:

[ 31] Science Roundtables and Student-Created PSA Videos with educator Joe Vincente

Tips from this episode:

• Explore how to get students jazzed up and loving the content you teach day in and day out
• Learn why it is important to celebrate and honor students’ work–and a variety of ways to do that in your classroom
• Understand what it takes to create a community of learners who possess a strong sense of confidence and desire to succeed

 

[30] Why the Community School Model Makes Sense with educator James Boutin

Tips from this episode:

• Explore what it means to build a community of empowered learners using the C.A.P.S model (Community, Academics, Post-High School, Social-Emotional Learning)
• Learn why community schools are working so much better than schools that continue to operate from a “top-down” philosophy
• Understand why students need more unstructured time in the day and how to meet their needs developmentally

 

[29] Teaching Entrepreneurship at The Green School in Bali with educator Aaron Eden

Tips from this episode:

• Explore what it means for teachers to be co-learners in the classroom.
• Learn why thematic planning around real-world topics help students relate to the world they live in
• Understand what learning expectations need to be present in a classroom so that everybody involved learns to solve problems in a creative way

 

[28] The 3 Key Pillars that Make Successful Public Schools with author Caroline Lewis

Tips from this episode:

• Explore the ideas of climate, leadership, engagement, and opportunity–and how they define superior teachers
• Learn why love is so important to the work we are doing as educators–both in the classroom and advocating on the streets.
• Understand why it is important to let the great teachers know they are loved, valued, and needed.

 

[27] Starting the School Year Off Right! with Educator Chris Cline

Tips from this episode:

• Learn why it is realistic to plan your lessons topically, 3-7 months in advance.
• Understand why learning inventories are great ways to get to know the students–and for the students to get to know the teachers, too.
• Find numerous ways you can show kids (outside of the classroom) that you care about them.

 

[26] 3 Subjects Schools Should Teach to Improve the World with educator Andrea Schulman

Tips from this episode:

• Find out the three subjects Andrea things should be taught in every school across the country.
• Understand why positive words have the power to build a personal connection with students each day.
• Learn why Andrea is passionate about getting the word out about the Law of Attraction.

 

[25] How Metal Detectors Make Students Feel with student Dennis Belen

Tips from this episode:

• Find out why Dennis feels like a “second class citizen” each day he must walk through a metal detector to get to class.
• Explore why Dennis is passionate, at the age of 18, about critical pedagogy, and how he is trying to get other students on board with this way of learning and teaching.
• Listen in as Dennis explains how students learn best, and why he is so interested in advocating for public education.

 

[24] Using Humor To Build Classroom Community with educator Don Russell

Tips from this episode:

• Explore ways to humor to build deeper connections with students
• Learn what to do if humor goes awry and is mistaken as an insult or sarcasm
• Understand why humor shows students that teachers are human beings too

 

[23] Teachers as Self-Motivated Researchers with educator Anthony Cody

Tips from this episode:

• Learn why teachers must take personal responsibility for enhancing their teaching skills
• Discover how race, class, influence, and background affect our own teaching styles
• Understand why students must see you not only as a teacher, but a learner too, if you are going to build a successful learning community in your classroom

 

[22] Teaching History Beyond the Textbook with educator Dr. Yohuru Williams

Tips from this episode:

• Learn how to create a love of history in every student in the school
• Discover tips for getting students to investigate their environments and make learning personal
• Explore how to bring economic and political factors surrounding an event into your classroom relate them to students’ lives

 

[21] Why I Decided to “Unschool” My Child and Homeschool

Tips from this episode:

• Learn why Dr. Janelle Alex made the decision to homeschool her youngest child
• Discover why this parent is now “unschooling” her son–and the impact it is having on his social and academic skills
• Explore ways in which you might be misinterpreting extremely shy students and referring them for unnecessary educational services

 

[20] 5 Reasons School Uniforms Should Be Banned

Tips from this episode:

• Learn the history of school uniforms–where they originated, how they have transformed, and why the are not effective.
• Discover 5 reasons I think school uniforms should be banned from schools
• Understand why uniform policies are contributing to more discipline referrals and absenteeism in schools

 

[19] How to Teach Habits of Happiness and Creativity with educator Mike Ferry

Tips from this episode:

• Learn how to teach habits of happiness, creativity, and innovation in your classroom
• Discover how to authentically talk about gratitude in the classroom and how to get students to begin living a gratuitous life
• Explore why we must be willing to teach students to think differently than the status quo

 

[18] Why You Should Teach From the Banned Book List

Tips from this episode:

• Learn why books on the banned book list should become standard reading material in the home and at school
• Discover how to incorporate banned books into classroom discussions, dinner table chat, and how to teach kids to think for themselves in relation to the banned books they are reading
• Explore a dozen or more banned/challenged books I highlight on the show–most will appall you!

 

[17] Shakespeare on the Playground with educator Mel Ryane

Tips from this episode:

• Learn why we should allow kids to fail and how failing develops students’ confidence levels
• Discover how introducing students to the world of Shakespeare connects them to the three main issues in life: power, revenge, and love
• Explore new ways to add journal writing into your curriculum and how this tool is a highly effective means of student empowerment

 

[16] Bring Back the School Celebrations

Tips from this episode:

• Learn why school celebrations are such an important part of educating the whole child
• Discover how to incorporate a celebration into each and every day–and tie it to the curriculum
• Explore 8 celebrations teachers and administrators can prepare (with little effort!) to make kids feel valued, special, and part of a bigger community

 

[15] Creating Deeper Thinkers by Having Students Write Physics Stories with educator Josh Paugh

Tips from this episode:

• Learn why Josh believes all students should feel like they have the ability to succeed each day
• Discover how introducing students to physics via storytelling makes the content more relatable to their everyday lives
• Explore how to give your most intimated students a starting point from which to work on a daily basis

 

[14] Planning Successful (and fun!) Educational Field Trips

Tips from this episode:

• Learn how to plan a successful field trip–whether it is for a day, a couple of nights, or an extended trip overseas
• Discover how to introduce the trip as part of your lessons–so that you get engaged students and build excitement before you even leave the school grounds
• Understand why checklists, itineraries, and schedules of activities can be your lifesavers when things go awry!

 

[13] Student Voices Matter in Public Schools with 13 year old Alana Simpson

Tips from this episode:

• Learn how Alana used her voice to demand change in her public school curriculum
• Discover why Alana believes positive relationship building is the key to student success
• Find out what classes Alana thinks are important, and missing, from her public school

 

[12] 7 Tips and Strategies for Surviving the End of the School Year

Tips from this episode:

• Understand why you must continue teaching until the final day, no matter what!
• Discover engaging activities and projects that will keep your students happy
• Learn how to maintain a positive learning environment when everyone has already “checked out” for the school year

 

[11] Self-Care Tips for Teachers with educators Brandon Rennels and Elli Weisbaum

Tips from this episode:

• Learn why you, the teacher, are the hidden curriculum and how your mental state affects your students and instruction
• Discover how to lower your levels of stress–which lead to teacher burnout–on a daily basis
• Understand why having a healthy body and healthy mind make you a more compassionate teacher

 

[10] Rethinking Parent/Teacher Conferences

Tips from this episode:

• Learn why parents are upset because conferences are focusing more on data and test scores, rather than if their children are good citizens
• Discover how you can make the parent/teacher conference a more positive and productive experience
• Understand why leadership teams should be thinking very carefully about how they are structuring parent/teacher conference night and the impact that structure is having on the overall school community

 

[09] Differentiation For All Students in the Classroom with consultant John McCarthy

Tips from this episode:

• Learn why differentiated instruction is so important to your students
• Discover how to implement several types of differentiated instruction and transform your classroom
• Explore new ways to differentiate process, product, and content in your classroom

 

[08]: No More “I Don’t Knows” in the Classroom

Tips from this episode:

• Learn why students are saying “I Don’t Know” when asked a question
• Discover how to transform your classroom into an “I Don’t Know” free zone
• Explore methods of fostering better student communication, both individual, and whole-class, so you can build a community of learners where it’s okay to make errors

 

[07]: How to Use Tests to Inform Instruction and Develop Better Student Relationships with educator Marla Kilfoyle

Tips from this episode:

• Learn how to use test scores to better inform your classroom instruction
• Discover ways to build deeper relationships with your students by making personal connections
• Learn why Marla is so passionate about not only her role as a classroom teacher, but also her role as General Manager of the Badass Teacher Association

 

[06]: How to Provide Students Individual Attention in a Crowded Classroom

Tips from this episode:

• Learn 7 ways to engage students 1:1 ensuring that students feel valued every day
• Discover ways to foster a learning community where every student’s voice is heard and matters
• Learn my tried, true, and trusted technique for “winning over” even the most difficult students in your classroom

 

[05] How to Use Edmodo to Build a Collaborative Classroom Community with educator Rob Procida

Tips from this episode:

• Learn how to motivate students through the use of their cell phones and engaging, available technology
• Discover ways to use Edmodo in your own classroom
• Find out how students are collaborating on project-based learning assignments

 

 [04] Does Your School Look Like a Prison (And what you can do about it.)

Tips from this episode:

• Learn how to change the educational environment by making simple changes to the hallways, main office, and classroom
• Discover ways to make the cafeteria a more engaging atmosphere, where students focus on discussion with peers and building relationships
• Understand why it’s important to create a school environment that feels good when students, teachers, and parents walk through the door

 

 [03] How Inquiry Based Instruction Raises Skills, Self-Esteem, and Test Scores with educator Julie Cline

Tips from this episode:

• Learn how to make your classroom more engaging, through inquiry instruction, no matter what subject or grade you teach
• Discover how to provide students with “access points” during daily instruction
• Understand how inquiry-based instruction raises skills and self-esteem in your students

 

 [02] What’s Love Got to Do with Education Reform?

Tips from this episode:

• Learn the many facets and definitions of love and how these variations apply to the school environment
• Discover how to incorporate more love and compassion into the school environment
• Understand why leaders should revamp school-wide policies to make the educational experience better for teachers and students

 

 [01] Why Compassion, Love, and Gratitude Matter in Education

Tips from this episode:

• Learn how love and compassion can transform educational communities and why I feel they are the missing ingredients in public school reform
• Discover how leadership and administrative teams can discuss school-wide policies and make changes by gaining a new perspective and seeing things through the lens of love
• Understand why teachers, administrators, parents, and students need to be heard