Difficult Student

This conversation explores strategies for building strong teacher-student relationships within physical education. Tom Gelardi delves into the importance of establishing routines, using social media for engagement, and adapting PE for various settings. He stresses the use of videos, personal development for classroom management, and the value of building positive connections with students. Tom als...

Karen Bures, the executive director of a nonprofit afterschool program, discusses her experience in the education system and the inspiration behind starting her after school program. The program focuses on skill building, social-emotional learning, and academic support. Karen highlights the positive impact the program has had on students' self-regulation and academic engagement. In this conver...

In this conversation with Mr. Vergara the Educator, Dylan Alter, a first-year eighth-grade US history teacher in Naples Florida, discusses his experience and insights. Dylan also talks about the challenges and rewards of teaching eighth graders, particularly their uncertainty about their future careers. He emphasizes the importance of encouraging students to pursue their dreams while also teaching...

Octavio Fierros, a middle school physical education teacher, discusses his experiences and challenges in the field with Mr. Vergara the Educator. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students and understanding their behavior. Octavio shares creative strategies for engaging students and encouraging physical activity, even during remote learning. He highlights the importance o...

In this conversation with Mr. Vergara the Educator, Rhea Davis, an Educational Advocate and former special education teacher, discusses the importance of advocacy for parents and the challenges within the education system. She shares her experience starting her own business to provide accessible advocacy services for families. Rhea emphasizes the need for parents to understand their rights and nav...

In this conversation with Mr. Vergara the Educator, Victorio Gutierrez shares his journey of running for the District 5 board member seat in LAUSD. He talks about the importance of prayer and feeling a calling to run for office. He emphasizes that he is not backed by unions and will not ask for their money or endorsement. Victorio addresses the issues of indifference and lack of transparency in th...

In this conversation with Mr. Vergara the Educator, Jenny Hernandez, a middle school dean, discusses her role and the challenges she faces in building relationships with students and addressing their behavior. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the reasons behind student actions and creating a safe space for them to express themselves. Jenny also shares her approach to consequences and...

Michelle Thomas is a principal at a primary center in Texas. In this conversation we talk about transitioning from a teacher to a principal at the same school, developing a school mission and vision, how to handle misbehavior in the classroom, creating systems and routines for success, and much more

April Williams is an administrator in Los Angeles. She discusses her experiences and insights in education. She shares her background and role as a middle school college and career coach, focusing on supporting students during the transition from middle school to high school. April and I discuss the challenges we face in our roles as administrators and the importance of creating a safe space for s...

George Vlahakis is a HS History Teacher working out of the city of Illinois. He has been a HS Teacher for the last 15 years. In this conversation, Mr. Vlahakis shares his experience and strategies for effective classroom management. He discusses the implementation of a hand signaling procedure to reduce disruptive behavior and create a more orderly classroom environment.

Molly Johnson discusses her experiences as a teacher and the importance of building relationships with students. She shares her insights on managing stress in the classroom and maintaining work-life balance. Molly also emphasizes the need for a shift in education to focus on empathy, resilience, and inspiring students. She highlights the impact of trauma on student apathy and the role of teachers...

Brandon Piasecki, a teacher passionate about science, discusses his journey from Teach for America in Mississippi to teaching fifth-grade science in Stockton, California. He addresses combating student apathy using music, technology, and creativity in lessons. Brandon shares insights on navigating social media as an educator and handling negative comments on TikTok. Topics include behavior managem...

Summary In this episode, Mr. Vergara interviews Jose Pacheco, a middle school counselor, about the impact of building positive relationships with students. They discuss the cultural differences between schools in different regions, the importance of infusing culture in counseling, and the inspiration behind Jose's career in education. They also explore the role of counselors in handling diffic...

Summary In this conversation, John and Sergio discuss the importance of building positive relationships with students and teaching good character. They also explore the use of restorative practices in resolving conflicts and promoting empathy. Sergio shares his experiences as an educator and offers tips for preventing teacher burnout. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by educators,...