Doorways to Learning with Donna

Azucena Garcia-Ferro is an incredible ambassador for students with cerebral palsy, though in truth, she is an ambassador for all students. She sees the need for the youth of today to be partners in the educational proces, to have different opportunities in relation to learning modalities, to have teachers who present information through many different means and who aren't afraid - rather welco...

Jake Ruzi gives the distinction between being a dedicated educator and one who needs self-healing - in other words, when it's time to take a break from the classroom and find our balance. His daily podcast Educator State of Mind focuses on hjelping educators achieve and maintain a healthy life-work balance one day at a time. Here are tips on when you know you've reached burnout and what yo...

To begin our second season, we explore those hidden prejudices that can affect our relationships with our students profoundly. All we have to do is recognise these (often unfounded) conclusions and magic happens. It'w not comfortable admitting we have prejudices, but it's worse not recognising the and reversing them. Now, no one is there in your mind judging you and making sure you’re bein...

How many of¡ you believe that physical problems are indications of an emotional, internal conflict? The very word ‘disease’ explains this concept perfectly. When we separate the prefix from the noun it’s easy to see that diseases are really the body’s lack of ease in assimilating something happening internally or externally. In one sentence, I'm going to explain how emotional health is the mos...

There is so much negativity in the world, in people’s perspectives on events, on the way news is offered to us, in the way so many people choose to complain about situations they are not happy about, but do nothing to change. One thing we can do, is use these fantastic 'What if' questions to change our own situations. And maybe even for the people around us. est that I deserve a raise?  If...

See below for activities to use this podcast in your language classes... Subscribe to get notices for new episodes and free activities to use in your classes: ⁠ ⁠https://mailchi.mp/scaffoldingmagic/sign-up-for-doorways-to-learning-podcast You can find more conversations like this one at  ⁠⁠ Doorways to Learning with Donna If you like this episode,  ⁠ treat Donna to a coffee!! What does PARSNIPs ha...

When you feel scared, which do you choose: fight or flight? What if Justin told you that it's actually not a choice you make, but one your body makes naturally? How could understanding a crazy term like POLYVAGAL help your students to feel more empowered? Are you an educator concerned about students who may have experienced trauma? If so, this video is a valuable resource for you. Join us as w...

Jeff Gargas is the person to call when you want support. He's not going to recommend a different curriculum, he's not going to ask you to invest in a pricey assessment packet, he's not going to even try to convince you to switch publishers. He's simply going to support you. Well, he's going to support you in rethinking your curriculum and assessments and publisher's books,...

Are you tired of your students' indifference towards reading? Are you frustrated daily with your students' lack of comprehension of key points in texts? Where do you think the ideal model for professional training is (and it isn't Finland!)? Are you ready to hear some of the BEST reading strategies you may every be privileged to hear on a podcast or anywhere else for that matter? Jenni...

How many languages do you need to speak to be an effective teacher-trainer? Is it important to know the majority language of the country if you're an English teacher? What do you do if you're giving a workshop and the electricity gives out suddenly? Today you have the opportunity to find out something you may never before have heard: What makes a good trainer? Why did your school hire that...

When has a superintendent EVER answered her own phone? Isn't that what her secretary is supposed to do? If I tell you that Robert Shaps superintendent of the renown coastal district of New York - answers his own phone - as busy as he is and with a mind-boggling daily agenda that he keeps, it is going to give you your first inkling of what type of person and what type of administrator he is. Ro...

How would your teenager solve the problem of eviction, what message would she want to give and take away from a political rally, what would he plan to do to clean up the local rivers and surrounding areas, how would living in China would heighten her understanding of the shades and subtlies of multi-culturalism? These are only some of the real-life issues the students in the school district of Mam...

With corruption in Nigeria rampant, Okechukwu Anunobi, has the structure to include character development in the schools so that educators can literally be the societal changers for the generation that will one day soon lead the country. With his unique structure, he believes that prostituion, drug abuse, kidnapping and most other incomprehensible behaviours, will be a thing of the past. Listen to...

Ahmed Baba, world-renown journalist and media literacy expert, joins us today to share ways that we can detect disinformation and become generally more conscientious citizens walking the world. Ahmed Baba is a journalist, entrepreneur, and media literacy consultant. He's a columnist at The Independent, writes a newsletter on Substack, and is a co-founder of Rantt. His work has been cited in Th...

As my experiences on the planet have changed and my perspective of life has evolved, I see education very differently. I believe the classroom is where we encourage human connection and where the curriculum the content is far less important that than the social skills our students can develop when we’re all together. If we want a generation of students, learners, humans on the planet who can work...

On this episode we have not one but two very special guests for our Winter holiday episode. Parents are also educators and these two women are parents and very intentional teachers. They come from two different parts of the world, and from two very different cultures. What they have in common is theor willingness to explore how their cultures and the cultures they have around them have influenced...

Have you ever been bullied as an adult? Were you also bullied as a child? Adult bullying comes in many forms and sometimes we don't even recognise it. The person who takes a parking place from us as we're about to turn into it, someone who won't let us go ahead on the checkout line when we have one item, a partner who demeans any request we have to strengthen the comfort level of our r...

Can we change the behaviour of the people around us? I mean, how much are you aware of the people around you and how much do you take into account your own behaviour with regards to their best interests? I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently, because I just got back from Finland and the difference between the expectations when we’re out in public between Finland and Spain is incredible. Sca...

Have you been in an online course, put in the Breakout Room and someone hijacks the conversation? Actually, it isn't a conversation because it's one person talking and asking for help on her/his needs? Is there an equanimity within the people connected? Is there generosity? Is there respect and honour for the opinions, ideas, searching of all? If you've found all these elements, please...

If you've lived with dyslexia, you can see it as a curse or you can see it as a challenge. Julie Hundley takes it one step further: she sees it as her super power!! There aren't many opportunities we have as educators to hear from our students' own mouths what helped them and hindered them in their schooling. We can learn so much from their experiences, and Julie is here to offer her j...

How do your belongings define you? How is your lifestyle and personality reflected in the choices you make on the material realm and on the emotional? Does the language your learning say something about you or the compassion you have for yourself when you are having a difficult time say more about you? Let's explore forms and how they define you - and how giving our student more opportunities...

What does a marijuana patch on the South Island of New Zealand and 21st century skills have in common? Well...think about it and then listen to a story that puts them together - or does it. You decide and let us know! Doorways to Learning opens another door to the reasons why giving our students the opportunity to learn 21st century skills is so important. We give you an alternative list of these...

Discover the transformative power of education with our podcast, as we invite extraordinary educators who are committed to cultivating enriching learning settings. Join mon a journey that blends peresonal anecdotes, including my own diverse experiences - from collaborating with a Manhattan Project luminary to globetrotting adventures - to my profound calling as a teacher in Santa Fe, New Mexico. E...

You've always wanted to know how to infuse the magic of music and movement into your language lessons, right? You've been looking for creative ways to engage your students while teaching a new language, true? Meet Daniel Griffin, your go-to expert for seamlessly blending music, movement, and the arts into your language learning curriculum. In this inspiring discussion, Daniel shares his pa...

Welcome to "Mindful Healing and Empowerment," an episode in which we explore the fascinating connections between art therapy, trauma physiology, and the profound impact of nature on mental health. Rain Elizabeth Stickney, a dedicated spiritual counselor and meditation teacher, takes you on a journey of self-discovery and healing. In each episode, Rain delves into the powerful interplay b...