EduMagic Future Teacher Podcast

First meeting as a student teacher? A concise, professional thank you email can set the tone for a strong mentoring relationship and reflect well on your professionalism. Learn how to write a student teacher thank you email after your first meeting. Build professionalism, strengthen relationships, and stand out during your field placement. You’ll discover: Why a thank-you email matters in your stu...

What can Walt Disney World teach us about connecting with students? A lot, actually. In this episode, we explore the Take Five strategy from Lee Cockerell's Creating Magic, spontaneous, intentional moments that cost nothing yet mean everything to the person on the receiving end. I walk through practical Take Five ideas for every grade level. Whether you're a preservice teacher, a veteran i...

What do you do when you studied hard, and someone else didn’t, but they did better than you? Or when you fail an exam, struggle in a class, or feel behind your cohort? This episode is inspired by the book Let Them by Mel Robbins. This theory is applied to preservice teachers navigating coursework, studying, fieldwork, and student teaching. This episode reminds future teachers that struggle is part...

As classrooms continue to evolve, teacher candidates must feel confident navigating digital tools that support creativity, organization, and collaboration. Two standout platforms, Canva and Google Classroom, work together to help educators design engaging content and manage their digital curriculum without feeling overwhelmed. These tools are especially valuable for future teachers looking to stre...

Educational technology empowers teacher candidates to collaborate, assess, organize, and inspire learning in new ways. Whether building a professional identity on Instagram and Pinterest, assessing learning with Google Forms, organizing content on Google Sites, or transforming instruction with VR, these tools prepare educators for today's and tomorrow's classrooms. Teacher candidates are e...

In this EDUMagic Podcast episode, future teachers share their favorite engagement‑boosting EdTech tools: Padlet and Nearpod. Learn how these platforms support collaboration, real‑time feedback, and student participation across grade levels and content areas. Listen as pre‑service educators explain how Padlet encourages every student to share their voice and how Nearpod transforms lessons into inte...

In this special EDU Magic Podcast episode, Dr. Sam Fecich hands the mic to future teachers from Slippery Rock University! Listen as teacher candidates share their favorite digital tools for planning, note‑taking, time management, and organization from both student and classroom perspectives. Featured tools include: Notability  for digital note‑taking and math learning Google Calendar  for classroo...

March is the calm before the storm. Midterms are winding down, spring break is calling, and before you know it, the semester is over. But for student teachers, March is actually the perfect time to reflect about what comes next. In this episode, we slow down and plan how to set yourself up for a stronger, smarter second half of the year. From reflecting on your placement to building habits that wi...

If your devices feel cluttered, your browser has 27 tabs open, or your screen time habits are draining instead of fueling your teaching, this episode is for you. Let’s reset your digital teaching life with a quick, practical, and energizing. Get ready to spring clean! Episode link - https://www.sfecich.com/post/spring-cleaning-refresh-your-online-life-screens-and-screen-time Want to keep the conve...

Student teachers, let's discuss your desk area. It might be a student desk, a table, or an actual desk; either way, it's yours. It's your spot in the classroom. So let's make it an effective and efficient workspace, no matter the size. For these tips and resources check out https://www.sfecich.com/post/effective-student-teacher-desk-organization-tips-and-setup Want to keep the conv...

The holidays may be over, but the magic of teaching never ends. Let’s celebrate the 12 Days of EduMagic with a series of focused gifts to help future teachers, education majors, and student teachers thrive from their first 8:00 AM class to student teaching and beyond.

As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect. In this special holiday episode of the EduMagic Podcast, we share seven powerful reflection questions, one for each chapter of EduMagic, to help you recharge and reignite your passion for teaching. Get the guide here - https://www.sfecich.com/post/reflect-recharge-and-reignite-edumagic-holiday-reflection-guide-for-future-tea...

The fall semester is over, now what?  In this episode of the EduMagic Podcast, I share five powerful reflection questions to help college students pause, recharge, and prepare for an amazing spring semester. Grades don’t tell the full story, so we’ll dive into what really matters: your proudest accomplishments, strategies that worked, areas for growth, and how to get involved on campus. Plus, we’l...

Guest host Dr. Jenna Copper, an Assistant Professor of Education at Slippery Rock University and a former high school English teacher, shares her top three classroom technology tools that every middle and high school teacher should know: Padlet, Canva, and Gimkit. Whether you're teaching in person, in a hybrid setting, or online, these tools are ideal for enhancing student engagement, creativity,...

Hey EduMagicians! In this episode, we’re diving into a must-know skill for every college student: how to professionally email your professor when you miss class, whether it’s your first absence or your third, and how you communicate matters.  I’ll walk you through a step-by-step checklist to help you write respectful, responsible, and effective emails that show initiative and professionalism. We’l...

Welcome to EduMagic, where future teachers grow, reflect, and shine! If you're a new education major, you're probably asking yourself: What kind of teacher do I want to be? That question is at the heart of today’s topic: building your teacher identity. Your teacher identity is more than just your major; it's your purpose, your passion, and your personal teaching philosophy. Let’s explore how you c...

Starting college as an education major? Feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to find your people? In this episode of the EDU Magic Podcast, guest host Dr. Amy Orville, professor, mom, and professional development expert, shares three powerful, heart-centered strategies to help you build a strong support network in your first year of college. Whether you're just beginning your journey as a future teac...

Are you a secondary education major getting ready for a new semester? Whether you're stepping into your first classroom observation or prepping for student teaching, this episode of the EDU Magic Podcast is packed with the inspiration and strategies you need to thrive.  This Month’s Guest Host: Dr. Jenna Copper, educator, author, and assistant professor at Slippery Rock University, shares her jour...

Welcome, EdguMagicians! I’m Dr. Sam Fecich, host of the EduMagic Podcast, and I’m thrilled to kick off our new podcast series: “Welcome to Your Journey,” a guide for future teachers preparing for their first year of college. As the author of EduMagic: A Guide for Preservice Teachers, EduMagic Shine On, Crush It From the Start, and Digital PD, I’m passionate about helping new and future educators t...

In this episode, we dive into how Canva AI is revolutionizing the way educators and creators work. Learn how to use Magic Write, create interactive games, design custom flyers, and more—all with the power of AI. Whether you're in the classroom or creating content, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiration! You'll learn: How to use Magic Write to generate blog posts, resumes, and m...

Congratulations, graduate! You’ve survived the lesson plans, late nights, and student teaching. You crossed the stage at graduation, now what? Whether you’ve landed your first teaching job or are still searching, this episode will help you transition from cap and gown to classroom and beyond. Here are three graduation tips to focus on as you step into this exciting new chapter.  Graduation Tip 1:...

Hey EDUmagicians! Preparing for a teaching interview can be a challenging experience, but with the right approach, you can effectively showcase your skills and knowledge. In this episode, we dive into the powerful Danielson Framework for Teaching to help you answer interview questions with confidence and make your responses stand out. Understanding the Danielson Framework: The Danielson Framework...

Have you ever dreamed of being an action figure? Well, EDUmagicians, it’s time to make that dream a reality—AI style! In this fun and interactive episode, Dr. Sam walks you through how to create your very own teacher action figure using AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot. From picking your outfit and accessories (hello flare pens and coffee cups!) to customizing your packaging and pose, you’ll lear...

Hey there, edumagicians! In this episode of the EduMagic podcast, we're diving into the powerful concept of "Maslow Before Bloom." Join me as we explore how prioritizing student well-being can transform your classroom and boost academic success. We'll break down Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and share practical tips for creating a safe, supportive environment where students feel seen and valued. Plu...

In this episode of the EduMagic Podcast, we tackle a topic that's shaking up the education world: the closing of the Department of Education. Join us as we explore the implications of this monumental change and what it means for future teachers. We'll discuss the role of the Department of Education, the impact of its closure on funding, student loans, and civil rights enforcement, and provide acti...