Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast

📢 Episode Summary: In this powerful and reflective episode of Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast , we sit down with jeewan chanicka , an educational leader widely recognized for his commitment to social justice , student voice , and humanizing approaches to education. Drawing on over 25 years of experience across classrooms, schools, and system leadership, jeewan invites us into a deeply meaningful con...

Black Brilliance in STEM: Cultivating Identity and Excellence Episode Summary In this episode of "Teacher Talk," we are joined by high school educator and STEM advocate Joseph Galiwango . Joseph discusses the critical importance of embedding Black excellence into the STEM curriculum from the early years to prevent the "leaky pipeline" that often sees Black students opt out of h...

Episode Summary In this episode of "Teacher Talk," we sit down with Seán Tierney , a K-12 Central Math Learning Coach, AQ instructor, and dedicated mentor within the TDSB. Seán discusses the importance of the "Evergreen" teacher—educators who stay rooted in learning to better serve their students. We dive into how Additional Qualification (AQ) courses transform teacher confiden...

Podcast Show Notes: Teaching Fairness and Democracy in Grade 5Episode Summary In this episode of "Teacher Talk," we sit down with Michelle Munk, Jordan Steenge, and Cindy Long to discuss a groundbreaking collaboration between the Elementary Teachers of Toronto (ETT) and Fair Vote Canada. Together, they have developed a new Grade 5 Social Studies resource, "Rights, Responsibilities,...

Episode 15: The Intensive Support Program Classroom with Scott Wylde Read the full episode TRANSCRIPT here . In this episode of Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast , Pav sits down with longtime Toronto educator Scott Wylde to reflect on his remarkable teaching journey—from more than two decades as a phys-ed teacher to his later years leading an Intensive Support Program (ISP) classroom. Scott shares cand...

Episode 14: Teacher Passions and Purposeful Practice with Shawnna Purkis Read the full episode TRANSCRIPT here . In this episode of Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast , Chey sits down with middle school educator and artist Shawnna Purkis to explore how teacher passions—especially in the arts—can elevate classroom learning, build stronger student connections, and create more joyful teaching experiences....

Episode 13: Getting to Know French Immersion with Kendra Hatch In this episode of Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast , Pav sits down with Kendra Hatch, an elementary French Immersion teacher in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), to unpack the structure, benefits, and challenges of French Immersion programs. Kendra shares her personal journey as a French Immersion student turned teacher and explai...

Episode 12: Designing Original Lessons with Betty Zhang In this episode of Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast , Chey sits down with Betty Zhang, a dynamic high school educator and practicing artist, to explore the creativity and collaboration behind building original, student-centered lessons from the ground up. From Angry Birds-inspired parabola graphs to full-scale fashion design and dollhouse builds,...

Episode 11: Contract Updates and Election Insights with Emily Macklin In this episode of Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast , Chey and Pav sit down with Emily Macklin , ETT Executive Member and Lead Negotiator, to discuss the latest updates on the newly ratified contract with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) —what educators need to know and what this means moving forward. But that’s not all. Wit...

Episode 9: STEM in the Classroom with Kamla Rambaran and Zélia Capitao-Tavares In this episode of Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast , Chey and Pav are joined by Kamla Rambaran and Zélia Capitao-Tavares, two innovative educators who are making significant strides in integrating STEM, coding, and gaming into the classroom. Kamla and Zélia share their journey as teaching partners, their commitment to fost...

Episode 9: Classrooms and Coaching with Ryan Richards In this episode of Teacher Talk , we sit down with Ryan Richards, an experienced middle school teacher and inspiring educator from Toronto. Ryan dives into the heart of teaching at the middle school level, sharing his insights on fostering meaningful connections with students and preparing them for the complexities of life beyond the classroom....

Episode 8: Kindergarten with Rosy and Angela In this episode of Teacher Talk, host Pav Wander chats with Rosy Suppa and Angela Orrico, two passionate Kindergarten teachers, about the joys and wonders of early childhood education. Together, they explore how connecting with nature enriches learning experiences, fosters curiosity, and supports child development. From outdoor adventures to hands-on ex...

Episode 7: Bargaining Update with Laura McCoy In Episode 7 of "Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast," host Pav Wander sits down with Laura McCoy, Executive Officer for Ward 6 and 11, Chief Negotiator, and Executive Liaison to the Collective Bargaining Committee for the Elementary Teachers of Toronto (ETT). Laura provides an in-depth look into the current state of collective bargaining for the ET...

In Episode 6 of "Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast,"  guest Diana Hong shares her perspectives and experiences as an Elementary Hybrid Math Learning Partner with the Toronto District School Board. Diana discusses the many ways that math pedagogy is implemented in Elementary education, and dives deep into the Building Thinking Classrooms (Dr. Peter Liljedahl) process along with the successes a...

In Episode 5 of "Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast,"  guest Davin Yu shares his perspectives and experiences as a Physical Education teacher and a homeroom teacher in Toronto. Davin discusses the many misconceptions and misnomers about Health and Physical Education and how the subject has necessarily evolved over the past 20 years as a teacher in the board. The episode delves into practical a...

In Episode 4 of "Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast,"  guests Kathy Lewis and Hardeep Shergill share their perspectives and experiences as anti-racist leaders in education. Kathy's commitment stems from her personal experiences as a black Afri-Caribbean woman, witnessing the marginalization of Black Indigenous students. Hardeep, a Punjabi Sikh woman with a disability, draws from her upbrin...

In Episode 3 of "Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast," guests Christie Vella and Rabia Khokhar explore the pivotal role of teacher librarians in today's education landscape. These unsung heroes are not just bookkeepers; they are champions of literacy, curating diverse collections that foster a love for reading and a sense of belonging among students. Teacher librarians also serve as instruc...

In this inspiring second episode of "Teacher Talk," we explore "The Power of Reflection" with special guest, teacher Matthew Morris. As an experienced educator, Matthew shares how reflection has transformed his teaching practice and impacted the lives of his students. From his initial motivation to become a catalyst for change to fostering a reflective culture among colleagues,...

In the first full length episode of "Teacher Talk,"  we explore the impactful role of learning coaches in education. Hosted by ETT member and middle school teacher, Pav Wander, the podcast features conversations with Linette, Jennifer, and Ellen, who share their unique journeys as learning coaches specializing in areas such as early literacy, student mental health, transitions in middle...

In the first episode of "Teacher Talk," hosts and elementary teachers Chey Cheney and Pav Wander sit down with the Elementary Teachers of Toronto (ETT) President, Helen Victoros, and Vice President, Nigel Barriffe, to talk about the vision and mission of the podcast series. Through the conversation, Helen and Nigel highlight the incredible work being done in Toronto schools and provide i...