Teachers Need Teachers

On the first day of school, neither you nor your students know much about each other. However, looking at their demographic data prior to that initial meeting can help you get a clearer picture of their particular circumstances. From their socioeconomic status to their English language proficiency, you can use this data before the school year starts to start planning culturally responsive lessons....

At the beginning of the school year, many teachers prioritize tasks such as setting up their classroom, going over the curriculum, working on their syllabus, and ironing out classroom procedures and policies. But do they spend the same amount of energy examining student data? Teachers can't effectively differentiate and measure student growth without first collecting and analyzing data. Here are t...

Preservice teachers have a unique task of cramming as much information and experience on pedagogy, classroom management, educational technology, and much more. How can they leverage what they learn in their credentialing programs so that they have a higher chance of success? Dr. Sam Fecich dives into the core essentials and even has even created a resource to inspire and guide hopeful educators. W...

It's no secret that teaching is a rewarding but difficult job. Many teachers go into the career only to become overwhelmed, disillusioned, disheartened, and lost. Could have this been prevented? Possibly, but only if they had examined their own mindset and determined if they were truly ready for the challenges of teaching. Questions to ask yourself: Are you a blamer? Do you have thick skin? Do you...

Most new teachers have experience using social media, but are they taking advantage of the on-demand professional development and support? Mari Venturino dives into how Twitter can be the PD you're looking for to grow and become confident as an educator.  The giveaway is over, but you can still get your copy of Mari's second book,  Fueled by Coffee and Love: The Refill . Ready to dive into Twitter...

It's back-to-school...elementary style! Elementary school teachers know too well the stresses of preparing for multiple subjects, classroom decor, routines, and systems. Carolyn Gardner tells us what to focus on so that we can truly be prepared for that first day of school. She also has a FABULOUS freebie just for my listeners to help you prepare and organize for back-to-school. Click on this link...

It's back-to-school time! There's always so much to prepare for your first teaching position, one thing that you definitely want to plan ahead is your syllabus. Use this document as a communication tool with your students' parents so that you can all be on the same page. Here's a link to my Syllabus. Click HERE for an editable copy of this syllabus, as well as other free resources. Still figuring...

New teachers have a seemingly endless amount of things to prepare for their first day, but often they worry about back-to-school the most. Tenisha Tate explains how to handle it while keeping control of your class, how to spot a student in need, and why your preconceived notions of teaching in an urban vs. suburban school could be wrong! You can find Tenisha at: Her school’s website: Hall Middle S...

Now that I've interviewed seven administrators and answered their top job interview questions, it's time to take all of that valuable information and put it to good use. Here are my key takeaways that you can use to nail your next teaching interview and land that job! Click here to get a copy of all of the interview questions from Episodes 9-14! Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Les...

Even though they will vary, most interview panels ask similar questions. Ross Cooper gives us one of the best ways to stand out in an interview and discusses the importance of always growing and learning as an educator.  Tell us about yourself and what brings you here today. Why are you a good fit for our organization? How do you grow professionally? Talk to us about a time in which you learned fr...

One of the biggest fears that many brand new teachers have is that they won’t be hired due to their lack of experience. Rick Mohrien tells us what’s REALLY important to most principals and what beginning teachers should focus on for the interview. Tell me your story, how did you end up here today wanting to be a teacher here at Winget Park? What’s the best lesson you ever taught, and tell me why i...

When preparing for an interview, we’re often faced with the fear of the unknown. What if we don’t have an answer or know what the interviewer is talking about? Rob Fulk gives new teachers valuable and honest tips about how to handle these common interview situations. What do you know about our school? What’s more important to education in the success of our students - tradition or innovation? Defe...

Hiring new teachers based on a resume and a gut feeling during an interview can sometimes result in someone who is a wrong fit for the school. Scott Schwartz describes the meticulous process his district uses to hire a great teacher every time, as well as the implications for teachers interested in working there. He also conducts a mock interview with me and asks me questions that he uses after th...

As a new teacher, your advisors in your credentialing program probably gave you some interviewing advice and practice questions. While these are helpful, it’s definitely even more valuable to hear from someone on a hiring committee and know exactly what types of answers they’re looking for. Asia Cunningham not only shares with us some of the more common interview questions but also gives advice on...

A topic that many job-seeking teachers are asked about is classroom management. Every school has its own philosophy and mission in terms of behavior, but some take it a step further. James Moffett dives deep into how being a trauma-informed school is the best form of classroom management and how it influences his hiring decisions. He also conducts a mock interview with me and asks me questions tha...

As a new teacher, you’ve probably been on many, many interviews without any luck. While it’s awful to be rejected, the best thing you can do is use it as a learning experience. Here are some reasons why you may not have been hired for that position. Many factors are out of your control They may have had someone else in mind There were candidates that were a better fit You set off red flags Too man...

Teaching literacy is a responsibility for all teachers of all subjects, but what if you don’t know how to teach reading? Brooklyn Khan dives into a simple but powerful strategy that every new teacher should have readily available. To access the show notes, go to https://teachersneedteachers.com/7 . What is close reading?   Why is it beneficial, especially for new teachers? Common Core Aligned Inhe...

Thinking about and dealing with classroom management is often a beginning teachers’ nightmare. Taking the time to have a crystal clear picture of your rules and consequences will help to improve student behaviors with each coming year. Click HERE to grab the workbook plus other free resources! What are your 5-7 rules? Are they phrased in the positive rather than negative? What is the logical progr...

Properly communicated classroom policies and procedures ensure that you can maximize the learning time in a safe and productive environment. When we start out teaching, it’s a time of experimentation to see what works. Here are four important points to consider when deciding on what and how to implement your policies and procedures. Click HERE to grab the workbook plus other free resources! How st...

As a newer teacher, you probably used the grading system from student teaching or a haphazard combination of what you “heard” you should do. By taking the time to closely examine your grading policies, you can ensure that your gradebook clearly communicates your students’ academic progress. Click HERE to grab the workbook plus other free resources! Using weighted grades: How much is each of these...

When was the last time you examined your classroom setup? Your classroom needs to be set up to maximize student learning while also reducing traffic and chaos. Here’s what to consider when considering a new setup. Click HERE to grab the workbook plus other free resources! Classroom Layout Reflect on: Student desks/tables Student chairs Teacher desk Cabinets and shelves Bin and containers for suppl...

Today's questions: How to keep it together during unannounced observations. Which grade is the easiest to teach Whether or not you should go straight into teaching after getting your credential Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼 https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, fe...

Do you collect student feedback? If not, you should! It's a great way to know how students perceive your effectiveness, and whether or not you're creating relationships and connecting with them. It's also a quick and easy way for students to feel that they have a voice in their education. Here's a link so you can see the types of questions I ask: https://goo.gl/forms/R8ejdjhPF4gSPEAH2 Still figuri...

Being a new teacher is tough as it is, especially if you don't have a mentor and have to go at it alone. There are so many questions you want to ask but feel stupid doing so. There are situations in which you SHOULD ask questions, but you're so confused and overwhelmed. Who am I and why did I create this podcast? What makes me think that I'm qualified to talk about this stuff? Why should you subsc...

What is the Teachers Need Teachers podcast about and who is it for? Why should you subscribe? What makes this different from other teaching podcasts? How will this change your teaching? Listen in and get all of the details in 106 second flat. Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect wit...