Teaching Champions

This episode we are going to learn about strengthen your physical, mental, and spiritual fitness to help you in and out of the classroom! We are also going to talk about communication and the ways that we can communicate better, making each interaction count, reflection, and so much more. Today I'm joined by Bobby Pollicino. He is the  Head of Upper School at Bullis School in Potomac, MD. He...

A question that all of us should ask ourselves is how do we define failure in our classroom. Is our words and actions sending the message that aligns with our beliefs about failure. This episode dives into my belief about failure after listening to the story of the self made billionaire Sara Blakely. 

In this conversation author and educator Gina Giordano Byrne shares strategies that we can use to create a thriving classroom culture.  Topics Covered: Gina: 1. Create a classroom environment where students feel safe and comfortable to push outside of their comfort zone 2. Make it visible to the students that success is filled with mistakes and learning moments. 3. Normalize mistakes in the classr...

The episode dives into the power and importance of celebrating wins!

Today I am joined by Dr. LaQuanta Nelson. Over the last 20 years she has served in education as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, mentor, district level New Teacher Coordinator, motivational speaker, and consultant.  She currently serves  scholars and all educators on their journey to become Bold, Optimistic, Spontaneous, and Substantial.  Over the years, Dr. Nelson’s background and exper...

In this episode educator and author Crystal Frommert breaks down the importance of establishing a relationship with parents, she talks about the importance of remembering that we are working with parents greatest gifts and to be mindful of that when we connect, she gives tips that we can use to help strengthen that connection between the home and school, and so much more. This is such an awesome c...

Today my guest is Jed Stefanowicz. He is a 25 year elementary educator, an author, a speaker, a blogger, and a former Massachusetts Teach Plus Policy Fellow.  In this interview Jed is going to talk about different ways we can publish students work, student podcasting, the power of learning from others, and so much more. Topics: The new 4 C’s : Connect, compassion, culture, and climate Innovation s...

This episode is for all the educators who have felt rundown and low on energy. Meredith Rubin Daniels joins the podcast and shares strategies that all of us can use for ourselves or for our students to help keep emotionally regulated and our energy high. Topics discussed in this episode. 1. Having a practice that puts you physically and emotionally in a place where you feel safe allows you to be o...

In this episode I take a dive into lessons I've learned from some of my favorite podcasts. We talk about the power of being present and staying in the moment. The importance of community and ways that we can find those creative sparks. Take a listen and find out about some new podcasts that you might want to checkout! Fresh Air at Five - Bryon Carpenter  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/...

There is something important that all of our students need to know. Something that they deserve to know. In this mini episode we discuss this and the difference that it can make in the lives of our champions!

In this episode I'm joined by Nikki Jones. She has been an educator for 16 years teaching 1st and 3rd grade and is currently and instructional technology coach.  Nikki is passionate about using technology to challenge students to think critically, problem solve and be creative. In this conversation we explore taking risks, creativity, connecting and being inspired by learning communities, one...

This episode is inspired by a chapter in Dear Teachers, written by Dr. Brad Johnson and Hal Bowman, that was title "Why Would a Kid Want to be Successful if He Doesn't Remember What Success Feels Like?". As we are deep into the midpoint of the school year it is important that we ask ourselves if all of our students have felt success lately. Do they remember what success feels like? 

This episode is a solo episode where we look to tap into the knowledge of others outside the teaching profession. Today's episode is about three lessons learned from Kobe Bryant. When you think of one of the greatest players of all time Kobe is one of the names at the top of this least. However, he was much more than just a basketball player. He was most importantly a proud girl dad, an indiv...

Relationships are at the core of teaching. One of the best ways to strengthen a relationship is by letting others know that you appreciate them. This mini episode is all about a strategy from Dr. Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, called gratitude visits. Learn what a gratitude visit is and how it can help strengthen relationships. 

Taking time to look back and reflect on what we've learned is important. Too often we take information in, but we fail to put it into practice. This episode takes a look back at some recent guests on the podcast and some of the wisdom that they have shared.  In this episode we talk about the power of the people we surround ourselves with from Phil Januszewski. The importance of letting our st...

Have you ever had a morning where you wake up and you just feel down. Where you can't shake that feeling no matter what you do. This episode is all about a simple strategy that you can use to help lift you up on those tough days. It's something that is simple. Something that any of us can do. It's something though that we have to be very intentional about. Check out this episode to...

In this conversation Jessica Lander discusses educating immigrant and refugee students. We talk about her book Making Americans that is a wonderful book about the  exploration of immigrant education across the country. She talks about seeing these students for their energy, talents, and drive. Jessica discusses the lessons she learned from traveling around the country and meeting innovative school...

One strategy that we can use to fuel gratitude and appreciation within the classroom can be to notice the great things that are happening, to name the great things that are happening, and that helps you nurture this. Past guest Livia Chan discussed this and how she uses this to fuel gratitude and appreciation in our classroom. We can use this strategy for ourselves as well to help spark these posi...

In this conversation I'm joined by Phil Januszewski. He is a science teacher and a nationally renowned motivational speaker. In this conversation we discuss the power of taking healthy risks, how to protect our mental currency, different strategies that we can use to lead with positivity and so much more.  1. We are a model for our students and our family.  2. Take health risks.  3. It’s good...

Winter break is over and educators are back to the grind. As the new year settles in this can be a very difficult time of the year for some. This episode discusses one simple way that can help you stay positive throughout the next few months. 

 This week I have a very special guest. I’m joined by Livia Chan. She is a Head Teacher, writer, presenter, and a member of the Teach Better Team. She is deeply passionate about community, leading with heart and positivity, and daily lifelong learning. In this conversation  listen as Liv talks about the power of connections and building relationships. Listen as she talks about  ATOMIC interactions...

This episode is a reminder about the difference that can be made by doing the little things. It was inspired by a blog post from Mel Hawkins and is about a gentleman that worked in a school and transformed everyone around him by doing the little things. His story is a reminder to all of us about the difference we can make by the energy that we give off to those around us. Thank you to Mel Hawkins...

Today’s conversation was an extra special one because it was with someone that I have known for a very long time. Someone who we started our teacher careers very close to one another in the same school. And this conversatioin is just such a great reminder that there are people that all of us work with that are doing amazing things. And if we’re curious, if we take time to listen and ask questions,...

One of the most important things that we can do for our students is to create a sense of belonging. They need to feel seen, heard, and valued within their classroom community. Our students deserve to feel as if they belong! This mini episode is all about creating belonging within the classroom. 

In this episode Professor Dan Garrity shares wisdom on being a great listener, developing durable skills, investing in students, open ended challenges, finding people who excel in their field, and so much more.  1. Embrace humor 2.  Have a legitimate love and care to hear someone else’s story 3. Become a good storyteller and understand the language that your audience speaks 4. Excite, put it into...