The Parent/Teacher Conference

Using a story about his Dodge Shelby Charger, the 1995 movie Sabrina with Harrison Ford, and two examples where people on the political right and political left may have gone too far, Coach explains the concept of grace & how we need to be more gracious in our approach as parents and teachers.

On this episode, Coach discusses two recent quotes about education from Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and President Biden, what they would actually mean in reality, and supporting parental rights. Science has shown us that a child's prefrontal cortex, the area most responsible for not acting rashly and making logical decisions isn't fully formed until we are in mid 20's (which...

On this episode, Coach discusses his experience bringing his daughters to school with him. Although a fun day, it does come in the midst of testing and the end of the year crunch. Would summer be a better time for it? Also, Coach shares a little about his struggles to get his daughter the reading help she needs from the school district they attend, a talk he had with her about the modification and...

Parents and teachers have been at loggerheads recently over what books should or shouldn't be in a school's library. Coach discusses what Censorship is, the fact that everyone censors, and that the real danger is censorship by the government. He gives his perspective to what side represents Democracy in the debate and gives examples as to why most arguments that people use to defend all bo...

What are your pet peeves? Send me a note at ptcpodcast411@gmail.com to let me know. As parents and teachers we need to avoid treating pet peeves as major infractions and treating actions of kids as trivial nuisances when they take away from other students safety and desire to learn. And a discussion of schools meeting their intended purpose and goal and how we can avoid creating a school full of s...

What lessons can parents and teachers draw from the decision of Bud Light to use Dylan Mulvaney as a spokesperson (there will not be a critique of Mulvaney, I figure if youre pro or con you can create your own podcast episode ha-ha). What can we learn from the reaction of Annehauser-Busch to the push back as well as a discussion on the idea that wisdom should not be equated by the number of degree...

In a highly political age, what is the best approach for a teacher in the classroom (especially a social studies or history classroom). Coach reacts to an article he read about informational literacy in the age of polarization that was just a bit too polarizing for his taste and the most important question that gets missed when listening or reading a news article, "What information IS NOT inc...

Today, Coach leaves the world of education behind to talk about his faith. My daughter asked me a question that is wondered by Christians and non-Christians alike, why do Christians call the Friday before Easter "Good" when Jesus died on that day (in an excruciating way too). On this episode, Coach present his way of answering that question.

As baseball season begins, what the movie "The Sandlot" can teach us about he educational value of summer vacation, the importance of allowing kids to have time to figure our conflict resolution on their own, the problems with social media & our desire to child proof everything, and the need for adults who want to walk along side and guide children.

With the 2023 baseball season about to begin, Coach looks at a few of his favorite baseball movies. Leading off...Moneyball What a lesson about statistics can teach us about living life. Discussion of the marriage of passion and facts, how assuming educational research can direct the path for each child is wrong headed, and how being feisty means nothing without truth.

On his 100th episode, Coach discusses in a bit more detail, what the purpose of the podcast is, as well as his use of social media such as Twitter and Facebook. Seeing Facebook as a wonderful way to reconnect with friends of days gone by and Twitter as a Digital Graffiti Wall for thoughts. Also sharing that more people appreciate your thoughts on social media than the number of likes that you see.

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament brings a lot of life lessons that we can tell our children. Using the bracket buster upsets, Vice President Harris' post game speech to Howard University, Scott Norwood's missed field goal, and Rocky I as examples, Coach gives some advice to help young people get through heart breaking loses and achieving despite what look like impossible odds.

A CNN article proclaimed that the former NFL quarterback called a statement by his mom from his youth "racism".  As a parent such as the Kaepernicks (white parents, bi-racial children), Coach shares his concern that the Critical Race Theory/Anti Racism expansion of the words "racism" and "white supremacy" can do real harm to families like his, why this will be a concern for teachers in the ye...

Coach talks about what he believes makes a great principal, shares why he would rather be a teaching coach then a building principal, and how parents and teachers should see disagreements they have with the principal.

Beginning with a quote from Rocky III and ending with a discussion of the movie Parenthood with Steve Martin, Coach discusses the role teaching young people that hyperbole is fact and always to stoke the fires of outrage can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.  With support from an recent article by Matthew Yglesias and quotes from the Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haid...

With studies showing the negative effects of social media and technology on teens, perhaps it's about time we look at technology in the same way the Amish look at technology, and see how it affects our most important relationships.

Remember when family sitcoms solved all their minor problems in 30 minutes.  Today, our young people are facing major problems of depression and suicidality.  Are the modern solutions to their problems the answer, or should we turn to the wisdom of the ancient past to uplift their souls?  

In this episode, Coach reflects on some of his favorite episodes as he celebrates one year of podcasting (and even shares his most controversial episode).  "Thank you to all who have taken the time to encourage me over the past year in this hobby.  You all have meant a lot. Thanks!" -Coach Cullen

Do you believe we learn to do bad things or does it come from within?  Coach discusses how that view impacts the classroom and how a vast majority of teachers are feeling frustrated at the level of misbehavior in their schools.  In order to address the class, we need to address the monster within ourselves first.

With the Super Bowl coming up, Coach reflects on the importance of teaching young athletes defense & gives examples from the pros and his own experiences coaching youth sports.   Did you know that from 1984 until 1996 the NFC won every Super Bowl over the AFC and many have said it was a decision by teams in that conference to focus on defense?

The biggest buzz in education is ChatGPT, the AI search that can provide solid writing pieces for students.  What is a teacher to do?  A bit of a discussion, and the concerns not only about AI, but the Internet in general for our children and students.

Have you ever hit a stretch where your sleep becomes messed up?  Well, I hit that part of the year where it all came crashing down on me.  What do you do during those times, to maintain the energy for your job, but more importantly, your family.

Are teachers who maintain strict rules in the classroom relish the opportunity to garner dictatorial powers?  Is student misbehavior just their revolt against unjust tyranny?  Or are those teachers expressing more love and care for the students of their class then the teacher who wants to be everyone's friend? Coach discusses the purpose of boundaries in the classroom between teacher and...

How does anonymity affect how people behave in a crowd? Find out how baby carriages can be used as weapons and cutting in line is a form of narcissism. And when it comes down to it, what are we teaching our kids.

Playing on a team helps us see a greater goal than ourselves. Do we see our job having an ultimate purpose?  Do we guide our families with an overarching goal? Plus the deficiencies that capitalism and progressivism can create in seeing others as dollar signs or external factors that are only skin deep.