The Parent/Teacher Conference

In this 2nd part, Coach how following the teachings of the book "How to Be an Anti-Racists" would effect his multi racial family negatively, how he came to adopt bi-racial children & denounces a Los Angeles councilwoman's statement that a similar father was using his bi-racial child as a prop, and concludes with solutions from a current NFL head coach & an ancient book.

For people of my generation, the goal was not to hold skin color as a factor in treating people; treat all people justly and do good by them.  The word that we used was to be colorblind.  Today, some people will say it is the wrong approach, and a few will unjustly claim people who hold that view are doing it out of racists overtures. In the first part of 2 episodes, Coach shares where b...

Great question, but it won't be the answer you are looking forward.  On this episode, Coach discusses one of his favorite educational books, Why Don't Students Like School, but Daniel Willingham, including sharing the two traits the author believes make students like a teacher.  Hopefully it encourages you to buy your own copy.

The annual Columbus Day fight is on, should we cancel Columbus on all things Columbus (days off of school, statues, parades, etc), replace it with honoring Native Americans, or is there another way.  In this episode Coach shares how he allows all views to be told in his social studies classroom and turns Columbus Day into a discussion of the persistence and perseverance of immigrants to the U...

Parents and Teachers should not be adversaries but teammates.  On this podcast, Coach discusses how he uses a weekly video and shares pictures and other info out social media so parent can know, and yes, even question, the topics and activities in class.  If it is truly what is best for the education for their child, we should have nothing to hide.

A different podcast, opening with a quote from Rocky and proclaiming the 25 year adventure I've been on with my wife, who fills my gaps.  Hopefully it will make you appreciate your gap filler as well.

Is that stays quo the worst thing?  Maybe, maybe not.  How that statement expresses Chronological Snobbery at its best and a road to tyranny at its worst.  How parents need people to assist with their child's transition to independence, not exasperate it.  I also share how new educational apps are introduced in my classroom focusing on Fan School (the sponsor of our show)

Coach weaves stories from his high school days, from playing baseball to rip sessions with his friends as he makes the thought how teaching in a school is similar to playing on a team, and how we need to remember all our teammates, including our students' parents.  We each have a role to play in educated our students, and although the parent will always have the greater part in the care and d...

What are some changes that have occurred in schools after COVID?  How has a dependence on devices affected students?  How was the return to normalcy affected teachers?  What do you see as a parent or teacher about schools dropping COVID protocols and running pretty much as they did before March 13, 2020?

Coach shares what the goal should be for parents and teachers going into Back to School Nights (and for teachers, challenge yourself to go beyond just giving a 10 min lecture, show your students' parents what kind of teacher you are)

Two Episodes in One!  First, Coach describes what it was like in his school that was an hour from NYC on 9/11/2001 that may help give you a perspective how school admins and teachers react and prepare students for tragedies.  The second part is how as a Social Studies teacher, Coach goes about expressing the message of "Faith, Hope, and Love" that is shared by a Port Authority officer Wi...

No one works with children to disappoint them, yet that is exactly what they do when a child isnt chosen for a team, a part in the play, etc.  Coach shares from his experiences selecting teams, as a player, and a parent tips he has found are helpful in allowing children to see being cut as a way to motivate themselves not only in the sport they tried out for, but life.

If you are a teacher or not, we can make our lives all about work. Coach used a spiritual, historical, and an example from Hollywood to encourage all of us to take breaks and see our lives as more than the work that we do.

Coach had an awesome time watching his heroes of the past play in an Old Timers Game this weekend.  It had him reflect on what you are really following when you follow a sports team, and what it can teach us about history education for our kids.

From a Girl's 1st Experiences in High School, to Prepping the Classroom, to Professional Development day, to the first day with students, Coach reveals what is going on and his thoughts of how he uses games and laughter to help build a comfortable classroom environment at an age appropriate level; to tap into the energy of middle schoolers. At coachcullen.com will be pictures of some of the games...

One of the benefits of working in a small school district is that even my superintendent knows not only about me, but a bit of my family as well.  It's great to work in a place where you know you are valued beyond on the service your provide.  How can even large school districts create connections to the classrooms and homes of their students?  How will this benefit the kids?

There is a freshness of a new school year that reminds me a lot of spring.  As parents and teachers scramble for supplies, the most important thing to prepare is our children/students and instill in them the idea that a new school year brings with it a fresh start.

It isn't easy to raise children, but changing your perspective could be the way to see everything as a joy in raising them, including reaching out to their teachers when there is a conflict in what is being taught at school and at home.

What do you do to build anticipation in your students even before the first day of school?  Coach shares about Open Houses and how he approaches them as a teacher with advice for parents, and the importance of having your students want to come back for day 2.

Coach shares the best and worst of the first day teachers report back to school (not the first day of school) and offers his opinions to administrators and keynote speakers on how it could be better.  For parents, learn what is really going on in your child's teacher's mind before their 1st day.

Parents, are you sharing with your children beliefs that you value, guiding them in their life, or are you allowing other voices to step up to the plate?  Coach discusses the importance of fathers.  Also, he discusses a language arts assignment will have his daughter reading his daughter Jason Reynolds "10 Things I've been Meaning to Tell You" that led him to compose his own 10 Things he...

As summer is winding down, teachers prepare themselves to get back on to the field of the classroom.  Coach shares some of how he approaches the end of summer and the beginning of another school season.  

Discussing the miracle of how my daughter made us parents for the first time on her birthday week, and remembering how a group of teachers just by sharing a few kind words made a shy, introverted kid skeptical of her abilities proud of what she accomplished.  A good reminder for parents and teachers on the power of words at home and in the classroom.

The age old question, are we born naturally good or bad, is the foundation for many parenting and educational theories. What can we learn about what is the right answer at amusement parks.  Coach discusses three ways people act places that should be among the happiest on earth and asks you to think through do the people act on their own, it just happens to be at an amusement park, or is the s...

From a critique of the MLB All Star Game to what the game of baseball itself has to teach kids about life, Coach remembers the importance of baseball in helping him to overcome failure and succeed.  Don't be a spectator on the baseball field of life.