The Teacher As...

In this episode, we're bringing learning to life through drama! From tableaus to role plays to monologues or even full-length plays, I'll share how drama can transform your classroom. Discover how drama fits in with what you are already doing and helps students become more fluent readers, boosts confidence, deepens comprehension, and makes learning stick long after the lesson ends. I sha...

Chris Mukiibi, a high school chemistry teacher, discusses his approach to classroom behavior management through a nervous system perspective. He emphasizes the importance of evoking growth emotions (curiosity, safety, play) over survival emotions (fear, rage, panic) to foster a cooperative learning environment. Mukiibi shares strategies for managing behavior, such as using visuals and faster feedb...

Melissa Milner and Andrea discuss their recent activities and upcoming plans. Andrea shared her experience serving on a grand jury in Bristol County, which involved hearing cases for three months. She also took a cruise with MSC Cruises, highlighting the ship's unique features like mozzarella cheese making. Melissa visited the Grand Canyon, Iceland, and Paris integrating her travel experience...

Guest Phaea Crede, a neurodiverse picture book author, discusses her journey from struggling in school due to social discomfort and learning challenges to finding success in writing. She emphasizes the importance of embracing one's uniqueness and shares her writing process, which includes extensive research and list-making. Crede also highlights the challenges of balancing writing with a full...

Debbie Hattery, a substitute teacher in Massachusetts, shared her journey from working in higher education policy to becoming a substitute teacher. She emphasized the importance of starting as a substitute para to understand classroom dynamics and recommended arriving early to prepare. Debbie highlighted the need for detailed sub plans, including student names and classroom routines, and suggested...

Faye Bankler Cassell, a certified academic language therapist and dyslexia therapist, discusses her work with parents and children through her website and YouTube channel. She highlights the literacy crisis in the U.S., noting that only 1 in 5 children with dyslexia are labeled and receive services. Faye emphasizes the importance of early intervention and multi-sensory learning. She also discusses...

Melissa chats with Leah Crawford who discusses the "Think in English" program, a cognitive acceleration initiative developed at King's College, London. The program, which has been adapted for English language teaching, aims to enhance children's critical thinking and schema development through engaging lessons. Crawford explains the program's origins, its focus on Piagetia...

Chris Papst, an investigative reporter from Fox 45 News, discusses his eight-year investigation into Baltimore City Public Schools. Despite being one of the most funded school systems, it ranks among the lowest performing. Papst's book, "Failure Factory," reveals systemic issues, including grade-changing practices that led to 12,542 failing grades being changed to passing over four...

Jessica Werner, founder and CEO of North Shore Learning, discusses her journey from teaching to helping teachers avoid burnout. She highlights the need for universal classroom management systems and the value of self-reflection and teacher well-being. Her company, North Shore Learning, offers free resources, webinars, and on-demand courses to support educators. Major Choice is a career mentorship...

Dr. Matt Zakreski, a clinical psychologist specializing in neurodivergent kids, discusses his work with ADHD, autism, giftedness, OCD, and dyslexia. He emphasizes the importance of awareness and accommodations for neurodivergent individuals, highlighting the need for universal design in education. Dr. Matt shares strategies for managing anxiety, such as praising behaviors and adapting environments...

Amy McMahon, with 27 years in education, discusses the importance of brain breaks in the classroom, especially post-COVID, to help students self-regulate and focus. Amy shares various no-prep brain break activities, including the "timer game," "mind reader," "silent partner draw," and "going on a picnic." She also recommends online resources like Teach Flix...

Phil Janiszewski, a former high school chemistry and physics teacher, discusses his transition to motivational speaking to combat educator burnout and boredom. He emphasizes the importance of integrating personal interests into teaching to maintain enthusiasm. Phil highlights the significance of positive psychology, which suggests that happiness leads to success. He advises educators to identify a...

Melissa chats with Jon Rand and Tom Turner from the "Failing Writers" podcast. Jon and Tom highlight the significance of making writing enjoyable and the potential of flash fiction and radio ads as educational tools.  https://www.failingwriterspodcast.com/ Instagram and Threads: @failingwriters Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The pr...

In Episode 2 of What About This?, Melissa talks about her fourth and fifth-grade drama club's upcoming performance and a recent Thanksgiving play. Andrea recounts her experiences at the MassCUE Fall Conference at Gillette Stadium, highlighting keynote speakers and the positive feedback. They also discuss Andrea's role at MassCUE, including organizing events and an internship program.   M...

Leah Crawford is an experienced educator and independent education consultant. She emphasizes the importance of engaging teaching methods, such as using dialogic exchange and mentor texts to enhance student comprehension and creativity. Leah also highlights the significance of teaching concepts over skills and the value of using literature to foster a rich understanding of storytelling and writing...

Holly Britton, a handwriting instruction specialist, discusses the importance of early transcription skills in education. She highlights the decline in handwriting proficiency, especially during COVID-19, and the need for explicit instruction starting from kindergarten. Holly founded Squiggle Squad, designed to teach handwriting through a fun, research-based approach.  Major Choice is a career men...

Melissa Milner hosts the "Teacher as Podcast," now in its seventh season, with episodes released every other week. The podcast is sponsored by the Career Mentorship Program at Major Choice. AJ Cullen, a licensed independent clinical social worker and certified Animal Assisted Intervention specialist, discusses his podcast "Rising Voices" with co-host Danielle Terrell, which aim...

Melissa talks with Mel Emerick about the music books that she has published and continues to publish. In her classroom, as well as in her books, she uses humor to engage students and teach all things related to music. Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploration, and career exploration, aimi...

Melissa Milner and Andrea Calvin discuss their new podcast collaboration, highlighting their shared energy and brainstorming sessions. They share personal interests, such as Melissa's love for concerts and Andrea's passion for baking. Andrea mentions upcoming events, including the MassCUE Fall Conference at Gillette Stadium. Melissa talks about her after school drama club and podcasting...

Melissa Milner hosts Ed Goyette, co-founder of Major Choice, a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. Major Choice is a sponsor of The Teacher As…Podcast. Ed shares the program's inception during the pandemic and its expansion to a national level. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploration, and career exploration, aiming to help students fi...

Melissa discusses the inspiration that came from a Metallica Master Class titled "Being a Band." Milner emphasizes the importance of collaboration, using Metallica's jam session rules: focus, listening, ego check, recording ideas, embracing mistakes, and being kind to beginners. She also references Metallica's keys to building a resilient team: not neglecting individuals, keepi...

Brad and Tricia, co-founders of Major Choice, discuss their mission to help young people, especially those on the autism spectrum, figure out their post-school paths. They highlighted their program which includes self-exploration, career exploration, and outreach. They emphasized the importance of live mentoring and skill-building. Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and...

Melissa chats with Caroline Starr Rose, a middle grade and picture book author, discusses her journey from teaching to writing. She shares her experience of writing "May B," a historical fiction verse novel, which took 12 years to publish. Rose emphasized the importance of persistence and the impact of positive teacher encouragement.  Major Choice is a career mentorship program for stude...

Melissa Milner talks with Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns who have collaborated on a book titled "Connecting Through Conversation: A Playbook for Talking with Students." Erica, a superintendent, and Tiffany, a university administrator, share their extensive experience in education and their mission to help students feel cared for and connected. They discuss practical strategies for building...

In this episode, Melissa shares the process of planning for her afterschool drama club. She talks about one main resource that she is pulling from, dramanotebook.com created by Janea Dahl.  Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploration, and career exploration, aiming to help students find ful...