The Teacher As...

The Teacher As...Top Ten episodes are a new addition to the podcast. Dr. Nicki Newton and Ann Elise Record collaborate to create one top ten list of math routines. The collaboration gets a bit intense when the two disagree as they get closer to the top five picks. These math educators have so much to share in this episode. Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without d...

Melissa chats with Danielle North, co anchor of the morning news in Rhode Island, WPRI12. They talk about the parallels between new anchors/reporters and teachers. The importance of good timing and balance in the delivery of information are discussed, as well as the impact of the information we share and the importance of active listening. Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students w...

Melissa talks about chess and the show The Queen's Gambit. She talks about how Understanding By Design, Project Based Learning, and Student-Led classrooms are purposeful and strategic. 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...

Melissa and Tricia interview two colleagues, Heather Sullivan and Olivia Morris, who are coteaching in second grade.  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 fulfilling careers. Educators and professionals are encouraged to become me...

In this episode, Melissa chats with teacher and author, Paul Emerich France, about personalized learning and creating an educational system that is more equitable. 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 fulfilling careers. Educators...

In this episode, Melissa interviews Mike Earnshaw. Mike is a principal and the co host of the podcast Punk Rock Classrooms. Mike shares the parallels between punk rock and education and shares how he supports his teachers and students. Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploration, and career...

In this Zooming In episode, Melissa explains the structure for The Teacher As... podcast for Season 2 and shares her new, creative ideas for episodes. 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 fulfilling careers. Educators and professi...

In reaction to the events of this week, Melissa starts this episode with her thoughts on teachers talking about horrible events with our students. Then Melissa jumps into her planned episode about the parallels between teaching and negotiating. She shares related clips from past The Teacher As...interviews, as well as two negotiating techniques straight from FBI hostage negotiator, Chris Voss. Thr...

Melissa reflects on Season 1 of The Teacher As...podcast and what she hopes to offer educators in Season 2 which starts January 10th. 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 fulfilling careers. Educators and professionals are encoura...

In this bonus episode, Melissa and Tricia talk about the first couple of weeks of the hybrid model in their district. They talk about teaching remotely and in person and the challenges and rewards that come with this model. Flexibility and empowering students to give feedback on the process and routines is key. Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities....

In this episode, Dr. Robyn Bratica chats with Melissa about social emotional learning, running, and her fabulous daughter, Juliet. Robyn gives solid advice about how to be a supportive practitioner. 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...

In this episode, Melissa chats with Donna Kim, a friend from high school. Donna talks about her work in becoming a grief recovery specialist and what she is zooming in on with this new career. 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...

In this episode, Melissa interviews Monique Pillow Gnanaratnam. Monique works at Brandeis University in Massachusetts and shares her passion for family, culture, and connection. 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 fulfilling care...

In this episode, Melissa talks to Ricardo Calderon. Ricardo is a world traveler and a passionate educator. He teaches Spanish and uses project based language learning and technology to inspire his students. 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...

In this episode, Melissa talks with Phaedra Hise. Phaedra is an award-winning writer, editor, and author. Phaedra shares  the purpose of any piece of writing and the skills involved to do her work. The concept of the "value proposition" is fascinating in the context of a classroom. Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasi...

In this episode, Melissa interviews Lt. Al North , a firefighter in Rhode Island. They discuss the job of a firefighter and the parallels to teaching. Some themes that emerged were planning and preparation, teamwork, and noticing signals. Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploration, and car...

In this episode, Melissa talks to educator Kerry Gallagher about her groundbreaking work with students, teachers, and families. Kerry explains that she strives to blow up the existing models to provide valuable structures for teaching and learning. Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploratio...

In this episode, Melissa talks to Nancy Barile, punk rocker and amazing educator. Nancy shares how punk rock has shaped the way she approaches her teaching practice. 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 fulfilling careers. Educato...

In this episode, Melissa talks to three different music educators about their work teaching and inspiring students. Bri Knox works in a rural area in Wisconsin, Mel Steiger works in a suburb of Boston, and Holly Hudson works in the city in Buffalo, NY. Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-explor...

Melissa continues this short series of episodes talking to musicians and music teachers. In this episode Melissa talks to Dr. Robyn L. Bell. Dr. Bell is an established conductor and  the director of Instrumental Studies at State College in Florida. She conducts for a Pops orchestra, as well as a symphony orchestra in her community. The takeaways from this interview for teachers centers around nonv...

In this episode, Melissa interviews Nico de Villiers. Nico is a vocal coach, a pianist, and a podcaster. He talks about listening acutely and supporting students when teaching or coaching.  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...

In this bonus episode, Melissa and Tricia share that they are very happy to still be coteaching since it was in question most of the summer. They share what is working, what is challenging, and some predictions as the district phases into a hybrid model. Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-expl...

In this episode, Melissa talks to Ann Elise Record about her work with teachers, the power of running records, and the importance of helping students think creatively and flexibly about math. 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 f...

In this episode, Melissa interviews her former theater professor, Whitney White, know as Whizz to his students. Whizz shares his philosophy and pedagogy of teaching which includes encouraging students and having a deep passion for whatever you teach. Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-explorat...

In this Zooming In episode, Jack Mangan shares his experiences as a writer who has collaborated with many different talented professionals. Teachers of writing will especially enjoy this chat with Jack, but any educator can learn a lot from the writing profession and Jack's perspective. Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasi...