Shows
Worth Work PodcastThe Strike Work 4: Strike's Over!This episode offers a profound look at the transition back to the classroom, exploring the nuanced feelings and thoughts that come with resuming educational responsibilities after such a significant event.Key Highlights:Desmond's Dilemma: A Teacher's Crossroads: Peek into Desmond's inner world as he grapples with tough decisions about his teaching career. How does an educator reconcile personal well-being with professional duty?Jesse's Transformative Experience: Uncover the emotional journey Jesse undertook during the strike. What profound realizations emerged from this blend of pain, joy, and gratitude?Thriving in Adversity: Dive into the discussion on thriving post-strike...2023-12-0143 minWorth Work PodcastThe Strike Work 3 Day ELEVEN!Welcome to 'Worth Work: The Strike Work 3', it's Jesse, the Imaginer here, going solo in this episode to share some vital insights from the Portland Association of Teachers Strike. Today, we're deep in the heart of the strike, facing some tough realities regarding the recent decision Portland Public School Management about our health insurance.I'll share clips from today's rally to help us align with the themes of community health and individual well-being. This episode isn't just about listening; it's an invitation to join in a journey of understanding and contemplation.We explore the...2023-11-1715 minWorth Work PodcastThe Strike Work 2-Day TEN!Welcome back to 'Worth Work: The Strike Work 2'. I'm Desmond Spann, joined by Jesse Gardner, and today, November 15th, marks day 10 of the Portland Association of Teachers Strike.In this episode, we explore the emotional highs and lows of the strike, from the strong sense of community among educators to the looming uncertainties and fears. We delve into the recent negotiations, the complexities of union decisions, and the ongoing challenges with PPS management.This strike isn't just a protest; it's a deep dive into the systemic issues facing our education system. We're not only...2023-11-1637 minWorth Work PodcastThe Strike Work 1-Day NINE!Welcome back to 'Worth Work: The Strike Work 1'. I'm Desmond Spann, and it's been a while since we last connected through this podcast. After a hiatus of one year, we're reigniting this platform due to the unprecedented and historic nature of the Portland Association of Teachers Strike. As we enter Day 9 of this groundbreaking event, I find myself deeply immersed in the challenges and triumphs of our collective action. 2023-11-1420 min
Dynasty Sports LifeDynasty Sports Life Ep. 72 Veteran QBs on the Move with Jordan SchultzJesse welcomes Jordan Schultz of Fantasy Six Pack to talk dynasty. After some of Jordan's general thoughts on competing in fantasy football, we discuss QBs stepping into new teams or starting roles. They include Derek Carr, Baker Mayfield, Jimmy Garoppolo, Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Sa Howell, Desmond Ridder, Gardner Minshew, Anthony Richardson, Brock Purdy, and Trey Lance.Subscribe to Dynasty Sports Life for great dynasty talk about four dynasty sports.Follow on twitter at @dynsportslife. Email at dynastysportslife@gmail.com2023-05-301h 20Worth Work PodcastThe Ungrading WorkIn this episode Jesse interviews Desmond about his upgrading practices to stop using grades to have power over students but create a classroom culture increase learning through enriching classroom experiences. Desmond talks about the joyful mess of this process and in this short bonus episode there are many gems. So many gems we had to contemplate in silence and not lay down our usual freestyle at the end. Ha. Enjoy!03:02 Desmond "We want there to be an objective measurement of learning, however when you start diving deep into what learning is... the learning experience is inherently a...2022-09-2833 min
OEA GrowStudent Motivation (Extended Episode)Student motivation is the topic of this extended episode conversation with host Kayla Potter and High School Language Arts Teacher Desmond Spann. At the foundation of the discussion is the concept that motivation is a skill that ultimately must align with students’ values and interests. Desmond acknowledges the difference between internal and external motivation in the classroom and why he strives for the former over the latter.
One strategy Desmond uses for increasing intrinsic motivation is being intentional about finding out what’s important to students and showing them how what is happening in the classroom aligns with...2022-09-2839 minWorth Work PodcastThe Worth WorkWelcome! This episode invites listeners into the heart of Worth Work: story telling and practices that help us tell our stories from our depths. Desmond shares triggering experience of racism at the school he works at. The practices Desmond is immersed in help him navigate the experience, feel it deeply and authentically express himself. Take this story in like you're sipping a special beverage.01:35- What comes up for your when you think of worth work practices? 01:58- Jesse "Embracing our whole selves so that we can embrace others. In a quantum sense- 'you are...2022-09-2157 minWorth Work PodcastThe Human Connection WorkAs the school year rolls into its start, this episode is a reminder that human connection transfers real learning to students. Enjoy this episode. More show notes on the way.https://worthworkpodcast.substack.com/2022-09-0750 minWorth Work PodcastThe Systems WorkToday, in Portland Public Schools, we start planning for the year. It's a great time to think about our systems. So enjoy this episode. It's one of my favorites. -Desmond Show Notes:03:05- Desmond- "The book I pull from heavily is Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows ... and Systems Thinking for Social Change by David Peter Stroh"03:36 Desmond- "Thats when the lightbulb went off, Oh! that's why I'm good at systems thinking because its about the inner connection between all things."04:22 Desmond "The only way we can...2022-08-2457 minWorth Work PodcastThe Power WorkWorth Work in full effect. This episode focuses on the relationship of power in our teaching profession in individuals and in the system. What do we gain when we give up power? How can we shift the culture so power is more evenly distributed? A real gem in this episode is around the 30:10 mark hear a story from from a few years from students (now in college) about how they were able to shift the power dynamics at their school in a event called Time to Talk, where adults had to be the primary listeners and how that student...2022-08-1046 minWorth Work PodcastTeaching CrisisIn this episode of the Worth Work podcast the quest begins with the question: Why are teachers leaving the profession? Enter these fifty three minutes and twenty three seconds where Jesse and Desmond have a conversation and contemplate the heart of the matter. The invitation that emerges from their conversation; Worth Work is a way of being, a beneficial way to expand our humanity. Deeply knowing our own worth will help in little shifts to create conditions for justice and equity to be more present. If we dare to feel our fear, learn from it, pivot into the joy...2022-07-2753 minWorth Work PodcastThe Inner WorkThis episode of the Worth Work podcast Desmond and Jesse investigate the importance of inner work for creating racial justice in ourselves and our school communities. Desmond shares the background about where the name of this podcast; Worth Work- came from. To summarize briefly- the process of liberating ourselves from ubiquitousness of shame begins by claiming our inherent worth that comes from simply being alive. Dominant systems at play want us to continue operating as though our worth comes from what we produce. Let's do the inner work my friends- the work to create our purpose outside the status...2022-07-1353 minWorth Work PodcastThe Racial Identity WorkRacial Identity In this episode, we explore the work of racial Identity, and our discussion reveals Desmond's resistance to this episode. Jesse shares a nutshell version of his racial autobiography as a white man. We are working not to get cookies for doing the right thing. We are doing this work to be more fully human. The paradigm is shifting, balance is coming, and shame wants to stop us from the full embrace. We all have a unique part to play in dismantling white body supremacy in our society, and enter into the...2022-06-2944 minWorth Work PodcastThe Define WorkDefining EquityIn this episode, we explore a dynamic definition of equity, and our discussion springboards from a collage of quotes from our colleagues. Join us as we build off our first episode about the artform of teaching and use an artful lens to get into the nitty-gritty of racial equity. The paradigm is shifting, balance is coming, and shame wants to stop us from the full embrace. We all have a unique part to play in dismantling white body supremacy in our society, and enter into the discussion of what that can look like for us...2022-06-1555 minWorth Work PodcastThe Art WorkThe Art of TeachingSummary: Welcome to our first Worth Work podcast! This episode we focus on seeing the vocation of teaching as an art form. Using this podcast as a canvas we paint with quotes, clips from empathy interviews of colleagues, a guided meditation, storytelling, insights, and end with a freestyle rap using the key words and phrases of this episode. Our hope is to bring infectious energy to help you energize your approach to teaching. Enjoy! 0:00- Intro song and summary01:35: "To practice any art no matter how well or how b...2022-06-0142 min