Shows
The EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything Education88. How To Make STEM Accessible Across Subject Areas with Spencer SharpThis week on the Edverything Podcast, we welcome Spencer Sharp, also known as @sharpthebuilder
Spencer found himself in a unique situation back in his first year of teaching - to build something from nothing, and if you thought his name hinted at something, you’re right- @sharpthebuilder reflects Spencer’s path as he was approached by his school leadership to build a STEM curriculum from scratch with limited supplies and funding, and he certainly did!
Spencer sits down with us to talk about his experience as a 1-person department, his philosophy on failure, and his mission to make STEM accessible no m...2020-10-2900 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything Education87. Challenging Student and Teacher Assumptions about Note-TakingIt feels like now more than ever educators are reexamining classroom practices and procedures with a different lens; enter: 2020-2021 school year. An ever-changing learning environment calls on teachers to get creative especially when it comes to traditional classroom procedures like student note-taking. This week, Danielle and Nicole challenging student and teacher assumptions about note-taking as they ask 3 major questions and identify valuable criteria when deciding on a new note-taking approach.
In this episode you'll hear 3 key questions every teacher should ask oneself:
1. Does the style and organization matter?
2. ...2020-10-1500 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything Education86. Tumbling Head-first Into a Successful Science Podcast with Marshall EscamillaMany edupreneurs find themselves creating classroom resources to sell to other time-strapped educators. Marshall and his wife, Lindsay, decided to start a podcast, not for their fellow teachers or teacher side hustlers, but in an area where they saw a real lack: inspiring science education content. Combining Lindsay’s background in science journalism with Marshall’s passion for teaching middle school and his musical talent, the couple started Tumble, a self-described “science podcast for kids, to be enjoyed by the entire family.” In this episode, Marshall explains the process for creating each episode, how they gained the attention of brands e...2020-10-0800 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything Education85. The Why and How of Starting a Teacher PodcastThough going into the field of education was the single biggest career choice that we’ve made, starting our podcast 3 years ago has become a very close second. Starting a teacher podcast was a literal game changer for us. Without it, we would still be dreaming of one day becoming teacherpreneurs. As proud teacher side hustlers, we know that there are plenty of decisions that need to be made at any given point, but we can also say from experience that choosing the right platform for releasing your regular content is one that can really make all the difference. Podcasting ha...2020-10-0156 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything Education84. A Practical Guide to Getting the Student Behavior Outcomes Your Classroom Needs with BCBA Maria HeltonThough teaching can feel like a rather solitary profession at times, more and more educators are realizing the benefits of working with their fellow teachers. Whether schools assign a co-teacher or encourage us to work with a team, we establish formal or informal mentorship relationships with those within our own district or teachers that we follow on Instagram, or we simply regularly listen to education-focused podcasts or attend virtual PD, nowadays, the opportunities to network and learn from other instructors seem endless.
But we shouldn’t rely on our peers alone to help make our classrooms thrive. Yo...2020-09-2439 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything Education83. Building Close Connections With Parents, Even from a Distance: Rethinking Back To School NightIn some ways, our sudden foray into remote instruction has forced us to re-examine the ways in which things have always been done in education, allowing motivated teachers the space to reinvent practices that had become standard but that could be improved with the technology now at our disposal. Perhaps more than any other single aspect of education, virtual learning necessitates a close connection with parents who are instrumental in the educational process but who can be difficult to cultivate relationships with when we don’t see them in the course of everyday interactions or due to a pandemic and so...2020-09-1738 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything Education82. Leveraging the Layers: Making Multiple Streams of Income as an Edupreneur with Erica TerryThough number of years in the profession, grade level taught, and location all have a significant bearing on the exact number, a recent Business Insider article published found that nationwide “the average public school teacher salary for the 2018-2019 school year was $61,730.” As a result, it is no surprise that so many teachers are trying to leverage their many skills into finding a profitable side hustle in order to make the most of their talents and to help them pay down students loans, make mortgage payments, or to start a retirement fund. While the allure of teacherpreneurship is obvious, the path...2020-09-1033 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 81: Pitch, Please: The Teacherpreneur’s Guide to PitchingAs Summit and podcast hosts, we know a thing or two about pitching. We both receive and make pitches all the time. Based on what we’ve seen first hand, we are breaking down some of the most important things to keep in mind in order to put together a quality pitch.
In episode 80, we talked about the homework that should be done behind the scenes before sending out that pitch so that when your message or application gains attention, those hosts are impressed with what they see from you in #alltheplaces. And while that ep...2020-05-2825 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 80: Teacher Influencer Resume RefreshAs the school year starts to wind down and distance learning becomes the new norm, it seems there is no better time than the present for self-reflection and a #teacherinfluencer resume revamp. In this episode you'll hear:
Why the size of your audience isn't your single defining characteristic
Why attending a virtual summit is a perfect opportunity to earn the Professional Development you've been wanting
The *homework* you need to do before you hit "apply"
How to strategize and make the most of...2020-05-1424 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 79: Success Stories: How To Show Off Student Work (When You Don’t Have a Bulletin Board)Why showcase student work—and why not use the bulletin board
Sends the message that you value student work
Makes students collaborators in the shared space
Reinforces the idea that the teacher isn't necessarily the only audience
Gives others a glimpse into your classroom and what you are working on
Time to think outside the traditional bulletin board
Bulletin boards might be the most common method for displaying student work-- but that doesn't make it the only way to show what students can produce
Re-doing bulletin boards isn't exactly a fun task/Using ways outside of...2020-04-3029 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 78: 5 ways to make your virtual classroom feel like home—for you and your studentsAs the new normal of working from home actually begins to feel a bit more normal, it may be time to make our digital classrooms feel a little bit more like the home away from home our physical classrooms have always been. So many teachers pride themselves on making their classrooms a comfortable, welcoming space, full of personality, and inspiration. But can we say the same for our virtual classrooms? Though this may have been overlooked when the sudden transition to remote learning occurred, now that it seems likely that many schools will be settling into distance learning for...2020-04-2324 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 77: Remote Learning Project Idea: Using Virtual Summits in the Virtual ClassroomDanielle & Nicole are here to discuss their favorite topic - virtual summits! Whether you're curious about the behind the scenes end of creating a the #totalteachersummit or you're seriously considering implementing a virtual summit in your classroom this school year, Danielle & Nicole are here to walk you through the "How-To" of virtual summit creation.
When you listen to episode 46 you know why a virtual classroom meet-up is worthwhile, and today we're building on that point, bringing you the how. In just 9 easy steps, we break down questions to ask yourself, factors to consider, and potential...2020-04-1644 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 76: Routines for Remote LearningWhen school is in session, whether knowingly or not, you likely have a routine. That set of tasks you do regularly, perhaps even unconsciously, from the time you wake up through your commute and continue straight through til the final bell rings and you head home for the day. And while everyone’s typical routine may look a little different, the COVID 19 outbreak has almost certainly caused a major disruption to your daily schedule. With the sudden shift to remote learning, you may feel like you are at a loss for how to manage your time and what to pr...2020-04-0928 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 75: Going the Distance: Successful Strategies for Remote Learning from Virtual Elementary’s Cara PiperIn the midst of the coronavirus, as so many schools have begun online instruction, it seems like we all became virtual teachers overnight, figuring out how to translate our lessons to the online space. And while we are all still adjusting to our new normal, now more than ever it is great to get advice from someone who is a pro at this, literally, as online instruction is the way she delivers all her lessons. Cara Piper is a traditional classroom teacher turned online kindergarten teacher for Florida Virtual School.
Whether you love online teaching and want...2020-04-0235 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 74: Time Saving Tech, Techniques & Templates That Still Work (Even During Remote Learning)When a lesson is going really well, it seems like time absolutely flies by. But how often have we had that same sensation, not knowing where the time went, when our daily prep period comes to an end--yet you have nothing to show for it?
We want to instill time management skills in our students, but if we are being truly honest with ourselves, we don’t always use our own as strategically as possible. When unexpected parent emails, makeup exams, and copying machine jams come up, we too often resort to dealing with what is ur...2020-03-2641 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 73: A Prime Example: An Amazon Storefront Side Hustle with Brooke HubbardFor many motivated teacherpreneurs, we strive to be successful in the classroom and online. But for so many teacher side hustlers, the latter half only takes one form, and that’s TeachersPayTeachers. Like many entrepreneurs, Brooke wanted to explore what multiple streams of income look like rather than limiting herself to the traditional classroom/TpT combo. For Brooke, the natural extension of her classroom lessons was to create and curate an Amazon Storefront.
Brooke’s Instagram account, like her Amazon storefront, is all-encompassing. You won’t find just Classroom Transformation products there. Brooke realized that serving all of a t...2020-03-1225 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 72: Mentor Opportunities from Virtually Anywhere: How To Be an Outstanding Digital MenteeAs teachers, we wear many hats: educator, support system, advocate, mentor. But how many of us--even knowing the benefits--participate actively in a relationship in which we are being mentored?
It goes without saying that we are big proponents of on-going professional development--after all, it's why we host The Total Teacher Summit each year. But many teachers mistakenly don't realize that being part of a mentor/mentee relationship can be an extension of that type of PD. It can be a way to combat the isolation so common in the field of education. It can be a way...2020-03-0526 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 71: Showcasing and Celebrating Inclusivity—Inside and Out Of The Classroom with SLP Macy GilsonMake sure to tell your story; your followers want to see you. It’s the advice that we hear time and time again when it comes to Instagram.
For Speech and Language Pathologist Macy Gilson, the individuals that she helps find their voice are a critical part of her story and the word she wants to spread, and nowhere is that more obvious than in her online presence on Instagram and the web. Nowadays, the word Instagram is nearly synonymous with the word influence. But what exactly are we trying to do with that influence?
As...2020-02-2739 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 70: Permission Granted: The Why and How of Promoting Your Teacher Side HustleWhen it comes to your #teachersidehustle, there are so many parts that come naturally; necessity sparks innovation which inspires great ideas and produces even better products. But when it comes to talking about those products, sometimes nothing could feel less natural. "Self-promotion" is one of the most challenging and critically important aspects of marketing that #teachersidehustle. In this episode you'll hear:
The Why of Promoting Yourself Online
Building your resume for what’s next for you/crossing those other items off your bucket list
Extra $ to help keep you in the classroom—and in the life...2020-02-2037 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 69: From Posts to Products: A Guilt Free Guide to Leveraging School to Fuel Your Side HustleIf you are living the teacherpreneur lifestyle, you are potentially facing burnout on two fronts. Both teaching and entrepreneurship are time-consuming and energy-intensive efforts, evident in the high attrition rates in the field of education as well as the dismal percentage of small businesses that ever reach success. With so much to do and so much stacked against us, why are so many of making our lives that much more difficult by seeing teaching and our side hustle as separate rather than linked activities? With this simple mindset shift, we can save time and energy without making any sacrifices...2020-02-1329 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 68: Looking Legit: DIY Brand Photoshoot for TeacherpreneursWe teach our students not to judge a book by its cover, but if we are being completely honest, we probably aren’t living what we preach when it comes to how we act online. Even though intellectually we realize that we may be missing out on great teaching insight in a long-form IG caption, a blog post linked to from Pinterest, or a TpT product, without an appealing visual to accompany it, it will almost certainly be overlooked.
It’s time other teachers stop missing out on all you have to offer online. It’s time to get...2020-02-0634 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 67: Personally Speaking: Showcasing Your Personality In and Out of the ClassroomWhether you are looking to make an impact in the classroom or on social media, being a teacher is all about making connections. But in order to do that, you need to put yourself out there, and though that may sound simple, for many of us, that act is no easy feat. In a helping-oriented industry, it can seem like talking about yourself is a way of putting yourself first, but that isn’t accurate. Those who already want to learn from you will only like and trust you more when you let them know who you ar...2020-01-3035 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 66: Classrooms That Work: Beyond Class Jobs with Thom GibsonEven with an increase in emphasis on career and college readiness, when will we ever use this is one of those perpetual complaints we hear from students. It can be difficult to find time to meet all the standards while preparing students for standardized tests, leaving little room for covering some of the real-world skills that we know students need-- but don’t know where along the way they will learn them. But Thom Gibson proves that we can cover some real-life financial literacy no matter what age group or subject you teach, all the while improving cl...2020-01-2355 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 65: Time Saving Tech, Techniques, and TemplatesWhen a lesson is going really well, it seems like time absolutely flies by. But how often have we had that same sensation, not knowing where the time went, when our daily prep period comes to an end--yet you have nothing to show for it?
We want to instill time management skills in our students, but if we are being truly honest with ourselves, we don’t always use our own as strategically as possible. When unexpected parent emails, makeup exams, and copying machine jams come up, we too often resort to dealing with what is ur...2020-01-1639 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 64: Best In Class: Leveraging Successful Side Hustles to Sustain Strong Classrooms with Mandy RiceThose in education know that teacher attrition rates are alarmingly high. Inadequate preparation, unrealistic expectations, and little support early on are only a fraction of why people flee from the field. With meager salaries, long hours of lesson planning and grading, and the ever-changing standards and requirements on one hand and the seemingly endless opportunities presented by the internet on the other, the lure of leaving the classroom behind seems a pull too strong to resist, removing some of the best from this career path.
Mandy is on a mission to help great teachers right where they...2020-01-0942 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 63: Wonderful, Wonder-filled Classrooms for Any Age Group with Ashley BibleAs educators, our goal is to have students learn, but what does learning actually look like? English teacher and workshop creator Ashley Bible has always felt like real learning doesn’t have the traditional look of students quietly sitting at a desk in rows; in fact, nowadays you’ll find her students striking yoga poses while performing close readings and creating art inspired by the literature instead of always writing about it. While her strong pedagogical beliefs didn’t align with the first district she was hired by and ultimately ended up costing her that position, Ashley’s ability to add t...2019-12-191h 01The EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 62: Our Favorite (Tech) Things 2019 EditionWhether it is helping us save time, adding an interesting new spin to an otherwise routine classroom activity, or allowing us to make our classrooms a little greener, we can’t get enough of technology. Hardly an episode goes by when we don’t reference at least one piece of technology we’ve been using, but in today’s episode, tech takes center stage.
In today’s episode, we count down our tried and true favorite tech things of 2019. While we certainly aren’t abandoning our perpetual go to’s (Socrative and Kahoot will always have a place in our l...2019-12-1233 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 61: Thriving by Design: Educator Wellness & Student Reading Fluency with Melissa TallmanNow more than ever, teachers have a lot on their plate. In addition to the regular responsibilities of lesson planning and grading, additional pressures to foster classroom community, focus on student wellness, increase standardized test scores, and keep up with the competitive Instagram teacher community can leave anyone feeling stressed and pulled in many different directions. But Melissa wants to help teachers feel more in control, helping them use their time more effectively by offering high quality, research-based curriculum products and actionable advice so teachers no longer just get by but truly thrive in the classroom each and every...2019-12-0547 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 60: Order in the Classroom: Organizing Your Classroom for Success with Kelly JacksonEpisode 60 is here— and with it, we have a very special guest! Leadoff Total Teacher Summit presenter and absolute organization guru Kelly Jackson comes to us all the way from Germany to give us her best advice when it comes to getting your classroom in order— and keeping it that way.
In our interview with Kelly, we chat all about how to troubleshoot common trouble areas in the classroom in terms of organization. Whether you work with little kids or big kids, students (and teachers!) require a lot of stuff— and it is up to you to make s...2019-11-2136 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 59: Baby Steps: How Motherhood Has Changed My Teaching Routine featuring Danielle JohnsonFor many new mothers, heading back to the classroom after maternity leave presents new challenges and many changes. Tune in as Danielle shares her experience and major takeaways from the lense of a new mom and experienced teacher.
In this episode, you'll hear how Danielle:
Broke bad habits
Created more realistic timelines/expectations for herself and her students
Developed more strategic, streamlined grading
Leveraged technology
Utilized resources others have already made
Links mentioned:
The grading system created by Emily Aierstok of @readitwriteitlearnit
https...2019-11-1439 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 58: Getting the Most From the Pre & Post Observation ConferencesTeacher Observation season is upon us, and no matter your experience level in the classroom, the fact is, having another adult in the classroom can make even the most seasoned teachers feel a sense of nervousness.
In this episode, Danielle & Nicole discuss the aspects of teacher observations that often get overlooked: the pre-conference and post-conference. For many, these short meetings are seen as yet another check on the to-do list that holds little to no real value. Well, not for Danielle & Nicole who recognize this meeting as an opportunity to learn and progress as...2019-11-0738 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 57: Teacher Turned Visibility Coach: a Conversation with Alissa McDonaldFor many of us, making our students feel seen and heard is a major priority. After all, we want them to feel valued and to know what they have to offer matters. While it may be easy for ourselves, as the educator in the front of the room, to recognize what we bring to the table inside the classroom, when we leave that environment and enter the supersaturated, competitive space that is Instagram for Teachers, we may find ourselves feeling a bit lost in a sea of seemingly similar voices. How can we find our specialty and deliver our...2019-10-3141 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 56: From Small Biz Summit to the ClassroomThis week Danielle & Nicole debrief after Nicole's experience at Create & Cultivate's first-ever Small Business Summit.
As blossoming small business owners ourselves, we're always seeking the opportunity to communicate, connect and learn alongside others especially in the presence of the greats (um, hellooo Marie Forleo!) Nicole took the opportunity to join 500 other small business owners on their journey. This all-day NYC event featured icons like Courtney Quinn, Arielle Loren, Puno Dostres, Lisa Price, Sophia Bush and Stacey London, and of course, Jaclyn Johnson.
In this episode, Danielle interviews Nicole on her experience...2019-10-2443 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 55: Teacher Side Hustle 101 with Stacey OgdenThis week on the Edverything Podcast, we feature Stacey Ogden, the founder of @SideHustleTeachers. Stacey is a veteran music educator turned blogger turned podcaster, turned edupreneur coach. Stacey is an incredible example of owning her role as a teacher, but not allowing this to define every aspect of her life so that she can fully embrace her multiple passions and encourage others to do the same (and maybe make a little extra income along the way!)
Stacey created a free online community which allows her to deep dive with teachers who want to start a business...2019-10-1745 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 54: The New Student Welcome WagonWelcoming those students who, for whatever reason, have joined your class late can be a real challenge. You want to help them adjust to the new class environment and community but may not have time to familiarize them with your classroom set up and the students there in the same way you could at the beginning of the year when everyone was in a new situation. In order to be ready and welcoming to students no matter when they join your classroom, here are some steps you can take to make the transition process as smooth as possible— for yo...2019-10-1033 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 53: The Big Picture: Advice from a School Admin Turned Children’s Book Author, Nicole HoyeTeacher burnout is a real problem in education. Some of our guests have regained their passion for the field by changing grade levels or using their TpT store to spark renewed interest in education. Nicole Hoye, an elementary teacher in Canada, took a different path— but one that is sure to inspire others to similarly fall back in love with teaching.
In this episode, Nicole Hoye vulnerably discloses the exact emotions that she was feeling which led her to think that maybe she was no longer the teacher she would want her own child to have—and...2019-10-0351 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 52: A Message from the Tech DepartmentDanielle & Nicole are here with a very special message from a very special guest. This week, we feature an expert on all things IT, technology in schools, classroom tech troubleshooting, and more. We were lucky enough to sit down with Mike, who is our in house technology guru, and more widely known as Danielle's husband!
We asked you responded. When we reached out to our Instagram community about some of their biggest technology flops, the responses came rolling in. We heard the bad and the ugly when it comes to unexpected technology fails, but we're...2019-09-2656 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 51: Technical DifficultiesAfter celebrating their 1 year podcasting anniversary (!!!) Danielle & Nicole are here to share some of the not so comfortable parts of teaching - dealing with technical difficulties. While every teacher has had their fair share of tech-horror stories, more than half the battle is learning how to remain calm during these potentially stressful situations. Danielle and Nicole break-down some of the common technical difficulties they've experienced in their classrooms over the years and the ways they've learned to trouble-shoot and keep their cool.
In this episode you'll hear:
-Making sure students know how...2019-09-1933 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 50: 5 Rules of Thumb For The Traveling TeacherDanielle and Nicole are back with their 50th episode! Woo-hoo! And while we're excited to reach this benchmark, we're back to business discussing what it's like to be a teacher "on the move". Nicole has done her fair share of traveling between classrooms, and shares her 5 rules of thumb for making these classroom transitions as seamless as possible.
Rule of Thumb #1:
Shoutout to our pal and fellow podcaster, Kelly Jackson @thesimiplyorganizedteacher for this quote; "Everything needs to have a home".
— organizational tools at home base and in teacher bag
— back...2019-09-1230 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 49: Ideas For Remembering 9/11 In The High School ClassroomWhile using holidays as a source of inspiration for lessons is a common practice in the lower grades, tackling a day as serious as 9/11 can yield important and productive teaching moments at the high school level. While some may shy away from this topic, it is possible to incorporate a respectful and meaningful lesson on Sept. 11 that connects and enhances the curriculum for your subject area discipline.
Why Discuss 9/11 in the Classroom
1| Nearly all students in k-12 education now were born after Sept. 11, 2001 and those that were alive were much too young to have...2019-09-0526 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 48: 3 Things We're Leaving Behind This School YearNew year, new me...well, sort of! Danielle & Nicole debrief after the Total Teacher Summit 2019 and share how watching more than 20+ talks put on by experts from around the world really changed their perspectives as the new school year approaches. In hearing talks that ranged from best practices for teacher self-care to automizing systems in your classroom to ultimately take less work home with you, it's safe to say that there were many major takeaways from this weekend.
If you'd like to gain access to these talks and get your hands on exclusive content provided...2019-08-2931 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 47: How To Host a Virtual Summit In the Classroom in 9 StepsDanielle & Nicole are here to discuss their favorite topic - virtual summits! Whether you're curious about the behind the scenes end of creating a the #totalteachersummit or you're seriously considering implementing a virtual summit in your classroom this school year, Danielle & Nicole are here to walk you through the "How-To" of virtual summit creation.
When you listen to episode 46 you know why a virtual classroom meet-up is worthwhile, and today we're building on that point, bringing you the how. In just 9 easy steps, we break down questions to ask yourself, factors to consider, and...2019-08-2241 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 46: Are You Ready to Host a Virtual Summit? Here's Why This is Your Next Perfect Classroom ProjectYou know that you need to make your students give presentations. Being able to present is a lifeskill they need to have and it may even be part of your Common Core Standards. But oral presentations might inspire you with just as much dread as your students. Whether you are filled with trepidation knowing how anxiety-ridden some of your students will get at at the thought of standing in front of the class, exasperation at the monotonous subject matter that too often fills the speeches, or downright resentment as you watch the rest of the class tuning out the...2019-08-1522 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 45: How To Get the Most Out of Attending a Virtual SummitWe're back again to discuss our favorite topic...virtual summits! As you likely already know, the Total Teacher Summit is our all virtual, all free teacher conference chock full of 20+ presenters over 2 days covering 10+ categories! Today we're diving deeper into how to get the most out of attending any virtual summit, regardless of the subject area or topic.
Here are some key pieces to keep in mind:
Register and mark it in your calendar. We will also send you reminder emails about the talks/topics you said you were interested in!
Tell...2019-08-0833 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 44: Why Attend A Virtual SummitWe tackled many of the most common questions we’ve gotten in this episode of the EDverything Podcast, but we wanted to include some of those answers— and more— right here as well!
-Where is the summit taking place?
Online. Completely online. No hotel stay or plane ticket required! Enjoy all the summit has to offer from the comfort of your own home!
-I’ve never attended a virtual summit before. If the summit is all online, do I need a webcam to be an attendee?
Absolutely not! &nb...2019-08-0122 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 43: Summer Playlist Series: Organizing Seats, Stuff & SchedulesOrganization is on the top of our minds—that is what we’ve been doing! The Total Teacher Summit is keeping us busy, and we are organization central! Scheduling talks, coordinating with our nearly 2 dozen speakers at this point—it can be a lot to manage.
But we know that we aren’t the only ones that have to think about organization…as we approach August, now is the time to start thinking about all the systems to put into place, because, honestly, if you think things will just fall into place…they won’t. You need to be intentio...2019-07-2511 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 42: Summer Playlist Series: Creating Great Activities and AssessmentsPlaylist 4: Creating great activities and assessments
Do your classroom activities or assessments need a makeover for the 2019 school year? After you’ve considered how you will get to know your students in those first few days and weeks (listen to last week’s recommendations in playlist 3 for help with that), it’s time to think about how to create lesson plans and assessments that work for you and your students. Whether it’s how much class time to dedicate to a particular topic, how to give assessments that challenge each individual student, or how to make students...2019-07-1815 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 41: Summer Playlist Series: Getting to Know Your StudentsWith July in full swing, many teachers start thinking about the upcoming school year. As thoughts about the approaching school year, concerns about getting to know an entirely different group of students may start to creep in. Getting to know our students is one of our top priorities in those first days and weeks, but how can we do so in a way that is effective? Amanda, Janelle, and Kayla share what you need to know to get to know those new kiddos—and strategies that help you see what they really need right from the start
...2019-07-1119 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 40: Summer Playlist Series: TpT TipsWeek 2 of the summer series has us turning our attention to TpT
We've had a little bit of time to relax and recover from the end of the school year sprint
Last week, we featured episodes about teacher wellness and getting routines down to help you stay happy and healthy, a great foundation for getting in a routine to work from home— which can be easier said than done
If you aren’t working during the summer, your mind might be thinking about how to make a little extra cash
Whether you have yet to open your TpT store or you...2019-07-0410 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 39: Summer Playlist Series: Teacher WellnessKicking off the Summer Series: Teacher Wellness
Summer is synonymous with taking it easy— but that doesn’t mean doing absolutely nothing. In fact, that is a recipe to leave you feeling completely exhausted when the school year does roll around
Start doing some of the prep this summer to get you into routines that will feel like second nature by the time the next school year begins
Ep 22 with Amanda Murtaugh
She explains why you might be feeling so exhausted—and it’s not just the hours of grading that could be...2019-06-2711 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 38: Our Favorite Moments From Season 1In the finale of season one, Danielle and Nicole have their most difficult task yet: selecting their most memorable moments from the first year of podcasting. With so many great interviews and takeaways, picking just a handful of sound bites for a second listen was no easy task. Along with listener nominated favorite sound bites, Danielle and Nicole each pick their top 3 and explain why they stuck out in their minds.
Mentioned in this episode
-The Summer Series Playlist being published each week of July
-The Total Teacher Summit
-Michele Hamilton2019-06-2034 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 37: Genuinely You to Genuine Growth: Building Your Brand Expertly and Authentically with Amanda ThompsonIn our longest and last interview of season 1 of the podcast, Danielle and Nicole talk to Amanda Thompson of Thompson’s Teachings. Jersey native Amanda is a 1st grade teacher and a branding expert, and though she has a natural eye for design, she firmly believes that great branding is so much more than fonts and a color scheme. Amanda has built a devoted following on Instagram, and she runs the thriving Facebook group Instagram Connection for Educators. Amanda put in the time to make personal connections and in both spaces, Amanda leads by example. She sh...2019-06-131h 01The EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 36: 5 Biggest End of School Year Mistakes and How To Avoid Them How can we end the school year strong when 180 days can sometimes feel like a real test of our endurance? When summer is so close you feel like you can taste it, you are susceptible to these 5 common mistakes. Learn where many teachers go wrong so you can avoid these missteps and end the year on a high note. After all, at the end of the school year, there often is no time to for second chances.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
-How absences tend to stack up
-What to make su...2019-06-0628 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 35: Reluctant To Rockstar Writers with Pam OlivieriAfter 26 years in the classroom, Pam Olivieri of @rockinresources is an expert at reaching students by speaking their language. An elementary educator by trade, Pam’s ability to take a different approach towards a subject that many students and teachers tend to shy away from—writing—makes those around her take notice. Pam values quality over quantity, making her take on the writing process radically different from what is too often accepted as the status quo.
In this episode, Danielle and Nicole talk to Pam about what first got her started with TeachersPayTeachers, why she has decide...2019-05-3043 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 34: It's About Time: Meet Your Hosts, Danielle & Nicole An episode an entire school year in the making, Danielle and Nicole finally open up about themselves! After more than 30 episodes and a dozen interviews, co-hosts Danielle and Nicole discuss how they got into teaching, how their friendship developed, and why they opted to start a podcast— even though it was something that was far out of their comfort zones.
After all this time, we share our own answers to some of our most common interview questions. From why Nicole decided to teach Spanish to Danielle’s first online teaching business, we share it all. We r...2019-05-2338 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 33: Making Success Your Business: TpT Is a Business, Not a Hobby with Hayley CainAccording to the TeachersPayTeachers website, 5 million educators used TpT in the previous year alone. While it is easy to start a store and plenty of reasons to do so, as Yari Aguili described in episode 19, there can be a large gap between those who have opened a store and those who are on track to replace their full time income exclusively with what they make on TpT.
In today’s episode, Danielle and Nicole welcome Hayley Cain of ActivityAfterMath back to the show, this time to share her expertise in terms of growing your TpT business li...2019-05-1642 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 32: Classroom Spring Cleaning: What To Do This Spring to Help You Get Summer-ReadyIt isn’t just students daydreaming of the summer in the last few days of school. Teachers, too, may start to mentally check out, and the last thing you will want to think about it getting yourself organized. Cleaning out your classroom at the end of the year can be a very time consuming endeavor, and even if you’ve spent hours putting everything into boxes, bins, and binders, there is little guarantee you have done it in a way to set yourself up for a successful fall when summer is so close you can taste it. Util...2019-05-0922 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 31: Seat Yourself: How Flexible Seating Can Be Successful In the Classroom with Nicki DingraudoA simple search on Pinterest or a scroll through an educator’s Instagram feed clearly demonstrates that flexible seating continues to be all the rage in classrooms across the United States. But beyond the envy-worthy images, does flexible seating truly work for teachers and students? Can it work for all age groups? Do students (and teachers) actually benefit from this new arrangement?
How do teachers get started giving students the choice of where to sit?
In today’s episode, Danielle and Nicole welcome Nicki Dingraudo of the SprinkleToppedTeacher, the second grade teacher behind the 20 Minute Sub Plan, back to the show to...2019-05-0232 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 30: A How-To Guide For Being A Good Mentor/MenteeWhen it comes to a teacher mentor/mentee dynamic, relationships can look many different ways. To start, there are the individuals assigned to help those who are new to the school setting, then there are those who seek help on their own terms for advice and feedback. Like any healthy relationship, communication is key, which is why this week, Danielle and Nicole highlight the many pieces to consider when entering into a strong mentor/mentee relationship.
- How to get the help you need (hint *it has everything to do with how you ask*)
- How to set parameters for yo...2019-04-1825 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 29: Engaging Transformations: Inspiring Students and Teachers To Get Started with Kayla DessertThe best teachers recognize that they have the power to inspire others by transforming the space—and even the people—around them. Some, like Kayla Dessert of SweetestTeacher.com, realized this from a young age and demonstrates how she is able to naturally connect, pique curiosity, and initiate do-able challenges in order to promote learning and personal development.
In this week’s episode, Danielle and Nicole talk to Kayla, a 6th grade teacher who has an innate talent for finding ways to motivate those around her. She explains how coming from a family of teachers helped inspire her—an...2019-04-1142 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 28: 7 Things I Did As a New Teacher That I Wouldn't Do NowThis week, Danielle and Nicole reflect on what it was like to be new to the classroom, and the habits and decisions they made as new and eager teachers. Danielle and Nicole have different levels of teaching experience and roads that led them to the classroom, but, they have one thing in common: the many decisions they made as first year teachers that they simply wouldn’t do again. Having recently made a transition to a new school, Nicole is speaks about the many emotions and challenges associated with being new to a school setting, and how this change ha...2019-04-0422 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 27: Busting Boredom: Creating Choice Boards That Leaves Students Wanting More with Kristin YannWe hear so much about personalized learning, but how do we actually achieve this and make that learning visible? Kristin Yann of @Schoolandthecity has figured out how to do just that—in a way that leaves fellow teachers impressed and students begging for more!
In this week’s episode, Danielle and Nicole talk to Kristin, a 3rd grade teacher who has drawn upon her background training with gifted students to address the needs of all learners in her elementary ed classroom. What started as a way to augment the social studies and science resources that were lack...2019-03-2828 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 26: Leaving Your Classroom In Good Hands: Setting Your Class Up for Success with a Long Term SubFor most educators, being a classroom teacher is vital to our identity to the extent that it may even seem impossible to imagine our classrooms without us. However, circumstances may arise when you need to step away from the classroom. While most teachers have had to use the occasional personal day or sick day, for those dealing with a longer term health situation, like a planned surgery, or stepping into a new life stage, like becoming a parent, you may find yourself coming to terms with the fact that you may be spending weeks or months away...2019-03-2131 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 25: Successfully Skipping a Grade: When To Move To a New Grade Level— and How To Do It Well with Heather PlanchonAre you itching for a change? If one of the reasons you were initially drawn to education as a profession was that you thrive off of being in an atmosphere that is different every day, just a few short years in, you may start to feel doubt regarding your career choice. While some educators love honing their craft in one grade level and relish the opportunity to iterate year after year, others, like Heather Planchon of The Primary Party find this draining and find themselves questioning what to do next.
In this week’s episode, Danielle an...2019-03-1436 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 24: Sources Of And Solutions For Student Stress: An Interview with Amanda Murtaugh, LMHPWhether intentionally or inadvertently, students can be a large cause of teacher stress. But what causes student stress? While many teachers might immediately assume homework, friends, and tests— the things that students complain about most— this does not encompass the full scope of the most common stressors that students may be dealing with. As teachers, we want what is best for our students and to provide them with the tools they need to be successful. In order to do that, we need to investigate the top sources of student stress and find solutions to troubleshoot each...2019-03-0748 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 23: From Attending to Presenting: Getting the Most from Education Conferences with Ashlyn EllsworthAs teachers, we are always looking to improve our classrooms and our lessons. While our fellow colleagues at school, images on Pinterest, and suggestions from social media are all a great place to start, there is nothing quite like in-person, live conferences to foster genuine connections and to hear about pioneering practices that can be applied in our school districts. But attending a conference, let alone presenting your own ideas at one, may seem so intimidating that too many of us don’t give this invaluable professional development experience a chance.
In this week’s epis...2019-02-2830 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 22: Time, Tasks, & Trauma: Troubleshooting Common Teacher Stressors with Amanda Murtaugh, LMHPTeaching can be an incredibly stressful profession. Balancing work/home life, consistently and fairly managing your classroom, and creating engaging lesson plans only scratch the surface of the multitude of stressful situations that teachers must navigate daily. Teachers are problem solvers, and as a result, many of us have devised some coping mechanisms to help us deal with the stress that we regularly encounter. Getting the insight of a mental health professional, however, can help us.
Danielle’s long-time friend Amanda Murtaugh is a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner specializing in the intersection of psychology and education. Amanda ha...2019-02-2139 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 21: Curriculum That Motivates (And Reignites Your Passion For Teaching!) with Emily Aierstok How can you set not only your students but also yourself up for long term success in the classroom? How do you create a classroom that you look forward to walking into day after day and year after year?
Emily Aierstok is an educator with an impressive resume that demonstrates that she is both an expert in her subject matter as well as authority on all matters in the classroom. In a field with a reputation for burnout, Emily stands out. She has worked at the same school, teaching 7th grade ELA for seventeen years...2019-02-1440 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 20: 5 Ways Your Students Are Cheating Right NowCheating in schools is nothing new, but the who and how of cheating seems to be changing.
In today's episode, Danielle and Nicole discuss some staggering statistics as awareness is the first step of addressing this widespread problem before delving into some strategies students are using to get away with academic dishonesty.
When it comes to cheating, technology can be a double edged sword. While we have more resources to help us detect or prevent cheating, students also have more access to tools that make cheating easier than ever. In this episode, we discuss 5 ways...2019-02-0728 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 19: Why You Should Be on TpT— and How To Get Started Today with Yari Aguilu You’ve heard of TeachersPayTeachers. You may have even purchased products from there or downloaded a free piece of content from someone else’s store. Maybe you’ve even flirted with the idea of opening your own—but something has always prevented you from taking that leap. This episode is exactly what you need to hear and gives you the exact steps to take so you can finally start selling your teaching resources on this lucrative platform.
Yari Aguilu makes a strong case for why selling on TpT can be a rewarding experience, both financially and personal...2019-01-3129 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 18: Teaching Effectively- Even When You Hate The TopicWhat is the chapter of the book or the unit in your curriculum map that fills you with a sense of dread—the topic that if you could, you would entirely cut out or skip? While this is sure to vary depending on the age group you serve and the discipline you are in, almost invariably something will have jumped to mind immediately. How do you deal with teaching something that your heart just isn’t in? How do you teach a lesson on something that even you as the instructor dislike?
In this week’s episode, Nicole...2019-01-2423 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 17: How To Make A Solid Sub Plan in 20 Minutes or Less with Nicki DingraudoBeing a teacher is a stressful job, and this feels especially true when we are experiencing illness. While in most professions informing your employer that you will not be in on a given day is all you need to do before you head back to bed to get the rest your body desperately needs, for classroom teachers, our obligation is typically far from over. Between feelings of guilt over letting down the students who most need us there and overwhelm at the prospect of spontaneously coming up with an effective sub plan, you may feel tempted to just go in...2019-01-1726 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 16: Why Your Students Think They're Studying (Even When They're Not) & How You Can HelpDespite planning engaging lessons, reviewing important concepts in class, and providing students with study guides, there still may be a handful of students that struggle come test time. It is often from these students that we hear the sounds of frustration as they insist that they spent a significant amount of time studying— and still, to their amazement and displeasure, they failed the exam.
In this episode, Danielle and Nicole explore the disconnect that is happening all too regularly when students think they are studying even though what they are spending their time on is the fu...2019-01-1026 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 15: The How and Why of Building Meaningful Student Connections with Janelle EverettsFor most teachers, the subject matter is the easy part. Building rapport with the students, on the other hand, might be a far harder task. For Janelle of Ms_Fourth, building real, meaningful connections with her students has always come naturally. Janelle advocates for making student relationships a top priority. Her care and connection with her students manifests itself in her spirited, positive and bright classroom and is only matched by her enthusiastic attitude towards her interactions with students. Janelle explains how we can build these ties from the very start to the closing bell each and every day.2019-01-0328 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 14: The Do's and Don'ts of Class Time Before A BreakWhile nearly everyone at a school, from the students to the faculty, looks forward to long weekends and breaks from the daily grind of school, almost no one likes the task of planning what to do and keeping a classroom running smoothly in those minutes leading up to those days off.
In this week’s episode, Danielle and Nicole go over the do’s and don’ts of classroom management during one of the most challenging times of the year: the days right before a long break. It can be tempting for students and teachers alike to take the days leading...2018-12-2023 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 13: How To Document Your Teaching Journey (And Why Every Educator Should) with Aliana LoweNew teachers don’t always realize all they have to offer, but the valuable lessons they pick up can often have an impact far beyond just their own development. Meet Aliana, an Australian teacher who proves that those who are new to the profession can provide incredible insight. Ali is able to speak so eloquently on all of the growth she has made during her first two years as a teacher because she documented her experience in a unique way, leveraging the power of Instagram to create a record of her own learning that has evolved into an asset for ot...2018-12-1338 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 12: A Teacher's Guide To Gift GivingAre you ready for the most wonderful time of the year? As the holidays approach, there can be a lot of demands on our time— and our wallets. This isn’t just the case for our relationships outside of school. For many, time and money will be spent planning on purchasing gifts for colleagues and potentially even our students. If you are going to participate in gift giving, how can we do so in a time and cost effective way?
In this week’s episode, Danielle and Nicole provide recommendations for how to give meaningful gifts at school that won’t break the bank...2018-12-0622 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 11: Decode Standards Like A Pro: An Interview With Hayley CainAre students truly learning in your classroom or are you just presenting information to the class? How can we create a standardized environment where all students in a grade level are held accountable for the same information without limiting teacher creativity and autonomy?
In this week’s episode, Danielle and Nicole interview Hayley Cain, an elementary school teacher from Georgia with a specialty for making common core standards common practice in her classroom. Hayley shares her experience transitioning from the middle school to the elementary level and the lasting lessons she picked up having previously worked at a “failing” school. Hayley...2018-11-2938 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 10: Steps For A Successful Parent-Teacher ConferenceHow can you go into Parent-Teacher Conferences with confidence instead of dread? How can you make the most of this night, truly viewing it as an opportunity rather than just another teaching obligation?
In this week’s episode, Danielle and Nicole explain just how to make this important mindset shift, focusing on how to make the most out of Parent-Teacher Conferences. We explain the exact steps to take, both before and during conferences, to help you make the process both less stressful and more productive. With honest, thoughtful, and strategic communication, conferences have the potential to turn parents into partners an...2018-11-1526 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 9: Cultivating Healthy Routines For Life Outside The Classroom with Michele HamiltonHow can you make sure that you are giving your absolute best to your students each and every day without sacrificing your own personal well-being and self- care? As dedicated educators, we give so much of ourselves to our careers and our students that too often we neglect working on ourselves.
This week, Danielle and Nicole interview Michele Hamilton, a veteran teacher from Texas who shares openly about her own struggles with work life balance—and the exact steps she has taken to become the best version of herself, both personally and professionally. Michele’s unconventional jour...2018-11-0838 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 8: Don’t Leave School Each Day Without Doing ThisThough you might feel a sense of relief when the last bell of the day rings, a teacher’s job is far from over at that point. You already know that success tomorrow depends on what you do in those minutes after school before you get in your car for your commute home, but how many of us critically consider how we truly spend that crucial time? This week Danielle and Nicole discuss the why and how to create your perfect after school routine. Don’t leave school until you’ve accomplished these tasks. We will help you batch and or...2018-11-0127 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 7: Why You Should Moderate An After School Club And How To Do It EffectivelyWhy teachers should get involved in moderating an after school activity, and how to do it right.2018-10-2528 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 6: 7 Types of Disruptive Student Behavior (That Aren't Just Side Conversations)Addressing and correcting disruptive student behavior through classroom procedures2018-10-1726 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 5: 5 Mistakes You're Making When Teaching VocabularyHow To Teach Vocabulary And Why Its Important For All Teachers2018-10-1130 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 4: Make The Most Of 'Lame Duck Class Time'What To Do After A Quiz Or Test2018-10-0420 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 3: 9 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Assigning A ProjectClassroom Project Planning Done Right2018-09-2730 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 2: Back-To-School Night Done Right How can you go into Parent/Teacher Conferences with confidence instead of dread? How can you make the most of this night, truly viewing it as an opportunity rather than just another teaching obligation?
In this week’s episode, Danielle and Nicole explain just how to make this important mindset shift, focusing on how to make the most out of Parent/Teacher Conferences. We explain the exact steps to take, both before and during conferences, to help you make the process both less stressful and more productive. With honest, thoughtful, and strategic communication, conferences have the po...2018-09-2023 minThe EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything EducationEpisode 1: Not Your Average IcebreakersLearn how to engage your students with an icebreaker activity that is both academically rich and exciting!2018-09-1326 min