Shows
Two TeachersEpisode 46: Diversity in TextsIn this episode, I am honored and humbled to be joined by 3 professors from the University Wisconsin Stevens Point to discuss and opportunity that is incredible important to me. Their passion and excitement is infectious. In previous episodes we have touched upon the increasing diversity and adding perspectives of those in our classroom and as the resident social studies teacher. That is my, my life goal. To be sure all people are heard. Amber, Stacy and Jackie provide incredible insight and resources to deliver just that. Check out their bios. Where To Start? The first step "would be to look...
2022-06-0626 minTwo TeachersEpisode 45: Authentic Audiences, Blogging and Fan.SchoolWhen students write, their audience is typically just the assessor(teacher). If we want to give them meaning in their writing, we have to give them an authentic audience. On this episode we explore R.A.F.T. and specifically the use of blogging in student demonstration of their learning. We will then reintroduce the new and improved Fan.School(see Episode 33). Authentic Audiences
2022-03-0726 min
Two TeachersEpisode 44: Book Club Part 1Lindy and I have begun a long desired journey to provide a book club to the parents of our students who struggle to navigate the complication and challenges of the adolescent journey. We have chosen to read with our parents(of our students) two books. These books are by Rosalind Wiseman. Queen Bees and Wannabees was the basis for the movie Mean Girls and the companion book for navigating the male world is called Masterminds and Wingmen. Both are incredibly insightful for parents but have an even more incredible implications for educators world of all grade levels. We will briefly...
2022-02-2122 minTwo TeachersEpisode 43: Engaging the Same Old Same OldIn this episode, Lindy joins us to discuss quick adaptations to everyday practices to increase engagement. We will run through a number of strategies that will not cost more time or money to improve the attention of your students. We like many of you find ourselves leveraging the same tasks throughout the years an are always looking to change it up and grad that attention of the students.What is engagement?Lindy describes engagement in 3 categories: behavioral, emotional, and cognitive. Behavioral is student behave in class, they don't act up, the bring...
2022-01-3129 minTwo TeachersEpisode 42: My Problem is Your Problem too; Hopefully.On this episode I have identified 4 issues(my problems) I am having in my classroom right now(Classroom Management). I will share with you my plan for managing and hopefully improving my classroom with some researched and solid solutions.How did we get here?We have reached the midpoint of the year. It has been truly exhausting. Teachers are battling the ins and outs of learning modes in this pandemic world and the continuing addition of new students. We’ve implemented new procedures to keep us healthy and strained our eyes on th...
2021-02-2219 minTwo TeachersEpisode 41: Interview with a Virtual School PrincipalThis week we are joined by Brandon. He is Principal and Teaching and Learning Specialist extraordinaire. We hear from Brandon who is full of tips for managing the madness of the virtual classroom now and whenever.
2020-12-2535 minTwo TeachersEpisode 40: English Learners During the PandemicToday we take a long overdue visit with Jayna who is a long time and exceptional English Learners teacher. She hails from the twin cities and has taught students of 39 different languages and cultural background. She has taught in immersion programs in many countries as well. She joins us to discuss what we could do for our EL students now in the pandemic but also every day in any year.Equity Issues Across the BoardLuke and I have discussed this before, but the pandemic has exacerbated the shortcomings of education. Its...
2020-09-1525 minTwo TeachersEpisode 39: Preparing for the unknownHere we sit usually setting up our classroom for the coming year. If you are like us, you might be in limbo with what is to come this year. Today's episode seeks to discuss things we can do NOW even though we are approaching the unkNOWn.
2020-08-3121 minTwo TeachersEpisode 38: COVID Chronicles – Assessing the SituationOn this episode we address how to grade within the inequity of virtual learning and how to set yourself up to be fair. We stumble upon the solution. It is not about the grade(letter, percentage or otherwise) its about the feedback. All students (essentially) are in this same boat. There will forever be an asterisk on this 4th term grade. Can you get evidence? If not, how can you assign a grade based on the body of work the students have already produced. In the end feedback is king.
2020-05-1818 minTwo TeachersEpisode 37: COVID Chronicles – Student Send OffWe are devastated that we do not get to bring closure and celebrate success with our student in our physical classroom. With things so up in the air, we do not know if we will have this chance for months to come. Obviously there are some significant milestones like promotions and graduations, but we are talking about the little things too. Join us in the episode as we brainstorm on how to replicate this farewell in the virtual world.
2020-05-0418 minTwo TeachersEpisode 36: COVID Chronicles: Trial and ErrorOn this episode we take a critical look at what #VirtualLearning has exposed good and bad about education. Our goal continues to be to provide take aways for now and later. We will discuss things that need to be tossed when we return to school and things that need to stick around.
2020-04-2020 minTwo TeachersEpisode 35: One Week In: Virtual LearningOn this week's episode we share our thoughts, feelings, and reflections on our first full week of remotely educating our students from home. We take a look at what's worked and what struggles we're having during this time.
2020-03-2320 minTwo TeachersEpisode 34: Remotely EducatedIn this episode we address some very pressing teacher needs. What do you do with many days of virtual learning in a row? Remotely educated students have very different needs. Our conversation starts with what to do if your district is not so fortunate to be 1:1 in the tech world. We then share some go to tech and ideas to maximize learning when the teacher is not directly present. This is a difficult but potentially valuable task. School Closings due to Health Related EmergenciesHere we are in a crazy time. In...
2020-03-1318 min
Two TeachersEpisode 32: Respect The Process(ing)On this episode we take a look at what is a bit of a new revelation to us as teachers. It is definitely something that should've been (it might've been) explained to us in our teaching education. This revelation is the concept of effective note taking. Furthermore it is less the focus on what is written and more on what we have the students do with it after it is written. This is where the episode gets its namesake. After note-taking or any learning for that matter, some sort of processing must be done. This must be done in many...
2020-03-0214 minTwo TeachersEpisode 31: New Student? New Opportunity.On this week's episode we converse on some equitable ways to welcome a student into your classroom especially in the middle of the year. The statistics on student mobility are just as shocking as the experiences that are causing students to move; some necessary, some unfortunate. We will share some easy strategies to help that student become a learner among your learners.
2020-02-1715 minTwo TeachersEpisode 29: Avoiding SUBpar PlansEpisode 29 shares our thoughts on creating plans for a substitute teacher that will ensure success in your classroom while you are away. We share some of our secrets and discuss some potential dos and don't that may go onto your plans. After listening to this, you will deserve a day off. Luckily we got you covered with these recommendations.Obvious and Legal - In an common, communicated and obvious location. Luke's hangs by his door and Tom has a folder on the top of his desk labeled "SUB PLANS." Luke takes i a step further and...
2020-02-0317 minTwo TeachersEpisode 28: The Perfect Parent EmailIn this timely episode as we come to the end of the 1st semester, we share our 5 keys to writing the perfect parent email. We share some strategies to be sure we infuse empathy, concern, compliment and even gratitude into even the most difficult to write email. (*disclaimer: a phone call home will always be better*)Create Context - Important to be brief but do not forget to create context. Paint the picture so the parent understands what you are getting out. This might be the 15 minutes leading up to the meat...
2020-01-2713 minTwo TeachersEpisode 27: Discussing DiscussionOn this first episode this new calender year, we share our favorite ways to get kids engaged into a high quality discussion surrounding content. Luke shares what iss called "I Wonder, You Wonder." In this strategy you really set the students up for success in asking questions and then sharing questions with one another. A great way to read and process a primary source, text, experiment or word problem.Tom shares what is called Philosophical Chairs. Here is a link to a great Edutopia article that explains it. Especially what is called...
2020-01-2014 minTwo TeachersEpisode 26: The Power of PD Through PodcastingOn Episode 26 we share an argument for why listening to podcasts for professional development is the BEST way to receive Professional Development. We then share a couple of our favorite professional development podcasts for you to check out too. As educators ourselves, our goal is to provide some PD to other teachers in a timely manner through a platform that allows our listeners the power to select topics they are interested in either learning more about or gaining fresh ideas in. This is why we felt that creating an episode advocating for podcasts as a source...
2019-12-1714 min
Sleeptight Saturday Morning TicketSleep Tight Saturday Morning Ticket for 11 16 19Culver-Stockton Football Coach Tom Sallay, Holy Trinity Volleyball Coach Melissa Freesmeier
2019-11-1630 min