Teachers, before we start the beginning of another school year I feel like it's important to hear the messages from those who are at the end of this life. What would they do differently? Would your dying self encourage you to keep teaching? A c

2.24 Leaving The Classroom

Jun 18th, 2023 10m 15s

While we get ready to start our summer break in the States my time away from the classroom will be extended. Since the field of education doesn't seem to be making positive changes for teachers it's time for me to make a change. --- Send i

2.23 When Is It Time to Quit Teaching?

Jun 11th, 2023 10m 36s

Recently, many teachers are making decisions about leaving the classroom. Bryan reads "When Is It Time to Quit Teaching" by former guest Vicki Davis. The full article can be found at http://www.coolcatteacher.com/when-is-it-time-to-quit-teachin

2.22 Let It Go

Jun 4th, 2023 15m 30s

Clutter kills creativity and serves no real value to you and your students. The minimalism movement is growing and teachers can use its core principals to have an improved classroom environment. It's simply getting rid of things you do not use

2.21 A Conversation With My Mom

May 28th, 2023 12m 13s

On this episode, Bryan interviews his mom. Not only did she have an incredible impact on her family, she also made a difference in the lives of many students. Evelyn taught a vast amount of students during three decades. This episode highlight

2.20 Classroom Connections

May 21st, 2023 29m 37s

Joining us for this episode is Erin Gruwell. Her teaching story was made into a book "The Freedom Writers Diary" and a movie "Freedom Writers"!By fostering an educational philosophy that valued and promoted diversity, she transformed her stu

2.19 The Final Weeks Of School

May 14th, 2023 7m 46s

As the school year is coming to an end, many teachers shut down and give the students unstructured free time. While this may work with some groups, for many teachers it can lead to more stress and classroom management problems. In this episode,

2.18 Blackboard: A Personal History of the Classroom

May 7th, 2023 18m 35s

Teacher and author Lewis Buzbee join us on the program to discuss his book "Blackboard-A Personal History of the Classroom". We discuss classrooms of the past, evaluate schools in the present, and offer possibilities for how education will be i

2.17 From The Courtroom to the Classroom

Apr 23rd, 2023 17m 5s

On this episode, Bryan welcomes former Georgia Teacher of the Year for 2016 Ernie Lee (@GATOTY2016). At the time of this recording, Mr. Lee had only been in the classroom for a few years. He quickly found great success in the education profess

2.16 Students Who Don't Care

Apr 16th, 2023 7m 21s

Almost every teacher has a classroom where there is one unmotivated student, regardless of what you try. The parents have lost hope. Is this failure your fault? Could a better teacher have done better? Not likely. --- Send in a voice messa

2.15 Tales From The Teachers Lounge

Apr 9th, 2023 14m 29s

Joining us in the Lounge today is Robert Wilder, author of 'Tales From The Teachers Lounge' a series of irreverent, wickedly observant essays about what it really means to be a teacher today. Leaving a lucrative advertising career in New York,

2.14 Stop Comparing Your Life

Apr 2nd, 2023 13m 20s

We as teachers often compare ourselves to other teachers. This is especially true in the days of social media and the results are nothing good. Comparing ourselves to others isn't always healthy, yet we do it anyway. Bryan reads the blog post "

2.13 What Great Teachers and Principals Do Differently

Mar 26th, 2023 29m 30s

Joining me on the show is Dr. Todd Whitaker (@ToddWhitaker). He's recognized as a leading motivational speaker in the field of education. On the program we discuss what great teachers and principals do differently.--- Send in a voice messag

2.12 The Best of Times and The Worst of Times

Mar 19th, 2023 11m 35s

It's my birthday month and that has put me in a reflective mood. I'm reminded that I'm getting older. I have more years behind me than in front of me. This reflection has led me to look back over my long teaching career and offer some of what

2.11 A+ Interview Skills For Teachers

Mar 12th, 2023 14m 7s

This is the time of year when some of us are exploring other opportunities to work at other schools. One of the disadvantages of our profession is that teachers have a very small window of time to interview and be hired. Returning guests Evel

2.10 Gone But Not Forgotten

Mar 5th, 2023 9m 2s

This episode was previously released in 2016. With our current times, now seems like a good time to revisit it and be reminded of the impact teachers have on their students. Like Ben Ellis, one day we will die. Make the most out of the o

2.9 Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

Feb 26th, 2023 23m 22s

Many teachers are now making the decision to stay in education or leave it for something else. Some teachers remain indecisive. Others are scared in not making the perfect decision. Special guest Dr. James Hughey will offer some insight for

2.8 Passion is Important for Effective Teaching

Feb 19th, 2023 9m 14s

If you watched the Superbowl, you couldn't help but notice the atmosphere was filled with excitement and passion. The announcers, players, fans, and halftime performers acted like they really wanted to be there and enjoyed what they were doing.

2.7 Ten Reasons To Love Teaching

Feb 12th, 2023 11m 50s

In honor of Valentine's Day, I share my thoughts on what I love about my job. Very often we are more focused on all of the negativity found in the teaching profession. So, let's flip the script. What do you love about being in the classroom?

2.6 Involving Our Invisible Students

Feb 5th, 2023 10m 18s

We as educators give attention to those who excel in our classrooms and to the ones who disrupt the learning environment. However, what about our invisible students? They are disappearing and we may not even know it. You know the type. They

2.5 Helping Our Shy Students

Jan 29th, 2023 12m 36s

Shyness is often misunderstood because it is not one emotion, but a mixture of fear, tension, apprehension, or embarrassment. Shy children seem to lack confidence and are self-conscious especially in new surroundings or when they are the cente

2.4 Ten Plus Two

Jan 22nd, 2023 6m 29s

Are you looking for a strategy that allows you to do some lecture but also builds in time for student interaction? In this episode, I'll share the Ten Plus Two strategy from the "Let's Teach" YouTube channel found at https://youtu.be/Y2udPWz_3v

2.3 Communication That Connects

Jan 15th, 2023 15m 3s

Remind (@RemindHQ) is a free tool that has helped me to be more effective with classroom communication by sending quick, simple messages to any device that parents and students may use. All phone numbers stay private.I talk with Taylor Chapm

2.2 Jump-Start Your Creativity as a Teacher

Jan 8th, 2023 12m 20s

Despite the fact that teaching seems to be phasing out of modern classrooms, many of us in education recognize its value. In fact, many teachers are doing their best to keep creativity in classrooms. However, like our car batteries, we somet

2.1 It's About Progress Not Perfection

Jan 1st, 2023 13m 58s

Happy New Year! Joining us on this season premiere of my podcast for teachers is Vicki Davis (@coolcatteacher). She too is a teacher and podcaster. On this episode, Vicki offers some motivation, teaching strategies, and some of what she's lear