The Workshop Teacher Podcast: Recent Episodes
Amanda Werner
Amanda has been teaching English for twelve years and in those years one method of teaching reading and writing has stuck and continues to prove successful year after year...workshop. Reading and writing workshop started at the elementary level and recently has started making an impact in the upper grades. However, a lot of upper grade teachers wonder how they can make this method work in their classroom with so little time with their students...This podcast is your answer! This podcast will cover many topics when it comes to the teaching of reading and writing all centered around one method, workshop. All resources referred to in the episodes can be found at https://amandwritenow.com
Amanda Werner on AI in Teaching and Teacherpreneurship: Part 2In this episode, Amanda Werner, former teacher and current teacherpreneur, dives into her evolving perspective on AI, specifically chatbots like ChatGPT. After initially embracing AI for classroom use and her online business, Amanda shares why she has grown skeptical about the ethical implications of AI, particularly concerning content creation and copyright issues. She discusses her personal experiences with various AI tools and their impact on her professional life, while also touching on broader societal concerns over AI’s influence. This is Part 2 of a series, with the next episode focusing on her viewpoint as a parent.00:00 Introduction and Support01:51 Podcast Overview and AI Concerns05:53 Teacherpreneur and AI Tools09:26 Ethical Dilemmas with AI17:28 Copyright Issues and AI26:56 Conclusion and Next Episode PreviewArticles Mentioned: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/02/generative-ai-lawsuits-copyright-fair-use/677595/https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/03/libgen-meta-openai/682093/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jun/04/reddit-lawsuit-ai-startup-anthropic-data
In this episode Amanda reflects on her journey with AI chatbots since the release of ChatGPT in 2022. She shares her mixed feelings about the impact of AI in education, discussing initial excitement and later deep concerns. The episode covers her efforts to integrate ChatGPT into her classroom last school year and how she handled the pervasive cheating issues she encountered in her English classroom. Amanda also reveals plans to delve deeper into the downsides of AI in future episodes, so stay tuned! Episodes to the Previous AI Series from 2022:7 Ways Chatgpt Will Impact Education Positivelyhttps://amandawritenow.com/chatgpt-impact-on-education/How to Prevent Plagiarism with Chatgpthttps://amandawritenow.com/my-best-ideas-to-prevent-cheating-with-chat-gpt-how-to-handle-plagiarism-suspects/How to Talk to Students about Chatgpthttps://amandawritenow.com/how-to-talk-to-students-about-chat-gpt-and-increase-academic-honesty-too/00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts on AI00:40 The Impact of AI on Education02:34 Personal Reflections and Experiences Using AI in the Classroom09:58 Teaching Ethics and Responsible AI Use16:18 Challenges and Consequences of AI in the Classroom21:35 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda addresses a common issue faced by teachers: students who are disengaged. Drawing from personal experiences as a teacher and a parent of a neurodivergent child, the Amanda discusses the importance of moving away from the traditional way of approaching these kinds of unwanted behaviors and instead focusing on a different approach. Amanda describes how in her experience, building strong, positive relationships with students can make a difference in the quality of life for both the teacher and student. Emphasizing that all behavior is a form of communication, Amanda advocates for a collaborative approach with children, involving honest conversations with students about their behavior and motivations. The episode underscores the critical role of relationships and emotional connections in fostering a conducive learning environment.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction: Addressing Student Apathy01:12 The Traditional Approach to Classroom Management01:56 A Shift in Perspective: Understanding Student Behavior06:49 The Power of Building Relationships12:16 The Importance of Free Time and Mental Health12:58 Conclusion: Embracing Vulnerability and Changehttps://amandawritenow.com/listener-favorite-a-new-way-to-think-about-apathetic-unmotivated-and-defiant-students/
In the final episode of this eight-part mindfulness and meditation series, Amanda Werner brings it all together—sharing how to weave mindfulness, self-compassion, and simple rituals into your daily life. From experimenting with small, accessible practices to cultivating deep calm and balance (equanimity) amidst stressful lives, this episode offers practical wisdom and heartfelt reflection for teachers, parents, students, and anyone seeking peace in a busy world.Amanda also shares personal updates about her journey away from the classroom, homeschooling her daughter, and navigating life with chronic pain—all while finding ways to stay grounded and openhearted.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe four keys to sustaining mindfulness: experimentation, ritual, equanimity, and self-compassion.How to create simple rituals that bring grounding and meaning to your day.Why equanimity—calm in the midst of chaos—is the heart of a sustainable mindfulness practice.Ways to integrate mindful breathing, body awareness, and compassionate self-talk into your work and home life.A guided meditation to help you embody balance, presence, and peace.Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & updates on Amanda’s journey04:00 – Series recap: seven practices that build a foundation for mindfulness20:00 – The four pillars to incorporating these practices: experimentation, ritual, equanimity, and self-compassion35:00 – Guided meditation for balance and presenceResources & Links🖤 Explore resources: https://amandawritenow.com🖤 Review and share the podcast on Apple Podcasts to help more educators find these toolsMeditation Mini Lesson 3rd-5th Grade:🖤 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-for-3rd-5th-Grade-13806933?utm_source=Podcast%20Episode%20%2389&utm_campaign=Podcasting%20Series%20on%20Meditation%20and%20Minfulness Meditation Mini Lesson 6th-8th Grade:🖤 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-6th-8th-Grade-13815439?
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda explores the complexities of working with physical, mental, and emotional pain, drawing from the teachings of mindfulness expert Christiane Wolf MD. The discussion covers the prevalence of chronic pain, differentiates between pain and suffering, and introduces techniques for managing pain using mindfulness and meditation. The episode includes a guided meditation designed to help listeners identify and manage pain more effectively, aiming to offer valuable insights and alleviation strategies for both educators and anyone experiencing chronic pain or the grief of the loss of a loved one.00:00 Introduction to Working with Pain00:05 Meet Christian Wolf: Mindfulness Expert01:11 Personal Experiences with Chronic Pain01:35 Understanding Pain: Physical and Mental04:50 Cultural Attitudes Towards Pain09:15 The Two Arrows of Pain12:22 Practical Techniques for Managing Pain23:24 Guided Meditation for Pain ReliefResources: https://www.christianewolf.com/Meditation Mini Lesson 3rd-5th Grade:https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-for-3rd-5th-Grade-13806933?utm_source=Podcast%20Episode%20%2389&utm_campaign=Podcasting%20Series%20on%20Meditation%20and%20Minfulness Meditation Mini Lesson 6th-8th Grade:https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-6th-8th-Grade-13815439?utm_source=Podcast%20Episode%20%2389&utm_campaign=Podcasting%20Series%20on%20Mindfulness%20and%20Meditation
Cultivating Loving Kindness: Exploring Metta MeditationIn this episode of the Empower Students Now Podcast, your host, Amanda Werner, delves into the practice of Metta or Loving Kindness Meditation. As part of an eight-part series on meditation and mindfulness for teachers and students, Amanda shares insights from her extensive teaching career and her training as a meditation teacher. She explains the steps to practicing Metta, including starting with those easiest to love, and expanding outward. Additionally, Amanda reads poignant quotes from Sharon Salzberg's book, 'Loving Kindness, the Revolutionary Art of Happiness,' and discusses the importance of boundaries and compassion. The episode concludes with a guided meditation designed to help listeners cultivate loving kindness and a compassionate mindset. Listeners are encouraged to share the podcast, visit Amanda's website, https://amandawritenow.com for additional resources, and reflect on their experiences with the series.00:00 Introduction and Podcast Support02:52 Episode Introduction: Loving Kindness05:07 Understanding Metta: Loving Kindness08:44 Personal Stories and Challenges15:03 Steps to Practicing Metta18:11 Guided Meditation on Loving KindnessMeditation Mini Lesson 3rd-5th Grade:https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-for-3rd-5th-Grade-13806933?utm_source=Podcast%20Episode%20%2389&utm_campaign=Podcasting%20Series%20on%20Meditation%20and%20Minfulness Meditation Mini Lesson 6th-8th Grade:https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-6th-8th-Grade-13815439?utm_source=Podcast%20Episode%20%2389&utm_campaign=Podcasting%20Series%20on%20Mindfulness%20and%20Meditation
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda shares a deeply emotional talk on the importance of compassion, particularly self-compassion, for educators. Through a recounting of her own personal journey and learnings from the MMTCP program, she introduces the RAIN technique—Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture—created by Tara Brach, as a tool for addressing negative self-talk and fostering a kinder inner dialogue. The episode includes a powerful 15-minute guided meditation to help listeners practice self-compassion, complete with actionable steps and gentle reassurances. Amanda also discusses the significance of tears as a healing response and offers resources for teaching mindfulness to children. This episode is part five of an eight-part series aimed at supporting and renewing burnt-out teachers. Listeners are encouraged to share the podcast, visit Amanda's website, https://amandawritenow.com for additional resources, and reflect on their experiences with the series.00:00 Introduction and Overview04:21 The Importance of Self-Compassion08:54 Recognizing Negative Patterns15:21 Guided Meditation: Practicing RAIN28:31 Closing Thoughts and GratitudeMeditation Mini Lesson 3rd-5th Grade:https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-for-3rd-5th-Grade-13806933?utm_source=Podcast%20Episode%20%2389&utm_campaign=Podcasting%20Series%20on%20Meditation%20and%20Minfulness Meditation Mini Lesson 6th-8th Grade:https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-6th-8th-Grade-13815439?utm_source=Podcast%20Episode%20%2389&utm_campaign=Podcasting%20Series%20on%20Mindfulness%20and%20Meditation
In this fourth episode of an eight-part series on meditation and mindfulness, the discussion focuses on being mindful of thoughts. Amanda recently received her certification to teach meditation. She explains how thoughts are mental processes influenced by various factors like environment, culture, and emotions. The episode debunks the myth that meditation aims to stop thoughts, highlighting instead the importance of noticing them. It covers the neural basis of thoughts and offers practical advice on using breath as an anchor during meditation. Personal anecdotes and stories from the classroom demonstrate the significance of observing and questioning thoughts to reduce suffering and promote self-compassion and in turn compassion toward others, including students. The episode concludes with a guided meditation exercise aimed at helping teachers and listeners become more aware of their thinking patterns.00:00 Introduction to Mindfulness of Thoughts01:08 Understanding Thoughts and Their Influence03:43 The Practice of Noticing Thoughts07:16 The Power of Noting and Naming Thoughts10:03 A Touching Story on Mindfulness12:46 Judgment and Bias in Education16:58 Exercise: Counting Your Thoughts23:18 Guided Meditation for Noticing ThoughtsResources: Meditation Mini Lesson 3rd-5th Gradehttps://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-for-3rd-5th-Grade-13806933Meditation Mini Lesson 6th-8th Gradehttps://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-6th-8th-Grade-13815439https://amandawritenow.com/a-new-way-to-think-about-thinking/
https://amandawritenow.com/navigating-the-complexities-of-our-emotional-lives-with-mindfulness-meditation/In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, the third installment of an eight-part mindfulness series, the focus is on emotions. Drawing on insights from the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP), Amanda, the host of the podcast, addresses how emotions manifest in both mind and body, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and meditation in recognizing and managing them. The episode includes a discussion on the diversity of emotional experiences, the significance of the nervous system in emotional regulation, and practical tips for teachers and social justice advocates to integrate mindfulness into their lives. Additionally, the host guides listeners through a meditative practice to better understand and manage their emotions.00:00 Introduction to Emotions and Mindfulness Series02:19 Defining Emotions and Personal Reflections07:22 Family History and Emotional Conditioning12:46 Understanding the Nervous System and Emotions18:12 Naming and Identifying Emotions24:04 Primary vs. Secondary Emotions30:20 Guided Meditation on Emotions
https://amandawritenow.com/finding-calm-amongst-the-chaos-of-life-part-ii-the-body-as-your-anchor/Contact Me: https://amandawritenow.com/contact-form/In this episode, part two of an eight-part series, Amanda discusses her journey through the Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP) and the profound lessons she learned. She emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, especially for women, teachers, and social justice advocates who often experience overwhelm and self-blame. Amanda defines mindfulness and meditation, highlighting the benefits of body awareness. She shares practical techniques for body scan and walking meditation to help listeners find peace and presence amidst the stressors of modern life. The episode concludes with a guided body scan meditation to practice these principles.00:00 Introduction to the Series00:40 Personal Journey into Meditation01:39 Teaching Mindfulness to Women03:20 Challenges of Modern Life and Self-Care09:22 Defining Mindfulness and Meditation17:16 Body Scan Meditation Techniques24:23 Beginning of Guided Body Scan Meditation
In this episode, Amanda welcomes Jen Chieco, a former teacher who transitioned into becoming a life purpose coach who specializes in empowering teens. They discuss Jen's teaching background, her reasons for leaving public education, and how she found her true calling through life coaching and breath work. Jen shares insights on the challenges of teaching in public schools, the importance of supportive administration, and the impact of nurturing relationships with students. They delve into breath work as a powerful tool for mental health and personal growth, and Jen offers actionable tips for both educators and students to find purpose and empowerment in their lives.You'll Learn: -How Jen transitioned from teaching full time in a public school to being coach-Jen's methodology for supporting teens and adults-Breathwork techniques you can use in and outside of the classroom-How to foster positive relationships with students-Jen's inspiring views on what empowerment is and how to empower yourself as well as your studentsResources Mentioned:jenchieco.com/services (Free 30 Minute Coaching Discovery Call)jenchieco.com/breathwork (Breathwork Sessions)https://open.spotify.com/artist/7lnGKrOWAuKvNoxEleY8Vm?si=asaUZkUsSdCwIRL_7bpEOw (David Elliott Breathwork Healer Spotify)
https://amandawritenow.com/finding-calm-amongst-the-chaos-of-life/Contact Me: https://amandawritenow.com/contact-form/Amanda returns after a long hiatus, excited to start a new season focused on mindfulness, neurodiversity, equity, and student engagement. In this special episode, Amanda shares a recording of her first mindfulness class from her practicum, which is part of her Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher Training Certification Program(MMTCP). The class includes a 10-minute talk on the challenges of slowing down and using the breath to do so, followed by an 8-minute meditation to practice using the breath as an anchor. Amanda discusses the significance of breath as a tool for calm and peace amid the chaos of life, particularly for teachers. She also introduces various breathing techniques and their benefits. The episode concludes with a guided meditation exercise aimed at helping listeners find tranquility.00:00 Welcome Back!01:00 Introducing the Practicum04:35 The Power of Breath10:05 Personal Meditation Journey13:09 Breathing Techniques19:39 Guided Meditation28:01 Closing Thoughts
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, hosts Amanda and Trina dive deep into the complex and often controversial topic of teacher pay. Joined by special guest Jess, they explore the historical roots of teacher pay, referred to as "step and column". They discuss the unique challenges faced by teachers across different states and the impact of oppressive teacher pay systems on both new and veteran educators. In addition to the topic of teacher pay, the hosts unpack the topics of the high cost of teacher preparation and induction programs that require teachers to shell out even more time and money.
In this thought-provoking episode, co-hosts Trina, Amanda, and Jess delve into the challenges and frustrations faced by educators in today's educational landscape. Focusing on the controversial adoption of canned curriculums in secondary education, they explore the implications for teacher autonomy, mental health, and the broader impacts on the K-12 system. Jess shares her powerful reactions and insights from a recent episode featuring two high school teachers, sparking a candid discussion about the systemic issues plaguing the profession. https://amandawritenow.com/educators-or-pawns-unpacking-the-realities-of-being-a-k-12-teacher-in-america/Check out that previous episode here: https://amandawritenow.com/the-teacher-shortage-crisis-lessons-from-an-esl-teachers-stand-against-canned-curriculum/Key Takeaways:Teacher Autonomy: The episode highlights the stark contrast between the autonomy traditionally granted to secondary teachers and the rigid structures often imposed on elementary educators.Mental Health: Amanda discusses the toll that teaching takes on mental health, especially under the current educational policies and societal expectations.Systemic Issues: The conversation underscores the systemic problems within the educational system, including the lack of understanding and support from those outside the K-12 world.Personal Reflections: Jess opens up about her own experiences and frustrations, offering a raw and honest look at the life of a teacher who feels more like a pawn in an ever-changing game.Gender and Roles: Trina touches on the gendered nature of teaching roles and how societal expectations impact female educators in particular.Quotes:"I felt like a pawn in a game I didn't want to be in.""Being a teacher today is like being part of a system that sacrifices your mental health for the sake of maintaining order.""Elementary school feels high stakes, but it's treated with less urgency and respect compared to secondary education."Discussion Points:How the adoption of canned curriculums impacts teacher creativity and effectivenessThe importance of teacher autonomy in fostering a positive educational environmentThe intersection of gender, societal roles, and the teaching professionStrategies for teachers to advocate for their needs and mental health within the systemConnect with UsEmail us your thoughts and stories: amandawritenow@gmail.comSupport the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform and sharing it with your friends and colleagues.
Show Notes Page: https://amandawritenow.com/teaching-in-turbulent-times-our-take-on-snls-yall-won/In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda and co-hosts Trina English and Jessica Martin react to the recent Saturday Night Live sketch "Y'all Won." As the school year comes to a close, they dive into the humor and the harsh realities depicted in the skit, sharing their mixed feelings and personal experiences from the classroom. They explore the systemic issues plaguing K-12 education, from the increase in student trauma post-COVID to the inadequacies of administrative responses. Join them for a candid discussion on the state of public education, the urgent need for systemic change, and how teachers can band together to advocate for a better future.
Show Notes: https://amandawritenow.com/unpacking-the-impact-of-school-climate-and-culture-on-the-teacher-shortage-crisis/In this podcast episode, the hosts Amanda and Trina, both teachers, are joined by guest Jessica Martin, a teacher, author, and entrepreneur. They discuss climate and culture in schools and its impact on the teacher shortage crisis. Jessica shares her diverse teaching experiences and insights from her social media followers, revealing that many teachers feel demoralized and burnt out. The conversation covers the challenges faced by educators during the pandemic, the emotional toll of student behavior, and the struggle for fair contracts and working conditions. The episode concludes with a message of solidarity among teachers and the importance of advocating for change in the education system. Jessica's social media engagement is also highlighted, with a mention of her Instagram handle so teachers listening can follow her: whimsical_teacher.
Check out the show notes and all get all the resources discussed here: https://amandawritenow.com/our-public-education-system-is-in-crisis-and-the-solutions-are-obvious/In this podcast episode, Trina and Amanda discuss major challenges in the American public education system, including the teacher shortage crisis, the state of reading instruction, and the impact of curriculum mandates on teacher autonomy. They reflect on previous episodes, including an interview with Amanda's sister, and express frustration with the lack of teacher agency and the systemic issues stemming from structural sexism in the profession. They criticize the dominance of certain reading programs and the pushback against the science of reading. The episode also touches on the need for teacher-led curriculum development, the problems of climate and culture in schools, and the severe impact of the pandemic on teaching conditions. They call for respect, proper compensation for teachers, and a shift in focus from strictly academics to trauma-informed practices to address the burnout and behavioral issues they're observing in students. The episode is a candid discussion about the current state of education and the urgent need for change.
Check out the episode show notes and Vanessa's book here: https://amandawritenow.com/navigating-adult-adhd-a-personal-and-professional-journey/In this episode, host Amanda interviews Vanessa Jones, an English teacher, writer, and voice actor who has recently authored a guidebook on adult ADHD. Vanessa discusses her personal experience with an adult ADHD diagnosis, the unnoticed symptoms in women, and the impact on her life and career. She shares insights on teaching with ADHD, the benefits of structured environments, and the accommodations that helped her succeed. The conversation also touches on Vanessa's transition to voice acting and entrepreneurship, and the importance of recognizing neurodiversity in education. Both Amanda and Vanessa reflect on the strengths that individuals with ADHD bring to teaching.
Check out the show notes, transcript, and more here: https://amandawritenow.com/the-revealing-reality-struggling-readers-face-within-the-u-s-education-system/In this episode of Empower Students Now, host Amanda interviews her sister Shelly Gonsalves, who opens up about her lifelong struggle with reading and learning difficulties. Shelly recounts her early educational challenges, the lack of support she faced, and the emotional toll it took on her self-esteem. Despite these obstacles, she persevered, exploring various career paths from graphic design to welding, and ultimately finding her place in law enforcement. Shelly's story is one of resilience and determination, as she now uses her experiences to advocate for children with similar struggles and to inspire others through her volunteer work and creative pursuits. The episode is a touching testament to overcoming adversity. But, it is also reveals the heart breaking reality of what happens to struggling readers in a system not built to support them, or their teachers.
Check out the episode show notes and more here: https://amandawritenow.com/forgotten-narratives-from-frontline-of-the-reading-wars/In this episode, hosts, Amanda and Trina, discuss the significant challenges of reading instruction in education. They delve into their personal experiences as teachers and parents, grappling with the complexities of teaching reading effectively and the impact on students. The conversation covers the history of reading, the disparities in instruction across socioeconomic lines, and the struggles faced by students with learning disabilities. The speakers call for systemic changes, emphasizing the need for high-quality curriculum, experienced teachers, and comprehensive support for struggling readers. They express frustration with the lack of resources and advocate for recognition of teachers' expertise in advancing students' reading skills.
Check out the episode show notes and more here: https://amandawritenow.com/courageous-teachers-speak-out-against-a-serious-problem-being-overlooked-in-k-12-schools/In this episode, hosts Amanda and Trina, along with guest Manuwella Allen (Mani), discuss gender equity in education, with a focus on the intersection of race and gender. They address issues of sexual harassment and abuse in schools, highlighting several disturbing cases. The conversation covers the lack of attention given to gender equity in education, the need for a more intersectional approach, and the importance of implementing Title IX. They also discuss the adultification of black girls' bodies, the problematic nature of dress codes, and the structural sexism in the teaching profession. The episode emphasizes the urgent need for change in the American public education system.
Check out the episode show notes and more here: https://amandawritenow.com/gender-equity-issues-in-k-12-schools-are-undervalued-and-neglected/In this podcast episode, Trina shares her expertise around gender equity in K-12 schools. She discusses the lack of support and unjust treatment of female students in schools, emphasizing the need for comprehensive discussions on gender equity. Amanda and Trina discuss topics such as period equity, the inclusion of girls in STEM programs, biases in the education system, anti sexist dress codes, and the lack of implementation of Title IX in our public education system. Trina shares her frustration with the lack of support for girls who experience sexual harassment and violence in schools. The episode ends with a teaser for the next episode, which will focus on the intersectionality of race and gender in educational equity.
Check out the episode show notes and more here: https://amandawritenow.com/true-educational-equity-reforms-are-not-happening-in-schools-and-repercussions-are-severe/In this episode of the podcast series "Teacher Shortage Crisis Exposed," hosts Trina and Amanda discuss the topic of educational equity and the confusion surrounding its definition. They criticize the narrowing down of the term equity to only focus on racial equity, excluding other marginalized groups. They also discuss the culture wars happening in schools and the lack of teacher representation in these conversations. They also touch on the polarized state of the country and its impact on schools, as well as the need for teachers to be respected and supported.
In this episode, Amanda and Trina interview two teachers who pushed back against using canned curriculum and discuss the sensitive nature of the stories shared by teachers and the importance of protecting their identities. They share stories from Teacher A, a veteran ELD (English Language Development) teacher, and Teacher B, a new teacher, who both experienced the limitations and ineffectiveness of canned ELD curriculum. The hosts emphasize the vital importance of valuing teachers' expertise when developing curricula, especially for marginalized students.
Check out the episode page here: https://amandawritenow.com/the-teacher-shortage-crisis-lessons-from-an-esl-teachers-stand-against-canned-curriculum/
In this podcast episode, Amanda and Trina discuss the use of canned curriculum in schools and its impact on teachers and the education system. They recognize canned curriculum is useful in certain contexts and subjects, such as for long term substitutes, new teachers, or Math and Science teachers. However, in this episode they highlight the drawbacks of canned curriculum, such as job dissatisfaction because of the lack of autonomy for educators. Canned curriculum also increases disengagement among students. They discuss the influence of school boards and politics in education decision-making. Amanda and Trina emphasize the need for change and the importance of teachers' voices and expertise in shaping our American education system. Overall, they advocate for a more personalized and relevant approach to teaching.
Check out the episode show notes and more here: https://amandawritenow.com/the-teacher-shortage-crisis-exposed-outsourcing-teacher-expertise-to-canned-curriculum-part-5/
This is part 4 of The Teacher Shortage Exposed series. It's a discussion about the insane amount of time, money, and work it takes to becoming a teacher only to face even more red tape, expectations, costs, and time sucks from the teacher induction process.
This podcast series is from real teachers' perspectives. Too much information is being spread about the teacher shortage from people who are not even teachers. It's time to hear our side of the story. It's time to hear from real teachers about why this teacher shortage crisis is happening and how to fix the problems.
Kelvin was a brand new teacher who decided to leave the profession, only two years after starting his teaching career. Trina is a teacher who has been in the profession for a decade now in a wide range of school settings. Amanda has taught many grade levels, both elementary and secondary, and has moved to three different states throughout her career as a teacher. They all discuss the personal challenges and sacrifices they had to make to becoming a teacher. They talk about the induction process and the exorbitant expectations placed on new teachers. Student loans, night classes, costly exams, paperwork, and formal observations are all the norm. Navigating a new career and all the challenges that come with being brand new teacher is already challenging. This episode exposes how completely inequitable, unrealistic, and onerous the process to becoming a teacher is and the toll it is taking on our education system.
Amanda and co-host Trina discuss the challenges and expenses involved in becoming a teacher. Trina highlights the financial, time, and emotional investment required to become a teacher in the United States, particularly in California. They discuss the high cost of teacher preparation programs, the unpaid nature of student teaching, and the bureaucratic red tape that discourages new teachers. Both Amanda and Trina share their personal experiences with the financial burden of becoming a teacher and express frustration with the misconceptions about teaching and the heavy workload teachers face. Trina suggests that teacher preparatory programs should be free and streamlined to address income inequality and privilege in the profession.
In this episode, Amanda introduces Kelvin Mak, a recently resigned high school English teacher, who shares his experiences and frustrations with the education system. Kelvin discusses his burnout and the lack of fair compensation for teachers. He and co-host Trina express their frustrations with the oppressive nature of the profession and the limitations they face in bringing about change. They feel that their voices are not heard or respected and that the system is resistant to improvement. They emphasize the need for systemic change and hope that their conversation will create a sense of unity among teachers facing similar struggles.
In this podcast episode, Amanda, the host of the Empower Students Now podcast, introduces Trina English as a special guest and co-host for a series of episodes on the teacher shortage crisis. They discuss the importance of addressing this issue, especially for students in low-income and urban areas. Trina provides insights into the history of the education system, the impact of structural racism and sexism, and the oppressive way teachers are paid. She highlights the need for change in teacher salaries, representation in the teaching profession, and the misalignment between stated values and actual funding levels. They urge listeners to share the episode to raise awareness.
Check out the episode show notes here: https://amandawritenow.com/the-teacher-shortage-exposed-how-to-fix-teacher-pay-part-1/
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner shares her personal journey of discovering that she has ADHD and the importance of teachers understanding this condition. Amanda explains that many students in classrooms may be undiagnosed with ADHD, and that girls are often not diagnosed due to societal expectations of girls. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the science behind these conditions and recognizing the strengths that come with these differences, such as creativity and high intelligence. Listen to this episode to learn how to embrace your differences and recognize your strengths. Learn more about ADHD from the best source of information on this topic: https://www.additudemag.com/
Do you want to teach your students how to read more effectively and prepare them for college and life? In this podcast episode, Amanda discusses the book "Reading Reconsidered" by Doug Lemov, which provides a wealth of information on how to improve students' reading abilities. The book emphasizes the importance of equity in education and student engagement. It is organized around four important elements of reading instruction. Amanda goes through the chapters of the book and highlights key points, such as the importance of selecting challenging texts, using close reading practices, and analyzing meaning via text-dependent questions.
While Amanda praises the book overall, she expresses some reservations about the authors' reliance on cold calling as a teaching technique. She also recommends being mindful when practicing reading with students who have learning disabilities. If you want to learn how to teach rigorous analytical reading skills, check out this episode and the book talk series available for purchase here: https://www.empowerstudentsnow.com/equity-book-talks-for-english-teachers
Are you an English teacher looking to create an anti-racist writing workshop that prioritizes student voices and celebrates diversity? Look no further than "The Antiracist Writing Workshop" by Felicia Rose Chavez. In this episode, Amanda provides a detailed review and valuable insights on how to transform the traditional writing workshop model. From creating a safe and inclusive environment to incorporating mindfulness and reflection, this episode emphasizes the importance of prioritizing student agency and building partnerships with students. Tune in and learn how to create a student-centered workshop that fosters camaraderie and celebrates the collective power of diverse voices. Purchase the entire Social Justice and Equity Book Talk Series here: https://www.empowerstudentsnow.com/equity-book-talks-for-english-teachers
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda shares her summer plans and introduces a series of episodes where she provides overviews of eight books on educational equity and social justice that she read in 2021. She also offers a toolkit for teachers that includes editable planning tools, charts, posters, mentor texts, assessment tools, and conferencing tools. Amanda then discusses the book "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain" by Zaretta Hammond, which focuses on moving students toward becoming independent learners, especially marginalized students or students of color. She highlights the importance of cultural awareness and establishing trust with students.
Purchase all the equity book talks and notes here: https://www.empowerstudentsnow.com/equity-book-talks-for-english-teachers
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda introduces her new course, The Empowered English Classroom, which aims to increase student engagement through equitable teaching practices. The host discusses the Empowered English Classroom framework, which includes steps for increasing student engagement, implementing equitable grading practices, and developing a systematic planning system. Amanda emphasizes the importance of building relationships, avoiding biases, and adapting teaching methods to meet students' needs. The course starts on June 3rd, and teachers who sign up will receive all the necessary resources to implement the framework. The episode concludes with a reminder to think about how their classroom can become an empowered one. You can sign up for this new course here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nwK2RHPs1bbXCJqFimIJhelAUfrhak3WzNzhm9MlY0k/edit?usp=sharing
In this podcast episode, Amanda discusses the negative impact of shaming kids and ourselves for screen use. She argues that screens can have benefits for neurodivergent individuals and others seeking community, and emphasizes the importance of cultivating a safe environment for students to communicate with each other in the classroom. Amanda also shares her personal experiences with therapy and the harmful effects of labeling behaviors as "good" or "bad." She suggests having conversations with children to understand their screen use and interests, discussing internet safety with them, and incorporating screen time into the classroom. Amanda concludes by emphasizing the importance of not shaming children for their screen use and creating a supportive environment for them instead.
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda discusses how to handle apathetic and defiant students in the classroom. She shares her personal experience as a parent of a neurodivergent child and suggests a collaborative approach that involves building relationships with students and engaging them in conversation about their behavior and the impact it might be having on others. Amand emphasizes the importance of explaining the purpose of classroom work and valuing students’ intelligence and bright spirits. She also encourages teachers to have heart-to-heart conversations with the whole class or specific groups of students to address the classroom environment and highlights how overloading students with constant work may be exacerbating the mental health crisis among students and adults.
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda shares that she is currently enrolled in a mindfulness and meditation teacher program and leads a guided meditation for teachers called "Dropping the Suitcases of Worries and Regrets" to help them reduce anxiety and let go of feelings of not doing enough for their students. Amanda instructs listeners to find a comfortable place to sit or lie down and relax their bodies, and guides them through a visualization exercise where they drop their worries and regrets. Amanda concludes by reminding listeners that they are enough and have everything they need in the present moment.
Are you looking for fun and engaging writing projects for your students at the end of the school year? Look no further! In this episode, I share five writing projects that will keep your students motivated and excited about writing until the last day of school. You can recreate these projects yourself using Google Docs and Slides or purchase them below. You can find information about all the projects on my website here: https://amandawritenow.com/podcast/
Any English teacher can tell you that argumentative essays written by students are more often than not, dry, dull, and formulaic. I’m here to tell you, it’s not our students’ fault. The writing units most teachers follow to teach argument essays are dry, dull, and formulaic.Common core standards require that teachers prioritize the core concepts of argument writing such as the writing process, thesis statement, claim statement, reasoning, evidence, and the annotated bibliography. Teachers have to use a step-by-step process because students need these foundations.In all the years I’ve been an English teacher I have found that writing surpasses expectations when students have a purpose for writing and are given permission to write with voice and passion about high-interest topics. Listen to learn about 8 high interest argumentative articles (mentor texts) you can use with your students tomorrow. Each article includes possible writing skills you could teach as well as discussion questions!Support this podcast (you'll benefit too, I promise) by purchasing high quality resources that increase student engagement, promote equity, and are editable here: https://amandawritenow.com/shop/
Rules dictate so much of our lives in schools. But, so many of the rules we follow in schools are extremely outdated and even oppressive. These rules need to be questioned and changed. In this off the cuff episode I share steps for teachers who are ready to start taking rule breaking and action taking seriously. Even if you aren't, which I totally respect and understand, this episode is definitely worth a listen.
Over the years I've learned that the first lesson of an argumentative writing unit is key to the success of the entire unit. The first lesson needs to accomplish a lot, so it's hard to do it right. Argumentative writing can also become boring fast. I want to help you save planning time and boost engagement through the lesson plans I create. I believe argumentative essay writing can be motivating for young writers and simple to plan for teachers. In this episode, I've put together a five day plan that I believe is the absolute best way to start any argumentative writing unit.
The neurodiversity movement is happening right now. It’s exciting, invigorating, and gaining more and more momentum every day. But, what is the neurodiversity movement? Why do students need to know about it? How can we introduce students to the complex and sometimes controversial concepts related to neurodiversity? I'll answer all these questions and more in this episode!
This podcast is no longer called The Workshop Teacher Podcast. I'm changing the name of the podcast to The Empower Students Now Podcast! Listen to this episode to find out why.
It's about time for teachers to start their opinion, persuasive, or argumentative writing units (depending on the grade you teach). Most teachers realize that sample sentences and essays are an important component of any writing unit. But, one of the hardest parts about teaching this type of writing is finding writing samples that are age appropriate.It's easy to look on websites of popular newspaper outlets and find an opinion piece, opinion polls, and someone's personal opinion shared via an editorial. The problem is these newspapers have paywalls set up, limiting access. Also, the writing is written at the high school level and much too complex for say, fifth graders. Plus tools like Newsela and CommonLit require payment. But, I'm here to shout from the rooftops that finding a variety of writing samples is easier than ever with a new tool called Chat GPT and right now it's completely free, but it might not be for long!I recently published a three-part series about how Chat GPT, and future iterations of this tool, are going to have a significant impact on the way we teach.This tool is striking fear in the hearts of teachers worried about plagiarism. But, getting stuck in fear is a mistake!English teachers need to take advantage of its ability to generate sentence examples, opinion questions, persuasive writing prompts, and more. Teachers can use this tool to enhance their teaching and save time, and I'm going to prove it to you right here, right now.
The best way to handle new technology being introduced to the education world is to investigate the tools for ourselves, with an open mind, rather than getting caught up in fear and overwhelm. I know this is hard to do, believe me, I'm a fairly neurotic, anxious person. But, as an English teacher, it is our job to teach students how to utilize critical thinking, be open minded, and organize all the information coming at us in a cohesive manner.It's our job to model this kind of behavior.Yes, our initial feelings may be that of fear and overwhelm and even defeat. Many teachers are feeling like their jobs are going to be replaced by machine learning and a chat interface. In my opinion though this new chatbot won't ever replace the importance of a human being in the classroom or the beauty and creativity that comes from human language.Check out this three part series below:Part 1: What are some of the possible impacts of AI tools like Chat GPT on teachers and students (please tell me something positive!)?Part 2: How do I prevent cheating and plagiarism when tools like this exist?Part 3: How do I talk to my students about Chat GPT?I hope these episodes help you begin to think about how these tools can change the landscape of education for the better.
Now that students have easy access to artificial intelligence chatbots like Chat GPT, teachers are pondering how to prevent students from using these tools to do their work for them. Cheating seems to be easier than ever these days. English language arts teachers are especially panicked. When I started playing with Chat GPT I felt a mixture of excitement and fear.I was excited about the potential to improve my writing with feedback from artificial intelligence, to have a tool for getting ideas for blog posts, and to be able to produce writing samples for students. I also toyed with having it write blog posts for me, knowing full well I would absolutely never copy and paste what it produced and call it mine. It lacks my voice and personality. The prospect made my head spin. I wracked my brain and the internet searching for ways to prevent plagiarism and cheating but also harness the tool to support students without hindering their thinking and learning. I decided I needed to write a series of blog posts on this topic to try and grapple with the complexities of this new technology. Each part attempts to answer essential questions teachers are asking about artificial intelligence tools like Chat GPT.Here are the questions I’m attempting to answer with this series: Part 1: 7 Ways Chat GPT Will Impact Education…Positively.Part 2: How do I prevent cheating/plagiarism when tools like this exist?Part 3: How do I talk to my students about Chat GPT?I hope these episodes help you begin to think about how these tools can change the landscape of education for the better.
I believe the topic of AI tools and how they impact education is incredibly important. So important in fact that I’ve decided to dedicate the next series of episodes to helping teachers grapple with these new and fast moving technological developments. In this series I’ll discuss three essential questions teachers are asking about AI tools like Chat GPT. I’ll also attempt to answer these questions to the best of my abilities using the extensive research I’ve done about AI tools over the last couple of months. Here’s a break down of the blog posts that are to come:Part 1: What are some of the possible impacts of AI tools like Chat GPT on teachers and students (please tell me something positive!)?Part 2: How do I prevent cheating and plagiarism when tools like this exist?Part 3: How do I talk to my students about Chat GPT?I hope these episodes help you begin to think about how these tools can change the landscape of education for the better.
Sign Up for the Free Webinar 3 Steps to Finally Getting Students Consistently Reading and Writing Independently: https://www.workshopteacherschool.com/reading-and-writing-independence-webinarEvery classroom has struggling writers. There are many reasons young writers struggle during our writing units.They may feel overwhelmed, be uninterested, have writing skill deficits because of past experiences with writing, or have learning differences.Often these struggling writers tend to be writing far below grade level and their writing abilities cause many unforeseen problems throughout their school careers. For struggling writers, any writing assignment no matter how small or big can cause anxiety, acting out, off-task behavior, or all of the above.In middle and especially high school, the struggle with writing becomes even more problematic as expectations increase. In order to avoid the struggle, these students may get other students off task. Or they may ask for help incessantly or suffer in embarrassed silence.For all of these reasons and more, it's incredibly important for writing teachers focus on building confidence in these writers. To do that we must have a toolbox of strategies they can pull from to support these struggling writers.The good news is that this episode post has twenty-eight essential tools you can utilize no matter what type of struggling writers you have and no matter how their struggles show up in your classroom.
https://amandawritenow.com/rethinking-reading-assessment-with-equity-in-mind/
I wrote this six part equity series to better understand the inequities surrounding the ways in which we teach and assess reading and writing skills in the United States. I wanted to know more. Not only that, I wanted to find practical solutions for the problems all teachers (not just English teachers) face, such as:
A lack of understanding about how to teach reading and writing effectively and with equity in mind The immense challenge of helping 30+ students with many differing needs Students receiving low grades and over again on assessments, throughout the entire school year Systemic racism and how it all plays out within our educational institutions After writing the six parts in this series (they are all linked below), I’ve discovered that these topics are fraught with a lot of controversy and many historically significant events that have had massive ripple effects.
My hope is that by synthesizing all the information, I can help busy teachers make informed decisions in their classrooms when it comes to choosing the most impactful and equitable ways to teach.
In this episode I challenge some of the inequitable grading practices that pervade our school systems. I also lay out a step-by-step solution to some of the issues we face when it comes to grading writing.
In this episode, Amanda discusses three problematic issues when it comes to unit planning. She proposes solutions to these problems too! Take a listen to discover the problems and solutions. This part four of a six-part series all about rethinking workshop practices with equity in mind.
https://amandawritenow.com/rethinking-conferencing-with-equity-in-mind/
We know conferring is a vital component of promoting equity in our classroom because doing so provides students with opportunities to advocate for themselves, voice their needs, and get support from the teacher. We know conferencing is important.
But, how do we overcome all the problematic issues we as teachers face when trying to conference with our students? What about the challenges of conferencing that everyday teachers face? What is a teacher to do when it just doesn’t seem to work the way all the workshop gurus say it will? And most important of all…how can we use conferencing practices successfully, to promote equity in our classrooms? This episode outlines a five-step process for rethinking conferencing with equity in mind!
In this episode I examine reading workshop through an equity lens. I discuss three problematic aspects of reading workshop and propose solutions to these problems. Check out the full blog post here: https://amandawritenow.com/rethinking-reading-workshop-with-equity-in-mind/
This is part one in a six part series outlining exactly how I’m rethinking my workshop classroom with an equity lens. For part one I focus on rethinking writing workshop with an equity lens. I discuss three problematic aspects of writing workshop and possible solutions for these problems.
I’ve learned and changed tremendously since the events of 2020-2021, you might even call what’s happened an identity crisis…I want to share this story here to make sense of everything for myself but also because I know there are many teachers out there that can relate.
https://amandawritenow.com/the-story-of-a-teacher-authors-identity-crisis/
This summer I'm hosting the first ever English Teacher Summer Reading Series! This event is taking place June 4th-August 14th. We will delve into 8 very popular professional development books and you don't have to read a word. I'll do all the work for you:) Go to amandawritenow.com to sign up. In this episode I share a brief summary of each of the 8 books including the most important takeaways I had from reading the books.
The end of the school year can be chaotic, so keeping students engaged and having fun is incredibly important. I have used the project detailed in this episode every year I’ve taught and it never fails to keep students loving their school work and writing until the very end. In this episode I discuss how simple this project is to get going and the steps to get this project rolling.
How big is the stack of books you want to read this summer? If you are like most English teachers, the stack is sky high. This is exactly why I’m hosting The English Teacher Summer Reading Series!
It’s a free event that is happening between June 4th-August 7th!
Attendees of the event will:
Go deep into 8 super popular professional development books without reading a single word (unless you want to of course!).
Receive a 5 minute video overview of each book every Saturday (except during my camping adventure vacation to Colorado, I’m finally getting out of the house woohoo!)
The video overview will include a one sentence summary of the book.
Participate in discussions with other teachers in a private Facebook Group!
Receive 5 key insights gained from each book. Get recommendations about how to use each book to improve your teaching practice.
Access a whole bunch more bonuses, learn more here!
So, in this episode I kick off The English Teacher Summer Reading Series with an important book I recently read called 7 Myths About Education by Daisy Christodoulou.
Sign up for The English Teacher Summer Reading Series here: http://bit.ly/summer-reading-series-2021
Read the blog post here: https://amandawritenow.com/english-teacher-summer-reading-seriesfirst-book-up-7-myths-about-education-by-daisy-christodoulou/
Have you ever gone through a paradigm shift before? A paradigm is a set of patterns. Stephen Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, says paradigms are just beliefs. But, what if those patterns, beliefs or paradigms shift? What if the beliefs you've held for so long begin to change? In this episode I discuss 5 paradigm shifts I've had recently when it comes to best teaching practices and the books that caused them!
https://amandawritenow.com/when-you-find-out-youve-been-teaching-wrong/
Are you often feeling overwhelmed with all you have to do? Maybe you feel scattered and aren’t sure what to focus your energy on. Mindfulness in your personal and professional life can most definitely help alleviate these anxieties. In this blog post I’ll share ten ways you can begin to bring more mindfulness into both your personal and professional life. You’ll learn what mindfulness is and how you can begin practicing in your personal life so you can start bringing these practices into your classroom.
Have you ever felt you weren’t supporting a group of students with writing? Maybe these students had IEPs, maybe they didn’t, maybe they were the students who turned in writing that was all over the place, spelling mistakes, run-on sentences, no paragraphs...you know what I’m talking about. And you just didn’t know how to support these students or even where to start!?!
You are not alone. I’ve felt at a loss for how to support struggling writers every single year of my 13 years as a teacher.
There are so many varying levels within one classroom. It can be hard to wrap your mind around how to support students who are struggling with writing and seem far behind all the other writers in your classroom. However, there are things we can do, that all students can benefit from, both advanced writers and struggling writers.
According to Natalie Wexler, author of The Knowledge Gap and co-author of The Writing Revolution, students who struggle with writing, and all students for that matter, need explicit instruction at the sentence level. After reading Wexler’s books, I couldn’t agree more.
In this episode I discuss 5 simple mini lessons you can teach this week if you wanted!
https://amandawritenow.com/15-ways-to-engage-students-in-meaningful-discussions-in-person-and-online/
There are so many discussion tech tools available to teachers these days! Parlay, Jamboard, Back Channel, Voxer and even Google Slides and Docs can be used to facilitate discussions among students virtually.
But, what always gets me thinking is…these tools are great, but how do we get students to actually have meaningful conversations with each other? You know what I’m talking about, a real conversation…not the fake kind, where everyone is trying to compete to impress the teacher and get a good grade.
Getting students to have meaningful discussions isn’t as hard as you might think. Listen to this episode to learn 15 things you can do to try and facilitate more meaningful discussions online or in person!
Every human who wants to better themselves goes through this cycle...They set a goal or a resolution and may even accomplish the goal but eventually things seem to situate themselves back to the way they were before. This can be such a frustrating experience! It’s so frustrating in fact that I have read hundreds of books about goal setting, habit formation and the brain to solve this annoying problem. I’ve definitely accumulated a whole lot of information about this but still...the application of this info is lacking. In this episode I discuss three things you can do to make your goals permanent!
Check out the show notes here: https://amandawritenow.com/how-to-actually-accomplish-your-goals-for-teachers-and-students/
Our classrooms are microcosms of the society we live in. The sad reality (that many have a hard time admitting) is race matters in our society and it matters in our classrooms.
A person’s race impacts so many aspects of their day to day experiences. When we ignore this fact or pretend to be colorblind, we are perpetuating the problems of stereotyping, prejudice and systemic racism.
The majority of teachers in America are white and female. Schools and neighborhoods are segregated by race. Students socially group themselves by race (and so do adults).
How do we approach issues of race with our students?
How do we help students develop their racial identity and consider how our racial identity impacts our lives?
I don’t pretend to have all the answers. I’m still reading and learning and incorporating what I learn in small, incremental ways. For now, I’m leaning a lot on mentor texts. In this episode I discuss how to use mentor texts to approach issues of race in your English Classroom. I talk about 6 mentor texts and how I'd go about using them.
https://amandawritenow.com/how-to-quit-grading-so-much/
So, you want to know how to quit grading so much? Or maybe you just want your grading process to be more systematic and meaningful for students. Well, listening to this episode is the first step to making both of these things happen!
My mission is to make teachers’ lives easier. I resigned from teaching because of COVID-19. After making this huge decision one question has been on my mind constantly…how can I help teachers?
Let’s get honest here. Teaching during a pandemic is mind-numbing, tedious, and terrible! Sitting on a screen with students or having to teach with a mask on…this is an awful time to be a teacher. If you are continuing to have a positive attitude, you amaze me!
One of the ways to ease teachers’ stress is by reducing the grading burden. Below, you’ll find 6+tips for how to stop grading so much. Some of the tips are obvious but that’s okay. Teachers need reminders just like students.
You’ll also find ideas I gleaned from an amazing book called Point-less An English Teacher’s Guide to More Meaningful Grading by Sarah M. Zerwin. This book is a game changer for teachers because Zerwin documents exactly how teachers can work within their school’s grading policies to make grading more meaningful.
I believe we can both stop grading so much and make the way we grade more meaningful!
Students in our class need to feel that their unique voices, opinions, and experiences matter. In this article, you’ll get inspiration and ideas for distance learning community building activities for middle school and high school students.
https://amandawritenow.com/distance-learning-community-building-activities-for-middle-and-high-school/
https://amandawritenow.com/how-to-teach-reading-and-writing-workshop-from-a-distance/
Many teachers are wondering, can I still teach reading and writing workshop from a distance? The quick answer is... absolutely!
Whether you want to admit it or not, the current state of the world requires we simplify what we normally do. This is exactly why we should continue doing workshop...
I've been arguing for years that workshop makes teaching simple! At this point, you might be thinking, what do you mean Amanda!?!? How is it simple? What do I do? Well, read on my dedicated, wonderful teacher friend!
Below I've listed the main components of reading and writing workshop and how each component can be tweaked to meet distance learning requirements. If you are new to workshop here are the main components: mini-lesson, work time, conferencing, charts, mentor texts and publishing.
This week Amanda discusses where she has been and shares major life events that have occurred since the last podcast. This episode will dive into some heavier topics such as the unexpected loss of a friend, Black Lives Matter protests, and not being able to see students in the same capacity. Join Amanda in the conversation, how have recent events shaped your life moving forward?
Liz's Go Fund Me https://www.gofundme.com/f/liz-brown-family-memorial-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link-tip
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1220591518069228/
5-Day Challenge: Confidently Launch Reading & Writing Workshop (in class or from a distance) https://www.workshopteacherschool.com/july-2020-training
Amanda Write Now Membership https://amandawritenow.com/
In this episode, I delve into my very best tips to manage book clubs in a meaningful way so that teachers don't have to stress during a unit like this. You might be shocked at some of my methods!
Does this sound like you? You learn a new idea, a new way of teaching, a new strategy and you're all in. You become so convinced THIS is the way to go about things from now on! But, this energy to change everything all at once eventually wears off and you're left with a lot of overwhelming feelings.
We have a lot in common if this sounds like you. I love trying new things but sometimes this innovative, open attitude leads to stress and absolute chaos in the classroom!
In my years as a teacher and a human, I've learned that it's important to try new things slowly. Change is challenging so we need to take things one baby step at a time.
In the latest podcast episode, I discuss the first baby step you need to take if you really want to get started with reading and writing workshop tomorrow! This baby step is so simple you'll probably wonder if what you are doing really is workshop. I'm here to tell you that yes, if you do this you are on your way to becoming a workshop teacher. You might even be shocked to realize you are already doing this thing!
https://amandawritenow.com/want-to-get-started-with-workshop-do-this-one-simple-yet-powerful-thing/
I cut my grading time by over 10 hours and you can too! In this podcast, learn exactly what I did to cut my grading time tremendously! This episode is brought to you by Workshop Teacher Membership: https://www.workshopteacherschool.com/workshop-teacher-membership-sign%20up-page
Teachers are SUPER busy during the school year and need to be efficient when planning new writing units. It is absolutely necessary to find ways to save time. You are probably missing one huge step before you even begin planning your lessons to save time. Find out the ONE thing you need to start doing in order to save time when planning but more importantly, to teach students what they actually need. Below you will find additional resources to help you save time.
Learn more here: https://amandawritenow.com/one-crucial-thing-you-might-not-be-doing-when-planning-writing-units-and-how-to-start-doing-it/
We all have resistant writers in our classrooms. This is a fact of teaching life. In the video below learn 13 different ways that you can help resistant writers become much more motivated. Not all of these ways will work. You need to try different combinations with different students until you’ve found the key to unlock your students’ motivation! Here are more resources related to this topic:
https://amandawritenow.com/50-ways-to-get-kids-writing-more/
http://amandawritenow.com/supporting-writers-at-all-levels/
https://amandawritenow.com/my-students-dont-write-during-writing/
https://amandawritenow.com/8-ways-teachers-kill-a-love-of-writing/
I've followed and quit so many programs in my life!
Diets, work out routines, parenting guides, teaching curriculum.
Programs are everywhere we turn.
Dictionary.com defines "program" as: a plan of action to accomplish a specified end. In this blog post I want to focus on that term "end".
All programs must come to an end. Quitting programs is the natural progression of growth.
After using the program for a time, we must let our intuition and creativity guide us!
But sometimes we feel, well, guilty for quitting programs or deviating a bit.
I'm here to tell you, we don't need to feel that way.
Quitting or deviating from a program is just the natural progression of learning.
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I get a lot of emails every week asking a wide range of questions. One question that seems to come up over and over again is, what does workshop actually look like in a secondary classroom?
Here’s the simple answer: workshop can look however you want it to look.
You could choose to do workshop every day, once a week, for a month or for six months and then quit! It’s really up to you! It can look how you want it to look. That’s the beauty of being a teacher. We get to decide how our classroom runs. You can pick and choose what resonates with you and what could work for you.
In this post I’ll discuss what it looks like in my classroom but every teacher, school and student has different needs. But, you’re probably still wondering…what does this actually look like on a day-to-day basis? To me it’s simple.
More Information about this episode: https://amandawritenow.com/what-does-workshop-actually-look-like-in-a-secondary-classroom/
Amanda Write Now homepage: https://amandawritenow.com/
FREE monthly training hosted by Amanda: https://www.workshopteacherschool.com/registration-page
I let students socialize the first day of school. Read on to find out why…
After reading this important article by Write On with Miss G (which I highly recommend you read), I thought back to my first day of school, last year. https://writeonwithmissg.com/
Here’s what’s written in my plan book 8/14/2017: introduce self, read My Name by Sandra Cisneros, go over routines/procedures and record names.
The last activity, “record names” ended up being brilliant. Originally, I just planned to record names of students who felt their name was hard to pronounce with the voice recorder app on my iPhone. I wanted to make sure I pronounced my students’ names correctly.
https://amandawritenow.com/what-im-doing-the-very-first-day-of-school-might-surprise-you-and-why-you-should-try-it-too/
Ever spend hours looking for YouTube videos to teach writing? Youtube channels for writing teachers are hard to find! YouTube is an incredible resource bank for writing teachers…but sometimes it can be annoying to sift through all the junk to get to the good stuff. Believe me, this post took hours and hours of sifting! I’ve separated out the channels based on if they are best to show students (student facing) or to keep for your own professional developmental arsenal. Check it out and don’t forget to share with your social media community if you find this post helpful…https://amandawritenow.com/10-best-youtube-channels-for-writing-teachers/
There are so many things we need to accomplish the first week of school. We need to get to the content but we also need to teach students about how our class will run and build relationships and community too. Now you may feel a bit overwhelmed at this point. Not to worry…in this episode you’ll find the tools you need to do all of these things in one class period and with one mini lesson!
You will accomplish four things during your very first mini lesson of the school year:
Students will learn the routines of your class to alleviate any anxiety they may have about being in your class and expectations you have. They will feel intrigued (maybe even excited) about you as a teacher and your class. Your class will have opportunities to begin building connections with each other and you. Students will be reading and writing on day one! https://amandawritenow.com/your-first-mini-lesson-of-the-school-year-how-workshop-is-like-playing-fortnite-battle-royale/
Teaching writing is tough and differentiating writing instruction is tougher! Student writers have so many varying needs. What do you do when Steven can crank out a well organized, thoughtful literary essay in twenty minutes and John can barely write a paragraph? What do you do when Cindy says she is confused about how to develop a claim and Sarah says she needs help organizing her essay?
This situation can be super overwhelming when 30 plus students are demanding your help or maybe five students are and the other thirty are just displaying avoidance behaviors such as distracting others or maybe reading when they should be writing? In this episode I will give you some simple strategies to remediate these issues and meet the needs of ALL your students! https://amandawritenow.com/5-simple-ways-to-differentiate-writing-instruction-in-the-middle-school-classroom/
Most writing workshop teachers know what a mentor text is (examples of writing in books, short stories, articles, poems etc.). But, what about how to use a mentor text? When I scoured the internet for the answer to this pressing question I found very little. Thus...this post. I came up with a five step process for using any mentor text. I hope it inspires you to try the process yourself! https://amandawritenow.com/teach-students-how-to-use-mentor-texts/
Every writing unit should start with mentor texts. Students need many examples of the type of writing we expect them to do. In this article, I’ve compiled my favorite middle school mentor texts. Each mentor text includes grade levels, a summary of the text and skills you could teach. https://amandawritenow.com/mentor-texts-for-middle-school/
Teaching writing is so hard! There are many reasons why, but one of the main reasons is distracting student behavior! With a plan in place, your ability to handle the distracting student behavior can improve.
No matter what though, it is important to realize that students are people who don’t necessarily value what you, the teacher, values. For most students, writing is just not a priority. So, it’s our job to approach students positively, to convince them of the value of writing and support them in finding ways to focus.
Not every strategy works for every student. My advice is to try one strategy and if that doesn’t work, try another and then another. Remember all teaching and learning is a work in progress!
https://amandawritenow.com/5-common-distracting-student-behaviors-during-writing-workshop-what-to-do-about-them/
Kids love to talk to each other, they are human and humans are social! In a classroom of thirty plus secondary students how can we balance allowing that innate need to talk with maintaining a quiet, productive atmosphere? The answer: noise levels. https://amandawritenow.com/noise-levels-in-the-workshop-classroom/
Teaching English is tough.
It is so tough that often we default to what we know best…reading books and then writing essays.
But, it doesn’t have to be this way!
In this episode you’ll learn five obstacles English teachers face and more importantly…how to overcome them.
Before I get started I just want to let you know about an awesome FREE opportunity for you this summer to go more in depth about these obstacles, it’s The Workshop Teacher School! https://amandawritenow.com/workshop-teacher-school/
When you sign up you’ll get access to my freebie library and begin building connections to other like-minded teachers!
This episode is probably the most important one I've recorded thus far! If you are looking to change your life this summer, this is a must listen episode. I discuss the podcasts and books that have transformed my personal and teaching life and they could change yours too. https://amandawritenow.com/life-changing-podcasts-and-books-for-teachers/
Teaching argumentative writing CAN be engaging especially if you use video. There are so many video resources available today that can help teach students about the structure of an argumentative piece. https://amandawritenow.com/teach-argumentative-writing-through-video/
Researching online is easier than ever. But, thoughtlessness is easier than ever too! Classrooms are transforming. They are spending more and more time learning online. We need to think about, discuss and question our online habits. In this episode you’ll hear about five bad habits exhibited by many students and tips for how to begin discussing and teaching students how to correct these bad habits. https://amandawritenow.com/5-worst-research-habits-kids-have-and-how-to-fix-them/
Most secondary teachers I know, wonderful teachers who are friends of mine by the way, teach information/expository writing using essay assignments. In this episode I discuss how to teach information writing in a way that is more applicable to the technology age. The world is changing and we as teachers need to change our instruction with it!
https://amandawritenow.com/why-youre-probably-teaching-information-writing-wrong/
The Workshop Teacher School is ABSOLUTELY FREE and was created with the obstacles YOU face in mind!
What is it? Starting Friday June 14th I will be hosting a live webinar event every Friday for five weeks. Here's what's in store each week...
Week 1: How to Get Started with Workshop…and Why Workshop is the Very Best Way to Teach Reading & Writing
Week 2: Fitting Everything in…How to Teach Both Reading AND Writing Workshop
Week 3: Student Engagement & Motivation Strategies that Work
Week 4: How to Simplify Your Assessment Systems
Week 5: Year-Long Curriculum Planning
SIGN UP HERE: https://amandawritenow.com/workshop-teacher-school/
Want to survive the week before any break?!?! The answer is to have fun with your students! In this episode Amanda discusses ten ways to have fun with your students the week before a break. Because, who wants to do boring school work when a much needed break is just around the corner? https://amandawritenow.com/10-ways-to-make-reading-writing-joyful-before-break/
Google Classroom has completely transformed classrooms. We can easily share and make copies of Docs, Slides, Forms and more with our students. But, how can we utilize this powerful tool during writing workshop. In this episode learn five creative ways to use Google Classroom during writing workshop! https://amandawritenow.com/5-ways-to-use-google-classroom-during-writing-workshop/
In this episode learn how to support writers who finish early, who have special needs, who are sloppy, who are unmotivated and who are overachievers. https://amandawritenow.com/supporting-writers-at-all-levels/
Lessoning planning can be easy! Find out how to simplify the process in this episode for writing teachers!
In this episode learn some ways to start your writing unit or introduce a writing assignment that actually might just excite your students. Here is the blog post associated with this episode: https://amandawritenow.com/5-exciting-ways-to-introduce-your-writing-unit/
What are mentor texts and where do you find them? This episode answers both those questions! https://amandawritenow.com/places-to-find-mentor-texts-that-you-may-not-have-thought-of/
It is tough coming back to school after a long break but it doesn't have to be. In this episode I discuss five fun, simple activities you can do with your class when you come back from a long break. https://amandawritenow.com/5-fun-activities-to-do-with-your-students-the-day-after-coming-back-from-a-long-break/
In this episode I discuss three passions beyond reading and writing workshop: community building, meditation and digital literacy. https://amandawritenow.com/im-more-than-an-english-teacher/
Fiction is neglected in English classrooms everywhere. In this episode learn five reasons you should bring fiction back into your writing curriculum. As a bonus learns some pitfalls when teaching fiction writing too! https://amandawritenow.com/we-need-to-stop-neglecting-fiction/
Why is your writing awful? Why are some writers better than others? Why do some people hate writing? In this episode learn the answers to these questions and get inspiration for ways to teach students about these elephant in the room questions. https://amandawritenow.com/the-truth-about-writing-part-one/
Do you want to try writing workshop but aren't sure how to get started? In this episode I walk beginners through the process of starting a writing workshop program in their classroom. You won't want to miss this episode if you've been wanting to try writing workshop but feel unsure about how to start. https://amandawritenow.com/the-beginners-guide-to-writing-workshop/
I kill a love of writing in my classroom! Do you? In this episode I discuss ways to minimize this negative impact we sometimes have on students just because of the words we use when teaching writing. https://amandawritenow.com/8-ways-teachers-kill-a-love-of-writing/
In the summer of 2016 I had the opportunity to attend the Summer Writing Institute hosted by the leading think tank for teaching writing, The Reading & Writing Project. This week-long experience was life changing. I am a different teacher because of the things I learned at this conference. In this episode I share ten takeaways from the experience. https://amandawritenow.com/ten-realizations-about-the-teaching-of-writing/
Grading hundreds of papers is the bane of an English teacher’s existence. Don’t get me wrong. I love being able to get a thorough look into the minds of my students and their writing abilities. Reading their writing can actually be quite pleasurable. It’s slapping a letter grade onto that writing that has always bothered me. So in this episode I’d like to go over ten things that have helped me make grading a much easier and satisfying process. https://amandawritenow.com/10-ways-to-make-grading-writing-easier/
There are five major routines that students need to get down before workshop can actually work. Learn the five routines and how to teach them in this episode. https://amandawritenow.com/the-ultimate-writing-workshop-routines-guide/
Teachers struggle to fit it all in. This episode delves into how exactly I manage to teach both reading and writing workshop in one period. https://amandawritenow.com/how-i-teach-reading-and-writing-workshop-in-54-minutes/
English teachers struggle to fit it all in. We want to teach the novels we love while also allowing the freedom and choice that reading workshop provides. Can we do both? Yes! Keep reading to find out how… https://amandawritenow.com/whole-class-novels-reading-workshop-style/
What can we do to minimize the goofing off and increase on task behavior during independent writing/reading time? How can we make sure that our classrooms are productive places where readers and writers thrive? Listen to this episode to learn how to create an environment that allows for real reading and writing to take place. No more of that fake stuff! https://amandawritenow.com/my-students-dont-write-during-writing/
Learn exactly what I did in my classroom to launch both reading and writing workshop in fourteen days.
https://amandawritenow.com/launching-writing-workshop/
This episode is meant for secondary teachers who are on the fence about whether to try reading and writing workshop in their class. You'll hear ten convincing (I hope) reasons why you should definitely give workshop a chance!
https://amandawritenow.com/10-reasons-secondary-teachers-should-try-reading-writing-workshop/