Prep Hour: Recent Episodes
Peter Kotrodimos, Marcus Hire and Mark Tawney
Ever wonder what teachers really do on their Prep Hour? Join hosts Peter Kotrodimos, Marcus Hire, and Mark Tawney for a unique experience of the trials and tribulations of a teacher. The Prep Hour Podcast reviews trends, current events, and best practices in education. With over 40 years of experience, Prep Hour will provide an honest insight into the essence of public education and its complement to a healthy democracy.
What happens when three teachers talk about the profession over a bottle of wine on a Friday night? A lot of bad things. WARNING: Foul language was used during the recording of this episode--much like every other episode.
In today's episode, we speak with a teacher who has decided not to renew her contract for next year. Listen to find out why.
Today's episode aired in October of 2021.
We won’t lie, this episode is sinuous. We were set to discuss teacher mentorships, but the discussion bobbed and weaved through a myriad of topics, such as, creating a culture in school, what teachers should really complain about, and how leadership can help facilitate a more welcoming environment for students. Hint, it involves giving teachers more freedom to manage their students and classroom environment.
We hope you enjoy the episode. As always, please join our discussion by visiting us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @prephourpodcast.
In this episode of Prep Hour, we speak with Beth Lewis and Nicky Indicavitch of Save Our Schools Arizona.
Links:
ESA Voucher Information (Grand Canyon Institute)
Save Our Schools Arizona
Marcus and Pete discuss the usefulness of group projects. Are group projects beneficial? Are they worth the time? Also, the two talk briefly about an ethical dilemma Pete is having with ChatGPT (Yes, again with the ChatGPT!)--Maybe you can help!
Is direct instruction bad? Do you feel like you talk too much during class? In this episode, we discuss the effectiveness of lecturing and what to do to break up your content and get students working and learning.
Are you certain that "A" essay was written by your student? Today we talk about ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) program that can do the writing for you. A time saver or a teacher's worse nightmare? We'll discuss it and more on Prep Hour. Enjoy!
ChatGPT Link
Also, be sure to leave a review of the show!
In today's episode, we talk about celebrating holidays in the classroom. Do holidays alienate students or are holidays a way to have fun and bring communities together? Marcus also surprises Mark and Pete with a reflection question. Let us know YOUR thoughts on the subject by commenting on our Facebook or Instagram page.
Today we discuss how parents can be involved in their child's classroom. Also, we talk about some of the concerns we have with the lack of involvement, cultural differences in parent interactions, and parents talking about teachers behind their backs.
Today we discuss the AEL and how it affects politics and education in Arizona. Please be sure to contact your state legislator and ask them to pass the spending limit AND reform the 1980 law.
Join us in our very, uh, depressing episode about the state of schools in Arizona. We discuss the 2022 Arizona Midterm elections and what they may mean for Arizona teachers, the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship program, and, of course, the Arizona teacher shortage.
Sources:
Voucher Article from AzCentral
Teacher Shortages from Education Week
Join us today as we talk about the ins and outs of instructional coaching. What is it? And how should it be implemented?
Robert Allen joins us today to talk about his experience with student travel and having students work on community outreach projects. Robert Allen has over 20 years of teaching experience. We hope today's discussion inspires teachers to think outside of the box and get their students serving outside the classroom.
Today Prep Hour discusses the politics of education in Arizona.
State Educational Standards for Arizona: Standards by Grade Level
We speak with high school principal, Melinda Murphy, about the challenges facing educational leaders. Melinda is principal of Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona.
Prep Hour is joined by Matt Compiseno, social studies teacher and Model UN coordinator at Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona. Matt guides us through what it's like creating and facilitating this exciting academic club. Enjoy!
Model UN Maricopa Community Colleges
UN Global Issues
Model UN Example Page
Also, look up the Model UN app by Bellwether Systems on Google Play and in the Apple Store.
Teaching, politics, and the social contract, we discuss it all in today's episode. Is Arizona's teacher residency program a step in the right direction? Is it a cure-all for the severe teacher shortage in Arizona? We have a lot of opinions. And, as always, we verve off course throughout the episode.
WARNING: This episode has several instances of foul language. We apologize if this offends you. We'll do better. Okay, we'll try, but...
Links to sources used:
Teacher Adjusted Pay
The Arizona Republic Article
Arizona Capitol Times Article
Arizona K12 Center (Teacher Residency Outline)
Sara Goff, the founder of Lift the Lid, a global 501(c)(3), joins Prep Hour to discuss the ideas of validation, recognition and finding self-worth through education.
"Author Sara Goff spent seven years as a New York City fashion designer and merchandiser before leaving her career to make a difference in the world. She founded the global educational charity Lift the Lid, Inc. in 2010, which supports underprivileged schools and encourages young people to exercise their creative expression through writing.
In 2019, Sara started an organization for political wellness and effective communication called Bridging Minds. Their active online discussion group of nearly 2200 members and growing — a positive place to share perspectives and compare facts — represents voices across America. Her novel “I Always Cry at Weddings” (WhiteFire Publishing, 2015) is a New York City tale about figuring out your purpose in life and finding love." (https://www.saragoff.com/, 2021)
Links:
Lift the Lid Organization
Sara Goff
Bridging Minds Collective
In today's episode, we lay out 10 reasons why you should become a teacher. If you think we missed something, let us know by joining our conversation on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at @prephourpodcast.
Until next time!
One of our most downloaded episodes. Enjoy it again, or for the first time!
Join Prep Hour and veteran elementary school teacher, Heather Tawney, as we discuss teacher associations, building community, and teaching controversial topics in the classroom.
Join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @prephourpodcast
We won’t lie, this episode is sinuous. We were set to discuss teacher mentorships, but the discussion bobbed and weaved through a myriad of topics, such as, creating a culture in school, what teachers should really complain about, and how leadership can help facilitate a more welcoming environment for students. Hint, it involves giving teachers more freedom to manage their students and classroom environment.
We hope you enjoy the episode. As always, please join our discussion by visiting us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @prephourpodcast.
Join Prep Hour and our guest, Dr. Lisa McCray Cannon, as we promote EVABSE's launch and learn conference. We discuss CRT, equity, and how to promote social learning and acceptance in our schools.
https://www.facebook.com/evabse/
https://instagram.com/eastvalley_abse?utm_medium=copy_link
In this episode, we talk about AP versus dual enrollment courses. If you're a teacher we discuss the pros and cons of teaching AP and dual enrollment, and we talk about how to become an AP teacher.
If you're a parent or student, we discuss the pros and cons of taking an AP or dual enrollment course. Also, we discuss which course is best for your goals.
Prep Hour speaks with several teachers and administrators about the pros and cons of the past school year and how COVID-19 will change education in the years to come.
Today we explore the rich and diverse field of CTE. CTE provides public school students the ability to acquire trade skills needed for the workforce.
Today we speak with Mary Brightman, a culinary teacher in Gilbert, AZ, about some of the challenges and misconceptions associated with CTE courses. We also talk about the special moments that make teaching CTE rewarding.
Link: What Is CTE?
Today, sans Mark, we discuss teacher burnout, how to recognize it, and how it affects your student and community.
Join Prep Hour as we discuss the intricacies and nuances of creating community in the classroom.
If you have ideas on how to create community in the classroom, please share them with our listeners on our Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter page at @prephourpodcast.
Teachers hate to waste time. In today's episode, we talk about the attributes of good PD and what administrators should think about when trying to give teachers quality professional development.
Cheating is a part of life for many high schoolers, well, 95% of them anyway. In today's episode, we talk about cheating, why students cheat, and what we can do with our practice to disincentivize cheating.
Resources:
Edutopia Article: Statistics and Why
Harvard Article: Discussion with Students
The episode title references a Hank Williams, Sr., song titled, Your Cheatin' Heart.
Life happens! We wanted to take advantage of a short break and replay our very first episode. We hope you enjoy it. If you've already heard this episode, please use this time to catch up with the rest of our catalog. See you all next week.
Title I schools get portrayed as "troubled" schools or "bad" schools. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Prep Hour invites Karla Palafox, a Title I school teacher, to help us tear down those misconceptions. Karla explains how culture, misconceptions, and language barriers deter many qualified teachers from a teaching job that is filled with meaningful relationships, tough-love, and purpose.
Join Prep Hour and guest, Kayla North, as we eat breakfast burritos (thanks Mark) and discuss Title I schools.
Kayla North currently teaches fifth grade in a non-Title I school. Before that, she taught at a Title I school in Mesa, Arizona for five years.
Join Prep Hour and Save Our Schools Arizona (SOS AZ) as we discuss the impact vouchers and ESAs have on our students, schools, and community.
Helpful Links:
SOS AZ
Sign Up To Speak
Arizona Legislature
In Prep Hour's recurring segment Teacher Talk, we discuss the craft of pedagogy with teachers from all walks of life.
Our first Teacher Talk guest is none other than our own, Marcus Hire. Enjoy the discussion.
Be sure to join our conversation on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Website Link:
Prep Hour Webpage
Join Prep Hour and former public school administrator, Jim Hall, as we discuss a myriad of topics ranging from charter school funding, academics, environment, and demographics.
"I noticed that [a] charter organization was having a board meeting ... so I decided to attend. I started this organization largely because of an incident that occurred when I attended the board meeting. The Board President demanded to know my name – I repeated over and over that I was a member of the public and did not have to give my name. At the end of the meeting, a senior member of the company that manages the charter schools demanded my name in the hallway outside the meeting room. I refused and she pulled out her phone and took my picture saying “I’m taking your picture in case there are problems in the future”. I was completely shocked at this display of arrogance. Arizonans for Charter School Accountability was born the next day." --Jim Hall, AZCSA
Arizonans for Charter School Accountability Link
How do you make a history classroom more engaging? What do essential questions do for students? And what the hell is a Thematic Unit?
Join Prep Hour as we discuss the benefits and effectiveness of teaching history with thematic units.
Resources:
Designing and Teaching Thematic Units
What Are Essential Questions and How Do I Use them?
Join Prep Hour and veteran elementary school teacher, Heather Tawney, as we discuss teacher associations, building community, and teaching controversial topics in the classroom.
Join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @prephourpodcast
In this episode, we talk about the relevance of charter schools. Our guest is Dan Provonsha. Dan has 15 years of experience as a public high school physics teacher and is currently a high school assistant principal at American Leadership Academy (ALA), a charter school in Gilbert, Arizona. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show--This is Prep Hour.
We sit down with veteran coach and educator, Tim Barmettler and discuss the intricacies of prep sports, club sports and getting our kids involved in school activities.
How do prep sports impact students’ lives and increase community outreach? How do club sports affect school sports? Are we more interested in winning than participation? How do we get more students involved in sports and intramurals? The answer to these questions and more on the next Prep Hour.
In today's episode, we discuss the trials and tribulations of teaching online during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A movement or a moment? Prep Hour sits down with veteran public school teacher Jackie Haener-Figueroa to discuss the effects of the Red for Ed movement.