Teaching Tomorrow Podcast: Recent Episodes
Celeste Kirsh
Teaching Tomorrow is a show for educators who earnestly desire to become more awesome at what they do. Middle level educator Celeste Kirsh speaks to experts about the future of teaching and learning so you can get practical ideas that you can literally use tomorrow in your classroom.
How can education be a way to create more belonging and contribution for young people? Today, I have the delight of sharing Nikolai Pizarro of Raising Readers.For full show notes, visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2023/07/17/episode83/
How might teachers respond when truth seems to be increasingly devalued in what young people read online? I am joined by Erin Oxland to discuss this question and many others along the way.Erin Oxland is the First Vice President, Lead Negotiator, and Grievance Officer for the Kawartha Pine Ridge Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario. Prior to stepping into this fascinating role (which we totally get into, by the way), Erin was a middle school teacher in Port Hope Ontario. In her practice, she prioritized authentic, rich, and relevant learning experiences for her students, which included deeply investigating the intersections of fake news, media literacy, and journalism. Whether you are interested in exploring one teacher’s experience with critical media literacy or hearing about her transition from the classroom to being an elected union official, this conversation has something for everyone. For full show notes, visit:https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2023/07/04/episode82/
This episode was originally published on the Teaching Writers Speak podcast—which is part of the Toronto Writing Project. I am a producer of this show and so it felt necessary to not only formally introduce Teaching Tomorrow listeners to the show, but also to transplant this conversation as a way to explain some of the questions behind the research project I am wading into.To check out The Toronto Writing Project:https://www.torontowritingproject.com/To listen to all of the Teaching Writers Speak podcast episodes:https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/teaching-writers-speak/id1615880288
How can educators nurture a functional democracy when young people struggle to find reliable sources of information? To dig into this question, I am joined by Ken Boyd from CIVIX Canada.For Full Shownotes, Visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2023/05/29/episode80/Ken Boyd is the Director of Education at CIVIX, a Canadian charity that develops experiential learning programs to help students develop skills and habits of informed citizenship. He researches and develops materials for two programs: PoliTalks, a program that helps students develop the skills needed to have constructive discussions about political and social issues, and CTRL-F, a digital media literacy skills program that helps students identify mis- and disinformation online. He also runs training sessions and workshops with teachers and students to teach them about digital media literacy and how to navigate an increasingly complex online world.Ken holds a PhD in philosophy from the University of Toronto. Before moving to the non-profit sector, he taught philosophy at a number of universities across Canada, and was most recently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Southern Denmark, where he worked on research projects about the barriers to communicating scientific information online. He is also a writer of public philosophy, and a regular contributor to The Prindle Post, a digital publication focused on ethical issues in the news.
How is digital literacy related to social justice? Today on the show I have the honour of sitting down with a leading thinker in education, Dr. Kristen Hawley Turner. Dr. Kristen Hawley Turner is a professor of education at Drew University and she is the director of the Drew Writing Project, which is a chapter of The National Writing Project. In this conversation we explore the terrain of digital literacy, its links to social justice, and how teachers must reimagine what our essential job descriptions are if we are going to meet the needs of the learners in our classrooms. As we are both parents, Kristen and I also get into our roles with our children and what can be done in the home to augment and reinforce critical digital literacy to help our young people thrive.I think you will find yourself nodding along in agreement as you listen to Dr. Hawley Turner explains her work and thinking in this conversation that I am so delighted to share with you.For Full Shownotes (and all the links to things mentioned), visit:https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2023/05/16/episode79/
Back in the fall of 2021, I left my dream job for another dream: to dig deep into questions that I had been just scratching at throughout my classroom teaching experience. Well, now almost two years into my PhD program (and over a year since my last update episode–you can find that one on episode 67), I’m here to share the highlights, the challenges, the hiccups, and the mini-victories.
Anita Li is the publisher, founder, CEO, and editor in chief of The Green Line Toronto: a hyper local independent news outlet. I first encountered her when I had my students watch her TedX talk on the power of digital journalism–and not only did my Grade 8 class at the time deeply appreciate her message on digital composing, but they kept coming back to her ideas related to why representation matters in newsrooms.In this interview we cover a lot of ground: we get into the ever-evolving nature of journalism, how growing up in Scarborough prepared her for a career of curiosity and connection, as well as some of the ways that the shift towards digital composing may have transformed writing for the better.For full show notes, visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2023/05/16/episode77/
What is the relationship between writing, teaching, and hosting a podcast? Today on the show I sit down with the Teaching Writers Speak podcast host, Ty Walkland.
For full show notes, visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2022/06/20/episode76/
What does it mean to be called to the teaching profession and how can we sustain that passion when things get hard? Today on the show I am in conversation with Margaret from My Call to Teach.
- In this episode, we talk about starting an edu-business making resources (or solutions) for teachers
- Her top business advice for other teachers (that's actually also great teaching advice)
- Finding unselfish self-care in a challenging profession
- How to give students a memorable end of year experience
For full show notes, go to:
https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2022/06/07/episode75/
How can Gay-Straight alliances support students and make schools more inclusive spaces for all? Today on the show I speak with GSA advisor and coach James Potteiger
There is a lot happening in schools right now that put our LGBTQ students at risk. So I’m thrilled to get to share this conversation I had with James about his work with GSAs. James has been running at GSA at his school in Pennsylvania for the past two years and he shares the ways the alliance has improved his school for all students, the role that the GSA plays for young people in his school, and James’ journey towards running the GSA––which is especially powerful to hear since he identifies as a straight, white, cis-gender man with an Evangelical background.
I left this conversation feeling inspired, hopeful, and so deeply grateful for how people like James are making all of our schools better places.
For the show notes, visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2022/05/24/episode73/
How can teachers use journalism and reverse mentorship to transform student learning? Today on the show I am joined by Dr. Ed Madison to explore this question and so much more.
For full shownotes, visit:
Why should we fully embrace the joys of being a B-minus teacher? Today on the show I speak with the awesome Patti Firth, founder, CEO, and owner of Madly Learning.
For full show notes go to: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2022/03/21/episode71/
What happens when educators are given the time and support to address complex dilemmas in their practice?
Today on the show we have a panel discussion celebrating 10 years of Cohort 21.
A huge thank you to Garth Nichols, Justin Medved, Ashley Domina, Ashley Bailey Davis. Laura Mustard, Melissa Jolicoeur, and Derek Doucet for being part of this conversation today.
For full shownotes, visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2022/03/07/episode70/
How might we improve the teaching of writing by identifying as writers ourselves? Today on the show I speak with Jen Laffin, founder of Teach Write.
For full show notes, go to: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2022/02/22/episode69/
For Full Show Notes, Visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2022/01/31/episode68/
How might teachers generate abundance and wealth with a hustle on the side? Today on the show I speak with Dr. Shaun Woodly from Teach Hustle Inspire.
Many of us in education have hobbies that are also teaching related. I know folks who write curriculum, who facilitate professional development, work as a coach or consultant, and of course you know–host a podcast. Dr. Shaun Woodley, CEO and founder of Teach Hustle Inspire, is here to share his vision for the upcoming Build It On The Side Conference: a way for educators to learn some of the tools and strategies of entrepreneurial thinking.
For full show notes, jump to: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2022/01/04/episode66/
How might we improve student writing by leveraging our innate desire for social connection? Today on the podcast, I make a case for why you should consider including journalistic writing in your class.
For full show notes, check out: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/12/21/episode65/
For full show notes, visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/12/06/episode64/
How might we create a community of care in our schools through mindfulness practices? Today on the show I speak with Laura Sygrove and Rochelle Miller from the New Leaf Foundation. Full show notes can be found at: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/11/10/communitiesofcare/
For full show notes, check out the blog at:
https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/10/25/episode62/
How might we embrace both the incrementalism and urgency of anti-racism growth in all of our schools? Today I talk with the amazing Jennifer Grant on the show.Jennifer Grant is the director of the Office of Anti-Racism, Equity and Human Rights Services at George Brown College in Toronto and has a background in Child Youth Care.
We talk in this episode about both the incrementalism and the urgency of institutional change, how she manages such a big portfolio, and the realities of anti-racism in her school context. Jennifer’s approach to this work is so deeply relational and full of hope.
For full show notes, go check out:
What has it been like to start a PhD during a pandemic? Today it’s just me on the show sharing my reflections on the first few days of this new educational journey.
To complete the very short and very helpful listener survey go to: shorturl.at/bsAJP
For full show notes go to: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/09/20/phdweek1/
How can we as educators learn from the experience our students had this past summer at camp? Today on the show I am joined by Ross McIntyre, The Director of Community Initiatives at Camp Couchiching. Full show notes can be found here: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/09/07/rossmclntyre/
Please take a few minutes a complete the listener survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKd7BFSJOnRx8esc8BQxL9lhf2Ilyx1t3ooLPLHYMQp0Zz1w/viewform?usp=sf_link
How might teachers use their voice and power for social change? Today on the show I speak with social justice artist and sketchnote enthusiast, Sylvia Duckworth.
For all the shownotes and references, go to the blog: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/05/31/sylviaduckworth/
How might we revolutionize education by streamlining workflow and designing better systems for everyone in school? Today on the show I am joined by the incredible Angela Watson.
For full show notes, pop on over to: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/05/24/angelawatson/
In order to better understand why students are not turning on their cameras and to more effectively teach when online in this context, I talk to three educators: May Lu, Ronald Hae, and Jen Bairos.
For full show notes, visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/05/18/56-when-students-are-not-turning-on-their-cameras-2/
For full show notes, check out: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/05/11/55-using-podcasts-for-student-and-teacher-learning-a-solo-episode/
Touching base with the guests from episode 30 about what we have learned about teaching in the pandemic, one year later.
How can educators practice having brave conversations to positively affect change? I am so excited to share with you today the conversation I had with Talking Together for Change.
For full show notes and things mentioned in this episode, visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/04/12/tt4c/
Thanks for listening to this episode and including this learning in your life. To pay it forward, you can do three things: share a quick rating and review on Apple podcasts, follow me on the socials to stay on top of the latest episodes (I’m @teaching_tomorrow on Instagram and @teach_tomorrow on Twitter), and of course, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
How might spoken word poetry ignite a passion for writing, language, and performance in young people? Today on the show I speak with spoken word poet, Britta B.
For the show notes, go to: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/04/05/brittab/
How might schools better serve and support students, especially during this time of great destabilization?
Dr. Simon is an associate professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at The University of Toronto in the department of Curriculum Teaching and Learning. I asked Rob on the show to speak about the Addressing Injustices project: in this conversation, get into how the Addressing Injustices team use Youth Participatory Action Research to affect change, but we also explore teacher education, the field of multi-literacies, and the concept of “productive discomfort.”
For full show notes, jump to: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/03/28/41-robsimon/
How might we learn from the recent human rights annual report published by the TDSB? Today on the show I speak with education activist and parent advocate Alexis Dawson.
For full show notes: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/03/23/40-addressing-an…th-alexis-dawson/
How might teachers ensure that stories of oppressed and marginalized people get taught in their classrooms. Today on the show I speak with 2020 Prime Minister’s Teaching Award recipient, Rachel Luke.
For full show notes, visit:https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/03/14/rachelluke/
What are your superpowers and how can you use those for other people in the teaching profession? Today on the show I get to talk to my friend, colleague, and Middle School French teacher Erin Imrie.
For full show notes and stuff mentioned in this episode visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/03/09/48-teacher-mental-health-in-a-panoramic-with-erin-imrie/
The views expressed in this podcast at that of my own, as well as the guests that speak freely on the episode, and do not necessarily reflect any organizations that I am affiliated with.
How might we teachers not let our strengths become our weaknesses? Today on the show, a “what’s on my mind” solo episode.
How might hopeful school leaders become the leader they want to be? Today I talk to elementary school principal Diane Brown about leadership in times of crisis.
For full show notes visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/02/22/46-seeing-your-o…with-diane-brown/
How might teachers use mindfulness as a tool for developing resilience? Today on the show I am joined by sisters Christi-an and Natalie Slomka speaking about the school resources developed by Calm.
For full show notes visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/02/14/45-calm-school-r…n-and-nat-slomka/
When was the last time you learned something new and how long did it take you to understand that thing? Today on the show we are talking competency based learning with Sara Tahir.
For full show notes, visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/02/08/44-competency-ba…-with-sara-tahir/
How might teachers use their powers of professional judgement as tools for change? Today I am joined by Dr Beyhan Farhadi speaking about the challenges with online learning.
For full show notes:
Join educators and innovators to discuss how to best collect evidence and observations in the math classroom when students are learning virtually, at home, or with hybrid models of learning during the pandemic.
For full show notes: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/01/24/42-evidence-coll…c-math-classroom/
Carina Stone shares her experiences homeschooling / unschooling her 3 children. She started this well before the pandemic and her insights about young people and learning have huge potential for supporting all parents and educators as young people learn from home due to the global pandemic.
How can teachers best facilitate conversations the day after an emotionally charged world event. Today on the show, I am joined by Genny Lee, science teacher and diversity, equity, and inclusion specialist.
For full show notes:
https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/01/11/40-how-to-talk-t…t-with-genny-lee/
How might teachers embed emotional literacy with diversity, equity, and inclusion learning? Today on the show I speak with the award-winning educator, consultant and writer, Shakil Choudhury.
For full show notes, visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2021/01/04/39-deep-diversity-in-education-with-shakil-choudhury/
After three weeks back at school following my 8 month maternity leave, I share 10 things that are holding me up and what's good about COVID school. For full show notes: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2020/12/24/38-whats-holding…p-a-solo-episode/
How might leaders in education not let the crisis of this pandemic go to waste? Today on the show, I have the privilege of speaking to Dr Angela Terpstra, head of The Bishop Strachan School. Click on the link to take you to the full show notes: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2020/12/06/37-leading-throu…-angela-terpstra/
How might we rethink teaching during the pandemic from a place of “have to” towards “get to”? This episode features a conversation with Dr Kristen Clarke. For full show notes, jump to our blog: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2020/11/23/36-we-get-to-tea…r-kristen-clarke/
Grant Lichtman in discussion with Garth and Justin. For full shownotes, pop on over to https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2020/11/08/35-iconic-moment…h-grant-lichtman/
In this episode, I talk with Dr Winifred Hunsburger on looking a little differently at our practices as teachers. For full shownotes, go to our blog at https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2020/11/04/34-teaching-who-…ifred-hunsburger/
How might we reimagine the future of education that is currently under construction? Today I am joined by the powerful tag team of Justin Medved and Garth Nichols, co-founders of Cohort 21.
For full show notes, visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2020/10/20/33-the-future-we…nd-garth-nichols/
A short update on the JK situation and a reflection on what it means to choose to be in education right now. For full show notes visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2020/09/29/32-the-gifts-of-right-now-a-solo-episode/
To see the full show notes, visit the blog: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2020/08/21/31-should-i-send-my-child-to-jk/
Here we are on Tuesday March 17th and everything is different.
On this episode today, I talk to Les McBeth, Adam Caplan, Garth Nichols, and Lara Jensen about what works well with online learning to best support our students as we step into this new pedagogy in a pandemic.
For full show notes visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2020/03/17/30-pedagogy-for-a-pandemic-with-les-mcbeth-adam-caplan-garth-nichols-and-lara-jensen/
Have you ever noticed that I start each episode with a question that begins with “How Might We”? Okay, so that comes from Les McBeth who I am so excited to have on the show today. While Les McBeth did not invent the “HOW MIGHT WE” structure of questioning (that comes from design thinking…which Les also did not invent), but she did introduce it to me and the rest of the Cohort 21 community.
For full show notes, visit:
How might educators overcome our own typically non-existent Indigenous education as young people to teach about first-peoples in a way that is responsible, ethical, and based in action?
For full show notes, go to: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2019/12/05/28-truth-and-rec…r-angela-nardozi/
How might teachers find that sweet spot between intensity and ease in their own lives, as well as how we program our students? In this third teachers who run episode, we talk to high school science teacher May Lu.
For full show notes, please visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2019/11/21/27-teachers-who-…ries-with-may-lu/
How could getting rid of the desks in your classroom, promote deep learning for your students? Today we have Richard Smith on the show to share some of his best practices for inspiring young people to learn French.
My cohort 21 colleague Jen Bairos told me about Richard Smith back when we recorded our episode together—which is episode 13 (part 2) if you haven’t listened to it yet––I didn’t know a lot, but Jen basically said that he was a French teacher who went deskless to promote better classroom conversations in French. I was intrigued. But I honestly don’t know anything about French, so I felt like I wouldn’t be the best person to conduct the interview. So I asked Jen to record a call with Richard and that is what I am sharing with you today.
Go to: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2019/11/08/26-deskless-french-learning-with-richard-smith/ for full show notes and links to resources mentioned in the show
Kai Cheng Thom is a writer, performer, cultural worker, and speaker. She also just happened to work with my wife for several years, so I am lucky enough to have the privilege of knowing her as a friend and not only as a celebrated public figure. I asked Kai Cheng to join me on the podcast today because when she was young, she attended an all boys school where she was sent by her parents in an attempt to help her conform more her gender assigned at birth.
For full show notes, go to the blog at:
Today I talk to Tim Somerville about the many surprising overlaps in his practice as both a teacher and long distance runner.
Jump to the link below for all the show notes: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2019/10/10/24-teachers-who-…h-tim-somerville/
It’s kind of like a hockey arena: you have the boards set up so they can skate around the rink and they can’t go beyond. Today I talk to master teacher, Chris Russell, on some of his best Classroom Management strategies.
For full show notes and links, visit the blog: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2019/10/04/23-intuitive-cla…th-chris-russell/
How might we create more space for grace, curiosity, and exploration in our work with young people? Today, I am joined by life coach Courtney Harris to tease apart this question. For full show notes, visit:
The Cohort 21 2019-20 still has a few spaces available for CIS Ontario educators. Claim yours at cohort21.com
For full shownotes, please jump on over to our main site at: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2019/08/22/21-collaborative…th-moses-velasco/
Show notes for this episode can be found on our blog at this link: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2019/07/23/19-applying-to-a…with-barb-mclean/
For full show notes, visit the blog:
https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2019/07/05/18-everyone-belonging-at-school-through-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-learning-with-rosetta-lee/
You can also comment and ask questions here too!
For full show notes on this episode, visit:
https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2019/06/18/17-simple-inquir…-from-start-sole/
How can school librarians work to move away from being gatekeepers and towards being gateways to information? Today I am joined by brilliant Laura Mustard and we discuss this question.
Laura Mustard has been a coach with Cohort 21 for a few years now, but more relevantly, she is the librarian at St Clements School in Toronto. One of my favourite things is to talk to Laura about what books my students should be reading, how to instill a love of reading in young people, and what innovative projects she is developing in her space.
In our conversations we talk about the privilege that librarians have to not only watch students grow up through literature, but also the profound role that she plays as being an adult that doesn’t grade children. This unique position allows Laura to help students engage with learning for the sake of learning, which is really what all of us hope for with our students.
Laura and I chatted in her house and her adorable cats also wanted to make an appearance on the podcast, so if you hear some cute little mewing in the background, you can just picture them crawling all over us while we were trying to sound composed.
For full show notes, visit:
https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2019/04/27/16-librarians-as…th-laura-mustard/
For full show notes, visit:
https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/wp-admin/index.php?page=msreader.php
A discussion with drama researcher Dr. Kathleen Gallagher about the intersection of research, drama, young people, and radical hope. The research we discuss has been transformed into a powerful play––Towards Youth––that you most definitely need to see:
https://www.crowstheatre.com/whats-on/view-all/towards-youth-a-play-on-radical-hope
Full show notes can be found:
- (part 2)Using design thinking to improve professional learning with Jennifer Bairos by Celeste Kirsh
Helpful Links and Resources:
http://gse.hightechhigh.org/unboxed/issue17/an_edu-nerds_heaven/
https://cohort21.com/
https://cohort21.com/mary-ellenwilcox/
Jodi is a bit of a celebrity in my books who just so happens to teach with me at The Bishop Strachan School. Through her active online presence and role on the College Board, Jodi has been a leader in the AP community and is currently teaching AP English for Grade 11 students, and an online course, “Challenge and Change”.
I invited Jodi on the show to share her strategy for how she helps students actually digest their feedback in her English classes and how her very do-able strategy helps young people take responsibility for their learning. Jodi’s system can make your report card writing easier, your parent-teacher conferences more productive, and your students more self-reflective learners. We also touch on the ways that she helps students in her English class manage perfectionism.
Some handy mentions from the show you may want to explore: - https://twitter.com/jriceto?lang=en - http://talkswithteachers.com/ - http://www.pz.harvard.edu/resources/creating-cultures-of-thinking-the-8-forces-we-must-master-to-truly-transform-our-schools - https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/pod/
What would you create in education if you actually had the time to think, plan, and design something meaningful? Today I talk to the incredible Allison Macrae who helped to start the CIS Ontario Women’s Networking Event with Deirdre Timusk and Tina Jagdeo. I am so excited to confirm that the date for the CIS Ontario Women’s Networking Event is set for Tuesday February 26th 2019, open to all CIS Ontario teachers.
https://cohort21.com/allisonmacrae/2018/01/18/cisontario-leanin/
https://www.cisontario.ca/page.cfm?p=309&newsid=149&ncat=6
https://www.ucc.on.ca/page/news-detail?pk=1172667
What are the benefits of independent schools? Are they institutions set up to benefit their own families or could they also have a larger purpose in the greater educational landscape? This is just one of the questions Patti MacDonald and I pick apart in this episode.
https://www.cais.ca/careers
https://www.theschool.columbia.edu/page
Sarah Craig is the Executive Director of CIS Ontario and in this episode, she sits down and shares a little on her journey towards this prominent leadership position, as well as what is currently inspiring her in education today.
Matt Badali, grade 2 teacher at The Bishop Strachan School, shares his approach to teaching mindfulness with Grade 2 students.
What happens when your child steals your phone and starts talking to Siri in French? You won’t believe the business that blossoms from this moment in Derek Doucet’s life. I’m your host, Celeste Kirsh, and we are teaching tomorrow.
Derek Doucet is the new Program Area Leader for Communications at Lakefield College just outside of Peterborough. For many years he was a facilitator with Cohort 21 and he recently went through the Google Innovator program where he has been developing a tool that has the power to transform how young people learn language. Derek’s idea got picked up by the Innovation Cluster, which basically means that he will be getting training, support, and mentorship to take his idea from the page to the stage where he can turn this into a viable business.
This is an awesome episode to listen to if you are curious about what the Google Innovator program is all about or if you are like me and often think about side-hussles that you could take on outside of teaching. Derek is living the dream!
This episode is not sponsored by Google, it is legitimately a conversation between two people about a program that helps teachers design solutions to their problems. Obviously this is just one of the many excellent learning experiences out there for teachers, so if you want me to share your transformative PD experience, reach out to me on Twitter @teach_tomorrow and who knows, you just might find yourself on the show!
Derek describes himself as 99% extrovert and I know you will love his positive energy and optimistic outlook.
How can we as teachers bring our summer way of being into every single day of our life at school? I invited my coach, Justine Cappel, onto the show today to talk about just that.
Justine is a certified personal trainer, level 1 Precision Nutrition Coach, pre / post natal fitness specialist, and the owner of Twenty Toes fitness.
https://twentytoesfitness.com/
While she focuses on working with women, her philosophy of navigating the middle ground of health and wellness I see as so applicable to teachers, regardless of their gender.
We sat down in my living room in the summer to talk about finding wellness in the daily grind of teaching, what teachers can do right now to improve their wellness, and why accountability is such an important dial mover. Justine also shares with me the health term that I apparently coined, so be sure to stay listening for that one.
I think it will become pretty clear how much I adore Justine how transformative she has been on my own health and wellness journey and I am so excited to share her work with my teaching community.
If you have been listening to the previous episodes on the show, you will notice that I switched up my final ticket out the door question for Justine, seeing as she is not a classroom teacher. But what I loved about her response is that it exactly fits what I hope the future of learning will be: responsibility, accountability, support through the online world, and getting out of that one-size fits all paradigm.
Justine is up to some pretty awesome things. If her message about moderation, accountability, and “just a little bit better” resonated with you, I encourage you join her 365 Tribe!
https://justinecappel.lpages.co/365-tribe-teaching-tomorrow
What do you teach? Most of us would likely answer this question with a subject or a grade level. But not Garth Nichols. His answer: I teach kids.
Garth Nichols is the vice principal of student engagement and experiential development at Havergal College in Toronto Ontario. While he is initiating exciting opportunities to redefine learning by day with the students at his school, in his “off” time, Garth started from the ground up the innovative year-long professional development experience that is Cohort 21.
If you heard Justin Medved from episode 2, you likely have a solid primer of what Cohort 21 is all about. I was lucky enough to join this year-long professional development experience in its first iteration back in 2012. While this personalized learning model has grown over the years, it can best be described as four face-to-face sessions that help educators design their own action research projects in their schools to help address an emergent dilemma that they face. Garth will get into more about what the program looks like, but if you are curious, definitely check out the show notes for the link to the Cohort 21 main page.
Garth’s humour, zest for learning, and vision for education are what makes him a truly exceptional leader and a wonderful guest to talk with. So here is what we talked about around his dining room table:
A huge thank you to Garth for recording this episode not one, but two times. The first time we rolled tape, I played it back and realized the sound quality was less than ideal. His generosity and willingness to be patient with the learners around him is, I think, what makes Garth a really exceptional educator.
After you finish this show, keep your phone in your hand or open up your iTunes window and rate this podcast. It seems like a really insignificant action, but with podcasts we don’t have like buttons or a double tap heart feature. So giving this show a rating and leaving a quick review helps us know that we are reaching you, that you are moved by what you heard, and helps us grow as a podcast.
Related Resources:
Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin https://www.amazon.ca/Tribes-We-Need-You-Lead/dp/1591842336
Why a School Doesn't Run (or Change) Like a Village http://www.robevans.org/Pages/articles/why-schools-dont-run-like-a-business.htm
For full show notes, go to: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2018/09/02/4-the-public-pur…-danielle-passno/
For full show notes, visit: https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2018/08/17/3-decentring-whi…ldner-rabinowitz/
For full show notes go to:
https://cohort21.com/teachingtomorrow/2018/08/17/2-changing-the-game-for-teacher-learning-with-justin-medved/