The Parent/Teacher Conference: Recent Episodes
Coach Cullen
A veteran teacher and parent who has been told that he "marches to the beat of a different drummer" shares his thoughts about education (among other things) from those perspectives in a hope to repair bridges for the betterment of our students/children.
Coach uses a discussion with a college friend who was using a history major to prove his value in the world of marketing as the beginning of a "lesson" on why a history education is important (He believes all teachers should be able to share where their content is important, or what's the point for their students to learn it)
He provides the major points he discusses with his students, including quotes from George Santayana, CS Lewis, George Orwell, and Issac Newton. He even gets "involved' in the 2024 Presidential Election by discussing a member of the MN State Department of Education that Governor Walz appointed that is a proponent of changing the way Americans look at their past (not in a positive way)
One thing that will be emphasized is that a history education should keep us humble; being unguarded to accept evil practices as good.
In this episode, Coach gives you a glimpse into his classroom lessons and how he uses the first few days to engage the students thinking; rather than just read a syllabus, he uses it to discuss topic in civics such as rights, liberty, types of governments as well as review my classroom rules. Yes, Coach really does declare not only that his class is a dictatorship, but why they will thank him at the end of the year for it.
The episode ends with a word that most children don't realize that sometimes can be the most loving word their parents say to them.
Below are a number of my favorite episodes over the first 200 that I shared on Facebook (The Parent Teacher Conference) and Twitter (@coachcullen411)
10 Things I Shared With My Daughters
What To Do With Special Education
A Hoosier Redemption
Why Teachers Are Quitting
My Colorblind Family Part 1
My Colorblind Family Part 2
What is the Best Christmas Movie-12 Days of Christmas Arguments
I can't believe it! It's the 200th Parent Teacher Conference. First, thanks to the small, but loyal listeners who have shared with me and talked with me about some of the topics I've presented. You don't know how I valued all the conversations.
On this episode, Coach goes a bit deeper on the reason he created this podcast; a place for a moderate to right, traditionalist, voice to be heard during a time when progressive voices in education & parenting were dominating. Coach realized there were many parents and teachers who needed to know there were more of us out there. Also thoughts coming from a teacher who was still in the trenches rather than one with a few years "in the game" who left to tell the ones left in the fight how to be a teacher.
Be looking on Twitter (@coachcullen411) and Facebook
(The Parent Teacher Conference Page and Group) for postings of Coach's favorite of his 200 episodes this week.
Coach also mentions one of his favorite Youtube teacher channels TeacherTherapy. Take a listen
Youtube Channel
Spotify Channel
Reflecting on the passing of Matthew Perry & the disregard to his humanity that has been revealed in the indictments handed down for his death to people including doctors, Coach discusses the trait of real friends; the courage to say "that is wrong, don't do it", that "No" can be the most loving word that can be heard, basically to be honest.
Going beyond honest friends, Coach encourages parents and teachers to "be the adults in the room". He pushes back against the affirmation culture and its idea that "No" is harmful to a child's self-esteem and should be avoided, especially when it comes to sexuality during a time in childhood that we know that the part of the brain for decision making is still being developed.
As a teacher, what are you doing on the first day of school with your students? Are you going to drone on about the rules and expectations? If your students could choose to go back for day 2, would they? Coach shares the Home Run Derby he plays with his students on day 1, how he learns what is important in the minds of his students through play, and how he uses that opening day excitement to motivate his students in history.
He then pivots to Back to School Night, reminding teachers this is their opportunity to give their students' parents a taste of what goes on in your classroom. If the presentation bores them, what is that telling them about what their child is thinking about your class?
For parents, you get to see the inner workings of a teacher's mind as they approach these two days that others may find trivial, but Coach sees as important. It also will inform you about how best to approach your child's Back to School night from a parent's POV.
And one last point...a teacher should always undersell what they do in the classroom rather than oversell.
Many teachers complain about the first day of school for teachers (commonly called an inservice or professional development). Yes, their summer break is over, but the experience is like going to the dentist for a root canal. You want to be anywhere else but there. There are administrators are more focused on the public relations and press releases that come out of that day rather than if it is actually beneficial to their staff. Often, outside speakers are more about the fee they receive than providing what the teachers in their audience actually need.
Coach shares his idea of his plans for a first day professional development for teachers if superintendent, administrators, and principals had the courage to do it.
Food, Brevity, Encouragement, Purposeful.
After watching a Facebook reel that made teachers feel they are the problem when it comes to student behavior (and worse, if it was part of a opening day keynote presentation) Coach decides to give a pep talk for teachers heading back to school to start the new year.
From ideas like the best safe space in a classroom is structure and rules to teaching being like long distance driving (minus the ability to pull over for a potty break)
Teachers need to know that their passion keeps them coming back to a job year after year that others would struggle to keep up.
Coach completes his review of the Abigail Shrier book Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up. The focus in the episode deals with the questions "Are we teaching our children what is true about reality?" and "When we cast a wide net about trauma, are we actually doing more harm than good?" Ideas such as resilience, agency, and being the adult in the room are discussed when looking at topics such as Restorative Justice. Is the affirmative approach creating narcissists? Can people act mean in the name of empathy? Also, a brief discussion of the topic of Shrier's other best seller, "Irreversible Damage" on Gender Dysphoria is discussed from the viewpoint of a father with teen daughters.
If you truly believe that to be informed one must see differing perspectives and viewpoints, then Shirer's book is a must read for parents & teachers to help raising kids.
Our first session of Bad Therapy, the latest best seller by Abigail Shirer subtitled, "Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up" discusses a new term for Coach, iatrogenesis, unintended harm by a doctor to a patient. Shirer uses this to bring up valid questions about the push for more therapy for children and the push for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in the classroom. She uses discussions with therapists in the field that as parents and teachers should be used when determining the best course of action for children and what the school's role and teacher's role should be.
We need to return to emphasizing the word civil in civil discourse again.
After the failed assassination of President Trump, Coach talks about several issues of the concern of hostile political rhetoric including the influence of the 24/7 news channels.
He then discusses how we should approach Election 2024 in the classroom, how we need to promote Democracy in the classroom, that includes teaching American ideals and how they developed, looking for agreement rather than disagreement, and how to properly disagree with a fellow student (and always feel comfortable in the classroom to do so without fearing an ad hominem attack).
A review of the Nicholas Carr book, The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains. Even though written over 10 years ago, the studies and examples offered are still relevant as we move in the age of smartphones. Carr details that it isn't just a psychological issue, but physiological as it changes are brain structure.
The questions addressed in this episode include, "What is the value of memorization?" and "How has the internet changed education?"
It is a great companion to the episode Konnected Kids, a Review of the Jonathan Haidt book The Anxious Generation,
"This is bad, this is really, really bad"
With the presidential season beginning a bit early this year, Coach shares how he would have addressed the Trump Biden debate of June 2024 in class. He shares the lies that were presented, the example of Ronald Reagan with similar concerns to President Biden in his 1st debate with Walter Mondale in 1984, and why he is calling it the Cincinnati debate when it took place in Atlanta (it has nothing to do with the actual debate).
1st Presidential Debate Reagan v Mondale 1984
Wall Street Journal: Behind Closed Doors, Biden Slipping
Axios: Top Aides Shield Biden
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The most defining difference between people in the US is not cultural, racial, ethnic, or gender based, but ideological.
Second in the summer reading series is the title, "Lies My Liberal Teacher Told Me" by Winfred Reilly. The obvious relation to the older text "Lies My Teacher Told Me" by James Loewen is obvious. Where Reilly is upfront of his bias, Loewen obscures it (along with Howard Zinn).
Reilly's work would help the diversity, equity, and inclusion that is championed in most classrooms today.
Link to a Blog Post on this Episode If You Would Like to Share It
Amazon's Listing for Lies My Liberal Teacher Told Me
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The state of Louisiana has mandate the 10 commandments to be posted in all public school classrooms. The ACLU has already said it will take the state to court due to violation of the separation of church and state. As a parent, teacher, and Christian, what does Coach think about that? Find out.
Coach also shares some of the Christian beliefs of the founding fathers and how they relate to not just our founding documents, but also to the abolition of slavery.
If you never heard of the influence of the First and Second Great Awakening on the United States, shame on your history teachers.
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Are we more strict with our kids in the real world than we are in the digital world?
First book talk of the summer, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt where he addresses that question. Citing stats of the decline of mental health among teens beginning with the advent of smartphones and social media, Coach brings not just the problems Haidt addresses but also one of his solutions...a return to the play based childhood.
Along the way Coach calls Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death prophetic and offers insight into what he sees in the classroom in light of Haidt insights.
The Anxious Generation is a must read for parents and teachers alike.
Professor Haidt's endorsed website mentioned in the episode
https://letgrow.org
.
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Who was your favorite TV Dad? In honor of Father's Day, Coach shares who his favorite TV dad was and how the role of the dad in the family has diminished in the past 60 years both in reality and on TV. The shocking statistics of fatherless homes will be provided as father's are encouraged to rise above their animalistic narcissism and leave the world a better place through their children.
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Do you know what a mondegreen is? The episode opens with an explanation and then discusses the concept of teacher tenure. Some of the problems it creates for students, parents, and teachers, some ideas of solutions, and some of the positive aspects (with side conversations on high stake testing in schools and pensions)
The following article is referenced in the episode from the Fordham Institute.
Let's Talk About Bad Teachers
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Today Coach talks about youth sports, the difference between coaching girls and boys in middle school, and concerns he has about recreation level coaches.
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Last in a series on commencements speeches. The episode begins with more responses from the speech given by KC Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and then turns to the one given by Jerry Seinfeld's at Duke University. Undeterred by very small level demonstrations, Seinfeld reminds us to look at the little things for enjoyment in life, and that your privilege is a strength that you should be proud of rather than embarrassed by.
Jerry Seinfeld's Duke Commencement Speech
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If you went to college, do you remember the name of the person who gave the commencement speech? Do you remember the topic? I, like millions of others have forgotten, but this year, graduates of two colleges will never forget.
1st in a two part series, Coach talks about the commencement speech of Harrison Butker, the place kicker of the Kansas City Chiefs, at a small Catholic college in Kansas and how what he said was twisted to demonize him, even getting the NFL to denounce him. Coach reads to you the "offensive" parts of the speech and offers other information that points to Butler's intent, to raise the profile of Mothers and Wives as worthy pursuits.
Butker's Commencement Speech at Benedictine College
Coach provides a defense for Butler's view from unlikely sources who actually disagree with him (Whoopi Goldberg and Bill Maher) and are willing to expose the hypocrisy of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Also, the actions of those in the news media to make a non-story into a story and how students need to learn that in any course on media literacy.NPR article on Melissa Kearney's book:
The Two Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind.
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The number one reasons that teachers are quitting is the deterioration of classroom behavior & lack of consequences. In this episode, Coach questions the push to remove writing names of misbehavior on board, addressing outbursts in classroom privately, and clip arts.
Why do we often think the worst of teachers in the addressing these situations rather than the worst of the acts?
Do we display more concern toward how the misbehaving will react to the consequence at the expense of behaving students?
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State Testing Season is Upon, but did No Child Left Behind Act (Bush #2) and Every Student Succeeds Act (Obama) emphasis on high stake testing really improve anything other than the bottom line for testing corporations?
Coach shares the changes he has seen education since there implementation, the tension they create for students and educators, and the lack of real value these tests offer him about the strengths and weaknesses of his own children.
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Special Edition...At one point does a protest stop being lawful? Are the college protests over the Palestinian Israel Conflict of 23-24 the high water mark of progressivism? Did the book, "The Coddling of the American Mind" get it right?Coach contrasts the campus demonstrations of the 60's with today's and sees if we can learn where American culture is going. Playing Nostradamus, Coach uses thoughts about Bill Maher, Richard Dawkins, and young Catholics who desire to return to a more traditional faith as evidence for his prediction.Article about Young Catholics:https://www.chron.com/news/article/a-step-back-in-time-america-s-catholic-church-19432333.php--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ptcpodcast/message
Using the experience of two brothers who were both top athletes and scholars at his high school, and graduating with the late NFL defensive lineman Tony Siragusa, Coach shares his perspective that the "Dumb Jock" trope was something he never saw; no one was excused from school work for their athletic skills. Playing sports teaches skills that will help athletes not only be successful on the field, but in life.
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One of the influences of my wife is the enjoyment of one her favorite TV shows of all time, Wings. Coach shares the overarching story of Joe and Brian Hackett needing to know the value of brotherhood (which we laughed at the many lessons they had of that over 8 years). Coach then turns to the classroom and the home and explains how we need to have a holistic view of both in order to build true safe spaces for our students and children.
The episode ends with how parents can best deal with the a defiant child using an example of a woman named Monica with her son Angie..
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Last in a series on Old School Teaching Tools That Shouldn't Be Tossed.
Starting with a discussion of the blow back he has received from the episodes "More Than a Pencil" & "Past Due Review", Coach shares the purpose of these episodes; to support teachers who are being told to ditch consequences (typically the #1 reason given as to why teachers are leaving the profession)
He then discusses his concerns about "sharing power" with his students in the classroom, citing an Edutopia article (posted below) that calls for a more "Democratic" classroom, and demonstrating its flaw and standing by the principle "There is a hierarchy in the classroom by necessity"
The episode ends with Coach sharing his "Dictatorship" model classroom management technique, points out several areas of agreement he has with the Edutopia article, and concludes with sharing how students dont really want you as their friend either.
Edutopia: "The Power of a Democratic Classroom" by Carla Marschall. July 27, 2021
https://www.edutopia.org/article/power-democratic-classroom
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Second in a series on Old School Teaching Tools That Shouldn't Be Tossed.
Do you give deductions for late work? Have you been told it's wrong to give deductions for late work? Coach shares some of the faulty arguments that teachers use to convince other teachers to give up consequences for late assignments. The requirement of a project often goes beyond the actual content being assessed. Punctuality is a requirement just as writing three paragraphs for a three paragraph essay is a requirement. He also shares his approach and concerns what is really being reinforced by not holding students accountable for handing assignments in on time.
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First in a series on Old School Teaching Tools That Shouldn't Be Tossed.
Have you ever heard the legend of the rock band Van Halen and their request that no brown M&M's could be backstage? It's not a legend and was for a valid reason. From that story, we discuss:
Should a teacher freely give a student a pencil if they forgot one for class?
It seems like such a minor point, but Coach uses it to expand upon the many lessons a student learns in not receiving one, how minor frustration is better than just handing one out.
Coach also refutes typical arguments educators have used to shame teachers into handing out pencils like Halloween candy, such as the "Worst Case Scenario" and "Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right"
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Coach throws a curve in this episode by discussing one of his favorite movies of all time, Hoosiers. He reveals some little known facts of the movie (Did you know Gene Hackman thought it would sink his career?) and then discusses the theme that penetrates the soul of all who watch it, REDEMPTION. With the Lent/Easter season upon us, it seems to be a great time to talk about such a great word.
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The day before St. Patrick's Day, I taught a lesson about Irish discrimination in the U.S. Students had never learned that before. Is it because some in our culture have widened the net of what is racism. And widening the net of these definitions places people who do not agree with these expansive new definitions as unjustly complicit and guilty of those terms.
Coach denounces all forms of racism and shares why he has personal "skin in the game", reviews the changes in American culture, first looking at the changes when people of different ethnic backgrounds marry each other to the future as more people of different racial backgrounds will be getting married as well (including Coach's own daughters) only to further strengthen the continued use of the word "colorblind", and offering black voices (Sowell, McWhorter, Steele) that are just as concerned of these progressive ideas that seek division by their labeling others rather than finding common ground on what unifies us as American
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What games did you play as a kid? Spud, Manhunt, Red Light, Green Light? What were they providing you in a low risk environment?
What board games did you play? On this episode, Coach gives specific board games that can be used in the classroom or at home to teach different topics, get kids off social media & their devices for a bit, and just to have some fun.
Games mentioned include: Chutes & Ladders, Blookus, Yahtzee, One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Timeline, Scrabble, Password, Pit, Gamestormer, Clue, and more!
Final of 5 episodes from the Disconnect from Tech Series
Coach will be conducting a session on Non Digital Games in the the Classroom for the NJAMLE (New Jersey Association of Middle Level Educators) Conference in mid March 2024. The next few podcasts will be expansions of some of the ideas he will be sharing.
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What games did you play outside with your friends growing up? What did you learn? On this episode, Coach shares his thoughts on the reason why we decrease play (the increase of professional youth sport programs and how it decreases play and local community cohesiveness) and how we believe play takes away from academics.
He ends the episode with quotes that support the need for play in young people's lives; a safe way for them to learn important skills as well as a hedge against future mental health issues.
Episode Four in the Disconnect from Tech Series
Coach will be conducting a session on Non Digital Games in the the Classroom for the NJAMLE (New Jersey Association of Middle Level Educators) Conference in mid March 2024. The next few podcasts will be expansions of some of the ideas he will be sharing.
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Recent studies reveal worsening mental health outcomes for teens today with many pointing to sharp rises in issues such as anxiety, depression, self harm, and loneliness in American youth coinciding with the introduction of smartphones and social media in society.
What can schools do to help & what are they doing that may be fanning he flames of the rise? Coach shares his opinions on how a nothing is right in society, a social justice approach, expansion of the words such as "trauma" when we mean "discomfort" seeing students as data points, and lack of recess are contributing to the problem.
He also has statistic based advice for parents to help improve mental health outcomes for their children...go to church.
Episode Three in the Disconnect from Tech Series
Coach will be conducting a session on Non Digital Games in the the Classroom for the NJAMLE (New Jersey Association of Middle Level Educators) Conference in mid March 2024. The next few podcasts will be expansions of some of the ideas he will be sharing.
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In this episode, Coach discusses some disturbing trends for teens. He begins by giving us a history of how communal our entertainment once was and the move to individualization. He then shares statistics on teen self harm, anxiety, depression, and loneliness, and those stats are NOT in a positive direction.
Jonathan Haidt's video referenced in the episode (author of upcoming book "The Anxious Generation). Some of the statistics mentioned in the episode are presented for you to see.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVq4ARIlNVg&t=210s
Episode Two in the Disconnect from Tech Series
Coach will be conducting a session on Non Digital Games in the the Classroom for the NJAMLE (New Jersey Association of Middle Level Educators) Conference in mid March 2024. The next few podcasts will be expansions of some of the ideas he will be sharing.
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Episode One in the Disconnect from Tech Series
Coach will be conducting a session on Non Digital Games in the the Classroom for the NJAMLE (New Jersey Association of Middle Level Educators) Conference in mid March 2024. The next few podcasts will be expansions of some of the ideas he will be sharing.
In the first of this series, Coach shares how being a recreation/camp director of a small church camp shaped his views of how to develop community in the classroom in order to engage learners.
How fun and games help break down differences of the diverse experiences of kids from various racial and socio-economic communities as well as to "pick the lock" of barriers kids build out of fear of rejection by others to form a cohesive camping experience for all the teens and allow them to engage with the messages being presented.
And how these camp lessons can be adapted to the classroom setting.
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Coach celebrates the start of his 3rd year of the Parent Teacher Conference podcasts by doing a retrospective of his teaching career in order to discover the reason he remains in the classroom while other teachers are quitting the profession.
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Restorative Justice is a modern buzzword in education, and although some of its practices can be chalked up to what is already considered good classroom management & relationship building, many teachers are questioning its move to remove consequences from the equation (and some are even quitting the profession due to this issue). Where is the justice for the teacher and the majority of the students in the class who want to learn?
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After a month break, Coach discusses his struggles with the winter months, and shares his approach to students who have missing assignments. He questions if we are teaching them to narcissistic by never deducting points or giving out zeros. He ends by praising the parents who have been supportive when he approaches them for their assistance.
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What does a near perfect game in baseball have to do with the classroom and the family?
In this episode, Coach discusses how an official on the athletic field demonstrates the necessity for the need of a power imbalance in the classroom by the teacher and by the parents in order to satisfy the purpose of the game, class, and family and to keep kids safe.
My father living the quote "I'm not your friend, I'm your father" was the most loving gift he ever gave me. He kept me from dangerous falls and helped me be the man I am today.
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From a Harvard President, to President's Biden and Trump, to AI use among students in the Classroom, Coach offers his opinions on plagiarism and what we really should be teaching our students, character development, the one thing each individual can control.
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In this year in review episode (the 80th of 2023), Coach revisits several topics that seemed to span several episodes:
How the Disney Way can influence the classroom positively
The classroom behavior crisis, the impact of digital devices on kids, and the teacher shortages.
Why Coach is proud of his daughters for choosing a colorblind approach in their relationships rather than an Anti-Racist one.
Along the way, you will hear the 80's teen comedy Better Off Dead mentioned along with Super Bowl Champion football player educating the president of an esteemed school on race relations.
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IF YOU HAVE DOWNLOADED THE ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL EPISODE, DELETE IT. A LOT OF ERRORS
HOPE THIS ONE IS MORE ENJOYABLE!
On a very special episode, Coach uses the format of an old Christmas special, with 4 different talks centering on Christmas. Being addressed are:
1) Coach's Christmas Tradition Origin Story
2) The Grinch Who Want to End Christmas
3) Why Die Hard is a Hallmark Christmas Movie for Men
4) What the carol, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" can remind us about Christianity.
Here is the link to the song discussed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7670CXvPX0
Merry Christmas!
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Online grades books sound great in theory, but can lead to anxiety in students as their parents are checking 24/7 for grades. Growth and learning are replaced by the necessity of the A and figuring out "the game" to get the A. In this episode, Coach talks from his experience as a teacher who uses online grading apps, how they assist teachers, but also can create more headaches, even declaring that at times the Internet has made us more stupider. As a parent, he shares how it is best used to help parents, teachers, and most importantly, the child.
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"Give 'em the positives!"
Politicians of both major parties love to tell their citizens that a law will provide relief but never share or address the consequences. Coach discusses 2 decisions in New Jersey, one new and the effects of one old one. Recently, NJ's Governor Murphy signed a law ending the Basic Skills test as a requirement for NJ teachers and how it will not address the teacher shortage issue is the first.
The other is how a 2% school budget cap per year implemented during Governor Christie's administration can lead to wasteful spending for unnecessary projects by a Board of Education, asks of the taxpayers for greater amounts of interest bearing bonds to cover what they actually need, and will never address the issue of what the 2% cap was even passed to do; a reduction or even a maintaining of the current property tax amount.
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On this episode, a parent, teacher, and tax payer looks at a school referendum. What need does a referendum address? Why should I be inspired to sacrifice money from my household budget and vote "yes"? Coach looks at the problem with the 2% cap imposed on NJ school boards and towns (with an explanation of what that means), the importance of school architects in speaking to teachers in the trenches rather than just the board and admins, repair or replace, and the need to be forward thinking.
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On this episode, Coach shares the important information that he provides for his daughters every day in order to be successful in school. Information he shares in a prayer and a blessing. Information that will help your child start and build friendships, show kindness in a small way that may help another child in need, be safe from harm, doing their best, and most importantly, knowing Mom and Dad are there when things go wrong.
Here is the prayer/blessing
Dear Lord,
Please be with my child today.
Protect them from all physical and emotional harm.
Help (him/her) show the love of Jesus to all her friends and teachers/
Help (him/her) do what is right according to the Bible.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Always smile
Always say "Hello"
Always be kind to everyone
And always do your best
Daddy (or/and Mommy) loves you very much
And so does Jesus.
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A recent educational meme asks educators to share unpopular educational positions. Coach uses the episode to share some of the ones he believes would have a room full of teacher to pull out their knives (figuratively of course) if he stated them. Find out how Coach uses a comedian (Bill Maher) and journalist (Bari Weiss) to prove his points and explains why we as teachers shouldn't be surprised the other side of a political spectrum pushes back if we buy into the view from Paulo Freire, that all teaching is a political act.
Please listen and email you figurative knife out or let Coach know if you are putting it away at ptcpodcast411@gmail.com
Coach's Knives Out Comments:
The Progressive View of Teaching Has Hurt Teachers
I Don't Give Kids a Pencil If They Forgot One
I Take Off Points For Late Assignments
Educators With Doctorates Don't Impress Me
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Should Thanksgiving be used as a time to criticize the many ways European colonists & the U.S. have mistreated Native Americans throughout the centuries (and they did) or as an inner look of the many blessings of good we have in her lives. Coach discusses how our the current trend of Critical Theory can influence us to practice "Critical Life Theory" where we only look on the bad and see ourselves as perpetual victims, and how this approach to life is not good for our mental health.
Instead we should see the positives of the 1st Thanksgiving; the lessons the Pilgrims and Wampanoag can teach us about tolerance. Coach shares some of the stories that are rarely mentioned of that first encounter and how the peace lasted between the two different people groups of a half century.
The episodes end with Coach thanking his family, and how even what some may see as negatives can be great positives (such as the word "NO" sometimes being the most loving word you can hear).
So this Thanksgiving, take stock of the good in your life, and reach out to those who have provided you with good and say "Thanks". It won't just be a salve for their mental health, but yours as well.
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Teachers want to quit, parents are struggling, and children need help. Coach brings up times where a small act of kindness has gone a long way, even recently as he needed "a win" to remind him people do care. And if you need that win, so do others.
Most of the episode he tells his favorite story heard from a pulpit, the Teddy Stoddard story. He first heard it in 1988, and still has a powerful influence on him today. And even though it's a work of fiction, it can still express the truth that the simplest act of kindness can go a long way.
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As teachers, we shouldn't assume that students who are struggling, those refusing to do work or behave, come from parents who refuse to parent. Sometimes, those parents are struggling in silence, they see their friends post the successes of their children, they watch the school honor every kid, but see little in the way of help when their fight with their child isn't for A's but just t do their to do homework.
And if they come to teachers for help, do we shame them or have compassion for them. In this episode, Coach speaks out against teachers who are quick to dismiss a student, praises those who champion their student, and most importantly, encourages parents in this situation, offering some advice, and letting them know, they are not alone.
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Why are teachers quitting in record numbers? Considering discussions with peers, his own frustrations with education, and a whole bunch of Youtube videos, Coach offers his views on why teachers are quitting. The discussion will go from the philosophical to the practical. Listen until the end where he offers what may be a controversial reason for the burden many teachers are feeling and causing an increasing number than usual to say, "I've had enough". You may be able to replace a teacher, but it is far more difficult to replace a great one.
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Coach shares his experience with his championship boys soccer team. What he looks for in making a team, the need for camaraderie along with skills, and the key ingredient, perseverance. He shares antidotes of the season, from the goalie who earned his team's respect to the 8th graders who taught the underclassmen how to be a team.
The episode ends with the championship game; one of the most exciting games Coach ever was a part of as a player or coach, one where his team taught those in attendance the truth of "It's never over until its over"
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The South Orange Maplewood School District (NJ) has made news by removing Halloween from the school, using arguments such as cultural/religious values of the community, cost for those less fortunate, and equity as reasons. Coach discusses why the administration's argument are weak & continue to create a divide between home and school. Also mentioned are solutions to some of the arguments presented, the sex ed curriculum and so called book banning, and even how renaming the celebration of Halloween is still a "pig with lipstick"
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What happens when a teacher podcaster asks ChatGPT to create the transcript for a podcast episode? Listen to this brief episode where AI tells us how we can use it in the social studies, history, English Language Arts, Art, Foreign Language, Science, and Math classroom as well as the challenges that AI creates with cheating in the classroom.
Let me know how AI at ptcpodcast411@gmail.com.
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Collaboration is an important skill for kids to develop but group work can be the bane of a student's experience (as well as parents). Coach shares the value of group work, the approach he has in grading group work (and a way to have groups maintain a high level of production without grades) and also the age old question for teachers, should you choose groups or allow your students to choose groups. Although the focus is on the cooperative learning/project groups in a middle school setting, with some tweaking the situations discussed could be used in the elementary and high school classes as well.
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Time to elect members of your local school Board of Education. Coach interviews Mark Werner who served for 18 years on the Mount Olive School Board (NJ). Mark shares insight on running for your local board of education, misconceptions of the power of the board, relations with the superintendent, principals, & teachers, creative funding for school programs especially the arts and humanities, tough decisions that need to be made, and the mind set new board members should have to make the student experience the best it can be.
More importantly, the interview becomes an observation of a man who personifies the quote from Ronald Reagan, "There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit." & the lasting impact that had for the Mount Olive school community.
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Starting with the reasons he offers students for a history education, Coach uses it to discuss his views on Columbus Day vs Indigenous People Day, the argument that arose on TED talks when they at first were not going to post Coleman Hughes TED Talk on Colorblindness b/c TED staffers were upset that it went against anti-racist dogmas, and the issue of teachers providing Howard Zinn materials in the classroom that promote his socialist ideology but refusing to provide anything by PragerU due to its conservative ideology and why that is not the approach a public school history classroom should be taking.
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It's election season and other than local town elections, in many areas, the vote for your school district's Board of Education will be both the most impactful to your everyday life and least researched. Coach shares his thoughts on where one can turn for information in the candidates running for your Board of Education, what he believes is the most important power delegated to the board, and using his teacher lens, what he looks for in board candidates and which ones will get him to pull a lever in a voting booth and which ones he will avoid like the plague. (Plus a quote from The Godfather finds its way into the episode)
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Coach completes his discussion of 5 questions that will define classrooms as posed from an article in the NJ's Star Ledger newspaper. He shares his thoughts about school safety, the impact COVID lockdowns had academically & in regards to students' mental health, the importance of recess, and ends with words about the cultural wars (there are two sides to a battle). He ends the episode sharing the best winning move by teacher in these "wars" by quoting from the classic 1983 movie "War Games"
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Picked up my state's newspaper of record the other day due to an article on the front page that asked 5 questions facing teachers as the school year begins. The episode begins with the importance of local newspapers to give us information when deciding who to vote for in town elections such as mayor, council, and board of education, and the rising importance of checking out candidate's pages on social media platforms such as Facebook.
After that, we look at one of the questions presented in the article., teacher retention. Coach shares the factors for the concern such as administration, COVID retirements, Salary, Life/Work Balance, and the Culture Wars as progressive activists and parental rights groups pull teachers in opposite directions when all we want to do is teach.
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The Link to The Parent Teacher Conference Survey! Thanks in advance for completing it https://forms.gle/SWYq1HpQgwGfQsi68
On this episode, Coach shares insights of the value of Back to School Night for a teacher in reaching their students, what he thinks makes a great presentation, and to give his students' parents a "taste"of what he does in the classroom. For parents, he offers some things to look for and appreciate about their child's teachers.
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From civics to classroom management .
Coach shares his 1st days of school, how he uses a discussion of rights & laws to discuss classroom rules, the emphasis he places on stressing we need to be individuals within a community & the responsibilities it entails. Along the way, he shares the 2 parts to consequences for misbehavior (to better the student & value the class), a discussion of the influence the French philosopher Rousseu has on educational thought (its not good), and the need to have people in your life who are willing to be critical of you. Even a discussion of the misuse of relevance in education slips in.
To help improve the podcast, please go to coachcullen.com and take the short survey found in the link on top of the page.
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With the writers & actors strike continuing, Coach offers YouTube as a smorgasbord of short videos to help keep you occupied. YouTube channels from rock music to sports, history, and even some kid friendly faire.
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Most teachers complain about the opening day professional development that their school districts. And its amazing how quickly administrators, superintendents, principals, etc. quickly turn to the same tired practices as if they have amnesia of how much they dreaded the structure.
In this episode Coach uses baseball analogies about warming up and the Mendoza line to share what he thinks is wrong about the opening day PD and offers solutions to the worst day of the year for teachers.
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Your child did not make the team or didn't make the cast of the school play. Getting cut isn't the best feeling in the world, but in this episode Coach shares how his perspective of tryouts and formulating a team through the mind of a coach, but also how he talks with his own daughters when they are cut or do not make a team; the reality that this will not be the last time they will meet with disappointment & how a negative experience can be help mature them into confident teens.
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An addition to Coach's last episode, he shares how playing HR Derby on the 1st day of school isn't just fun for your students, but hopefully demonstrates his classroom is safe to share thoughts & ideas, encourages students to go home & share what is happening in class, and builds anticipation for future lessons.
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The 1st day of school after summer break is here! For parents some words of advice to share with your child of the new beginning they have to help them grow to be the best and do their best without regrets of wishing they did more.
And the question for teachers, does your 1st day lesson resemble a party or a wake?
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From classroom supplies, what to do if youre taking your child out of school for vacation ,to gaining information on your child's assignments in the digital age, to advice on smartphones and social media, and encouraging parents as the experts on their child, Coach shares information from a parent and teacher's perspective, that you may or may not agree with, but hopefully will help develop in your mind what is best for YOUR child.
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Being a first year teacher can be intimidating, even scary. On this episode, Coach shares from his experience as well as from the experience of his buddy who is also a teacher to help new teachers with issues that may not have been addressed in college education classes. Topics include dealing with teachers who are both have toxic positivity & toxic negativity, the importance of watching veteran teachers but at the same time allowing you to be you, and how to deal with parents who are twice your age and advice for parents why it is a benefit for their child to encourage new teachers. Even Huey Lewis and the News provides some encouragement at the end as well.
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A bit of a departure from the typical topics talked about on the podcast, in this episode talks about his recent trip to Cooperstown, shares a bit about what they town and Baseball Hall of Fame is like, and why, after 20 years of visiting at least once a year, it continues to inspire.
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A Cornell professor offers 6 reasons why the advocacy group "Moms for Liberty" are extremists. Since his speciality is popular culture, you would think the better question he would answer is how did a grassroots movement of 3 moms from Florida grow to over 100,000 members in 45 states in less than 3 years? Coach looks at what the concerns of the professor are valid, which are garbage, and attempts to strip away the rhetorical devices to slander and promote the group to get at the heart of the issue so parents and teachers can better work together for the sake of kids.
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Always remember, an authentic word of encouragement takes little effort on the coach's end, but goes a long way in your athlete's heart.
On this episode....As a coach, you always wonder what the coaches of your children will be like. Will they authoritarian or lenient, harsh or encouraging. Coach talks about experiences in his own life as an athlete and coach that will have you thinking about your approach with athletes, students, and your own children. Most of the episode is honoring two young coaches who have made an impact on so many kids lives because they know their role and give their best, including to Coach's own daughters.
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Using The Abolition of Man, by C.S. Lewis, Coach discusses how an opinion based value system leaves us as either too ethereal or animalistic, or as Lewis called it "Men without chests". How we see this in education with the A being the only goal, and cheating and AI are just means to achieving it.
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In the past week, a song by country singer Jason Aldean and a strand of the new Florida African American History curriculum created headlines and fueled the fire of division. In this episode, Coach discusses the similarities of the two stories that only seek to expand the divide rather than bringing people to the table to talk. Also, how the teaching of slavery should allow students to understand that no matter how much of a slaves material needs are met, the denial of personal freedom is still the greatest theft in history.
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If you have never taken a look, do yourself a favor & go on Youtube and type in Savannah Bananas if you want to see a different style of baseball. Coach shares his opinions about audiobooks and the one he listened to called "Banana Ball" by Jesse Cole, the creator of a new approach to baseball, and the inspiration and encouragement it was for an old teacher like Coach that teachers can approach the classroom like Cole approaches the baseball field.
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With the writers and actors on strike, Coach shares why he thinks this may be a long one, and then a few movies from the past that if you missed them as a kid, would be great to watch with your kids now. Included are Something Wicked this Way Comes, Up, Inside/Out, Secondhand Lions, and Cloak and Dagger.
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In Game 7, 1986, Failure & Triumph in the Biggest Game of My Life, Ron Darling shares his perspective of getting the opportunity to have a "dare to be great" moment only to fail. What lessons can we learn from the book to share with our children and students as they face heartache & disappointment. How can encourage not to settle for the opportunity or drown in a sea of disappointment?
(Or you can listen just because youre a Mets fan or have fond memories of the 1986 World Series)
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It is the 25th Anniversary of Coach's Cross-Country honeymoon. On this episode, he shares the place where pictures make it look much bigger than it is, and the one where pictures can never do it justice. A great episode if you are considering taking such a trip, or even to just to have your family experience another part of the United States.
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As the United States becomes more filled with people who can be categorize as biracial or multiracial, what does that do to the traditional "boxes" of Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, that people seek to place us into? In his book, Self Portrait in Black and White, Thomas Chatterton Williams challenges whites and blacks to stop looking at these divisions. Coach shares how this book encourages him to continue raising his daughters to be individuals, rather than to be stuffed into a box of someone else's choosing.
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Was Ben & Jerry's right? Is the US stolen land or conquered land? Is there a difference? Coach discusses the emptiness of virtue signaling, how he attempts to avoid doing it in school, and how social studies teachers should teach the colonization of America of the land held by Native Americans.
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On this book discussion episode, Coach shares the John McWhorter book Woke Racism and it's concerns of the anti-racism approach of people such as Kendi or DeAngelo create barriers to expression and individuality of people rather than encouraging them to being successful. As with McWhorter, there is a concern as an educator of these views, but more importantly, as father's of daughters who have darker skin tones, a greater concern that they need to define themselves without regard to skin color, not matter what others may say.
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Should US public schools lean more toward teaching that the US is a land of oppression or opportunity? How can the U.S. bring about unity while not dismissing the diversity found in it's people? What do immigrants from oppressive countries, President Obama, and a filmmaker named Eli Steele have to teach us about the how we should go about teaching our country's history?
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Coach finishes up his review of the book "How to Raise an Anti-Racist" by Dr. Kendi discussing problems that the view Kendi offers not only has for the classroom but how it can be detrimental for Coach's multi racial family as well. Coach encourages the listener to take in diverse views that are more than skin deep in considering such views as Anti-Racism, Culturally Responsive Teaching, or Critical Race Theory and considering thoughts by other thinkers such as Thomas Sowell, Thomas Chatterton Williams, and Alexander Solzhenitsyn in drawing your own conclusions.
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Coach reviews Dr. Kendi's bool "How to Raise an Anti-Racist" through his experience of being a member of a multi-racial family. In Part 1, he discusses his concerns with the concept and addresses them through a discussion of the opening story of the book.
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What is more important the community or individual?
A girl dances across the stage and is denied her diploma. Did the school do the right thing? Coach discusses the recent event that occurred at the Philadelphia High School for Girls and shares insights that he learned from his principal's secretary that helped to gain better insight about rules and their enforcement, with examples of what happens if there are not enforced.
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In this episode, Coach shares thoughts of summer vacation, from defending teachers from attacks to getting summers' off, community building through town sport teams, an audiobook suggestion, summer as learning experience for kids, and concluding how he uses summer vacation to prepare to make his classroom even better for his students. Yeah, it's all over the place, but if you know Coach, you know that's par for the course.
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Learn one of the most loving words a parent can say to their child on this Father's Day episode. Coach discusses studies that demonstrate the importance of dad's in their children's lives, the role parents need to play as risk evaluators for their children as their minds continue to develop, and shares some of the struggles he had with his Dad that helped make him into the man he is today.
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With all the lawn signs up around town, it seems like every grade level gets a graduation ceremony. Some people say it's too much and would like to shrink down the honor. Coach offers some opinions, from concerns of thinking of always celebrating the student, to the important but often neglected part of any graduation, the community who is celebrating the graduates. Some advice for administrators, teachers, and parents.
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On one hand we want to recognize students who have achieved success in academics, athletics, and the arts. However, if our goal is also to shame kids who did not achieve these rewards, then we are are having an award assembly for the wrong reason. Coach talks about the children and parents who don't need the reminders that they're achievements may never be recognized, but are difficult to do so since it will reveal challenges & disabilities in a child's life.
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Often teachers are told that students need to read books that speak to them and their experiences, so the classics are tossed away for the latest Newberry Awards winner. Too bad history teachers can't do the same...Or is it so bad? Coach discusses the problems of defining relevance in a small, narrow way of my piece of the world, rather than showing students the wider human experience from the past and present, from one end of the earth to the other and they part they play in the game.
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Coach discusses a interdisciplinary project he assign his class where they create a Zoo based on a specific biome and culture, and what projects like that can teach our students and adults. How there is no "outside the box" thinking, but really we should be teaching kids to use the limited resources they have to their fullest potential.
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Starting with a quote from Prelude to a Kiss, Coach discusses the importance of motherhood, why birthing person can be an offensive term (and one Coach chooses never to use, and that despite people having negative experiences with their mother or not being able to be a mom, a day to celebrate the ideal of motherhood is better than not recognizing it at all.
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Using a story about his Dodge Shelby Charger, the 1995 movie Sabrina with Harrison Ford, and two examples where people on the political right and political left may have gone too far, Coach explains the concept of grace & how we need to be more gracious in our approach as parents and teachers.
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On this episode, Coach discusses two recent quotes about education from Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and President Biden, what they would actually mean in reality, and supporting parental rights. Science has shown us that a child's prefrontal cortex, the area most responsible for not acting rashly and making logical decisions isn't fully formed until we are in mid 20's (which explains a lot of stupid things I did in my teens LOL). Since this is the case, who is the better guide for a kid, a teacher, guidance counselor, social worker, or their parent?
Coach's creed that I know a lot of teachers agree with:
My class is filled with STUDENTS. I teach history with a little bit of respect & perseverance among other things thrown in.But at the end of the day., they are other people's CHILDREN. As a teacher, I MUST respect that line, and expect my daughter's teachers to do the same.
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On this episode, Coach discusses his experience bringing his daughters to school with him. Although a fun day, it does come in the midst of testing and the end of the year crunch. Would summer be a better time for it? Also, Coach shares a little about his struggles to get his daughter the reading help she needs from the school district they attend, a talk he had with her about the modification and classes she needs to attend are for her her good and even though she has challenges, she also has strengths, and getting to see her strength shine in my classroom on Bring Your Child to Work Day was one of those moments in raising my child I will never forget.
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Parents and teachers have been at loggerheads recently over what books should or shouldn't be in a school's library. Coach discusses what Censorship is, the fact that everyone censors, and that the real danger is censorship by the government. He gives his perspective to what side represents Democracy in the debate and gives examples as to why most arguments that people use to defend all books in a school library actually fail (and at times could be hypocritical)
In the end, he offers his perspective at how a public school and the public it serves should approach this issue in a way that is best for children.
What are your pet peeves? Send me a note at ptcpodcast411@gmail.com to let me know.
As parents and teachers we need to avoid treating pet peeves as major infractions and treating actions of kids as trivial nuisances when they take away from other students safety and desire to learn.
And a discussion of schools meeting their intended purpose and goal and how we can avoid creating a school full of self absorbed narcissists
What lessons can parents and teachers draw from the decision of Bud Light to use Dylan Mulvaney as a spokesperson (there will not be a critique of Mulvaney, I figure if youre pro or con you can create your own podcast episode ha-ha). What can we learn from the reaction of Annehauser-Busch to the push back as well as a discussion on the idea that wisdom should not be equated by the number of degrees or a position one holds (with reference to how my Dad reminds me of Matt Damon as Will Hunting)
In a highly political age, what is the best approach for a teacher in the classroom (especially a social studies or history classroom). Coach reacts to an article he read about informational literacy in the age of polarization that was just a bit too polarizing for his taste and the most important question that gets missed when listening or reading a news article, "What information IS NOT included"
Today, Coach leaves the world of education behind to talk about his faith.
My daughter asked me a question that is wondered by Christians and non-Christians alike, why do Christians call the Friday before Easter "Good" when Jesus died on that day (in an excruciating way too).
On this episode, Coach present his way of answering that question.
As baseball season begins, what the movie "The Sandlot" can teach us about he educational value of summer vacation, the importance of allowing kids to have time to figure our conflict resolution on their own, the problems with social media & our desire to child proof everything, and the need for adults who want to walk along side and guide children.
With the 2023 baseball season about to begin, Coach looks at a few of his favorite baseball movies.
Leading off...Moneyball
What a lesson about statistics can teach us about living life. Discussion of the marriage of passion and facts, how assuming educational research can direct the path for each child is wrong headed, and how being feisty means nothing without truth.
On his 100th episode, Coach discusses in a bit more detail, what the purpose of the podcast is, as well as his use of social media such as Twitter and Facebook. Seeing Facebook as a wonderful way to reconnect with friends of days gone by and Twitter as a Digital Graffiti Wall for thoughts. Also sharing that more people appreciate your thoughts on social media than the number of likes that you see.
The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament brings a lot of life lessons that we can tell our children. Using the bracket buster upsets, Vice President Harris' post game speech to Howard University, Scott Norwood's missed field goal, and Rocky I as examples, Coach gives some advice to help young people get through heart breaking loses and achieving despite what look like impossible odds.
A CNN article proclaimed that the former NFL quarterback called a statement by his mom from his youth "racism". As a parent such as the Kaepernicks (white parents, bi-racial children), Coach shares his concern that the Critical Race Theory/Anti Racism expansion of the words "racism" and "white supremacy" can do real harm to families like his, why this will be a concern for teachers in the years to come, and how another star athlete is a better role model for his daughters.
Coach talks about what he believes makes a great principal, shares why he would rather be a teaching coach then a building principal, and how parents and teachers should see disagreements they have with the principal.
Beginning with a quote from Rocky III and ending with a discussion of the movie Parenthood with Steve Martin, Coach discusses the role teaching young people that hyperbole is fact and always to stoke the fires of outrage can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. With support from an recent article by Matthew Yglesias and quotes from the Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt book "The Coddling of the American Mind" to help young people, and all of us, to end catastrophizing.
With studies showing the negative effects of social media and technology on teens, perhaps it's about time we look at technology in the same way the Amish look at technology, and see how it affects our most important relationships.
Remember when family sitcoms solved all their minor problems in 30 minutes. Today, our young people are facing major problems of depression and suicidality. Are the modern solutions to their problems the answer, or should we turn to the wisdom of the ancient past to uplift their souls?
In this episode, Coach reflects on some of his favorite episodes as he celebrates one year of podcasting (and even shares his most controversial episode).
"Thank you to all who have taken the time to encourage me over the past year in this hobby. You all have meant a lot. Thanks!" -Coach Cullen
Do you believe we learn to do bad things or does it come from within? Coach discusses how that view impacts the classroom and how a vast majority of teachers are feeling frustrated at the level of misbehavior in their schools. In order to address the class, we need to address the monster within ourselves first.
With the Super Bowl coming up, Coach reflects on the importance of teaching young athletes defense & gives examples from the pros and his own experiences coaching youth sports.
Did you know that from 1984 until 1996 the NFC won every Super Bowl over the AFC and many have said it was a decision by teams in that conference to focus on defense?
The biggest buzz in education is ChatGPT, the AI search that can provide solid writing pieces for students. What is a teacher to do? A bit of a discussion, and the concerns not only about AI, but the Internet in general for our children and students.
Have you ever hit a stretch where your sleep becomes messed up? Well, I hit that part of the year where it all came crashing down on me. What do you do during those times, to maintain the energy for your job, but more importantly, your family.
Are teachers who maintain strict rules in the classroom relish the opportunity to garner dictatorial powers? Is student misbehavior just their revolt against unjust tyranny? Or are those teachers expressing more love and care for the students of their class then the teacher who wants to be everyone's friend?
Coach discusses the purpose of boundaries in the classroom between teacher and student in order to provide a safe learning environment. He also shares how a teacher also needs be careful of crossing the boundary and assuming they know better for their student than that child's parents.
How does anonymity affect how people behave in a crowd? Find out how baby carriages can be used as weapons and cutting in line is a form of narcissism. And when it comes down to it, what are we teaching our kids.
Playing on a team helps us see a greater goal than ourselves.
Do we see our job having an ultimate purpose? Do we guide our families with an overarching goal?
Plus the deficiencies that capitalism and progressivism can create in seeing others as dollar signs or external factors that are only skin deep.
How are we doing making other people's place on earth a bit better?
Disney places a heavy emphasis on the guest experience by teaching their cast members their 7 Guest Service Guidelines. Many visitors to the Disney World will remark how some cast member made their stay a bit better thanks to following these guidelines. How are we doing as teachers and parents in making children's lives a bit better? How does disciplining bad behavior a part of that process?
Part 1 of a series of reflections on Coach's trip to Disney World.
Walking into the Magic Kingdom in Florida, looking around Main Street, was not much different in 2022 than it was in 1976 leads to a discussion in how constants in life help us deal with an ever changing world. Also, how experiencing the unrealism of Disney should help us to strive for perfection rather than be satisfied with imperfection, and how focusing on our struggle to be perfect rather than pointing out others imperfections, brings joy.
Taking the famous opening line of A Tale of Two Cities, Coach shares
the BEST- spending time and cultivating your family by spending time away with just them
the WORST- the months between the return to school in January from break until spring break and how we can spark energy in our lifeless students, children, and even ourselves.
As a new year approaches, Coach looks back at how he has done keeping his new school year resolution of returning his classroom back to normal after several years of COVID restrictions and as a parent, how he needs to do better by his daughters because he loves them more than he loves teaching.
On the last day of this special series of episodes, Coach shares several historical events that occurred on Christmas Day (not Jesus' birth) and how the event selected as the best has much to teach us about our society today.
For Day 11, Coach mentions several of his favorite TV Christmas episodes, and with the wealth to choose from, there are sure to be ones you want to argue he missed. He has one from almost every decade, and makes a case that the Christmas episode of the show he chose, not only grasps the need to be with family during Christmas that he has discussed, but also set this TV show trajectory until it finally ended its run almost a decade later.
What is your favorite fun, quirky Christmas song? Coach gives you some insight of songs that bring back great memories (such as I'm Getting Nuttin For Christmas), talks about a far superior comedy sketch show than SNL, and challenges anyone who listens to give a better argument if they disagree with his choice for favorite novelty Christmas song.
Many cultures have their own way of adding to the Christmas celebration, but which one is the best. Coach decides on a tradition that does a great job of combining both the Jesus and Santa stories in a very unassuming way.
Looking at 3 different categories of Christmas movies, movies that the main character is Santa, old time Christmas movies, and then which of the Big 3 is the best, A Christmas Story, Elf, or National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
Over the past 7 days, I have discovered that a running theme of Christmas is the importance of family. Using that criteria, what movies have Christmas as a backdrop yet still present that characteristic of Christmas.
Other than the BEST non-Christmas/Christmas movie (not called Die Hard) will be an anti-Christmas movie that is quite funny and the movie I play for my students every Christmas time that may have different yet similar geopolitical context as it did for me when I saw it as a teenager.
Is Die Hard a Christmas Movie? Hear Bruce Willis' own response, hear Coach's response, what's your response?
Also, the episode is a celebration of the career of Mr. Willis, who sadly has retired from acting due to health issues.
The 6th Day of 12 Christmas Arguments
Clips mentioned in episodes can be found at coachcullen.com
Follow for our main focus, education from a teacher and parent's perspective.
What is the best rocking Christmas song? Coach shares a list of famous song, from songs that were written to raise social consciousness during the season (think Happy Xmas-War is Over by John Lennon), to the Christmas gift of Cobra Ki season 3.
Find the clips of some of the songs mentioned at coachcullen.com
Not counting Rankin Bass Specials, what is the best Christmas Cartoon? So many to choose from, less than 30 minutes to review a few of the better ones and come up with the best.
Take a listen and see if you agree.
What was your favorite Rankin and Bass Christmas special?
Rankin and Bass were known for their stop motion animation holiday specials as well as a few cartoons (Rudolph, Frosty, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Nestor, and more). But what was their best? Listen as Coach misnames one of the characters of one of the special until he catches himself and raises some interesting questions about some of the specials.
What is your favorite Christmas hymn?
In this special episode, Coach shares how his love of American history leads to his favorite Christmas hymn. He also viciously attacks a beloved Christmas hymn sure to anger some listeners (OK, not so savagely but still might upset people that I go after a Christmas classic)
Make sure to tune in tomorrow of the next Christmas Argument or catch up on the ones you missed on the Parent Teacher Conference Podcast.
In this series of special episodes, Coach shares some of his favorite holiday classics. For the first day, the question is "Who played Scrooge the best?" and Coach is going with Mr. Magoo. Many younger listeners will question who Magoo even is, but take a listen to discover why this cartoon musical may be the best version of Dickens' Christmas Carol you never seen.
Lesson plans, classroom management, assessments, are all a designed and planned by a teacher who has a masterpiece for their students in mind. All teachers have different specialities just as artists excel in certain mediums and styles. As fellow teachers, administrators, and/or parents, we need to appreciate each teacher's unique style for their students rather than cursing it because its not out style.
How did you approach homework as a student? For some families, it is the never ending fight. Instead of cursing teachers who assign it (which tends to be fruitless & doesn't displays a lack of trust in the teacher) how can parents and teachers come together in a way that is beneficial for the child?
Should a teacher have Christmas decorations in their classroom? On this episode, Coach shares reasons to support the practice including inclusion, using them as a teachable moment, and it's as American as 4th of July (literally). Don't believe that last statement, take a listen.
How preparing to be pulpit supply in a Presbyterian church led to this year's Thanksgiving lesson for my 7th graders; a focus on thankfulness as a unifier especially with the school and their parents. And then thanking two teachers in my daughter's lives that went above and beyond for their students' sake, a teacher I had in middle school that still shows the same energy in retirement as she had as a young teacher when I had her, and a group of educators on a twitter chat that dont know how much I appreciate waking up with them every morning.
If how you dress, the hair you wear, tattoos, and piercings are included in your freedom of expression, then we cannot be shocked that people use their freedom of expression to judge us. What does that mean for us as teachers? What does that mean for us as parents as we buy clothes for our kids? Trust me, Im NOT a person who feels a need to dress professionally, I want people to judge me for the effectiveness of my instruction, but Im not out to silence people's own expression against how I dress. I just want to prove them wrong.
We are in a highly political moment, so how does a teacher navigate that minefield. Coach shares his Road to the White House Election Game that he plays every year with his students to learn political terms such as Liberal and Conservative and the intricacies of the Electoral College. And then he gives his 3 Steps through the Political Minefield
1) Stay in Your Lane
2) Present Both Sides Fairly
3) Everything IS NOT Political
Coach discusses some of his experiences participating in Parent Teacher Conferences sharing with both Parents and Teachers what they can do together to help each child be the best they can be. Included Compliance isn't a dirty word, the exhaustion from peopling all day for teachers and what admins could change up to avoid wasted days, and the need for teachers to use the time as a means of assuring parents that they want to assist their family in raising their child, not subvert their family.
Why is Social Emotional Learning such a buzz word? On this episode, SEL is defined and benefits shared, reasons why some parents are concerned, and reasons for the stresses of kids today that many parents never faced. Coach ends with a suggestion for a great SEL program for your school.
The last episodes of TV shows tend to be over the top memorable affairs, but the comedy show "Everybody Loves Raymond" decided just to do normal well. What can that sitcom's finale teach teachers and parents about doing well for students/children?
In this 2nd part, Coach how following the teachings of the book "How to Be an Anti-Racists" would effect his multi racial family negatively, how he came to adopt bi-racial children & denounces a Los Angeles councilwoman's statement that a similar father was using his bi-racial child as a prop, and concludes with solutions from a current NFL head coach & an ancient book.
For people of my generation, the goal was not to hold skin color as a factor in treating people; treat all people justly and do good by them. The word that we used was to be colorblind. Today, some people will say it is the wrong approach, and a few will unjustly claim people who hold that view are doing it out of racists overtures. In the first part of 2 episodes, Coach shares where believes the change in attitude toward this approach occurred and why, the importance of dialogue, and how equity in statistics isn't necessarily the same as equity for the child in the classroom.
Great question, but it won't be the answer you are looking forward. On this episode, Coach discusses one of his favorite educational books, Why Don't Students Like School, but Daniel Willingham, including sharing the two traits the author believes make students like a teacher. Hopefully it encourages you to buy your own copy.
The annual Columbus Day fight is on, should we cancel Columbus on all things Columbus (days off of school, statues, parades, etc), replace it with honoring Native Americans, or is there another way. In this episode Coach shares how he allows all views to be told in his social studies classroom and turns Columbus Day into a discussion of the persistence and perseverance of immigrants to the United States.
Parents and Teachers should not be adversaries but teammates. On this podcast, Coach discusses how he uses a weekly video and shares pictures and other info out social media so parent can know, and yes, even question, the topics and activities in class. If it is truly what is best for the education for their child, we should have nothing to hide.
A different podcast, opening with a quote from Rocky and proclaiming the 25 year adventure I've been on with my wife, who fills my gaps. Hopefully it will make you appreciate your gap filler as well.
Is that stays quo the worst thing? Maybe, maybe not. How that statement expresses Chronological Snobbery at its best and a road to tyranny at its worst. How parents need people to assist with their child's transition to independence, not exasperate it. I also share how new educational apps are introduced in my classroom focusing on Fan School (the sponsor of our show)
Coach weaves stories from his high school days, from playing baseball to rip sessions with his friends as he makes the thought how teaching in a school is similar to playing on a team, and how we need to remember all our teammates, including our students' parents. We each have a role to play in educated our students, and although the parent will always have the greater part in the care and development of their child, there is a need for a mutual respect from both parent and teacher.
Animal House, Rip Sessions, and the Ancestor Project, Coach uses these three ideas and more to discuss how being a part of a sports team helps develop the social skills and drive needed to be successful at teaching. And the importance of not keeping our best players on the bench, our student's parents.
What are some changes that have occurred in schools after COVID? How has a dependence on devices affected students? How was the return to normalcy affected teachers? What do you see as a parent or teacher about schools dropping COVID protocols and running pretty much as they did before March 13, 2020?
Coach shares what the goal should be for parents and teachers going into Back to School Nights (and for teachers, challenge yourself to go beyond just giving a 10 min lecture, show your students' parents what kind of teacher you are)
Two Episodes in One! First, Coach describes what it was like in his school that was an hour from NYC on 9/11/2001 that may help give you a perspective how school admins and teachers react and prepare students for tragedies. The second part is how as a Social Studies teacher, Coach goes about expressing the message of "Faith, Hope, and Love" that is shared by a Port Authority officer Will Jimeno (who survived for hours under rubble that day) rather than showing the message of terror.
Coach shows clips of this video to his class so they hear Mr. Jimeno in his own words
Will Jimeno World Trade Center Survivor in Morris Plains Part 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKYFCSmZwCA&t=4s
No one works with children to disappoint them, yet that is exactly what they do when a child isnt chosen for a team, a part in the play, etc. Coach shares from his experiences selecting teams, as a player, and a parent tips he has found are helpful in allowing children to see being cut as a way to motivate themselves not only in the sport they tried out for, but life.
If you are a teacher or not, we can make our lives all about work. Coach used a spiritual, historical, and an example from Hollywood to encourage all of us to take breaks and see our lives as more than the work that we do.
Coach had an awesome time watching his heroes of the past play in an Old Timers Game this weekend. It had him reflect on what you are really following when you follow a sports team, and what it can teach us about history education for our kids.
From a Girl's 1st Experiences in High School, to Prepping the Classroom, to Professional Development day, to the first day with students, Coach reveals what is going on and his thoughts of how he uses games and laughter to help build a comfortable classroom environment at an age appropriate level; to tap into the energy of middle schoolers.
At coachcullen.com will be pictures of some of the games that he played to get his students working together and laughing in the hope it will enhance later history discussions.
One of the benefits of working in a small school district is that even my superintendent knows not only about me, but a bit of my family as well. It's great to work in a place where you know you are valued beyond on the service your provide. How can even large school districts create connections to the classrooms and homes of their students? How will this benefit the kids?
There is a freshness of a new school year that reminds me a lot of spring. As parents and teachers scramble for supplies, the most important thing to prepare is our children/students and instill in them the idea that a new school year brings with it a fresh start.
It isn't easy to raise children, but changing your perspective could be the way to see everything as a joy in raising them, including reaching out to their teachers when there is a conflict in what is being taught at school and at home.
What do you do to build anticipation in your students even before the first day of school? Coach shares about Open Houses and how he approaches them as a teacher with advice for parents, and the importance of having your students want to come back for day 2.
Coach shares the best and worst of the first day teachers report back to school (not the first day of school) and offers his opinions to administrators and keynote speakers on how it could be better. For parents, learn what is really going on in your child's teacher's mind before their 1st day.
Parents, are you sharing with your children beliefs that you value, guiding them in their life, or are you allowing other voices to step up to the plate? Coach discusses the importance of fathers. Also, he discusses a language arts assignment will have his daughter reading his daughter Jason Reynolds "10 Things I've been Meaning to Tell You" that led him to compose his own 10 Things he has been meaning to tell his girls. (You can find a copy at coachcullen.com)
As summer is winding down, teachers prepare themselves to get back on to the field of the classroom. Coach shares some of how he approaches the end of summer and the beginning of another school season.
Discussing the miracle of how my daughter made us parents for the first time on her birthday week, and remembering how a group of teachers just by sharing a few kind words made a shy, introverted kid skeptical of her abilities proud of what she accomplished. A good reminder for parents and teachers on the power of words at home and in the classroom.
The age old question, are we born naturally good or bad, is the foundation for many parenting and educational theories. What can we learn about what is the right answer at amusement parks. Coach discusses three ways people act places that should be among the happiest on earth and asks you to think through do the people act on their own, it just happens to be at an amusement park, or is the structure of the amusement park the problem.
From a critique of the MLB All Star Game to what the game of baseball itself has to teach kids about life, Coach remembers the importance of baseball in helping him to overcome failure and succeed. Don't be a spectator on the baseball field of life.
Review of Coach's vacation of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge where he discovered the joy of Mountain Coasters? Coach reflects what his new favorite ride reminded him about raising his children as he encourages parents to be actively involved in imparting their worldview to their children because anti-parental views such as childism are making its way through special interest think tanks, then into universities, & eventually into the classroom.
Using ideas by a NCAA basketball championship coach and Major League manager, Coach lays out how a parent should deal with their child & coach on the athletic field, how a coach should deal with parents, and how a parent who is a coach, should deal with their child/player.
What do fireworks on the 4th of July teach us about our children and/or our students? How can we tap into a child's innate sense of wonder in the classroom and in our homes to stoke learning about the world around them? Coach shares some ideas from his teaching experience and his childhood. (Included in this episode is Coach's rant about state testing. He couldn't help himself)
Join us on this podcast as Coach interviews the co-host of the Between the Frames Podcast, Jon Gibson, in discussing what we can take away as teachers and parents from the classic 80's movie The Breakfast Club
Topics discussed will be the genius of John Hughes, where would the school society have placed YOU as a teenage, what differences do teenagers in the 80's face as compared to teenagers today (Of course the role of social media will be there) and how does all of this effect the classroom and living rooms in America.
Extroverts seem primed to be teachers, but there are a bunch of us introverts who have long careers in the classroom as well. Coach dispels some myths about introverts from his own perspective and shares an idea for students/kids who are introverts because sometimes a
The Supreme Court declared a public school coach's right to religious expression did not conflict with the establishment clause. On this podcast, Coach believes it is a benefit to both parents who see their proper role in their child's spiritual and political formation as well as enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom from a teacher's perceptive.
What were your thoughts of your history classes in school? Were they a seemingly endless list of events and people or put together with a sense of purpose? What should that purpose be? With the discussion of Critical Race Theory and Anti-Racism being pervasive in education circle today, Coach discusses an influential book in his teaching from 30 years ago by an advisor to President Kennedy that could give some focus on what a purpose to an history education should be in public schools in the United States.
Netflix put out a warning before the first episode of Stranger Things 4. Was it necessary or was it addressing our society's general anxiety? Is the perpetual "sky is falling" mentality good for both kids and adults in the long run? Do students need "safe spaces" from words that offend them or is their a better way for them to deal with those words? And in not hearing differing viewpoints, are we leaving truth "on the table"? Coach gives his "game analysis" of what is going on using one of his favorite books The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff & Jonathan Haidt as a guide.
For Father's Day...Words of wisdom from my Dad, often about baseball, but ideas that transcend the ballfields and helped to form me into the man I am today.
What is the last day of school like from a teacher's perspective? Coach discusses why it's the longest day, how to extend academic learning days, and the excitement and sadness of the last day for both students and teachers.
How working at a small week long church camp helped to encourage Coach to pursue teaching as a career and how its influence can be seen in his classroom over 30 years later.
I sum up the year in history by showing my students that are travels through the world and time ended exactly how I told them it would in the beginning. How people have gained more rights in the past few hundred years than in any point in history and even with the strength of diversity in the United States we still need something that unites us or we will Balkanize. And we conclude with a life lesson...Who is your biggest influencer?
A good tour guide makes or breaks a tour. As a teacher, how is the tour you are giving of the subject you teach? As a parent, how is the tour you are giving your child of this thing called life. How are you doing as a tour guide?
Surviving a pretty intense car accident reminded me of some words of wisdom my Dad shared with me comparing a car to a loaded gun. In this episode, Coach shares that wisdom as well as two other bits of advice, one he shares with his daughters, and the other he shares with his students.
Modern education preaches diversity and inclusion and then fails to address them in the main purpose why public schooling exists, to teach children to read, write, and compute numbers. In this episode, Coach speaks from a parent's point of view to educators who deem the redundancy of times tables and phonics as "drill and kill", aspecting uniformity in their students in the stage of development, working toward higher test scores, and leaving a good number of kids lacking foundational knowledge to be successful.
What a famous 80's classic can teach us about treating people as individuals and not as stereotypes. With talk in education about researching people and events from different perspectives, we as teachers and parents need to avoid the trap of having our students and children looking at all people only from the identities that we categorize them in. If they do, people become stereotypes rather than life long friends.
In honor of Mother's Day, Coach explains how is Mom could make "common things into gold" and shares the trials of his own wife, how she became a Mom through the "alternate route" of adoption and how she has been rewarded with two wonderful daughters. If you are or know of any couples struggling with infertility, this episode may be an encouragement to them.
The podcast's first interview with Dr. Katie Nieves Licwinko, who has created a website, assemblinginclusion.katienieves.com that provides courses teachers can access to learn ideas and tip to integrate technology for the sake of the special education students. We also discuss how we can make the IEP Meeting more collaborative for parents, the conflict that can develop between young and old educators, and end with a discussion on what helped her achieve her goal of a doctorate.
Classroom that are quiet are the norm, but what about the kid who needs background noise to allow them to focus. Coach shares how playing baseball helped him to find comfort in noise. How do we address students who do better with a bit of background noise while still helping those who need the silence?
President Biden recently said "They are not someone else's children, they are like yours (teachers) when you are in the classroom.". Irregardless of what he meant, he did use it as a chance to lob a political volley and the other side responded in kind. Coach discusses the need to listen to all voices if a public school education is going to work and asks the question both parents and teachers need to ask, "What's the line?". At the end of the day, as the title implies, it is wrong for teachers to see the people with the closest relationship with their students as the enemy. Parents and teachers need to know their roles and work together for the good of kids, not score political points.
Abusive parents are causing coaches and officials to quit in higher numbers than usual in youth sports. In this podcast, Coach addresses what he sees from a coaching perspective as the reasons for this phenomena, and how we need to check our heart; to see others as human and not react to them as we tweet we see on Twitter.
If a student forgets their pen or pencil for class, should a teacher just give them one? In this episode, Coach shares his best Liam Niessen impression from Taken as he shares what he tells students about the skills he learned as the kid who never had a pen or pencil. It's not just about a pencil, but about responsibility.
As a teacher, I often pull in music and movie clips to help my students see grasp the meaning of historical events, people, and movements. In the movie, The Shawshank Redemption, we have a wonderful example how the Christian Easter story can be seen in the story of Red and Andy (just as it has been portrayed through art and literature throughout the ages). And it serves to remind us, that redemption isn't only about the forgiveness of sin, but the restoration of our humanity.
Some educators try to be very scientific in reporting grades, but in a classroom where grading is subjective, our scientific can you be when accounting for the human factor? Coach breaks down how he responded to parent request for grading effort that isn't subjective and places all the burden on it where it should be, the child. An explanation of how extra credit and retakes work in one social studies classroom.
Did you ever hate a food before you even tried the food? On this episode, Coach talks about why it is important to teach our children and students about history and literature that they may believe to be irrelevant to their life in the "modern world" and why the approach of allowing children to pursue their own passions may lead to a narcissism that is unrealistic when enacted in the world.
Middle School math teachers have shared with me the struggle there is in moving their students to higher levels as math because they do not have the their times tables memorized. Rote memorization has become a dirty word in education circles because its seen as boring and monotonous, but it is exactly what kids need to be the best they can be.
What can be learned from coaching baseball, where we constantly repeat the same ideas, run the same drills, from T-Ball to the Major Leagues.
Debate in educational circles include giving a zero for missing assignments, deductions for late work, and even questioning if due dates should be given at all. Coach discusses his view on the topic (full disclosure: he gives out zeroes, deductions for late work, and due dates) and suggest a philosophical reason for the difference approaches. In the end, he shares that as a parent and teacher the approach should be one that best demonstrates love and care for the child/student.
The Oscar buzz this year wasn't about the wrong name being announced for best picture, or wardrobe malfunction, but a slap. Coach uses this episode as a reminder of the importance of remembering that his children and his students say things because they are kids, and that responding with anger can make you miss a teachable moment.
Well its spring break! Coach's give his thoughts on teachers who complain about them, parents who complain about them, and how a teacher thinks about you pulling your child for a great vacation in the middle of the school year.
State Testing. Could it be a contributing factor to mental health issues as well as student loan debt? What really is the reason and is there a solution to make school a wonderland for the mind and a time for exploring a child's strengths, weaknesses, and aptitudes rather than an assembly line that attempts to create the ideal student mocking the calls for diversity.
My state was one of the last to make masks optional at school. My thoughts about the effectiveness of masks and my observations about the first days of seeing my students' faces again. (It was a beautiful thing)
What if Do Nows Do Less than a teacher thinks? In an attempt not to lose any second of learning, many teachers have an activity for students to work on as they monitor the halls or transition from the last class to the new class. The activity is typically called a "Do Now". In this podcast, Coach promotes the idea that a better option for our student's mental health and class management for the teacher would be to get rid of the Do Nows and allow the students a break in those few minutes before the class begins.
As a teacher, some lessons I learned during the COVID Lockdowns and the Hybrid Classroom were not to be stupid, not to outsource, and reinforcing the importance of communication. As a parent, one very important reminder...express thankfulness.
One podcast, two parts.
First...Teaching middle school for over 25 years, events such as Russia's attack on the Ukraine can bring about fears of escalation that may never happen. How can a teacher reduce student's anxiety in these times?
Second...What is the historical background of Russian actions and how they got the people of the Ukraine wrong.
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at PTCpodcast411@gmail.com
Pray for the Ukraine
A big buzz in education today is allowing students to see events from different perspectives. As parents and teachers are we putting that into practice especially as we considered what each of us dealing with COVID restrictions and how that effected our homes, our jobs, and/or our classrooms. Coach shares his experiences and thoughts from both his perspectives as a parent and teacher.
Any comments, questions, or ideas for later podcasts, please reach me at ptcpodcast@gmail.com