Teaching Champions
255 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 35 ratingsThe Teaching Champions Podcast is dedicated to inspiring and bringing joy to educators who are serving others each and every day.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Self Regulate, Empower, and Middle School Superpowers with Phyllis Fagell
August 06, 2023 09:00 - 40 minutes - 28 MBIn this episode we are joined by Phyllis Fagel. Phyllis is a school counselor, she’s has a private practice serving teens and adults, she a journalist making frequent contributions to the Washington Post, she writes a weekly column for PDK International, has also contributed to the New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, and many more. She is also the author of Middle School Matters and her newest book that has just been released “Middle School Super ...
Creating Successful Classrooms through Clarity and Expectations with Jeffrey Pax
July 30, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBToday we are joined by Jeffrey Pax. He is a children’s author who has taught special ed pre-K and a middle school self-contained program. He lives in Savannah, GA and is also an Army Reservist. His picture book, The Rules, uses realistic behavior and natural consequences to teach kids that kindness is the way to get along at school, daycare, and everywhere else. Topics Discussed: 1. Clarity of instruction and expectations is essential 2. When we don’t know what is expected of you it can le...
Striving, Thriving, and Making an Impact with Dr. Joy Karavedas
July 23, 2023 09:00 - 47 minutes - 33 MBToday we are joined by Dr. Joy Karavedas. She has 25 plus years of executive level leadership in independent schools and nonprofits. She holds a doctorate in organizational leadership and teachers courses at the bachelor and masters level. She is also an author, consultant, and coach. Topics Covered: 1. Leadership is about your influence and impact. 2. Lead those around you. 3. Those who are the best influencers take time to build authentic and intentional. 4. Leaderships by walking aro...
Connecting with Parents, Student Mentoring and the Back to School Virtual Bash with Kyle Hill
July 09, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBIn this conversation Kyle Hill talks about ways that we can strengthen bonds with parents, he talks about the importance of connection and transparency, the value of student mentoring, and so much more. Topics Discussed: 1. At formalized meetings with parents how are we looking to support the parents. 2. Make it a point to connect with a parent. We want to make parents and caregivers to be as comfortable as we can. 3. Talk to parents in terms that they would understand. They might not k...
Listening, Celebrating, and Leading with SWAG with Dominic Armano
July 02, 2023 09:00 - 44 minutes - 30.6 MBToday’s guest is Domonic Armano. He is a proud educator, an innovative principal a speaker, author, and most importantly a loving husband and father. Over the course of his career, Dominic has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, assistant principal and currently he is serving as an elementary school principal. In all of these roles, he has made it his priority to promote a positive culture for students, staff, and the community. Topics Covered: 1. In order for students to get...
5 Lessons Learned From the School Year
June 26, 2023 09:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBEvery school year holds lessons. It is important that we reflect back on these lessons so that we can grow and become better educators.
Storytelling, Moviemaking, and an Engaged Classroom with Jessica Pack
June 19, 2023 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MBToday we are joined by Jessica Pack. She has taught middle school for 18 years. She was the 2014 California Teacher of the Year. She has continually worked to redefine what learning looks like in her classroom. She is an author of the book Moviemaking in the Classroom. She is an advocate for student voice and choice. She is also a co-host on the podcasts Storytelling Saves the World, and the ISTE Edge. Topics discussed: 1. Movie making is powerful because that is the zone where a lot of ki...
Deficits, Belonging, and Lessons Learned Over 40 Years in Education with Martin Silverman
June 11, 2023 09:00 - 57 minutes - 39.5 MBToday's episode is with Martin Silverman. He is a father, grandfather, husband, and long-time educator in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. He is committed to providing the best educational experience for the students and families at Salinas Elementary school where he is the principal. Martin has worked as a teacher and administrator in urban, suburban, and rural districts. His interests are creating and nurturing school culture, providing enriching experiences for students and families, and...
Feedback, Classroom Culture, and Front Loading Skills with Dr. Rachel Cullen
June 04, 2023 09:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBIn this episode Dr. Rachel Cullen shares ways that we can make feedback more effective in our classrooms and how we can create a culture where the students seek out feedback. She discusses how to create a positive classroom culture and ways that we can front load skills to help students when they face adversity. Topics covered. Make it clear to thee students that you love them more than you love the content area. Be authentic in what you do. Engage with students that fit who you are. ...
Leadership, Communication, and a Coach and a Miracle with Coach Jim Johnson
May 28, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 44.9 MBIn this episode Coach Jim Johnson shares lessons learned from a basketball Hall of Fame coaching career. He shares lessons on leadership, communication, and one special night that found him and his team surrounded by national attention and a special member of the team beating out Kobe Bryant for an ESPY award. Topics discussed: When you can shine the light on someone else that’s good leadership. When you show up for others in a positive way you influence the culture. People respect a g...
Leadership, Communication, and a Coach and a Miracle
May 28, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 44.9 MBIn this episode Coach Jim Johnson shares lessons learned from a basketball Hall of Fame coaching career. He shares lessons on leadership, communication, and one special night that found him and his team surrounded by national attention and a special member of the team beating out Kobe Bryant for an ESPY award. Topics discussed: When you can shine the light on someone else that’s good leadership. When you show up for others in a positive way you influence the culture. People respect a g...
Learning Goal Cycle, Asset Based Learning, and The School of Hope with Cathleen Beachboard
May 21, 2023 09:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBToday's conversation is with Cathleen Beachboard. She is a teacher, author, and researcher. Her research focuses on psychological tools schools can use to help students and staff increase psychological hope, resiliency, achievement, and happiness. Topics Discussed: 1. Psychological Hope rewires the brain and it allows you to form grit, determination, and the ability to think, evolve, change, grow, and thrive. 2. Agency, Goals, and Pathways combine to form psychologic hope. 3. You can st...
3 Ways to Finish the School Year Strong
May 14, 2023 14:00 - 10 minutes - 7.11 MBThere's always a lot of excitement for summer vacation, but how we spend the last few days of the school year matters. It is important that we finish strong and on a positive note. There are little things that we can do to make that happen. This episodes dives into three ways that we can end our school year on a positive note.
Lessons Learned, How We View Mistakes, and Productivity with Dr. Naphtali Hoff
May 07, 2023 09:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBThis week's guest is Dr. Naphtali Hoff. He is a former school headmaster and currently he is the president and executive Coach for Impactful Coaching and Consulting. Dr. Hoff is also a podcaster, and an author. Topics Discussed: 1. As educators it is important that we are collecting evidence. 2. It is important to remember we are facilitators of learning. 3. It is important to embrace CHANGE not resist that 4. View every challenge as the next opportunity for us to grow. 5. We can l...
Performing With Music Icons, Being Consistent, and Strengthening Connections with Maxwell Roach
April 30, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 41.7 MBToday's conversation is with Maxwell Roach. He is someone who has traveled a very unique path. He has performed onstage with music icons such as Beyonce and the Rolling Stones, he’s someone who has started several businesses and has been the CEO of a multi centered child care organization, and now he is bringing all this knowledge to the education space as the founder of the JonAyves Learning Club. Topics Discussed: 1. When it’s time to make a decision MAKE the decision. 2. Ask yourse...
Novelty, Engagement, and Room Transformations with Danielle Dahlinger
April 23, 2023 09:00 - 46 minutes - 32.3 MBDanielle Dahlinger is an educator with over 20 years of experience who is doing great things inside the classroom. In this conversation listen as Danielle talks about the power of connecting with students, listen as she dives into ways to create engagement and anticipation inside the classroom, listen as she talks room transformations, Get Your Teach on, Letting Go of the Ego, and so much more. Topics Covered: 1. Love our students first and teach them second. 2. Dr. Kagan found that a coo...
Curiosity, Hope, and Improving School Mental Health with Charle Peck
April 16, 2023 09:00 - 49 minutes - 34.1 MBThis episode is all about improving school mental health. My guest today is Charle Peck! Charle is the cofounder of a revolutionary behavioral health program where she’s partnering with school districts to improve the well being of both staff and students. She has 20 years of education and mental health leadership experience. This has given her a unique lens of a seasoned teacher and licensed therapist and her clinical work in trauma and crisis intervention gives her clear insight to truly u...
5 Ways to Bring More Joy Into Your Day
April 12, 2023 09:00 - 11 minutes - 8.28 MBWho doesn't want to bring more joy into their day? All of us do! Cultivating more joy in our days isn't something that happens passively. We have to be intentional and set up routines and habits to create more of it in our days. In this episode we explore an amazing blog post by Livia Chan titled "5 Tips for Cultivating Atomic Love and Joy". Be sure to check out Livia's blog post and connect with her. Livia Chan Twitter: @LiviaChanL 5 Tips of Cultivating Atomic Love and Joy: https://teach...
Vulnerability, Self Awareness, and Expressing Your Art with Dr. Efrain Martinez
April 02, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBDr. Efrain Martinez is an administrator and the host of the Wisdom and Productivity podcast. In this conversation listen as Dr. Martinez talks about learning from those around you. He shares his own journey and the lessons that we can learn from that. He also talks about empathy, discovering and sharing the art that you have within you, and so much more! Topics Discussed: 1. Learn how other professions do things. What are things we can takeaway from them? 2. Put yourself in someone else’s...
Growth Mindset
March 29, 2023 09:00 - 7 minutes - 5 MBMany educators try and develop a growth mindset in their students. Is our best of intentions though creating a false growth mindset. In this episode I discuss four misconceptions about Growth Mindset that Carol Dweck lays out in her groundbreaking book.
Are You Teaching a False Growth Mindset?
March 29, 2023 09:00 - 7 minutes - 5 MBMany educators try and develop a growth mindset in their students. Is our best of intentions though creating a false growth mindset. In this episode I discuss four misconceptions about Growth Mindset that Carol Dweck lays out in her groundbreaking book.
Communication, Reflection, and the Principled Leader with Bobby Pollicino
March 26, 2023 09:00 - 49 minutes - 33.8 MBThis episode we are going to learn about strengthen your physical, mental, and spiritual fitness to help you in and out of the classroom! We are also going to talk about communication and the ways that we can communicate better, making each interaction count, reflection, and so much more. Today I'm joined by Bobby Pollicino. He is the Head of Upper School at Bullis School in Potomac, MD. He has served as a school administrator for over 15 years, also in dean of students and assistant princ...
What is the Message We Send About Failure?
March 22, 2023 09:00 - 5 minutes - 3.95 MBA question that all of us should ask ourselves is how do we define failure in our classroom. Is our words and actions sending the message that aligns with our beliefs about failure. This episode dives into my belief about failure after listening to the story of the self made billionaire Sara Blakely.
Creating Thriving Classrooms, Band of Believers, and Yet with Gina Giordano Byrne
March 19, 2023 09:00 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MBIn this conversation author and educator Gina Giordano Byrne shares strategies that we can use to create a thriving classroom culture. Topics Covered: Gina: 1. Create a classroom environment where students feel safe and comfortable to push outside of their comfort zone 2. Make it visible to the students that success is filled with mistakes and learning moments. 3. Normalize mistakes in the classroom 4. Put ideas and concepts into terms students understand. 5. Make concepts relatable t...
Celebrate the Wins
March 15, 2023 10:00 - 4 minutes - 3.31 MBThe episode dives into the power and importance of celebrating wins!
Thriving School Culture and being a BOSS Educator with Dr. LaQuanta Nelson
March 12, 2023 10:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MBToday I am joined by Dr. LaQuanta Nelson. Over the last 20 years she has served in education as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, mentor, district level New Teacher Coordinator, motivational speaker, and consultant. She currently serves scholars and all educators on their journey to become Bold, Optimistic, Spontaneous, and Substantial. Over the years, Dr. Nelson’s background and experience in leadership has helped her to transform underperforming schools in her state, support cu...
When Calling Parents Isn't Your Calling with Crystal Frommert
March 05, 2023 10:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MBIn this episode educator and author Crystal Frommert breaks down the importance of establishing a relationship with parents, she talks about the importance of remembering that we are working with parents greatest gifts and to be mindful of that when we connect, she gives tips that we can use to help strengthen that connection between the home and school, and so much more. This is such an awesome conversation! Topics: It’s important that we help new teachers understand the art of calling pa...
Student Podcasting, Increasing Engagement, and Take AIM at Digital Literacy with Jed Stefanowicz
February 26, 2023 10:00 - 48 minutes - 33.2 MBToday my guest is Jed Stefanowicz. He is a 25 year elementary educator, an author, a speaker, a blogger, and a former Massachusetts Teach Plus Policy Fellow. In this interview Jed is going to talk about different ways we can publish students work, student podcasting, the power of learning from others, and so much more. Topics: The new 4 C’s : Connect, compassion, culture, and climate Innovation sometimes is nothing more than giving a kid what they need at the right time. Find activities ...
The Aligned Teacher with Meredith Ruben Daniels
February 19, 2023 10:00 - 46 minutes - 32.3 MBThis episode is for all the educators who have felt rundown and low on energy. Meredith Rubin Daniels joins the podcast and shares strategies that all of us can use for ourselves or for our students to help keep emotionally regulated and our energy high. Topics discussed in this episode. 1. Having a practice that puts you physically and emotionally in a place where you feel safe allows you to be open to other emotions throughout the day. 2. It’s important that we provide our students with ...
Being Present, Community, and Finding Creative Sparks
February 12, 2023 10:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MBIn this episode I take a dive into lessons I've learned from some of my favorite podcasts. We talk about the power of being present and staying in the moment. The importance of community and ways that we can find those creative sparks. Take a listen and find out about some new podcasts that you might want to checkout! Fresh Air at Five - Bryon Carpenter https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fresh-air-at-five/id1547552441 Evolving with Gratitude - Lainie Rowell https://podcasts.apple.com/u...
Help Your Students See This One Thing
February 08, 2023 10:00 - 4 minutes - 2.95 MBThere is something important that all of our students need to know. Something that they deserve to know. In this mini episode we discuss this and the difference that it can make in the lives of our champions!
Creativity, Technology, and Gratitude with Nikki Jones
February 05, 2023 10:00 - 49 minutes - 33.8 MBIn this episode I'm joined by Nikki Jones. She has been an educator for 16 years teaching 1st and 3rd grade and is currently and instructional technology coach. Nikki is passionate about using technology to challenge students to think critically, problem solve and be creative. In this conversation we explore taking risks, creativity, connecting and being inspired by learning communities, one point rubrics, gratitude practices, and so much more! Topics: 1. Choice and voice to empower studen...
Help Students Remember What Success Feels Like
February 01, 2023 10:00 - 5 minutes - 3.74 MBThis episode is inspired by a chapter in Dear Teachers, written by Dr. Brad Johnson and Hal Bowman, that was title "Why Would a Kid Want to be Successful if He Doesn't Remember What Success Feels Like?". As we are deep into the midpoint of the school year it is important that we ask ourselves if all of our students have felt success lately. Do they remember what success feels like?
Master the Basics, Be Curious, and the Message You Share
January 29, 2023 23:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBThis episode is a solo episode where we look to tap into the knowledge of others outside the teaching profession. Today's episode is about three lessons learned from Kobe Bryant. When you think of one of the greatest players of all time Kobe is one of the names at the top of this least. However, he was much more than just a basketball player. He was most importantly a proud girl dad, an individual who spoke three languages, an academy award winner, and so much more. This episode dives into t...
Building Stronger Relationships with Gratitude Visits
January 25, 2023 10:00 - 7 minutes - 5.25 MBRelationships are at the core of teaching. One of the best ways to strengthen a relationship is by letting others know that you appreciate them. This mini episode is all about a strategy from Dr. Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, called gratitude visits. Learn what a gratitude visit is and how it can help strengthen relationships.
Appreciation, Belonging, Positivity, and Lessons Learned
January 22, 2023 16:00 - 16 minutes - 11.7 MBTaking time to look back and reflect on what we've learned is important. Too often we take information in, but we fail to put it into practice. This episode takes a look back at some recent guests on the podcast and some of the wisdom that they have shared. In this episode we talk about the power of the people we surround ourselves with from Phil Januszewski. The importance of letting our students know that we appreciate them early and often with Livia Chan. Becoming a great storyteller an...
Bad Days, Good Energy, and Be That One
January 19, 2023 05:00 - 5 minutes - 4.11 MBHave you ever had a morning where you wake up and you just feel down. Where you can't shake that feeling no matter what you do. This episode is all about a simple strategy that you can use to help lift you up on those tough days. It's something that is simple. Something that any of us can do. It's something though that we have to be very intentional about. Check out this episode to help you maintain that positive mental state.
Seeing Strengths, 8 Pillars of Belonging, and Making Americans with Jessica Lander
January 15, 2023 10:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBIn this conversation Jessica Lander discusses educating immigrant and refugee students. We talk about her book Making Americans that is a wonderful book about the exploration of immigrant education across the country. She talks about seeing these students for their energy, talents, and drive. Jessica discusses the lessons she learned from traveling around the country and meeting innovative schools who are leading the way in innovation for these students. The tips and knowledge that Jessica ...
Notice It, Name It, and Nurture It
January 11, 2023 10:00 - 5 minutes - 3.98 MBOne strategy that we can use to fuel gratitude and appreciation within the classroom can be to notice the great things that are happening, to name the great things that are happening, and that helps you nurture this. Past guest Livia Chan discussed this and how she uses this to fuel gratitude and appreciation in our classroom. We can use this strategy for ourselves as well to help spark these positive feelings in our own lives as well. This episode discusses this.
Taking Healthy Risks, Mental Currency, and Leading With Positivity with Phil Januszewski
January 08, 2023 10:00 - 54 minutes - 37.4 MBIn this conversation I'm joined by Phil Januszewski. He is a science teacher and a nationally renowned motivational speaker. In this conversation we discuss the power of taking healthy risks, how to protect our mental currency, different strategies that we can use to lead with positivity and so much more. 1. We are a model for our students and our family. 2. Take health risks. 3. It’s good for your kids and students to see you try and fail. 4. Find healthy people to feed off of the e...
One Tip for Staying Positive in the New Year
January 04, 2023 10:00 - 5 minutes - 3.64 MBWinter break is over and educators are back to the grind. As the new year settles in this can be a very difficult time of the year for some. This episode discusses one simple way that can help you stay positive throughout the next few months.
Seeing the Every Day Gifts, Atomic Interactions, and Relationships with Livia Chan
January 01, 2023 10:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBThis week I have a very special guest. I’m joined by Livia Chan. She is a Head Teacher, writer, presenter, and a member of the Teach Better Team. She is deeply passionate about community, leading with heart and positivity, and daily lifelong learning. In this conversation listen as Liv talks about the power of connections and building relationships. Listen as she talks about ATOMIC interactions, and how we can use these interactions to intentionally uplift others through our love, kindnes...
Make a Difference with the Little Things
December 28, 2022 10:00 - 8 minutes - 6.07 MBThis episode is a reminder about the difference that can be made by doing the little things. It was inspired by a blog post from Mel Hawkins and is about a gentleman that worked in a school and transformed everyone around him by doing the little things. His story is a reminder to all of us about the difference we can make by the energy that we give off to those around us. Thank you to Mel Hawkins for the inspiration. Be sure to check out her blog at: https://melhawkinsandassociates.com/blog/
Literacy of Love with Cari Matejka
December 25, 2022 10:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBToday’s conversation was an extra special one because it was with someone that I have known for a very long time. Someone who we started our teacher careers very close to one another in the same school. And this conversatioin is just such a great reminder that there are people that all of us work with that are doing amazing things. And if we’re curious, if we take time to listen and ask questions, we can learn so much! This week’s conversation is with Cari Matejka. She is a fifth grade teach...
Creating a Sense of Belonging
December 21, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 3.92 MBOne of the most important things that we can do for our students is to create a sense of belonging. They need to feel seen, heard, and valued within their classroom community. Our students deserve to feel as if they belong! This mini episode is all about creating belonging within the classroom.
Being A Great Listener, Durable Skills, and Investing in Students with Dan Garrity
December 18, 2022 10:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBIn this episode Professor Dan Garrity shares wisdom on being a great listener, developing durable skills, investing in students, open ended challenges, finding people who excel in their field, and so much more. 1. Embrace humor 2. Have a legitimate love and care to hear someone else’s story 3. Become a good storyteller and understand the language that your audience speaks 4. Excite, put it into terms students understand, and then challenge them 5. Ask ourselves how do our students spe...
A Gift You Need To Give Your Students Today
December 15, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 3.29 MBWinter break is quickly approaching and while there is much excitement over the break there is one gift that you need to give your students before having that time off. This gift will fill them with joy and help build their confidence. Take a listen to hear what that gift is.
Enhancing Learning, Hype Teams, and Community
December 11, 2022 10:00 - 12 minutes - 8.36 MBThis episode is a reflection of learning that I experienced this week. We speak to our students about being a life long learner so it is up to us to model what that means. In this episode I share some teachings from the amazing thought leader John Maxwell on how we can enhance learning. Also, the role of hype teams and what it means to build community within our schools is discussed. John Maxwell Podcast https://johnmaxwellleadershippodcast.com Are you interested in writing a book. Conne...
Enhance Learning, Hype Teams, and Community
December 11, 2022 10:00 - 12 minutes - 8.36 MBThis episode is a reflection of learning that I experienced this week. We speak to our students about being a life long learner so it is up to us to model what that means. In this episode I share some teachings from the amazing thought leader John Maxwell on how we can enhance learning. Also, the role of hype teams and what it means to build community within our schools is discussed. John Maxwell Podcast https://johnmaxwellleadershippodcast.com Are you interested in writing a book. Conne...
A Simple Way to Make A Difference Today
December 07, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 3.61 MBMaking a difference can be easy. Sometimes we think it has to be a grand gesture or a heroic act. Making a difference can be as easy as making those around you feel seen. This episode talks about the importance of making our peers feel seen.