Rebecka Peterson

SUMMARY: The way you see students today can change a trajectory tomorrow. In this episode of Oxygen for Educators, 2023 National Teacher of the Year Rebecka Peterson sits down with Michelle to talk about choosing the good without slipping into toxic positivity. Rebecka shares how listening to understand, not to be understood, changed her teaching and her students' outcomes. She tells the story of her "one good thing" practice that trained her brain to notice what is working, then create more of it. From there, we dig into why principals set the tone for an entire building, why teachers quite literally hold our democracy, and why front-loading connection is not a luxury - It is the work.  Practical takeaways you can use today Front-load connection. The time comes back to you a hundred times over. Train your attention. Capture one good thing each day to rewire what you notice. When the world feels big, get small. Focus on who is right in front of you. Hold a yes and mindset. Hard work, and meaningful work. Tell your story to students, then schedule 5–15 minute student story slots.     CHAPTERS: 00:00 Finding the Good in Challenging Times 02:55 Introducing Rebecca Peterson: A Teacher's Journey 06:00 The Impact of Personal Stories in Education 08:47 The Role of Relationships in Student Success 11:42 The Power of Listening and Understanding 14:52 Transformative Experiences as a Teacher of the Year 17:50 The Importance of High-Quality Educators 20:47 Navigating Trauma in Education 23:26 Empathy and Democracy in Education 26:28 The Practice of Noticing the Good 29:20 The Yes And Profession: Balancing Challenges and Purpose 32:21 Closing Thoughts: Gratitude and Hope for Educators     ************************************************************************************************ Oxygen for Educators is proudly sponsored by Tacky Box. Follow on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/oxygen-for-educators/id1775510846  Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2i21QueuqVqmEPmI7gzFfQ?si=1bef3354bff2402c  Follow on Audible: https://www.audible.co.uk/podcast/Oxygen-for-Educators/B0DKL68DLX?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp  Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEdbuPy-L7p4RZKZ_VWKCXwK_j8vbjZF2&si=7SHeSWZRllrseygs  Website: https://www.tackybox.com/podcast  Thank you to our sponsor, Tacky Box! Website: https://tackybox.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacky_box/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTackyBox/  X: https://x.com/thetackybox  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thetackybox/