School Sparks with Dr. Desi Cameron

In this podcast, I share four tips to keep in mind as you enter the teaching profession! You’ve got this! You’re not alone!

In this episode, I encourage teachers staff and students to move beyond their own self limiting beliefs, and sharing their knowledge with others in the world.

In this episode, I share thoughts on removing access to personal devices at school, unless modifications and accommodations are needed, and to focus on developing students’ minds and hearts: critical thinking and social skills.

In this episode, I talk about ways to celebrate professional milestones as a way of recognizing people’s hard work, commitment, and contributions to a school. Research shows that celebrating professional milestones helps improve retention and builds a sense of belonging.

Birthdays are a great way to recognize students, families/guardians, staff, teachers, board members, donors, etc! I share different ideas of what I’ve seen work well! How can you ensure birthdays are being celebrated in a special and thoughtful way and ensure everyone is included? What other ideas do you have to celebrate birthdays?

In this episode, I talk about how important it is to write a thank you note especially in the job search process. Thank you notes are always appreciated. They will not determine whether or not you receive a job but it says a lot about you and your character. You will stand out as many people do not write thank you notes.

In this episode, I share tips to keep in mind as you design and set up a space (whether it’s a classroom, office, or other area of your school): purpose, energy, comfort/flexibility, openness & flow!

In this episode, I share 4 tips on how to best prepare for a teaching demo lesson! Whether you’re new to teaching or are applying for a teaching role at another school, the tips still apply!

In this episode, I share ways to implement “do now” activities in classrooms and in meetings to help provide routine, set the tone, and prime the learning.

For teachers and staff who utilize rubrics in their classes or evaluations: In this episode, I share some tips of how to approach rubric creation, from focusing on why you are using a rubric in the first place to questioning the use of 0s in rubrics.

In this episode, I share how to focus on building positive connections with others, especially with those who may drive us crazy or hit a nerve!

In this episode, I share four tips to include in the content of your presentation and four tips on delivery for your presentation. Regardless of the length of your presentation or who your audience is, these tips matter!

In this episode, I share three things to get you started to focus on building inclusive language at your school. This is a start and not a definitive list! Hope it’s helpful!

Ground rules set the expectation of how to show up and engage in a meeting. They can echo the why, the how, and improve engagement.

For leaders: Leadership is hard and often isolating. In this episode, I share 3 things that make leaders feel alone and 3 things you can do about it!

This is for teachers and leaders: I share 4 guidelines for attention getters that work!

In this episode, I share 5 things administrators most want from teachers: 1. Do your job really well in the classroom, 2. Speak well of and support the school, 3. Contribute to the life of the school beyond the classroom (showing up matters!), 4. Seek to learn and grow, 5. Collaborate with administrators - ask questions and share your ideas.

In this episode, I share 5 things teachers most want from administrators: 1. To be trusted and treated like professionals, 2. To be seen, valued, and appreciated, 3. For administrators to have teachers’ backs, 4. To not waste teachers’ time, 5. To be supported and encouraged to grow

This episode is for anyone who works at a school: rather than spending time gossiping or having a meeting after a meeting, bring your concern to the right people. Otherwise gossiping just becomes this negative spiral that doesn’t go anywhere. Also, don’t assume that leadership at a school is aware of the problem unless you bring it to them. And, break free from the us versus them mindset. We all are working at a school together and want to be in it together.

For all who work at a school: I lay out 5 questions to ponder to help break you out of a perfectionist’s mindset and move toward accomplishing the work with less stress!

This is for anyone: 1. Write down (and perhaps share with someone) what you’re grateful for, at least three things each day: specific moments, people, lessons, etc. 2. Express gratitude for others: by email, text, handwritten note, to share the impact they make and what you most appreciate about them!

For anyone who works at a school: 4 ways to incorporate music into the life of your school for positive change!

For teachers and leaders: Here are 5 tips to help you navigate a parent complaint or concern!

For teachers and leaders: In this episode, I talk about ways teachers and leaders can build in reflection practices with an eye toward growth. Teachers can collect data to help shape their teaching practice, and help students develop their awareness of their learning. Leaders can get a sense of what individuals took away from a meeting as well as get feedback on how to continuously improve meetings.

Four steps to take when someone brings a problem or frustration your way. 1: Listen for 5 minutes. 2: Pause and name it 3: Reframe toward problem solving 4: Have the person who brought the problem to you bring ideas on how to solve the issue first before giving your own ideas!

For anyone who works at a school: three tips you can try today! They will make a difference!

For anyone who works at a school: 3 tips to help you grow and learn from a mistake.

This spark is for all those who work in a school: Three types of mentors we all would benefit from having in our lives to support our work in schools!

For anyone who works at a school: here are some words to get you started in a positive frame of mind! You’ve got this!

For anyone who works at a school: There are only three reasons you should send an email! Phone calls are great to schedule in person meetings and address smaller issues. In person meetings should be for the bigger, heavier, crucial, or more emotional meetings.

For leaders, teachers, and staff: This podcast outlines 4 tips to stand out in the application process for a K-12 school or university! It doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the job, but it will give you a leg up!

For leaders: Tips on how to prepare for a meeting, what to do in a meeting, and follow-up steps after the meeting! And, consider if the meeting is essential!

For teachers, leaders, and staff: Go beyond the typical name and job title introduction and focus on telling the story of your impact! Notice the difference in your interactions and how this simple practice can root you in your purpose!

For school leaders: The arts are essential to an excellent education. On this podcast, I talk about arts for arts sake and arts as a learning medium! Also, big shout out to WNS, a school that values the arts as central and part of the core curriculum! Improve your arts education programs at your school, and watch attendance rise, see increased academic achievement, and improvement in social and emotional learning! The arts are transformative!

For teachers, leaders, and staff: Tips of how to set up intentions for your day or a part of your day, focused on what you will bring to the table and what you hope to gain and learn from that experience!

For teachers: When a teacher is not feeling well, the last thing they wanna do is write sub plans. To get ahead of that, I highly recommend every teacher has an emergency sub folder, including seating chart, information about the students, the schedule, rules and expectations on the classroom, a map of the school, and of course, the actual lesson plan and handouts needed for the lesson! These should be plug and play lessons that could work anytime in the year and are still beneficial for students!

For teachers: Three tips: start collecting specific data early, make sure the student and family know that you really know their kid (highlight their work and tell stories), and include specific positives with ideas on how to grow them (problem solve rather than problem pose).

For teachers: What to do when kids are blurting out in class? Three tips include: setting clear expectations prior to the activity, providing alternative and non verbal ways for students to participate, and finally encourage and praise effort when students are doing what is expected!

For teachers: In this episode, I talk about the three main tenants of classroom management, which include managing yourself, the space, and the task at hand.

For teachers, leaders, and staff: A former student of mine shared how this practice was transformative for her and she encouraged me to share it in this forum. This podcast is inspired by my own experience over 23 years ago, modeled by the one and only Jessica Hoffman Davis, the former director of the arts in education program at Harvard.

For teachers and staff who have kids at home: Requested by a colleague, this podcast answers the question of how to build in quiet/chill time at home and at school.

Inspired by a fellow educator’s request, this podcast focuses on how teachers can provide constructive feedback to families and provide actionable steps for what families can do at home.

For leaders and staff, but also applicable for teachers: Plan out your week, set priorities and block out time for deep work, movement, breaks, lunch, and reflection!

For leaders, teachers, and staff: Provide choice for students, teachers, and in meetings!

For teachers (and staff!): A positive personalized email home to students and families can help build relationships!

This is for anyone who works in a school. Warmly greeting others and making them feel welcome is so important! It’s an easy practice and transformational.

For school leaders looking to appreciate their teachers