Teachers’ Cup of Coffee

With 36 years of experience opening schools, Steve Mahoney joins us to share ideas on how we can get off to a strong start in the first 2-4 weeks. He's been a mentor of mine for a long time, and he's known for keeping it real. His thoughts and ideas will not disappoint. 

Vilenti Tulloch joins the pod to talk about his incredible work with at-risk students. He is the author of Engage to Excel and the CEO/Founder of the Academic Leadership Association. We talk about how schools can learn from his success stories. We also learn that he is an Eddie House superfan. I was Vilenti’s high school basketball coach, and I am very proud of him as an educator, father, husband, and human being.  Check out the Teachers’ Cup of Coffee website for keynotes, workshops, and previous episodes: https://www.teacherscupofcoffee.com/ If you’d like to join our email list and receive episode updates, please do so HERE.

Author and consultant Mike Anderson joins the pod to discuss his new book, Hugging Porcupines! Mike is a prolific educational writer who always seems to address the most pertinent issues in schools. In this chat, we discuss his thoughts on working with our most challenging students, his month-by-month focus on strategies, and how to hold problem-solving conferences. We finish with a speed round, diving into some Rolling Stones memories. Here is a link to purchase his new book. If you’d like to join our email list and receive episode updates, please do so HERE.    

I’m a little obsessed with how we as educators respond to students’ mistakes. And what type of culture we build around mistakes. And how we help students value their mistakes.    In this episode, we examine how to truly turn mistakes into learning opportunities. We have agency in this. Let’s use our control to change the reputation of mistakes!   YouTube episode link: https://youtu.be/jY0RFO7KhTo   Check out my YouTube channel and subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@TeachersCupofCoffee   If you’d like to join our email list and be notified of every episode, sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9NohCaQnyqo7-p3smgYOYA2QRraHKb1b1hjx_mb0FeHVTSA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101789399357322597484

A living legend of education, Rick Wormeli, joins the pod. We discuss middle schools, teacher health, practical assessment, and his upcoming keynote at the NELMS Conference. He does not disappoint in terms of knowledge, communication, and vibe! Please be sure to subscribe and check us out on YouTube. Email me anytime at [email protected]. Join my email list HERE. 

Cornelius Minor - one of my educational heroes - joins the pod to discuss his work, his book, his plans for an upcoming keynote at the NELMS Conference, and answer the age-old-question: Jay Z or Nas? Email me anytime at [email protected]. Join my email list HERE. 

Whether we realize it or not, students are always watching us. What are they learning from what we model? We dig into a Cult of Pedagogy blog post and offer a few easy, practical plans to help educators be more intentional about the lessons they teach—without saying a word. If you’d like to join our email list and receive episode updates, please do so HERE. Email me anytime at [email protected]. Check us out now with a video pod at https://youtu.be/YSwPtnX3U7Y.

Classroom Meetings, rooted in the work of Cornelius Minor, offer a fast, fun way to connect with students and build real community. No scripts. No circles. Just simple moves that work. In 10 minutes, we unpack a practice that can transform your classroom vibe. If you’d like to join our email list and receive episode updates, please do so HERE. Check out more on Cornelius Minor and classroom meetings HERE.

Yep, I said it. Love is a major part of what we do as educators. And the more we lean into this idea, the healthier our jobs become. Shout out to Phillip Done and The Art of Teaching Children for guiding us toward this thinking.  Email me anytime with thoughts, ideas, or requests: [email protected].

What can a single LEGO brick teach us about teaching and learning? Turns out, a lot!

AI could change everything in schools. We are all dealing with this possibility. But I recently caught a glimpse of the future in my classroom - just a quick glimpse - and it wasn't all bad!

Students are different, and that is an understatement. But we also know more about how brains work than ever before. Let's apply what we know from brain science—and what we observe social media doing—to enhance student learning in our classrooms. Shout out to Brian Goodwin for his work on this topic.

This time of year, we can wonder if kids learned anything LAST year... But the fact is, if we do not teach in a way that leads to deep learning, it's possible they don't remember much.  In this episode, I share 3 tricks we can use in our planning and teaching to ensure that students practice deep learning in our classroom.  Ten minutes could change the learning your students experience this year!

In this episode, we discuss the racism continuum and how to teach it to students.  Let's give racism a language and a framework for kids to understand.   This is episode 2 in our series focused on equipping schools and educators with concrete, anti-racist practices!

Schools have come a long way in how they address bullying.  More work can be done, but progress has definitely been made.  What about racism?  Have schools improved their prevention and elimination of racism?  I would argue, not really.  And thus, this is our opening episode in a series dedicated to equipping schools and educators with concrete ways to implement anti-racist practices.  Come along for the journey!

Drawing is a powerful way to improve teaching, learning, and assessment.  It seems so simple on the surface, but it actually leads to a lot of brain work and deepening of learning.  In under 10 minutes, we go over the why/how/what of bringing drawing into our classrooms. Check out this video and consider showing it to your students before you incorporate this new strategy: https://www.edutopia.org/video/powerful-effects-drawing-learning

In a few weeks, many of us will be responding to students who have experienced trauma.  Let's open our school year using some simple proactive measures to support challenging students right from the jump!

Teacher retention and teacher well-being are pretty much at a crisis level.  What can we do?!!  How can teachers stay sane enough to continue in the profession?  I bring in some experts for ideas.   https://www.corcreativepartners.com/

Academic safety allows students to ask questions, take risks, and grapple with challenging material.  How can we make sure that students in our classrooms feel academically safe?  

Apathy, disrespect, and disruption: The Big 3. How can we deal with these behaviors in a way that keeps us sane, is trauma-informed, and helps kids regulate?

This year has to be better.  But it's on us to find the joy in our jobs.  Here's four easy steps to bringing it back. (Who knew that the Dalai Lama could teach us so much about schools?!)

A simple equation for engaging students in our lessons... inspired by Omar from The Wire!

How do we bounce back from this COVID rut as educators?  Part 1 provides ideas on truly motivating students to learn and motivating ourselves in the process!

We must see in color in our classroom.  Teaching and supporting Black, male students requires specific strategies.  We review these strategies and discuss how to start implementing them at the classroom and school level.  Check us out at www.npteducation.com.

What can we do, as white educators, to make sure we are supporting our colleagues and supporting anti-racism?

Two steps to being an anti-racist educator that are simple, but powerful: 1. Listen 2. Take action Special thanks to Cornelius Minor and his great work that is summarized in this episode.  Be anti-racist in your practice and you can make a difference for kids! Check out our website: www.npteducation.com  

How can we be anti-racist in our practice as educators?  This approach to discipline in our school and classroom is a good first step. This begins a series of episodes that will provide actionable anti-racist practices. Check out all Podcasts and more at www.npteducation.com

School is different this year and it will no doubt be stressful!  Not putting the stress on students will be key.  We go into the vault for a great reminder on how to stay positive amidst the chaos. Check out all episodes at www.npteducation.com  

Some simple advice on how make sure you're taking steps personally, and in education, to be anti-racist and push your practice. 11 minutes that can change the start of your school year! Thank you for listening! Please email me with any thoughts or feedback or questions at [email protected].  And be sure to check out NPT Education at www.npteducation.com.  

OK, now what?  Many people have awoken in new ways to our systemic racism.  But what can educators, schools, and districts do to prepare students to change the system and be anti-racist?  This incredible panel of educators tackles this exact question.

As a white man, I must strive, as much as possible, to understand the experience of Black people.  In this episode, the great Ta-Nehisi Coates is my guide in this journey.  

I conclude our journey through White Fragility with some next steps in the fight as outlined by Robin Diangelo.    

I continue my reflection, as a white man, on racism and white fragility.  Part book report, part introspection; all aimed at pushing thinking forward.  

This begins our deep dive into racism.  Learning and self-reflection being the goals.  This episode focuses on the first few chapters of an incredible book, White Fragility, by Robin Diangelo.

Many of us have been forced to start teaching online.  Despite the horrible reason why, this does give us as educators a unique opportunity to adapt and evolve.  Listen in for some quick ideas on how to make the most of a very tough situation.

Helping students learn when they're experiencing trauma is no easy task.  But wearing cement shoes can help.  Under 9 minutes... and this episode can really help your next 5 weeks!

Are you an I.G. or an I.T.?  The answer could make or break your school year.  Just 11 minutes!

This week we talk about how we as educators can take care of ourselves as we start a new school year.  Building and maintaining our own mental health is essential to our performance in the classroom!

As the new school year approaches, let's capitalize on feeling re-energized and turn this into concrete improvements in our classroom!

George Couros is inspirational!  He understands the big picture in education and he delivers a message that will keep you positive, motivated, and improving.  In this episode, I do my best to echo his message from a recent presentation.  

Supporting English Learners can be both challenging and rewarding. Needless to say, there is a lot to it. Guest Peter Gillen provides some concrete best practices to help all EL students thrive!

This episode we are lucky...we get to learn about both policy and the experience of a student who overcame many challenges to thrive!  We are thrilled to welcome Laura Schifter, a lecturer on education teaching courses on federal education policy and on special education at Harvard University. She also works as a fellow with the Century Foundation where she writes about issues impacting students with disabilities.  In this episode, she brings us up to speed on current trends in policy and shares the story of her educational journey.

Empathy.  The holy grail when it comes to supporting learning.  Here are four simple things we all can remember to make our classroom and instruction more empathetic of students.  

Bad habits in the classroom can make us dread work and keep our students from learning.  There is still time to fix this if we follow the right steps!  (just under 10 minutes this episode)

Who would have thought that Jerry Seinfeld could help us teach better?

Change one word in your job description and you will see a major change in your thinking and in your students' learning.  Welcome back to the school year and thanks for subscribing!

Some simple advice on how to take care of yourself during the school day. Short, restorative breaks can make all the difference.

Our toughest kids are tougher than ever.  That said, many of us are still trying to work with them in traditional ways.  In less than 10 minutes, we give you a new way to work with these students, starting with two magical words!

School shootings.  Way too normal.  Fear.  Heartbreak.  Despair.  Is there anything we as educators can do?

Testing season is creeping up on us.  (Boring!!!!)  Keep the learning fresh by taking a play out of Steve Jobs' playbook.