Chops

It's the time of year where energy is low, caffeine intake is high, and everyone is working to get through to the finish line. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

The Monday following prom is the unofficial day for seniors to play hookie. Classes are small, the parking lot is empty, and the energy changes. Jack and Steve discuss how days like this can look in the classroom. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

In this lighter episode, Jack and Steve share outrageous stories from live performances in their teaching careers. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

Contest is only 9 school days away - Jack and Steve share what takes place in the time leading up to the bands' high-stakes performances.Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

Inspired by the spring variety concert, this episode explores the importance of stage presence across a variety of ensembles and how to craft it. Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

This episode centers on the power of saying okay and refusing the need to justify an answer, opinion, or student request. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

A more practical episode - each host shares two actual teaching techniques that work for them in the classroom. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

Praising groups is important, but how often should it happen? Being demanding of a group should happen, but how is it done tactfully? How can a teacher ride the wave without coming across as mean or insincere?This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

Deescalating a situation is effectively is like becoming jello - it's pretty hard to fight. Jack and Steve explore the analogy with some tips, techniques, and tales from the classroom. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

Going a little more music-centric this week - Jack and Steve discuss the importance of programming and how to effectively select music for the ensemble. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

"I'm texting my mom" is a common response to "put your phone away." This episode explores the outcomes of phone bans in schools and how students (and teachers) have responded. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

Having another teacher in the classroom is a lifesaver - if done correctly. Jack and Steve share their thoughts on how to create the most effective co-teaching relationship. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

Chops Podcast teams up with Bryan Munoz and Andrew Moran from Music Travel Consultants to discuss the overlap between teaching and trip-leading. Thank you to MTC for purchasing our microphones!This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

With very few minutes in the classroom due to inclement weather, the duo speak to the importance of making every second count, along with some other hot topics in education. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

Ragebait (aka trolling) is a buzzword in K-12 classrooms - students try to bait each other or their teachers into getting angry. This episode discusses what it looks like, how to greet it, and what its friend, "Joybait" can look like.This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/Check out our merch store at https://chopspodcast-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all

Moments create a sense of belonging and authenticity in the classroom - it's a teacher's job to craft them for students. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

A lesson might not go well if the teacher is unsure of what might happen next. Seeing the future is a skill for all teachers to develop in order to promote mastery in the classroom. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

Looking back on the semester, Steve and Jack identify areas in their craft in which to improve while also recognizing what worked well. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

This episode takes a more lighthearted approach as the duo shares the typical experience of a teacher at the end of the first semester. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

Jack and Steve discuss how success can differ from student to student. It's up to the teacher to decide where to go from there and how to guide each individual toward what they need. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

Feedback can be easy to provide to students, but can be trickier with adults. Giving and receiving feedback can be uncomfortable peer-to-peer; Chops shares their perspectives in how to handle this. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

Jack is entering concert week with his jazz bands - Steve shares that it's okay (and expected) if things go awry.This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

Consistency in the classroom is key to highly effective teaching, but Steve and Jack share some ways they intentionally aren't always consistent.Thank you to Music Travel Consultants for purchasing us new microphones! Visit them at musictravel.comThis episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

Students feel tired - how should they approached? Stories and strategies are shared on this week's episode of Chops. Thank you to Music Travel Consultants for purchasing us new microphones! Visit them at musictravel.comThis episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

While this event can feel like more hours at work, Chops believes the positives can outweigh the negatives when the conferences are approached correctly. This episode has been sponsored by Sight Reading Factory. Create an account today for you and your students at https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/

Chops' 100th episode! Approaching teaching with a hint of humility can pay dividends both in the present and future.

The duo stress the importance of having meaningful conversations about teaching with at least one colleague, if not more.

Steve and Jack share the things that grind their gears in the classroom.

On delay days where schedules are shortened, do we teach faster or just cover less content?

With so many decisions in a day, the inner thoughts run rampant with doubt.

Intentionally spending time toward building relationships is an investment that will pay off - Jack and Steve share some strategies on how to build them into a classroom routine.

Steve explains how storytelling in the classroom can be impactful to teaching, content, and the students.

Understanding the difference between control and influence is vital to a successful classroom environment.

Be intentional about spending time building relationships through authentic moments in the classroom.

Students are more than likely to test boundaries at the beginning of the new school year. Teachers - don't take the bait!

Discussed is whether knowledge of content or skill in teaching is more beneficial in the classroom.

Jack and Steve reunite toward the end of their summer break to talk systems, coffee, and yard projects.

Awaiting a rehearsal for a summer jazz performance, the duo discuss the nature of choice and volunteering in a classroom.

After some time away Steve is back on the podcast and the duo wrap up the end of their school year.

CHS percussion specialist Matt Allman joins the show to discuss what he has learned in his first years on the job.

Concord High School Technical Director Scott Preheim joins the podcast this week to share his expertise in planning, executing, and troubleshooting. In addition, he shares how he fosters student leadership in his after school tech club.

Chops Podcast teams up with Chris Munce of the Choralosophy Podcast to bring you this crossover episode of how teaching band and teaching choir intersects. Check out the Choralosophy Podcast anywhere you listen!

Indianapolis band director Stefan Roose joins the show to share his passion for teaching beyond the 40 hour work-week while simultaneously living a full life. Check out Stefan's group Elevate Performing arts @elevateperformingarts.in on Instagram!

Concord band director Nicole Knouse joins the podcast to share her journey in working with the students of the pit orchestra for the CHS musical.

The principal of Concord Community High School joins the show to share his experiences in leading.

Many mistakes happen in students' lives, but they can also occur in the teacher. Any of these "oopsies" can be turned around into a lesson for either party.

Many schools face challenges due to weather this time of year. Plan for it, expect it, and stay the course.

Conflict can be an awkward or difficult concept to approach, yet conflict is unavoidable in any place of work. Jack and Steve talk best practices in approaching it.

Welcome to Season 4 of Chops! Jack and Steve recount their tales of the first day back after winter break.

For the season finale, the duo walk the listeners through the last week in Concord High School's music department where almost 500 students participated in a holiday variety show.