Two Friends Who Teach

In this bumper episode for the end of Term 2, Bez and Chloe take a tour de force of school life. What are the unspoken rules for photocopying or picking a mug in the staffroom? What's the best and worst to expect on yard duty? How do you manage tricky colleagues and say no? We wrap up with the inaugural teaching snack awards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The range of in-school, out-of-school, in-person, and online professional learning options for teachers can be overwhelming. How do you find and select quality PL? Bez and Chloe share their thoughts on this, along with what to expect, what to bring, and of course, what to wear. They offer golden nuggets from their favourite PL, debate teacher etiquette for sharing resources, and discuss the holy grail of PL - being observed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summative assessment doesn't have to mean all tests and reams of teacher marking. Bez and Chloe explore different summative assessment types and linking these into school reporting and assessment cycles. Plus, marking guides, tackling student plagiarism and likely the best hack ever for assessing multiple choice questions you’ll ever hear.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rise of misogynistic behavior directed at female teachers by male students prompts a more serious discussion on teacher safety and wellbeing in this week’s episode. Chloe and Bez share their experiences as young female teachers and suggest strategies for how to prepare for, manage and escalate any incidents in schools. They also dive into restorative practice, censorship, protecting your wellbeing and the role of school leadership in responding to antisocial behavior in schools.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s one of the most common buzz words in education, so this week Bez and Chloe deep dive into differentiation: horizontal, vertical, content, process and product. When to differentiate, for who, how, and individual learning plans. They also discuss strategies for teaching students with disability and meeting the National Consistent Collection of Data requirements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At some point, every teacher will find themselves teaching a subject they're not qualified in. Even if it's just one-off to cover a colleague, teaching out-of-field can be daunting. Bez and Chloe share their experiences and strategies for what to do when you don't know the subject you're teaching, the importance of mentors and networks, and the all important 'fake it till you make it'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the busy daily life of a teacher, parent-teacher interviews definitely rank up there for the mental and physical stamina they demand. Bez and Chloe share their take on how to get ready and make it through the often back-to-back, tightly timed interviews with students' parents or carers. They role play a parent-teacher interview and discuss the merits of students being involved. How to manage time, navigate tricky conversations, and tips for building positive parent-teacher relationships to impact learning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Bez and Chloe in Season 2 of Two Friends Who Teach, where they explore the vital role homework can play (and not play) in student learning and independent study preparation. They dive into strategies for dealing with students who don't complete their homework, and also delve into the inevitable issues of plagiarism and AI, and how to talk with your students about these issues.  Theme Music composed by Martin Landström / Healthy ThroatSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The end of the first term is just about here, and in this episode Bez and Chloe share their strategies for making the most of the break. How to balance lesson prep and marking with rest and recovery, things to do to feel human again, and hacks to avoid getting rundown. There’s also the do’s and don’ts for end of term staff social events, how much should you plan for next term, and what’s that about a marking party? Theme Music composed by Martin Landström / Healthy ThroatSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Bez and Chloe step out of the classroom and head to school camp. They unpack what to pack and what to expect at school camp, and share tips for managing student behavior, including the all important task of getting students quiet at night. They talk through pre and post camp planning, managing your energy, creature comforts, giant swings and flying foxes. Theme Music composed by Martin Landström / Healthy ThroatSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bez and Chloe talk feedback: feeding up, feeding forward, the TAG protocol and WAGOLLs. Plus the often missed student wellbeing side of giving feedback, effective communication strategies, and those special teacher gestures that say it all. Theme Music composed by Martin Landström / Healthy ThroatSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Bez and Chloe discuss the importance of effective planning, flexibility, and collaboration in managing interruptions and staying on track with curriculum goals. They highlight the value of utilising tools like week-by-week lesson planners and seeking support from colleagues, both within the school community and through online platforms and conferences. Bez and Chloe stress the importance of new teachers needing to be adaptable, seek guidance when needed, and embrace the challenges and joys of teaching. Theme Music composed by Martin Landström / Healthy ThroatSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bez and Chloe pull apart the when and why of formative and summative assessment, and offer practical ways to make formative assessment part of your teaching routine. They share their own experience of trying out different formative assessment strategies, tips to avoid rookie mistakes, and most importantly, how to make sense of and use the data you get back. There’s examples of when it works, and how to pivot when it does not work, like the entry tickets piling up on Chloe’s desk.  Theme Music composed by Martin Landström / Healthy ThroatSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bez and Chloe share stories, tips, and ideas for managing lesson timings and structures effectively. They discuss experiences of lessons ending early, the importance of planning activities managing transitions, and the GANAG lesson structure model. They stress the importance of being flexible with lesson timings and focusing more on hands-on application rather than talking too much! Theme Music composed by Martin Landström / Healthy ThroatSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chloe and Bez dive into boundary setting in the classroom, how best to collaborate and empower students, and Chloe recounts a turbulent incident from her time as a substitute teacher. Theme Music composed by Martin Landström / Healthy ThroatSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chloe and Bez delve into the art of remembering students’ names, managing students arriving late to class, setting clear expectations for behaviour, and navigating the age-old question of what to wear to class.   Theme Music composed by Martin Landström / Healthy ThroatSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.