Starting on the right foot On the first day or two of school, it can be tempting to want to lay the ground rules. You know, set the expectations about workload, go over the rules, and fill out the required forms. But Rick Wormeli wants to challenge educators to think differently. Wormeli, one of the first Nationally Board Certified Teachers in America, says that students want to know that you’re going to transcend their current condition and help them aspire to something more than they are. “And when all they [students] get is more rules and regulations, they realize one more year where there’s nothing here for me.” Wormeli recommends laying a foundation of meaningful relationships with students by mixing activities that allow you to get to know and understand where the students are coming from. Wormeli recently listed ways this can be accomplished in a recent article he penned for AMLE, and he elaborates on those ideas in Episode 224 of the Class Dismissed podcast. Wormeli’s beginning of the year ideas “The Best Way for You to Learn” Cards Using index cards, teachers can ask students to describe how they best learn that particular subject. “Kids are candid,” says Wormeli. “They will say things like, look, if it’s really important, write it on the board.” Or he says some students may ask you not to assign online assignments because their sibling always hogs the computer. “I’ve got a stack that I rubber band, and I look through that as I try to decide what I’m going to do next,” Wormeli says kids will say some really cool things and give him lots of examples. Letters to the Teacher from Students as their Parents When students write under a pseudonym, they feel freer to speak their mind, says Wormeli. “When I get what they say about themselves, and then I get what they think their parents would say about themselves, I’m getting a really fleshed version of the child,” says Wormeli. “When someone is fully dimensionalized, you really care a heck of a lot more. Six-Word Memoirs “I love six-word memoirs!” says Wormeli. They really make kids come out of their shells and say profound things. The brilliance of six-word memoirs is the brevity; teachers can use six-word memoirs as their students examine the content. “It really reveals a lot more about what the student is thinking.” Wormeli says he often has students continue to send six-word memoirs after class about sports or pop culture. To hear more from Rick Wormeli, listen to Episode 224 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on your favorite podcast app or iTunes. All Rights Reserved. Class Dismissed Podcast 2017-2022

Do we often pay attention to the conversations we're having with children? Or is it just automatic? Rebecca Rolland, a speech pathologist, affiliated with Children's Hospital Boston, has put together a guide to achieving what she calls "rich talk." It is a deeper conversation that can transform your relationships with children. The science of conversation has been around for centuries, but in the 21st century, it's more important than ever. A great chat can boost your students' learning and well-being years later. Courtesy RebeccaRolland.com Rolland's new book, "The Art of Talking with Children," is an evidence-based guide that will show you how to communicate with kids to feel understood while growing into happy adults who can connect better at home or school. In Episode 223 of Class Dismissed, Rolland shares some of her strategies for engaging in rich talk. She offers ideas to promote children's empathy, curiosity, and ability to embrace challenges. And she provides us with ideas to feel more effective and confident as a teacher. To hear our full interview with Rolland, listen to Episode 223 of Class Dismissed Podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcasting app. All Rights Reserved. Class Dismissed Podcast 2017-2022.

How to start with learner-led conferences For many educators, the idea of letting a student lead a parent-teacher conference is unsettling. However, if done correctly, a learner-led conference opens an opportunity for self-evaluation, which can lead to figuring out the next steps in learning. Our guest in Episode 222 has spent years practicing learner-led conferences. Paul Emerich France is a National Board-certified teacher, consultant, and author of Reclaiming Personalized Learning: A Pedagogy for Restoring Equity and Humanity in Our Classrooms. He believes that a learner-led dialog provides teachers with a tool for enabling learner-driven personalization, making students partners in reflecting on their learning.  But pump the breaks for a minute. We're not suggesting you dive in head first and start allowing your students to run the parent-teacher conference tomorrow.  There's a process, and Paul explains that in our latest episode and his recent Edutopia post.  "So, just like anything else in our classrooms, we need to be prepared to support all types of learners in a learner-led conference," he says. Paul's first recommendation is to start a portfolio process from day one. He says that for students to be able to drive their learning, they must have specific artifacts they can refer to while describing their knowledge. To hear all of Paul's learner-Led conference tips, listen to Episode 222 of Class Dismissed Podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcasting app. All Rights Reserved. Class Dismissed Podcast 2017-2022.

The number of emerging companies in the EdTech space can be overwhelming for school districts. The fast growth of new K-12 software companies is due, in part, to COVID 19 and a subsequent surge in ESSER funds. Our guest in Episode 221 is an expert in parsing through the EdTech space. Doug Roberts is the Founder and CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation. The institute acts as a liaison between EdTech companies and Superintendents to help create the best products for school districts. In this episode, Roberts dives into the technological changes we experienced in K-12 education during the pandemic. But, according to Roberts, the impact COVID-19 made on the EdTech sector was not necessarily negative. "You're seeing a complete shift in the thinking about what is possible,” says Roberts. In addition, Roberts notes that we're starting to see a massive influx of telehealth which can bring services to kids that may not otherwise have access. To hear Robert's advice to superintendents on selecting the best EdTech vendors, listen to Episode 221 of Class Dismissed Podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcasting app. All Rights Reserved. Class Dismissed Podcast 2017-2022.

It's no secret that mental health care can be expensive and difficult to access, especially for young people. This can be a huge problem for students, who often face significant stressors. Bridging the gap in student access to mental health care can alleviate some of these stressors. Dr. Travis Gayles, a recent recipient of the AMA Award for Outstanding Service for his leadership during the pandemic, is an expert on child health access, especially as it relates to what kids have been up against for the past two years. In Episode 220 of Class Dismissed, Gayles tells about the stressors students face and how school districts are coming up with innovative new ways to get students access to school-based telehealthcare. Hazel Health, the company Gayles works with, partners with schools to provide physical health, check-ups, and mental and behavioral health evaluations. They give students access to a network of doctors for speedy diagnoses and care plans, including urgent care, particularly in underserved communities with large populations of Medicaid-insured students. To learn more about ways to bridge the gap in student access to health care. Listen to Episode 220 of Class Dismissed Podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcasting app. All Rights Reserved. Class Dismissed Podcast 2017-2022.

Tools for facing adversity When teachers at Robert W. Coleman Elementary in Baltimore are struggling with a student’s behavior, the educators have an alternative to detention. Instead, they can refer the student to meditation. The Holistic Life Foundation keeps three staff members in a “mindful moment room” ready to help a frustrated student with a 15-minute active listening, breathing exercises, or meditation session. Andres Gonzalez is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Holistic Life Foundation. He says that in the elementary schools they work with, the teachers must refer the students, but in the high schools, the students can self-refer. Over time, their program becomes part of the school's culture, says Gonzalez. “The kids kind of know what they’re getting into, and they want to be there.” The Holistic Life Foundation believes that students are sometimes going through something that’s making their behavior a little off. It may be trouble at home or something internal, but either way, the students are screaming for attention, and they’re screaming for help. “Instead of you punishing a kid for something, you probably don’t even know what he’s going through,” says Gonzalez. “Why don’t we let the kid talk and give him tools that he can use in the future when he’s faced with adversity, stress, or trauma.” Listen to Episode 219 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on iTunes to hear our full interview about replacing detention with meditation. All Rights Reserved. Class Dismissed Podcast 2017-2022.

In Episode 218 of the Class Dismissed Podcast, we caught up with Minnesota principal and author Jessica Cabeen. Cabeen, who is the author of “Lead with Grace: Leaning into the Soft Skills of Leadership,” shared tips on handling professional confrontations. Cabeen says one of the biggest mistakes school leaders can make is to “lead with their title.” Not sure if that’s you? Cabeen says that you may be leading with your title if you’re in your office more than you’re in the halls. Or if you’re multi-tasking when someone is having a conversation with you. Cabeen's tips on having those challenging conversations include Don’t worry about being hated Keep it professional, and don’t take things personally Focus on what you can control Empathize To hear our full discussion with Cabeen, you can listen to Class Dismissed Podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcasting app. All Rights Reserved. Class Dismissed Podcast 2017-2022.

The HELPER Act In Episode 217 of Class Dismissed, we talk with Sam Royer, the architect of the HELPER Act, a bipartisan bill with broad support in the U.S. House, with a companion bill recently introduced on the other end of Capitol Hill by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) & Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA). The legislation would eliminate a down payment requirement and provide 100% up-front financing for teachers, police officers, firefighters, EMTs & other frontline heroes while also eliminating a monthly mortgage insurance premium (MIP) requirement typically required under other FHA programs. “Teachers have been on the frontlines of the pandemic in Covid-filled classrooms, get minuscule raises, and can’t save enough to afford today’s soaring home prices and all-cash bidding wars,” says Sam Royer, founder of Heroes First Home Loans. “We need a new law that provides these heroes with the same benefits I and countless others have received under the G.I. bill. If everyday teachers can no longer afford to buy a home it’s very possible we could see an outflow of talent from the profession”   The HELPER Act, which is short for Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act is a grassroots effort and will likely stand a better chance of passage if constituents contact their representatives and senators.  To learn more about the HELPER ACT, listen to Episode 217 of Class Dismissed. You can find episodes of the Class Dismissed Podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcasting app. Other Show Notes How to Talk with Kids About War All Rights Reserved. Class Dismissed Podcast 2017-2022

For the past few years, the world has consumed podcasts at blistering speeds. Consequently, a lot of listeners can choose from a variety of content. It's estimated that more than 2 million podcast shows are available. However, most of those shows target adults and teens. Very few podcast creators have taken the time to make shows aimed at 6-10-year-olds.  When Jerry Kolber contemplated making educational podcasts for young kids, he didn't see many existing options. "It's a very challenging age group to sell advertising against, for logistically and ethical reason," says Kolber. Kolber is the voice behind the new hit children's educational podcast "Who Smarted?"  You may not recognize the name, but you might recognize some of Kolber's other work. The company he co-founded, Atomic Entertainment, launched hit shows like Brain Games (Disney +) and Brainchild (Netflix). When the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, there was a period where they couldn't film shows, so he and his team at Atomic started looking into producing a podcast. "Before we started "Who Smarted?," we found lots of research that shows that children are able to comprehend at a grade level as much as two to three grades higher with audio than with text," say Kolber. "Because your conversation skills develop a little faster than your reading skills at that age."  Who Smarted is a creatively produced show that includes many sound effects and actors with fun voices. But the variety of topics are what will keep kids, parents, and their teachers coming back for more. For example, How does your microwave oven heat up your Hot Pockets? Why do caterpillars turn into butterflies? Do animals cry? The "Who Smarted?" list of shows is extensive because a team of really bright writers turns out a ton of high-level content. It's about three shows a week, which is a lot in the world of podcasting.  To hear our full interview with Kolber and learn how it can be utilized as a tool in your classroom, listen to the latest episode of Class Dismissed. You can find episodes of the Class Dismissed Podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcasting app. All Rights Reserved. Class Dismissed Podcast 2017-2022

Managing Up In this week's Episode of Class Dismissed, we focused on some tips about managing up. The term "managing up" refers to an employee taking steps to improve their boss's efficiency and efficacy.  For some, steering their supervisor in any direction may bring anxiety, but there is a way to do it without coming across as pushy. We go over a few pointers to keep managing up from becoming a sticky situation. Professional Development Reimagined Our guest in today's bright idea segment is an education thought leader who has spoken worldwide on the importance of social-emotional learning and the power of music education. Nadine Levitt is also the Founder and CEO of Wurrly EDU and the PD Reimagined initiative. PD Reimagined is born out of Nadine Levitt's blog series Mind Your Business Ed!, in which she sat down with some of the best minds in business, sports, and entertainment. There, she realized that the drivers of success in each sector are entirely transferable to education. Now, with PD Reimagined, she wants to invite those same thought leaders into the world of education to interrupt this momentum through inspiration, celebration, and support for our teachers! Other Show Notes Teachers Are Obsessed With Wordle, Too. See How They’re Using It at School