20 Minutes of Teaching Brilliance (On the Road with Trust-Based Observations‪)‬ Craig Randall

In this episode Craig interviews Claire Littell, an English literature teacher at a Catholic high school in Ocala, Florida. 
Claire shares her unexpected journey into teaching, highlighting the critical role of mentorship and the importance of forming authentic, trust-based relationships with students. 
Despite initial challenges, including adapting to different school environments and student backgrounds, Claire discovered her passion for teaching through connecting with students on a personal level and leveraging literature to engage them deeply. 
Her strategy includes using puns for humor and building rapport, meticulously planning lessons to manage cognitive load, and employing literature as a tool for personal reflection and ethical consideration among students. 
The conversation underscores the transformative power of education when teachers genuinely invest in their students' educational and personal growth.
00:31 Claire Littell's Journey into Teaching
01:42 Challenges and Triumphs in Early Teaching Experiences
05:11 Building Relationships Through Vulnerability and Humor
06:09 The Impact of Mentorship on Teaching Paths
08:01 Deep Dive into Teaching Shakespeare
22:15 Utilizing Literature to Reflect on Life Choices

In this episode, Craig Randall interviews Stephanie Guy, an elementary teacher at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Boise, Idaho. 
Stefanie shares her journey from a career in fashion to becoming an educator, now in her ninth year. She discusses the positive impact of her customer service experience at Nordstrom on her teaching approach, emphasizing the importance of catering to students' needs. 
She elaborates on her teaching strategies, highlighting the use of songs, peer teaching, and student-led learning to enhance engagement and understanding. 
The episode explores Stephanie's focus on building a classroom community based on trust, respect, and high expectations, where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities. 
She also underscores the significance of visible learning, self-assessment, and feedback in fostering student ownership and success.
01:27 Stefanie's Journey from Fashion to Education
02:33 Incorporating Business Strategies into Teaching
03:41 Visible Learning and Student Engagement Techniques
11:01 Creating a Classroom Culture of Trust and Learning
13:19 Effective Classroom and Student Behavior Management
16:15 Building Strong Relationships and Community in the Classroom
18:03 Leveraging Music and Student Leadership in Lessons
24:32 The Power of Self-Assessment and Feedback in Learning

In this episode, Craig Randall hosts Jasmine Hanson, a dedicated educator with extensive experience in teaching, mentoring, and coaching from Lathrop, Missouri. 
Jasmine shares her journey through various educational roles, highlighting her transition from teaching elementary to middle school science, and her focus on classroom management and student engagement. 
She discusses the importance of building strong relationships with students, the challenges of teaching post-COVID, and the necessity of adapting teaching strategies to meet students' needs. 
Jasmine emphasizes the role of feedback, the impact of small changes in teaching practices, and the significance of creating a supportive learning environment that encourages student participation and growth. The conversation also covers strategies for managing diverse classrooms and fostering a culture of respect and understanding among students.
02:23 The Impact of Diverse Teaching Experiences
05:50 Classroom Management: Beyond Discipline
07:37 Building Relationships and Engagement in the Classroom
17:02 Innovative Teaching Strategies and Peer Learning
26:41 Embracing Growth Mindset in Education

Fostering Lifelong Learners with Rachel Solis
In this edition of '20 minutes of teaching brilliance on the road with trust-based observations', the host Craig interviews Rachel Solis, a dedicated sixth-grade reading and writing teacher from Trinity School of Midland, Texas, about her teaching journey and methods. Rachel shares her experiences teaching diverse groups of students over her nine-year career, including working with gifted and talented learners, English Language Learners, and public Title I schools before moving to an independent setting. She emphasizes the importance of building authentic connections with students, understanding their cultural backgrounds, and integrating their interests into the curriculum to make learning engaging and meaningful. Rachel discusses her strategies for classroom management, the significance of trust and relationship in teaching, and how her previous career in the medical field and her own educational experiences have shaped her teaching philosophy. The conversation highlights Rachel's commitment to creating an inclusive classroom environment where students are motivated to learn, feel supported, and are encouraged to become lifelong learners through thoughtful, differentiated instruction and high expectations.
00:00 Welcome to Trust-Based Observations with Rachel Solis02:25 Rachel Solis: A Journey from Medical Field to Middle School Teaching04:01 Building Relationships and Classroom Management for Effective Learning09:02 The Power of Student Choice and Engagement in Reading16:02 Strategies for Differentiation and Adaptive Practice24:30 Understanding and Supporting Each Student Individually

In this episode, Craig Randall interviews Doris Cerda, a second-year Pre-K teacher specializing in working with children on the autism spectrum. 
Doris shares her journey from initially enlisting as a pre-nursing major to discovering her passion for teaching at the Boys and Girls Club, leading to her current role. 
Teaching in a high-need, Title I school in suburban Reno, Doris emphasizes the importance of establishing trust and routines in her classroom to cater to her students' specific needs. S
She highlights her strategies for building relationships, language development, and teaching routines to her autistic students, including the use of visual schedules, hands-on guidance, and consistent, patient modeling.
Doris also discusses the significance of collaboration with aides and specialists, utilizing data tracking for IEP goals, and continuously adapting her teaching methods to ensure the holistic development of her students. 
00:59 Doris Cerda's Journey into Teaching
04:04 The Impact of High Expectations and Persistence
06:01 Strategies for Building Routines and Relationships
09:06 Consistency and Adaptability in Classroom Management
16:34 Embracing Collaboration, Reflection, and Growth Mindset
22:07 The Importance of Data in Tailoring Student Learning

The episode covers a discussion between Craig Randall and Tiffany Goettle, a seasoned educator with a passion for teaching math, particularly to second graders.
Tiffany shares her journey through various grades and schools, emphasizing her love for making math engaging and accessible for her students. The conversation delves into specific teaching strategies employed in Tiffany's classroom, such as the 'Century Game' and 'Stick Flash' activities, derived from the Bridges Math Curriculum.
These activities utilize tangible tools and peer interaction to foster a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. Tiffany highlights the importance of strategic student pairing for effective peer learning, classroom management techniques, and the use of visual aids and whiteboards to enhance learning.
This episode also touches upon Tiffany's experiences with professional development and mentorship, underscoring the impact of inspired teaching on student engagement and understanding in math.
Connect with Tiffany here.
00:21 Meet Tiffany: A Journey Through Teaching01:34 Diving into the Century Game03:07 Exploring Stick Flash and Student Engagement09:08 Strategic Pairing and Learning Through Teaching14:21 The Importance of Early Year Socialization and Teaching Strategies25:35 Reflecting on Mentorship and the Passion for Teaching Math30:20 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information