Teaching with Valor Podcast: A Veteran Teachers Perspective

Don Fessenden

 At Teaching with Valor, we believe in the transformative power of education. Our mission is to empower educators, administrators, parents, and communities to create safe, supportive, and resilient learning environments where every student can thrive. Through our podcast, we aim to provide meaningful professional development and tackle pressing issues in education. 

  1. 11/29/2024

    Teaching with Valor Podcast: Final Episode - Thank You and Farewell

    Send us a text "Hello, and welcome to what will be the final episode of Teaching with Valor. I’m your host, Don Fessenden. Today’s episode is a bittersweet one. We’re here to reflect, to express gratitude, and to bid farewell to a project that has meant so much to me, and I hope, to those of you who have joined me on this journey. From the very beginning, Teaching with Valor was a labor of love. It was about celebrating the incredible work of teachers, tackling the challenges they face, and inspiring one another to be the best we can be for the students who depend on us. Over the course of this podcast, we’ve explored topics ranging from classroom management to teacher wellness, from building strong student relationships to navigating tough conversations with parents. Each episode was created with the hope that it would make a difference, even if only in a small way." TheLegacyProject.me  Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

    6 min

  2. 11/22/2024

    Kickstarting Success with a Prioritized To-Do List

    Send us a text "Welcome to the Teaching with Valor Podcast, where we focus on strategies that empower educators, inspire parents, and create impactful classrooms. I’m your host, Don J. Fessenden, and today we’re going to explore one of the simplest yet most powerful habits you can develop to transform your teaching day: starting each morning with a prioritized to-do list. This isn’t just about jotting down a list of things to do. It’s about creating clarity, setting the right focus, and approaching your day with intention. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how a well-prioritized to-do list can be your secret weapon for staying organized, reducing stress, and maximizing productivity." TeachingwithValor.com DJFessenden.com Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

    8 min

  3. 11/21/2024

    Mastering Prioritization with the Eisenhower Matrix

    Send us a text "Welcome to the Teaching with Valor Podcast, where we explore the strategies and insights every educator needs to thrive in the classroom and beyond. I’m your host, Don J. Fessenden, a lifelong educator and proud veteran. Today, we’re diving into a powerful framework that can change how you approach your ever-growing to-do list. It’s called the Eisenhower Matrix, and by the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to use it to prioritize your tasks, reduce stress, and reclaim your time." "So here’s my challenge to you: Spend the next week using the Eisenhower Matrix. Start every morning by reviewing your tasks and categorizing them into the four quadrants. At the end of the week, reflect on how this approach impacted your productivity and stress levels. And I’d love to hear about your experience. Drop me a message or tag Teaching with Valor on social media to share how the Eisenhower Matrix is working for you. Together, let’s make teaching a little more manageable and a lot more meaningful." TeachingwithValor.com DJFessenden.com Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

    8 min

  4. 11/20/2024

    Mastering Time Management with Digital Planning

    Send us a text "Welcome to the Teaching with Valor Podcast, where we explore actionable strategies to empower educators, inspire parents, and create impactful learning experiences. I’m your host, Don Fessenden. Today, we’re diving deep into a game-changing tool for teachers: the digital planner. If you’ve ever felt like you’re racing against the clock, drowning in deadlines, or juggling lesson plans with personal obligations, this episode is for you." TeachingwithValor.com DJFessenden.com  Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

    8 min

  5. 11/19/2024

    Tips for Writing Effective Emails to Parents

    Send us a text "Welcome back to Teaching with Valor, the podcast where we tackle the real-life questions that teachers face daily with practical advice and actionable strategies. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today, we’re exploring one of the most powerful tools for communication in education: email. Email has become the cornerstone of how we communicate with parents. It’s fast, efficient, and allows us to connect with parents outside of the traditional school day. But while email is convenient, it’s also tricky. Without the tone of voice or body language that comes with face-to-face conversations, messages can sometimes be misinterpreted. A poorly written email can create misunderstandings, while a thoughtful, well-crafted one can build trust, foster collaboration, and strengthen the teacher-parent partnership. So today, we’re diving into how to write effective emails to parents. We’ll explore what to say, how to say it, and how to ensure your message achieves its goal, whether you’re sharing good news, addressing a concern, or seeking support for a student. Whether you’re an elementary, middle, or high school teacher, these tips will help you communicate with clarity, professionalism, and empathy. Show Notes For more information on this topic checkout the following resources: •Edutopia – Communication Tips for Teachers: www.edutopia.org - Practical advice for writing effective emails. •Scholastic – Tips for Teacher Emails: Best practices for professional and clear communication with parents. •National PTA – Building Parent-Teacher Partnerships: Guides for fostering collaboration through communication. •Understood – Email Etiquette for Teachers: Tips for handling challenging topics in writing. •Harvard Family Research Project – Effective Communication with Parents: Research-based strategies for strengthening teacher-parent relationships. Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

    11 min

  6. 11/18/2024

    How Do I Handle Parents Who Are Upset About Their Child's Grades?

    Send us a text "Hello, and welcome back to Teaching with Valor, where we dive deep into the questions and challenges that teachers face every day in their classrooms. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today, we’re going to talk about an issue that every teacher faces sooner or later: How do I handle a parent who disagrees with my teaching methods? As teachers, we each bring our unique approach to the classroom. We develop teaching methods that we believe best support learning, foster engagement, and build confidence in our students. However, not every parent may see it that way. Whether it’s a difference in philosophy, expectations, or simply a matter of style, encountering a parent who questions your methods can feel intimidating. But with the right mindset, these conversations can actually lead to mutual understanding and even greater support for the student. Show Notes For more information on this topic checkout the following resources: •Edutopia – Navigating Parental Disagreements in Education: www.edutopia.org - Practical strategies for building positive relationships with parents. •National PTA – Tips for Productive Parent-Teacher Conversations: Resources for understanding and managing differences in educational approaches. •Understood – Engaging Parents in Constructive Dialogue: Guides for handling disagreements with empathy and professionalism. •Scholastic – Building Parent-Teacher Partnerships: Tips on establishing trust and effective communication with parents. •Harvard Family Research Project – Improving Parent-Teacher Communication: Research and strategies for building strong communication with families. Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

    11 min

  7. 11/14/2024

    What is the Best Way to Handle a Parent-Teacher Conference?

    Send us a text Hello, and welcome to Teaching with Valor, where we dive into the real-life challenges teachers face in the classroom. I’m Don Fessenden, your host, and today’s episode is all about one of the most crucial touchpoints between teachers and parents: the parent-teacher conference. We’ve all been there. The clock is ticking, you have just 15 or 20 minutes with each parent, and you need to convey important information, answer questions, and build a positive relationship—all within that short time frame. It’s no small task, but a well-executed parent-teacher conference can lead to significant benefits for the student. When handled well, it can increase parental support at home, create a team approach for the student’s success, and help build a bridge between school and home life. In this episode, we’re going to break down the steps for a successful parent-teacher conference, from preparation to follow-up. We’ll cover strategies for creating a welcoming atmosphere, delivering both positive feedback and constructive insights, and handling unexpected questions or concerns with grace. Whether you’re an elementary, middle, or high school teacher, these insights will help you make the most of your time with parents and leave a lasting impression. Show Notes For more information on this topic checkout the following resources:  Edutopia – Tips for Effective Parent-Teacher Conferences: www.edutopia.org - Comprehensive strategies for making the most of parent-teacher conferences.National PTA – Building Partnerships with Parents: Guides and resources on fostering strong parent-teacher relationships.Understood – Navigating Parent-Teacher Conferences for Success: Tips on handling challenging conversations and creating a positive environment.Scholastic – How to Prepare for Parent-Teacher Conferences: Advice on setting a productive tone and keeping conferences focused and solution-oriented.Harvard Family Research Project – Parent-Teacher Conference Best Practices: Research-backed tips on improving communication and creating collaborative partnerships with parents. Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

    14 min

  8. 11/13/2024

    How Do I Handle a Parent Who is Over-Involved?

    Send us a text "Welcome back to Teaching with Valor, the podcast where we dive into real-world questions that teachers everywhere encounter daily. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today, we’re tackling an interesting one: How do I handle a parent who is over-involved? In the world of teaching, we know that parental involvement can be incredibly beneficial. Parents who are engaged in their child’s education can make a significant difference in a student’s learning journey. But what happens when involvement goes a bit too far? When parents constantly reach out, second-guess lesson plans, or insist on updates for every little detail, it can create an unexpected challenge for teachers. So how do we handle this type of parental involvement in a way that respects both the parent’s concern and the teacher’s professional boundaries? Today, we’ll explore strategies to navigate these situations with grace and professionalism. We’ll look at understanding where the parent is coming from, setting healthy boundaries, communicating effectively, and working together to create a balanced approach. From elementary to high school, these strategies apply across all levels and can help teachers foster a healthy partnership with even the most dedicated parents. TeachingwithValor.com DJFessenden.com Show Notes  For more information on this topic checkout the following resources: •Edutopia – Managing Parent Involvement in Education: www.edutopia.org - Strategies for balancing parent engagement with student independence. •National PTA – Tips for Parents and Teachers: Guides on fostering positive parent-teacher partnerships. •Understood – Navigating Parental Over-Involvement in School: Resources on handling high levels of parental involvement with tact and empathy. •Scholastic – Building Parent-Teacher Trust: Articles on setting boundaries while keeping parents engaged in a productive way. •Harvard Family Research Project – Effective Communication with Parents: Tips for teachers on balancing communication and setting healthy boundaries. Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

    14 min
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 At Teaching with Valor, we believe in the transformative power of education. Our mission is to empower educators, administrators, parents, and communities to create safe, supportive, and resilient learning environments where every student can thrive. Through our podcast, we aim to provide meaningful professional development and tackle pressing issues in education. 

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