LDS Seminary Teacher Helper

John Merrill Kirkman
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Daily short episodes to help you become a better seminary teacher. Listen on your drive to seminary and become a better seminary teacher today. 

  1. 1d ago

    15. The Power of Positive Emotion

    Send me a message! Remember: You're Awesome! Intro/thesis — Based on Spencer Kagan's Brain-Friendly Teaching: eliciting positive emotion is one of the easiest, most powerful research-based tools for a brain-friendly classroom (~300 studies support it).Why it matters — Positive emotion broadens students' attention and improves thinking, problem-solving, learning, creativity, and test performance.Music — Use uplifting music/music videos (e.g., "Made By God," "Peace in Christ," LDS youth videos, Christian music/lyric videos).Happy recall — Have students recall a happy/proud/successful memory before tests or tasks to boost performance.Video clips — Share uplifting, inspiring videos (LDS youth videos, "On the Road with Steve Hartman" kindness stories) to spark discussion, including tying kindness to Christ. Sample: Count your blessings — Simple exercise: have students name blessings to a neighbor.Three wishes for others — Twist the classic genie question to focus wishes on friends rather than themselves.Recalling helping — Have students share a time they helped someone and felt good.Power posing — Have students stand and strike a superhero pose for 10–20 seconds to generate laughter and positive energy.Praise — Use positivity statements and peer praise (e.g., high-fives) to make positive emotion contagious in class.

  2. 4d ago

    14. The Power of Positive Attention

    Send me a message! Remember: You're Awesome!

  3. 6d ago

    13. Heather Johns Part 2: Micro Trainings. Don't complain! Train!

    Send me a message! Remember: You're Awesome!

  4. Jul 27

    12 First Day of School - Setting up Boundaries - Heather Johns

    Send me a message! Remember: You're Awesome!

  5. May 28

    11. Teacher Share: Ellie from Mountain Crest High

    Send me a message! Remember: You're Awesome! Ellie, a seminary teacher from Mountain Crest in Hyrum, Utah, talks about classroom strategies she’s found successful.  Ellie describes using scripture study pages to get students off phones and physically engaged through writing, highlighting, and doodling, emphasizing the value of variety so it doesn’t feel like repetitive worksheets.  She highlights a “pass and doodle” study page on Moses and the brass serpent, saying quick, verse-by-verse doodling and passing deepens observation, encourages discussion, and keeps learning fun. T he host shares that a region director observed study pages and called it “deep learning.”  Ellie also explains using humorous, “cringey” compliments and get-to-know-you interactions to build community, help shy students participate, and create a positive atmosphere where laughter supports reverence and spiritual learning.

  6. May 26

    10. Teacher Share Nicole Aaron: Changing the Class Culture when no one will talk

    Send me a message! Remember: You're Awesome! Watch on youtube: https://youtu.be/TnGP65saojE Strategies discussed: Compliments and High Fives. Adopting unusual strategies Kindness Videos Speed Dating Ideas Pass the paper ideas. Study Pages. Using Different Translations

  7. May 26

    9. SeatingPlan.com

    Send me a message! Remember: You're Awesome! https://www.seatingplan.com?referral_code=118108126208585704812 This episode explains SeedingPlan.com and why it's so powerful in a seminary class.  email: seminaryhelper@gmail.com Please leave a rating and review and share with all your fellow seminary teachers.

  8. May 26

    7. The Power of Seating Charts

    Send me a message! Remember: You're Awesome! Please check out my other podcast, "Walking with the Savior," for daily inspiration on your walk with the Savior. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2414656/episodes/19150246 email: seminaryhelper@gmail.com Please leave a rating and review and share with all your fellow seminary teachers.

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About

Daily short episodes to help you become a better seminary teacher. Listen on your drive to seminary and become a better seminary teacher today. 

Information

  • Creator
    John Merrill Kirkman
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 LDS Seminary Teacher Helper
  • Show Website
    LDS Seminary Teacher Helper

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