Doorways to Learning with Donna

Donna Lee Fields

Step into the world of education transformation with Donna Lee Fields in "Doorways to Learning with Donna" This engaging podcast journey unravels the dynamic methodologies, innovative programs, effective techniques, strategic insights, and empowering decisions that can shape the future of education. Join Donna as she explores a myriad of educational initiatives that hold the promise of granting students agency and lifelong opportunities. From spotlighting dedicated educators making a difference worldwide to unveiling practical classroom techniques and cutting-edge tools.

  1. 03/23/2024

    S2 E2 Educators need to know this about students with cerebral palsy, Azucena García-Ferro

    Azucena Garcia-Ferro is an incredible ambassador for students with cerebral palsy, though in truth, she is an ambassador for all students. She sees the need for the youth of today to be partners in the educational proces, to have different opportunities in relation to learning modalities, to have teachers who present information through many different means and who aren't afraid - rather welcome - questions from the room. As an educator, a parent or a student with cerebral palsy, you're going to be amazed at the variety of information Azucena offers in a graceful, compassionate, yet straightforward way that will help everyone in a classroo. You can reach Azucena at: https://www.azucenagarcia.com/ Her podcast is: Cerebral Palsy https://www.azucenagarcia.com/podcast

    36 min
  2. S2 E02 When it's time to call it quits in teaching

    02/17/2024

    S2 E02 When it's time to call it quits in teaching

    Jake Ruzi gives the distinction between being a dedicated educator and one who needs self-healing - in other words, when it's time to take a break from the classroom and find our balance. His daily podcast Educator State of Mind focuses on hjelping educators achieve and maintain a healthy life-work balance one day at a time. Here are tips on when you know you've reached burnout and what you can do about it for the best emotional health of all concerned.

    19 min

  3. 02/11/2024

    S2 E01 How many of your hidden prejudices have caused you to disrespect your students?

    To begin our second season, we explore those hidden prejudices that can affect our relationships with our students profoundly. All we have to do is recognise these (often unfounded) conclusions and magic happens. It'w not comfortable admitting we have prejudices, but it's worse not recognising the and reversing them. Now, no one is there in your mind judging you and making sure you’re being honest – so just be honest! The online course is at: https://scaffoldingmagic.com/scaffolding-magic-online-courses/ You can find more conversations like this one at Doorways to Learning with Donna: https://scaffoldingmagic.com/category/doorways-to-learning-with-donna/ Subscribe to get notices for new episodes and free activities to use in your classes: https://mailchi.mp/scaffoldingmagic/contact-subscribe If you like this episode, treat Donna to a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/doorwaystolearning

    8 min

  4. 01/28/2024

    S1 E46 How can disease strengthen the Affective Domain?

    How many of¡ you believe that physical problems are indications of an emotional, internal conflict? The very word ‘disease’ explains this concept perfectly. When we separate the prefix from the noun it’s easy to see that diseases are really the body’s lack of ease in assimilating something happening internally or externally. In one sentence, I'm going to explain how emotional health is the most important element we can have in the learning environment: 'New information enters the brain through the brain stem and the brain stem guides this information, fueled by brain chemicals to the limbic system which just by chance is also known as the emotional centre of the brain, and if the limbic system determines that the external environment…NOT the new information mind you – the external environment is positive (praise from a person you value, a healthy breakfast or lunch, wearing your favourite sweater), then a figurative tollbooth positioned directly on the other side of the limbic system lets the tollbooth arm  raise, this new information flows through to the frontal cortex and learning happens: however, (and you’ll see I’m saved by the transition word ‘however’ which gives me a semicolon and so we can still consider this the same sentence.. if the limbic system (remember also called the emotional centre of the brain) registers a negative external environment (an angry or frustrated teacher, a disturbing message from a friend, a recent punishment from parents), then the tollbooth keeps its arm firmly in the down position and new information stops in the limbic system, is not processed by the rest of the brain, and nothing (or very little) is learned.' For more, check out the online course now being launched. If you can explain why Ground Hog's Day has been chosen as the launch date, you will receive a special offer. Send me a message at: donna@scaffoldingmagic.com The online course is at: https://scaffoldingmagic.com/scaffolding-magic-online-courses/ You can find more conversations like this one at Doorways to Learning with Donna: https://scaffoldingmagic.com/category/doorways-to-learning-with-donna/ Subscribe to get notices for new episodes and free activities to use in your classes: https://mailchi.mp/scaffoldingmagic/contact-subscribe If you like this episode, treat Donna to a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/doorwaystolearning

    7 min

  5. 01/21/2024

    S1 E45 What higher order thinking questions can you use in and outside of the classroom that will change your life?

    There is so much negativity in the world, in people’s perspectives on events, on the way news is offered to us, in the way so many people choose to complain about situations they are not happy about, but do nothing to change. One thing we can do, is use these fantastic 'What if' questions to change our own situations. And maybe even for the people around us. est that I deserve a raise?  If you give a positive spin on the upcoming event, you begin thinking about what you’ll say in this positive scenario, what you’ll wear, how you’ll look the other person in the eye more directly, how you’ll search for words ahead of time that will further the positive outcome, how you’ll walk into the room with your head high, pour out positive energy in your body towards the other person or people in the situation. In other words, you’ll be living the event in advance and making it more likely to happen in this positive light. More examples here! You can find more conversations like this one at Doorways to Learning with Donna: https://scaffoldingmagic.com/category/doorways-to-learning-with-donna/ Subscribe to get notices for new episodes and free activities to use in your classes: https://mailchi.mp/scaffoldingmagic/contact-subscribe If you like this episode, treat Donna to a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/doorwaystolearning

    7 min
  6. S1 E24 Rachel Long: Unfolding the Mysteries of Marketing Educational Materials

    01/15/2024

    S1 E24 Rachel Long: Unfolding the Mysteries of Marketing Educational Materials

    See below for activities to use this podcast in your language classes... Subscribe to get notices for new episodes and free activities to use in your classes: ⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/scaffoldingmagic/sign-up-for-doorways-to-learning-podcast You can find more conversations like this one at ⁠⁠Doorways to Learning with Donna If you like this episode, ⁠treat Donna to a coffee!! What does PARSNIPs have to do with a publisher's ideology? When is a book not just a book, but rather refracted knowledge? What is hidden behind the printed words and colourful images? Rachel Long, expert in marketing, representing not just her beloved team at Macmillan Education but also the fierce devotion her fellow marketers in all publishing houses have in designing their products. She explains that there is a determined ideology behind students books that is intended to empower children, an invaluable resource in teacher's books created to ease the load of classroom educators, and the movement toward diversity and acceptance in each and every image chosen for publication. Listen and decide for yourself if Rachel's message changes your mind about publisher's books in the classroom and how we can use them more fluidly and divergently, inside and outside of the classroom, with students and their parents. Activities to use this podcast in our language classes: Rachel talks about her publisher very carefully choosing the images in the books so they reflect today's multi-cultural world. Suggestion: Ask your students, in pairs, to spend 10 minutes looking through their student book and identifying 10 images that reflect themselves and things that are familiar to them at home. Rachel talks about PARSLEYS - seven (7) tabu subjects publishers are not supposed to include in the Student Books. Suggestion: Write those seven subjects on the board and ask students, in groups of three, to talk about each of them and why they are tabu. (politics, alcohol, religion, sex, narcotics -isms, pork) Rachel talks about parts of the books that the teachers may not use because they are so busy. The teacher guide is top of the list  Suggestion: Open your teacher guide and randomly pick a page, and promise yourself that this year, you'll use the publisher's suggestion you've just found.  Music: Ariane Sailer

    43 min
  7. S1 E28 Understanding Trauma: Expert Insights with Justin Sunseri

    01/15/2024

    S1 E28 Understanding Trauma: Expert Insights with Justin Sunseri

    When you feel scared, which do you choose: fight or flight? What if Justin told you that it's actually not a choice you make, but one your body makes naturally? How could understanding a crazy term like POLYVAGAL help your students to feel more empowered? Are you an educator concerned about students who may have experienced trauma? If so, this video is a valuable resource for you. Join us as we sit down with Justin Sunseri, a licensed therapist working within California's public school system, who generously shares his expertise to help you navigate this important topic.Justin provides insightful information on how trauma can become normalised and affect both students and educators. He introduces the Polyvagal Theory, a biological explanation of how our bodies respond to stress and unexpected danger cues. Through a clear and engaging discussion, Justin breaks down the Polyvagal Theory, making it accessible and understandable.By understanding this theory, you'll discover how students' stress responses are not a result of weakness or emotional immaturity but rather a natural, evolutionary response. Justin's expertise shines as he explains how he helps students experiencing trauma and guides them through the steps to navigate the Polyvagal ladder, teaching them self-calming techniques to foster healthy interactions.Don't miss this enlightening conversation that can empower educators to create safe spaces and support students on their journey to healing and growth. Subscribe now for invaluable insights and strategies. Activities to use these techniques in your classes ⁠https://mailchi.mp/scaffoldingmagic/sign-up-for-doorways-to-learning-podcast You can find more conversations like this one at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Doorways to Learning with Donna⁠⁠ If you like this episode,⁠⁠ ⁠treat Donna to a coffee!!⁠⁠ Activities to use with this episode:

    36 min
  8. S1 E29 Jeff Gargas: Increasing Student Engagement and Mastery

    01/15/2024

    S1 E29 Jeff Gargas: Increasing Student Engagement and Mastery

    Jeff Gargas is the person to call when you want support. He's not going to recommend a different curriculum, he's not going to ask you to invest in a pricey assessment packet, he's not going to even try to convince you to switch publishers. He's simply going to support you. Well, he's going to support you in rethinking your curriculum and assessments and publisher's books, but only to the extent you use them all just a little differently so that your students master those skills that they need to triumph in the standardised exams they have waiting for them at the beginning, middle or end of the year. See below for activities to use this podcast in your language classes... Subscribe to get notices for new episodes and free activities to use in your classes: ⁠https://mailchi.mp/scaffoldingmagic/sign-up-for-doorways-to-learning-podcast ⁠⁠⁠ You can find more conversations like this one at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Doorways to Learning with Donna⁠⁠ If you like this episode,⁠⁠ ⁠treat Donna to a coffee!! www.teachbetter.com BIOGRAPHY Jeff Gargas is an entrepreneur, author, and COO. He is passionate about helping people overcome the fear of failure and follow their dreams.

    31 min
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Step into the world of education transformation with Donna Lee Fields in "Doorways to Learning with Donna" This engaging podcast journey unravels the dynamic methodologies, innovative programs, effective techniques, strategic insights, and empowering decisions that can shape the future of education. Join Donna as she explores a myriad of educational initiatives that hold the promise of granting students agency and lifelong opportunities. From spotlighting dedicated educators making a difference worldwide to unveiling practical classroom techniques and cutting-edge tools.

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