Teachers Need Teachers

I begin my new teaching job this July and the tips from Kim are amazing. She talks about it all (the good, the bad, and the ugly). I love the realness of her podcast and the tips to maintain our mental and emotional and physical health as teachers.

I wish diversity, access, and equity were explicitly addressed a little more in this podcast. I’m a new teacher and while all of the information is great, it could be pushed further by addressing these aspects, incorporating the accompanying, cognitive and neuroscience, and increasingly interweaving anti-racist and anti-bias practices. This would make it more relevant for myself and the many other listeners who teach very diverse populations of students!

As soon as I saw “for new and beginning teachers” I was drawn to this podcast simply to have all of the different questions I might come across answered. My biggest struggle right now, like every other new teacher, is classroom management, so the tips and whole segments regarding different strategies to use helps tremendously. In particular, the simplification of how to start using these strategies for first year teachers was really memorable and helpful as it can be daunting to start a complex system off the bat while trying to juggle everything else that comes with acclimating to teaching. Hearing from educators who have implemented such systems and have worked and talked with teachers in other schools who have tried it and made modifications is also tremendously helpful. It is one thing to hear, from a research standpoint, about what to do- but the difference is made when hearing personal stories and experiences, from troubleshooting and changing things, to how to engage students who are not motivated even with a system that is meant to draw everyone in. In particular, it really resonated with me when it was mentioned that there are times that a few students will still not be as engaged, no matter what the teacher does- it is not the teacher’s fault, but it just supported the belief that there will be times that you can do everything “right” and still have struggles with getting 100% commitment. This podcast is truly relatable and helpful, and gives advice and strategies by empowering teachers to try new things, instead of motivating through guilt for needing help.

I am listening through all the episodes and this has provided some of the best advice and feedback I’ve ever received! I am in my second year out of college and working as a long term sub. The episodes about interviewing have been especially helpful as I search for a permanent position. I am so thankful for the advice and suggestions from such a wise and dedicated teacher. Thank you again Kim!