powerED Up Ken Ehrmann

Shelley Jeoffroy, a 5th-grade teacher from Irving, Texas, shares her experiences in education and the importance of embracing diversity in the classroom. She discusses how her travels and teaching overseas have opened her perspective and inspired her to bring innovation and creativity into her teaching. Shelley emphasizes the need to have authentic relationships with students and create a welcoming and respectful classroom environment. She also highlights the value of making connections between students and finding common ground. Ken Ehrmann and Dr. Ramon Benavides discuss the challenges of building relationships with adults and the importance of being genuine and caring in all interactions. The conversation explores the importance of authenticity and building relationships in education. It emphasizes the value of allowing authentic moments and recovering from mistakes. The guests discuss the significance of being intentional about building value and relationships based on value, as well as the power of owning mistakes and apologizing. They highlight the impact of modeling authenticity and humanity for students, and the importance of creating memorable experiences in the classroom. The conversation also touches on the balance between providing meaningful experiences and meeting professional responsibilities, and the role of assessments in gauging growth.

Takeaways


Embrace diversity in the classroom and recognize the value that different experiences and backgrounds bring to education.


Teaching overseas can provide valuable insights and inspiration for bringing innovation and creativity into the classroom.


Authentic relationships with students are key to creating a welcoming and respectful classroom environment.


Finding common ground and making connections between students can help foster a sense of community and acceptance.


Building relationships with adults, such as colleagues and parents, requires genuine care and effort.


Apologizing and taking responsibility for mistakes is important in maintaining trust and repairing relationships. Allowing authentic moments and recovering from mistakes is important in education.


Building relationships based on value and owning mistakes can have a powerful impact on students.


Creating memorable experiences in the classroom helps students learn and retain information.


Balancing meaningful experiences with professional responsibilities is crucial.


Assessments play a role in gauging growth and demonstrating knowledge.



Twitter: @ShellJeoffroy

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Aziza Malik, the 2024 Vermont State Teacher of the Year, shares her journey in education and her passion for place-based and community-driven learning. She discusses her background in environmental and farm-based education and how it has influenced her teaching. Aziza emphasizes the importance of bringing the community into the classroom and giving students opportunities to make a difference in their community. She shares examples of projects where students work on climate goals, create public service announcements, and revamp cafeteria menus. Aziza also highlights the leadership role of fifth-grade students and the importance of giving every student a voice and a role in projects. In this conversation, Aziza Malik, the 2024 Vermont Teacher of the Year, discusses the challenges and opportunities of teaching in a diverse community. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students and meeting them where they are. Aziza also shares her experiences with integrating technology into the classroom and the benefits it brings to student learning. She highlights the value of personalized feedback, differentiated instruction, and the use of various digital tools. Despite the administrative pressures and data-driven expectations, Aziza encourages educators to focus on what truly matters: the holistic growth and well-being of their students.



Takeaways


Place-based and community-driven learning can have a significant impact on students' education and their connection to their community.


Giving students opportunities to make a difference in their community helps them develop leadership skills and a sense of agency.


Projects should be driven by student interests and community needs, and every student should have a role and a voice in the project.


Building partnerships with community organizations and government agencies can enhance the learning experience and create meaningful connections.


Teachers should have a passion for their projects and find like-minded individuals to collaborate with.


Differentiation and support are essential to ensure that every student can participate and contribute to the project. Building relationships with students is crucial for creating a positive school experience.


Technology can enhance instruction and provide personalized feedback and targeted instruction.


Teachers should focus on what truly matters and prioritize the holistic growth and well-being of their students.


Meeting the needs of diverse learners requires a collaborative approach and utilizing available resources.



Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

09:44 Place-Based and Community-Driven Learning

21:21 Creating Meaningful Partnerships

24:25 Passion Projects and Differentiation

28:14 Navigating State Testing and Professional Expectations

45:49 The Benefits of Integrating Technology in the Classroom

49:09 Prioritizing Holistic Growth and Well-being

53:48 Collaboration and Utilizing Available Resources for Diverse Learners

Email: amalik@bsdvt.org



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Aimée Couto, the 2024 Rhode Island State Teacher of the Year and a first-grade teacher, shares her journey into education and the importance of creating a positive and inclusive classroom environment. She emphasizes the need for teachers to have an open mind and heart, to build relationships with students, and to avoid labeling them. Aimée also discusses the value of literacy and the role it plays in students' future success. She highlights the importance of allowing students to be kids and creating developmentally appropriate expectations. Finally, she emphasizes the power of having fun and being engaged in the classroom to foster student engagement and excitement for learning. In this conversation, Aimée Couto, the 2024 Rhode Island State Teacher of the Year, discusses the importance of labels and the impact they can have on students. She emphasizes the need for teachers to be mindful of the labels they unintentionally apply to students and the importance of using positive and empowering language. Aimée also highlights the significance of tone and the power of giving students a voice. She shares her approach to literacy instruction, including the explicit teaching of phonemes and providing students with ample opportunities to practice. Aimée also discusses the value of reflection and the importance of giving oneself grace as an educator. She encourages teachers to be innovative and constantly seek new ways to improve their practice.



Takeaways


Build positive and inclusive classroom environments by having an open mind and heart, building relationships with students, and avoiding labeling.
Emphasize the importance of literacy and ensure that all students have the opportunity to develop strong reading and writing skills.
Create developmentally appropriate expectations for students, allowing them to be kids and fostering a love for learning.
Have fun and be engaged in the classroom to promote student engagement and excitement for learning. Be mindful of the labels you unintentionally apply to students and use positive and empowering language.
Consider the tone you use when interacting with students and give them a voice in the classroom.
Explicitly teach phonemes and provide students with ample opportunities to practice literacy skills.
Reflect on your teaching practice and give yourself grace when facing challenges.
Be innovative and constantly seek new ways to improve your teaching.



Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:01 Creating a Positive and Inclusive Classroom Environment

07:29 Avoiding Labeling and Building Relationships

09:26 The Power of Literacy in Students' Future Success

14:07 Developmentally Appropriate Expectations for Students

30:25 The Power of Labels and Language

36:57 Creating an Empowering Classroom Environment

42:01 Effective Strategies for Literacy Instruction

49:38 The Importance of Reflection and Grace in Teaching

51:16 Fostering Innovation in the Classroom


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Missy Testerman, the 2024 National Teacher of the Year, shares her insights on building relationships with students and their families, and the importance of getting children's literacy right from the beginning. She discusses her approach to teaching English language learners and the challenges of communication with families who speak different languages. Missy emphasizes the need for high expectations for students and the importance of creating a supportive and rigorous classroom environment. She also highlights the impact of experienced teachers in promoting a culture of high expectations in schools. In this conversation, Missy Testerman, the 2022 Tennessee Teacher of the Year, and Christopher Albrecht discuss the importance of writing instruction and fostering a love for writing in students. They emphasize the need for teachers to maintain high expectations while providing support and creating a purpose for writing. They also highlight the significance of building relationships with students and creating a positive classroom culture. The conversation concludes with a discussion on maintaining joy and avoiding burnout as a teacher, setting boundaries, and advocating for the profession.



Takeaways


Building relationships with students and their families is crucial for success in the classroom.


Explicit reading instruction from the beginning is essential for children's literacy development.


Teaching English language learners requires a combination of language immersion and explicit instruction.


Creating a supportive and welcoming environment for students and families is key to their success.


High expectations and rigorous instruction are important for promoting student achievement.


Experienced teachers play a vital role in establishing a culture of high expectations in schools. Maintaining high expectations while providing support is crucial in fostering a love for writing in students.


Building relationships with students and creating a positive classroom culture are essential for successful writing instruction.


Teachers should set boundaries and take care of themselves to avoid burnout.


Advocating for the profession and speaking up about what is and isn't working in education is important for creating positive change.



Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

07:08 Creating a Supportive and Welcoming Environment for Students and Families

30:05 Fostering a Love for Writing: High Expectations and Support

46:46 Surrounding Yourself with Positive Influences

55:39 Advocating for the Profession: Speaking Up for Positive Change



Website: www.ntoy.ccsso.org/ 

Twitter: twitter.com/Missytesterman 



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Kimberly Jones, the 2023 Burrows Welcome Fund North Carolina State Teacher of the Year, discusses her career in education and her focus on teaching world literature and Holocaust and human rights education. She emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and authentic classroom environment where students feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves. Jones also shares her approach to teaching difficult topics, such as the Holocaust, by contextualizing the events and highlighting the resilience and humanity of the people affected. She motivates her students by emphasizing the real-world relevance of reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Kimberly Jones emphasizes the importance of teaching essential skills that are necessary for success in life. She believes that there is no path to success that doesn't include these skills, and she challenges her students to come up with one. Jones also highlights the significance of relating what students learn in the classroom to real-life situations, helping them understand the relevance of their education. She encourages students to see the importance of a well-rounded education and the impact it can have on their future. Jones assesses success in her classroom through growth in students' skills and confidence, as well as their ability to take academic risks. She believes in creating a classroom environment where students feel safe and valued, and where their unique voices are heard and respected. Jones also emphasizes the importance of self-care for educators and the need for validation and appreciation in a thankless profession. Finally, she discusses the importance of adapting teaching strategies to meet the needs of each unique group of students.



Takeaways


Creating a safe and authentic classroom environment is crucial for students to feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves.


Teaching difficult topics, such as the Holocaust, involves contextualizing the events and highlighting the resilience and humanity of the people affected.


Motivating students to read, write, and engage in critical thinking involves emphasizing the real-world relevance of these skills.


Fiction and nonfiction texts, as well as speaking and listening skills, are essential facets of life and contribute to personal growth and understanding. Teaching essential skills is crucial for students' success in life.


Relating classroom learning to real-life situations helps students understand the relevance of their education.


A well-rounded education is important for students to see the value in their learning.


Assessing success in the classroom involves measuring growth in skills and confidence.


Creating a safe and respectful classroom environment encourages students to take academic risks.


Educators need to prioritize self-care and seek validation and appreciation in a challenging profession.


Adapting teaching strategies to meet the needs of each unique group of students is essential.



Chapters


00:00 Introduction and Background
07:39 Creating a Safe and Authentic Classroom Environment
23:56 Motivating Students to Read, Write, and Think Critically
30:35 The Importance of Fiction and Nonfiction in Personal Growth
38:43 Assessing Success: Growth and Confidence
46:14 Prioritizing Self-Care and Seeking Validation



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Tara Cocanower, the 2023 Indiana Teacher of the Year, shares her passion for teaching and the importance of empathy in the classroom. She emphasizes the value of connecting with students and helping them develop their worldviews. Tara discusses the use of primary and secondary sources, AI technology, and hands-on activities to engage students in learning. She also highlights the need for flexibility and adaptability in education, as well as the importance of teacher autonomy and voice in driving change and equity discussions.  The conversation explores strategies for helping students form their own identity as historians and world changers. It emphasizes the importance of making connections between different subjects and real-world issues, particularly in rural areas where civic engagement may be lacking. The guests discuss the significance of involving students in decision-making and creating a space for open dialogue. They also highlight the need for teachers to advocate for themselves and their ideas. The conversation concludes with the importance of knowing students' anchors and providing support during challenging times. She emphasizes the importance of knowing and supporting students' anchors, reminding them of what brings them joy and makes them feel safe. Tara also discusses the best advice she's received, which is to believe that she is enough. She highlights the need for educators to connect with each other and seek support during challenging times. Additionally, Tara encourages teachers to embrace failure and constantly seek to innovate and adapt their teaching strategies.

Takeaways


Empathy is a crucial value in the classroom, allowing students to connect with the material and develop their own worldview.


Using primary and secondary sources, AI technology, and hands-on activities can engage students and help them analyze information from different perspectives.


Flexibility and adaptability are essential in education, as change is inevitable and necessary for progress.


Teacher autonomy and voice are important in driving change and equity discussions in education.


Help students form their own identity as historians and world changers


Make connections between different subjects and real-world issues


Involve students in decision-making and create a space for open dialogue


Advocate for yourself and your ideas as a teacher


Know students' anchors and provide support during challenging times Teachers should know and support students' anchors, reminding them of what brings them joy and makes them feel safe.


Believe that you are enough and deserving of your role as an educator.


Connect with other educators and seek support during challenging times.


Embrace failure and use it as an opportunity to learn and grow.


Constantly seek to innovate and adopt new teaching strategies.



Twitter: @T_Cocanower 

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