The Teacher Fellows Podcast Ryan Rarick, Kayla Towner, Kiera Beddes, Tabitha Pacheco, John Arthur, Lauren Merkley

Meet Kelbie Jackson: Championing Education and Positivity

Kelbie Jackson, an exceptional educator, has embarked on a remarkable journey fueled by her passion for teaching. After graduating from Utah State University, Kelbie began her teaching career as a 9th-grade co-taught Language Arts teacher at Bear River Middle School. During her tenure, she not only honed her teaching skills but also advocated for the benefits of co-teaching at various conferences.

Kelbie’s unwavering dedication caught the attention of Bear River High School, her dream school. Now serving as the first instructional coach, she is a cheerleader for all teachers, regardless of their experience level. Instructional coaching, she emphasizes, isn’t solely for struggling educators; it’s a resource for anyone seeking growth in their craft.

Kelbie’s commitment to building relationships with teachers is what makes her coaching special. She ensures teachers have a voice in professional development, empowering them to choose their growth path. Kelbie also emphasizes the value of data, helping teachers recognize its role in their success. As their biggest cheerleader, she brings positivity to the forefront, creating an uplifting environment.

Kelbie’s impact extends beyond the classroom. She established an education influencer account on Instagram, @hey.mrs.jackson. Through this platform, she shares positive aspects of education, fun dances, and delightful classroom moments. If you’re looking for inspiration and a glimpse into the world of teaching, check out the account.

Tune in to hear an inspiring story about an educator who is making a significant difference in the lives of teachers! 🌟🎙️

This week’s captivating episode delves into a heartwarming tale of mentorship, resilience, and technological innovation. We explore the inspiring journey of Zain Ali, the Design Director for Hope Street Group, and his remarkable teacher (and Hope Street Group Education Partner), Charm Hopkins.

Zain Ali, a freshman at Sutter Union High School, found himself in a small, rural high school where personal struggle collided with academic expectations. His brilliance was undeniable, yet personal challenges threatened to derail his path. Enter Charm Hopkins, an astute educator who saw beyond the surface.

Charm, the perceptive teacher, immediately recognized Zain’s potential when he first entered her classroom. Despite his rebellious demeanor and nonconformist attitude, she sensed greatness within him. Zain wasn’t just another student; he was a diamond in the rough. Driven by this conviction, Charm set out to unlock his latent talents.

Their paths converged, transforming their relationship from mere teacher and student to collaborators. Together, they harnessed Zain’s abilities, channeling them into the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) pathway at Sutter Union High School. Their partnership became a beacon of inspiration, proving that sometimes, the most remarkable transformations occur when mentorship transcends conventional boundaries.

Hope Street Group, a name that resonates with educators nationwide, serves as the parent company for the Teacher Fellows. But it’s more than just an organization; it’s a beacon of opportunity. Zain, now a design director at Hope Street, embodies their mission: to empower students and bridge the gap between education and career.

Where AI meets aspiration, enter HopeST—an ingenious AI app designed by Zain himself. Its purpose? To guide students on a journey of career exploration. Through intuitive chatbots, students can engage with various professions, learn about salaries, and gain insights into the world of work. It’s a game-changer—one that aligns passion with practicality.

Tune in to be inspired by Classroom to Startup: Zain Ali and Charm Hopkins Come Full Circle.

In this week’s episode, we delve into an inspiring conversation with Ryan Rarick’s students from Washington School District. These young minds share their motivations for pursuing teaching careers and provide a fresh perspective on the UCET + UELMA conference.

***Why Teach?***
Ryan Rarick orchestrated an exciting opportunity where he invited 25 high school students from Career Tech High School to immerse themselves in Utah’s premier technology and library event.

We delve into the minds of these future educators, exploring their motivations for entering this dynamic yet demanding profession. Their insights offer a unique perspective on the role of teachers and the impact they can have on young minds.

***Tech & Libraries: A Conference Spotlight***
But the conversation doesn't stop there! These inspiring students also share their experience attending the recent UCET + UELMA conference, Utah's top event for educational technology and library media.

***What is UCET + UELMA?***
This conference is a magnet for educators of all backgrounds, offering a chance to connect with colleagues, participate in engaging workshops, and gain knowledge from renowned speakers. Last year, over 1,800 educators actively participated, making it a vibrant hub for learning and innovation.

***The Student Lens: Rethinking How We Talk About Teaching***
The episode takes a powerful turn as ten high school students offer their honest perspectives on how teachers portray the profession. Their insights raise a crucial question: would we, as students, be inspired to become teachers based on how the classrooms are run today?

***Join us for an insightful discussion that celebrates educators and inspires the next generation of teaching professionals.***

In this week’s episode, we talk with Courtnee Justice, an esteemed rural educator hailing from Emery School District, teaching at the high school level. Courtnee sheds light on both the joys and challenges of teaching within a close-knit rural community where everyone knows each other and their pets.

Courtnee shares how she used her voice to influence legislators by speaking up for a pending bill that would provide scholarships for teachers pursuing master’s programs. She shares the impact such a bill would have in a rural setting and brings fresh insight to this and other policy issues, underscoring the importance of legislators including rural perspectives in all their policymaking.

Tune in to hear Courtnee emphasize the importance of speaking up. Rural voices matters, and educators in rural districts (or any district) play a pivotal role in fortifying our schools and strengthening legislation.

In this episode, we talked with William Shields about Civic Education and its importance in education. William is an 8th-grade US History and 9th-grade American Institutions and Issues Teacher. Interestingly, his American Institutions and Issues classroom was inspired by his students.

William is a big proponent of teaching Civic Education. This cross-curriculum content can be part of any subject, such as assessing water conservation in science class. Civic Education investigates the government and political systems, programs, and beliefs. It gives teachers and students a better understanding of how to participate effectively in society - “Learn how to disagree better.”

Apart from teaching civic education, William believes in the power of bringing in legislators, senators, mayors, and more into the classroom so they can truly see how a classroom functions. This also allows the student to be part of the societal web on which Civics Education is based.

Listen to William talk about how teachers can incorporate Civics Education into their curriculum and how he balances the demands of his personal positions and responsibilities as an educator. William states, "It's my job to educate and not persuade."

In this episode, we chat with Sarah Nichols, a national board-certified teacher who has been teaching for 14 years in secondary social studies and special education.

Sarah is now a teacher specialist for Salt Lake City School District, which is facing several elementary school closures due to decreasing enrollment. This news brought stress to teachers, families, and students, and Sarah set out to support Salt Lake District teachers in the face of these closures.

Listen to learn how Sarah stepped up in her district and embodied her favorite quote from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world. It’s the only thing that ever has.”