Teachers have important things to say and share about teaching, life, teaching, and learning. A podcast for teachers brings you the stories and inspiration behind the scenes from classrooms around the globe. Honest conversations about teacher tired and passion-filled teaching allow educators to speak their truth on the trials and treasures of being a teacher.
OTT 83: How to Engage Students Online and How to Ensure Equal Access
Today I sit down with Brian from the dynamic duo Wise Guys. Brian and I talk about how to engage students while online with connections, games, fun technology, and more. We also have a great discussion about the importance of providing equal access to education for all students. I hope you will join us.
OTT 82: The Magic of Hands-On Integrated Units in the Classroom
Today I have a special guest Amy Mezni from Teaching Ideas 4U. And we are going to talk all about the magic of hands-on integrated units. Hope you stick around.
Amy shares information on integrated units. You may be thinking, is that a thematic unit, is it an intradisciplinary unit or is there a difference? Amy's going to explain the differences to us, so that is really helpful.
OTT 81: 5 Big Benefits of Using Podcasts in the Classroom
Podcasts are a great piece of technology that you can incorporate into your blended learning environment. Podcasts are engaging and informative in the physical classroom as well as online from a distance. I hope you will join me today as I discuss the 5 benefits of using podcasts in the classroom.
OTT 80: Black Lives Matter Movement in Education
Today's show is uncomfortable. It is in the uncomfortable that we will disrupt white fragility and increase our capacity to sustain the discomfort of not knowing. I hope you will join me.
OTT 79: Flipgrid 101
Fllipgrid is a free video response platform that allows kids to show what they know through a video. Flipgrid makes it fun and engaging.
OTT 78: Adding Flipgrid to Your Distance Learning Strategy
Flipgrid is a FREE video response platform where educators can have online video discussions with their students and is a powerful platform for which to engage kids and offer alternative options for showing what you know. Today I talk all about Flipgrid and the power behind the video.
OTT 77: End of the Year Distance Learning Activities to Excite Your Students
The end of the year can be stressful in the classroom but when you add social distancing to the formula it takes on a whole other level of crazy! So what can we do to keep our kids online, engaged, and learning until the very end? Join me to find out.
OTT 76: The Biggest Takeaways From STEM Con 2020
Over 4,000 educators came together to learn and grow around STEM education. The result was motivated, enthusiastic, inspired teachers ready to make a change in education!
OTT 75: Virtual Classroom Management
An e-learning environment can be a shift for teachers who are used to a traditional classroom setting. Yet, there are some things that we need in both- classroom management. I hope you will join Leslie Dunn and myself as we talk about virtual procedures and routines.
OTT 74: The T in STEM
Today we are talking all about the T (technology) in STEM. So much fun! Anita Goodwin and I sit down and talk about the power of integrating meaningful technology.
OTT 73: Distance Learning, STEM, and Educational Reform
This powerful episode discusses the significance of knowing the difference between distance learning and in-school learning as well as the importance of teaching STEM through either platform and how all of this thinking can and should lead to the realization that we need to knock it all down and build something new and extraordinary. Join Dr. Yen Verhoeven and I as we discuss these three important subjects.
OTT 72: All Things STEM
The world of STEM is exciting and engaging for students and teachers alike. Today Kerry Tracy sits down with me and talks all things STEM. We also discuss the super exciting STEM Con 2020. I hope you will join us.
OTT 71: Distance Learning: What are the Trials and Treasures?
The best/worst thing all at once is it shows how American teachers and students can turn on a dime and revolutionize education delivery in A WEEK! Wow! We have adapted so quickly so that is the best! Teachers have come together and worked to make creative solutions! The hard part is we did it without budgets, training, or materials. This is a tremendous amount of stress on teachers and students
OTT 70: Remote Learning Suggestions
Today we are talking about tips and strategies for distance learning, remote learning, e-learning or whatever you call this time in history where teachers are asked to teach from home. We are all in this together, and we will persevere. I hope you will join me.
OTT 69: Coronavirus and Distance Learning
The Coronavirus is causing schools to shut down and put learning online. Teachers are scrambling to put together plans for weeks of distance learning and hoping to keep their kids and families healthy.
OTT 68: Emergency Sub Plans and Germs
When you just can’t make it into work, having an emergency set of sub plans is the answer to a prayer! At my school, we were required to have a week’s worth of sub plans. I couldn’t be happier to have 2 sets! That took me through all 10 of my sick days. And you never know when you need them!
OTT 67: A Closer Look At Standards-Based Grading
Standards-based grading and standards-based report cards can be a complete shift from taking grades for primary teachers. I know when we first started doing standards-based grades my team of second-grade teachers and I had to have a lot of discussion around what this would look like. We were no longer taking an average. We were monitoring how well our students were moving along in the standard.
OTT 66: Google Classroom With Bethany Rodgers
Today I sit down with 6 grade ELA teacher, Bethany Rodgers as she shares loads of tips for using Google and Google Classroom. Talk about a highly engaging environment! You will definitely need to take notes during this episode.
OTT 65: Stories From Podcasting School for Teachers
Educators share their success stories about podcasting in the classroom and utilizing podcasts to share content with students. Podcasting School for Teachers was a live training that was shared on February 17th. Educators from a variety of levels joined to hear how to implement podcasts and podcasting into their classrooms. Today we talk about the take-aways from this training. I hope you will join me.
OTT 64: 5 Tips for Using Podcasts in Your Classroom
Today we will talk all about the most practical and engaging application of having technology in the classroom being the ability to empower your students to take charge of their learning by using podcasting in the classroom. I hope you stick around.

