Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

Kelly Long is the founder and host of Inspiration 4 Teachers. She is a secondary school teacher of ten years specializing in Business and IT. Kelly is continuously learning and evolving, and one of the ways she's doing this is through her award nominated podcast- Inspiration 4 Teachers- where she interviews dynamic and inspirational educators with the aim of empowering educators everywhere. Alongside leading educationalists Kelly showcases what work sin education by sharing the challenges that successful and inspiring educators have overcome.   Quotables * WHY?! * You don't know everything * Be comfortable that you have done everything in your power...the rest is up to them * Get them to believe they can do it * When you get relaxed in your teaching, thats when the magic happens * If you are not doing it for yourself, you are not going to grow. * You have to look after yourself...You can't give it your all if you are exhausted. Kelly's Stamp of Approval: * Ulinda * Udemy Connect with Kelly: * Email: inspiration4Teachers@gmail.com * Website: http://inspiration4teachers.com/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Inspiration4Teachers/ * Twitter: @Inspiration4T * Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/inspiration4teachersspodcast/id955333603   Join elite educators everywhere in snagging tips, tricks and freebies right to your inbox every month! Become #empowered with the Always A Lesson newsletter: https://alwaysalesson.leadpages.co/newslettersignup/ Connect with Gretchen * Email:gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2&ls=1 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future.   How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)

30: Bonus Edition: Interview with Kelly Long

The holidays are a very special time of year. But they can be tricky in the classroom. The buzz of an upcoming holiday break is enough to make the kids go crazy and the teachers wanting to pull out their hair. But, what if you used that excitement and energy to your benefit and created engaging, relevant lessons instead? Tune in to this episode to hear just how to do that- for the sanity of your students and yourself! Quotables * Plan for the crazy. Embrace the crazy. * Play to [your students’] strength. * It just requires a different lens that you solve the problem through. * It can be chaos or it can be controlled chaos   Join elite educators everywhere in snagging tips, tricks and freebies right to your inbox every month! Become #empowered with the Always A Lesson newsletter: https://alwaysalesson.leadpages.co/newslettersignup/ Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2&ls=1 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future.   How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’

29: Maximizing the Holiday Mayhem in the Classroom

Teaching today can be confusing. There are TONS of stress points, wrong turns and dead ends. Educators get bogged down with all this other “Stuff” that they forget what they were chosen to do and why it matters in the lives of students. Take a listen to remind you of what teaching is really supposed to be about and how it affects everyone’s future.   Quotables * Put money into people not programs * It comes down to every decision you make every day in the classroom * Don’t let yourself forget your purpose for becoming an educator * Put kids first. In everything you do. * Inspire yourself so you can be an inspiration to others * We have a mission to do and its an honor to be chosen to complete it.   Join elite educators everywhere in snagging tips, tricks and freebies right to your inbox every month! Become #empowered with the Always A Lesson newsletter: https://alwaysalesson.leadpages.co/newslettersignup/     Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2&ls=1 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future.   How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’

28: What are we Doing Here and Why Does it Matter?

Being an educator is a career choice. It’s a special assignment given to only those who are qualified in heart, mind, body and soul. It’s not an easy career path and it can be hard to remember your vision and goal while in the trenches. But with awareness and a few strategies, every educator in the game can remain in the game for a fulfilling lifetime of creating a better future for us all. Listen in to see how to do this and don’t forget your free gift here! Quotables * It will be full of interruptions that can define your fortitude and character. * Embrace obstacles and set backs- as they are moments of growth. * You are a role model and how you handle an imperfect ride is how you teach those around you to handle their journeys. * Frustration means you are being challenged to think differently and get outside your comfort zone. * This special assignment is going to be the favorite chapter of your book.   Get a FREE Printable Resource here. Join elite educators everywhere in snagging tips, tricks and freebies right to your inbox every month! Become #empowered with the Always A Lesson newsletter: https://alwaysalesson.leadpages.co/newslettersignup/ Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2&ls=1 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future.   How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’

27: On Special Assignment

Relationships play a huge role in a teacher’s performance in the classroom. Four relationships drive a teacher’s success- those with administration, colleagues, students and parents. Listen in for secrets on how to build and sustain productive relationships in the workplace. Quotables * CONNECT CONNECT CONNECT * Administration, colleagues, students and parents can be your ally or enemy * Work on connecting with people * You can’t teach a kid well if you don’t know each other   Join elite educators everywhere in snagging tips, tricks and freebies right to your inbox every month! Become #empowered with the Always A Lesson newsletter: https://alwaysalesson.leadpages.co/newslettersignup/ Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2&ls=1 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future.   How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’

26: Connect Four

Description: James Sturtevant first stepped in front of high school students in the late summer of 1985. He predicted he would teach a year or two, before pursuing something grown up: go to law school, get a PhD, or enter the private sector and earn a fortune. But, a funny thing happened on the way to the Forum. James fell in love with his students. Could one really get paid for bonding with young people? The answer was…ABSOLUTELY! And still is, some thirty years and thousands of students later. “Your students seem so relaxed and happy. How’d you create this atmosphere?” was the haunting question a visiting Education professor once asked James after observing his class. Caught off guard, he gave a meager and vague response. After much reflection and research, James is now prepared to answer the question. He teaches at Big Walnut High School in Sunbury, Ohio. He is married to Penny who is a middle school principal. They have 3 children…Jason, David, and Maria, and one grandchild…Kaia. James is also an author of “You’ve Gotta Connect” published in 2014 (see link below) and Professional Development Presenter. He has been featured in numerous publications (listed below).   Quotables: * Your students are mirror images of you. * Accept your students exactly where they are. * Necessity is the mother of invention.   James' Stamp of Approval: * Differentiation * Rubric * Formative and Summative Assessments * Think-Pair-Share * Self Directed Learning * Professional Development communities * Creation of Teacher Websites * Bring Your Own Technology * Flipped Classrooms * Essential Questions * Project Based Learning Connect with James: * Email: pjsturtevant@gmail.com * Website: Jamesalansturtevant.com * Twitter: @jamessturtevant * Book: “You’ve Gotta Connect”  http://amzn.to/119pnEL * Additional Publications:- Ohio Schools Magazine April, 2015 pp. 9-10.- In July of 2015, my blog post “Bullying Bonding” was picked up by the Huffington Post: http://huff.to/1GZEJbs- The September, 2015 issue of Principal Leadership includes my article “Does Your Staff Bond Well with Students?” pp. 16-17.- In September of 2015, my blog post “A Teacher’s Eureka Moment” was picked up by the Huffington Post: http://huff.to/1G8Vcew- In October of 2015, my blog post ”Samsara...Embrace Change!” was picked up by the Huffington Post: http://huff.to/1LAOtyt- In November of 2015, my blog post ”Does Competition Really Bring out the Best in People?” was picked up by the Huffington Post: http://huff.to/1RdPGQ5   Join elite educators everywhere in snagging tips, tricks and freebies right to your inbox every month! Become #empowered with the Always A Lesson newsletter: https://alwaysalesson.leadpages.co/newslettersignup/ Connect with Gretchen: * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Facebook: Always A Lesson * Twitter: @gschultek * Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College

25: Bonus Edition- Interview with James Sturtevant

Our educational system is focused on achievement in terms of numbers instead of behavioral patterns and choices. Grades do not tell the whole story though and rarely help a student grow and develop strong academic habits. We need to see below the surface and look for patterns in students’ learning to guide them in gaining strength and skills to fill gaps, correct misconceptions and develop new and better habits. Listen in to see how grades don’t show the details and what we need to do as educators to help our students truly be successful in and outside the classroom Quotables * We need to get out of the habit of doing something out of tradition when its no longer effective * How well do they swim without floaties? * Look at patterns, behaviors, choices, strategies, and create opportunities to showcase repetitive behaviors or uncover inconsistencies * Grades don’t transform classrooms, teachers or students * Student success should not come down to a number it should come down to the learning experience and journey of growth * Students are more than a number and a score. They are learning to rely on their acquired knowledge and skill set to operate in the big world out there   Join elite educators everywhere in snagging tips, tricks and freebies right to your inbox every month! Become #empowered with the Always A Lesson newsletter: https://alwaysalesson.leadpages.co/newslettersignup/ Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2&ls=1 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future.   How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’

24: Grades Don’t Show the Details

Professional Development (PD) is needed in a school system to increase teacher effectiveness by providing relevant, timely knowledge, strategies and techniques to improve classroom practice. However, PD is not created and delivered in an engaging, efficient way. Nor is it having the impact on student achievement as intended. Develop an avenue to provide professional development in a differentiated, personalized way for teachers so it has the impact on students that is needed. Listen in on how to create a delicious menu of PD that teachers will truly care about. Quotables * Teachers don’t complain about PD because they don’t want to get better. They complain about PD because its not useful. * Break up with the pain of past PD. * You have the power to change the way Ts look at and feel about PD. Join elite educators everywhere in snagging tips, tricks and freebies right to your inbox every month! Become #empowered with the Always A Lesson newsletter: https://alwaysalesson.leadpages.co/newslettersignup/ Gretchen’s Stamp of Approval * Hacking Education: 10 Quick Fixes for Every School by Mark Barnes and Jennifer Gonzales * The Mirage: Confronting the Hard Truth About Our Quest for Teacher Development Article by The New Teacher Project * Leading Efficient and Effective PD Sessions Webinar * #educoach Twitter Chat (Wednesday 10:00-11:00 pm EST)   Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2&ls=1 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future.   How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’