The EDVERYTHING Podcast: For Everything Education

This week on the Edverything Podcast, we welcome Spencer Sharp, also known as @sharpthebuilder Spencer found himself in a unique situation back in his first year of teaching - to build something from nothing, and if you thought his name hinted at something, you’re right- @sharpthebuilder reflects Spencer’s path as he was approached by his school leadership to build a STEM curriculum from scratch with limited supplies and funding, and he certainly did! Spencer sits down with us to talk about his experience as a 1-person department, his philosophy on failure, and his mission to make STEM accessible no matter your subject area. Let’s get started… For more ways to connect with Spencer: Email: sharpthebuilder2020@gmail.com Feature at STEM Con 2020: https://www.steamcafe.net/virtual-stem-con-2020-pd-in-your-pjs/ Website: https://www.sharpthebuilder.com/ Podcast: https://innovativeteacherpodcast.com/ Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Sharp-The-Builder Blog: https://www.sharpthebuilder.com/blog

It feels like now more than ever educators are reexamining classroom practices and procedures with a different lens; enter: 2020-2021 school year. An ever-changing learning environment calls on teachers to get creative especially when it comes to traditional classroom procedures like student note-taking. This week, Danielle and Nicole challenging student and teacher assumptions about note-taking as they ask 3 major questions and identify valuable criteria when deciding on a new note-taking approach.  In this episode you'll hear 3 key questions every teacher should ask oneself:  1. Does the style and organization matter?  2.  Who are these notes for?  3. How can provide explicit instruction on note-taking to my students?  You'll also hear key criteria to consider when choosing a new note-taking system, procedure, or software: 1. Ease of transparency in sharing student to teacher and student to student 2. Accessibility of differentiation 3. Storage and organization options 4. Possible integration with past software 5. Compatibility with discipline and subject area 6. Cost to school and cost to student/family  *bonus* is this tool and associate learned skill a  new addition to your #teacherresume? Can you update and revamp pre-existing content on TpT?  Jen Gonzalez of @cultofpedagogy  Notetaking: A Research Roundup Article Ashley Bible of @buildingbooklove Episode 63: Wonderful, Wonder-filled Classrooms for Any Age Group with Ashley Bible Peardeck: formative assessment https://www.peardeck.com/ Parlay ideas: The future of class discussions https://parlayideas.com/

Many edupreneurs find themselves creating classroom resources to sell to other time-strapped educators. Marshall and his wife, Lindsay, decided to start a podcast, not for their fellow teachers or teacher side hustlers, but in an area where they saw a real lack: inspiring science education content. Combining Lindsay’s background in science journalism with Marshall’s passion for teaching middle school and his musical talent, the couple started Tumble, a self-described “science podcast for kids, to be enjoyed by the entire family.” In this episode, Marshall explains the process for creating each episode, how they gained the attention of brands early (and how they’ve recently leveraged this into a brand partnership), what role Patreon plays in his business (and what he’s learned that you can apply to your very own content creation account), and the invaluable role networking has played in the success of the podcast every step of the way. To learn more about the Tumble Science Podcast: https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/ To visit Tumble Patreon channel:  https://www.patreon.com/tumblepodcast To listen to Tumble:  https://beta.prx.org/series/38125

Though going into the field of education was the single biggest career choice that we’ve made, starting our podcast 3 years ago has become a very close second. Starting a teacher podcast was a literal game changer for us. Without it, we would still be dreaming of one day becoming teacherpreneurs. As proud teacher side hustlers, we know that there are plenty of decisions that need to be made at any given point, but we can also say from experience that choosing the right platform for releasing your regular content is one that can really make all the difference. Podcasting has truly been the catalyst for so much of our success—and we want to give you the motivation and the inside scoop to help you make podcast a part of your content strategy as well. In this episode, we talk about why we started a teacher podcast to begin with, but we go on to list a number of other reasons why podcasting might be a good fit for you as well. Whether to further your career aspirations outside of the classroom or to document your experience to track your own personal growth, we consider a number of reasons beyond promoting items from your TpT store that might make podcasting the right path for you. Once you’ve determined that podcasting makes sense for you, we make sure that you’ve thought through what you’ll podcast about. But we won’t leave you with tons of ideas and no way to implement. In the second half of the episode, we deep dive into what you need (and what you don’t) to start recording right away. After breaking down some myths and misconceptions that might be holding you back from pressing recording or releasing your first episode, we take you through the entire process, from recording software to distribution platforms, so you’ll find your way into earbuds in no time. In this episode you’ll hear -Why podcasting is a great platform when you are just starting out -What equipment you need (and what you don’t need to spend money on) when first starting a podcast -What software we use to record and distribute our own podcast (spoiler alert: its free)

Though teaching can feel like a rather solitary profession at times, more and more educators are realizing the benefits of working with their fellow teachers. Whether schools assign a co-teacher or encourage us to work with a team, we establish formal or informal mentorship relationships with those within our own district or teachers that we follow on Instagram, or we simply regularly listen to education-focused podcasts or attend virtual PD, nowadays, the opportunities to network and learn from other instructors seem endless. But we shouldn’t rely on our peers alone to help make our classrooms thrive. Your district may have any number of other amazing individuals that serve as resources for not only the students but for you as an educator. One position that can help bring a unique perspective into the classroom is to work with a Behavioral Specialist, and while your particular school may not have one on staff just yet, Maria Helton is on the show to bring her top tips for how to increase positive behavior and habits in the classroom— no matter what grade level you work with. Whether you are interacting with your students virtually or in person, Maria, of Teaching Behavior Together, explains how to cultivate the behavior we want our students to display. From building rapport to coping mechanisms, Maria demonstrates the need to model behavior, to be cognizant of providing reinforcement for the behaviors we want to see more of, and to meet students' needs at the moment rather than rush to finding blame or consequences. While there are certainly unique challenges in terms of behavior that arise in the virtual environment schools may find themselves in in 2020, Maria’s optimism shines through, seeing this as an opportunity to leave behind the relics of traditional school punishments and instead think of new, creative ways that more appropriately set students up for long term success in whatever environment they find themselves in. 

In some ways, our sudden foray into remote instruction has forced us to re-examine the ways in which things have always been done in education, allowing motivated teachers the space to reinvent practices that had become standard but that could be improved with the technology now at our disposal. Perhaps more than any other single aspect of education, virtual learning necessitates a close connection with parents who are instrumental in the educational process but who can be difficult to cultivate relationships with when we don’t see them in the course of everyday interactions or due to a pandemic and social distancing, we may never actually meet them in person. Back To School Night provides teachers with the opportunity to meet the parents and guardians and begin to develop that rapport, but when the school building may not be open or may not be for visitors, how can we communicate the right tone and information and lay the groundwork for that great communication. We first discussed Back To School night way back in our second ever episode of the EDverything Podcast, but 2020 has us revisiting this topic—and the spin we are putting on back to school night has us excited to implement these tactics, even after the new normal is long behind us. In this episode, you’ll hear why recording a video intro as using a tool like Loom is something that will be making Back To School Night a better experience for everyone involved—and what to feature if you are eager to do the same! In this episode, you’ll hear: -How recording a video can save you from some of the most common Back To School Night interruptions -Why it will save you time (and be far more environmentally-friendly than your typical Back To School Night) -How it signals your understanding of parents needs and schedules -Why it can be great for making sure that the supplies you need are the ones that actually get purchased -Gives parents a better idea of what your actual (sometimes virtual or flipped) classroom might look like -Why this can help you stand out while simultaneously taking away some of the nerves and stress typically associated with BTSN -What to cover in a virtual BTSN intro video, from the traditional topics to those that make a great addition for people who can’t come to your classroom in person

Though number of years in the profession, grade level taught, and location all have a significant bearing on the exact number, a recent Business Insider article published found that nationwide “the average public school teacher salary for the 2018-2019 school year was $61,730.” As a result, it is no surprise that so many teachers are trying to leverage their many skills into finding a profitable side hustle in order to make the most of their talents and to help them pay down students loans, make mortgage payments, or to start a retirement fund. While the allure of teacherpreneurship is obvious, the path to success is not. Erica Terry, of Classroom to CEO, shares that moving up within the education system isn’t always the path to greater financial freedom. A former school administrator, with the birth of her daughter Erica gave up the long hours that come with being school admin and traded it for a consulting gig— and a side hustle in which she helps other motivated edupreneurs find their path. This educator and mother knows how precious time is— and as a result, she makes the most of hers. In this episode, Erica explains how she uses one product to create multiple streams of revenue— and how you can do the same. Links mentioned Total Teacher Summit:  edverything.com Episode 33: Making Success Your Business: TpT Is a Business, Not a Hobby with Hayley Cain:  https://anchor.fm/edverything/episodes/Episode-33-Making-Success-Your-Business-TpT-Is-a-Business--Not-a-Hobby-with-Hayley-Cain-e41t58 Edupreneur Success Week:  https://www.edupreneursuccess.com/ Erica Terry: https://www.classroomtoceo.com/

As Summit and podcast hosts, we know a thing or two about pitching. We both receive and make pitches all the time.  Based on what we’ve seen first hand, we are breaking down some of the most important things to keep in mind in order to put together a quality pitch. In episode 80, we talked about the homework that should be done behind the scenes before sending out that pitch so that when your message or application gains attention, those hosts are impressed with what they see from you in #alltheplaces. And while that episode was centered on you, much of what to do in the pitch itself is actually not. Today, we are going to help put you in the right mindset and help you focus on the right things when it comes to filling out applications or making cold pitches.  In this episode you’ll hear: -How even without having experience with pitching, you’ve probably done something very similar before in the form of cover letters -The ways in which being specific— and making those connections outside of the pitch itself can be invaluable -How the emphasis needs to be on what you offer them, not what just what you’ll get out of the experience or what degrees you’ve got Links mentioned https://www.edverything.com/tts-july-2020-speaker-application https://www.alissamcdonald.com/episode-37-take-your-thought-leadership-to-the-next-level-through-collaborations-and-online-pd-with-danielle-and-nicole-from-edverything-education/ https://thesprinkletoppedteacher.com/mystory <https://thesprinkletoppedteacher.com/mystory> (check out her fun facts—I love how memorable they are) https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Simple-One-Page-Media-Kit-Template-for-Teacherpreneurs-TpT-Sellers-5579017

As the school year starts to wind down and distance learning becomes the new norm, it seems there is no better time than the present for self-reflection and a #teacherinfluencer resume revamp.  In this episode you'll hear:   Why the size of your audience isn't your single defining characteristic   Why attending a virtual summit is a perfect opportunity to earn the Professional Development you've been wanting  The *homework* you need to do before you hit "apply"   How to strategize and make the most of your social media bio or highlight reel   The first three things someone is looking for when they come across your page for the very first time   How you can leverage your skills as a #teacherinfluencer and apply to be a Total Teacher Summit featured speaker  Links mentioned:   Simple One Page Media Kit Template For Teacherpreneurs & TpT Sellers  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Simple-One-Page-Media-Kit-Template-for-Teacherpreneurs-TpT-Sellers-5579017  Total Teacher Summit Speaker Application   https://www.edverything.com/tts-july-2020-speaker-application  Episode 44: Why Attend A Virtual Summit  https://anchor.fm/edverything/episodes/Episode-44-Why-Attend-A-Virtual-Summit-e4qa2d  Episode 45: How To Get the Most Out of Attending a Virtual Summit  https://anchor.fm/edverything/episodes/Episode-45-How-To-Get-the-Most-Out-of-Attending-a-Virtual-Summit-e4spg1

Why showcase student work—and why not use the bulletin board Sends the message that you value student work Makes students collaborators in the shared space Reinforces the idea that the teacher isn't necessarily the only audience Gives others a glimpse into your classroom and what you are working on Time to think outside the traditional bulletin board Bulletin boards might be the most common method for displaying student work-- but that doesn't make it the only way to show what students can produce Re-doing bulletin boards isn't exactly a fun task/Using ways outside of the bulletin board actually allow you to update student work more regularly.  In ASCD's "Classroom Displays: Keep the Focus on Student Work," Mike Anderson, a Responsive Classroom specialist suggests displaying drafts and works in progress, not just final products, and reminds us to leave plenty of space--even if that means you need to display work in shifts http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol6/613-anderson.aspx At the time of this recording, our classrooms are remote-- there is no physical bulletin board Sometimes, bulletin boards aren't the right "fit" for the assignment (not all great student work is visually appealing) Greener (yay environment!) Perfect for traveling teachers (reference episode) Bulletin boards themselves have a limited audience-- only others in the school will see them (parents, others who teach the same subject that you do, etc.) How to display work without that traditional bulletin board 1| Embed the “show off” portion directly into the project/class routine itself Certain apps/websites are designed for sharing (Ex. FlipGrid, ClassroomDojo) 2| Show it off to parents in a newsletter Do you already send a classroom newsletter home? Why not make that another space to show off learning instead of using it simply as a platform to explain what is being worked on [TpT template opportunity?] 3| Show it off to the greater community using social media Does your school have official school social media accounts you can post to?  This could potentially get both parents and students to see that great work at the same time 4| Get it in front of the eyes of judges NEA’s “Showcasing Student Work” reminds us of other ways to show off (encourage them to enter their work into contests) http://www.nea.org/tools/57917.htm 5| Digitize Your Bulletin Board-- and show it off in #alltheplaces  Shana of @HelloTeacherLady has an amazing tutorial on customizing your Zoom Waiting Room or Google Header (check out more here!) In her example, she shows off how she replicates the vibe by including posters she loves in the virtual space she's made-- why not use your newly created bulletin board instead! Make it once, use it in many places! [TpT Product Template Opportunity]-- use it for the Waiting Room, post it in Stream with that day's announcements, update the Banner, post it on the LMS that you used before remote instruction began.  You know the principle that you can share your one piece of content in multiple places because your audience might not be following you in all those places so you really aren't bothering anyone?  The same applies here!  Some students/parents may have missed it the first time around-- and none of your students will be upset at seeing their work featured once more! Speaking of lessons from social media...Edverything Social!

As the new normal of working from home actually begins to feel a bit more normal, it may be time to make our digital classrooms feel a little bit more like the home away from home our physical classrooms have always been. So many teachers pride themselves on making their classrooms a comfortable, welcoming space, full of personality, and inspiration. But can we say the same for our virtual classrooms? Though this may have been overlooked when the sudden transition to remote learning occurred, now that it seems likely that many schools will be settling into distance learning for an extended time, potentially even ending the year in this way, we can turn our attention to the small ways that we can make our online classrooms replicate the physical ones we left behind. Whether these customizations help you infuse a bit of your personality as a reminder to your students that you truly are there on the other side of the screen, instill a little humor or positivity to help brighten a tough time, or create motivation when it could be lacking, this effort helps make the continuation of learning feel like a true extension of the classroom you and your students have developed all year. In this episode, you’ll hear: -Reasons why customization of your classroom benefits you, your students— and your side hustle -How bitmojis can help you make your classroom feel more personal even without sharing an actual image of yourself -Ways beyond the visual to make your classroom feel like your space Links mentioned: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Sellers-Im-Following/Add/Edverything-For-Everything-Education @helloteacherlady Ep. 75: Going the Distance with @VirtualElementaryTeachers https://anchor.fm/edverything/episodes/Episode-75-Going-the-Distance-Successful-Strategies-for-Remote-Learning-from-Virtual-Elementarys-Cara-Piper-ec9037 Ep. 63 Wonderful, Wonder-filled Classrooms with @BuildingBookLove https://anchor.fm/edverything/episodes/Episode-63-Wonderful--Wonder-filled-Classrooms-for-Any-Age-Group-with-Ashley-Bible-e9kcgn Ep 67: Personally Speaking  https://anchor.fm/edverything/episodes/Episode-67-Personally-Speaking-Showcasing-Your-Personality-In-and-Out-of-the-Classroom-eahbtp

Danielle & Nicole are here to discuss their favorite topic - virtual summits! Whether you're curious about the behind the scenes end of creating a the #totalteachersummit or you're seriously considering implementing a virtual summit in your classroom this school year, Danielle & Nicole are here to walk you through the "How-To" of virtual summit creation. When you listen to episode 46 you know why a virtual classroom meet-up is worthwhile, and today we're building on that point, bringing you the how. In just 9 easy steps, we break down questions to ask yourself, factors to consider, and potential roadblocks to look out for. Step 1: Pick a unit that makes sense to host as a virtual summit What unit is so large in scope that you always feel like you just scratch the surface with how you traditionally cover it? (Nothing comes to mind? In episode #18, we talked about how to teach topics you can’t stand— this very well might be one of them) Step 2: Select what students will be responsible for in terms of creating the virtual summit.  Think outside just the presentation itself. Student autonomy is key! Name of Summit.  You have the general topic/concept, but let students choose a name for more ownership and creativity. How can you make this happen— have students work in small groups to come up with their name and a pitch for why. Step 3: Craft a corresponding rubric or rubrics to use for each of the requirements students must meet Identify Common Core Standards you are looking to address What you’ll probably want included for this rubric or to have separate rubrics for: Presentation— creativity, accuracy, understanding audience Networking/Engagement—how do they interact with others “in chat.”  The quality and quantity of what is said, how it is said The “extras”— do students need to create a corresponding PowerPoint for their talk? Do they need to create a virtual or physical thumbnail display of their talk Step 4:  Decide what technology you need to use to make this happen.  When will students be viewing the presentations? How will they give their feedback? Step 5: Determine how to model the concept and any related technology in your classroom Don’t assume students know how to use a particular piece of technology.  Time will probably need to be built in for students to learn this.  Do students need to edit their videos? Upload them?  These small logistics are things that can cause a lot of problems come the due date if you don’t plan for it as students are unlikely to know what they don’t know Step 6: Get students HYPED Step 7: Decide what students will need extra support with to create their virtual summit and select how much class time to devote to it Step 8: How can the summit live on/be shared with others? Grab our bulletin board print outs and utilize QR codes Use Class Dojo to share with parents Step 9: Reflection to help you iterate Build-in time for you and your students to reflect on the project, stay organized, student growth and ownership, make it even smoother next time or for next year

When school is in session, whether knowingly or not, you likely have a routine. That set of tasks you do regularly, perhaps even unconsciously, from the time you wake up through your commute and continue straight through til the final bell rings and you head home for the day. And while everyone’s typical routine may look a little different, the COVID 19 outbreak has almost certainly caused a major disruption to your daily schedule. With the sudden shift to remote learning, you may feel like you are at a loss for how to manage your time and what to prioritize when things seem so far from ordinary. When working from home, it can be more challenging to put together routines, but it can also be that much more important for creating and maintaining healthy boundaries.  When your home is your office, it can be tempting to have no exact end time to your work day or to try to take each morning at a leisurely pace. While far from experts, we’ve each started settling into our new routine, and we are hoping that this episode inspires you to do just the same. We know that everyone's routine will look a little different based on what your home situation looks like, what grade level you teach, what your school expects-- and a myriad of other factors. While we are routine enthusiasts, we don't think there is one right way to go about your day; as a result, instead of a prescriptive checklist, we have provided you with a framework—in the form of this very episode and a free, fully customizable workbook and checklist so you quickly determine your priorities and develop a routine for what actually works for you. In this episode, you’ll hear: -What does NOT work for us in terms of our new morning routines -Changes we’ve made to our classroom routines from day 1 of remote learning til now -Why a classroom routine students can expect is great—but isn’t synonymous with being rigid -A few things that you can celebrate crossing off your typical after school rings to-do list -Why boundary setting is extra important during remote learning Links mentioned: -Episode 22 https://www.edverything.com/podcast/2019/time-tasks-trauma-troubleshooting-common-teacher-stressors-with-amanda-murtaugh-lmhp?rq=amanda%20murtaugh -Our TpT Store to get your free workbook and checklist https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Remote-Learning-Routines-Teachers-Work-from-Home-Workbook-and-Daily-Checklist-5431307 -Episode 9 https://www.edverything.com/podcast/2019/healthy-routines?rq=michele%20hamilton

In the midst of the coronavirus, as so many schools have begun online instruction, it seems like we all became virtual teachers overnight, figuring out how to translate our lessons to the online space. And while we are all still adjusting to our new normal, now more than ever it is great to get advice from someone who is a pro at this, literally, as online instruction is the way she delivers all her lessons. Cara Piper is a traditional classroom teacher turned online kindergarten teacher for Florida Virtual School. Whether you love online teaching and want to figure out how to make the transition to virtual education even when buildings reopen or you need tips for how to cultivate community even when students are physically attending class from separate spaces, Cara offers valuable insight whether you want to make the virtual classroom your permanent home or how to to make the most of this experience for your students for the time being. In this episode, you’ll hear: -what a typical day in the life of a virtual elementary school teacher looks like (at an institution that has open enrollment) -what the job application and interview process to be a virtual teacher looked like -how parent partnership and communication is key (and why we should be thinking of them as the home educator) -how to make the students in your classroom feel like they know you (and each other) when they may never meet you in person -how to motivate your students on your Zoom calls (or in whatever video platform you are using)

When a lesson is going really well, it seems like time absolutely flies by. But how often have we had that same sensation, not knowing where the time went, when our daily prep period comes to an end--yet you have nothing to show for it? We want to instill time management skills in our students, but if we are being truly honest with ourselves, we don’t always use our own as strategically as possible.  When unexpected parent emails, makeup exams, and copying machine jams come up, we too often resort to dealing with what is urgent and not what should be a priority.  We’ve heard all the suggestions about setting boundaries and we want to bring home less school work, but how we can do that effectively when required meetings after school or providing extra help claims that chunk of time as well?  Add in the desire to grow your teacher side hustle account after the bell rings, and it can seem like there is no time at all left. While actually getting more time is impossible, a handful of mindset shifts, online tools, and smart techniques can help you make the most of the time you do have, making those 2020 goals within reach. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why letting go of perfectionism is a vital first step for implementing almost any time-saving strategy How templates can be the time-saver you need for regular interactions at home-- and how to keep those organized The free website for lesson planning that helps you stay standards focused while saving time What a social media scheduler is-- and how to pick one without getting overwhelmed The monthly social media template pack, by teachers, for teachers, so you never post on Instagram without a plan again Links mentioned: EDverything Social https://www.edverything.com/edverythingsocial Ashley Bible @buildingbooklove https://anchor.fm/edverything/episodes/Episode-63-Wonderful--Wonder-filled-Classrooms-for-Any-Age-Group-with-Ashley-Bible-e9kcgn Amy Porterfield’s Interview with Atomic Habits author James Clear https://www.amyporterfield.com/2019/12/295/ Total Teacher Summit talk: Permission Slips for Perfectionists https://www.edverything.com/totalteachersummit Asana https://asana.com/ Trello https://trello.com/en-US