This week on #Educrush we are exploring the idea of questions! What does the best day at school look like? Kids are known for their ability to dream BIG right? Do the systems of schools nurture this natural inquisitiveness or is there something that we’re doing that stifles that in the classroom? I spoke with a few people, including a 5th grader and his mother about curiosity. Alex on Twitter: @MrAlexNoel Natalie on Twitter: @natabasso Podcast on Twitter: @educrushpod Podcast on Instagram: @educ...
Oct 17, 2022•27 min•Season 3Ep. 56
Brene Brown says, "When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own them, we can write a brave new ending." Natalie's work in assessment, in many ways, has been her way of writing a "brave new ending" to her own experiences in school. In this episode, she comes to you solo to share how she broke free from perfectionism and a need for external validation to finally find her voice. Show Notes: A bold decision following the first failure on an assessment called the Mad Minute. "Did you ace it?...
Oct 10, 2022•33 min•Season 3Ep. 55
On this week’s episode of #Educrush we continue to work through the essential question “How can we rehumanize education through story?”. We talk to various teachers about their experiences with the first day of school and reflect on the idea that teachers are students too. Alex on Twitter: @MrAlexNoel Email Alex: Alex@learnfirstyyc.com Natalie on Twitter: @natabasso Podcast on Twitter: @educrushpod Podcast on Instagram: @educrushpod...
Oct 03, 2022•28 min•Season 3Ep. 54
For too long, the “real world” has been a mythical place that only exists in schools when teachers are trying to make students do things they don’t want to do. Stories of the real world create a culture of compliance. It begs the question… what’s it really like in the world of work beyond school? Dr. David Finch is a Full Professor and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Community Prosperity at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta. He joins Natalie to offer his research findings on the “ena...
Sep 26, 2022•53 min•Season 3Ep. 53
On this Episode, we continue our look into how people feel about the first day of school. At least we tried, but in the process of spending time interviewing Parents, our theme for the episode shifted. This episode is simply about the stories of parents and School. You will hear from two parents as well as hear me summarize a few of the other conversations that I had. Truth be told, this was a challenging episode to work on, but I found it to be a worthwhile endeavor. I hope that as we continue ...
Sep 19, 2022•38 min
One of the most persistent narratives of the school system is that it’s a place where students do work in exchange for grades. However, what would school look like if grades didn’t exist? Chris Sarkonak is one of many teachers involved in the grassroots movement called “ungrading” to move school away from a culture of compliance, towards a culture of authentic learning. He joins Natalie to talk about why he tried this approach in his Physics classroom, how he pulled it off, and why it helps to c...
Sep 12, 2022•55 min•Season 3Ep. 51
During this season, we’re looking at the role story has to play in how we see and interact with education. There are many people and perspectives needed for us to answer this question. Today you are going to hear from students, some at the very beginning of school life, some at the end and some far beyond the hallways of high school. They are going to share their perspectives, not about school in general, that’s too big. Today, we’re tackling the first day of school. Alex on Twitter: @MrAlexNoel...
Sep 05, 2022•32 min•Season 3Ep. 50
Welcome to season 3 of #EduCrush! As a primer for the season, we are talking about the secret to “rehumanizing” education. It is something that we ALL do naturally, yet don’t understand very well. Learn what this powerful tool is and how it helps to elevate our consciousness, build empathy, and create a positive culture. Follow the #EduCrush podcast: Twitter | Instagram Follow Natalie: Twitter | Instagram Email: hello@educrushpod.com Are you struggling with any of the following? Motivating learn...
Aug 29, 2022•30 min•Season 3Ep. 49
We're back, baby! This season, we're trying something new and organizing our episodes around a central theme: story. Join us as we release new episodes every Monday to explore the essential question, "How might we rehumanize education through story?" Follow Natalie: Twitter | Instagram Follow Alex: Twitter | Instagram Follow the podcast: Twitter | Instagram Email the podcast: hello@educrushpod.com...
Aug 24, 2022•3 min
In the final episode of season 2, Nat and Alex come together to look back on the highs, lows, and learnings from the past year and reveal the season 3 theme. #conceptbasedpodcasting Show Notes: Checking-in on our rose/thorn moments this past school year. (1:20) The unanticipated benefits of podcasting that Alex has experienced since joining EduCrush. (5:20) Exploring the differences between season one and two of the podcast. (7:00) In his half-season with the podcast, Alex is learning that we ca...
Jul 04, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 48
If you were to scroll through most job postings today, you will likely see creative thinking listed as a required skill. And yet, many workplaces do not have the psychological safety for this skill to thrive. On the episode, Natalie is joined by Dr. Caroline Brookfield who is a veterinarian that discovered her passion for creativity late in life as she began to explore performance and stand-up comedy. Listen to learn about the many researched benefits of creativity for both individuals and organ...
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 47
This week a passionate teacher team talks about taking bold steps to innovate in their own classrooms to give students hope through a project they called the Sustainability Summit. Charlotte Nixon, Mark Schuegraf and Neil Frail bring their experience and expertise together to form an audacious team taking on an ambitious project. Show Notes: Overview of the sustainability Summit 02:23 Students presenting to students 3:53 What inspired the project 7:12 Organizing the scope of the project to align...
Jun 20, 2022•32 min
How might school leaders apply inquiry-based learning in their work? If we know that inquiry can inspire curiosity, connections, and agency for our students, how might it transform the professional learning culture of a school? Jessica Vance is an Enrichment and Environment Coordinator in Austin, Texas, and author of the newly released book, “ Leading with a Lens of Inquiry: Cultivating Conditions for Curiosity and Empowering Agency .” On the episode, she connects with Nat to talk about the powe...
Jun 13, 2022•57 min•Season 2Ep. 46
How was school for you? What were you like as a student? How does that impact how you show up as a teacher? For Alex, it was a bit rough at points. That said, he would not trade the experiences he had as a student. They made him who he is and showed him what it feels like when a teacher believes in you. Those experiences give him real insight into the mind of students who struggle. This week, he's coming to you solo to talk about how being a bad student made him a good teacher! Show Notes: Intro...
Jun 06, 2022•25 min
Have you ever wondered if one of your students is capable of murder? Well, what if you knew that your entire class had committed violent crimes? How would you build a positive classroom culture!? Dawn Matthews-Nichols has been teaching since 1987 in a variety of settings with “emotionally disturbed” youth. She’s seen education from the margins and has some powerful advice for mainstream teachers. Show Notes: A call to action for progressive teachers wanting to amplify their impact and challenge ...
May 30, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 45
I don’t remember learning writing strategies. Not that no one tried to teach it to me, it didn’t sink in. More than that though, I was and am still struggling to find my voice as a writer. Recently, I’ve learned that I’m not alone in this. Karri Johnson is a seasoned teacher who understands the nuances of literacy education. This week, she walks us through ways that we can build confident writers. Karri On LinkedIn: @Karri Johnson Email the Podcast: hello@educrushpod.com Podcast on Twitter: @edu...
May 23, 2022•35 min
Nat is coming to you solo in this bonus episode because she quit her job last week... but it's not for the reasons you might think! Email the Podcast: hello@educrushpod.com Podcast on Twitter: @educrushpod Natalie on Twitter: @natabasso Podcast on Instagram: @educrushpod Podcast Website: www.educrushpod.com...
May 17, 2022•16 min
This week’s project feature is about breaking down the barriers between the siloed subjects that we’ve all become comfortable with. Jessica Bates is a 17-year teaching veteran who has made her career about asking the questions “what are the things that unite our subjects?” During this episode, Jessica talks about the ins and outs of combining the entirety of Social and Science in her Grade 9 classroom. Show Notes: Cross Curricular in high school 1:00 Social and Science integration 4:13 What does...
May 09, 2022•34 min
Traditional curriculum does not situate Black youth in a positive light and Kaya Henderson is on a quest to do something about it. Kaya is perhaps best known for serving as Chancellor of DC Public Schools from 2010-2016 and as the co-host of “Pod Save the People” podcast. Now, she is the co-founder and CEO of Reconstruction, a technology company delivering a K-12 supplemental curriculum that situates Black people, culture, and contributions in an authentic, identity-affirming way. In episode 44,...
May 02, 2022•50 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Today’s controversial topics tend to center around truth. Discussions can become so heated that many simply choose not to engage. Meagan Heard is a teacher who seeks a world where students have the skills to navigate difficult topics. This week, Megan gives a crash course on digital literacy. View full show notes Meagan on Twitter: @meaganerd Email the Podcast: hello@educrushpod.com Podcast on Twitter: @educrushpod Natalie on Twitter: @natabasso Alex on Twitter: @mralexnoel Podcast on Instagram:...
Apr 25, 2022•37 min
Why do so many teenagers hate reading? Renowned author and Literacy advocate Penny Kittle believes it has everything to do with a lack of “book love” and that teachers have the capacity to ignite it. On the episode, she connects with Natalie to discuss how to expose students to a wide variety of books, conference to unlock the reading life, and ultimately, grow student agency by allowing them to make decisions as readers (and writers). Show Notes: An interesting fact about Penny you might not fi...
Apr 18, 2022•57 min•Season 2Ep. 43
In the simplest of terms, decolonization means moving from a triangle to a circle. From a hierarchy to a community. In the episode, Natalie joins the Head Learner of the Mill Bay Nature School, Kim Ondrik, and the Smuqw’a’ (middle years) Clan Leader, Cayla Brown, to learn how they are building a decolonized school together through love and witnessing. Show Notes: Telling the story of how Kim and Cayla taught me how to show up, even when I can’t control the outcome. (1:10) Kim became an educator ...
Apr 04, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 42
We’ve all heard the adage “with age comes wisdom” but what does it mean to be wise? If we view our work as educators through the lens of sustainability and legacy, the wisest thing we might do is lift up those younger than us to continue our work long after we are gone, especially in schools. In part two of Natalie’s conversation with Cayla Brown and Kim Ondrik, we unpack these ideas further before holding space for both guests to share their biggest wonders as they continue to co-create Mill Ba...
Apr 04, 2022•54 min•Season 2Ep. 42
This week we’re talking strategy. How we can we best help students who struggle with processing speed? When our students encounter difficulties, it can be heart breaking but how can we help students to reach their potential? Our guest Erin Ellis goes over strategies for our students to shine. View full show notes here ! Erin on LinkedIn Erin Ellis Email the Podcast: hello@educrushpod.com Podcast on Twitter: @educrushpod Natalie on Twitter: @natabasso Alex on Twitter: @mralexnoel Podcast on Insta...
Mar 21, 2022•30 min
Too often, self-assessment is treated as a capstone, rather than a catalyst, and portfolios as a scrapbook, rather than a learning tool. On this episode, we go beyond the mistakes we’ve made with self-assessment and portfolios to discover how they can help students tell the story of their learning. Katie White is a Canadian author, consultant, and leader, and she joins Natalie to discuss practical ways that students can document learning, analyze evidence, and set goals while honoring their dign...
Mar 14, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 41
Going gradeless is one of those terms that generates excitement or dread, depending on your interpretation. It’s a scary notion as a teacher to just take a chance and dive in. Charlotte Nixon, a seasoned teacher and playwright, has done just that. On this episode Charlotte explores with us the lessons she learned going gradeless in her High School English class. Show Notes: Charlotte's teaching style. (2:41) The project's inspirations. (3:15) The structure of the unit. (3:30) Students unpacking ...
Mar 07, 2022•32 min
Teaching has always been a profession that demands a lot from its practitioners. Between the global health crisis, political unrest and helping students navigate what the world is and is becoming, teachers need support from principals who are supportive and reliable. Tim Carlson is a School Principal and PhD candidate who embodies what it means to show teachers that they are supported. On this episode, we talk about things that principals can do to build trust in their communities. Towards a def...
Feb 28, 2022•52 min•Season 2Ep. 40
A misconception about inquiry-based learning is that it means leaving students to “discover” the curriculum on their own. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Trevor MacKenzie is a high school teacher, author, and speaker who is internationally recognized as a thought leader in inquiry-based education. In the episode, we talk about what inquiry is (and isn’t) to better understand how to partner with students as co-designers of learning. Show Notes: How the Freedom Convoy is like the backlash...
Feb 23, 2022•51 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Many of our institutional norms are causing “studenting” behavior that stifles thinking. Dr. Peter Liljedahl’s research aims to disrupt this behavior through “contrarian experimental methodology” and he has discovered 14 practices that liberate thinking in the classroom. Though his research took place in Mathematics, his findings are applicable for any educator that wants to tap into the emotional experience through story and teach with integrity to their values. Show Notes: Peter’s love for tea...
Jan 31, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Assessment has many negative emotions attached to it due to the history of the word, yet it has so much potential to cultivate the equitable learning communities we all dream of. Adelee Penner has experienced the school system in a wide range of roles, from teacher to leader, public to private, and system-wide to independent. In the episode, we discuss how changing our approach to assessment can open our doors to each other as colleagues, and our students as learners. The etymology of the word a...
Jan 17, 2022•54 min•Season 2Ep. 37
