“I really wanted to be a ‘good teacher’ so I said yes to almost every request just to get approval.” At the heart of it all was the feeling that “I wasn’t enough,” says Meredith Newlin. Our guest now knows she went too far and believes she’s not alone. As we head into another exceptionally demanding school year, Meredith hopes the lessons she learned will inspire others who are struggling with similar feelings. Follow on Twitter: @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork @MeredithNewlin Meredith Newlin is...
Aug 02, 2021•7 min
I’ve made many mistakes while overseeing pandemic learning in my district. Among them, I’ve found that too often I jump to hasty conclusions when teaching and learning are not happening as expected. Over the last year, I’ve learned the single most important thing I can do when virtual school isn’t working. Follow @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork @drneilgupta Dr. Neil Gupta is the Director of Secondary Education for Worthington City Schools and Past-President of the Ohio Association of Secondary S...
Mar 04, 2021•12 hr 7 min
I was eager to catch up and move our teachers and school forward despite the ongoing pandemic. Regretfully, I was out of touch with what my teachers were going through and I pushed too hard. Follow on Twitter: @Jonharper70bd @bamradionetwork @Ben_Educating Benjamin Kitslaar is the principal of West Side Elementary School. He started his career teaching 4th and 5th grade and has been in administration for the last nine years. He's a husband to his wife, Sarah, and father to two beautiful girls, w...
Feb 08, 2021
I had been teaching for over 30 years and thought I had seen it all. Then the pandemic hit and I discovered that I was uniquely ill-prepared. @Frankstep1 @Jonharper70bd @bamradionetwork Frank Stepnowski is a 25-year English teacher and three (soon to be four) time published author. He’s taught everything from special education to gifted & talented from the 9th to 12th grade levels. His books are Why Are All the Good Teachers Crazy, S.C.R.E.W.E.D., An Educational Fairytale, Teaching Sucks, Bu...
Jan 30, 2021
Keeping control of the classroom is essential. Join us as Paul shares how he learned firsthand that communication is superior to control in his classroom. Follow on Twitter: @Harper70bd @PaulONeill1972 @bamradionetwork Paul O'Neill is an educational game-changer from New Jersey who uses the power of inquiry and reflection to shatter the status quo.
Sep 03, 2019•9 min
Sharing your story helps your students connect with you; however, our guest held back and as a result, damaged the relationship with a student. In this episode, we find how sharing your personal story can help students know that you care. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @basil_marin @bamradionetwork Basil Marin, Ed.S., is an Assistant Principal at Churchland High School with Portsmouth Public Schools in Portsmouth, Virginia. Marin believes wholeheartedly that he was placed on this earth to help at-risk y...
Aug 29, 2019•11 min
So I tweeted, 'There are a lot of people who have never been a classroom teacher telling teachers what to do." I expected a lot of agreement. I was surprised by the response. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @kylehamstra @bamradionetwork Kyle Hamstra teachs fifth grade math and science at Davis Drive Elementary for fourteen years. crafting learning experiences as a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) specialist. He is a 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader, a member of the Wake Science Core Leadership Team...
Jun 08, 2019•10 min
I brought so many assumptions about teaching into my classroom and one day I saw how one of those assumptions hurt one of my students. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @Catlin_Tucker @bamradionetwork Catlin Tucker is a Google Certified Innovator, bestselling author, international trainer, and keynote speaker. Catlin is currently working as an education consultant and blended learning coach while pursuing her doctorate at Pepperdine University. er, Keynote Speaker & Bestselling Author and author of sev...
May 28, 2019•11 min
I was so focused on my lesson and my agenda that I failed to heed a student's need for help. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @baldRoberts @bamradionetwork Mike Roberts has taught middle school English for the past twenty years. In that time, he has received numerous awards for his outstanding teaching, including being named the 2014 Utah English Teacher of the Year. Mike's most recent book is titled Chasing Greatness: 26.2 Ways Teaching is Like Running a Marathon....
May 13, 2019•11 min
I was ignorant and I assumed that dads didn't want to come to school to support their kid's education. Then I met Jason. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @Joe Smith @bamradionetwork In 2009 Linebacker Dad (Joe Smith) was awarded Father of The Year, recognized by an agency in Sacramento, CA and the state of California. Youth Development and Parent Involvement, which is LineBackerDAD’s gift. LineBackerDAD creates positive opportunities in schools, school districts and communities. LineBackerDAD, a K-12 educ...
Apr 20, 2019•11 min
I learned the hard way that my job extended beyond providing support for students. I eventually realized that I'm part of a team. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @froehlichm @bamradionetwork Hans Appel has worked as a counselor in the Richland School District for the past 18 years and at Enterprise Middle School since it opened. In 2018, EMS was awarded the ASCD Whole Child Award for the State of Washington and the Global “Class Act Award” for creating a culture of excellence through kindness, service, a...
Mar 10, 2019•10 min
When a new student changed the social dynamic in my class, took the easy way out. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @froehlichmandy @bamradionetwork Mandy Froehlich is the Director of Innovation and Technology in Ripon, WI. She also consults, presents and keynotes nationally on teacher engagement, edtech, leadership, and climate & culture. She is the author of The Fire Within and Divergent EDU , a national speaker, co-host of Teachers' Aid.
Feb 25, 2019•11 min
I thought I was ready for my first presentation. I expected to do well, but I didn't. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @TaraMartinEDU @bamradionetwork Tara Martin is an enthusiastic educator, speaker, and author of Be REAL: Educate From the Heart. Her ambition is to lead a culture of innovative change and to motivate others to become the best they can be, all while staying REAL--Relatable Exposing Vulnerability Always Approachable, and Learning Through Life....
Feb 19, 2019•10 min
I was so excited about what I had just learned and couldn't wait to share the ideas with my peers and staff. However, I discovered that there is a right way to do it and a wrong way. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @Jennifer_Hogan @bamradionetwork Jennifer Hogan has been a high school teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal, and not always in that order. She is currently an assistant principal at Hoover High School, the largest, most diverse high school in Alabama. Jennifer relentlessly advoca...
Jan 26, 2019•9 min
I was inflexible, detached, and demanded compliance from my students until crushed a student's vision for her future. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @bbray27 @bamradionetwork Barbara Bray is a Creative Learning Strategist at Rethinking Learning and is founder/owner of My eCoach that are both divisions of her company, Computer Strategies, LLC. Barbara is a writer, coach, change agent, risk-taker, instructional designer, connector, and believer in magical things happening in learning. She is past co-found...
Jan 05, 2019•10 min
I was feeling deep dissonance, but I wasn't acknowledging that I needed to make a change. I eventually hit a tipping point. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @sarahsajohnson @bamradionetwork Sarah Johnson is passionate about leadership and helping educators thrive in their work. She has been an English teacher, building principal, and author. Due to a recent calling to pursue spreading her message to masses, Sarah has taken a leap into becoming an educational consultant in the areas of balance, resilience,...
Dec 03, 2018•10 min
I was trying to do the right thing, but in the process, I mishandled a parent Follow: @jonHarper70bd @ProvenPrincipal @bamradionetwork Nathaniel Provencio is the principal of Minnieville Elementary in Prince William County, VA. He is the 2017 Washington Post Principal of the Year and a featured writer and presenter on family engagement.
Nov 03, 2018•11 min
Instead of confronting the conflict with my colleague, I essentially withdrew my support and stopped collaborating. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @mmnixon73 @bamradionetwork Dennis Griffin serves as the principal of Prairie Elementary School and is pursuing his doctoral studies in Educational Leadership at Cardinal Stritch University. Dennis is a servant leader that seeks to build collaborative cultures that enhance the future for ALL students, educators, and communities at large....
Oct 28, 2018•10 min
I'm constantly feeling guilty about not having the perfectly balanced life. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @mmnixon73@bamradionetwork Dr. Melissa Nixon has been dedicated to her work in education for over 20 years. She has served schools in central North Carolina as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and district level administrator. Dr. Nixon serves on the Phi Delta Kappa International Board of Directors and is also an adjunct professor at High Point University. As mother of two, she used her ex...
Oct 24, 2018•11 min
I'm in leadership now and I understand more clearly how unsupportive I was when I was not. Follow: @jonHarper70bd fastcrayon @bamradionetwork Amy Fast is an assistant principal at McMinnville High School in McMinnville, Oregon and author of It's the Mission, Not the Mandates . Amy is a committed educator and passionate commentator on public education in America.
Oct 14, 2018•10 min
Sometimes when we feel drained, our worst reactions surface. On this day, I felt disrespected and I mishandled my student. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @edifiedlistener @bamradionetwork Sherri Spelic teaches Elementary Physical Education at an international school in Vienna, Austria. She blogs at edifiedlister.blog and hosts the publication "Identity, Education and Power on Medium.com.
Oct 10, 2018•10 min
I punished a veteran teacher for missing a professional development session. I thought I understood what was happening. I didn't. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @mrsmeganmorgan @bamradionetwork Megan Morgan is a Lead Support Teacher for Davenport Community School District, which means she supports teachers in leadership roles in their school. Megan blogs about her journey as a wife, mom, teacher and food adventurer at mrsmeganmorgan.wordpress.com
Sep 29, 2018•11 min
When one of my students refused to take an advanced course, I lost faith in him and expressed it. I realized later how my response impacted his life. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @jonbergmann @bamradionetwork Jon Bergmann is a globally respected active learning thought leader. His twelve books are translated into 13 languages and have sold over 100,000 copies. Jon received the Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence and has traveled over 700,000 miles helping educators and school systems learn how ...
Sep 22, 2018•10 min
I struggle with self-doubt, worry, and fear. I haven't been able to overcome these, but here's what I've learned about how to manage them. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @tsschmidty @bamradionetwork Kara Knollmeyer is a school administrator in St. Louis, MO and the author of Unleash Talent: Bringing Out the Best in Yourself and the Learners You Serve .
Sep 01, 2018•8 min
I was trying to do so many things at once that I became known as the guy who often didn't deliver what he promised. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @tsschmidty @bamradionetwork Dr. Todd Schmidt is the grateful principal at Harbor View Elementary in Corona del Mar, CA. A proud husband and father, in his spare time, he likes reading, exercising, playing golf badly, and being a long-suffering San Diego Chargers and Padres fan!
Aug 18, 2018•10 min
I was always the youngest teacher in my school and the other teachers seemed to have it all together. I wanted my peers to think that I was a great teacher. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @SaneeBell @bamradionetwork Daniel Jones is a middle school social studies and reading/language arts teacher. He is a Master Flip Educator and has been teaching in the classroom for the past 13 years. He is an FLGI International Faculty Member, Master Flip Educator, and author of Flipped 3.0 Project Based Learning: An ...
Aug 05, 2018•11 min
I was always the youngest teacher in my school and the other teachers seemed to have it all together. I wanted my peers to think that I was a great teacher. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @SaneeBell @bamradionetwork Daniel Jones is a middle school social studies and reading/language arts teacher. He is a Master Flip Educator and has been teaching in the classroom for the past 13 years. He is an FLGI International Faculty Member, Master Flip Educator, and author of Flipped 3.0 Project Based Learning: An ...
Jul 30, 2018•8 min
I didn't take the time to build relationships and set expectations which led to a big disconnect with my team. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @SaneeBell @bamradionetwork Sanée Bell is a middle school principal and an adjunct professor in Houston, TX. Sanée is passionate about authentic, purposeful learning for students and teachers, and she also has a strong passion for leadership and its impact on teacher engagement, student learning, and school culture.
Jul 23, 2018•10 min
It's all about the kiddos, right? I was devastated when I didn't get promoted because I put students first. Eventually, I saw the light. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @SteeleThoughts @bamradionetwork Danny Steele has been in public education for 25 years, the last 7 as a principal. He is currently principal of Thompson Sixth Grade Center in a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama.
Jul 15, 2018•9 min
When my student became defiant, I decided to put him in his place. I thought I won the power struggle. I didn't. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @MrHabegger @bamradionetwork Jake Habegger is an 8th Grade Flipped Mastery History Teacher whose goal is to invigorate student learning by meeting them where they are by using technology. Jake is a founding member of the International Faculty with the Flipped Learning Global Initiative (FLGI) and is also one of the “Top 100 K-12 Teachers Leading Flipped Learning...
Jul 08, 2018•9 min
