Our guest, Tim Bigonia, wears many hats. He is a Creative Director and has taught graphic design/computer graphics for over 22 years at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Tim shares his family's personal story about losing his sweet and brave wife to cancer. Through his grief , he has created a safe platform and insightful content to support others who are grieving. We have an honest conversation about just being human and ways we can support each other, our students, and colleagues when...
Oct 08, 2022•55 min•Season 5Ep. 70
Matt Farber is an associate professor at the University of Northern Colorado where he directs the Gaming SEL Lab. His passion and research merge between game-based learning and social & emotional learning . We love that he studies how playing and making games can cultivate empathy , perspective-taking , and ethical decision making . He has been invited to the White House, authored several books and papers, and is a frequent collaborator with UNESCO. Let's talk about life and learning! Please...
Oct 02, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 5Ep. 69
Our guest today is the true example of supporting culture and valuing relationships in a school. Wendy Garman has 14 years experience as a school cafeteria employee in an elementary kitchen and 10 of those years as the manager. She serves students in grades K-3 with just her and two other ladies where they make food for about 200 kids each day. She shares her funny and often insightful dialogue with elementary students at her school on Twitter. Grab your lunch ticket and cafeteria tray. Let's ta...
Sep 25, 2022•52 min•Season 5Ep. 68
We welcomed a friend and guest, Angie Robinson. She is a certified life coach for leaders and a talent development expert who guides leaders and teams in understanding themselves and others in a way that helps them increase confidence , cultivate connection , foster engagement and create impactful results . Angie teaches us about the key elements of self-awareness. She reminds us of the "beauty of pause". We discuss that we should always remember our WHY and be intentional as leaders and educato...
Sep 18, 2022•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 67
We're back! The TPR crew is so happy to be back together. We share what we have been up to over the summer break and what we look forward to this year. Our mindset points to growth , advocacy , and joy . This is going to be another awesome season as we talk about the education profression . Let's talk about life and learning! Please leave a review and visit us at www.teacherpeprally.com...
Sep 11, 2022•38 min•Season 5Ep. 66
Join our conversation as we get ready for a long overdue summer break . The TPR Crew takes time to share stories about our teachers and mentors who have inspired us. We talk about all of the amazing guests we have had this school year on the podcast. Thank you to all of you who continue to support us and be a part of these important topics for and about teachers. Our hearts and thoughts are with the community in Uvalde, Texas where students and teachers lost their lives at Robb Elementary School...
Jun 05, 2022•53 min•Season 4Ep. 65
VaLarie Humphrey is the perfect last guest for Season 4. She is a teacher, coach, and EXTREME motivator. VaLarie tells us that we should be proud of being THAT TEACHER . Our guest talks about supporting our students who are at promise and not labeling students as at risk . We talk about the vulnerability and importance of sharing our failures with our students so they may recognize when they are winning at losing and change the mindset . Pull up a seat... Let's talk about life and learning! Plea...
May 22, 2022•52 min•Season 4Ep. 64
You don't want to listen to this episode hungry. Join our conversation with educators, chefs, and leaders in the culinary and pastry arts. Kirk Bachmann is the president of the Boulder campus of Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts and Albert Schmid is a chef instructor for their online programs. Our guests tell us that no matter what industry we are in, we must like the people we serve. We talk about the innovative ways Escoffier supports their students using customer service , relationshi...
May 15, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 63
This guest rocks! Geology professor Alex Ullrich reminds us to be playful. We have to be excited to learn. How else will our students? Alex talks about the importance of scientific literacy and curiosity . He shares his love for learning and experiences as a stunt man. He was even Indiana Jones in Disney's Hollywood Studios Epic Stunt Spectacular . Let's talk about life and learning! Please leave a review and visit us at www.teacherpeprally.com...
May 08, 2022•53 min•Season 4Ep. 62
Our guest, Dr. Donald Addison II, has the true educator's spirit. He inspires us to think about leading and supporting change not just with data (qualitative) but also with our mind and hearts (quantitative). Join our conversation to discuss communcating the vision and celebrating the wins. We talk about Six Sigma and Intervention Conversations like Conversation Cafe & World Cafe. Let's talk about life and learning. Visit us at www.teacherpeprally.com...
May 01, 2022•53 min•Season 4Ep. 61
Once again, we combine our love for education and Disney. Our guests from My Disney Class , Howie DiBlasi and Ryan Boeckman, bring their passion for learning using engineering design process , blue-sky thinking , and storytelling . We are reminded to do our best and constantly work on our craft of teaching. Afterall, teachers have an amazing story to tell. Check out our guests' book Designing Disney-Inspired Classrooms: Turning Your Classroom into a Magic Kingdom . Let's talk about life and lear...
Apr 24, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 60
Our guests Elizabeth and Bill James are both authors and teachers who come to us to discuss their latest book A Sea of Troubles: Pairing Literary and Informational Texts to Address Social Inequality . We get a lot of great book recommendations to use in our classroom libraries , as Elizabeth and Bill tell us how to help open the door for students to have conversations on topics that students can relate to or identify with as real world troubles. Let's talk about life and learning. Visit us at ww...
Apr 11, 2022•57 min•Season 4Ep. 59
Our guests Dr. Martin Rayala and Cory Rayala from the Enso Education Institute share their love for learning and the importance of community. They remind us to dream of the possibilities in education using Design Thinking . There is how the world is now and how the world can be. Let's talk about life and learning. Visit us at www.teacherpeprally.com and call our Hotline to leave your motivational and cheerful messages for fellow educators. 678-439-TPR1...
Mar 21, 2022•59 min•Season 4Ep. 58
The TPR crew truly geeked out over our guest's connection to Disney . Brian Collins knows how to personalize an experience. He is a former Disney Imagineer who helped create the magic and stories for attractions like the Jungle Cruise and the former Great Movie Ride. He has been known to visit classrooms remotely from a Disney park. His love for imagination and innovation have found a beautiful partnership with education. Join us as we talk about perseverance and creativity . Let's talk about li...
Mar 13, 2022•53 min•Season 4Ep. 57
Our guest, Dan Zehr, from Coffee with Kenobi came back to share with us his experience with the Galactic Star Cruiser at Walt Diseny World. While he was here, we talked about having fun in the classroom. Teachers can be inspired by the Star Wars themed resort with a story telling element and immersive experience. Create an environment where students can play and take risks in their learning. Grab your lightsaber and favorite book, let's talk about life and learning. Visit us at www.teacherpepral...
Mar 06, 2022•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 56
What an exciting opportunity to speak to the TEACHER and COACH who inspired Apple tv's TED LASSO . He was the head basketball coach for actor Jason Sudeikis when he was a teen. It was such a pleasure to be motivated by Donnie Campbell in this conversation about having fun at our job and exuding authenticity in the classroom and on the field or gym. He reminds us that we make think that our students are not hearing us, but they are certainly listening. Grab your high top sneakers and a calculator...
Feb 27, 2022•50 min•Season 4Ep. 55
Join us for a quick check in with Fred, Leticia, Pete, and Erin. We take time to hear what each TPR crew is up to and share our thoughts about the half time show of the BIG GAME. Like most educators, we are a little tired as we make the long stretch to Spring Break. You will hear us giggling and being silly, but as always, we share what we are up to and talk about some books we recommend and lesson plans that you are welcome to try. Come collaborate and laugh with us. Let's talk about life and l...
Feb 21, 2022•38 min•Season 4Ep. 54
Our guests have over 65 years combined of experience in education. Both Jen and Gina have a passion for helping first-generation college students get into and graduate from college. Our conversation reminded us that we need to help students tell their stories and find confidence to apply for college. If not them, than who? We talk about tips for students to apply for college and ways to be successful once they get in. Let's talk about life and learning! Visit us at www.teacherpeprally.com and ca...
Feb 06, 2022•59 min•Season 4Ep. 53
Our guests have over 25 years of experience in education. Bill Tynan and Sarah Emerson have a passion for supporting students in high levels of achievement, preparation for the 21st century workplace, and imagination. We talk about story telling, animatronics, and makerspaces. Listen to ways the Garner Holt's Education through Imagination is helping engage students to use their heads, hands, and heart in learning. Let's talk about life and learning! Visit us at www.teacherpeprally.com and call o...
Jan 24, 2022•57 min•Season 4Ep. 52
Our guest, Candace Cheung, is the Director of Partnerships & Programs at the STEAD school in Colorado. We talk about the meaning of a true community partnership and building a culture to helps students learn using their head, heart, and hands. The STEAD school uses project-based learning to empower students to design and lead their own learning using science, technology, agriculture, and design thinking. Grab your gardening clothes and pom-poms. Let's talk about life and learning! Visit us a...
Jan 17, 2022•48 min•Season 4Ep. 51
We are all ready for winter break. This special holiday episode was time for the TPR crew to talk about the challenges we have faced this semester and then find time to laugh and celebrate. We are so thankful for the opportunity to continue the conversation around education. Don't miss out on some of our funny or awkward gifts we have received from students in the past, plus the sweet ones. Hang your lights, grab your New Year 2022 glasses. Let's talk about life and learning. Join the community ...
Dec 20, 2021•52 min•Season 3Ep. 50
Our guest, Latarsha Jones from The Reading Bench, tells us to keep pushing ourselves and ask what is next. We all have a big heart when it comes to education, but we need the guts and courage to get deeper and tap into what is great about us. As an educational leader and coach, Latarsha shares with us valuable guidance to building a strong building culture. Let's talk about life and learning! Visit us at www.teacherpeprally.com and call our Hotline to leave your motivational and cheerful message...
Dec 05, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 49
Our very own happiness guru came back to visit us to talk about attitude and gratitude. Crystal Steers from Chasing Happiness reminds us that life is a journey. Many of us are seeking change or dealing with lots of it, so she gave us great advice on how to handle it: Make all the plans you want to prepare but know the risks Have a back-up plan Know YOU can handle anything Trust in YOU Let's talk about life and learning! Visit us at www.teacherpeprally.com and call our Hotline to leave your motiv...
Nov 22, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 48
Our guest John Moran is an experienced IT guy who is also skilled in Curriculum Design, Instructional Techniques, Secondary Education, and Lesson Planning. His passion for Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering found its way in his classroom. We learned the ways that using gamification can increase student engagement and build confidence in students. Let's talk about life and learning! Visit us at www.teacherpeprally.com and call our Hotline to leave your motivational and cheerful message...
Nov 07, 2021•55 min•Season 3Ep. 47
The TPR crew got very silly, spooky, and slaphappy. This is our annual Halloween episode where we share tricks and treats of being an educator. Join us at the pep rally as we tell stories, laugh at some jokes, and answer trivia questions. Times are still crazy and stressful, so don’t forget to stop and laugh. Grab your costume and a bleacher. Let's talk about life and learning! Visit us at www.teacherpeprally.com and call our Hotline to leave your motivational and cheerful messages for fellow ed...
Oct 29, 2021•55 min•Season 3Ep. 46
Technology is not going anywhere. We often talk about the plethora of platforms available as learning tools, but how often have we discussed or made sure we are protecting your devices and privacy? How about our students? Marc Gonzalez visits TPR again for Cyber Security Awareness Month. Tune in for 3 things that threaten our cyber security and then hear ways we can be better about our protecting ourselves and kids. Let's talk about life and learning! Visit us at www.teacherpeprally.com and call...
Oct 25, 2021•56 min•Season 3Ep. 45
Our guest has a long list of experience in both the K-12 Art and ELA classroom. Dr. Michelle Zoss is currently a professor at Georgia State University and teaches teachers. She talks to us about loving the whole student and how to embrace and look forward to the parts of education that bring surprises. We discuss helping our students use art as a form of expression so they can make real world and relevant connections in the ELA classroom. Let's talk about life and learning! Visit us at www.teach...
Oct 17, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 44
We continue our series about teaching entrepreneurship with our guest, Frank Sorokach. Frank addresses the theoretical academic aspects of business and the actual implementation aspects as a practitioner. We discuss the importance of having both depth and breadth of knowledge. Don't miss out on this rich conversation about interpersonal communication styles, unusual professional development for education leadership, and tips for the student who strives to be an entrepreneur. Let's talk about lif...
Oct 10, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 43
Our guest Mello Foster might need to be our mascot to represent the spirit of The Teacher's Pep Rally podcast. His spirit and intention is real. He teaches entrepreneurship to K - 5, but we quickly learn it is all about making the connections with students and teaching them how to maintain for a life. Join the conversation about ways to spark innovation and an entrepreneurship mindset with students at a young age. Let's talk about life and learning. Visit us at www.teacherpeprally.com and call o...
Oct 03, 2021•56 min•Season 3Ep. 42
Our guest Robert Whitman has a wide variety of experience in leadership for K-12. Currently, he is a middle school principal who believes in service leadership. We discuss being data inspired vs. data driven, understanding our passion not our purpose, and identifying as a united community. Don't miss out on this motivational and refreshing conversation around being our best selves and being of service. Let's talk about life and learning. Visit us at www.teacherpeprally.com and call out Hotline t...
Sep 27, 2021•48 min•Season 3Ep. 41
