The Teachers Lounge

As the school year is coming to an end, many teachers shut down and give the students unstructured free time. While this may work with some groups, for many teachers it can lead to more stress and classroom management problems. In this episode, Bryan shares some ideas on how you can end the school year on a fun note, yet stay true to the learning environment. After all, students have all summer to rest and goof around. It shouldn't happen in your classroom. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

Teacher and author Lewis Buzbee join us on the program to discuss his book "Blackboard-A Personal History of the Classroom". We discuss classrooms of the past, evaluate schools in the present, and offer possibilities for how education will be in the future. For more of Lewis Buzbee check out https://www.lewisbuzbee.com     --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

On this episode, Bryan welcomes former Georgia Teacher of the Year for 2016 Ernie Lee (@GATOTY2016). At the time of this recording, Mr. Lee had only been in the classroom for a few years. He quickly found great success in the education profession. This former lawyer turned teacher shares  strategies that worked well for him and offers some motivation to fellow teachers. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

Almost every teacher has a classroom where there is one unmotivated student, regardless of what you try. The parents have lost hope. Is this failure your fault? Could a better teacher have done better? Not likely. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

Joining us in the Lounge today is Robert Wilder, author of 'Tales From The Teachers Lounge'  a series of irreverent, wickedly observant essays about what it really means to be a teacher today. Leaving a lucrative advertising career in New York, he got a job as a teacher at a Santa Fe alternative school—and never looked back. Now he brings his unique perspective—as a teacher, parent, and former student—to a series of laugh-out-loud essays that show teaching at its most absurd...and most rewarding. http://robertwilder.com/   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

We as teachers often compare ourselves to other teachers. This is especially true in the days of social media and the results are nothing good. Comparing ourselves to others isn't always healthy, yet we do it anyway. Bryan reads the blog post "Stop Comparing Your Life. Start Living It" by Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist. The original post is located here: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/stop-comparing-your-life-start-living-it     --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

Joining me on the show is Dr. Todd Whitaker (@ToddWhitaker). He's recognized as a leading motivational speaker in the field of education. On the program we discuss what great teachers and principals do differently. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

It's my birthday month and that has put me in a reflective mood. I'm reminded that I'm getting older.  I have more years behind me than in front of me. This reflection has led me to look back over my long teaching career and offer some of what I have found to be effective for my classroom experience.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

This is the time of year when some of us are exploring other opportunities to work at other schools.  One of the disadvantages of our profession is that teachers have a very small window of time to interview and be hired.  Returning guests Evelyn and James help us to identify what school administrators are looking for.   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mr-bryans-classroom/message

  This episode was previously released in 2016. With our current times, now seems like a good time to revisit it and be reminded of the impact teachers have on their students.     Like Ben Ellis, one day we will die.  Make the most out of the opportunities the teaching profession presents to you. One never knows what kind of impact you can have on others. My grandmother, who was a teacher, was honored at a 50th high school reunion. She was remembered as an inspiration and friend to all.      What will our students remember about us, and our action,  long after we leave them? Here's a hint. It won't be about test driven data and meeting state standards for testing. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mr-bryans-classroom/message

 Many teachers are now making the decision to stay in education or leave it for something else.  Some teachers remain indecisive. Others are scared in not making the perfect decision.  Special guest Dr. James Hughey will offer some insight for teachers about making the choice to leave/stay and some ways to take care of their mental health as we finish the school year.    For blog posts, podcasts, and videos from Dr. Hughey visit pfpl.us. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mr-bryans-classroom/message

If you watched the Superbowl, you couldn't help but notice the atmosphere was filled with excitement and passion. The announcers, players, fans, and halftime performers acted like they really wanted to be there and enjoyed what they were doing.  Can the same be said about you in your classroom?  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mr-bryans-classroom/message

 In honor of Valentine's Day, I share my thoughts on what I love about my job. Very often we are more focused on all of the negativity found in the teaching profession. So, let's flip the script. What do you love about being in the classroom? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

Recently, many teachers are making decisions about leaving the classroom. Bryan reads "When Is It Time to Quit Teaching" by former guest Vicki Davis. The full article can be found at http://www.coolcatteacher.com/when-is-it-time-to-quit-teaching/ Ending something we enjoy is a decision we face several times in our lifetime. This episode will help you to determine if you just need a break or really need to let go.  Original NBC news clip https://youtu.be/c6i2U6dRhgs     --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mr-bryans-classroom/message

  We as educators give attention to those who excel in our classrooms and to the ones who disrupt the learning environment.  However, what about our invisible students? They are disappearing and we may not even know it. You know the type. They don't misbehave and we can go through a whole period/subject without engaging them at all. We can't ignore them. Bryan shares some strategies to help us include the invisible students in our classroom. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

 Despite the fact that teaching seems to be phasing out of modern classrooms, many of us in education recognize its value. In fact, many teachers are doing their best to keep creativity in classrooms.   However, like our car batteries, we sometimes wear down and our inspiration to be creative is lost. We can enter a rut.   Fortunately, this rut can be temporary.  On this episode, Bryan shares a blog post from "Write On With Mrs. G" that can help us jump-start our creativity as a teacher.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mr-bryans-classroom/message

Happy New Year! Joining us on this season premiere of my podcast for teachers is Vicki Davis (@coolcatteacher).  She too is a teacher and podcaster. On this episode, Vicki offers some motivation, teaching strategies, and some of what she's learned over her very successful journey as an educator. Check out her podcast  "The 10 Minute Teacher" at https://www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast/ . --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mr-bryans-classroom/message

 Child abuse is not something we like to discuss, especially this time of year. However, sexual child abuse is going on somewhere right now. Often we as teachers hear this information at the start of the year when we have a ton of responsibilities on our plate and we haven't even met our students.  Now as we approach the halfway mark of the year and know our students, The Teachers Lounge goes back to this topic and invites special guests from Darkness to Light (http://www.d2l.org). They are an organization dedicated to helping those children who suffer from sexual abuse. We discuss the myths, our roles as teachers, and useful strategies in dealing with this very dark topic. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

 This season of the podcast concludes with some holiday cheer. Teachers, may your holiday break be merry and bright!  It's Christmas time in the city, and that means we not only get to enjoy the holiday season but also some much needed time off. It's halftime for us as teachers...a time to rest and also maybe think of how the 2nd half of the year will go.  Bryan shares some inspiring stories from teachers to remind you that we as educators can make a difference. Enjoy this episode on why you are a big deal. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mr-bryans-classroom/message

 The right dog can be a very positive influence on your students. Both my dogs, Max and Nikki, were able to make a difference at my current school. This also allowed me to spend more time with them in their senior years. All three of us would all go home tired.  Sadly, we lost Nikki on November 29th 2017 and Max on December 10, 2020. Shortly, after Max’s passing I had made a tribute video that highlighted his time at my school. Max had been at the school for 5 and a half years. He was a rock star too many. The school posted it on their social media pages. There was a tremendous amount of support from current families and families who were no longer attending the school. This podcast episode shows that the right dog can make a positive influence in a school environment. Janelle's Cox article lists those benefits at http://www.teachhub.com/teacher%E2%80%99s-guide-classroom-pets --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mr-bryans-classroom/message