How to Give Teachers Choice in Professional Development

A new blog has appeared on my main site: How to Give Teachers Choice in Professional Development

From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/teacher-choice-professional-development/
via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com. Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube.

Giving Teachers Choice in their Professional Development

Meredith Akers is a principal who has been using some unconventional methods of teacher PD. In this episode, she talks about the revolutionary way she recently held teacher PD (using video instruction and face to face meetings) and what she learned. Let's give teachers choice in their professional development about what they learn. Of course, we all must continue to improve our craft of teaching and need to learn, but giving choice as to content can make professional development more relevant and helpful.

www.coolcatteacher.com/e548 

Advancement Courses is today's sponsor From now until September 28, Advancement Courses, an online provider of professional development for K-12 teachers, is donating 10% of their sales to funding DonorsChoose.org projects. Go to coolcatteacher.com/give to submit your project. AND if you need some awesome PD, 10 Minute Teacher listeners get 20% off any online courses with the code COOL20. With this coupon, a 3 grad credit course for continuing education, salary advancement, or recertification is only $359. So, go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to learn more and use the code COOL20.

 

Your Challenge for This Episode

Today, your challenge is to discuss with your administrators and colleagues some ways that teachers can experience the opportunity to make choices in their own PD. Use today's episode as a conversation starter about what could work in your district. Also remember the advice Meredith gives about having the conversation earlier in the day and not at the end. I think this is important advice we can use. Please share what you're doing! I'm @coolcatteacher on Twitter and instagram.

Meredith Akers - Bio As Submitted

Meredith Akers is an Elementary Principal who believes that the best way to help others grow is to build relationships, offer support, serve, love, and be transparent about how she is working to grow herself. Her daily aspiration is to make a positive impact and to leave those she serves better off for having interacted with her.

Blog: http://blog.acthompson.net

Twitter: @meredithakers

 Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

M

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Secrets for Fun, Engaging Computer Science that Changes Kids Lives

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Secrets for Fun, Engaging Computer Science that Changes Kids Lives

From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/secrets-for-fun-engaging-computer-science-that-changes-kids-lives/
via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com. Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube.

Secrets for Fun, Engaging Computer Science that Changes Kids Lives

Alfred Thompson has secrets that transform Computer Science classrooms. Yet, he shares them openly. Project-based learning. Passion-based learning. Problem-based learning. These three P's of teaching perfection have been a mainstay in Alfred's classroom for many years. In today's episode, Alfred uncovers how his classroom works, the impact it has on student lives, and how his students learn outside their classroom. Congratulations to Alfred for winning the Computer Science award at ISTE - it is very deserving.

Advancement Courses is today's sponsor From now until September 28, Advancement Courses, an online provider of professional development for K-12 teachers, is donating 10% of their sales to funding DonorsChoose.org projects. Go to coolcatteacher.com/give to submit your project. AND if you need some awesome PD, 10 Minute Teacher listeners get 20% off any online courses with the code COOL20. With this coupon, a 3 grad credit course for continuing education, salary advancement, or recertification is only $359. So, go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to learn more and use the code COOL20.

 

Alfred Thompson - Bio As Submitted

Alfred Thompson teaches high school computer science at Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua NH. Prior to teaching Alfred worked in the software industry for many years.

Blog: http://blog.acthompson.net

Twitter: @alfredtwo

Instagram @alfredtwo

 Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Check out this episode!

Using Amusement Parks, Mud Runs, and Escape Rooms to Inspire Your Classroom

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Using Amusement Parks, Mud Runs, and Escape Rooms to Inspire Your Classroom

From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/using-amusement-parks-mud-runs-and-escape-rooms-to-inspire-your-classroom/
via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com. Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube.

Using Amusement Parks, Mud Runs, and Escape Rooms to Inspire Your Classroom

Student engagement! We need it! Today's guest, John Meehan, shares inspiring stories that help us use amusement parks, mud runs, and escape rooms to inspire exciting lessons in our classroom. John is the author of EDrenaline Rush: Game-changing Student Engagement Inspired by Theme Parks, Mud Runs, and Escape Rooms. Get excited. Let's do this!

www.coolcatteacher.com/e546

Advancement Courses is today's sponsor From now until September 28, Advancement Courses, an online provider of professional development for K-12 teachers, is donating 10% of their sales to funding DonorsChoose.org projects. Go to coolcatteacher.com/give to submit your project. AND if you need some awesome PD, 10 Minute Teacher listeners get 20% off any online courses with the code COOL20. With this coupon, a 3 grad credit course for continuing education, salary advancement, or recertification is only $359. So, go to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to learn more and use the code COOL20.

John Meehan - Bio As Submitted

John Meehan is an eleventh grade English teacher and instructional coach at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia. He is the author of EDrenaline Rush: Game-changing Student Engagement Inspired by Theme Parks, Mud Runs, and Escape Rooms., which is now available from Dave Burgess Consulting everywhere books are sold.

FTC Disclosure

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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5 Ways to Step Back from Burnout

 In the high-stress, fast-paced job of teaching - burnout can happen to anyone. In today's show, we talk about recognizing burnout, how to get help, and steps to tackle it when it happens. Amber Harper, an expert on the topic of burnout, discusses what we can do to help ourselves be our best for our students and families.

www.coolcatteacher.com/e545

Challenge: Take the burnout quiz.

Amber Harper - Bio As Submitted

Amber is a Google Certified Trainer and Innovator and her mission is to help teachers beat burnout by helping them to activate their own self-empowerment. As a former elementary teacher, she knows how challenging the education profession can be and offers support for teachers struggling with burnout through her podcast, website, and free Facebook Group.

Blog: www.burnedinteacher.com

Twitter: @burnedinteacher

- Free Teacher Burnout Quiz: www.burnedinteacher.com/burnoutquiz
- The Burned-In Teacher Training eBook: bit.ly/burnedinbook
- Burned-In Teacher Training Course: https://www.burnedinteacher.com/workwithme

Check out this episode!