Edspiration

Technological devices are being embedded as education tools in schools everywhere. It’s possible to overcome the fear of these devices and apps and incorporate them as instruments to serve educators, parents, and student learning. Lee Kolbert offers practical advice for using technology in healthy ways to engage everyone, deepen learning, and bridge the home and school technical divide. The Edspiration Inbox Answers…   “You’ve talked before about a smart phone agreement you make with your child, can you share more about this? I think I need it! Thank you!” – Misty, Nevada About today’s guest Lee Kolbert is district manager of the Department of Educational Technology in Palm Beach County Schools and has been in education for 30 years as a classroom teacher and technology specialist. She is also a blogger for the Huffington Post. Lee loves bringing the benefits of social media to the classroom and helping teachers integrate technology seamlessly. Guest Links: Lee’s Blog: www.LeeKolbert.com Twitter: @TeachaKid

The color in your classroom, the décor on your walls, posters and other parts of the physical classroom environment affect student happiness and learning. Eoin Lenihan explains simple, practical, & powerful things you can do to your classroom tomorrow to improve student experiences & interactions while creating a dynamic thinking rich environment. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “I walked into the bathroom at my daughter’s school yesterday. I have to tell you I was shocked. It was dark, depressing, and actually scary. What advice can you offer? From Indie, Michigan About today’s guest Eoin Lenihan is a dynamic lecturer of Pedagogy at the University of Augsburg, Germany. He previously taught at the Bavarian International School and the International School of Augsburg where he became a practitioner and advocate of Inquiry-Based Learning. His research and teaching focuses on Internationally-Minded Education, German school reform and Evidence-Based Teaching.  Twitter: @EoinLenihan www.eoinlenihan.com   Co

It’s common sense that educators need to build relationships and connectedness so students can learn and feel safe. But how exactly do we do it? Moving towards being an egoless educator is a step in the right direction.  Guest Jim Sturtevant shares how to do that and more practical ideas to move relationship building from being common sense to being common practice.   The Edspiration Inbox Answers…   “I work in a district office. I was embarrassed by the behavior of my adult colleagues who were complaining about and disrespectful to students being in their office disturbing their work. Can you help?” Nancy, Colorado   About today’s guest   Jim Sturtevant first stepped in front of high school students in 1985 but a classroom visitor recently said to him, “Your students seem so relaxed and happy.  How’d you create this atmosphere?” After much reflection and research, Jim is now prepared to answer the question in this Edspiration interview and in his book, “You Gotta Connect: “You've Gotta Connect: Building Rela

The root of leadership is relationship. Students can become leaders too if given more opportunity to lead, fail, learn, and ultimately succeed. Veteran educator Sung Lee shares his philosophy and approach to building a strong student “middle class” to create a classroom culture of leaders. The Edspiration Inbox Answers…   “Our students often say if someone disrespects them, or adults disrespect them, they will disrespect that person back. What can I do in the class to come to more understanding about respect?” – Nicole, Wisconsin About today’s guest Sung Lee is a longtime teacher, mentor, and coach. Prior to becoming a physics teacher, he was an officer with the United States Marine Corps. He is committed to experienced based teaching and instilling life lessons to help students be successful. Sung hosts the "Inspiring Educators" podcast and is a developer of innovative after school programming.   Guest Links: Inspiring Educators Podcast email: ieinspiringeducators@gmail.com Tweet: @iesunglee   Connect with U

With 51% of students living in poverty every classroom is impacted. To be an effective educator we have to understand a child’s circumstances so we can address their emotional needs and help them focus on achievement. Improve your ability to overcome the challenges that come with child poverty & create a supportive classroom community with tips from experienced guest Sonya Romero. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… What can we do as a whole staff to build individual connections to students? - Alyssa, Idaho    About today’s guest Sonya Romero has been a bilingual teacher for 16 years. She was recently featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and was recognized for her humanitarian efforts going above and beyond in her classroom. Sonya believes every person has a gift and we all have to share our gifts for greater good in this world. Guest Links: Sonya Romero’s appearance as a Hero Teacher on the Ellen DeGeneres Show Email: Smith_so@aps.edu Connect with Us Connect with the show at www.Edspirationpodcast.com Faceboo

Students no longer respond to the punishment or rewards adults often offer. Guest Rick Lewis provides essential communication strategies you can use in the first 5 days of school and beyond to improve behaviors and create a positive learning climate. We need more than the authority that comes with our positions and titles, we need relational power to become a knowledgeable student ally. The Edspiration Inbox Answers…   Do parents ever tell you that if someone hurts or hits their child they want their child to hurt them back? What do you say to them? - Suzanne, Counselor, North Carolina About today’s guest Rick Lewis has 40 years experience as a counselor & educator in Palm Beach County Schools, FL.  His work focuses on school climate, conflict resolution, mediation, effective communication, restorative justice, and staff relationships.   He is a Board Member of Peaceful Schools International (PSI) and has nine publications in the area of social competency and conflict resolution with PSI and the Peace Ed

Understand how to bring new energy and creativity to wherever you work with young people. Using thoughtful ideas from guest Laurie Marshall you can tap the creativity of students to address real-world problems and bring more color and passion to any learning environment. The Edspiration Inbox Answers: What do we do when our school says they can’t do anything about cyberbullying issues?  About today’s guest Laurie Marshall is a collaboration innovator, a creative leadership trainer, and a San Francisco Bay area art and social studies teacher. For 30 years, she has helped to create inclusive, collaborative and joyous school environments. To Laurie, the school walls and the creative storytelling drive of the students are often an underutilized gold mine for making positive school culture. Guest Links: http://www.UnityThroughCreativity.net   http://www.CreatePeaceProject.org www.beatingtheoddsnow.com   Connect with Us Connect with the show at www.Edspirationpodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impacts

Bullying used to end when the school bell rang. In the digital age, cyber aggression can occur 24 hours a day. With new social media apps and technology every day, how do we help students navigate safely? Guest Carol Todd’s daughter, Amanda, took her life because of cyberbullying and mistreatment but we can prevent new tragedies with the right solutions. About today’s guest Carol Todd is a mother, advocate and longtime teacher. Carol's daughter Amanda Todd raised awareness about the consequences of cyber-bullying with a YouTube video that’s been seen by over 19 million people. The Amanda Todd Legacy was created by Carol to help others in need with resources and assistance to address anti-bullying, mental health and cyber safety.   The Edspiration Inbox Answers…   What is one simple thing you thing staff can do if they haven’t had any bullying prevention training?   Guest Links: BLOG – Sue Sheff - http://suescheff.com Net Smartz - http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents UK Safer Internet - http://www.saferinternet

Many talk about the importance of freeing teachers and students to be innovative, but how do we do it? Stop struggling with students’ personal technology and motivation. Learn to create time to fuel creativity and boost passion for teaching and learning in this interview with innovation expert Don Wettrick. About today’s guest Don Wettrick is an Innovation Specialist at Noblesville High School, near Indianapolis, IN. He is the author of “Pure Genius: Building a Culture of Innovation and Taking 20% Time to the Next Level.” He is a high school teacher, educational and innovation consultant & speaker, and host of InnovatED on Bam Radio. Don is passionate about working with adults and students to bring innovation and collaboration skills into education.   Guest Links: www.theinnovationteacher.com   The Edspiration Inbox Answers: “How do we get parents as school allies in bullying prevention?”   Connect with Us Connect with the show at www.Edspirationpodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impactschool

Young people believe that adults are more interested in having students who achieve than having students who care for others. We have to change that belief. Leading with compassion will lead students and others to do the same. Young people often complain, “I’m bored,” but how do you get them to think how they can serve and help others? Guest Sheila Sjolseth explains how life changing service can take just seconds. The Edspiration Inbox Answers: “How can we make our mission statement match reality?”  About today’s guest Sheila Sjolseth is the founder and President of Pennies of Time: Teach Kids to Serve, teaching kids to be kind, empathetic, and respond to community needs. She holds a Master's Degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her career experience comes from teaching to serving as a district administrator, and at the US Department of Education supporting programs for students that are at-risk.   Pennies of Time http://penniesoftime.com/   Connect with the show at www.Edspirati

Some are under the mistaken understanding that educators do nothing related to their profession in the summer or out of school months. However, educators are always looking for new ways to reinvigorate their practices. Heather Wolpert-Gawron shares ideas to recharge yourself in times away from school so you can bring your energy and best self forward when you return. About today’s guest Heather Wolpert-Gawron is an award-winning middle school teacher and Speech & Debate coach.  She writes a popular education blog as TweenTeacher, is a staff blogger for Edutopia, and is a fellow of the National Writing Project. She has written several practical books and workbooks related to the art of teaching, internet literacy, project based learning, reading and writing. The Edspiration Inbox Answers: Should we share our stories with students? If so, how? Connect with Us! Connect with the show at www.Edspirationpodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impactschoolclimate Twitter: Follow us @schoolclimates Newslet

What if every school looked forward to Monday? Guest Sean Gaillard explains how to easily find new inspiration and ideas from experts around the world using Twitter and other resources. Sustaining positive learning environments requires conversation. Learn how to easily celebrate and appreciate students and staff to improve relationships and boost morale through social media. Today's Edspiration Inbox Topic: How to get bullying prevention messages to stick About today’s guest Sean Gaillard is the newly-named principal of John F. Kennedy High School in Winston-Salem, NC after being principal at Wiley Magnet Middle School for six years. He and his wife, Deb (also a teacher), reside in North Carolina with their three daughters. He is the host of the #EdBeat Twitter Chat, and also enjoys co-organizing #Read4Fun Twitter Chat and @EdCampGlobal. Connect with Us Connect with the show at www.Edspirationpodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impactschoolclimate Twitter: Follow us @schoolclimates Newsletter: Sig

Since rules without relationship build resentment, we cannot punish young people into behaving and learning. Guest Steve Korr shares powerful restorative practices to reduce negative behaviors while increasing time to teach. We also stop the school to prison pipeline when we shift away from punitive consequences alone and allow students to learn about responsibility and community together. About today’s guest Steve Korr, M.S., provides training in restorative practices to professionals in education, criminal justice and social services internationally with a focus on urban education in U.S. He’s worked with several of the International Institute for Restorative Practices [IIRP] schools as a counselor and school administrator, employing restorative practices with students, families and staff in school settings and in faith-based organizations. Steve has extensive experience in the fields of mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, outpatient counseling and alternative education. Links from this episode: IIR

If you could create your own school, what would it be like? Listen in to learn the essential questions most leaders in school climate change don’t know, but must ask. Jonathon Cohen explains how to create a collaborative place where everyone can achieve while feeling physically, emotionally and intellectually safe and supported. Plus, in our Edspiration Inbox, John answers a question about keeping a school's staff focused on the positive. About today’s guest Jonathan Cohen is an educator and a clinician who has worked with children, parents and educators for over 40 years. Jonathan is the co-founder and director of the National School Climate Center and an Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He works national and internationally lecturing and consulting with State Departments of Education, Colleges of Education, schools/districts, parent organizations and mental health organizations.   Recommended Resource(s): Bryk, A. S., Gomez, L.M, Grunow, Al, & LeMa

With an increasingly diverse student population, how do we help all students feel a sense of security and belonging? So every student succeeds, adults must increase their awareness and understand how to support the safety and welfare of LGBTQ young people and others. Plus, our Edspiration Inbox topic is about feeling valued as a teacher. About today’s guest   De Palazzo (M.A. & M.S) has been a classroom teacher and is President of Perspectives Unlimited. She is a district facilitator in the Dept of Diversity, Prevention & Intervention in Broward County Schools in Florida. De conducts conflict resolution training for elementary through university level students and adult staffs in the U.S., Guatamala and Haiti, and regularly works with businesses on the dynamics of culture, conflict and effective communication skills. She has a passion for equity and justice with the skill needed to understand and address the dynamics of conflict.   For more about Edspiration, please visit www.edspiration.org.

Observing bullying behavior is infectious but so is observing kindness. Guest Carrie Wrubel discusses fun, easy ways to incorporate kindness in schools and elsewhere creating places where kindness becomes contagious. About today’s guest Carrie Wrubel supports schools and teachers in the implementation of The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation’s “Kindness in the Classroom” resources. Carrie earned her B.A. at Arizona State University and has been a primary school teacher. It was in these classrooms that she recognized the need for social emotional support in the classroom for students as well as teachers. As the Education Program Manager at the Foundation, Carrie believes that kindness can have an enormous impact on not only the lives of students, but on everyone in a school setting. Learn more at www.randomactsofkindness.org.   Connect with Us   Connect with the show at www.Edspirationpodcast.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/impactschoolclimate, or Twitter @schoolclimates.   Show Sponsors Interna

There are right and wrong ways to use humor with young people and even with our colleagues. If we learn to use humor correctly we can improve learning, experience more joy at work, and even avoid nagging our children in our own home. About today’s guest Maurice J. Elias is a Professor in the Psychology Department at Rutgers University. He has received numerous awards and is an international speaker discussing his numerous books and blog articles with valuable information for teachers and parents. Maurice directs Rutgers’ Social-Emotional Learning Lab, and is Academic Director of the Collaborative Center for Community-Based Research and Service. FULL SHOW NOTES WITH RESOURCES AND LINKS AVAILABLE AT WWW.EDSPIRATIONPODCAST.COM. Connect with Us Connect with the show at www.Edspirationpodcast.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/impactschoolclimate, or Twitter @schoolclimates. Show Sponsors International School Climate Institute – Provides practical training, workshops, coaching, and speaking to create pos

For complete show notes and more information about creating a school culture that makes you proud, please visit www.edspirationpodcast.com. Everyone experiences stress but how we think about and respond to it affects our happiness and our students’ success. Dr. Keith Herman explains how to develop the mindset and skills needed to transform and reduce the power of stressors. If we don’t cope well stress negatively impacts student learning and increases discipline issues. Everyone from school leaders, to teachers, to society can reduce stress in schools. Stress management is not about putting on rose-colored glasses, it’s more about creating a mindset and developing skills that transform and reduce the power of stressors we encounter.  Today’s Guest Keith C. Herman, PhD, is Professor in Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri and Co-Director of the Missouri Prevention Center. Much of his work focuses on working with teachers and families to promote effective environments for children. He presents na

Dr. Randy Sprick shares how anyone can effectively improve off task student behaviors. Fifty percent of high school students are emotionally disengaged from school. So what can we do, in specific, age appropriate ways, to address misbehavior while improving student engagement in high school and years before?  About today’s guest Dr. Randy Sprick has presented his useful strategies in an entertaining style to over 30.000 educators. Randy is the Director of Teaching Strategies, Inc. and is the primary of author of  the Safe & Civil Schools book series and CHAMPS.   He is an expert at reducing disruption and off task behaviors while increasing student connectedness.   Recommended Resource(s): “CHAMPS: A Proactive and Positive Approach to Classroom Management,” by Randy Sprick “Discipline in the Secondary Classroom,” by Randy Sprick “Stress Management for Teachers: A Proactive Guide” by Keith Herman & Wendy Reinke   Guest Links: STOIC Acronym online article https://www.nassp.org/Content.aspx?topic=Managin

In Part 1 of this special two part episode, Dr. Randy Sprick demonstrates how to prevent and stop problem behaviors using an effective classroom management strategy; STOIC - Structure, Teaching expectations, Observe and supervise, Interact, and Correct. Dr. Randy Sprick has presented his useful strategies in an entertaining style to over 30.000 educators. Randy is the Director of Teaching Strategies, Inc. and is the primary of author of  the Safe & Civil Schools book series and CHAMPS.   He is an expert at reducing disruption and off task behaviors while increasing student connectedness. Make sure to subscribe to Edspiration so that you can get part 2 next week. Full list of recommended resources available at www.edspirationpodcast.com. Make sure to share Edspiration with any teachers, administrators, or parents that you know. Also, it would mean so much if you could leave a rating AND a review over on iTunes - it would really help the show.  For more information, please visit www.edspirationpodcast.com.