20 Minutes of Teaching Brilliance (On the Road with Trust-Based Observations)

In this episode, Craig Randall interviews Doris Cerda, a second-year Pre-K teacher specializing in working with children on the autism spectrum. Doris shares her journey from initially enlisting as a pre-nursing major to discovering her passion for teaching at the Boys and Girls Club, leading to her current role. Teaching in a high-need, Title I school in suburban Reno, Doris emphasizes the importance of establishing trust and routines in her classroom to cater to her students' specific needs. SShe highlights her strategies for building relationships, language development, and teaching routines to her autistic students, including the use of visual schedules, hands-on guidance, and consistent, patient modeling.Doris also discusses the significance of collaboration with aides and specialists, utilizing data tracking for IEP goals, and continuously adapting her teaching methods to ensure the holistic development of her students. 00:59 Doris Cerda's Journey into Teaching04:04 The Impact of High Expectations and Persistence06:01 Strategies for Building Routines and Relationships09:06 Consistency and Adaptability in Classroom Management16:34 Embracing Collaboration, Reflection, and Growth Mindset22:07 The Importance of Data in Tailoring Student Learning

The episode covers a discussion between Craig Randall and Tiffany Goettle, a seasoned educator with a passion for teaching math, particularly to second graders. Tiffany shares her journey through various grades and schools, emphasizing her love for making math engaging and accessible for her students. The conversation delves into specific teaching strategies employed in Tiffany's classroom, such as the 'Century Game' and 'Stick Flash' activities, derived from the Bridges Math Curriculum. These activities utilize tangible tools and peer interaction to foster a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. Tiffany highlights the importance of strategic student pairing for effective peer learning, classroom management techniques, and the use of visual aids and whiteboards to enhance learning. This episode also touches upon Tiffany's experiences with professional development and mentorship, underscoring the impact of inspired teaching on student engagement and understanding in math.Connect with Tiffany here.00:21 Meet Tiffany: A Journey Through Teaching01:34 Diving into the Century Game03:07 Exploring Stick Flash and Student Engagement09:08 Strategic Pairing and Learning Through Teaching14:21 The Importance of Early Year Socialization and Teaching Strategies25:35 Reflecting on Mentorship and the Passion for Teaching Math30:20 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode, guest Barb Duecker shares her extensive teaching experience and the importance of building a trust-based community in the classroom for effective learning. With over 40 years in education, Barb discusses her approach to capturing students' hearts, setting the stage for a successful year from day one by emphasizing empathy, understanding, and collective responsibility within the classroom. Through examples from her own teaching, Barb emphasizes the power of responsive teaching, role-playing, and using creative teaching strategies such as the Jigsaw method to foster engagement and comprehension, particularly in challenging subjects like math. The conversation touches on the significance of creating an engaging learning environment that encourages students to take risks, the role of trust in student-teacher relationships, and adapting teaching strategies to meet the moment, showcasing Barb's dedication to responsive and compassionate teaching.00:31 Barb Duecker's Teaching Journey: 40 Years of Experience01:27 Building a Classroom Community: The Importance of Trust and Engagement09:24 Responsive Teaching: Adapting Lessons for Maximum Engagement10:45 The Power of Jigsaw Method in Teaching and Learning12:44 Responsive Teaching in Action: A Case Study24:19 Reflecting on the Observation Process and Its Impact25:33 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode, Craig Randal chats with Joleen Boelter, a math and science teacher from Ober Elementary School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boelter shares teaching strategies implemented in her classroom, particularly a method that emphasizes a student-centered framework grounded on trust-based observations. This involves establishing group work fostering peer evaluation, direct instruction, and individual self-assessment. She also uses tools such as a 'mild, medium, and spicy' system to motivate differentiation in problem-solving and incorporates descriptive progress feedback, primarily through inquiry-based questions. She also emphasizes the importance of developing resilience towards mistakes and fostering a nurturing yet challenging learning environment. 01:07 Joleen Boelter's Journey to Teaching02:03 The Transition to Teaching and Classroom Dynamics02:53 The Power of Trust-Based Observations04:22 The Role of Peer Assessment and Feedback04:51 Building Thinking Classrooms: A Book Review06:37 The Impact of Group Work and Student Autonomy08:50 The Importance of Student Self-Assessment28:48 The Power of Randomized Grouping33:50 Conclusion: The Value of Trust-Based Observations

In this episode of 20 Minutes of Teaching Brilliance, the host, Craig Randall, author of the book "Trust-Based Observations" and the creator of the TBO model is joined by Mike Caldwell and Glen Woodburn, two experienced educators who have been trained in trust-based observation. Glen and Mike share their experiences using the TBO model in their schools.  The concept of trust-based observations revolves around unannounced twenty-minute observations focused on building trust, enhancing teacher's risk-taking and innovation capabilities, and ultimately improving teaching and learning. 00:00 Introduction to Trust-Based Observations00:49 Guest Introduction: Glen Woodburn00:57 Glen's Journey with Trust-Based Observations04:55 Guest Introduction: Mike Caldwell05:02 Mike's Experience with Trust-Based Observations08:59 Understanding Trust-Based Observations09:10 The Research Behind Observations15:27 The Trust-Based Observations Model16:38 The Impact of Trust-Based Observations25:59 Future Plans for Trust-Based Observations38:41 Closing Remarks