Episode 1 Show Notes

Week of January 13 - Episode 1:  Teach Like They Don’t Have to Come Back Tomorrow

-So right off the bat I’m going to let you know that, I am definitely hitting on the subject of vulnerability later in this episode… and I think it’s incredibly appropriate because  I’m going to be a good teacher and model that for you now: This is my first podcast...and I’m nervous! Hopefully that doesn’t show through too overly much… and you get some good nuggets of encouragement as we move through some of our topic today

Podcast Aims

1) Inspiring more students to accept the calling of "Teacher"

2)  Generational roadblocks between educators from the Boomer, X, and Millennial Generations... and students in GenZ

3)  Reinvigorating and reassessing how teachers of every subject and grade level transform their classroom and those in it

4) Bridging the divide between average teacher and inspiring Mentor

• Exploring the topic and our subject today:  Teach Like They Don’t Have to Come Back Tomorrow
• We have all had that old school teacher
• Won’t reveal names… but my JH/HS science teacher always used the Mac Classic - 1 megabyte of Ram…. he put all of his grades on it
• He gave assignments monthly for no credit… unless you didn’t do them
• Whatever it may be, teachers and administrators certainly know those among us who are slow to get with the times
• We even see this as younger teachers - remembering how we were taught… which often worked for us, and therefore we are reluctant to change our mindset

What struck me was this article that was published on edsurge.com… and it is entitled The Answer for Schools is Not More Technology.  It’s Teachers and Human Connection, and it’s written by Danielle Arnold-Schwartz.   Boom.  There it was…. Thousands of teachers have been yelling it from the rooftops for years.

While I certainly agree with the sentiment about technology - the second half of the title struck me most.  Human Connection.

• A friend and colleague of mine, Bradlee Skinner, has had this quote on his website for a while - and I want to share it because 1) It’s fantastically true, and 2) he is a future guest on Millennial Mythos and it can’t hurt for you to get to know him a little.  Phenomenal educator, former administrator… all around class act. This quote is over on bradlee (2 e’s) w skinner.com and if you have time you should check it out. But He says, “Great schools do not happen by accident. They are the result of a consistent investment of time, thoughtfulness, forgiveness, mutual respect between teachers and administrators, and a rock-solid commitment to do what is best for kids.
• A consistent investment of time… something teachers like us feel as though we never have enough of.  We are more than thoughtful… we think every evening and over every weekend… every summer break about what we can do to improve our classrooms and reach kids.  
• After this many years in the classroom, I do know this.  There is never truly enough. That’s the answer. That’s it.  There isn’t enough time - therefore you should use it in the way that best supports your students… curriculum and testing be darned.  
• You are an expert, and you know and feel, just from walking into a room, how your students are doing that day.  So take the time.  
• I read a great snippet recently about a teacher who walked by one student every period, and said “I need to see you in the hallway”... after the initial shock and awe, that teacher spent the next 5-10 minutes exploring that students life.  How is everything going? What are you loving about life right now? What challenges are you facing? How can I help?
• I’m here to tell you that today, and we know that this is true… many of our students need us much more as a lifeline and emotional bulwark than as a choir director, English instructor, or math wizard.  
• On your first day with a new group of students, you may spend a half hour telling them that your classroom is a “safe space”.  You can regale them with stories of the many alumni who love you and still come back to visit. But it means little if you don’t have the time for them, the empathy, the compassion, and the will to give them a part of yourself so that they can take hold of that elusive feeling of trust.
• If we were interviewing Brene Brown right now, which by the way Dr. Brown… you have an open invitation if you ever happen across this show… I think she would hone in on vulnerability.
• If you have read her work, which I highly recommend - “Dare to Lead” is out of this world
• But this connects back to that very first story I told you, about fledgling “me” in a choir classroom in smalltown wyoming.  I’m a pretty open person, and I believe that I am genuinely pretty decent at being vulnerable. That translated well with students, and still does.  It doesn’t translate sometimes with supervisors, which is why some of us still have a hard time doing it.  
• That’s ok - baby steps… but please… take those steps.  
• Have you ever apologized to a classroom of students?  IF you have… how did that go? Can you remember their response?  
• I’m pretty sure it has to be in some old teachers manual somewhere that for us to maintain decorum and a sense of decency in education, a teacher must never apologize.  I think I probably apologize once a month… because I am a human being and I get stuff wrong. A lot. Even after years and years in the classroom teaching every kind of student under the sun.
• But a sincere apology immediately and irrevocably changes a classroom dynamic, and it’s not for the worst.  

I could devote an entire podcast series on this subject, probaly because I’m so passionate about it… and it speaks directly to the philosophy with which I teach.  But also because there are so many unique things that make us, yes even teachers… human. And we should be exploring that with our students. It’s ok to tell them that you took an extra year of college because you had some growing up to do - they will see you as fallible - which we all are.  

It is ok to be vulnerable and let them know why you became a teacher, and not mull-over your reasoning with a canned response.  They will see you as honest.

It is ok let them know that you worry for them, plan for them, consider them sometimes to the detriment of your personal time…. They will see you as loving and empathetic.

It is ok to let them know that your first priority is making sure that they are beautiful people, thoughtful citizens, and empathetic neighbors… they will see you as a role model.

It’s ok to let them know that you love them as unique individuals and the people they are, and want only the best for them.  They will return that love, and pass it on…. And they will be back again tomorrow.