The conversation continues with two of my fellow educators who have traveled abroad to teach in the United States. Ana Encalada and Olga Santiago traveled from Ecuador and Colombia respectively and are teaching 2nd and 3rd grade in their assigned school. In this second part of the conversation, we reflect on the diversity that exists in our school, and discuss the challenges they faced as international educators. We also talk about the benefits of their international teaching adventure. There were moments of self-reflection and appreciation for the international teaching experience, recognition of the power of human connection and the beauty of communication and interaction across cultures. The link to part 1 can be found at theteacherstribe.com or on your favorite podcast platform. Part 1 link: https://on.soundcloud.com/6yD83 Theme Song: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlane; Lyrics - Maxine McFarlane & Shevaughn James

This is part one of another teacher-focused conversation that I hope you will not only find interesting and educational, but also inspiring. Imagine packing up only what could fit into two suitcases and jetting off across the globe to a new country that spoke a different language from your native one. That is what these two international educators did — one from Colombia and the other from Ecuador. Our conversation provided deep insight into some of the benefits and challenges that international educators may face. Enjoy listening to some of their experiences so far living and working in the United States of America. Theme Song: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlane; Lyrics - Maxine McFarlane & Shevaughn James Share your thoughts: http://www.theteacherstribe.com/lets-talk.html

The second part of the conversation with first year high school Chemistry and Biotechnology teacher, Malik McFarlane, continues in this episode. He talks more about how he’s been influenced by fellow educators, classroom and time management and his future plans as an educator. He is in a position and on a career path that required a significant change in years of planning. According to John Lennon, “LIfe is what happens to you while you are busy making plans.” It has been an interesting experience for him as he shifted focus from pursuing a medical degree to a Ph.D instead. Theme Song: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlane; Lyrics - Maxine McFarlane & Shevaughn James From MD to PHD (Part 1): https://on.soundcloud.com/orRMe Website: theteacherstribe.com SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theteacherstribe/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTeachersTribe Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachers_tribe YouTube: The Teachers’ Tribe

In this episode, I engage my most frequent guest so far in a conversation about his experience as a first year Chemistry and Biotechnology educator at the high school level. I never anticipated that I would be a guest in the position of an educator; but his high school and college experiences prepared him to change paths and take on a teaching career. Malik McFarlane received a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Chemistry with a Concentration in Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery from Wake Forest University. He is very passionate about making science - particularly chemistry - more accessible for all students regardless of their background and previous experiences with Science, and is excited to find a way to achieve that in the culture in his classroom. In part 2, we will explore lessons and his future plans. Theme Song: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlane; Lyrics - Maxine McFarlane & Shevaughn James

In this episode, I continued a heart-felt, authentic, and wonderful conversation with my two older brothers - Junior and Courtney. The conversation got deep and emotional at times, but the sincerity and lightheartedness that was intertwined in it, made for balanced discourse. You’ll get a glimpse of our culture and childhood, interspersed with a sprinkling of a few languages and diverse experiences.

In this episode, I had a wonderful conversation with two very special men about someone very dear to us. I hope this episode resonates with you and inspires you to acknowledge an important woman in your life as we wrap up Women’s History Month. Enjoy listening to this first part of an intimate conversation that I had with my two older brothers about our mother - the woman who dominates our history.

In this episode, I share my reflections on the first part of Angela Watson’s book, Fewer Things Better. It caused me to consider what myths I have accepted as facts and what changes are imperative for the sake of my mental health and physical and well being. Are there things in your life that you wish could change but you are convinced that they are inevitable? What if we could change these things and make our lives better? Her statement, “You CAN’T do it all (and you don’t have to try)” resonates strongly with me. Let’s explore some of the key takeaways that I gleaned from the book. CREDITS: THEME SONG: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlane; Lyrics - Shevaughn James & Maxine McFarlane Website: theteacherstribe.com SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: www.instagram.com/theteacherstribe/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheTeachersTribe Twitter: twitter.com/teachers_tribe YouTube: The Teachers’ Tribe

Breathing should be a natural part of our existence. Life begins with an inhale, and ends with an exhale. Do you need to give yourself permission to simply breathe and find sources of joy in your everyday life? As Henri Nouwen said, “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” After a long, unscheduled break, and an exhausting school year, this episode provides the opportunity to reset our minds, refocus, exhale past burdens and inhale the future with the freedom to choose joy every day. It’s time to breathe again. CREDITS: THEME SONG: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlane; Lyrics - Shevaughn James & Maxine McFarlane Website: theteacherstribe.com SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: www.instagram.com/theteacherstribe/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheTeachersTribe Twitter: twitter.com/teachers_tribe YouTube: The Teachers’ Tribe

All of us can use some support sometimes, and we need to find the right people to help us. Support is one of the best gifts that we can offer another human. Misty Copeland said, “Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.” Parents, caregivers and teachers need to glean all the support they need to facilitate the success of their children and students. This episode invites you to reflect on what kind of support you need and can give. Related Episodes 006 Teacher-led Professional Development https://soundcloud.com/the-teachers-tribe/s1-ep006-teacher-led-professional-development 032 It’s the Little Things https://soundcloud.com/the-teachers-tribe/its-the-little-things CREDITS: THEME SONG: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlane; Lyrics - Shevaughn James & Maxine McFarlane Website: theteacherstribe.com SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: www.instagram.com/theteacherstribe/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheTeachersTribe Twitter: twitter.com/teachers_tribe YouTube: The Teachers’ Tribe

This episode provides tips for beginning teachers and parents & caregivers who are preparing students for school for the first time. The early years of school for children, parents, caregivers and beginning teachers are definitely periods of adjustment and transition. We can all set ourselves up for success if we take some proactive steps now. Beginning teachers, check out Episode 011 from season 1, entitled The Joy of Teaching, when I reflected on some of my teacher training and beginning teacher experiences. S1 Episode 011: https://soundcloud.com/the-teachers-tribe/the-joy-of-teaching CREDITS: THEME SONG: Vocals - Shevaughn James; Music - Malik McFarlane; Lyrics - Shevaughn James & Maxine McFarlane Website: theteacherstribe.com SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: www.instagram.com/theteacherstribe/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheTeachersTribe Twitter: twitter.com/teachers_tribe YouTube: The Teachers’ Tribe