Edspiration

We all create digital artifacts for others to discover but do students have a right to have their digital childhood forgotten? Students and adults are learning to navigate this new “nearly now society.” Digital citizenship requires a balanced mindset between electronic and face-to-face interactions. Alec Couros gives guidance and tips for connecting and creating an online identity and developing digital citizenship. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “A simple mistake schools can avoid when they want to shift the norms of student behavior, bullying, and mistreatment.” About today’s guest Alec Couros is an associate professor of educational technology and media at the Faculty of Education, University of Regina, in Saskatchewan, Canada helping others take advantage of the incredible opportunities in our connected world through the integration of educational technology. Alec is a passionate researcher, speaker, and trainer providing the knowledge necessary to take advantage of and thrive in our new digital reality.

How can educators & parents escape the culture of over-testing & overscheduling to create movements for meaningful teaching & learning? Learning is a process and right now many schools are too focused on the product. Award winning filmmaker & best selling author, Vicki Abeles shares research and strategies from courageous schools breaking free from that obsessive culture and making powerful changes.   The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “We are having a speaker come in for a student assembly to talk about bullying what would you suggest to help it go well?”  - Leslie, Nova Scotia, Canada About today’s guest Vicki Abeles is an ex-Wall Street lawyer turned filmmaker, education advocate, and New York Times best selling author. She is also the founder of a non-profit, grassroots organization that guides communities as they redefine student success and promote the health, learning and wellness of the whole child. She lives in the San Francisco area with her family.    Guest Links: Website: www.Beyondmea

Tips for finishing homework are common but few ask if we should even be assigning it in the first place. Kids are not vending machines to put homework in and get learning out. Renowned author and educator Alfie Kohn offers research and advice to escape the drill & skill approach. Reducing or eliminating homework can support education while creating less stress and more joy in learning for everyone. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… Some of the worst advice anyone can receive…How the CYA (Cover you're a**) strategy inhibits leadership, education and innovation while inhibiting any inspiring vision for schools or students. About today’s guest Researcher and educator Alfie Kohn is the author of 14 books [see below]. He has been described by Time magazine as “perhaps the country’s most outspoken critic of education’s fixation on grades [and] test scores.” Kohn lives (actually) in the Boston area and (virtually) at www.alfiekohn.org. Guest Links: Website: www.alfiekohn.org Twitter: @alfiekohn   Connect with Us

Do you create a thinking rich environment in your school, classroom or at home? Wall spaces are often overlooked but they can become a dynamic part of the learning if we know how to use them. In part 2 of this special two part interview, Eoin Lenihan explains practical & powerful things you can do to your classroom, home or other physical spaces. Doing so will improve student success while create an energizing teaching and learning 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,

What would your ideal school look, feel, and sound like? Imagine how staff, administration and students would grow and interact. No Child Left Behind is no more. What takes its place and how should we prepare? Schools and policy makers can embrace this chance to shift away from a narrow definition of accountability. Host John Linney breaks from the usual show format to discuss this opportunity to focus on the whole school and the whole student to bring more joy into education. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… We take a break from our usual show format to discuss the latest changes in education policy in the United States and discuss what could be next. About today’s guest Join host John Linney in a special edition of Edspiration for the Winter break. Education policy shifts made the news this week in the US and educators are wondering what’s next. Host John Linney has worked in over 400 schools and districts around the world to improve staff/student engagement and school climates.   Guest Links: Twitter: @scho

Schools do not have enough resources to overcome all the barriers to learning students bring into classrooms. Alleviate unnecessary stress on teachers and school leaders by inviting community resources into the education setting with a community schools approach. In this special edition, get ideas from host John Linney to help students be ready to learn and help parents support learning by opening up to the resources surrounding your school. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… In this special winter break show we take a macro view to help schools and school systems explore the all the resources available to help schools support teachers and students. About today’s guest Join host John Linney as he shares strategies learned by helping schools tap into community resources to support learning. Host John Linney has worked in over 400 schools and districts around the world to improve staff/student engagement and school climates. Connect with Us Connect with the show at www.Edspirationpodcast.com Facebook: https://www

You have to have a short memory when working with disengaged young people but you can get them motivated. Divorce, violence, negative peer influence, alcoholism, and difficult home environments can all be at the root of student apathy. Guest Mike Hicks lights a path for helping students escape their apathy and negative stories to write a new future. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “How can help young people so they can effectively cope with their anger and negative emotions.” About today’s guest Mike Hicks is a veteran educator who developed a unique approach to helping students who are disengaged in school. He is author of  Roots of Apathy and Straight from the Heart, both helpful resources for teachers, parents and youth workers trying to understand the hidden world where struggling students think, feel  and live.   Guest Links: rootsofapathy@gmail.com mikehicks1@bak.rr.com   Connect with Us Connect with the show at www.Edspirationpodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impactschoolclimate Twitter: F

You don’t have to wait for a general professional development session or any school leader to give you what you need. You can be your own agent of change. There’s a learning revolution happening now with Personalized Professional Learning (PPL). Guest Brett Salakas powerfully advocates for this shift and discusses how you can get what you need to benefit you and your students. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “I heard your show on PYD a couple weeks ago. You talked about the power of looking for strengths in youth. How can this translate to working with staff strengths?” Liam, London About today’s guest Brett Salakas is the founder of #aussieED and a moderator of multiple twitter chats. He is a Google Certified Innovator who, over the past 18 years, has taught in South East Asia and Australia in both public and independent schools. Brett is passionately committed to turning educational theory into real classroom practice through connection, collaboration, and inspiration.   Guest Links: #aussieED website - auss

Students cannot calm their bodies until they learn to calm their brains. The power of mindfulness is being accessed by educators and parents to prime students for learning and to help young people manage their own behavior. Author Joree Rosenblatt explains how the growing practice of mindfulness helps adults and students reduce stress and experience deeper levels of gratitude and happiness. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “Taking the word “but” out of conversations meant to acknowledge others.”   About today’s guest Joree Rosenblatt has a Master’s in Counseling Psychology and founder of Mindfulness – Tools for Living. She provides in person and online workshops in mindfulness to schools & corporations. Joree is a published author on the subject of mindfulness and was featured in the latest edition of “Be You” magazine.   Guest Links: www.joreerose.com – Joree’s website. Published books and the free Take a Mindful Minute booklet. You can also find a suggested reading list of author’s mentioned and links t

Do you view students as contributors or consumers? It isn’t any individual’s or organization’s job to develop contributing, caring and healthy young citizens. If it’s true that all kids are our kids then everyone has a role to play. Educators may not realize all the great things they are already doing to build students’ strengths. At the same time, we can all be more intentional using a strength-based approach and tapping into the power of gratitude. Doing so will re-invigorate your teaching and improve your ability to teach and reach young people. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… The Inbox segment returns next week. If you have a question or topic you’d like to see addressed in a future segment please send it to EdspirationPodcast@gmail.com.   About today’s guest We take a break in our traditional show format this week to discuss a strength-based focus on youth and education. Host John Linney shares his experience from a recent trip to work with over 300 staff members that will remind you of the importance of

Tomorrow’s classroom is here today. Schools and classrooms are all being flattened and expanded into a global learning community where no resource, expert or lesson is out of reach. Guest Jerry Blumengarten, known world-wide as the Cybrary Man, shares his “one stop educational shop” and how you can tap your students’ techspertise to engage them in problem based learning that will excite and energize your schools and classrooms.     The Edspiration Inbox Answers… How adults uncovered the blind spots on their campus that perpetuated mistreatment and violence.  About today’s guest Energetic guest Jerry Rosenblatt taught for 32 years in NYC schools and has written curriculum for school districts, the NYC Board of Education and Open Doors [a school-business partnership]. He is an author, speaker and previous moderator for #edchat and a current co-moderator of many Twitter chats. Recommended Resource(s): Thrively - Find your child's genius - http://www.thrively.com Guest Links: Cybrary Man's Educational Web Sites

We might think we’re engaging students but they could be pretending. Adults must learn how to be more engaged with students than they are with their content. Neuroscience now tells us if we use creative ways to engage students they’ll learn and retain more. In addition, if you utilize these fresh ideas and resources from Dr. Todd Finley you will enjoy teaching more too. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “I’ve been teaching the same subject for 13 years and I feel like a hit a wall. I need to refresh my instruction. What could I try to get some new perspectives on my teaching?” – Vincent in Florida.     About today’s guest Todd Blake Finley, PhD, is a professor of English Education at East Carolina University. He has taught elementary and 7-12th grade English and co-developed the Tar River Writing Project. He was selected as one of the Top 12 Global Teacher Bloggers of 2014 by Cathy Rubin in the Huffington Post and is a staff writer and assistant editor for Edutopia.  Guest Links: Todd's Brain - Sign up for FREE

Self-injury in young people is growing with an alarming number of boys and girls who deliberately self harm. Their pain on the inside is being expressed on the outside and every adult needs to know how to help these young people. There are a number of critical do’s and don’ts when it comes to approaching the issue with students. Professional counselor Susan Bowman explains why they self-injure and shares a number of creative methods for helping them start and continue the healing process. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “I’m not sure I am making any impact right now and feeling worn down. What can you share that might help?” “ - Anabelle, West Virginia About today’s guest Susan Bowman is a certified school counselor K-12 and a Licensed Professional Counselor and specializes in helping troubled adolescents and their families. Susan is a former social worker for child protective services, a middle and high school guidance counselor, and Title I counselor for incarcerated youth. She has conducted seminars worldwi

The root of kindness is empathy. It gives kindness the fuel it needs to be acted out. It’s important to help students by giving them the voice and choice they need to express empathy. Energetic author Barbara Gruener shares her tips and practical ideas to weave empathy into the lives of young people and gives important advice regarding how we can express empathy for ourselves too.  Empathy works so spread it like confetti! The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “What things can we actually manage when it comes to bullying prevention in our school since there seem to be a lot of things out of our control that influence it?” Amanda, Arizona About today’s guest Barbara Gruener is an author, speaker, school counselor and character coach at Bales Intermediate in Friendswood, Texas. With 32 years of experience she has worked with every grade level, pre K-12th. Author of the “The Corner on Character” blog and the book, “What’s Under Your Cape? Superheroes of the Character Kind,” Barbara enjoys positively influencing change

How can we help difficult colleagues act more respectfully, challenging parents be more supportive, or make rigid policies more flexible? Dr. Allen Mendler offers strategies to help us cope and cooperate with challenging people whether they’re peers, parents, or supervisors. Using his ideas will help you build your resilience when teaching gets tough to reduce stress and experience more freedom. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… How can we work through the difficult and sensitive challenge of grouping or dividing older students into gender groups in an era of increased awareness of the gender binary and diversity dynamics?   About today’s guest Dr. Allen Mendler is the author or co-author of many publications including The Resilient Teacher, the iconic Discipline with Dignity and best sellers When Teaching Gets Tough and Motivating Students Who Don’t Care and blogs for Edutopia. Allen provides seminars as a highly acclaimed speaker delivering effective strategies for educators, professionals, and parents to hel

It is the quality and impact of our conversations that produces the results we see in students and in the world. . We have to notice when we slip into judgment and positional authority and instead do things “with” rather than teach “over” students. Best selling author Judith Glaser offers brilliant advice for altering our own chemical state to increase bonding and even help students increase their IQ through connectedness. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “I am teaching my students about not being a bystander to bullying. What’s important for them to know in your experience as they think about helping others out?”  - Regina, New Hampshire About today’s guest Judith E. Glaser is a best selling author of 7 books including Conversational Intelligence: How Great Leaders Build Trust and Get Extraordinary Results. She is an Organizational Anthropologist and CEO of Benchmark Communications & Chairman of The Creating WE Institute. She’s a pioneer, consultant and executive coach and is the world’s leading authority

Cassidy McMillan is the director & producer of “Bullies & Friends,” an award-winning movie documenting the tragic story of a girl repeatedly mistreated by other students until she took her own life.  Schools and others can be held accountable in civil and criminal courts. Listen to this important interview to get valuable tips for both educators & parents and prevent tragedies like this in the future. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “October is bullying prevention month but I can’t get my administrators to be supportive in taking action. What can I do?”  - Phillip, New Jersey   About today’s guest Cassidy McMillan is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and bullying expert. She is the director/producer of the soon to be released award winning film “Bullies And Friends” documenting issue and impactful stories of bullying and youth suicide prevention. Ms. McMillan is a consultant on threat assessment and school safety, and is an advocate for parents whose children have committed suicide due to bullyin

Rewards are about manipulation but students thrive on appreciation and encouragement. Behavior is not a commodity to be bought and sold. There are many default strategies & sayings adult educators must avoid, but what do we say instead to improve behaviors & motivation? Richard Curwin delivers key insights and strategies to meet students’ basic needs of identity, connectedness & power. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “We are doing a lot of events for bullying prevention in our school. What do you see is missing in bullying prevention efforts that might help us?”  - Kendra, Mississippi.   About today’s guest Dr. Richard Curwin is the author or co-author of 20 books related to behavior and motivation. He trains in educational environments around the world and recently settled in Israel. He writes posts for Edutopia and editorials for the Jerusalem Post and continues to love teaching. He currently teaches Jewish, Muslim, Christian educators from all sectors of Israel who work well together and all pr

Is your school debating whether to let students use their devices in class? Technology is tearing down walls and it isn’t going anywhere so how you can become more tech savvy? Anyone can be a digital leader as a teacher, administrator or student. You don’t have to be fearful, it’s easy if you know where to start. Guest Katrina Keene offers great tips such as the Tweechme app, leveraging Twitter Chats and Skype Classroom, or creating a Parent University to learn in easy, bite size chunks. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “I enjoyed your show on bridging the school and home technical divide a couple weeks ago. I don’t get much positive support from my students’ parents, what have you seen work in this area?” – Thomas, New Mexico About today’s guest Dr. Katrina Keene has spent 15 years in the K-12 technology education field and enjoys researching and integrating new technologies into classrooms. Katrina hosts twitter chats on the subject of technology use and can be found in several well-known EdTech publications

Join our PLC – PASSIONATE Learning Community and reignite your drive to educate and serve others. No successful person went without suffering before triumph. It’s your personal fire that lights up learning in students and inspires those around you.  Tap into your PQ - Passion Quotient to be a passion driven educator in this energetic conversation w/ guest Angela Maiers. The Edspiration Inbox Answers…  “As a parent, I have talked with other parents who have a hard time understanding why we have to bring incidents of bullying to the attention of the school. I don’t understand why it falls on us to take action. What can you suggest?” - Elisa, Great Britain About today’s guest Angela Maiers has been creating and leading change in education and enterprise for 25 years, teaching every level of school from kindergarten to graduate school. She is the author of 6 books and delivered her You Matter talk at TEDxDesMoines. Angela is the founder of Choose2Matter, a global movement that challenges and inspires students to