Mr. G's Podcast

With only two weeks left in the school year, I think it's important that we turn our focus to the relationships that exist in the classroom: student-student and student-teacher. With engagement and motivation waning, it's important that we present students with interesting challenges to keep them thinking. I want them to go into the summer nicely.

Today's question: What's the biggest lesson that you're taking away from remote teaching?

Catch up with me on social media:

Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Website

Today, after finishing report cards, I started reflecting on my teaching practice for Big Idea Friday. The perspective that you take on your teaching practice will impact how you reflect on it. Coming at it with the lens of a colander – focusing on the holes – or a fishing net – focusing on the ropes – changes how you perceive yourself and your practice. This then leads to figuring out how you can grow and develop in the future.

Catch up with me on social media:

Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Website

I went outside to do some work today and it was great. I felt a lot more refreshed after being outside, and the work I was doing seemed easier. It was a nice change from the regular routine and something that I would like to make a habit. When we get back into the classroom, I'm definitely going to be taking my class outside.

Today's question: How are our personalities coming through during remote learning? Are our personalities, teaching personas, different online than they are in the classroom? What effect does this have on our understanding of who we are as teachers and how effectively we can teach?

Catch up with me on social media:

Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Website

I'm running out of steam. This isn't a normal June and it doesn't feel right. After ordering some gifts for my students, I started thinking about how the pleasure of giving it to them is taking a backseat to the administration involved with delivering them. I think I'm just settling into the fatigue.

Today's question: I'm trying to get back into photography, what hobbies have you let slide that you could get back into?

Catch up with me on social media:

Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Website

I haven't checked my email since one o'clock this afternoon and it's been fantastic. I feel more relaxed and less rushed than I normally would in the evening. While I didn't get much done, it was good to just stare at a blank screen for a while. If you can, I would definitely suggest scheduling some time in for yourself to be away from your email.

Today's question: What do you do to keep yourself grounded?

Catch up with me on social media:

Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Website

I sat down to start my report cards today. I didn't get very far. Writing report cards is always tricky but it feels even more so this year. It's been nearly four months since I last saw my students so I don't know how accurately I'll be able to report on student achievement this time around. To be fair, I question how accurate report cards reflect student learning and achievement every time I write them. How fair this is, I don't know.

Today's question: What changes need to be made to how we assess student achievement?

Catch up with me on social media:

Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Website

This is a conversation that I'm uncomfortable with because I don't know what my position within it is. I know that this is an important conversation to have and it's important for me to listen. I don't know how my students have been affected by the anti-Black movement and I don't know what their experience with racism is. The consciousness of diversity can't exist in a homogenous environment; what environment are our students learning in and what does this mean for our teaching?

Catch up with me on social media:

Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Website

This is a conversation that I'm uncomfortable with because I don't know what my position within it is. I know that this is an important conversation to have and it's important for me to listen. I don't know how my students have been affected by the anti-Black movement and I don't know what their experience with racism is. The consciousness of diversity can't exist in a homogenous environment; what environment are our students learning in and what does this mean for our teaching?

Catch up with me on social media:

Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Website

Online learning is creating an ever-growing separation between the students themselves and the students and teachers. Without the classroom to provide a context for learning, I'm not sure how much longer we'll be able to remain connected with our students. We – students and teachers – need to be able to articulate how we're feeling in order for everyone to be able to understand each other.

Today's question: How has remote learning changed your perspective on 21st Century learning?

Catch up with me on social media:

Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Website

Online learning is creating an ever-growing separation between the students themselves and the students and teachers. Without the classroom to provide a context for learning, I'm not sure how much longer we'll be able to remain connected with our students. We – students and teachers – need to be able to articulate how we're feeling in order for everyone to be able to understand each other.

Today's question: How has remote learning changed your perspective on 21st Century learning?

Catch up with me on social media:

Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Website