The Amazing Teacher Podcast

Meredith Newlin on the Amazing Teacher Podcast

Hello amazing teachers, Welcome to the first episode of season 2 of the Amazing Teacher Podcast. I am so happy to be back on the air, and I am looking forward to more episodes where I pick the brains of amazing teachers for tips, strategies and advice, so teachers can have more success in the classroom. Meredith is not only an amazing teacher, but she’s a blogger, an author, and a podcaster. In this episode, Meredith shares with us how teachers can take steps to bring more energy into their lives.  We discuss how many teachers are feeling stressed and unmotivated, especially during this challenging time dealing with Covid and distance learning. Meredith shares some great advice on teachers can not only cope during this challenging time, but experience more joy and gratitude. Please make sure you follow Meredith on Social Media and check out her book, Captured Fireflies: Truths, Mistakes, And Other Gifts of Being an English Teacher [https://amzn.to/2LuiwSO]

Amazing Teacher - Dr. Jackie Sapp on the Amazing Teacher Podcast – Never Give up on Kids

So I am happy and honored to have my colleague and friend Dr. Jackie Sapp on the podcast. We had an amazing conversation, and she shared some advice and tips that I know you will find valuable. She also shares with the listeners about an incident that happened last year that she considered one of the most difficult times in her life, and it is truly inspiring how she was able to go through this episode in her life, and still be that amazing teacher for her students, so listen for that. Listen also for when we talk about the “hug line.” That is good stuff right there – showing how important it is to show your students that you care about them. I had an incredible time speaking with Jackie. We could have gone on for another two hours just talking about how to best connect with kids. Jackie is truly an amazing teacher, and I know that you will find what she shares both valuable and inspiring. I would love to hear from you. Let me know how the podcast has helped, what value you have found. The emails and messages on Twitter I receive always make my day. You can email me at sam@theamazingteacher.com [sam@theamazingteacher.com] or send me a tweet at @amazingpodcast [https://twitter.com/amazingpodcast]. Thank you for spreading the word about the podcast. Until next time, Be Amazing! Thank you, Sam Find Jackie at: jsapp@cnusd.k12.ca.us [jsapp@cnusd.k12.ca.us]. http://theamazingteacher.com/dr-jackie-sapp-never-give-up-on-kids-the-final-episode/ [http://theamazingteacher.com/dr-jackie-sapp-never-give-up-on-kids-the-final-episode/]

Amazing Teacher - Dorina Sackman on The Amazing Teacher Podcast – 2014 Florida State Teacher of the Year

In this episode,  I have Dorina Sackman [http://www.dorinasackman.com/] the 2014 Florida State Teacher of the Year. She was also one of the finalists for the National Teacher of the Year. I had such a great time picking Dorina’s brain about teaching and education. She’s a middle school teacher, so you know as a former middle school teacher myself, we had so much to talk about. We spoke a lot about the importance of building positive relationships, and if you have heard any of the other podcast, you know that is something that I believe in, and it is a common thread among the amazing teachers I’ve had on the podcast. They focus on building those positive connections with their kids right off the bat, and it pays off all year long. Dorina reinforces that on the podcast. I was impressed and inspired by how far she goes to build those relationships. She has survey that she gives her students at the beginning of the year that goes beyond just asking the basic information on a student. It asks for information about their family and their community. She then takes this information and goes out into the community to make those connections with their family and the community members. Amazing. Dorina also shares about B.E.L.I.E.V.E.  – Be the Educators who Lead to Inspire and Empower Via Excellence! It’s her way to inspire teachers to have an impact and be effective. So listen for that. This was another very inspiring conversation with a truly amazing teacher. I know you will find this podcast  full of value and great take-aways. Thank you again for  spreading the word about the podcast. Until next time, Be Amazing! Thanks, Sam Find Dorina: Website: DorinaSackman.com [http://www.dorinasackman.com/] Twitter: @Dorina_BELIEVE [https://twitter.com/Dorina_BELIEVE] Facebook: 2014FloridaTeacherOfTheYearDorinaSackman [https://www.facebook.com/2014FloridaTeacherOfTheYearDorinaSackman] http://theamazingteacher.com/dorina-sackman-florida-state-teacher-of-the-year/ [http://theamazingteacher.com/dorina-sackman-florida-state-teacher-of-the-year/]

Amazing Teacher - Jeff Baxter on the Amazing Teacher Podcast – 2014 Kansas State Teacher of the Year

In this episode,  I have Jeff Baxter, the 2014 State Teacher of the Year for Kansas [http://2014ktoy.weebly.com/jeff-baxter.html], and this was one of the most inspiring interviews I have had on the podcast. I am so glad that I was able to spend a little bit of time with him, not only for the amazing advice that he offered to new teachers, but for the inspiration that he gives with his life story. He is such an amazing person. I know you will enjoy our conversation. Listen for when he shares about the moment when his life and his career was transformed and the effect it had not only on his family, but on his students. I was blown away, and I know you will be saying, “Wow!” when you hear it. He shares so much about building positive relationships and how important that is to have success in the classroom. He talks about rigor, and something that he shares is that rigor is just mean if there’s no relationship. I thought that was so true. Rigor is so popular now in education, but for it to be effective, there has to be a positive relationship between the teacher and the student. Jeff surprised me when he said that he has read Herman Melville’s Moby Dick over 50 times. He uses this novel in his classes, and his kids are excited to read this book. I was surprised, because when I read it in college, I hated the book, and as we discussed, it all goes back to something that all amazing teachers have –  passion.  His passion for Moby Dick is evident, and since our interview, I have downloaded the audio version of the book, and I’m listening to it on my way to school each day, and I am understanding why it is considered a classic. Jeff has a way of igniting passions in others that I found totally inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Jeff and  went away with a great desire to have an impact on the kids I come in contact with. I know you will find him just as inspiring. Thank you again for spreading the word about the podcast. Until next time, Be Amazing! Thanks, Sam Find Jeff: Website: 2014ktoy.weebly.com/jeff-baxter.html [http://2014ktoy.weebly.com/jeff-baxter.html] Twitter : @MobyJeff [https://twitter.com/MobyJeff] http://theamazingteacher.com/jeff-baxter-2014-kansas-state-teacher-of-the-year/ [http://theamazingteacher.com/jeff-baxter-2014-kansas-state-teacher-of-the-year/]

Amazing Teacher – Laura Gilchrist on the Amazing Teacher Podcast - Teaching Out of the Box

In this episode, I sit down with Laura Gilchrist [http://lauragilchrist4.com/] who is a Bammy Award Finalist and Christa McAuliffe Pioneer in Education Award winner. She also was selected as the Teacher of the Year in her school district. Laura was so great on the podcast. She shared her insights on teaching which focuses on connecting and believing in kids and stepping outside the box. I was particularly impressed with what she shares about Edcamp. As you know, I like the idea of Edcamp, where teachers learn from each other, and Laura shares her insights on Edcamp from the perspective of an Edcamp organizer. What she has done, however, is bring Edcamp into her school with what she calls a one-hour Edcamp.  I was really excited about that, because that can be done in any school. So listen for that. Laura also shares her advice on classroom management which focuses on building that positive relationship with students. Her advice is a must listen for any teacher who may be struggling with that tough class. As always, I come away inspired after every conversation that I have with these amazing educators, and my time with Laura was no different. I had a great time speaking with Laura, and I know you will find her insights and advice very inspiring and valuable as I did. Thank you again for spreading the word about the podcast! Until next time… Be Amazing! Thank you, Sam Find Laura: Twitter: @LauraGilchrist4 [https://twitter.com/LauraGilchrist4] http://theamazingteacher.com/amazing-teacher-laura-gilchrist-teaching-out-of-the-box/ [http://theamazingteacher.com/amazing-teacher-laura-gilchrist-teaching-out-of-the-box/]