The Beck-Check Podcast

11. What Teaching is Really All About | Angel Young

As teachers, we are expected to wear many hats - content area expert, pedagogical master, mentor, coach, referee, janitor . . . just to name a few. What if it is possible, in the midst of trying to find the best teaching method or ways to hit all the standards, we miss what is truly important? I was reminded of this from my dear colleague, Angel Young. She reminded me that the power of student relationships and the development of young adults is what teaching is really all about. Enjoy this wonderful episode of Angel sharing her stories, words of wisdom, and passion for teaching. She is inspiring!

10. My Life is a Movie

It's been a while, but I'm Beck! (Back, get it?) Glad to hop back on the podcast and share some life updates, as well as some encouragement to take some risks in teaching! Lots of wonderful things happening right now that I am so thankful for. Here's a link to the task I talked about if interested. All about arithmetic and geometric sequences. Some of the questions I added for scaffolding, but I think the heart of the task is really questions 7-8. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vWVmdc8iHWhuniDSKsBnF1Nn_Iu8bKuDkc9TVlLJqgo/edit?usp=sharing [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vWVmdc8iHWhuniDSKsBnF1Nn_Iu8bKuDkc9TVlLJqgo/edit?usp=sharing]

9. Reflections on the First Year of Teaching | Logan Johnson

Logan Johnson just finished up his first year teaching Algebra 1 at Mountain View High School with yours truly. In this episode, Logan shares the highs, the lows, and everything between about his first year of teaching. He's got some great ideas to share, and some encouragement for those who found their first year of teaching to be difficult (aka everyone). Check out Logan's awesome "Patient Zero" exponential activity below! There's a spreadsheet, student handout, and slides. ⁠https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/140zkzwBCUS4nGK5TtF_-QJHKPz6rK1EM/edit?gid=1273526271#gid=1273526271⁠ [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/140zkzwBCUS4nGK5TtF_-QJHKPz6rK1EM/edit?gid=1273526271#gid=1273526271⁠] ⁠https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b6bgpUIjQgLNDQwmBHdTgUxKpi4oZ099/view?usp=sharing⁠ [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b6bgpUIjQgLNDQwmBHdTgUxKpi4oZ099/view?usp=sharing⁠] ⁠https://drive.google.com/file/d/13AjiTMvWK5BuI4_SYqEBPO9JyebJ5z6b/view?usp=sharing [https://drive.google.com/file/d/13AjiTMvWK5BuI4_SYqEBPO9JyebJ5z6b/view?usp=sharing]

8. The Top-notch Tool of Technology | Dr. Shannon Guerrero

Does technology help, or hinder, student learning? Come explore the nuances of this debate with my professor, Dr. Shannon Guerrero. We get into the ways of using technology that are most beneficial for student learning of mathematics, and how to take advantage of the AI boom that is upon us all. Dr. Guerrero is a professor of Mathematics Education at Northern Arizona University with a special interest in helping teachers find ways of utilizing technology and AI programs for the benefit of all students.

7. Student Spotlight 2024

This is a special episode where I interview a handful of students about the 2023-2024 school year. I hope to make this an annual tradition where students tell me what worked and offer ideas on how to improve my classroom. There's so many stakeholders in math education who want to improve it - let's hear from the students! Hearing the thoughtful responses from the students was the perfect way to end the year.