The Best Teacher Podcast

14: Experiential Learning and Snake-in-a-Box with Peter Harrington

On this episode of the podcast I interview Peter Harrington, co-founder of Simventure [www.simventure.com]. Peter brings his unique and insightful perspective to education and all things learning from his time both as a student and a successful entrepreneur and entrepreneurship teacher in the higher education space. We learn how he went from failing his A-levels to hoping to be a primary school teacher, and how one teacher’s experiential and relational approach changed his life and became the basis of his work. All that and a snake in a box—coming up! Resource Links: Simventure [https://simventure.com/] - Peter’s Company A blog post by Peter with a bit more about Ramano Zavaroni [https://www.businesshitchhiker.com/flipping-classrooms/] York St. John University [https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/] Made to Stick [https://www.amazon.com/Made-Stick-Ideas-Survive-Others/dp/1400064287] by Chip & Dan Heath Dr. Francis Frei TED - How to Build (and rebuild) Trust [https://www.ted.com/talks/frances_frei_how_to_build_and_rebuild_trust?language=en] Glean Note-taking Software  [https://glean.co/]

13: Lessons from a 50-year Career with Neil C.

Today on the show we bring you an interview with Neil Cooperman, a math teacher from New Jersey with over 50 years of experience. Neil is one of the most experienced teachers I’ve ever spoken to, but it is clear from our conversation that his passion for education hasn’t dimmed, and the wisdom he has gained over his many years of classroom service holds value for us all. Listen as he shares stories of his career’s brightest moments, his AC/DC method of ensuring that classrooms foster critical thinking through inquiry and discovery, and his simple but ingenious popcorn strategy for gauging and managing student response and discussion during lessons—and much more! Here’s episode 13, with Neil Cooperman. Connect with Neil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-cooperman-79974817/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-cooperman-79974817/] Resources mentioned on this episode - * Grant Wiggins - Understanding by Design [https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/understanding-by-design/] * Desmos [https://www.desmos.com/] math learning software

12: Carpets in a Multicultural Classroom with Ashley S.

Today I bring you a conversation that I recorded with Ashley Sawyer back in February. Ashley is a 3rd grade teacher at Saigon South International School* in Vietnam, and I just had a blast talking with her. We talk about some of the effects of Covid learning loss, the joys of a multicultural classroom, how to set proper priorities and boundaries as a teacher, facilitating “togetherness” in our learning environment, and more! You won’t want to miss it! Here’s episode 12, with Ashley Sawyer. *Ashley was employed at SSIS at the time of recording, but has since moved to a new teaching position. Ashley's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-sawyer-129206252/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-sawyer-129206252/] Resources mentioned in this episode: * Flipgrid: https://info.flip.com/en-us.html [https://info.flip.com/en-us.html] * Marco Polo: https://www.marcopolo.me/ [https://www.marcopolo.me/]

11: Tangible Agency, Emotional Work, and How We’re All Just Baby Cicadas with Kathryn B.

Today I am excited to bring you my conversation with Kathryn Braisted. Kathryn is a teacher and learning experience designer currently located in Brooklyn. We discuss the emotional work of being a teacher, a kindergartener’s wise cicada metaphor, methods of tangible student agency, the importance of learning from our colleagues (and how to do it well), and much more.

10: Putting People Over Paper with Kimberly P.

Today on the 10th episode of the Best teacher podcast, I speak with Kimberly Phinney, a national award-winning AP English teacher and English department head in Tampa, Florida with some amazing stories to tell. From battling an auto-immune disease to grieving the loss of her first student, we cover so much ground in this interview but there is a common thread woven through it all—and that is the culture of care, of putting people over paper, prioritizing the individuals that enter our classrooms, and the privilege we have to participate in this life alongside them. About Kimberly: Kimberly Phinney is a national award-winning AP English instructor and professional photographer. She’s been published in Ruminate, Ekstasis, Wild Roof, The Dewdrop, Amethyst Review, Calla Press, and The Write Launch, among many more. She has her M.Ed. in English and studied at Goddard’s MFA program in Creative Writing. She is a poetry editor with Agape Review. After almost dying from severe illness in 2021, she’s earning her doctorate in counseling to help the marginalized and suffering. Visit her literary community at www.TheWayBack2Ourselves.com [//www.thewayback2ourselves.com] and on Instagram @thewayback2ourselves. Contact Kimberly: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-phinney-educator/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-phinney-educator/] Email: thewayback2ourselves@gmail.com [thewayback2ourselves@gmail.com]