Mr. Bryan's Classroom
By Mr. Bryan
Mr. Bryan's ClassroomJun 25, 2023
2.25 Common Regrets
Teachers, before we start the beginning of another school year I feel like it's important to hear the messages from those who are at the end of this life. What would they do differently? Would your dying self encourage you to keep teaching? A conversation with your older self could change how you live your life for the upcoming school year.
2.24 Leaving The Classroom
While we get ready to start our summer break in the States my time away from the classroom will be extended. Since the field of education doesn't seem to be making positive changes for teachers it's time for me to make a change.
2.23 When Is It Time to Quit Teaching?
Recently, many teachers are making decisions about leaving the classroom. Bryan reads "When Is It Time to Quit Teaching" by former guest Vicki Davis. The full article can be found at http://www.coolcatteacher.com/when-is-it-time-to-quit-teaching/
Ending something we enjoy is a decision we face several times in our lifetime. This episode will help you to determine if you just need a break or really need to let go.
Original NBC news clip https://youtu.be/c6i2U6dRhgs
2.22 Let It Go
Clutter kills creativity and serves no real value to you and your students. The minimalism movement is growing and teachers can use its core principals to have an improved classroom environment. It's simply getting rid of things you do not use or need, leaving an uncluttered, simple environment to where you can focus on things that really matter in your class.
Our days are tough enough as it is. Why not use the end of the year to get rid of things that are serving no real value to you or your students?
Mentioned on the program: Tiny Houses & the Quest to De-Clutter
As most of us conclude a challenging school year, this will be the final show for this season.
2.21 A Conversation With My Mom
On this episode, Bryan interviews his mom. Not only did she have an incredible impact on her family, she also made a difference in the lives of many students. Evelyn taught a vast amount of students during three decades. This episode highlights some of what she learned in her teaching journey.
2.20 Classroom Connections
Joining us for this episode is Erin Gruwell. Her teaching story was made into a book "The Freedom Writers Diary" and a movie "Freedom Writers"!
By fostering an educational philosophy that valued and promoted diversity, she transformed her students’ lives, most of whom were seen as "unteachable". She encouraged them to rethink rigid beliefs about themselves and others, to reconsider daily decisions, and to re-chart their futures. With Erin's steadfast support, her students shattered stereotypes to become critical thinkers, aspiring college students, and citizens for change.
Also, Erin shares how the publication of her student's world "The Freedom Writers Diary" became a best seller.
For more about the Freedom Writers foundation visit http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org
2.19 The Final Weeks Of School
As the school year is coming to an end, many teachers shut down and give the students unstructured free time. While this may work with some groups, for many teachers it can lead to more stress and classroom management problems. In this episode, Bryan shares some ideas on how you can end the school year on a fun note, yet stay true to the learning environment. After all, students have all summer to rest and goof around. It shouldn't happen in your classroom.
2.18 Blackboard: A Personal History of the Classroom
Teacher and author Lewis Buzbee join us on the program to discuss his book "Blackboard-A Personal History of the Classroom". We discuss classrooms of the past, evaluate schools in the present, and offer possibilities for how education will be in the future. For more of Lewis Buzbee check out https://www.lewisbuzbee.com
2.17 From The Courtroom to the Classroom
On this episode, Bryan welcomes former Georgia Teacher of the Year for 2016 Ernie Lee (@GATOTY2016). At the time of this recording, Mr. Lee had only been in the classroom for a few years. He quickly found great success in the education profession. This former lawyer turned teacher shares strategies that worked well for him and offers some motivation to fellow teachers.
2.16 Students Who Don't Care
Almost every teacher has a classroom where there is one unmotivated student, regardless of what you try. The parents have lost hope. Is this failure your fault? Could a better teacher have done better? Not likely.
2.15 Tales From The Teachers Lounge
Joining us in the Lounge today is Robert Wilder, author of 'Tales From The Teachers Lounge' a series of irreverent, wickedly observant essays about what it really means to be a teacher today.
Leaving a lucrative advertising career in New York, he got a job as a teacher at a Santa Fe alternative school—and never looked back. Now he brings his unique perspective—as a teacher, parent, and former student—to a series of laugh-out-loud essays that show teaching at its most absurd...and most rewarding.
2.14 Stop Comparing Your Life
We as teachers often compare ourselves to other teachers. This is especially true in the days of social media and the results are nothing good. Comparing ourselves to others isn't always healthy, yet we do it anyway.
Bryan reads the blog post "Stop Comparing Your Life. Start Living It" by Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist. The original post is located here: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/stop-comparing-your-life-start-living-it
2.13 What Great Teachers and Principals Do Differently
Joining me on the show is Dr. Todd Whitaker (@ToddWhitaker). He's recognized as a leading motivational speaker in the field of education. On the program we discuss what great teachers and principals do differently.
2.12 The Best of Times and The Worst of Times
It's my birthday month and that has put me in a reflective mood. I'm reminded that I'm getting older. I have more years behind me than in front of me. This reflection has led me to look back over my long teaching career and offer some of what I have found to be effective for my classroom experience.
2.11 A+ Interview Skills For Teachers
This is the time of year when some of us are exploring other opportunities to work at other schools. One of the disadvantages of our profession is that teachers have a very small window of time to interview and be hired. Returning guests Evelyn and James help us to identify what school administrators are looking for.
2.10 Gone But Not Forgotten
This episode was previously released in 2016. With our current times, now seems like a good time to revisit it and be reminded of the impact teachers have on their students.
Like Ben Ellis, one day we will die. Make the most out of the opportunities the teaching profession presents to you. One never knows what kind of impact you can have on others. My grandmother, who was a teacher, was honored at a 50th high school reunion. She was remembered as an inspiration and friend to all.
What will our students remember about us, and our action, long after we leave them? Here's a hint. It won't be about test driven data and meeting state standards for testing.
2.9 Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
Many teachers are now making the decision to stay in education or leave it for something else. Some teachers remain indecisive. Others are scared in not making the perfect decision. Special guest Dr. James Hughey will offer some insight for teachers about making the choice to leave/stay and some ways to take care of their mental health as we finish the school year.
For blog posts, podcasts, and videos from Dr. Hughey visit pfpl.us.
2.8 Passion is Important for Effective Teaching
2.7 Ten Reasons To Love Teaching
2.6 Involving Our Invisible Students
We as educators give attention to those who excel in our classrooms and to the ones who disrupt the learning environment.
However, what about our invisible students? They are disappearing and we may not even know it. You know the type. They don't misbehave and we can go through a whole period/subject without engaging them at all. We can't ignore them. Bryan shares some strategies to help us include the invisible students in our classroom.
2.5 Helping Our Shy Students
Shyness is often misunderstood because it is not one emotion, but a mixture of fear, tension, apprehension, or embarrassment. Shy children seem to lack confidence and are self-conscious especially in new surroundings or when they are the center of attention. Changes in the environment and school pressures are also factors that affect a child’s demeanor.
It is noteworthy that shyness is not necessarily a negative attribute. Many shy children exhibit an ability to please and think for themselves. Being reserved can also be a worthy personality trait. It is when shyness is severe that educators need to be concerned.
Join Bryan as he and education writer Leah Davies (@Kellybearbooks) converse about students who are quiet thinkers and observers. She also manages http://www.kellybear.com
What strategies help you in reaching your quiet and shy students?
2.4 Ten Plus Two
Are you looking for a strategy that allows you to do some lecture but also builds in time for student interaction? In this episode, I'll share the Ten Plus Two strategy from the "Let's Teach" YouTube channel found at https://youtu.be/Y2udPWz_3vg
2.3 Communication That Connects
I talk with Taylor Chapman about the many benefits of using the Remind platform and how it can make us more effective in communicating with students and parents.
Visit Remind at www.remind.com/
2.2 Jump-Start Your Creativity as a Teacher
Despite the fact that teaching seems to be phasing out of modern classrooms, many of us in education recognize its value. In fact, many teachers are doing their best to keep creativity in classrooms.
However, like our car batteries, we sometimes wear down and our inspiration to be creative is lost. We can enter a rut.
Fortunately, this rut can be temporary. On this episode, Bryan shares a blog post from "Write On With Mrs. G" that can help us jump-start our creativity as a teacher.
2.1 It's About Progress Not Perfection
Happy New Year! Joining us on this season premiere of my podcast for teachers is Vicki Davis (@coolcatteacher). She too is a teacher and podcaster. On this episode, Vicki offers some motivation, teaching strategies, and some of what she's learned over her very successful journey as an educator. Check out her podcast "The 10 Minute Teacher" at https://www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast/ .
1.25 Some Holiday Cheer
This season of the podcast concludes with some holiday cheer. Teachers, may your holiday break be merry and bright!
It's Christmas time in the city, and that means we not only get to enjoy the holiday season but also some much needed time off. It's halftime for us as teachers...a time to rest and also maybe think of how the 2nd half of the year will go.
Bryan shares some inspiring stories from teachers to remind you that we as educators can make a difference. Enjoy this episode on why you are a big deal.
1.24 From Darkness to Light
Child abuse is not something we like to discuss, especially this time of year. However, sexual child abuse is going on somewhere right now. Often we as teachers hear this information at the start of the year when we have a ton of responsibilities on our plate and we haven't even met our students.
Now as we approach the halfway mark of the year and know our students, The Teachers Lounge goes back to this topic and invites special guests from Darkness to Light (http://www.d2l.org). They are an organization dedicated to helping those children who suffer from sexual abuse. We discuss the myths, our roles as teachers, and useful strategies in dealing with this very dark topic.
1.23 Traits of Successful Teachers
What truly can bring value to classrooms? To help coach us Bryan talks with National Hall of Fame educator Alan Haskvitz. Alan shares with us certain traits that many excellent teachers have in common.
1.22 Benefits of Classroom Animals
The right dog can be a very positive influence on your students. Both my dogs, Max and Nikki, were able to make a difference at my current school. This also allowed me to spend more time with them in their senior years. All three of us would all go home tired.
Sadly, we lost Nikki on November 29th 2017 and Max on December 10, 2020. Shortly, after Max’s passing I had made a tribute video that highlighted his time at my school. Max had been at the school for 5 and a half years. He was a rock star too many. The school posted it on their social media pages. There was a tremendous amount of support from current families and families who were no longer attending the school. This podcast episode shows that the right dog can make a positive influence in a school environment.
Janelle's Cox article lists those benefits at http://www.teachhub.com/teacher%E2%80%99s-guide-classroom-pets
1.21 Change your Classroom and Yourself with Gratitude
Teaching can be a very discouraging field. It's very tempting to gravitate to the dark side while complaining about our career and being very negative. Owen Griffith is our guest in the Lounge. He is a veteran teacher and educational blog writer (http://spirituallyteaching.blogspot.com). Owen has found that teaching gratitude not only has changed the students in his classroom but also has made him a stronger teacher. We discuss the importance of cultivating an attitude of gratitude in our classrooms and the many benefits it brings.
1.20 Five Reasons I'm a Thankful Teacher
Congratulations to the teachers in the States! You have made it to Thanksgiving break! We all deserve some rest from the classroom. It's also a good time to give thanks.
Kriscia Cabral took some time to write down what she is thankful for when she goes to work as a teacher. In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, Bryan shares her top five reasons on why she is a thankful teacher. For the full article go to http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2013/11/top-5-reasons-im-thankful-teacher
1.19 The Trouble With Boys
Girls rule in school. Great, right? Not to the millions of boys who are performing poorly in reading and writing, being diagnosed with learning disabilities in record numbers, and opting out of college.
Joining us is Peg Tyre, best selling author of The Trouble with Boys. Peg will be giving teachers, school administrators, and concerned parents a clear idea of the problems that beset boys from all walks of life and helping families and schools come up with new tools to ensure all children achieve their best.
Check out the book on Amazon or from Peg Tyre's website at https://www.pegtyre.com
1.18 Stand Up For Yourself
Teachers, no less than anyone, deserve safe workplaces. These days we show a lot of concern about the topic of bullying in regards to our students. Unfortunately, very little is being done about teachers being bullied by their students, parents, and leadership at a place that is supposed to be a bully free zone.
School officials must send an unmistakable message to students that striking or threatening physical violence against a teacher will bring the swiftest and most severe consequences.
Cyber bullying is real not just with student victims but educators as well. If teachers are not safe, disrespected, and have no place to turn for support, our educational system is in serious trouble.
1.17 Common Frustrations In Teaching
Joining me on the program is returning guests Dr. James Hughey and Evelyn Sellers. Together they bring a lot of experience and insight about the teaching profession. For this episode, we respond to our listeners and discuss some common problems that teachers experience.
1.16 Teaching In South Korea
With the current cost of living, and the struggles of the teaching profession here in the States, many teachers are wanting change. Some teachers realize that little will change in their favor. So they make a change by teaching overseas like South Korea where the profession is better respected and the stress is less. In this episode, we talk with a young teacher in South Korea who gives us some insight into the pros/cons of teaching overseas.
1.15 Don't Be Afraid To Ask
Mr. Bryan's Classroom is proud to have a Georgia Teacher of the Year join us for this episode. Emily Jennette is a teacher who has a passion for making a difference in the lives of her students and fellow educators.
On this program, Emily discusses her history about why she became a teacher and some strategies that worked in her classroom. Also, Emily offers encouragement/insights to her fellow teachers who truly want to make a difference.
1.14 Successful Student-Led Meetings
Parent/teacher conferences can be something that both parents and teachers dread. We can get tired of the same old interactions that really did not affect change. Often this conferences take the shape of telling the parents all the “wrong” things their child is doing to earn a bad grade – or it is a time for the parents of the high performing students to come to school to hear how great their child is or is doing. Most of the time the student is excluded from the conference or not given much of a voice to advocate for themselves.
Instead of conferences, why not try goal setting meetings that are led by students? This meeting can be a positive, proactive approach to improve student achievement by facilitating a positive mindset.
Learning cannot happen if students do not understand the expectations and do not have a positive attitude and mindset. Student success is more likely with parents as part of the instructional team.
1.13 Smart Kids in Bad Schools
In Smart Kids, Bad Schools, award-winning author and educator Brian Crosby (brian-crosby.com)draws on his many years as a high school English teacher to offer a candid appraisal of why our schools are failing and what we must do to save them.
1.12 What Motivates You?
1.11 The Power of Listening
Teachers expect their students to listen. However, how are we as listeners to our students? Listening is an important skill for educators and it's a skill many of us struggle with. Dr. James Hughey and Bryan discuss the impact of teachers who listen.
For Dr. Hughey's “Power For Positive Living” podcast & blog posts visit PFPL.US
1.10 Students And Their Excuses
1.9 Teachers Who Are Fascinating Facilitators
1.8 Meaningful Things Educators Can Do Every Day
As we return to teaching, Bryan shares an article from Mike Roberts (@BaldRoberts) on 20 simple-yet-meaningful things teachers can do every day to improve the classroom atmosphere for themselves and their students.
This article can be found on the National Association of Independent Schools website at https://www.nais.org/learn/independent-ideas/august-2018/20-simple-yet-meaningful-things-educators-can-do-every-day/
1.7 The Firm But Fair Teacher
There are many misunderstandings when it comes to being a firm and fair teacher. Fortunately, we have an experienced educator, mentor, and author Robert Ward to help us identify what that looks like in an effective classroom.
For more about Robert Ward, his books, and contact information visit rewardingeducation.wordpress.com
1.6 Classroom Management Tips
On this podcast series, I will not only share his own views and experiences but feature the voice of other educators as well. Some are featured in a conversational episode and others are highlighted by having their written words read aloud.
This episode features an article from edutopia.org titled "How Novice and Expert Teachers Approach Classroom Management Differently" byYouki Terada—plus 6 takeaways for managing your classroom effectively this year."
Whether you are an experienced teacher, or a fairly new educator, I hope you will find some value from this article.
1.5 Benefits of Practicing Gratitude
1.4 A Key to Solving Discipline Problems
For the full article, visit www.teachers.net/wong/SEP13/
1.3 A Back To School Mindset
It's that time of year again! Summer vacation is coming to an end and we're getting ready to start a brand new school year! The start of the year is critical, and so much depends on your attitude. Bryan and Dr. James offer some suggestions.
For more of Dr. James visit PFPL.US
1.2 The Debt Free Teacher
Many teachers are doing a variety of side hustles like tutoring, food delivery, or pet sitting. Why? Because many are trying to better their financial situation, especially with current high cost of living. Others are working to pay off debt.
Is it worth it to be debt free? For many people the answer is yes.
For many, getting out of debt is one of the best things you can do for your financial well-being. The teaching profession is difficult enough to manage with all the various stresses we encounter everyday. Financial stress can add to that.
1.1 The Calm Before The Storm
This brief episode is a prequel to the upcoming season. Bryan checks in and share his thoughts about this podcast series which aims to encourage educators and provide them a voice. This series will also provide teachers helpful tools and strategies. So stay subscribed and be ready for a great season of episodes that will help us become better educators!