• Episode 27: Tonya Gilchrist

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    LISTEN to this episode on Anchor and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast!

    27 - Tonya Gilchrist

    Tonya Gilchrist is a literacy coach and language teacher at Tokyo International School in Tokyo, Japan. An experienced speaker and presenter, Tonya advocates for learner agency, the inquiry mindset, and joyful leaders.

    Tonya knew she wanted to become a teacher since she was in third grade, but the daunting pressure and prescriptive directions to teach to standardized tests threatened to make her quit the profession altogether. It was after Googling “What else can I do with a teaching degree?” that she discovered the incredible opportunities in overseas education, and the rest is history. Today, you can hear the passion in Tonya’s voice as she talks about the influences of growth mindset, inquiry-based learning, translanguaging, and the importance of self-care. You’ll also want to hear Tonya’s recommendations for books to read, Twitter accounts to follow, and more.

    Follow Tonya Gilchrist on Twitter @Mrs_Gilchrist, check out life at the Tokyo International School @TISLearns, and read Tonya’s latest thoughts on literacy and education at TonyaGilchrist.com.

    TIMESTAMPS. In this episode, Tonya discusses …

    Song Track Credits

    Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
    Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

    LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!

  • Episode 26 – Bobby McCutcheon

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    BOBBY McCUTCHEON is the principal of Randall Elementary School in Independence, MO. He’s a husband, father, #GeniusHour advocate, travel junkie, Royals fan, and occasional political expert.

    After teaching for several years at the middle and high school levels, Bobby was offered the position of elementary principal and has never looked back. He points to a decision to transform his diet and fitness three years as a turning point in what has become an exciting journey of growth. Today, Bobby is passionate about building a positive culture at Randall and promoting creativity in his students through Genius Hour. You won’t want to miss his remarkable story about a struggling student who dove deep into learning about K-9 police dogs. His learning took him to places he’d never imagined, and he was able to share that journey with the entire school community.

    Follow Bobby McCutcheon on Twitter @Fight4Mizzou and see what’s happening at Randall Elementary School @RandallBears.

    TIMESTAMPS. In this episode, Bobby discusses …

    • 0:53 – his current context as principal at Randall Elementary School
    • 1:34 – the challenges associated with students who are dealing with trauma, and the positive community culture required to create safe spaces
    • 4:11 – what really ignites his passion for education today: teachers who think outside the box, students who explore their creativity through Genius Hour
    • 8:14 – other areas of passion and learning: sports, history, and politics
    • 11:40 – personal habits that have transformed his mental and physical health in three years: regular workouts and an improved diet
    • 15:21 – an education leader to follow on Twitter: Adam Welcome (@MrAdamWelcome)
    • 16:29 – an edtech tool that facilitates PLN participation: TweetDeck
    • 18:08 – a book recommendation: Lead Like a Pirate by Shelley Burgess (@Burgess_Shelley) and Beth Houf (@BethHouf)
    • 19:52 – a podcast recommendation: StartEDup with Don Wettrick (@DonWettrick)
    • 20:59 – two Youtube channels to subscribe to: Message to a New & Aspiring Principal (by @PrincipalKefele) and Athlean X
    • 22:11 – what he’s watching on Netflix these days: all the Marvel and Avengers movies
    • 23:17 – the best ways to follow him online (see above)

    Song Track Credits

    Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
    Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

    LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!

  • Episode 26: Bobby McCutcheon

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    , , , , , ,

    LISTEN to this episode on Anchor and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast!

    26 - Bobby McCutcheon

    Bobby McCutcheon is the principal of Randall Elementary School in Independence, MO. He’s a husband, father, #GeniusHour advocate, travel junkie, Royals fan, and occasional political expert.

    After teaching for several years at the middle and high school levels, Bobby was offered the position of elementary principal and has never looked back. He points to a decision to transform his diet and fitness three years as a turning point in what has become an exciting journey of growth. Today, Bobby is passionate about building a positive culture at Randall and promoting creativity in his students through Genius Hour. You won’t want to miss his remarkable story about a struggling student who dove deep into learning about K-9 police dogs. His learning took him to places he’d never imagined, and he was able to share that journey with the entire school community.

    Follow Bobby McCutcheon on Twitter @Fight4Mizzou and see what’s happening at Randall Elementary School @RandallBears.

    TIMESTAMPS. In this episode, Bobby discusses …

    • 0:53 – his current context as principal at Randall Elementary School
    • 1:34 – the challenges associated with students who are dealing with trauma, and the positive community culture required to create safe spaces
    • 4:11 – what really ignites his passion for education today: teachers who think outside the box, students who explore their creativity through Genius Hour
    • 8:14 – other areas of passion and learning: sports, history, and politics
    • 11:40 – personal habits that have transformed his mental and physical health in three years: regular workouts and an improved diet
    • 15:21 – an education leader to follow on Twitter: Adam Welcome (@MrAdamWelcome)
    • 16:29 – an edtech tool that facilitates PLN participation: TweetDeck
    • 18:08 – a book recommendation: Lead Like a Pirate by Shelley Burgess (@Burgess_Shelley) and Beth Houf (@BethHouf)
    • 19:52 – a podcast recommendation: StartEDup with Don Wettrick (@DonWettrick)
    • 20:59 – two Youtube channels to subscribe to: Message to a New & Aspiring Principal (by @PrincipalKefele) and Athlean X
    • 22:11 – what he’s watching on Netflix these days: all the Marvel and Avengers movies
    • 23:17 – the best ways to follow him online (see above)

    Song Track Credits

    Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
    Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

    LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!

  • Episode 25 – Dan Ryder

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    DAN RYDER is the co-author of Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom. Describing himself as an improviser and design thinker, Dan became an Apple Distinguished Educator in 2017. After teaching high school English for about twenty years, he is currently the Education Director of the Success & Innovation Center at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, ME.

    In our conversation, Dan shares about what ignites his passion for education today: seeing the philosophical focus shift from the acquisition of information to problem-solving, creativity, and design thinking. He challenges teachers to go beyond learning activities that build things just for the sake of building things (ie. “dumpster projects”), and reflects on a personal habit that creates learning and growth in every area of his life. Dan also describes the main message of his book and gives us some awesome recommendations for accounts to follow on Twitter, channels to subscribe to on YouTube, and more.

    Follow Dan Ryder and catch more of his inspiration on these platforms:

    In this episode, Dan discusses …

    • 1:00 – his current education situation: Education Director at the Success & Innovation Center
    • 2:22 – how he overcame the challenges of having creative ideas and initiatives quashed by bureaucracy above him
    • 5:40 – what ignites his passion for education today: seeing the shift from acquiring information to problem-solving, creativity, and design thinking
    • 14:16 – a personal habit that contributes to learning and growth: maintaining a constant curiosity about everything
    • 17:20 – an inspirational educator to follow on Twitter: Ellen Deutscher
    • 18:47 – an edtech tool recommendation: FlipGrid
    • 22:19 – a fictional book recommendation: Little Fires Everywhere (by Celeste Ng)
    • 23:46 – a podcast recommendation that music fans will love: Song Exploder
    • 26:57 – a Youtube channel to subscribe to: Soul Pancake (with a shoutout to their video series on empathy)
    • 28:06 – what he’s watching when he’s not creating: Legends of Tomorrow, Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu), The Strain
    • 30:42 – the best ways to contact Dan and follow his content (see above)

    Song Track Credits

    Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
    Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

    LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!

  • Episode 25: Dan Ryder

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    LISTEN to this episode on iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast!

    25 - Dan Ryder

    Dan Ryder is the co-author of Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom. Describing himself as an improviser and design thinker, Dan became an Apple Distinguished Educator in 2017. After teaching high school English for about twenty years, he is currently the Education Director of the Success & Innovation Center at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, ME.

    In our conversation, Dan shares about what ignites his passion for education today: seeing the philosophical focus shift from the acquisition of information to problem-solving, creativity, and design thinking. He challenges teachers to go beyond learning activities that build things just for the sake of building things (ie. “dumpster projects”), and reflects on a personal habit that creates learning and growth in every area of his life. Dan also describes the main message of his book and gives us some awesome recommendations for accounts to follow on Twitter, channels to subscribe to on YouTube, and more.

    Follow Dan Ryder and catch more of his inspiration on these platforms:

    In this episode, Dan discusses …

    • 1:00 – his current education situation: Education Director at the Success & Innovation Center
    • 2:22 – how he overcame the challenges of having creative ideas and initiatives quashed by bureaucracy above him
    • 5:40 – what ignites his passion for education today: seeing the shift from acquiring information to problem-solving, creativity, and design thinking
    • 14:16 – a personal habit that contributes to learning and growth: maintaining a constant curiosity about everything
    • 17:20 – an inspirational educator to follow on Twitter: Ellen Deutscher
    • 18:47 – an edtech tool recommendation: FlipGrid
    • 22:19 – a fictional book recommendation: Little Fires Everywhere (by Celeste Ng)
    • 23:46 – a podcast recommendation that music fans will love: Song Exploder
    • 26:57 – a Youtube channel to subscribe to: Soul Pancake (with a shoutout to their video series on empathy)
    • 28:06 – what he’s watching when he’s not creating: Legends of Tomorrow, Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu), The Strain
    • 30:42 – the best ways to contact Dan and follow his content (see above)

    Song Track Credits

    Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
    Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

    LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!