New Teacher Talk

Ep 113: Recharge & Reflect: A Teacher's Guide to Holiday Renewal

The holiday break is more than just time off—it's an opportunity for personal and professional rejuvenation. In this essential episode of New Teacher Talk, our expert educators share invaluable strategies for meaningful reflection, stress relief, and intentional rest. From gratitude practices and work-life balance to creative goal-setting and connection with loved ones, discover how to make the most of your well-deserved break.

Keywords: #TeacherWellness #EducatorSelfCare #HolidayRest #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeacherMindset #WorkLifeBalance

Ep 112: Transforming Teaching: A Journey Through Mathematics Education

In this episode of New Teacher Talk, Dr. Beth and Dr. Anna sit down with Hannah Curran, an inspiring early career educator and the first graduate of the Master’s in Elementary Mathematics program at New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL). Hannah shares her unique teaching journey, starting in social studies and now excelling as a special education teacher in science. Hear how she overcame her insecurities in math, embraced the flexibility of NJCTL’s program, and transformed her teaching practice with insights on content mastery and continuous assessment. Discover how professional development opportunities like graduate school and additional certifications can empower educators and enhance student outcomes.  

Tune in to explore how adaptability, innovative teaching strategies, and lifelong learning can make a lasting impact in the classroom!  

If you’d like to learn more about NJCTL’s graduate school program: https://njctl.org/teacher-education/graduate-school/

Ep 111: Four Strategies to Transform How Your Students Experience Mathematics

Ready to revolutionize your math classroom? In this enlightening episode, Dr. Sara Curran, a veteran K-5 instructional coach and former fourth-grade teacher, unpacks four game-changing strategies that will transform how your students experience mathematics.

Drawing from her extensive classroom experience, Dr. Curran reveals the secret sauce to creating a vibrant math learning community where every student can thrive. She breaks down the crucial progression from concrete to abstract thinking, offering practical tools and techniques that you can implement immediately.

Whether you're struggling with student participation or looking to elevate your math instruction, this episode delivers actionable strategies that work across all elementary grade levels. Dr. Curran shares her treasure trove of tried-and-tested resources, from engaging manipulatives to innovative digital tools, all designed to spark mathematical thinking and foster productive struggle.

Episode Highlights:

• Building an inclusive math community where every voice matters
• The step-by-step journey from concrete to abstract mathematical understanding
• Proven techniques for boosting student engagement and participation
• How to design and implement productive struggle tasks that challenge and motivate
• Practical differentiation strategies that meet diverse learning needs

Perfect for K-5 teachers, instructional coaches, and anyone passionate about making math accessible and engaging for young learners. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your math instruction and ignite a love for mathematical thinking in your classroom.

Ep 110: Formal Evaluation as an Early Career Teacher

In this essential episode of New Teacher Talk, Dr. Amy Howerton, English Department Chair at Oswego High School, shares her expertise on navigating teacher evaluations with confidence. Drawing from over two decades of experience as both a teacher and evaluator, Dr. Howerton presents four actionable tips that every new teacher needs to know. From understanding evaluation criteria to mastering pre and post-evaluation conversations, this episode provides a roadmap for turning evaluations into opportunities for professional growth. Whether you're preparing for your first evaluation or looking to improve your approach, Dr. Howerton's insights will help you transform this challenging process into a valuable learning experience.

🎧 Key Topics:

• Building confidence through preparation
• The power of active listening in evaluation meetings
• Making the most of mentor relationships
• Turning evaluation into an ongoing growth opportunity

Ep 109: Using Polling Devices in the Classroom

Join us as we dive into the world of classroom polling with education experts Susan Olszewski and Melissa Axelsson from the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL). Discover how polling devices can transform student engagement, provide real-time feedback, and help teachers identify and address misconceptions more effectively. Our guests share practical strategies, success stories, and tips for implementing polling tools like Socrative in your classroom. Whether you're tech-savvy or just getting started, this episode offers valuable insights for educators at all levels.

Learn more:

NJCTL: www.njctl.org

Socrative: www.socrative.com

Pear Deck: www.peardeck.com

Keywords: #EdTech #StudentEngagement #FormativeAssessment #ClassroomPolling #TeacherPD #NJCTL

Ep 108: Family Engagement in Literacy Development

In this insightful episode, literacy expert Leana Malinowsky explores how teachers can effectively partner with families to support children's reading and writing development. She provides practical strategies for creating a strong home-school connection that enhances literacy learning.

Key Topics Covered

- The critical role of family involvement in literacy development

- Strategies for engaging families in literacy activities

- Supporting oral language development at home

- Practicing foundational reading skills

- Incorporating writing activities in the home environment

- Building effective home-school communication

Recommended Strategies

1. Family Resource Sharing

   - Curated lists of age-appropriate books

   - Take-home reading materials

   - Guidelines for reading aloud

   - Writing prompts for family activities

2. School-Based Events

   - Family literacy nights

   - Parent workshops

   - Reading celebrations

   - Writing showcases

3. Communication Channels

   - Regular newsletters

   - Digital updates

   - Two-way communication platforms

   - Progress sharing opportunities

Featured Resource

Reading Rockets: https://www.readingrockets.org/

- Comprehensive literacy resource for families

- Research-based strategies

- Printable activities

- Parent guides

Action Steps for Teachers

1. Establish regular communication routines with families
2. Share specific strategies families can use at home
3. Provide accessible resources in multiple languages when possible
4. Create opportunities for family involvement in the classroom
5. Celebrate literacy achievements with families

Connect With Us

• Subscribe to the New Teacher Talk podcast
• Join our educator community
• Share your family engagement success stories

Ep 107: From Classroom to Careers

Join host Ryan Lamping, Vice President at Amergis Educational Staffing, in an insightful conversation with former educators Alysa Nelson and Rachael Hodge as they share their journey through education and beyond. This episode explores the challenges of teaching during COVID-19, the importance of school culture, and how educational staffing agencies can support teachers in their career transitions.

Key Topics Discussed:

- 🎓 Transitioning from traditional to virtual learning during COVID-19

- 👥 The crucial role of school culture and supportive leadership

- 📚 Importance of classroom resources and educator collaboration

- 🔄 Working with educational staffing recruiters

- 📋 Navigating licensure requirements across states

- 💡 Personal insights from former educators

Featured Guests

- Alysa Nelson: Former educator sharing her experience in the education field

- Rachael Hodge: Former related services personnel offering unique perspectives

- Guest Host: Ryan Lamping, VP at Amergis Educational Staffing

Key Takeaways

1. School culture and leadership support are fundamental to educator success
2. Educational staffing recruiters provide valuable personalized guidance
3. Understanding licensure requirements across states is crucial for career mobility
4. Early awareness of staffing agencies can provide more career opportunities
5. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unique challenges and learning experiences

Resource

- Amergis Educational Staffing services: https://careers.amergis.com/

Ep 106: Unexpected Leadership: Navigating Challenges in Your Early Teaching Year

In this episode of New Teacher Talk, Dr. Beth and Dr. Anna sit down with Lena Mackley, an eighth-grade English Language Arts teacher, to discuss her unique experiences as an early career educator who unexpectedly found herself in leadership roles like team lead and co-department chair.

Lena shares the ups and downs of balancing leadership responsibilities while still learning the ropes of teaching. She highlights the importance of having a supportive mentor and offers valuable advice for new teachers who are interested in leadership opportunities. Key takeaways from this insightful conversation include:

- Leadership in the early years: Embrace new opportunities with an open mind, even when they come unexpectedly.

- The power of mentorship: Find a mentor who can provide guidance and support as you grow both as a teacher and leader.

- Building a strong resume: Make sure your accomplishments are reflected in your resume to help open doors for future leadership roles.

- Seeking support: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from colleagues, administrators, or mentors when taking on new responsibilities.

- Administrator involvement: The role of administrators is crucial in providing guidance and resources to early career teacher leaders.

Lena’s experience is a reminder that while leadership can be challenging, it also brings invaluable growth opportunities. Listen in for practical advice and inspiration for teachers ready to step up and lead!

Key Words

• Early Career Teacher
• Teacher Leadership
• New Teacher Challenges
• Teacher Support System
• Classroom Leadership
• Teacher Growth
• Navigating Leadership

Ep 105: Prioritize, Balance, and Thrive! (Tips from Heather Lyon)

In this episode of New Teacher Talk, we welcome Heather Lyon, a knowledgeable school administrator, author, blogger, and mom! Heather shares her wisdom and encouragement for new teachers as they navigate the complexities of their first few years in the profession. Here are some of her key takeaways:

- Embrace growth through imperfections: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; they are part of the learning process.

- Prioritize tasks that have the biggest impact on students: Focus your energy on what matters most for student success.

- Find your support system: Lean on colleagues, mentors, friends, or professional communities when things get tough.

- Set boundaries: Separate work and personal life to maintain a healthy balance.

- Streamline your grading: Concentrate on assignments and assessments that directly measure student growth.

- Don’t hesitate to ask for help: Whether from colleagues, administrators, or friends, reach out when you need it.

- Self-care is key: Make time for rest, hobbies, and loved ones to recharge.

 Tune in for practical tips and encouragement that will make your teaching journey a little smoother and a lot more fulfilling!

Keywords:

• New Teacher Support
• Teacher Growth
• Embracing Imperfection

Ep 104: Ace Your Progress Conferences

In this enlightening episode of New Teacher Talk, Dr. Monica Boehle, NBCT, provides invaluable strategies for early career teachers on how to effectively prepare for and conduct progress conferences with students and their caregivers. The conversation centers around the significance of gathering student reflections, showcasing grade-level work exemplars, maintaining focused discussions, meticulous note-taking, and following up on action items post-conference.

Key Takeaways:

• Gathering Student Reflections: Importance of collecting insights from students about their learning journey.
• Exemplars of Grade-Level Work: Utilizing student work samples to illustrate expected standards and achievement.
• Focusing the Conversation: Strategies to keep discussions centered on student progress and goals.
• Note-Taking: The value of documenting key points during the conference for future reference and follow-up.
• Action Steps: Follow through on identified next steps to support student learning and development.

Resources:

• Student to Grown Up Letter: A tool for facilitating student reflections and fostering their voice in the conference process.
• Student Conference Agenda Sheet: An effective resource for organizing notes and ensuring comprehensive discussions during conferences.

Goals:
The primary objective is to establish strong collaborative partnerships with caregivers that enhance student learning by recognizing individual progress, strengths, and areas for improvement.

Keywords:
Progress Conferences, Student Reflections, Exemplars, Note-Taking, Action Steps, Collaborative Partnerships, Early Career Teachers, Student Voice, Teaching Strategies.