Navigate our new normal in education with help from 7 education experts, facilitators, and practitioners sharing their strategies and ideas. During this fluid time you might be providing education in a virtual space, in-person, or a blend of both making self-care, student-care and school-care more important than ever. This lively panel of education practitioners from @CollaborateEdu share how we can recharge ourselves, energize our instruction, and create a vibrant and positive learning...

How do we reach a student’s heads, hands and hearts so they are caring, curious, and excited to learn? All learning emanates from the heart. Since education does not operate in vacuum schools cannot educate the whole child alone. Schools function best when we authentically engage the family and the community through whole child education.  Guest Jonathan Raymond explains how to put children at the center and fresh approaches to meet the needs of each child. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… ...

We all have a foundation of leadership and a type of leadership approach. Are you more of a square or a triangle? How can you modify your approach to strengthen your connection to staff or students to improve learning and the school in which you work? You can leverage what you do naturally to get better at things that are not so natural. Guest Mark Stevens explains what you’re missing in your leadership style and how you can get it.   The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “How can simplifying my...

It’s a misconception that if you want classroom discipline with clear boundaries then you have to be mean-spirited. In fact, old ideas of intimidation and anger are no longer effective. Students have changed and educators must change and grow as well. Guest Doug Campbell shares approaches to discipline and classroom management that anyone can use to be a better educator and perhaps an even better parent.   The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “Should I be comparing my skills as an educator to...

Some wonder why any developing country would invest in education in poorer countries. Guest Brad Brasseur explains how this investment pays off for everyone. He also shares strategies for building bridges to help educators mine the potential of any student anywhere. Education is an antidote to getting out of poverty. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “How might I create support to help students’ address their unmet needs like anxiety, depression, loss and more?” About today’s guest Brad L....

Are you making learning memorable for your students? Guest Michael Morrison explains how to tap into the passion for learning and teaching by encouraging moonshot thinking. Make sure you celebrate your learning too. By helping teachers tap into why they got into teaching and engaging students in projects that make a meaningful impact, we can inspire kids to change the world. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “How can I create greater cooperation and engagement of students when giving...

Every young person benefits from learning about their own culture and how they connect with other societies and nations. From the conversations you have, to wall displays, to food festivals, or inviting in key partners, there are many strategies for developing global citizens. Guest Jesse Rizo explains the 3 M’s of cultural awareness because all children deserve to learn about their heritage and have it honored. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “How can you begin to shift a school culture if...

Being student-centered is a fantastic practice for helping young people learn but what about being life-centered? You can excite learning and activate new thinking if you take the opportunity to bring innovation outside through activities such as a school garden. Guest Derek Rhodenizer explains how to bring an exciting experiential, life-centered approach to education and break free of ho-hum patterns of teaching and learning.   The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “How do we easily explain...

Making and sharing mistakes is one of the most powerful tools for learning. However, many adults and students do all they can to avoid and hide those mistakes. Guest Jon Harper explains how to strengthen your courage to make and discuss mistakes so you and the young people you influence most can become learners for life.     The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “How can we escape the trap of grading and assessments that don’t measure or appreciate student creativity and innovation?” – Narea,...

Wonder how you can engage students in learning for hours at a time without teacher instruction or videos then get your license to take risks! Guest Christopher Weiss explains how personalized learning and self-regulation can go hand-in-hand when you increase student ownership through innovative practices such as the Global Cardboard Challenge.  Increase your students’ abilities to problem-solve and learn and find yourself enjoying teaching more. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “Do we really...

Breaking boy & girl stereotypes in the classroom.  Everyone contributes to building the self-confidence and self esteem of girls. Media images and messages play a key role but how we speak to them in the classroom also has a big impact. Dr Jennifer Hartstein explains how we have to challenge our own views and overcome conversations around “locker room talk” and then challenge young people to be critical thinkers and actors themselves. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “How to help...

Fixed mindsets are not what many kids are born with, yet that changes as we teach them to play the game of school with compliance, our grading practices, and even how we speak. So how do we foster a growth mindset instead? Guest Brad Weinstein explains how to encourage growth in any student by changing our language and creating opportunities that allow them to create, fail, and persevere.     About today’s guest Brad Weinstein is the principal at Irvington Preparatory Academy in...

Every school, no matter where it is, has to deal with incidents of exclusion, put downs, intimidation, and social media drama. But we can all take actions to create a safer, more accepting, and happier school. In this special episode, learn 3 specific ways to create a school that is both emotionally AND physically safe. About today’s guest We take a break in our regular show format this week as host John Linney shares tips to create safer and happier schools and a special resource you can...

Are you and your colleagues clear about why you work in education? Guest Amy Fast explains how you can keep the fire for teaching and learning alive. Teaching and learning is an emotional endeavor. When you can tap into the “why,” you will gain purpose, energy and motivation. After all, it’s not about the mandates, it’s about your mission.   The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “How to find new ways to grow and develop ourselves.” – Cecilia, Washington DC   About today’s guests Dr. Amy Fast...

When we spend so much time and energy tending to the needs of others it’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves. But making sure we are taking the best care of our own wellbeing is the best way to be of service. Guest Lori Vandeborne from #FitnessEdu discusses the resources and supports available to help us stay motivated to meet our fitness goals.      The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “Creating the right mindset to take care of yourself so others can benefit from you at your very best.”...

Abuse, neglect, drug use, divorce or parents in prison can have a dramatic effect on student behavior, focus and achievement. As an educator you will meet and have to teach students who’ve had traumatic experiences. In this interview, Jethro Jones explains how to preempt outbursts by taking a trauma sensitive approach that helps young people refocus and learn. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “What is the single best thing to focus on in the first week of school?” Response from recent keynote...

When tragic events, pain, and violence dominate the news cycle, we can all go back to what Mr. Rogers said, “Look for the helpers.” Teaching kindness, supporting LGBTQ youth, and developing empathy are just a few practices we can use to stop cycles of hurt while renewing our faith in others. Don’t miss this special show featuring memorable excerpts from De Palazzo, Sheila Sjolseth, and Carrie Wrubel.   About today’s guest These are highlights from previous episodes but you can hear the...

ADHD is a unique planning disorder that affects managing important school tasks. So how do we work with students or even our own children with ADHD in school systems that are not optimized for them? In Part two of our interview, Dr. Mark Bertin offers advice for task management and overcoming challenges associated with ADHD so you can help students and parents while reducing stress. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “Finding what fuels you to unlock energy and innovation in yourself, in...

Working with students and adults with ADHD has many challenges but we can communicate more effectively and cultivate harmony with the right strategies. ADHD expert Dr. Mark Bertin explains how practicing mindfulness can stop spirals of stress to make better choices. Listen in and be introduced to new awareness and skills you can use to manage ADHD more effectively. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “What you must think about first before you to speak your mind,” Lessons from an adult training...

Education can get stuck in an implementation culture that disempowers educators and inhibits innovation. However, you don’t have to be at the whim of the next education trend.  Listen to guest David Geurin discusses using possibility thinking and exercising your innovation muscles so you have a voice and can lead from wherever you are.   The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “How to set a mindset for coping with and embracing change.”  Special comments   About today’s guest Bio: Dr. David...

Educators have been disempowered and de-professionalized over time with the increase on standardized teaching and testing. But there are steps any school could take to increase the voice and morale of educators. Guest Deyonne Jackson explains what a Teacher Powered School can do for you and how to create one. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “How to tell where I am in the ladder of youth engagement?”  Special comments from a Positive Youth Development Workshop About today’s guest Deyonne...

Stop second guessing yourself and learn to ask the right questions of yourself and others. Every situation is an opportunity to develop a leadership mindset by focusing on growth and reflection over blame and guilt.  Guest Sean Thom explains how to stop mentally beating up on our students, or ourselves, and shift to reflection and growth to develop relational leadership skills. The Edspiration Inbox Answers… “I live near the school where a girl was killed in a school bathroom. I want to...