 Parent/teacher conferences can be something that both parents and teachers dread. We can get tired of the same old, 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.

The Teachers Lounge

3.7 Successful Goal Setting Meetings

Too often as educators we focus much of our energy on the problems we have in the classroom and not enough on possible solutions. For this episode, we discuss some common problems that listeners are experiencing and offer some possible solutions. James hosts The Power For Positive Living podcast. Visit https://power4positiveliving.libsyn.com/

3.6 Solution Based Teaching

The Teachers Lounge welcomes former Georgia Teacher of the Year for 2016 Ernie Lee (@GATOTY2016) to the program. 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 shared  strategies that worked well for him and offered some motivation to fellow teachers.

3.5 From The Courtroom to the Classroom

On the podcast, Bryan 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. A recent "study reveals the ways in which new and experienced teachers think about discipline—plus 6 takeaways for managing your classroom effectively this year." Whether you are an experienced teacher, or a fairly new educator, the Teachers Lounge believes you will find some value from this article. 

3.4 Different Approaches To Classroom Management

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.       

3.3 Smart Kids in Bad Schools

Welcome back to school! For some of us, it may have been awhile since we've had a normal classroom environment. Whether our school has a mask mandate or not it's a good time to review procedures. Procedures tell a student what to do. This form of prevention can be an important key to solving discipline problems. For the full article, visit http://www.teachers.net/wong/SEP13/    

3.2 Prevention: The Key to Solving Discipline Problems

This brief episode is more of  a prequel to the upcoming season. Bryan checks in and share his thoughts about this podcast series. Like our teaching profession, it produces feelings of discouragement as well as rewards.  The Teachers Lounge will return for a new season of shows that aims to encourage educators and provide them a voice. The show also aims to provide teachers helpful tools/strategies to make this next school year a successful one.  So stay subscribed and be ready for a great season of episodes that will help us become better educators!

3.1 The Calm Before The Storm

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, Edhelper.com,  Evernote, Freecycle.org and Google Drive.  As most of us conclude a challenging school year, this will be the final show for this season.

2.11 Let It Go

For many of us, we are near the end of the school year! Congratulations! It has been a year like no other. Even with a pandemic, teachers found a way to influence their students. The Teachers Lounge 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.    

2.10 The Power of Influence

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. http://robertwilder.com/  

2.9 Tales From The Teachers Lounge

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.  

2.8 Stand Up For Yourself

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.

2.7 What Great Teachers Do Differently

Recently, I lost my dog of 13 years. Max was fortunate to spend his senior years working in my classroom.  I heard from many parents, staff, and students about the impact Max had on the school.  The right animal in the right classroom can provide a lot of value. Janelle's Cox article lists the following benefits:  Teaches Responsibility: Having a classroom pet allows children to understand the responsibility that is involved in order to take care of an animal. Whether it’s feeding it lunch or cleaning out the cage, children will learn what it takes to care for something other than themselves. Students Learn Compassion: A classroom pet is a great way to teach children compassion and how to nurture. Children will learn how to properly handle and care for the pet. Even the toughest of kids will have the chance to practice his/her nurturing skills. They will learn that they need to treat the pet carefully in order for it to trust them. Is Therapeutic for Children: Classroom pets can bring calmness to children who have anxiety or stress in their lives. Studies show that classroom animals lessen tension and help children to be calmer. What teacher wouldn’t want that in their classroom? Can be good for Your Health: There has been a lot of research on the benefits of animals and your health. Studies not only show that children who have pets are better equipped to fight off infection, but they also tend to average more days at school than children who do not have a pet. It Enriches the Classroom Experience: Classroom pets introduce children to the world of animals. If students don’t have a pet of their own at home, they can see, feel, touch, and learn what it takes to care for one at school. For the full article from Janelle Cox please visit http://www.teachhub.com/teacher%E2%80%99s-guide-classroom-pets

2.6 Benefits of Classroom Animals

Educators, may your holiday break be merry and bright! Enjoy this rebroadcast on why you are a big deal.  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 also shares some inspiring stories from teachers to remind you that we as educators can make a difference.

2.5 Some Holiday Cheer

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. Her book has been hailed by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Newsweek, Redbook, U.S News & World Report, People Magazine, Parents, the Today Show, Fox & Friends, and Anderson Cooper 360. 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.

2.4 The Trouble With Boys

Most new teachers don't make it past the five year mark, and its easy to understand why. Teachers are stressed from budget cuts, testings, discipline problems, parents, poor adminstrators, etc. This show is designed to encourage teachers and to provide useful tools to help them succeed.