Highlights Introducing Elizabeth Hutchinson (01:03). Elizabeth shares some recent PD that had a big impact on her (03:00). Organising PD is great PD (05:58). Elizabeth talks about her own approach to PD previously and now (08:46). The Twitter chat that started everything… Library Staff Love Learning (11:00). Martine talks about how the podcast helps her PD (19:04). The changing landscape of PD - creating your own opportunities (20:28). On Clubhouse (21:03). The challenges of leading your own PD - find your focus, find the time (22:50). The benefits of finding your own PD - finding your purpose, opening doors and finding your clan (28:42). On career paths…. (34:30). Workload and PD - bite-sized PD (36:25). Logging your PD (46:46). Final thoughts (51:43). Find Elizabeth online (52:29). Thanks Thanks to Elizabeth for returning to the show and being an awesome guest. Helpful links Elizabeth’s website Elizabeth on Twitter Episode 13 Why it’s Time to Get to Know Your School Librarian, An Interview With Elizabeth Hutchinson CILIP Martine’s interview with Professor Matt O’Leary Clubhouse Library Staff Love Learning Create Positive Habits That Stick (podcast) 

The Teaching Space

Leading Your Own Professional Development An Interview with Elizabeth Hutchinson

Thanks to Daniela, who is a member of The Teaching Space Community, for suggesting this episode topic. You can join the community at community.theteachingspace.com. This topic has been influenced by my own experience as well a number of articles I read on the topic. I will link to the articles in the show notes which you will find at theteachingspace.com/118. This episode will focus on teachers using Twitter for their own purposes rather than using it with students. Highlights What is EduTwitter? (02:50) Educators on Twitter who generally use EduTwitter as a hashtag. Positives (03:43) It's a great way to connect with people from all over the world working in similar, or entirely different areas of education to you. Building your network in this way can lead to job offers! (Remember AJ from episode 114?) You can engage in interesting, topical discussions, get help, advice and help. You can stay current by knowing what is being discussed in education right now. It's an easy way to find links to interesting articles, podcasts, research, events etc. Event hashtags are fab. It's free PD (although often we forget to log it). It's a great way to try publishing content e.g. tweetstorms. Negatives (08.27) Twitter is a 'social' media platform - invariably you will end up using it for work purposes during social time. This is a boundary that needs consideration. If you are tweeting professionally, you need to consider your employer's viewpoint. On self-promotion. Discussions can turn nasty... not often, but they can. EduTwitter Wellbeing Strategies (11:43) It's all about boundaries. Think about how and when you will engage in Twitter conversation. Who will you be? Is yours a teaching only feed or a mix? Think twice before participating in certain discussions e.g. isolation booths, 'prog' v 'trad' teachers, certain behaviour topics etc. If you are going to participate and disagree, try to 'attack' arguments rather than the people making them (see Greg Ashman's article). Carefully curate your feed, consider your 'bubble' - don't just follow your sector or people who look at sound like you. Find hashtags of interest and check those and also use them. Participate in Twitter chats. Remember people often only show their 'best bits'. If you need a break, remove the app from your phone. Don't be afraid to unfollow people. Mute words. Be human. Final Thoughts (20:33) Treat Twitter as a community but ensure your boundaries are in place. And give me a follow if you're there or joining: MartineGuernsey. Helpful links AJ's story (podcast episode 114) A Beginner's Guide to EduTwitter The Magic That is EduTwitter and Online CPD The Golden Rule of EduTwitter How to mute words on Twitter Twitter 101: How to Start Your Own Teacher Twitter Account Martine on Twitter 

A Teacher's Guide to EduTwitter

Highlights Introducing Parm (00:40). Why Parm thinks teacher wellbeing is at an all-time low (02:22). Martine on boundaries (04:00). Switching to online teaching (05:30). Teachers as perfectionists (06:15). The unseen pressure on women due to Covid (07:10). Living alone on an island and working in education (08:40). The stress epidemic (09:30). Unique challenges in teaching (10:30). Guernsey and Ofsted (14:55). The pressure of always being "on" (16:20). Dropping standards just a tiny bit (17:10). Parm on presenteeism (19:20). Trust, professionalism and the need for a culture of flexibility (24:00). How leadership is changing (25:40). The need for flexibility in leadership (28:01). Could the pandemic help flexible working become more accepted? (28:45). Zoom fatigue... a few tips (29:57). Asynchronous versus synchronous learning online (31:27). Ways to prioritise and increase our wellbeing (33:00). Being able to talk about your mental health is a strength (36:45). Be mindful of the impact of Covid when you deal with colleagues (43:30). About WomenEd (44:38). Thanks Thanks to Parm for being such an interesting and generous guest. Helpful links WomenEd Victoria College, Jersey Parm on Twitter WomenEd on Twitter Podcast: You Need to Stop Being a Perfectionist Teacher Right Now Podcast: Could it be That You Need to Drop Your Standards? High Challenge, Low Threat by Mary Myatt Leading ethically (ASCL) Podcast: Teachers and Mental Health - Interview with Chris Chamberlain Podcast: Managing Worry for Teachers and Trainers 

Talking Teacher Wellbeing An Interview with Parm Plummer

Highlights Introduction In my teaching practice I am always aware of the need for my learners to regularly engage with material I am teaching them to embed it in their long-term memory. It’s also important they practice retrieval in order to remember (00:40). Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve in under 2 minutes (01:17). Something I have realised while studying my master’s in education is that I don’t pay enough attention to this with my own learning - particularly with what I read. So I did some research and tried a few techniques to help me remember what I read. I will share my approach in this episode (01:55). Materials in Focus This episode focuses non-fiction rather than fiction, and ‘real books’ rather than audiobooks (03:10). 12 non-fiction book target for 2021 (04:32 ). How I Remember What I Read Highlighting is great but not enough - highlights must be revisited (05:57). Add annotations to highlights - what does this highlight mean, why did you highlight it and how is the idea interesting or useful to you? (08:04). Send highlights to Readwise and use spaced repetition via email (09:55). Use a tool like Notion to manage your notes, annotations and highlights. For example I have: (10:27) A reading database (each entry includes author details, progress etc and for academic reading the original PDF, annotated PDF and bibliographic details). A Readwise database (linked to my notes and reading databases). A notes database. Write a book summary (11:25). Consider a three sentence summary in the style of James Clear (11:57). Summary (12:58). Helpful links Readwise How to use Readwise with Notion Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve James Clear’s three sentence book summaries 

How to Remember What You Read

Highlights Introduction Making decisions uses considerable mental energy which is limited (00:42 ). Decision fatigue is real (00:52). Educators make a lot of decisions - some significant - so it is definitely worth looking at ways to minimise the number of small decisions we make daily, to reserve energy for the big ones (01:42). Small Decisions Time for a brain dump (01:58). List the small decisions you have to make every day. Examples (02:19): What to eat for lunch/dinner. When to each lunch/dinner. What time to wake up and go to bed. What to do at the gym. What to wear to go to the gym. What to wear to work. What Can You Automate, Delegate or Eliminate? Automate: make automatic, or at least systematised (03:10). Delegate: perhaps to a partner, family member, friend or professional service provider (03:31). Eliminate: get rid of completely! (03:48) Automate Fully automatic: social media, direct debits, comment bank (05:19). Systematised: podcast workflow (Notion template), shopping list (Bring), The Teaching Space Extra (08:00). Delegate Gardening, cleaning and meal planning (Hello Fresh) - I fully acknowledge my privilege in being able to do this (10:33). Skill swap with friends or family - just ask! I now have a new podcast interview editor… (12:03). Eliminate To eliminate decisions entirely, form habits (e.g. gym every day etc). Check out habits podcast episode theteachingspace.com/49, as well as James Clear’s book, Atomic Habits (13:34). Examples: wake up time (see the sleep episode theteachingspace.com/109), clothing (like Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Barack Obama!) (14:22). Community example: Bob’s robot mower and mulcher (16:05). Postpone? Sometimes it is better to postpone (16:45). Over to You What about you? Let’s chat in the community (17:15 ). Helpful links The Teaching Space Community Readwise 5 Ways Teachers Can Mark Faster and Smarter and 5 More Ways Teachers Can Mark Faster and Smarter (podcast episodes) Create Positive Habits That Stick (podcast episode) How to Sleep Better An Interview with Daniel White (podcast episode) Atomic Habits by James Clear Notion template for podcasters Bring app The Teaching Space Extra 

How Teachers and Trainers Can Avoid Decision Fatigue

Highlights Introducing AJ Smith (00:40). On AJ's switch from secondary to primary (01:16). On my switch from finance to education (08:00). How I "met" AJ... spoiler - it's YouTube (10:05). Starting to talk about Notion (10:53). One trust place for everything (12:50). Productivity challenges for teachers (13:24). Finding the Notion community (20:45). What is Notion? (22:47). AJ's Notion setup (24:00). Using Notion to improve your mental health (28:53). How using Notion makes you a better person (!) (32:42). The quick capture/inbox concept (35:20). The second brain (38:20). Is there a danger that we will collect too much information? (43:30). Curate with an action attached (46:11). AJ on YouTube (47:00). Thanks Thanks to AJ for being such an interesting and engaging guest. Helpful links AJ on Twitter Martine on Twitter AJ's blog AJ on YouTube How AJ uses Notion as a Teacher Planner (YouTube video) Notion Mastery course Martine's Notion templates David Allen, GTD Comparative judgement Notion 

Productivity for Teachers and Trainers An Interview with AJ Smith

Highlights Introducing Chris Chamberlain (00:44). About Guernsey Mind (01:50). How can teachers improve their mental health or seek help? (05:10). Self care and self management is a priority (05:21). Emails - are you a 24-hour service? (06:10). Work is not called pleasure! (07:22). On sleep (08:18). Setting boundaries and self-management (11:50). Learning to say no (14:21). We are not perfect (17:00). Reflect on mistakes (17:20). Sharing experiences (17:55). Admitting you are struggling is a strength (20:19). What do you do if you have a colleague studying with their mental health? (22:45). Practice empathy. Are you OK? Actively listen. Remember everyone is different. Signpost to Samaritans, employee assistance, line manager (if appropriate) local Mind charity or GP. Signs of anxiety (23:40). Final thoughts (29:23). Find out more about mental health. Find Chris online (34:38). Thanks Thanks to my generous guest, Chris Chamberlain. Helpful links Email Chris: chris.chamberlain@guernseymind.org.gg Chris on Linkedin Guernsey Mind UK Mind Podcast episode about sleep (an interview with Daniel White) Podcast episode about saying ‘no’ Mental Health First Aid 

Teachers and Mental Health An Interview with Chris Chamberlain

Highlights Introducing Craig (00:53). Trust-based observation key questions (03:54). More on trust-based lesson observations (05:14). Professional conversations and instructional coaching (08:47). Matt O’Leary on observations (10:08). Martine asks Craig if senior leadership observers experience a conflict of interest (quality assurance versus supportive quality improvement) (11:01). Other aspects of teaching that can be evaluated (15:50). Martine asks Craig how observers keep their teaching practice current (16:32). Professional development communities (20:17). The problem with traditional goal setting (23:08). Just one thing… (25:29). Peers working together and owning professional development (26:11). Pandemic thoughts and Mississippi case study (30:38). Wrap up - where to get Craig’s book and find him online (33:40). Thanks Thank you so much to Craig Randall for being a charming and informative guest on the podcast. Helpful links Trust-Based Observations (by Craig Randall on Amazon UK) Trust-Based Observations (by Craig Randall on Amazon.com) Craig’s website: trustbased.com Email: craig@trustbased.com Martine’s podcast interview with Professor Matt O’Leary 

Trust-Based Lesson Observations An Interview With Craig Randall

Episode 111 of The Teaching Space Podcast features my master’s study toolkit (how we love a toolkit episode!) Highlights Introduction (00:32). Year one toolkit (01:48). Bookshelf by Vital Source GoodNotes Microsoft OneNote Cite This For Me Google Calendar Microsoft Word Year two toolkit (06:23). The same: reader access, Cite This For Me, Google Calendar, assignments in Microsoft Word Different: PDF annotation in iAnnotate, Notion for notes, new keyboard for iPad. Reasons for change (09:29). Wrap up (15:00) Helpful links Master’s Degree in Education, Leadership and Management, Open University Episode 110: 12 Tips for Preparing to Study a Master's Degree in Your Spare Discuss this episode in The Teaching Space Community. Bookshelf by Vital Source GoodNotes Cite The For Me iAnnotate Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Rusty and Monica - Notion for Academics 

My Master’s Study Toolkit

Episode 110 of The Teaching Space Podcast shares 12 tips for preparing to study a master’s degree in your spare time. Highlights Introduction (00:29). Tip 1: refresh your study skills (03:23). Tip 2: use your calendar or wall planner (04:44). Tip 3: find out if you are entitled to any study days? (05:40). Tip 4: time block your study time (07:02). Tip 5: start early (08:15). Ad break (08:47). Tip 6: decide on your toolkit - more in the next episode (09:01). Tip 7: consider your support mechanisms (10:21) Tip 8: keep a PDP (12:30). Tip 9: keep a reflective learning journal (12:58). Tip 10: log everything you read (13:58). Tip 11: get a study buddy (14:39). Tip 12: set and log your goals (15:53). Wrap up (16:42). Helpful links Episode 80: On Being a Student Again Open University, Master’s in Education Episode 62: Time Blocking for Teachers and Trainers Episode 98: Time Blocking for Teachers and Trainers Revisited Martine on Twitter Join The Teaching Space Community 

12 Tips for Preparing to Study a Master's Degree in Your Spare Time

Episode 109 of The Teaching Space Podcast is an interview with sleep specialist, Daniel White, who has some great advice to help teachers and trainers sleep better. Highlights Introducing Daniel (00:50). On burnout (01:48). Why sleep matters (03:06). What happens to your brain when you are awake (05:34). How can teachers and trainers learn to sleep better? (06:30). Become aware first - recognise the need to improve (06:43). About circadian rhythm (07:56). Caveman Dan! (09:00). Light exposure (12:15). Addictive blue light (19:38). Avoid blue light in the evening using blue light blocking glasses (20:16). Adjust your tech to reduce blue light (23:56). Think about your house lighting (25:22). Early daytime light exposure is important (27:09). Seasonal affective disorder (31:38). How food affects sleep (35:50). How alcohol affects sleep (37:24). How we sleep (38:32). Final thought: boundaries (43:21). Find Daniel online - links below (45:33). Martine’s wrap up (48:28). Thanks Thanks to Daniel White for being such a generous guest. Helpful links Daniel’s website Sleep Better Live Better course Sleep Better Live Better store Why Light Is Just As Important As Food and How To Hack Your Smartphone, PC or Laptop For Better Sleep Why We Sleep by Professor Matthew Walker Daniel on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Audible offer Iris and Flux (for your computer) Martine on Voxer Email Martine Join The Teaching Space Community 

How to Sleep Better An Interview with Daniel White

Highlights These changes are shared without agenda and with the intention of encouraging you to reflect on whether you need or want to make changes. If it’s not the right time for you to listen to this podcast episode then that’s OK. It’s also OK if you don’t want or need to make changes, or if you do not have the capacity (01:26). I used summer break to introduce some of these changes and establish habits. Six weeks seemed long enough for me to confidently start identifying as a healthier person (02:15). My definition of healthy: anti-diet, pro-movement, comparison-free, and a strong emphasis on mental health (03:34). Change 1: daily exercise (indoor and outdoor cycling) (04:21). Change 2: one weekly exercise session with others (nordic walking) (07:40). Change 3: a little competition (Strava and Apple Activity app) (09:07). Change 4: intermittent fasting (16:8, no calorie counting, two meals) (11:02). Change 5: working towards no blue light at bed time (mobile in office, no social media on iPad, aiming to move iPad soon). Also establishing better routines around bed time (12:04). Change 6: reducing the booze intake (helped by alcohol free beer and gin) (13:30). Wrap Up (16:37) I hope you’ve enjoyed this episode. Another way to become a healthier teacher is to improve your relationship with technology (as alluded to in episode 106). To help with this, you might like to check out my online course, Achieve Inbox Zero. You can find it at theteachingspace.com/shop. Helpful Links Recommended books on habit formation: Atomic Habits by James Clear The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg Episode 100 An Interview with Oliver Caviglioli Peloton app The Laid Back Guide To Intermittent Fasting by Kayla Cox Strava app (Apple and Android) How to run a competition on Apple Activity app Episode 106 How to Establish a Healthier Relationship with Social Media Seedlip non-alcoholic spirits Achieve Inbox Zero course 

Six Changes I Have Made to Become a Healthier Teacher

Highlights Introducing Vanessa Mee (00:53). Vanessa’s journey into teaching (01:52). Transitioning from working in the UK to Guernsey (04:13) The type of trainee teachers Vanessa works with (06:16). How a trainee’s experience of education affects them (08:16). Tip: time block your week and also focus on big picture planning (10:00). Tip: personalise your space and build relationships with your students (12:10). Vanessa on Imposter Syndrome (13:15). Tip: continue research, reading and experimentation (16:05). Tip: maintain links with industry (17:36). Tip: do less (teacher/student activity ratio) (19:30). Tip: look after yourself as a priority (23:10). Tip: become part of your school/college community (24:10). Mentoring trainee teachers (25:35). Wrap Up (26:55) If you are a trainee teacher or a newly qualified teacher or trainer in any sector of education, why not pop over to The Teaching Space community - I’ll see you there. Helpful Links Guernsey College of Further Education South Cheshire College Sir David Collins Time Blocking for Teachers and Trainers (podcast episode) Time Blocking for Teachers and Trainers Revisited (podcast episode) QTLS 

Top Tips for Newly Qualified Teachers An Interview with Vanessa Mee

Highlights Your Relationship with Social Media (02:10) Is your relationship with social media unhealthy? Only you know the answer to this - I encourage honest reflection here. Endless scrolling and finding yourself on your mobile without realising… sound familiar? How many hours a day do you spend on your phone looking at social media? If you were not doing this, what could you be doing? Creating relationships online can affect offline relationships. Your communication skills can suffer. What Can You Do? (06:25) Notifications off. Reduce screen time - check your statistics. Charge your phone overnight in another room (get an alarm clock!) Mute, unfollow, unfriend, block… Recognise accounts that cause you stress. Select people to follow carefully. Think about what you share and when to comment. Take a break. Take apps off your phone - temporarily or permanently. Schedule social media time. Create a cut-off time. Phone your friends. Stop comparing - remember social media is a snapshot. Post later. Use blocking tools. Wrap Up (16:00) If you are currently working on improving your relationship with technology generally, you might like to check out my online course, Achieve Inbox Zero. You can find it at theteachingspace.com/shop. Helpful Links Martine on Twitter Martine on Pinterest Podcast Episode 103 - How to Stop Email Taking Over Your Life Drafts app (where I draft social media messages sometimes - Apple only) How to check your screen time on different devices Achieve Inbox Zero online course 

How to Establish a Healthier Relationship with Social Media

This episode is kindly sponsored by Subject Leaders. Highlights About Professor Matt O’Leary (01:15). What Matt first became interested in observations (01:55). Different types of observations and reasons for them (05:47). Matt’s most recent research into observations (09:43). How Martine’s College executes observations - The ONE THING (16:43). Matt’s thoughts on The ONE THING (19:36). About unseen observation (22:29). Unseen observations while teaching online (27:35). Existing research on professional learning (32:40). The future of observation(43:30). Where to find Matt online (46:39). Thanks Thanks so much to Matt O’Leary for coming on the show and thanks also go to this episode’s sponsor, Subject Leaders. Helpful Links Birmingham City University Matt’s latest research on Research Gate Matt O’Leary on Twitter Matt O’Leary on Linkedin Matt on academia.edu Matt’s book “Classroom Observation” on Routledge and Amazon Guernsey College of Further Education 

Classroom Observation An Interview with Matt O' Leary

The Teaching Space is a weekly, term time podcast for the teacher or trainer who wants to love their job and be an amazing teacher WITHOUT taking work home evenings and weekends.