Confessions of a PYP Teacher
Latest Episodes
C141: Specialist and Supporting Teachers: Agency 2.0
Welcome to the fourth episode of our specialist and supporting teachers series. We are continuing our journey with agency through the lens of the specialist teacher, in particular the librarian. All other specialist and supporting teachers should be abl
C140: Specialist and Supporting Teachers: Bringing about Agency
Welcome to the third episode in our specialist and supporting teachers series. If you havent listened to the series so far, consider going back to the beginning, because we are getting into the nitty gritty about your roles in each part of the PYP. Agenc
C139: Specialist and Supporting Teachers: Honoring the Unique Role
Welcome to the second episode of my new series to support specialist and supporting teachers. I just want to let you know that in this space you are so valued. The work you do makes the rest of the school more complete. Never forget this my friends as
C138: Specialist and Supporting Teachers: Myths about our Roles
Welcome to our new series about specialist and supporting teachers. I have been thinking a lot about this series over the past couple months, especially during a visit to Le Jardin Academy in Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii. I had a candid chat with the specialist
C137 (Book Club): Growing Brain Power, Yes Please! (pg 122-151)
This is the final week of our exploration of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain. We will explore how to build more intellective capacity with Zaretta Hammond. At my age, I feel like this capacity is waning, so I hope to pick up some tips!The c
C136 (Book Club): Reshaping the Academic Mindset (pg 108-120)
I cant believe that we are almost done with Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond. This book has reaffirmed that some things I am doing are reflective of cultural responsiveness and that there are many ways that I can still gro
C135 (Book Club): Creating an Alliance with our Learners (pg 88 -107)
Welcome back my friends to another episode of Confessions of a PYP Teacher. This episode speaks directly to my heart and I hope it will resonate with you too. Zaretta Hammond focuses on building deep alliances with our learners in chapter 6 of Culturall
C134 (Book Club): Supporting Culturally Responsive Relationships with our Learners (pg 72-87)
Something Ive been thinking about has been learner relationships and why they are not the primary focus in many elementary classrooms. Usually within the first month of school, teachers are building systems and routines of how the classroom will operate
C133 (Book Club): Continuing to Become Aware of our Actions (pg 59-69)
In the past episode, we discussed our own role as a culturally responsive teacher and how it shapes our frame of reference when teaching a classroom full of learners from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, let alone language acquisition, disabilities
C132 (Book Club): Becoming a Culturally Responsive Educator (pg 52-60)
Welcome to another deep dive into the fabulous book, Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond. This week will be full of insights about ourselves. Are you ready to go deep into your practice? To be honest, this chapter left me wi