What does Design Class look like in modern middle and high schools? What do students learn and why are they learning those skills? From coding to building, students do a lot! We learn about Design in the modern classroom from Jason Reagin, Design teacher at Chadwick International School. Listen to the Making Better Teachers... Continue Reading →
Making Better Teachers Podcast Episode 8 – Overcoming Challenges
What challenges have you faced in the classroom that changed you as a person and the way you teach? In this bonus episode, Kevin shares a story about how a challenging student made him a better educator. Some podcast news as well! The MBTP is now part of the VoicED Radio Network ..... amazing content... Continue Reading →
Making Better Teacher Podcast Episode 7 – Student-Centered Learning
What does student-centered learning look like? Where is it going? In this episode, we speak to Tania Mansfield, PYP Coordinator at International School Ho Chi Minh City about their Studio model of student-centered learning. What is it? How was it developed and where is it going? If you're interested in innovative models of teaching... Continue Reading →
Making Better Teachers Podcast Episode 6 – Getting Students Outdoors to Play
Why should teachers focus more on getting kids outdoors to play? How does outdoor play benefit us all? In Episode 6 (Chinese New Year holiday bonus episode), host Kevin O'Shea goes solo to advocate for more outdoor play and nature education for children! Everyone wins when our little ones get outdoors to play and discover... Continue Reading →
Making Better Teachers Podcast Episode 5: Flipgrid Fever!
What is Flipgrid? How can we use technology in a meaningful and creative way in our classrooms? In this episode of the podcast, we chat with Technology Coach, Sean Forde about the Flipgrid app and how he creatively uses at Chadwick International School. Sean also chats about a wonderful project he has developed called #WorldReadAlouds.... Continue Reading →
Making Better Teachers Podcast Episode 4: The Role of the Literacy Coach
What is the role of a school's Literacy Coach? What's it like to be one? In this episode of the podcast, we chat with Middle School Literacy Coach and Education Consultant, Tonya Gilchrist about her role as a coach at an international school in Tokyo, Japan. We learn about both the challenges and the amazing... Continue Reading →
The Decline of Play: Why Teachers Need to Get Their Students Outdoors
When I was a child growing up in rural Eastern Canada in the late 1970s and early ’80s, being a child was a very different thing than it is today. I was a Pre-Internet child. I was a Pre-Helicopter Parent child. Things were indeed different. I grew up playing hours each and every day in... Continue Reading →
Making Better Teachers Podcast 3 – What’s the PYP Exhibition?
So what is the IB PYP Exhibition anyway? Well, if you are a student or teacher at Primary Years Program school, its a pretty big deal. In Episode 3 of the podcast, Grade 5 teacher, Christopher Murray talks with us about the culminating event in a PYP student's academic career. Listen to the Making... Continue Reading →
Making Better Teachers Podcast 2 – The First-Year Teacher
Do you remember your first year in the classroom? We certainly all do! It as a roller coaster ride to say the least. In this week's episode, we chat with first-year teacher, Greg Vice about the challenges and rewards he has faced during his first year as an elementary homeroom teacher. Listen to... Continue Reading →