As 2018 comes to a close I have done a great deal of reflection as an educator and a content creator.
Most of my adult life I have been a content creator. I have been a blogger, YouTuber, and podcaster.
Of all the content I have created, I am most proud of my podcast, the Just Japan Podcast. I produced nearly 200 episodes over the years and had a large and very loyal following.
The reason I created the Just Japan Podcast was to fill a void. At the time there were now good podcasts about Japan. If there were, they were very myopic in their scope. I wanted to make a podcast that I wanted to listen to. I wanted a long-form podcast with a wide variety of topics and guests.
My family and I left Japan more than a year and a half ago to work and live in Beijing, China. At the end of this school year, we will be leaving China for parts unknown. I will take my international teaching career to a new school, in a new country. After so much time away from Japan, a country I still am connected to since my wife is Japanese, I want to take on a new content creation challenge.
Last year I started developing the Making Better Teachers Podcast. I recorded a few episodes and then I sat on it.
The concept is a shorter form podcast, 30 minutes or less per episodes, about all aspect of teaching. Each week (twice a week possibly), I will talk to different educators, administrators, coaches, students, etc., about a wide variety of topics.
There will be something for everyone. Whether you teach early years, high school or are an administrator, there will be episodes of interest.
As I become more serious about my career as a teacher and growing my professional learning network, I want to create something that has value for teachers all around the world.
I have dozens of episodes already planned and a large number of future guests have been contacted and arrangements for interviews are being made.
I will launch the podcast in January 2019 when I get back to Beijing after the winter holiday. It will be available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, etc..
I am really excited to launch this new podcast. I really hope it will become a valuable professional learning tool for teacher everywhere.
Stay tuned…
More information to come!
About the Writer:
Kevin O’Shea is a PYP/Nature/Outdoor educator currently based in Beijing, China. He is a father, husband, and avid conservationist. Kevin is an advocate for outdoor play and nature education. He is the host of the long-running Just Japan Podcast and is currently developing the Making Better Teachers Podcast!
Twitter: @MadForMaple
Email: makingbetterteachers@gmail.com
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