20 Minutes of Teaching Brilliance (On the Road with Trust-Based Observations)

In this episode, Craig Randall interviews Stephanie Guy, an elementary teacher at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Boise, Idaho.

Stefanie shares her journey from a career in fashion to becoming an educator, now in her ninth year. She discusses the positive impact of her customer service experience at Nordstrom on her teaching approach, emphasizing the importance of catering to students' needs.

She elaborates on her teaching strategies, highlighting the use of songs, peer teaching, and student-led learning to enhance engagement and understanding.

The episode explores Stephanie's focus on building a classroom community based on trust, respect, and high expectations, where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities.

She also underscores the significance of visible learning, self-assessment, and feedback in fostering student ownership and success.

01:27 Stefanie's Journey from Fashion to Education

02:33 Incorporating Business Strategies into Teaching

03:41 Visible Learning and Student Engagement Techniques

11:01 Creating a Classroom Culture of Trust and Learning

13:19 Effective Classroom and Student Behavior Management

16:15 Building Strong Relationships and Community in the Classroom

18:03 Leveraging Music and Student Leadership in Lessons

24:32 The Power of Self-Assessment and Feedback in Learning

In this episode, Craig Randall hosts Jasmine Hanson, a dedicated educator with extensive experience in teaching, mentoring, and coaching from Lathrop, Missouri.

Jasmine shares her journey through various educational roles, highlighting her transition from teaching elementary to middle school science, and her focus on classroom management and student engagement.

She discusses the importance of building strong relationships with students, the challenges of teaching post-COVID, and the necessity of adapting teaching strategies to meet students' needs.

Jasmine emphasizes the role of feedback, the impact of small changes in teaching practices, and the significance of creating a supportive learning environment that encourages student participation and growth. The conversation also covers strategies for managing diverse classrooms and fostering a culture of respect and understanding among students.

02:23 The Impact of Diverse Teaching Experiences

05:50 Classroom Management: Beyond Discipline

07:37 Building Relationships and Engagement in the Classroom

17:02 Innovative Teaching Strategies and Peer Learning

26:41 Embracing Growth Mindset in Education

This episode features Liz Smith, a fifth-grade teacher at Robertson Elementary School, and focuses on trust-based observations and strategies for effective teaching.

Liz, with a decade of experience, emphasizes the importance of caring for students, understanding their individual needs, and the critical nature of work-life balance in teaching.

The conversation covers the significance of formative assessments, progress tracking, and relationship-building in the classroom.
Liz shares insights into making learning interactive, leveraging self and peer assessments, and integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) into daily activities.

Special attention is given to the implementation of grading systems, the creation of a supportive learning environment, and the role of reflective practices in both teacher and student growth.

00:37 Meet Liz Smith: A Fifth Grade Teacher's Journey

01:10 The Impact of Growing Up in a Teaching Family

01:19 The Essence of Caring in Teaching

02:29 Balancing Work and Life as a Teacher

09:25 Formative Assessment and Student Engagement

17:11 Building Relationships and Classroom Management

20:18 Self-Assessment and Tracking Student Progress

In this episode, Craig Randall interviews Malik Bryant, a dedicated educator at Martin Luther School, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania.

Malik shares his personal journey from pursuing a business degree to finding his calling in teaching, driven by his innate desire to help others.

His story unfolds from his initial job roles to his impactful position at Martin Luther School, thanks to his brother's encouragement. Martin Luther School, specializing in social and emotional behavior support, has a unique approach to education, focusing on behavioral management alongside academic excellence to reintegrate students into their districts.

Malik's transformative teaching methods, which emphasize understanding each student's needs, differentiation, and encouragement, are discussed. His approach, based on building strong relationships and fostering confidence through continuous encouragement and a rewards system, has had a profound effect on his students.

The conversation delves into Malik's first-hand experiences and successful strategies in the classroom, emphasizing the importance of asking questions to promote self-learning among students, rather than providing answers. This approach ensures students grow academically and personally, fostering a positive learning environment. Malik's exemplary dedication to teaching and personal philosophy of making learning accessible and enjoyable sets a remarkable example for educators everywhere.

00:00 Introduction to Trust Based Observations with Malik Bryant

00:29 Malik Bryant's Journey into Teaching

02:59 The Unique Approach of Martin Luther School

05:36 Building Confidence and Relationships in the Classroom

07:01 Understanding and Adapting to Each Student's Needs

16:06 The Art of Questioning to Enhance Learning

18:45 Personal Teaching Philosophy and Building Student Confidence

In this episode, Craig Randall interviews Emily Welu, a dedicated math teacher at Holy Redeemer School in Marshall, Minnesota. Emily shares her innovative teaching strategies, including building thinking classrooms, using story arcs for lesson planning, and creating a career wall to connect math to real-world applications. The conversation delves into the importance of teacher-student relationships, engagement techniques, and Emily's experiences with trust-based observations.