The Teachers Lounge

 Many teachers are doing a variety of side hustles like tutoring, food delivery, or pet sitting. Why? Because many are trying to better their financial situation, especially with current high cost of living.   Others are working to pay off debt.  Is it worth it to be debt free? For many people the answer is yes.   For many, getting out of debt is one of the best things you can do for your financial well-being. The teaching profession is difficult enough to manage with all the various stresses we encounter everyday. Financial stress can add to that.    

This brief episode is a prequel to the upcoming season. Bryan checks in and share his thoughts about this podcast series which aims to encourage educators and provide them a voice. This series will also provide teachers helpful tools and strategies.  So stay subscribed and be ready for a great season of episodes that will help us become better educators!

What truly can bring value to classrooms? To help coach us Bryan talks with National Hall of Fame educator Alan Haskvitz. Alan shares with us certain traits that many excellent teachers have in common. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

As I wrap season two of the podcast, this episode serves as an epilogue. While we get ready to start our summer break in the States my time away from the classroom will be extended. Since the field of education doesn't seem to be making positive changes for teachers it's time for me to make a change. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

As the school year is coming to an end, many teachers shut down and give the students unstructured free time. While this may work with some groups, for many teachers it can lead to more stress and classroom management problems. In this episode, Bryan shares some ideas on how you can end the school year on a fun note, yet stay true to the learning environment. After all, students have all summer to rest and goof around. It shouldn't happen in your classroom. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

Joining me on the show is Dr. Todd Whitaker (@ToddWhitaker). He's recognized as a leading motivational speaker in the field of education. On the program we discuss what great teachers and principals do differently. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

This is the time of year when some of us are exploring other opportunities to work at other schools.  One of the disadvantages of our profession is that teachers have a very small window of time to interview and be hired.  Returning guests Evelyn and James help us to identify what school administrators are looking for.   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mr-bryans-classroom/message

If you watched the Superbowl, you couldn't help but notice the atmosphere was filled with excitement and passion. The announcers, players, fans, and halftime performers acted like they really wanted to be there and enjoyed what they were doing.  Can the same be said about you in your classroom?  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mr-bryans-classroom/message

 The right dog can be a very positive influence on your students. Both my dogs, Max and Nikki, were able to make a difference at my current school. This also allowed me to spend more time with them in their senior years. All three of us would all go home tired.  Sadly, we lost Nikki on November 29th 2017 and Max on December 10, 2020. Shortly, after Max’s passing I had made a tribute video that highlighted his time at my school. Max had been at the school for 5 and a half years. He was a rock star too many. The school posted it on their social media pages. There was a tremendous amount of support from current families and families who were no longer attending the school. This podcast episode shows that the right dog can make a positive influence in a school environment. Janelle's Cox article lists those benefits at http://www.teachhub.com/teacher%E2%80%99s-guide-classroom-pets --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mr-bryans-classroom/message

 Teachers, no less than anyone, deserve safe workplaces. These days we show a lot of concern about the topic of bullying in regards to our students. Unfortunately, very little is being done about teachers being bullied by their students, parents, and leadership at a place that is supposed to be a bully free zone.   School officials must send an unmistakable message to students that striking or threatening physical violence against a teacher will bring the swiftest and most severe consequences.  Cyber bullying is real not just with student victims but educators as well. If teachers are not safe, disrespected, and have no place to turn for support, our educational system is in serious trouble.   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mr-bryans-classroom/message

 Joining me on the program is returning guests Dr. James Hughey and Evelyn Sellers. Together they bring a lot of experience and insight about the teaching profession. For this episode, we respond to our listeners and discuss some common problems that teachers experience.   --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message

In Smart Kids, Bad Schools, award-winning author and educator Brian Crosby (brian-crosby.com)draws on his many years as a high school English teacher to offer a candid appraisal of why our schools are failing and what we must do to save them.        --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mr-bryans-classroom/message