Teacher Besties' Podcast

On the agenda...testing, wrapping up the school year, later start times, and ladies in STEM.

On this week's episode we check back in after the refreshing time off that is spring break to discuss what happens when Kelley comes across a dusty pile of unused (but fabulously diverse) books and why people need to stop hating on teachers. Plus, news on a scandal in the Detroit Public Schools (not another thing for DPS!) and a landmark case in California regarding teacher tenure.

On this week’s episode we discuss Kelley’s experience with a Teaching Tolerance professional development session, interrogation tactics that are used against students, as well as the controversy of using Namaste in reducing stress in elementary students.

On this week's episode we discuss the state of sex ed in U.S. classrooms and how porn is influencing high school students, a bill in Mississippi that proposes grading parents, and an update on the Detroit Public Schools. Plus, we talk Donors Choose, Crash Course, Doodle 4 Google, and more.

On this week's episode, we discuss the resignation of a South Carolina teacher whose private photos were stolen and shared on the Internet as well as the recent New Yorker article about AltSchool, a private school with a tech start up feel. Plus, Kelley celebrates diversity week at her school.

On this week's episode we discuss a delightful video of a Japanese elementary school lunch time, a new court ruling which is allowing the release of the school data of 6.2 million students, and the prospects of getting a student teacher. Plus, Kelley shares her experience while teaching Serial, the podcast, as a listening and critical thinking exercise and Jamie mourns the loss of the 25 hours she spent calibrating AP presentations. We plugged a lot of things this week so the links are on our tumblr http://teacherbestiespodcast.tumblr.com/

On this week's episode we discuss the striking Detroit Public School teachers, how to better support students who are chronic absentees, and an exciting report from the Harvard Grad School of Education that could have a significant impact on future admissions policies nationwide.

On this week's episode we discuss the benefits of hitting re-set when things just aren't working, the pros & cons of subsidized teacher housing, and a new study that finds more attractive students get better grades. Plus, Kelley discusses an outfit that caused a student to genuinely question "What are you wearing?!?"--hint: a poncho--and Jamie dishes on her very orderly trip to Japan.

On this week's episode we take a serious look at the recent Atlantic article "The Silicon Valley Suicides" as well as discuss whether or not teaching something that you're not excited about is a mistake or a challenge. Plus, Kelley conducts a digital marshmallow test on her seniors and we find a way to work the Mekhi Phifer movie "O" into our conversation.

On this week's episode we have our very first guest! Colleague, science teacher, former administrator, and 20+ year vet of the teaching profession, Mark joins us to give his take on dress code from the male teacher perspective. We also chat about grade inflation and get some sage advice on when to just let things go (or when to put on a good poker face and fake it!).

On this week's episode, we discover the new (to us) and certainly unscrupulous industry of paying someone else to take your online college class and we talk about what motivates our students. All that plus our plug for three interactive resources that are sure to delight English students and visual learners alike.

On this week's episode, we discuss our stance on dress codes (and whether or not they are implicitly sexist) and our reactions to a NYC principal who forced her staff to throw out their teacher desks. Plus, our comments on a new announcement from The White House on testing frequency. #literallythanksObama

On this week's episode, we try to get through the October slump (you're not the only one!) by writing letters of recommendation for all those wonderful former students that make us love our jobs. Along that line, we discuss tips for getting through the college application season and the value of teaching mindfulness to our students.