Episodes
Thursday Jan 08, 2015
Episode 42: First Year Teaching with Mrs. Melanie Knight
Thursday Jan 08, 2015
Thursday Jan 08, 2015
Mrs. Melanie Knight is a first year middle school teacher at Wheeler County Middle School, in Alamo, Georgia. She is a graduate of Brewton Parker College’s education program and teaching is in her family tree. She is the daughter of teachers; her father was also a superintendent of Wheeler County Schools as well as her grandfather.
As of the interview, Mrs. Knight is in the middle of her first year of teaching. She uses many instructional strategies, small groups, individual practice, integrated technology, word walls, and other techniques to help the kids get the content. When I asked her where she learned to use these she credited other staff in her school as important mentors.
I had the great fortune of watching her teach. Not only does she have good command of many strong instructional strategies but she also emphasizes a need to develop the students’ understanding of content and academic vocabulary. She uses TIPS (Terms Information Pictures and Sentences)…this is an adaption of something she learned from Learning in the Fast Lane by Suzy Pepper Rollins and what she has been taught by other staff members to develop the students’ understanding of vocabulary.
Mrs. Knight emphasizes the need to create engagement. It is quite noticeable as the kids are up and working and part of the class. They are not passive, but active.
She also has developed an excellent rapport with the kids. She commented, “I’m strict but friendly.” When you walk in her class you are automatically aware that it is a bright and cheerful place to be. She noted, “I use bright colors to help me create a welcoming classroom.”
When I asked her what has been most helpful for her during her first year in teaching she responded, “Help and support from the school staff and family members.” She continued, “It is helpful to have someone to talk to…to talk things out.”
She is a big fan of Pinterest and finds that the social media tool is a great help for getting ideas and support for working with the kids.
I asked her what advice she would give to someone who is getting ready to find their first teaching position and she replied, “Be open to new ideas…Be open to learning…learn from everyone around you.”
Mrs. Knight’s energy and focus on the kids is wonderful!
Enjoy!
Length 29:28
Thursday Dec 18, 2014
Episode 41: The Georgia Vision Project with Dr. Stan DeJarnett
Thursday Dec 18, 2014
Thursday Dec 18, 2014
Dr. Stanley DeJarnett is the Executive Director of the Georgia Vision Project
The project came into existence in 2009, but implementation didn't begin until 2010.
It is…
“… A collaborative effort between the Georgia School Boards’ Association, The Georgia School Superintendent’s Association and about 35 partner organizations…”
“The Georgia Vision Project exists for the purpose of transforming public education in Georgia.”
Dr. DeJarnett and I talk about what the Vision Project is and how it works.
For example, Stan notes, “It is about sharing a clear and compelling vision of where public schools are going.”
He comments that there really are two target audiences:
1) Teachers and School Administrators
2) Parents
Stan reflects, “The story that our teachers have to tell about the lives that they change through their interaction with students is the story we want our community to hear.”
He continues, “We make a huge difference in the lives of over 1.7 million children in this state every day and this work is being done by teachers and those who support teachers.”“We hope that the reality of what we do in our schools every day…a positive reality…can be reflected in our message.”
The Georgia Vision Project has 7 Components:
1. Early Learning and Student Success
2. Teaching and Learning
3. Teaching and Learning Resources
4. Human and Organizational Capital
5. Governance, Leadership, and Accountability
6. Culture, Climate, and Organizational Efficacy
7. Financial Resources
Check out several short videos to learn more at the Vision Project website.
Here is the link to the homepage...Georgia Vision Project
Enjoy!
Length 44:35
Wednesday Dec 10, 2014
Episode 40: Forestry with Mike Harrell
Wednesday Dec 10, 2014
Wednesday Dec 10, 2014
Forestry is an age old profession that should be attractive to people who have a knack for business (managing resources, purchasing, marketing, selling, accounting, and running a money making operation) and like to be surrounded by nature.
You may get dirty, be surrounded by some amazing machinery and even have a few run-ins with the wildlife that calls the trees and the brush their home.
Mike is the VP of Stuckey Timberland. His world is the forest. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Forestry program. Forestry is a life career that is in his family lineage.
You will hear Mike reflect on his career and his desire to be in the outdoors. He talks about the business and the misconceptions that those looking in often have about the business of growing trees for wood products.
I think that you will find this interview interesting as well as it might make you a little envious about Mike’s ability to be outside many of his work days.
If you know a young person who is thinking about future careers, ask them to take a look into forestry. It has a definite place in our future world, trained foresters are needed, and the profession offers opportunities to be engaged outside of a typical corporate office!
Here are some links that can provide you further information:
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
University of Georgia: Forestry
ABAC Forestry (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College-Forestry)
Enjoy!
Length: 50:21
Monday Nov 24, 2014
Episode 39: Financial Wisdom with Danny Kofke
Monday Nov 24, 2014
Monday Nov 24, 2014
Danny Kofke is a self-made millionaire. He started out as a kindergarten teacher, became a special education teacher and is married to a 2nd grade teacher. He and his wife took international teaching positions originally and actually taught in Poland, for a while.
He now teaches teachers how to manage money.
He is an author of three books: How to Survive (and Perhaps Thrive) on a Teacher’s Salary, A Simple Book of Financial Wisdom: Teach Yourself (and your kids) How to Live Wealthy with Little Money, and A Bright Financial Future: Teaching Kids about Money Pre-K through College for Lifelong Success! (Click here to go to his page on Amazon.com)
He has a 10 year old daughter who also is a published author!
She wrote…The Financial Angel: What all Kids Should Know About Money (ages 4-11)
This is a podcast for everyone…especially those with kids!
Great advice!
Information that we all needed when we were kids…now you can share with your children and with the kids of others.
I hope you will share this interview with your children, grandchildren, neighbors, and colleagues!
Catch up with Danny at http://dannykofke.blogspot.com/
Also, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SimpleFinancialWisdom
Contact Danny at kofketd@windstream.net
Enjoy!
Length: 40:04
Thursday Nov 13, 2014
Episode 38: Protecting the Performing Arts
Thursday Nov 13, 2014
Thursday Nov 13, 2014
Over the last 10 years, the performing arts have often been pushed to the side in the name of needing more math and science or simply cut to balance budgets.
It is unfortunate.
Students desire to study and perform in the arts often in addition to studying math and science or other academic content areas.
The Georgia Institute of Technology has one of the largest marching bands in all of the colleges and universities…and there are no music majors at GATech. Hmmm ... even future engineers like the arts...
In order to protect the arts in schools it takes commitment and a willingness to make cuts in other areas, instead of in these classes. It takes becoming good at creative scheduling and looking closely at what the students want over the classes they could do without.
What could you do to help protect the arts in your schools?
Length: 33:37