As educators, we’re always exploring ways to better student’s lives. And on this noble journey, it always helps to hear from people in the trenches of classrooms and academia. While the five podcasts relating to education featured below are by no means an extensive list, they’re an excellent start to learning some new things on your lunch break or in the car.
1. Us & Them
On Twitter: Trey Kay, @Trey_Kay
Episode we love:
The Great Textbook War examines one of the toughest questions in education: what exactly should children be learning in school. In this episode, Producer Trey Kay explores both sides of the 1974 West Virginia protests over the presence and absence of religion and “traditional” conventions in textbooks.
2. Every Classroom Matters
On Twitter: Vicki Davis, @coolcatteacher
Episode we love:
Creating Meaningful Learning Experiences presents a conversation about how to make more engaging classroom lessons even with the difficulties of having to work within curriculum. While using creativity to achieve objectives can be more time-consuming, George Couros argues that you’ll have a better pay off with engaged students who will enjoy and retain the lessons much more.
3. The Edupreneur
On Twitter: Zack Baker, @zackabaker
Episode we love:
Episode 67 features Jeanette Washington, the founder of Bearly Articulating. She discusses speech pathology, starting her own business, and social media. She specializes in making sure that students with disabilities and different learning setbacks are able to learn and succeed in and outside of the classroom. Jeanette highlights the highs and lows of teaching: being a part of those “AHA!” moments but then also having to say “no” when you can’t help every student.
4. Truth for Teachers
On Twitter: Angela Watson, @Angela_Watson
Episode we love:
10 Things Every White Teacher Should Know When Talking About Race tackles the problem of how white teachers address race in the classroom. Around 83% of teachers in the U.S. are white, and Watson wants them to understand how they approach race so that teachers can become better allies and culturally responsive teachers.
5. Talks with Teachers
On Twitter: Brian Sztabnik, @TalksWTeachers
Episode we love:
This is Not a Test with Jose Vilson features a conversation with a math educator in the Inwood/Washington Heights neighborhood of New York, New York. Jose explores topics from his book This is Not a Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class and Education and provides insights on evolving as a teacher, being better prepared, giving kids time to process, and better approaches to teaching math.
