Blog - Page 14 of 49 - Spencer Education

Feb 07 2022

What Happens When Teachers Take Creative Risks?

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 3 Comments

When I was a first-year teacher, my mentor teacher observed me teaching a lesson. Afterward, we met up during my prep period and she said, "John, your lesson was outstanding but I want to talk to you about how you're treating someone in your class."…

Jan 24 2022

Trevor Muir Answers Key Questions About PBL

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 2 Comments

I had the honor of interviewing PBL expert Trevor Muir on what it means to get started with PBL. Check out the podcast below. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to listen to it on the go, just click…

Jan 17 2022

Why I’m Not Too Worried About Learning Loss

By John Spencer Creativity, Empowering Students, Podcast 5 Comments

All three of my kids have missed a significant number days because of the need to quarantine. The Omicron variant is sweeping through our neighborhoods and our local school district recently created a no-contact day this last Friday. Many caregivers and community members are concerned…

Jan 03 2022

Starting the Semester on a Creative Note

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast No Comments

I'm sitting in my office right now with a web sprawling out all over my whiteboard. I'm planning out my five courses that start in the next few weeks. But even if I weren't designing new courses, I would be dreaming up new ideas. For…

Dec 27 2021

Using the SLIME Method for Setting New Year’s Resolutions

By John Spencer Podcast, Teacher Life 4 Comments

Back in college, I started making New Year’s Resolutions. I would turn these resolutions into goals. Typically, I would start something entirely new and often I would finish my goal halfway through the year. Unfortunately, I didn’t always develop the habits needed for long-term change.…

Dec 22 2021

Miss B. Saves Christmas (A Story)

By John Spencer Podcast 8 Comments

On Monday, I wrote a silly tweet: I then started to think about how that tradition would have started and immediately began typing out a story. Initially, I thought I would share it privately with the early elementary teachers in my cohort and then I…

Dec 17 2021

Finding Renewal on Your Winter Break

By John Spencer Podcast, Teacher Life 4 Comments

I wrote this post fifteen years ago as a 400 word reminder to myself to choose renewal and rest rather than work during winter break. I realize that it goes beyond the personal level. Often, the systems and structures fail to support teachers' ability to…

Dec 13 2021

Antonio Sacre on the Power of Storytelling in Education

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 4 Comments

I had the honor of interviewing celebrated author Antonio Sacre on the power of storytelling in education. Check out the podcast below. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to listen to it on the go, just click on the…

Dec 06 2021

Ending the Semester with a Student Blogging Project

By John Spencer Creativity, Literacy, Podcast, Student Choice 10 Comments

December is exhausting for teachers. The days are shorter. The weather grows colder and (at least here in Oregon) wetter. Students are anxious — whether it’s a buzzing excitement for vacation or a sense of dread that some kids feel in homes that are unsafe…

Nov 15 2021

Dwayne Reed on the importance of STEM in education

Dwayne Reed on the Power of STEM Education

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 2 Comments

Last week, I had the honor of interviewing Dwayne Reed (aka Mr. Reed) about the importance of STEM education. In this interview, he shared big ideas about the purpose of STEM – including 3M Science at Home – but also specific practical strategies and first…