Blog - Page 15 of 49 - Spencer Education

Oct 29 2021

Teachers Need a Genius Hour, Too

By John Spencer Creativity, Professional Development, Teacher Life 5 Comments

In my hardest year of teaching, we had a toxic school culture after a leadership change. I had panic attacks in the parking lot. Eight teachers quit by December. I had a stretch of nineteen days where I had no prep period. For me, community,…

Oct 21 2021

Ask the Teachers

By John Spencer Podcast, Teacher Life No Comments

Roy Kent gets it. There's a scene in the last episode of this season's Ted Lasso where the team's game plan doesn't seem to be working. The coaches huddle together in Ted's office and debate whether they should stick with the plan or try something…

Oct 11 2021

9 Teacher-Tested Ways to Build Student Ownership into Informational Reading

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast One Comment

When we think of choice-based reading, we often imagine silent reading with novels. However, we can take a student-centered, choice-based approach to non-fiction as well. In this article, we explore nine different areas of student empowerment within informational text reading. Listen to the Podcast If…

Oct 04 2021

Empower symbol with fist and lightning bolts

You Don’t Have to Be a Martyr to Do Student-Centered Learning

By John Spencer Creativity, Empowering Students, Podcast, Teacher Life 4 Comments

It's been quite a year so far in American education. Between school board battles over Critical Race Theory to protests over mask mandates, we are seeing significant social strife playing out in the context of our schools. We're also seeing school staff shortages, leading to…

Sep 27 2021

Dr. Sarah McAnulty smiles while holding a beaker with a squid inside

Dr. Sarah McAnulty on How Classrooms Can Connect with Scientists

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast No Comments

It's important that students get a chance to chase their curiosity and connect with experts in the field. This can help inspire possibilities for all students. In my latest podcast episode, I interviewed Dr. Sarah McAnulty about what she's doing to help connect classrooms to…

Sep 20 2021

Direct Instruction Is Still Necessary in a PBL Classroom

By John Spencer Podcast, Project-Based Learning 3 Comments

Early on in my project-based learning journey, I made a vow to go 100% project-based. My students would learn everything through exploration and discovery. I would remain the guide on the side observing the process and helping out only when necessary. After leading students through…

Sep 14 2021

Dr. Kristen Mattson on Redefining Digital Ethics and Digital Citizenship

By John Spencer Distance Learning, Podcast, Technology and Media Literacy No Comments

In this podcast interview Dr. Kristen Mattson shares a bold vision for how we define digital citizenship and digital ethics. She also provides practical strategies that teachers can use in the classroom and integrate into their curriculum. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this…

Aug 25 2021

How a Free T-Shirt Helped Me Rethink Professional Speaking Attire

By John Spencer Creativity No Comments

I am an incessant doodler and constant illustrator. I tend to make sense out of ideas by sketching them in notebooks and whiteboards and random scraps of paper. However, when I first began this blog back in 2002, I hid my artistic side. I wrote…

Aug 18 2021

What Ted Lasso (And These Three Other TV Shows) Taught Me About Being an Educator

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast, Teacher Life 2 Comments

I never cry while watching a drama. I can feel all the feels of a serious motion picture but it will never move me to tears. This isn't a hyper-macho "dudes don't cry thing." I'm a pretty sensitive guy. It's just a reality of my…

Aug 07 2021

Sometimes Student Choice Isn’t the Answer in Reading

By John Spencer Creativity, Empowered Readers, Podcast No Comments

In my previous articles, I've explored how we can empower students with voice and choice in reading. However, today's article provides some nuance. While we need to empower readers to own their learning and we need to create extended periods of choice-based independent reading time,…