Teachers Aid

Our guests tell us that there are a number of things many educators don't understand about teaching black boys and, indeed, there are many myths. In this segment they attempt to open our eyes and debunk the biggest misconceptions. Follow: @thejlv @principalkafele @JasonFlom Principal Baruti Kafele is a Milken National Educator, international speaker, educational consultant, author of two ASCD best-selling books - Motivating Black Males to Achieve in School and in Life and Closing the Attitude Gap: How to Fire Up Your Students to Strive for Success. Jose Vilson is a math educator, writer, and activist in a New York City public school and author of This Is Not A Test, (Spring 2014). JasonFlom is the Director of Learning Platforms at Q.E.D. Foundation, a former elementary school teacher.

The problem of homeless students is greater than many realize. In this segment we take a closer look at the challenges teachers face and offer ways to manage this growing problem at the classroom level. Follow: @edrethink, @SarahDSparks @mzteachuh @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork Sarah D. Sparks spent the last five years writing about federal and state education regulations. She writes a blog called "Inside School Research" for Education Week. Barbara Duffield is Policy Director for the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth ("NAEHCY"). John Spencer is currently a sixth grade ELL teacher in a low-income urban school in Phoenix, Arizona and blogs regularly at Education Rethink. Melanie Link Taylor teaches both general ed. and Special Ed.

In this segment, two camps face off on classroom cell phone policies. While some of our guests "just say no" to cell phones, others say cell phones are an asset in the classroom and Google Glass is going to be an even larger game changer. Learn more... Follow: @JOwensTeacher@InnovativeEdu @jesslahay @davidthornburg @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork John Owens is the author of Confessions of a Bad Teacher. Dr. Thornburg has worked in the field of education since 1981. Jessica Lahey is an educator who writes about parenting and education for the New York Times. Lisa Nielsen is the author of the book Teaching Generation Text.

As we look back, all guests agreed that 2013 has been an exceptional year in education. Events cited included developments with Common Core, the focus on connected educators and universal kindergarten. Tune in to hear the expectations and hopes for 2014. Follow: @JOwensTeacher @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork ohn Owens, @JOwensTeacher, is an award-winning journalist with decades of experience in newspapers, magazines and digital media and has appeared on several media outlets. He left magazines to attend graduate school in order to "give back" as a public school teacher in New York's South Bronx. That experience led him to write Confessions of a Bad Teacher. Rafe Esquith, award-winning teacher, is in his 31st year of teaching and is author of four books, including the bestseller Real Talk for Real Teachers.

As we look back, all guests agreed that 2013 has been and exceptional year in education. Events cited included developments with Common Core, the focus on connected educators and universal kindergarten. Tune in to hear the expectations and hopes for 2014. Follow: @coolcatteacher @NancyFlanagan, @ECEPolicyWorks, @stumpteacher @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork Vicki Davis is a classroom technology teacher and author of Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds. Nancy Flanagan is a retired teacher, with 31 years as a K-12 Music specialist. Annie Fox, M.Ed. is an educator and award-winning author. Susan Ochshorn is founder of ECE PolicyWorks, a consulting firm specializing in early care and education policy research. Josh Stumpenhorst is an award winning junior high Language Arts and Social Science teacher.

Increasing numbers of educators are moving away from emphasizing content and toward provocative questions that promote higher-order thinking. What is the best way to design and present these questions? How can teachers align these questions to promote real learning and meet required standards? Follow: : @AnthonyCody @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork Andrew Miller is an educational consultant who authored an Edutopia piece, "How to Write Effective Driving Questions for Project-Based Learning". Sara Armstrong, Ph.D. is in her 40th year in education. She's been a classroom teacher, principal, curriculum developer. Suzie Boss is an education writer and consultant focusing on project-based learning and innovation. Anthony Cody worked in the high poverty schools in Oakland for 24 years, 18 of them as a middle school science teacher and writes the popular Education Week blog, Living in Dialogue.

Introverted students are often misunderstood, mischaracterized and mishandled by teachers. In this segment we debunk some of the myths about "quiet" students, uncover some of the common mistakes made in teaching them, and offer sound guidance on how to bring out the best in them. Follow: @jesslahey @TeachaKidd @SophiaDembling @baldy@bodymindchild @bamradionetwork Tony Baldasaro is the Chief Human Resource Officer of the Virtual Learning Academy. Sophia Dembling is author of The Introvert's Way: Living a Quiet Life in a Noisy World. Lee Kolbert is an educator and manager of The Department of Educational Technologyat a Florida school. Jessica Lahey is an educator who writes about parenting and education for the New York Times.

The academic achievement gap between girls and boys is now well established and growing. The reasons are complex and in this segment we explore some of the more obscure causes. We close by looking at what can be done to narrow, if not close, the gap. Follow: @BloomfieldDavid @NancyFlanagan @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork Michael C. Reichert, Ph.D. is a psychologist who currently serves as Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Boys' and Girls' Lives. He has written numerous publications, including Reaching Boys, Teaching Boys... Dr. David Bloomfield is Professor of Education Leadership, Law, and Policy at the City University of NY Graduate Center. Nancy Flanagan is a retired teacher, with 31 years as a K-12 Music specialist in the Hartland, Michigan schools.

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges you face as a teacher is making content interesting to all of your students, all of the time. Is this even possible? If so, how? Our panel of experienced teachers share what they've learned about this from practical experience.. @AndreaBrixey @mbteach @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork Andrea Brixey is an English teacher at Cascade High School in Leavenworth, Washington. Glen Lineberry is a second-career educator. After teaching civics, economics and Shakespeare on an Apache reservation in eastern Arizona, he now serves as Associate Principal at the 7-12 on the reservation. Mary Beth Hertz is a K-8 Technology Teacher and Technology Integration Specialist in Philadelphia, PA.

It's well known and accepted that failure is part of the learning and growth process. But how do we get students parents and even some teachers to embrace this in practice? In this segment our guests share their insight on embracing failure. @bodymindchild @NancyFlanagan @Annie_Fox @bamradionetwork Justin Minkel is an award winning Arkansas Teacherof the Year, teaching 2nd and 3rd grade at Jones Elementary, a high-achieving public school. Jessica Lahey is an educator who writes about parenting and education for the New York Times, the Atlantic. Nancy Flanagan is a retired teacher, with 31 years as a K-12 Music specialist. Annie Fox, M.Ed. is an educator and award-winning author.

@JasonFlom @PeterMDeWitt @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork Sarah Fillion is a Professional Development Designer and Consultant for the Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc.'s Responsive Classroom. Olga Jarrett, PhD is Professor of Early Childhood Education at Georgia State University. She is both a recess researcher and a recess advocate. Jason Flom is the Director of Learning Platforms at Q.E.D. Foundation Peter DeWitt, Ed.D., has been a principal in upstate, NY since 2006. He blogs at Finding Common Ground for Education Week.

A growing number of teachers are embracing the notion of empowering students to control and lead their own learning. However, many teachers push back on this emerging model for various reasons. In this segment we explore the viability of student-directed learning and ask those who embrace it to share the keys to making the model work. @coolcatteacher, @stumpteacher @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork David Ginsburg helps schools improve student outcomes through leadership coaching and instructional coaching and blogs for Edweek. Ariel Sacks teaches eighth grade English and is the author of "Whole Novels for the Whole Class: A Student-Centered Approach." Vicki Davis a classroom technology teacher and author of Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds. Josh Stumpenhorst is a junior high Language Arts and Social Science teacher.

Urban parents have unique issues and concerns that can affect their interest and willingness to engage with school staff at all levels -- from teachers to administrators. Tune in to hear what a recent study revealed and to learn what you can do to better engage urban parents. @Eduflack @MarilynRhames @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork PATRICIA A. ACKERMAN, Executive Director of the Chalkdust Education Foundation, is a retired public school educator who served as a teacher, principal and K-12 curriculum administrator. PeterMcDermott, faculty of Pace University in NYC teaching courses in literacy education. is involved in the International Reading Association's literacy education project in Sierra Leone. Marilyn Rhames is a science teacher at a charter school in Chicago and writes a weekly blog for Education Week Teacher called "Charting My Own Course." Patrick Riccards is a communications and policy expert and also blogs for Eduflack.

What should a teacher do when a great lesson plan takes a wrong turn and starts heading south? Our guests toss you a lifeline to grab when you feel yourself and your lesson plan going under. @jasonflom @Blairteach @bodymindchild Bruce Oliver is an ASK Group Senior Consultant, living in Burke, Virginia. He is also a co-author of Creating a Culture for Learning. Sarah Brown Wessling is a 16-year veteran of the high school English classroom. She teaches at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa and is also Teacher Laureate for the Teaching Channel. Jason Flom is the Director of Learning Platforms at Q.E.D. Foundation. Nancy Blair is a school improvement consultant who frequently worked with the High Schools That Work and Making Middle Grades Work initiatives.

Parents are partners in the process of educating students, with a shared interest in the outcome. But what happens when that partnership is not a love connection? How do you deal with parents when the relationship is a rocky one? Our guests offer some time-tested advice. @teachakidd @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork Jessica Lahey is an educator who writes about parenting and education for the New York Times, the Atlantic and Vermont Public Radio. Dr. Allen Mendler, trainer, author, develops effective frameworks and strategies for educators to help difficult youth succeed. Lee Kolbert is a blogger, educator, and self-proclaimed geek. She has been with Palm Beach County Schools for over 27 years. Nancy Flanagan is a retired teacher, with 31 years as a K-12 Music specialist.