The Thoughtful Teacher Podcast
R. Scott Lee, Ph.D.
The Thoughtful Teacher podcast shares the stories of educators who have implemented innovative or creative solutions within their space. These stories and commentaries empower educators by sharing a world of ideas that can enhance pedagogical choices and decrease the isolation many teachers experience. We introduce listeners to school-based educators, thinkers, and researchers who have powerful ideas and innovations that makes teaching and learning more meaningful for your students. We also occasionally offer commentary on practice and policy to help navigate the complexity of our profession.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 5, 2023 • 38min
For Real Engagement...Take Them Outside with Becca Katz
Send us Fan MailOutdoor learning expert Becca Katz shares the powerful, research based reasons why students perform better when outdoor learning is part of everyday education activity. She also shares about how her non-profit organization provides professional learning opportunities for teachers to make outdoor learning part of their regular teaching.
Nov 20, 2023 • 13min
What a Foster Child Really Needs
Send us Fan MailThoughtful Teacher Podcast host Scott Lee shares a story about a former student who was in foster care and eventually adopted by his foster parents and how it all happened without using a computer dating service.
Oct 24, 2023 • 40min
Just Don't Break Your Hammer with Caroline Mickey
Send us Fan MailLibrarian Caroline Mickey says "reading builds empathy" in this conversation about school library censorship. Caroline shares her experiences having a lesson cancelled as the result of an organized campaign falsely claiming that her lesson had inappropriate content about the role of motherhood.
Oct 10, 2023 • 51min
Reclaiming Intervention for Trauma with Sue Jones
Send us Fan MailSue Jones a Trauma Informed Practices Coach in New York shares how using the restorative intervention Life Space Crisis Intervention supports students who have experienced trauma and present with elevated ACE scores.
Sep 26, 2023 • 35min
Implementing Equity-Focused Practices in Schools with Dr. Mark Gooden
Send us Fan MailEquity-focused school leadership is an ongoing, whole-team process for school improvement. In this continuing conversation Mark A Gooden and Scott Lee discuss the ongoing routines and habits of equity focused leadership teams as well as various challenges educators face regarding equity practice.
Sep 12, 2023 • 42min
Helping School Leaders Understand Implicit Bias with Mark Anthony Gooden
Send us Fan MailFor schools to truly provide an equitable learning environment, educators and school leaders must understand implicit bias and how implicit bias affects all our interactions with students (and other professional educators). In the first of two episodes Mark Anthony Gooden shares his work and insights into these important and timely issues in a conversation with host Scott Lee.
Jun 13, 2023 • 15min
Why We Need Civics
Send us Fan MailHost Scott Lee offers this commentary on the implications of the lack of prioritizing civics education in the US.
May 23, 2023 • 28min
Embedding Mental Health Interventions in Career and Technical Education with Michele Morgan
Send us Fan MailIn this conversation, occupational therapist Michele Morgan shares how she and her colleagues implemented several mental health interventions within her school district's career and technical education (CTE) program. Using evidence-based approaches they developed a relationship-focused, student-centered curriculum model that promotes safety and wellness. This far-ranging conversations share specifics about the program and the positive outcomes for students.
May 9, 2023 • 44min
The Therapeutic Inclusion Program with Michael Murray and Laura Balogh
Send us Fan MailMany times students with serious mental health needs are sent to separate schools or residential placements. In this episode we discuss an alternative-The Therapeutic Inclusion Program with Michael A Murray and Laura Balogh. After developing and implementing The Therapeutic Inclusion Program in their public school they co-authored the recently published book The Therapeutic Inclusion Program: Establishment and Maintenance in Public Schools (published by Routledge) which offers a step by step guide for implementing similar programming in almost any school. In this episode host Scott Lee discusses this program in depth with both authors.
Apr 25, 2023 • 34min
Centering with Students in Teacher-Powered Schools with Sarah Giddings and Wendy Salcedo-Fierro
Send us Fan MailIn this conversation Sarah Giddings and Wendy Salcedo-Fierro share their experiences working with students in Teacher-Powered Schools. Teacher Powered Schools are organized intentionally to have a shared, collaborative leadership structure. Both Wendy and Sarah share how their schools are different, how it changes their professional practices and how the student experience is different from more rigidly focused schools.
