The Thoughtful Teacher Podcast

Send us Fan MailEllen Montgomery returns to The Thoughtful Teacher Podcast to discuss her work in implementing trauma informed programming in the Metro Nashville (Tennessee) Public Schools. We discuss how this student mental health centered initiative helps students who have experienced trauma and Ellen shares some stories about how this work positively supports both students and teachers.

Send us Fan MailIn the second part of our discussion on school safety and de-escalation Amy Muphy, Brian Van Brunt and Scott Lee discuss the public health model for safety and de-escalation, teacher creativity, relationships and get sidetracked a little about films that feature teachers.

Send us Fan MailSchool safety and crisis intervention experts Amy Murphy and Brian Van Brunt discuss techniques for classroom crisis de-escalation with host Scott Lee. Amy and Brian recommend a research-based three-pronged approach to preventing or mitigating crisis situations in a classroom setting: clarifying norms for a safe climate, de-escalation, and teamwork.

Send us Fan MailSanford Johnson the Executive Director for Teach Plus Mississippi and host Scott Lee discuss teacher advocacy. Sanford has spent a great deal of his career advocating for education professionals, in this episode he shares his work supporting teacher quality as well as the activities that he and Mississippi Teach Plus Fellows including improving teacher compensation, improving mental health resources and strengthening the teacher pipeline.

Send us Fan MailIn the second part of our discussion with Larry Brendtro we talk about how the latest brain science and social science research continues to demonstrate that youth develop resilience by developing supportive relationships with caring adults. The values that support these relationships are belonging, mastery, responsibility and generosity which are universal values.

Send us Fan MailLarry Brentro shares his experiences in his career as a teacher, principal, program director, social worker and professor as he helps illuminate what what effective educators do in classrooms and schools. Larry has authored or co-authored 15 books on topics include teaching and learning, healthy brain development and quality learning environments for students who have been marginalized. He also co-hosts the annual Reclaiming Youth Seminars, which are currently held every summer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota along with his co-authors of the book Reclaiming Youth at Risk: Futures of Promise. Larry and his late wife, Janna who was research editor for his publications, are parents to three adult children and seven grandchildren. Our wide ranging discussion will start with some of Larry's early professional experiences and continue as we discuss why many schools fail to adequately meet the needs of students.

Send us Fan MailA non-profit Haitian and US based partnership for recycling plastic also has a growing educational mission within Haitian schools. In this episode, guest Blada Desauguste and host Scott Lee discuss this teacher-created education program that operates as part of a plastic recycling program in Haiti. Blada also explains how some short-sighted policy decisions have led to a large plastic waste problem in Haiti and how his organization, Kay (pronounced Kai) Blada Recycling, provides part of the solution. 

Send us Fan MailMalcolm Gillard and Scott Lee discuss equity issues, restorative practices and creating a positive classroom environment for all students. 

Send us Fan MailExecutive Director of the Tennessee Council for the Social Studies and I discuss recent laws that limit discussion of equity, race, and gender issues by teachers. Tennessee was one of the first of several states have passed such laws. We talk about how this law may affect teachers, particularly social studies teachers, in Tennessee and elsewhere.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Jennifer Knowles returns and we dive deeper into mindfulness in schools as we discuss trauma informed mindfulness. Enjoy learning more about how mindfulness is a part of transforming learning and schools.