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Kelly Baggins is a high school American Sign Language teacher that has a strong passion for language and culture.  She works hard to tailor her teaching to fit her students' needs.  Kelly has the superpower of voice.  She not only calls attention to a language and community that is seldom thought about, but supports her students by providing a safe place for them to share opinions and find comfort in their own skin.  Aside from her various academic duties, she volunteers at the high school as a Link-Crew and GSA counselor.  Kelly gives voice to various demographics in her community that need additional support and guidance.  

Now that we are bouncing back from a pandemic, will education go back to the way that it was before?  Teachers are preparing for a year in an environment that we’re not used to.  Teachers focus a lot of their lessons based on the senses.  Teachers are constantly having to reassess and evaluate their craft.  With no time and new technology platforms teachers are struggling to stay afloat.  It's like we're waiting for the other shoe to drop… what else can 2020 bring?  Education is pivoting and teachers have to be flexible. Now that the children are not physically present in the classroom, how do teachers create a tangible experience in a digital format?    

What is happening with our teens mentally? Are we raising them to be empathetic, good people?  Parenting with children and living in an age of social media is a very delicate dance!  While we want our adolescents to take chances and feel confident about their choices, parents want to instill a sense of responsibility and forethought.  The ‘fight or flight’ amygdala is in a constant battle with the ‘calming’ prefrontal cortex.  This conversation was very educational and I was fascinated to learn about the adolescent brain.  It was a privilege to sit down with this middle school counselor extraordinaire!  Here are some of the resources Amiee recommended: Dan Segal - Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain Growth Mindset Mindfulness - The Calm App. John Moffit - Local

There are so many blurred lines in education. Mandy is the welcoming committee, a dynamic and personable educator to your child, as well as a courageous advocate for academic working conditions. This woman is the perfect blend of heart and justice.  Her humor and warmth make tough discussions reasonable, effective, and chalked full of laughter.  

In Part 2 of my discussion with Jessie Conn, we find out what it's like for her to teach at the school where she herself was a student.  We then get into the experience of guiding a group of sixth graders as they navigate the controversial topic of LGBTQ.  Lastly we talk about winning district teacher of the year and her new passion, computational thinking.  My lesson from Jessie, "You don't just get to sit on your accolades, you have to keep learning." 

Jessie Conn is one of those people that inspires you to make the most out of a new experience.  She is fearless and truly loves what she does.  This woman does not just teach, she makes it a meaningful experience by making learning come alive.  She will encourage you to find the "juicy" part of your job, and to flex your, well in this case, teaching muscles.  In the first half of our discussion, we discuss balancing parenthood and education, meeting people in your profession that inspire you, and an educator that influenced her teaching style by holding nothing back and showing his vulnerability.  Please also see the attachment of the song we discuss by Joni Mitchell called The Circle Game.  https://youtu.be/5NEkJhBHh54

Not every teacher is found in the classroom.  The people that influence the decisions we make can have an effect on the rest of our lives.  In this episode, we will see what life is like in the high school science classroom, discuss the new science standards, and of course talk about high schoolers.  But the lesson Lindsey has taught me today, is to not only live life, but to experience it.  Lindsey’s teacher was her sister Amanda.  She continues her sister’s journey by gravitating toward a place where she feels she can make a difference and living her life to its fullest potential.   Please be sure to check out The Amanda Geissler Memorial Foundation Inc. https://www.amandageisslerfoundation.com/, which is a non-profit with the mission to create educational opportunities for women and children.

Heather and Rebecca work in very different arenas in education.  Rebecca taught on the  elementary level, while Heather currently teaches at the College level in San Diego.  We talked about how we identified with teachers because of their excitement with content and the relevancy of their lessons.  We explored facing fears, changing your persona,  and overcoming obstacles to follow our dreams.  There is no shortage of challenges, responsibility, and uncomfortable situations in this field, but we all have the same goal.  

Shannon Klaus is a 3rd grade teacher that came back from maternity leave for two weeks only to return to remote learning.  This discussion really clarifies why it was so hard to work with students virtually.  Although navigating new technology while caring for two young children at home was no picnic, Shannon was able to keep things in perspective while thinking back to some of her earlier experiences teaching at a progressive school and in a refugee resettlement community.  So fascinating!!  

Lise is a one of those people who can laugh out loud and dig real deep.  Regardless of what you need, she is the strong backbone that gives you the courage to face your fears head on.  You know as a parent that spending one year in this woman's classroom, your kid will be successful at life!  She doesn't just teach her 'kiddos' she takes in the family.