Today we talk about the dreaded topic of classroom management!  Welcome our guest, 4th grade teacher, Jen Smola as she lays out her approach to creating student buy in, while building a classroom community that is conducive for all learner...

You know as a teacher sometimes it is hard to like ALL kids ALL the time.  This episode is a raw, real conversation about those struggles and what strategies we can use to keep from losing our cool.  Join us with our colleague, specia...

Welcome to season 4 unleashed.  Every educator has to tackle their own insecurities.   Melanie and Melissa discuss how their insecurity has impacted them, the traps people can fall into, and how to grant ourselves grace.   <...

Take a break from learning, pour a beverage of choice, and relax.  This week we celebrate the end of a difficult school year!  Join Melanie as she gathers her closest colleagues to discuss embarrassing memories and memorable life less...

This week Melanie and Melissa explore the benefits of mindfulness both personally and within our classrooms.  They share their journeys along with a variety of resources that can offer personal and professional growth.   So take a dee...

Melanie and Melissa discuss the hurdles of making grading valid, non-biased, and meaningful for our students and families.  Join us as we discuss how to attempt to make the most of our precious time while providing students the valuable fe...

As the pandemic rages on we are reminded of something we already knew- Teachers are leaving the field in record numbers.  Laura and Melanie explore and discuss what can be done to retain qualified teachers and ensure quality education f...

In a remote world how do we ensure integrity to our intervention systems and processes? Join us as we talk to a school psychologist and have her walk us through the MTSS process and special education eligibility during COVID-19.Cheers!<...

Join us as we talk about the woes and wonders of remote learning.  Craft Corner special guest is a 6th grade science teacher that talks about how she cultivates community in a Zoom world.  Cheers! Music: Higher Up b...

We are surround by degradation and hateful rhetoric that has cast a shadow on one of our greatest means of growth and self evolution: the art of disagreement.  In this episode Laura and Melanie discuss the challenges behind having effectiv...

Now more than ever we need to hone our listening muscles.  We need to be the listeners we want others to be in order to create the connections needed to build compassionate learning communities at school or online.  See awakea...

The time has come for decisions to made about our return to school in the fall.  What will we need to brace ourselves for as we prepare to meet the needs of our students.  In this first episode, of a 5 part series, we will begin with ...

Create or break?  Habits are key in living healthy lives.  What habits are students acquiring during their remote learning and what habits are teachers falling into during their time home? Music: Later Alligator by Shane Ivers...

With news of schools around the nation remaining closed for the year, Laura and Melanie reflect on what will now become "essential" to our learners.  We also welcome our first guest to Craft Corner!  An 8th Grade science teacher and a...

Is this thing on?  I can't see you.  Turn on your video feed.  What?  I didn't hear you, make sure your microphone is on.  Communication is one of the most crucial pieces to running an effective classroom and sc...

Laura is back via phone to catch up and talk about the impact COVID-19 is having on our parents and ourselves.  We start our journey discussing the title wave of information coming at our families and the stress that underlying fear is cau...

A brief reflection on the craziness with a guest appearance from two special people.  Who hates homeschooling more?  

If you had to pick 5 reasons educators are leaving the profession in droves, what would they be?  Melanie and Laura settle in to discuss their top 5, bringing perspective to the hard work teachers do every day!

Meet Melanie and Laura as they settle in for real talk about the profession of teaching and all of its glorious baggage.  Let the journey begin.  Cheers!https://awakeandaccelerate.com/...