Teach Starter Podcast
Join us as we chat to inspirational, everyday teachers. It's real, it's uplifting, it's funny: it's for the love of teaching!
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Library Lovers' Day
February 14 is traditionally known as Valentine's Day, but more recently has become renowned for the celebration of libraries!On today's episode, we chat about some of the different ways you and your class can celebrate library lovers and ...
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Cyber Safety for School-Aged Kids
Do you feel adequately equipped to teach your students about cyber safety? We talk to those who know about how to keep our kids cyber safe. The internet is an incredible resource, a wo...
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Mr D and the Awkward Circle Time
You'd think that chatting with a class of Grade Ones about what's going on in their lives would be a fairly innocuous speaking and listening task, right? That's what Mr D thought when he filled in for a colleague. But he was wrong! No go...
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How Should I Choose A School For My Child? Gabbie Stroud
If you're a teacher, chances are that you've been asked in your social circle: "How do I choose a school for my child, or perhaps: "How do I choose THE BEST school for my child?".If you're a parent, chances are you...
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Hold the Laminating!
In this episode Jill and I explore alternatives to laminating our school resources. We talk about what we've done in the past (full disclosure, I was a laminating addict), and what we've learned about ways to reduce plastic use in the classro...
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Teaching Over Time - 30 Years of Experience
Teacher Shandell's created an amazing life; teaching and raising her family on the beautiful Gold Coast, Australia. In this episode, she talks with me about what's kept her in the profession for over 30 years, how going part time saved her sa...
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The Circle of Life - In Mr D's Classroom
What do classroom pet snakes actually eat? Where do you buy their food from? How is it prepared by the store? There are some questions you should just never Google. Join us in our new For the Love of Teaching Facebook group, where we chat about the ...
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January 26 - Teaching Alternative Perspectives
January 26 provides us with the impetus for classroom discussions and activities about Australian history, culture and identity. It’s easy to steam ahead with a celebration of all things “green, gold and sausage rolledâ€. However, as teachers, ...
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Bushfire Trauma and How to Help Kids Cope
In this episode, I ask clinical psychologist Pejman Hooviatdoost and The Chalkboard writer and teacher Emma Stuart to weigh in on the big issues teachers will face returning to school following the devastating bushfire crisis being called Black Summer....
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Mr D's Most Painful Day of Teaching Kindergarten
Mr D has spent many years trying to work his way to the lower grades - after all, kindergarten is where all the funny joke material is!But on this particular day, Mr D became the subject of his joke in a very painful way.Join us in our new For th...
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Easy Teacher Diary Hacks
Have you organised your 2020 teacher planner yet? In this episode Jill and I talk about the beautiful range of fully customisable, professionally designed teacher planners available at Teach Starter. This year's newest design, the Inspire Planner,...
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That Upper Years Teacher Life
This week I'm chatting with Rachel from @agoodlittleteach on Instagram, all about why she adores being a grade six teacher, as well as her passion for fashion and sharing all of her teaching and wardrobe highlights on Instagram with the #teachergr...
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Mr D's Real Thoughts on His Aussie Trip
Were you lucky enough to see Mr D's comedy show, Indoor Recess, on his Australian tour last December? Perhaps you bumped shoulders with him at the Let's Meet Mr D event at Teach Starter HQ! Whether you spotted Mr D in real life or not, you...
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Australian Bushfire Crisis - What to Tell Your New Class
"Black Summer" is Australia's worst bushfire season on record. Lives, homes and livelihoods have sadly been lost. Communities have been left devastated. Schools have not been spared. Worst of all, it's not over - weather forecasters warn that drought condition combine with dry heat and wind, more fires are imminent.Among the unprecedented events of the summer so far, with the tragedy being reported around the clock in a 24-hour news cycle, we've also seen incredible acts of bravery, compassion, empathy and generosity.Teachers may be anticipating lots of questions and comments from students when returning to school.In this episode, Jill and I talk about some ways to reassure our young students and help them to feel safe in a tumultuous time for us all. We also reach out to fire affected teachers to connect with us at Teach Starter so that we can help.EPISODE WRAP UP:Media coverage of disasters can trigger a strong emotional response in people, and children can be particularly sensitive. They might: - Worry the same thing might happen to them. - Worry for their parents' safety. - Feel sad about images of animals that have suffered or perished. - React with changes in behaviour.We want to support you as you return to school amongst this tragedy, and so in the coming weeks we will be bringing you more information about how to help your students navigate this tumultuous time, as well as helping you yourself.Emma is writing an article on how to navigate this time with your students. I'll be interviewing her to see what she finds out from experts in this area.If you've been directly affected, we'd love for you to message the page and we'll be in touch to help you out. Likewise, if you know a teacher who needs help, please flag them with us.For now, some suggestions include: - Being honest with kids but not overwhelming them with too much information. - Making ourselves available to answer their questions. - Helping kids get back to their normal routines: playing and learning. - Give them some ways to help (writing letters, fundraising). - Show them all of the heroes - the amazing people doing good work to help out.There's a great Behind the News episode by the ABC for kids here: https://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/bushfire-season/11505884If you yourself need some emotional support, please contact Beyond Blue or Lifeline for counselling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Becoming Mum - Realities of Becoming a Parent
When teaching is such a huge part of your identity, how does starting a family change things? If you're about to join the teacher mum or teacher dad squad, this is the episode you need in your life. Having a child and maintaining a career can be a...
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For the Love of Teaching Returns on January 12!
Looking for a fresh take on education? Teach Starter’s For the Love of Teaching is the podcast for teachers by teachers. Because challenges crop up, and some things aren’t on the lesson plan. But teachers are incredible, teaching is a gift and toget...
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Any Questions? Mr D Meets Some Aussie Kids!
Find out what happens when you get five Aussie school kids, Mr D and a microphone in a room! Listen as the kids grill Mr D and ask him all the hardest questions they could think of about America. For behind the scenes fun, visit the For the Love of ...
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Teacher Wellbeing Survey Results are in!
In late 2019, Teach Starter surveyed 670 Australian primary school teachers on the topic of teacher wellbeing. In this episode, we unpack the results of the Teacher Wellbeing Survey with Amy, Teach Starter's product manager.
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Feeling Fatigued? Help's Here.
We recently ran our Teacher Wellbeing Survey 2019 and the results were overwhelming. Teachers are tired. While we're empathetic, we're certainly not surprised. You guys do an incredible job and by this time of year, it's starting to take...
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Casual Relief Teaching
Minami has been a casual relief teacher for five years. She's also a PhD candidate at Macquarie University, studying the perspectives and challenges of relief teachers. In this episode, Minami talks about why people choose to enter relief teaching...
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It's a Wrap with Mr D
Every Friday in 2019, Mr D joined me, telling stories that made us all laugh, cry and cringe! It takes a special gift to put such a positive, happy slant on educating, and Mr D definitely has that.Thanks for joining us this year as we talked about e...
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Inclusive Holiday Activity Ideas
Not everyone celebrates Christmas! Living on this beautiful, multicultural planet, there are bound to be classmates in your room from cultures and backgrounds which don't observe Christmas. If you're after some inclusive ideas which are still...
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Taking on LANTITE
Student teachers, this episode is all about you! Join me alongside Georgi from @teachingwithg as we chat about forming positive relationships in schools, approaching mentors for help with questions and the best way to take on the LANTITE test! Join ...
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Mr D and the Impromptu Singalong
Not for little ears. Anyone a fan of old school RNB? Mr D's young student was well versed in the stylings of Lil Jon and whipped out a great rendition of Get Low during a class sharing session. The level of awkwardness will make you feel so muc...
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Elf on The Shelf in the Classroom!
Heading into the holiday season, are you looking to change up your celebration and activities with a new class tradition? Listen as I chat all about using The Elf on the Shelf in the classroom. Take some cute #elfies for Insta, host an elf tea party, a...
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Calling All Social Butterflies!
Are you a teacher who loves to party? Perhaps you enjoy getting together with a group of teaching friends for a coffee? Maybe a low-key glass of wine in a beautiful bar or restaurant?Teach Starter's Mel joins me today to talk all things events....
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Mr D Let the Cat out of the Bag
Literally. Listen as Mr D explains the most unusual show and tell offering his teaching friend has ever seen. It was meowing.He's a teacher. He's a comedian. He's officially one of Ellen Degeneres's "favourites". Joe (M...
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Your Report Writing Playlist
Writing reports? Why not enjoy some of your favourite tunes to help pass the time? Or, chill with some relaxing, mellow beats. Perhaps you love classical music, or a bit of boppy pop to get you going? We list several different Spotify and Youtube playl...
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Flexible Seating and Flexible Learning
On this week's episode I'm joined by the energetic Aaron, from Mr J's Learning Space on Instagram. Aaron talks us through the process he undertook as an early adopter of the flexible learning model. You'll hear all of his learnings ...
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Mr D Buys Something Embarrassing
Mr D is on his way to Australia! He's already packing and dreaming of a cold glass of sauvignon blanc. We can't wait to see his touring show, Indoor Recess. But first, let Mr D tell you about that time he was busted buying booze in front of h...