Teach Starter Podcast

Teachers: The Ultimate Influencers

Teach Starter resource producer and Chalkboard blogger Ali Smith joins me this week. We talk about how teachers can influence our students and help them to develop a positive self image. In the uncharted territory of today's social media-driven wo...

Gambling at Mr D's School

What happened when Mr D discovered an underground betting network (of students) operating right under his nose at school!?He's a teacher. He's a comedian. He's officially one of Ellen Degeneres's "favourites". Joe (Mr D...

Space Week Activities for Your Class

World Space Week is October 4-10! Have you got anything planned yet? If not, we've got you! Teach Starter has a bunch of resources and activities for students aged 5-12 in our Space and Solar System Learning Area Collection.Join us in our new F...

Tech Tips for Classroom Teachers

Taylor Donnely is a young teacher with a very bright future. With the support of encouraging school administrators, Taylor has carved out a unique space for herself in her school environment as the specialist digital technologies teacher, visiting ever...

Mr D and the Horror Incursion

Incursions... we teachers just love them! No travel, basic risk assessments, repeat visitors = bliss right? You'd think so. But what happens when you get an inexperienced instructor and you have a student who gives her a run for her money? Spoiler...

Hello, Austin!

Jill has taken off! She's currently over in Austin, Texas, with her Teach Starter Co-Founder/husband Scott and their two young sons. What an adventure Jill and Scott are meeting lots of American teachers, supporting them with their back to school ...

How to be Happy Online

In the world of Insta-teachers many of us have found ourselves comparing. Comparing classrooms, desks, planning, resources, displays, even one another's Instagram feeds! Sarah Sainty, AKA TeacherIsHappy, feels comfortable in the online space she...

Mr D and the Dodgeball Game

Captain Ball. Under and Over. Tunnel Ball. They're the things our childhood memories are made of... Remember Friday afternoon ball games? THE best part of the week. But what about Dodgeball? Even with strict rules in place, there's always tha...

The Key to Managing Your Workload

One of the biggest struggles teachers face is managing their time effectively and striking a healthy balance in their lives.We all know the sense of overwhelm we feel when the to-do list grows and regenerates faster than we can keep up.Time chunk...

Teacher Librarian Megan Daley

Mr D and the Little White Lie

We know by now that Mr D's classroom management style is a little bit quirky. Find out what happened when Mr D's white lie backfired, the child called his bluff, and most importantly, who won the battle of the brains.He's a teacher. H...

Social Media Chit Chat

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, how do we protect ourselves and engage authentically as individuals and educators?What are some of the cautions teachers need to take when engaging in social media conversations?How can we support o...

Teacher Safety Online

Dr Samantha Fecich, author of Edumagic, a Guide for Preservice Teachers joins me once more to talk about all things digital.In this episode Sam speaks about creating a digital portfolio, how Google is the newresume, and the dos and don'ts of on...

Mr D and The Creepy Crawlies

Imagine if your whole class science project kit turned up ALIVE?!?He's a teacher. He's a comedian. He's officially one of Ellen Degeneres's "favourites". Joe (Mr D) Dombrowski is here to brighten up your week with his i...

Supermarket Plastic Promotions

The campaign #FutureLandfill takes Ooshies Lion King characters and recreates scenes from the iconic film. At first glance, the plastic toys appear to be situated in gorgeous, natural landscapes; but upon closer inspection, you'll notice they...

Book Week Activities

Bron's been clearing out her own kids' book collection and in the process, noticed some distinct themed collections. Christmas books, Pamela Allen books, rude books! Which are the kids' favourites? What do teachers think of 'rude bo...

Raising Readers Author Megan Daley

Megan Daley is an incredible teacher. Originally qualified as an Early Childhood teacher, Megan then studied to become a teacher librarian and later attained her Masters of innovative teaching and learning. She’s currently the teacher librarian at St A...

Mr D and The Wandering Children

There may be nothing more alarming as a teacher than realizing that some of your students have been gone from your room for longer that expected.In Mr D's case, there was definitely cause for concern!He's a teacher. He's a comedian...

Celebrating Student Success

How do you celebrate your students' successes? Celebrating success is an important thing to do in life, whether you're a student or not. How do you congratulate your students on their awesome achievements? Join us for some ideas on how you ca...

Sprinkle a Little Magic Wherever You Teach

Dr Samantha Fecich is a primary/elementary/additional needs teacher, a college professor and the author of Edumagic, a Guide for Preservice Teachers. On today's episode, Sam joined me to talk about the eight ways she empowers student teachers t...

Mr D and The Game Called 'Suffering'

Sounds like a fun one, right?As teachers, we all know how critical play is in early childhood development and learning. In this episode, Mr D shares about a time when his little students got extra creative with their imaginative play, and the drama ...

Brace Yourself; Book Week is Coming

...And by "Brace yourself", we mean "Get excited!". Book Week is almost here! Have you got your costume ready? If so, we want to see it so tag us in your social posts. If not, listen in, because we have ideas galore for you!Share...

Teaching Abroad

"I almost lost my love of teaching; I lost hope with the system."Jen Foster is an incredibly upbeat, bright, happy person. But as she recalled this moment, her voice showed immense frustration and disappointment at the state of education i...

Mr D and the Playground Geese

You know those moments when your heart melts because you're so proud of your students? When they just do the cutest, most empathetic, gorgeous stuff? On today's episode, Mr D shares about a time his little kids gave him all the warm fuzzies....

Late Newcomers

Join us as we chat about some practical ways you can help new students settle into your class once the school year is already in full swing!Have you got any great tips? Email us at [email protected] to share!Join us in our new For the Love...

Staying Connected with Digital Technologies

In part two of my interview with Cath Williams, she chats with me about digital technologies in the classroom and how the web has connected herself and her students with peers around the globe. Join us in our new For the Love of Teaching Fac...

Nobody's Perfect (Not Even Mr D)

Every amazing teacher has had a moment or two when they wish they could hit the rewind button. Have you ever had a classroom fail?He's a teacher. He's a comedian. He's officially one of Ellen Degeneres's "favourites". J...

Sometimes Things Get Gross!

Today on the Buzz, Jill and I take a stroll down memory lane and reminisce about all of the disturbing, disgusting, gross things we've seen happen (and things that have happened to us!) in the classroom. If you can cough it, flick it or wipe it, w...

Lessons Learned in 30 Years Teaching

Cath Williams is a warm and friendly teacher, who has collected a wealth of knowledge over three decades in the classroom. In this episode, Cath shares how she balanced raising a young family with her professional responsibilities, talks about her retu...

Mr D and the Sidetracked Sex Ed Lesson

How on earth can a lesson on human reproductive biology turn into a discussion about bovine lactation? In Mr D's class, tangents are turned into teachable moments!He's a teacher. He's a comedian. He's officially one of Ellen Dege...