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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Being a Teacher-Parent
There comes a point in many teachers' lives when they become parents themselves. For some teachers, they enter the teaching profession after they've had their own kids. What's it like being a teacher and a parent, and all at the same sch...
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Classroom Sustainability
It's Plastic Free July! Join me as I chat with Teach Starter blogger Emma about all things green. Emma takes us through some alarming stats, interesting info and helpful ways teachers can reduce plastic waste in the classroom.Download your FREE...
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Mr D, Where do Hot Dogs Come From?
"Where do hot dogs come from?" This question had the school rumour mill working overtime recently and one of Mr D's students thought he had the most accurate info!He's a teacher. He's a comedian. He's officially one of ...
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Guided Reading Made Easy
Before Holly Mitchell became Teach Starter's content marketer in 2015, she was an energetic and enthusiastic Year Two teacher! Holly LOVED teaching reading and went on to develop Teach Starter's famous Guided Reading Folder Resource Pack. Lis...
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Mr D Learned the Difference Between 'Fermented' and 'Rotten' the Hard Way.
Mr D thought he had a stomach of steel, but he was definitely challenged when a student brought him in a delicious home made meal with a twist.He's a teacher. He's a comedian. He's officially one of Ellen Degeneres's "favour...
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Your Most Memorable Cohort
Whilst teachers definitely don't play favourites, we all have those cohorts that are just so memorable. Which was your most memorable group of students? Why did they stick in your mind? Do you ever wonder what they're up to now? No? Just me? ...
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Teaching with Pride: Being a Gay Teacher
What's it like to be a gay teacher in 2019? I sat down with Shaun and we chatted about how being gay influences his teaching (er... spoiler alert: it doesn't!), how his students view him as a role model, and the experiences some of Shaun...
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Mr D - Legend of the Basketball Court
Every had a time you've totally fluked a success? Students idolise their teachers and in this episode Mr D shares about the day he totally fluked a move on the court, winning the approval and admiration of his students forevermore.He's a t...
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Fast Finisher Tasks and Ideas
Some kids are so fast! They'll get everything done in record speed (and with accuracy and neatness to boot!). Have you got one of these? Perhaps more than one! Join us as we give some suggestions for relevant fast finisher activities which will ex...
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Why You Need a Teacher Bestie!
Teaching can be a rollercoaster ride. Throughout your career you’ll experience the highest highs, and the lowest lows. We often hear how important it is to foster amazing relationships with other teachers- to truly find your tribe. Having a support net...
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Stop! Reflect! Be Positive!
We talk a lot about reflective practice and aim to review our day's work. What worked? What didn't? What should I change? What can I do better?This week we're talking about putting a super positive slant on our reflection. Whether it...
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Teaching in the UK
Ever wondered what it would be like moving across the pond and teaching in the UK? Where would you start? Should you go alone or with friends?Are teaching agencies legit? When is the best time in your career to take the plunge?This week we hear from...
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Mr D does not have ophidiophobia - but do YOU?
Maybe you will after hearing this slithery story. Ophidiophobia is an abnormal fear of snakes. I think I've got it. This story will send shivers up your spine and have you checking your classroom rafters!He's a teacher. He's a comedia...
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Happy Report Writing!?!
"Happy reporting"? Can that even be a thing? This week Jill and I are sharing our thoughts on report cards, starting with a trip down memory lane. Find out what sort of student Jill was and hear about the rookie error I made during my first r...
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Inspiring Female Students to Love Sport
Last week I talked to Kirby Short about one of her life’s passions; educating kids and supporting teachers in her role as a secondary Deputy Principal. This week, we chat all about cricket, girls and sport and the power of engaging with students on a b...
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Mr D and the Unreliable Supply/Sub Teacher!
Sometimes, as a teacher, it's easier to go to work feeling less than healthy than to hand over your class to a supply teacher. Mr D tells of a time he was genuinely disappointed by the lack of teaching that occurred in his classroom when a sub too...
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The Buzz: Guilty! Teachers Who Never Leave on Time
When was the last time you left your classroom within thirty minutes of the final bell? We know how hard it can be to tear yourself away from that endless list of duties, but this week we're giving you some strategies for planning to leave on time...
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Kirby Short - Pro Cricketer *and* High School Deputy Principal
Professional cricketer and high school deputy principal, Kirby Short, leads a spectacular double life. Listen to Kirby, an experienced HPE teacher who has made the transition into administration whilst maintaining her career as an elite athlete, talk a...
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Mr D and the Little Animals
Sometimes a teacher's best intentions have the worst (and grossest) outcomes. Today, Mr D recalls a time he thought he was offering his students a learning experience; but he was the one who learned a hard lesson!He's a teacher. He's ...
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Connect With Your Students on a New Level
Raising our voices to get over the noise of the room is a default for some teachers, but not what we expected to be like when starting out as educators. Even the best teachers get loud. Today we're sharing the lessons we've learned in our tim...
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How to Engage Boys in the Performing Arts
Engaging male students in the performing arts can have long-term, positive effects on their academic outcomes, as well as supporting their social-emotional learning and teaching them transferable life skills to set them up for life. Brisbane Early Year...
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Mr D and The Baddie B
Mr D is a seasoned traveler, but nothing could prepare him for the drama that ensued on his most recent domestic flight. But, like any great teacher, Mr D knows how to turn a horrible experience into a teachable moment for his students - with humour! T...
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Nothing's Better than a Change of Scenery!
Have you ever launched into an amazing, engaging lesson you're totally pumped about teaching and your students are just not picking up what you're putting down?Most of us have. It can be really disheartening. On today's episode of The...
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Rob Hunter Taught and Inspired for 40 Years
Australia was shocked by the brazen country school kidnappings of the 1970s. Rob Hunter, a 20 year old in his first fortnight of teaching, was confronted at gunpoint and kidnapped with his nine young students. Rob's (reluctantly) a true hero of ou...
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Look Around and See Them All!
Need a little motivation on a Monday? Jill and Bron are experienced primary school teachers; they get it! Join them for inspiration and encouragement to get you buzzing through the school week!Think about your class. Have you got some students who a...
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Rob Hunter and His Whole Class was Kidnapped at Gunpoint
Before most of us became teachers (and before many of us were even born), Australia was shocked by the brazen country school kidnappings of the 1970s. Rob Hunter, a 20 year old in his first fortnight of teaching, was confronted at gunpoint and kidnappe...
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Over-sharers in the Classroom: Mr D Needs Some Blurt Buttons.
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 infectious laugh and hilarious stories. Brace yourself, because when i...
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The Kid Who Took the Words Right Out of Mr D's Mouth
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 infectious laugh and hilarious stories. Brace yourself, because when i...
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RAOKs for your Colleagues
Need a little motivation on a Monday? Jill and Bron are experienced primary school teachers; they get it! Join them for inspiration and encouragement to get you buzzing through the school week!We hear a lot about the current buzz term 'Random A...
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Mr D's Most Unorthodox Behaviour Management Strategy Yet!
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 infectious laugh and hilarious stories. Brace yourself, because when i...