The Teaching Experience Podcast

This is the first of a two part interview with Dr.Price.  He talks about his childhood, homelessness and his journey to Boerne ISD and becoming superintendent of schools. Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

Tina Mollie Fisher is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She writes children’s picture books and is the author of Pig’s Big Adventure. Her latest book, Mamarazzi, is currently being submitted to agents and publishers. She blogs bi-weekly at happyfungirl.com, where she writes for adults about faith, family, and life.  Ms. Fisher has three grown daughters, her best canine friend named, Mr. Riley who is super smiley and Charlie, a 7-year-old rescue dog from the Kendall County shelter. She has been a realtor for 27 years and enjoys songwriting, reading, music and spontaneous fun.  10 years later, she still refuses to tell who sunk the paddle boat during a Girl Scout adventure gone awry.  Tina can be reached via Email at: tinamolliefisher@gmail.com Suggested Resources: SCWBI – Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Jerry Jenkins Writer’s Guild Highlights Writer’s Workshops Michael Hyatt – He has some great information on how to build a blog, fiction and non-fiction book proposal templates and so much more for writers or business leaders and educators. Storybrand Podcast  Writer’s Digest  Jane Friedman Click here for a FREE copy of Tina’s Top Ten Tips for Becoming a Writer Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

Meet Max Stumberg. Max has 27 years in education, with  25 of those years serving the Boerne ISD.  Max was a 3RD grade teacher but for the last 13 years her role has been Teacher Mentor for Boerne ISD.  In this role she works with teachers of kindergartners all the way to seniors in high school.  Boerne ISD currently consists of  9 schools with 3 more under construction. Max says her top priority as a Mentor is supporting and guiding first year teachers and new teachers. She provides ongoing support  for their first 3 years in the district, but also supports veteran teachers.  She believes in taking care of and supporting the whole person.  Her support comes from being able to sit in  their classrooms throughout the day; guiding in classroom management; assisting with lesson planning; and providing curriculum help, etc.  But she also tries to help by being someone that can listen and provide encouragement along their teaching journey.  If Max  doesn’t have the answers to their questions, she can guide them to someone who does.   Max says it is her great privilege to be in the classrooms throughout the district and to see  and share in  the incredible teaching she sees going on. Max grew up on a ranch outside  the small town of Valentine in west Texas.  After her own children were in school she returned to college to get her teaching certification. Max says she loved being in the classroom connecting with students and watching them grow.  Her passion shifted a few years ago when she realized she had a gift to share what she had learned and had a heart for taking care of new teachers. Although she misses touching the lives of her own students, she knows that she has a hand in touching hundreds of students lives through the teachers she works with. Max has been married for almost 43 years. Her daughter and son are both married and have blessed her and her husband with 4 precious grandchildren. Contact: Max.stumberg@boerneisd.net Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

Sue Hall is a librarian at Fabra Elementary School in Boerne, TX. Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

  Karen and Terry talk about the “Theme Contest” and how they use it as a Classroom Management Tool. For more information, click on Theme Contest. Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

Karen and Terry discuss how they use “Fairy Tales on Trial” for project based learning and a way to encourage creativity and confidence. To learn more about Fairy Tales on Trial click this link. Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

In this episode Karen and Terry discuss how they use figurative language to re-enforce  positive character traits. For examples of figurative language posters, click this link. Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

Karen and Terry continue their discussion on the need to develop a “Gritty Kid” mentality in your students by stressing work ethic, accountability and perseverance. For more information regarding Theme Contest, click on this link. Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

Karen and Terry begin a two part series on the importance of developing qualities of persistence, perseverance, confidence and a strong work ethic to help children succeed in and out of the classroom.   Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

Karen and Terry are back with more discussion on why it is so important to train your students for self-control. In this episode they talk about the impact of a safe learning environment and what that means in the classroom and for student engagement. Check out  www.classroommastery.com     Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

Karen and Terry team up to talk about the importance of teaching your students self control. They discuss various tools and techniques that they have used to teach self control as a way to achieve a self-managed classroom. You can check out the Classroom Mastery web side by clicking on the link. www.classroommastery.com Or check out the Creating The Self Managed Classroom on Amazon.   Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

Introducing Dr. GG Frances Gonzalez-Garcia, Ph.D., is a children’s and literacy advocate that has been in the education sector for 18 years with experience including that of a classroom teacher, Master Reading Teacher, District Job Embedded Trainer, Adjunct Instructor, Reading Clinic Assistant, Reading Specialist and Independent Educational Consultant. Currently, Dr. Gonzalez-Garcia serves as the K-5 ELAR and Dyslexia Coordinator for Boerne Independent School District working in collaborative efforts with district Content Coordinators, Special Education/504 Directors, K-12 teachers and administrators, Literacy Leaders, Dyslexia Specialists and community members. She is an active presenter for local, state and national conferences and has been recognized for her efforts in education by being named the national recipient of the International Literacy Association/MyOn Legends in Literacy Award along with being the state recipient of the H.E.B. Excellence in Education Award in Elementary Leadership. Her professional interests include multiple metacognitive approaches, dyslexia, technology, reading/writing motivation, teacher education and leadership education. Contact Info: Twitter handle: @FrancesLGarcia Blog: www.teachalacarte.com Website: Trinity Elite Education & Co.  www.trinityeliteeducation.com Email: francesgonzalezgarcia@gmail.com Recommended Resources:  International Literacy Association (ILA) Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development (ASCD) National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) International Society for Technology (ISTE) Top 30 Favorite Twitter Handles to Follow in Education: Nell Duke @nellduke Douglas Fisher @DFISHERSDSU Alec Couros @courosa George Couros @gcouros Alan November @globalearner Sir Ken Robinson @SirKenRobinson Alfie Kohn @alfiekohn Harvey “Smokey” Daniels @smokeylit Laura Robb @LRobbTeacher Nancy Steineke @nsteineke Peter Dewitt @PeterMDeWitt Todd Whittaker @ToddWhitaker Tony Wagner @DrTonyWagner Michael Fullan @MichaelFullan Jim Knight @jimknight99 Linda Darling-Hammon @LDH_ed Steven W. Anderson @web20classroom Jennifer Gonzalez @cultofpedagogy Todd Nesloney @TechNinjaTodd Scott McLeod @mcleod Joyce Valenz @joycevalenza Kasey Bell @ShakeUpLearning Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher Tony Vincent @tonyvincent Cris Tovani @ctovani Jana Eschevarria @Jechev Penny Kittle @pennykittle Troy Hicks @hickstro Jennifer Seravallo @JSeravallo Regie Routman @regieroutman Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

  In this episode Terry Owens talks to Miriam Martinez about her journey into teaching and her role bringing technology into the classroom. Miriam on her story: “I work in the beautiful small town of Boerne, Texas, north of San Antonio. My position in the school district is Educational Technology Coach, I serve 4 of the 9 schools (2 elementary and 2 middle schools). I find my job very rewarding as I help teachers integrate the available campus technology with their lessons. I am a certified teacher and usually co-teach with them to model the use of the devices and then just stay for support with the students. Also, provide professional development in different areas, district wide.   I started my graduate studies a couple of years ago in the University of Texas in San Antonio. Due to my father’s failing health in the last two years, I had to put a pause in my goals. Interesting fact: my father had this same graduate degree from Michigan State back in the 70’s, he was and still is my inspiration. My father passed last October. I decided to return to school to finish, and evaluated Boise as an alternative, it was a match! This is my first semester at Boise, I will be taking 502 together with this course. My plan is to concurrently achieve the Online Teaching Certificate.” Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn

Meet May Beasley: May is a fifth grade teacher with a passion for teaching in disadvantaged urban schools.  May is a graduate of Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN where she attended on a softball scholarship and received a Bachelors in Early Childhood Growth and Learning. She subsequently followed this up with a masters from Vanderbilt University in Teaching and Learning in Urban Schools. May participated in the Metro Nashville Public Schools 100 Teacher Turnaround Core program where the district serves high needs schools. May is entering her eighth year of teaching; six of those years having been in priority schools (schools in the bottom 10% of the state for testing}. She is also a member of the Vanderbilt University Center for Science Outreach program “Scientist in the Classroom”. The program allows a real scientist to come in and assist in labs once a week. May is also a member of the Metro Nashville Public Schools Teacher Leadership Institute where the district identifies 15-20 teachers a year by teaching  effectiveness and leadership. Oh, and May is married, has two dogs, a Bearded Dragon and is an amateur powerlifter, gamer and wrestling fan! Recommended Resources: Writing in Science in Action by Betsy Rupp Fulwiler Word Nerds: Teaching all Students to Learn and Love Vocabulary by Brenda J. Overturf, Leslie H. Montgomery, and Margot Holmes Smith Discovering the 5 Love Languages at School by Gary Chapman Kagan Cooperative Learning by Dr. Spencer Kagan Crash Course Kids on Youtube Ron Clark Academy App Contact Info: Maybeas13@gmail.com Instagram: lifttoteach  

Larry Phifer: Larry is a full-time real estate attorney in El Paso, Texas, and a part-time picture book author. After his mother passed, he wrote a picture book, World on a String, to help young people deal with loss in a positive way. World on a String was the 2013 Moonbeam Silver Award Winner in the Best Illustrator category (Danny Popovici, illustrator, www.dannypopovici.com), the 2013 Writers’ League of Texas Discovery Prize Winner, and a nominee for the 2015 Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award. Larry does author events at elementary schools and loves sharing his story with children, particularly those dealing with loss. He is currently working on a second book about bullying. Resources: World on a String at Amazon World on a String at Barnes & Noble Contact Information: PhiferLH@gmail.com

Joy Fisher Hein: Our guest explains why we need wasps and reveals some little known details of Davy Crockett’s early life. Joy Fisher Hein created the art for the multi-award winning book, MISS LADY BIRD’S WILDFLOWERS; How a First Lady Changed America, by Kathi Appelt.  Joy continues to celebrate her love of Texas by illustrating the following books; SAM HOUSTON; Standing Firm, DAVID CROCKETT; Creating a Legend by Mary Dodson Wade.  Her newest book, BLOOMIN’ TALES; Legends of Seven Favorite TEXAS Wildflowers, by Cherie Foster Colburn. The city of San Antonio selected Joy to design and paint thirteen large art panels that interpret the history of Walker Ranch Historic Landmark Park.  The Texas State Library and Archives also selected Joy as the artist to create twenty-three pieces of art for their Texas Reading Club, including a wildflower poster.  The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center selected Joy’s painting of Red Drummond Phlox for their official 2014 wildflower. Joy loves nature and gardening.  She is a Texas Master Naturalist, member of the Native Plant Society of Texas and is certified by the National Wildlife Federation to create School Yard Habitats.  She lives with her husband, artist, Professor Emeritus, Frank Hein, in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Joy enjoys sharing her journey as an illustrator and naturalist with students of all ages. Recommended Resources: Joy’s Web Site National Wildlife Federation National Wildlife Federation School Program Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – The University of Texas Contact Info: www.joyfisherhein.com  

Kelly Murguia: Kelly served as an English as a Second Language teacher, Language Proficiency Assessment Committee Representative and organization sponsor at Luther Burbank High School in San Antonio, TX. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Commerce, Organizations and Entrepreneurship from Brown University in Rhode Island. After interning with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington, D.C. and listening to constituent concerns regarding education, she made a commitment to improving the quality of education. Kelly began her teaching career in 2010 by joining the Teach For America San Antonio Charter Corps and quickly realized that education is her passion and life’s purpose. To date, she has taught 353 language learners in grades 9-12. In teaching ESL, Kelly has assumed responsibility as an advocate for her underprivileged students, school and community. In the summer of 2012, Kelly served as a Leadership for Educational Equity Fellow where she worked with the Education and Workforce Committee of The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. She also had the opportunity to work with KIPP SA as a Teacher Quality Intern. All of these experiences have strengthen her desire to provide the students of San Antonio with the academic and social skills necessary to access the greatest opportunities possible. Motivated by her former students’ successes and struggles through life, Kelly is driven to lead an inner-city foundation that will empower students to become strong, courageous leaders for their communities in San Antonio. Kelly has a Master of Education Degree from Harvard University School of Education and serves as a MTLD or Manager, Teacher Leadership and Development. In this role she trains, motivates and encourages new teachers. Recommended Resources: Teach For America What a Coach can Teach a Teacher: by Jeffrey M.R. Duncan-Andrade The Teaching Tolerance Community Contact Info:          

Gretchen Bridgers: Gretchen (Schultek) Bridgers is author of Always A Lesson. In German translation, Gretchen’s last name “Schultek” means ‘Teacher.’ It must have been fate that she is an educator today! She is a general education teacher of 8 years. She has taught grades 2, 3, and 5 at both low and high performing elementary schools in Charlotte, North Carolina. She worked for The New Teacher Project in multiple roles, but most often as a Teacher Development Coach for first year teachers. Gretchen  currently serves as the owner of Always a Lesson, and hosts a Podcast; a blog; and provides both consulting services and training resources for the teaching community. She has also produced a series of training videos in her New Teacher Academy training program for new teachers. Recommended Resources: Always a Lesson Web Site Always a Lesson Podcast Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov Always A Lesson Teaching Resourses: Teacher Pay Teacher site New Teacher Academy Contact Info: Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com

Denise Ramirez: A career change, her young son and a desire to follow a life passion led Denise from the financial industry to the classroom. Going back to school as a full time student and a parent of three young children she obtained her bachelor’s degree from Washington State.  Shortly after this, Denise enrolled in a dual certification program at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, enabling her to obtain her teaching certification in both Special and General Education. Beginning her career at Northside Independent School District she had the opportunity to teach in a variety of special education settings prior to transitioning to the general education classroom in 2006. She has been awarded both New Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year at the campus level in addition to being named NISD’s Partnership Coordinator of the Year in 2010. Following the legacy of her great-grandmother, she strives to reach even the most challenging student. She does this with a unique blend of relationship building, humor, and high expectations. Recommended Resources: Whole Brain Teaching Gonoodle Quantum Contact Information: denise.ramirez@nisd.net

Terry Owens: In this episode we talk to Terry as she is preparing to make a presentation to the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association in Austin Texas. Terry and Karen Aitken will be presenting on various elements of their  character development focused instructional approach to teaching. Terry specifically talks about the importance of training students to be responsible, accountable and credible. Recommended Resources: Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) is a nationally recognized training and certification program for turning crisis situations into learning opportunities for children and youth with chronic patterns of self-defeating behaviors. There web site is:   http://www.lsci.org/ Boys Town is home to parenting and child behavior experts who have developed a wealth of original content over the years that is available for free in their For Parents section at:   http://www.boystown.org/ CPI was established in 1980 for human service professionals to address the need for training in safe, respectful, noninvasive methods for managing disruptive and assaultive behavior. Their web site is:    http://www.crisisprevention.com/ Recommended Book: Mindset by Carol Dweck – Mindset is a simple idea discovered by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist  in decades of research on achievement and success—a simple idea that makes all the difference. http://www.mindsetonline.com/thebook/buythebook/index.html Teacher Pay Teacher Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Top-Notch-Teaching-Tools Terry can be reached via email at: owensterry1953@gmail.com If you enjoyed this episode go to iTunes and give us a review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/teaching-experience-podcast/id1041863235?mt=2