Tag Archives: teachers

What are School Administrators Good For?

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Poem: “Sonnets from the Portuguese, #23” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning 

Statement of the Whole: Would a teacher’s life be better or worse if Administrators disappeared from the Earth?  So begins a lively repartee between Jason and Steve, both of whom currently divide time at their respective schools between teaching and administrative duties.  Why do we need such people?  How are their duties best attended to?  If an administrator holds a faculty meeting in the woods, will teachers still have to come?  Join us for these and many more compelling questions.

How to Have a Great First Month of School

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The panic before school episode 

Poem: Interrogative by Sister M. Therese 

Statement of the Whole: As soon as summer starts, the clock starts clicking loudly.  What do good teachers do with their summers?  How do you start a new school year off better than ever before?  Jason and Steve dig into what makes the first month of school so special and important on this “Back to School Special” episode of the Backporch Education podcast. 

A Math Story Retold

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A story with Craig Conticchio 

Quote: by G.K. Chesterton — “The difference between the poet and the mathematician is that the poet tries to get his head into the heavens while the mathematician tries to get the heavens into his head.” 

Statement of the Whole: There are moments in Jason and Steve’s lives when something is said and they think, “that has to go on the podcast.”  This is one of those moments taking form.  Steve’s boss shows up to tell a story about his studies in math during college and then discusses some of the ideas coming from the story with Steve.  In the end, it all adds up. 

Resources: 

Work on chaos theory that Craig mentioned: https://www.wolframscience.com 

Folks who think number is beautiful: https://www.goldennumber.net/ 

Whatcha Got in the Steam Pot? How Do Teachers Relax?

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Our Annual National Teacher Appreciation Day Show 

Poem: “Italian Food” by Shel Silverstein 

Statement of the Whole:  This is our second annual National Teacher Appreciation Day Show.  To celebrate, Jason and Steve have fun discussing what “down time” looks like for a teacher.  What does one who loves to teach all day do to take it easy?  Because they both find cooking relaxing, that is what is in the pot for this episode.  Try some of their relaxation stew. 

Resources: 

Link to Steve’s infrequent foray into food blogging: Bringing It to the Table 

Jason’s Onion Ring recipe: click here 

For those who want to enter the fragrant and soothing scene of offset smoking, click here. 

Salt: A World History 

The Art of Teaching