Graduate students in Anna Quinzio-Zafran’s TLCI 795 (Models of Mentoring) class this summer created podcasts to support new educators as they face common challenges.
“With the teacher shortage, a sense of belonging is so important to making educators feel valued,” says Quinzio-Zafran, an adjunct instructor in the NIU College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction and 2015 alumna of the Ed.D. in Curriculum Leadership program.
“My graduate students were able to convey a sense of belonging to new teachers around the world,” adds the co-editor of ”The New Teacher’s Guide to Overcoming Common Challenges: Curated Advice from Award-Winning Teachers,” published in 2020. “They offered their experience and expertise to assist new teachers as they confront problems of practice.”
The New Teacher Talk channel is quickly trending toward 2,000 downloads, with outreach to many different countries, including the United States, Canada, Finland, Chile, India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Spain, United Kingdom, United Erab Emirates, Croatia, Germany and El Salvador.
Episodes are housed on Podbean but can be found on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts and other major platforms under the New Teacher Talk Channel. Additionally, marketing of their episodes included notification on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram for each of their contributions.
Episode List
- 7/10/2023 | Balancing the Scales: Work and Life as a New Educator
Kelly Finnen, sixth-grade teacher at Prairie Middle School, explores the challenges of work-life balance for new educators, who often face long hours and high demands in their jobs. - 7/17/2023 | Building Bridges: Connecting with Students and Families as a New Teacher
Daniele Buettner delves into the vital topic of establishing strong relationships with students and families as a new teacher. - 7/24/23 | Curriculum and Instruction: The Meat and Potatoes of Teaching
Erin Hochstetter and Kylen Strissel delve into the world of curriculum and instruction, providing essential insights and practical tips specifically tailored for first-year teachers. - 7/31/23 | Navigating the Classroom Maze: 7 Essential Tips for Effective Differentiation
Kylen Strissel and Erin Hochstetter dive into the world of differentiation and offer practical advice tailored specifically for first-year teachers. - 8/7/23 | Embracing Multilingualism: Nurturing Success for Language Learners in Schools
Kinsey Wright explores the topic of supporting multilingual learners in school and how educators can create inclusive and empowering learning environments for them. - 8/14/23 | Creating an Inspiring Classroom Set Up and Environment
Michelle Ball, a fifth-grade teacher, explores the art and science of setting up a classroom that fosters engagement, collaboration and optimal learning. - 8/21/2023 | The Professional Path: Professional Doesn’t Mean Perfect
Mary Kallenbach, a teacher early in her career, shares insightful tips and experiences on making the transition from college student to professional educator, delving into the unique challenges and opportunities that arise during this pivotal phase of a teaching career. - 8/28/23 | Culturally Responsive Classrooms: Nurturing Inclusive Learning Environment
Taylor Green, a fourth-grade teacher, dives into the transformative power of implementing culturally responsive teaching practices. - 9/4/23 | Mastering Assessment: A Guide for New Teachers
Ashley Platz shares ways to support new teachers in understanding and utilizing effective assessment practices in the classroom. - 10/2/23 | Navigating Teacher Evaluation: Empowering New Teachers
Adam Lindquist dives into the topic of teacher evaluation, a crucial aspect of every educator’s career. Teacher evaluation is not just about assessing performance; it’s an opportunity for growth and development. - 10/9/23 | The 7 Point Checklist for Teacher Professionalism: Elevating the Teaching Profession
Christopher Pettit explores the essential aspects of teacher professionalism through a seven-point checklist, including key attributes and behaviors that define professionalism in teaching.
