In this episode, Larry is joined by Joan Gallagher, the director of the science department at Niles North High School, and the co-author of "Whole-Class Inquiry: Creating Student-Centered Science Communities". This conversation explores what it takes to keep your balance, and even thrive, while living with the relentless pace and the ever-increasing pressures placed on teachers. Topics discussed include liberating oneself from day-to-day stresses, the nature of good management, living honestly while working in institutions, and teaching students how to speak truth to power.
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Larry is joined by Ryan Murphy, a math teacher at Niles North High School to discuss how to reframe the purpose of tests so that they become an integral part of the learning process. We talk about how we can help students see the mistakes they have made on a test as information about what they haven't learned yet, and how we can design a test remediation process that is truly responsive to the individual needs of every student.
The thorny problem of dealing with a student who cheats is discussed in this work session with Amy Koning, a math teacher at Niles North High School. In particular, we explore specific strategies to replace the common punitive reaction with a response that helps the student grow into a more responsible and trustworthy posture.
In this work session, Larry Geni talks with Gordon Booker, a chemistry teacher at Niles North High School, about some of the specific issues that arise during "open work time", when students are spreading out to work on different things at the same time. In particular, the question is how to help students to find internal motivation to work when they are not being told what to do by the teacher. Additional topics discussed include how to deal with inappropriate phone use, and how to teach students to take better notes.