Geek to Geek
How to share your excitement about a new idea, thought, book or approach without it being dismissed as the “flavor of the week” because everyone is busy and overworked?...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:34 — 17.3MB)
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Classroom Whodunnit
Jill and Colleen go all in on CSI-like tips and technique thanks to a creative teacher who made her own murder board to break down characters and plot twists...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:16 — 15.5MB)
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Catholic Schools Week with Mary Pat Donoghue
With a heart for teaching, Mary Pat Donoghue has run the gamut of supporting Catholic schools as a teacher, administrator and consultant. Now, she serves as the Executive Director...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:52 — 19.1MB)
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Catholic Schools Week with Kevin Baxter
How wonderful that a former middle school teacher is now forming and inspiring future school principals? This is what the Catholic Teachers Lounge is all about with special guest...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:33 — 15.9MB)
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Catholic Schools Week with Bruce Hermie
School choice is changing the landscape of Catholic school enrollment and who better to talk about the positives and negatives than a former teacher, coach, and principal. Hear more...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:31 — 21.4MB)
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Catholic Schools Week with Elizabeth D’Aurora
Every school has a trusted teacher that everyone looks up to no matter what grade they teach. Today’s guest, Elizabeth D’Aurora, a 3rd grade teacher from Parnell Michigan, is...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:28 — 18.6MB)
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Catholic Schools Week with Dr. Debbie Sullivan
Taking a stroll down memory lane with special guest Dr. Debbie Sullivan from the Greeley Center for Catholic Education at Loyola Chicago to savor all the wonderful traditions of...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:42 — 20.2MB)
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Home Schooling at School
Welcoming home schoolers into a community is what Catholic schools are all about. Students can embrace new friends and teachers can see education and learning methods with a fresh...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:14 — 16.9MB)
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Art Coach
Many teachers also coach, but how many coaches also teach? Bringing a coach mentality to the classroom can significantly improve skill development and application across disciplines. It can embrace...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:10 — 16.8MB)
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Exit Question
How do we know students are grasping the lessons of the day — especially if they are working independently or across multiple ages and stages of learning? It is...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:19 — 15.6MB)
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Information Overload
We love to do field trips and other immersive teaching opportunities, but when there is so much to see, do and experience, we risk information overload for students with...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:03 — 15.2MB)
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Super Substitutes
By its nature, substitute teaching is usually unplanned, but the preparation doesn’t have to be — by the teacher AND school. An annual substitute orientation session for new and...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:47 — 14.9MB)
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Nurturing Narcisism?
Jennifer Wallace’s new book Never Enough opens our eyes to the pressure on kids and parents to achieve, achieve, achieve and the unintended consequence of teaching our young people...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:19 — 18.3MB)
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Finding Time
In our culture of achievement, we are seeing the impact of overscheduling on our students. Is it the responsibility of the teacher to give less (or no) homework or...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:29 — 14.4MB)
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A-Ha Moments
Building on the tension filled dialogue episode, how to recognize a-ha moments of discovery and connection vs. students simply looking to de-rail the conversation? And then how does this...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:55 — 16.4MB)
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Trust in Tension
Real discussion requires tension and varied perspectives — but it can be stressful and scary to not be able to control the dialogue. How do we trust the process...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:19 — 17.0MB)
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Year in Review
Evaluating and remembering the past can help us improve for the future. It’s also helpful to take time to connect with others and acknowledge gratitude for our time together.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:37 — 17.4MB)
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Christmas Duties
We do our best to stay focused on the real reason for the season, but the reality is teachers are the ones who have to juggle the challenges of...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:48 — 14.9MB)
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Songs of Faith
Combining pop culture with our Catholic faith by mixing popular music with prayers or scripture — “Weird Al” Yankovic style! It brings creativity, fun and a deeper understanding or...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:06 — 15.3MB)
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Teachers at Conventions
So much happens at a teacher convention! In this episode Colleen shares ideas from teachers at the Indiana Nonpublic Education Association Convention. Teachers talked about their best classroom practices...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:13 — 16.8MB)
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Professional Development Days
Professional learning is an expectation at most schools, but sometimes teachers are required to participate in professional development without any choice in what they are going to learn about....
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:47 — 17.6MB)
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Prayer for People
As Catholics, our rituals are a wonderful way to grow in faith, but unscripted, group prayer can also be an intentional community builder for any classroom as we share...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:56 — 13.7MB)
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Thank you notes to Mary
Another Loyola Press advent lesson is referenced, Advent cards. We encourage students to consider what they say YES to, from a kindergartner thanking Mary for her YES, to high...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:22 — 17.0MB)
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Advent Traditions
Colleen asks what’s happening in schools as we begin Advent. It’s a time of preparation, and the prayer of the moment is that even those are secularly preparing for...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:25 — 15.7MB)
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Blessing an Advent Wreath
Consider adding an Advent Wreath to your classroom, beginning the season with an advent wreath blessing. We discuss the Loyola Press lesson on blessing an Advent wreath.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:39 — 14.7MB)
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Test Anxiety
What if students had five minutes to talk about the test between handing it out and starting to answer questions? How do we help students reduce tension and settle...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:46 — 14.8MB)
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Leadership Conflict
Public prayer can be intimidating for some teachers — especially when doing so one on one with parents instead of leading children in memorized prayers — but mandated faith...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:59 — 15.1MB)
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ESport Exploration
E-Sports is gaining traction from college down to grade school. Strategy, teamwork, and communication can boost camaraderie and life experience for students, but it also increases screen time and...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:56 — 16.4MB)
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Teachers as Students
When we open our minds and hearts, there is much to learn from the students we serve. We believe in their growth and can be pleasantly surprised by their...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:39 — 14.7MB)
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Solidarity & Witness
Prayer can be a unifying experience for teachers and staff when facilitated in a personal and flexible fashion because teachers have challenges too. Prayer can help bridge gaps and...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:05 — 13.9MB)
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Chronic Absenteeism
Over communication is critical, but maintaining a sense of privacy for the child is important as well. When it comes to juggling mental health challenges, what does success look...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:56 — 15.1MB)
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Vacation vs. vocation
Exploring the reach of parents as primary educator of the child when parents excuse their kids from school for vacation. Whose responsibility is it to keep the students up...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:31 — 13.1MB)
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Teaching with AI
Artificial Intelligence can create classroom havoc or magic solutions. On the positive side, it can feed the planning process with ideas and suggestions. But as with any new technology,...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:53 — 17.8MB)
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Veterans Day
What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about patriotism? How can we best honor veterans in our Catholic schools? This episode honors the stance of the Church...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:49 — 16.3MB)
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Student-led Fundraising
Fundraising is a necessity for Catholic high schools, but the duties of fundraising can be shared among staff and students. In this episode, Jill shares a recent fundraising victory...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:02 — 15.2MB)
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College Applications
Applying for colleges today is so different than when we went to college! This episode shares insights from a college counselor on the current reality of applying for colleges...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:44 — 16.2MB)
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Inner Kindergartner
Everything you learned about teaching, you learned in Kindergarten. Explicit instructions, patience, manners and more. Channel your inner Kindergartner and bring your teaching to the next level.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:58 — 16.5MB)
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Maximizing Instruction Time
Arriving early, leaving late — what is your preparation routine to make the most of classroom instructional time while maintaining a reasonable personal balance of work and home life?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:29 — 13.1MB)
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Life Skills
From handshakes to interview questions and communications skills to leadership opportunities, there are many ways to prepare students for the real world, no matter the grade level. How to...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:55 — 15.0MB)
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Blame Game
It’s easy to blame the pandemic for every current classroom challenge, but the reality is most of these challenges have been present for a long time. Becoming more deliberate...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:36 — 14.6MB)
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Student Surprises
As the adult in the room and subject matter experts, it’s easy to make teaching all about the teacher, but students surprise us every day with their insights, gifts...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:32 — 17.3MB)
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The Classroom of Noah’s Ark
Every teacher has a unique, go-to lesson or activity to capture the imagination of their students and many times it can involve animals or insects. Tapping into God’s creations...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:46 — 16.2MB)
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Talking About Writing
Practice makes perfect, but so does self and peer review. How to effectively use peer to peer reviews of student writing to help everyone improve.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:55 — 16.4MB)
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Group Think
Assigning group work can be a recipe for disaster no matter the age of the kids. However, disciplined assignment of roles and responsibilities can successfully help students navigate this...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:11 — 16.8MB)
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Eyes vs. Thumbs
In a world dominated by social media and electronic communication, facilitating classroom discussion that includes peer to peer eye contact, active listening, and mutual respect can be a significant...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:46 — 16.2MB)
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Special Impact
Electives and specials can be few and far between for some Catholic schools, but there is a concerted effort to make specials a bigger priority to help elevate kids...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:56 — 16.4MB)
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To Homework or Not To Homework
This eternal question can be equally frustrating for teachers, students and parents alike as everyone has an opinion and perspective. Practice and repetition can certainly be helpful, but if...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:04 — 16.6MB)
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Rewards vs. Recognition
Reinforcing positive behavior is an exercise in creativity across ages and stages in every school. How to balance the standbys of food or prize rewards against the higher potential...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:59 — 16.5MB)
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Artificial Intelligence: Fears and Concerns
Fear of the unknown can be a helpful mechanism to proceed with caution in some areas. It can also hold us back from future discovery. But the reality is...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:43 — 16.1MB)
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Lenten Anticipation
The Ball of Red String is a delightfully easy read for young kids, but as we enter the Lenten journey, it can lead to many deeper insights and questions...
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:26 — 15.8MB)
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