The Jersey Educator Podcast

Welcome to the Jersey Educator Podcast, a show created by NJEA members, for NJEA members. Whether you are a teacher, an educational support professional, or a New Jersey Student Education Association member, this show will serve as a platform to help YOU bring out the best in your students each and every day in your schools. The shows are hosted by Jeff Bradbury of TeacherCast.net (@TeacherCast) and Jim Boice, a field representative with NJEA (@boiceinthehood). For more information, please visit njea.org/podcast and email us at [email protected] Our Guest HostKim Crane is a 19-year educator and current Student and Staff Support Teacher in the Highland Park School District. She has a Masters in Teaching. Kim taught elementary art in the district for 15 years and is the former president and current 1st vice president of the Highland Park Education Association.Kim's work as a Communications Consultant takes her across the state where she assists locals with their public relations needs. She contributes regular articles to the NJEA Review and other publications. Keeping joy in her work is an everyday focus.About Our GuestKristina Phelan is a K-2 reading teacher at Mahala F. Atchison School in Tinton Falls, NJ. She applies research-based strategies to help all of her K-2 students reach their reading potential. She instills a passion for books and learning in all of her students — especially those who find reading difficult. Kristina has given dozens of workshops on literacy instruction at local and national venues for both teachers and parents. She co-wrote a chapter on fluency in Best Practices in Early Literacy Instruction and has received numerous grants to enhance classroom-based programs.Kristina is in her 18th year of public school teaching and has taught students in both poor and affluent districts. Kristina earned an M.Ed. from Rutgers University in Reading Education, an M.A. from Teachers College/Columbia University in Curriculum and Teaching, and a B.A. from Colgate University in Psychology and French.During Kim and Kristina’s conversation, NJEA Hipp Grants came up. Learn more about these grants here on njea.org.The views expressed by guests on Jersey Educator are not necessarily the views of NJEA, the hosts, or other guests.Subscribe to Our Podcast on iTunesWe are proud to be listed in the iTunes Directory. Please take a moment and subscribe to this show on your favorite podcast player today!Show HostsJeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher, Google Education Trainer, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, speaker, writer, broadcaster, consultant and educational media specialist. He is currently the Coordinator for Technology Integration for the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey. In 2012, Jeff was recognized as one of top 50 educators using social media at the first ever Bammy Awards and has been nominated three times in the category of Innovator of the Year. Jeff has Keynoted for the Pearson Authentic Learning Conference, EdTechNJ and most recently at Columbia...

Welcome to the Jersey Educator Podcast, a show created by NJEA members, for NJEA members. Whether you are a teacher, an educational support professional, or a New Jersey Student Education Association member, this show will serve as a platform to help YOU bring out the best in your students each and every day in our schools. The shows are hosted by Jeff Bradbury of TeacherCast.net (@TeacherCast) and Jim Boice, a field representative with NJEA (@boiceinthehood). For more information, please visit njea.org/podcast and email us at [email protected] Our Guest HostAwo Okaikor Aryee-Price is currently a doctoral student at Rutgers University Graduate School of Education with a concentration on a design of learning environments. Having grown up in a family of Newark educators who were also community organizers, Okaikor has always seen the need to organize within the communities we work and live. Because of that, you can find her organizing with Parents Unified for Local School Education (PULSE) in Newark, NJ where she serves as an advisory board member. PULSE is also an alliance member of the Journey for Justice Alliance (J4J), a parent organization committed to educational justice for students of color. Okaikor is an active member and steering committee member of EduColor, an organization of educators, education advocates, and activists that centers the educational needs of our most vulnerable students, communities, and educators. As the founder of #SoJustEdu, a Twitter chat focused on social justice issues in education, Okaikor has helped sparked important conversations that often go untouched. Okaikor is also one of the co-founders of the MapSO Freedom School in Maplewood-South Orange, NJ–a group that formed in an effort to provide an anti-racist and liberating education to the students in Maplewood-South Orange. In an effort to spread anti-racist and anti-oppression principles, she has been working as an Undoing Racism trainer-in-training with the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, co-founded the Morris County Anti-Racist Alliance, and is a coalition member with 15 Now.About Our GuestIt’s hard to fit Zellie Imani into a box, as his advocacy takes so many different forms. He crusades from the classroom, from his blog, and from Twitter, using powerful words and striking images of America we live in today to raise awareness of important issues in the black community. While reality might be harsh, Zellie cannot and will not let his 98K+ followers ignore the truth. He started the Black Liberation Collective, a group of black students organizing initiatives to shed light on problems that are often kept in darkness, setting demands from the college level to the highest level of government. Zellie believes that, in order to be free, we must first have an organized message to deliver on all platforms.The views expressed by guests on Jersey Educator are not necessarily the views of NJEA, the hosts, or other guests.Subscribe to Our Podcast on iTunesWe are proud to be listed in the iTunes Directory. Please take a moment and subscribe to this show on your favorite podcast player today!Show HostsJeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher,...

Welcome to the Jersey Educator Podcast, a show created by NJEA members, for NJEA members. Whether you are a teacher, an educational support professional, or a New Jersey Student Education Association member, this show will serve as a platform to help YOU bring out the best in your students each and every day in your schools. The shows are hosted by Jeff Bradbury of TeacherCast.net (@TeacherCast) and Jim Boice, a field representative with NJEA (@boiceinthehood). For more information, please visit njea.org/podcast and email us at [email protected] this episode, we welcome our guest host, Ikechukwu Onyema, and his guest, TJ Whitaker, onto the program.About Our Guest HostIkechukwu “EK” Onyema is a Chemistry Teacher at East Orange Campus High School in Essex County. He's been in education for five years, teaching in several different urban areas including Philadelphia and Newark. In addition to being an active member in the NJEA through the NJEA Bolivar L. Graham Intern Foundation Practicing Apprentice Program, he commits his time to community organizing. His most recent project, The Soul Era, can be found on thesoulera.com.About Our GuestTJ Whitaker is a veteran educator of 15 years in the Maplewood/South Orange School District where he teaches English. In addition to coaching girls basketball, he advises several student clubs including the Black Students Union (BSU), MAC Scholars, and MAPSO Freedom School. TJ balances these all while pursuing his PhD in Global Affairs at Rutgers Newark, and his tireless engagement in local community activism. He is also a husband of 15 years and father of 3 children.Learn more about EK and TJ’s Mapso Freedom School on their Facebook page.Over the summer, EK did an interview with the National Education Association that was published on its Education Votes website, here.The views expressed by guests on Jersey Educator are not necessarily the views of NJEA, the hosts, or other guests.Subscribe to Our Podcast on iTunesWe are proud to be listed in the iTunes Directory. Please take a moment and subscribe to this show on your favorite podcast player today!Show HostsJeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher, Google Education Trainer, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, speaker, writer, broadcaster, consultant and educational media specialist. He is currently the Coordinator for Technology Integration for the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey. In 2012, Jeff was recognized as one of top 50 educators using social media at the first ever Bammy Awards and has been nominated three times in the category of Innovator of the Year. Jeff has Keynoted for the Pearson Authentic Learning Conference, EdTechNJ and most recently at Columbia University’s Teacher College and Podcast Mid-Atlantic.Jim Boice is a field representative with the New Jersey Education Association. Prior to joining...

Welcome to the Jersey Educator Podcast, a show created by NJEA members, for NJEA members. Whether you are a teacher, an educational support professional, or a New Jersey Student Education Association member, this show will serve as a platform to help YOU bring out the best in your students each and every day in your schools. The shows are hosted by Jeff Bradbury of TeacherCast.net (@TeacherCast) and Jim Boice, a field representative with NJEA (@boiceinthehood). For more information, please visit njea.org/podcast and email us at [email protected] this episode, we welcome Christine Kosar onto the program.About Our GuestChristine Kosar is a school bus driver with twelve years experience in the Washington Township School District of Gloucester County. Christine is also president of the Washington Township Schools Supportive Services Personnel Association, which is the largest local association exclusive to educational support professionals in NJ. Christine also devotes much time to volunteering with South Jersey’s PIE, or Participate In Education, activist group.Upcoming NJEA early career member eventsExploring Your Advocacy Happy Hour with Team South: June 2, 2017Monmouth Park Family Day with Central Connection: July 23, 2017Subscribe to Our Podcast on iTunesWe are proud to be listed in the iTunes Directory. Please take a moment and subscribe to this show on your favorite podcast player today!Show HostsJeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher, Google Education Trainer, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, speaker, writer, broadcaster, consultant and educational media specialist. He is currently the Coordinator for Technology Integration for the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey. In 2012, Jeff was recognized as one of top 50 educators using social media at the first ever Bammy Awards and has been nominated three times in the category of Innovator of the Year. Jeff has Keynoted for the Pearson Authentic Learning Conference, EdTechNJ and most recently at Columbia University’s Teacher College and Podcast Mid-Atlantic.Jim Boice is a field representative with the New Jersey Education Association. Prior to joining NJEA in 2012, Jim was a high school English teacher for ten years in the Pennsauken Township School District of Camden County, NJ.

Welcome to the Jersey Educator Podcast, a show created by NJEA members … for NJEA members. Whether you are a teacher, an education support professional, or a New Jersey Student Education Association member, this show will serve as a platform to help YOU bring out the best in your students . . . each and every day in your schools. The shows are hosted by Jeff Bradbury of TeacherCast.net (@TeacherCast) and Jim Boice, a field representative with NJEA (@boiceinthehood). For more information, please visit njea.org/podcast and email us at [email protected] this episode, we welcome Lisa Palin onto the program.About Our GuestLisa Palin is a Help Desk Coordinator / IT Technician for the Roselle Public Schools of Union County. Lisa has been working in Roselle for twenty years. Lisa is also the President of the Union County Education Association and the newly elected Vice President of NJEA’s County Presidents Council. Lisa is an NJEA Apprentice working in the UniServ and Research divisions.Upcoming NJEA EventsGrow your support network around financial planning: May 6, 2017 @ NJEA HQ.Members working in Burlington and Mercer Counties @ Trenton Thunder: May 12, 2017.90’s Prom with Central Connection: May 20, 2017.Learn more at the events page of njea.org/earlycareermembers.Subscribe to Our Podcast on iTunesWe are proud to be listed in the iTunes Directory. Please take a moment and subscribe to this show on your favorite podcast player today!Show HostsJeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net, TeacherCast University, and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher, Google Education Trainer, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, speaker, writer, broadcaster, consultant and educational media specialist. He is currently the Coordinator for Technology Integration for the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey. In 2012, Jeff was recognized as one of top 50 educators using social media at the first ever Bammy Awards and has been nominated three times in the category of Innovator of the Year. Jeff has Keynoted for the Pearson Authentic Learning Conference, EdTechNJ and most recently at Columbia University's Teacher College and Podcast Mid-Atlantic. Jim Boice is a field representative with the New Jersey Education Association. Prior to joining NJEA is 2012, Jim was a high school English teacher for ten years in the Pennsauken Township School District of Camden County, NJ.

Welcome to the Jersey Educator Podcast, a show created by NJEA members … for NJEA members. Whether you are a teacher, an education support professional, or a New Jersey Student Education Association member, this show will serve as a platform to help YOU bring out the best in your students . . . each and every day in your schools. The shows are hosted by Jeff Bradbury of TeacherCast.net (@TeacherCast) and Jim Boice, a field representative with NJEA (@boiceinthehood). For more information, please visit njea.org/podcast and email us at [email protected] this episode, we welcome Lois Yukna onto the program.About Our GuestLois Yukna is the 2017-18 New Jersey Educational Support Professional of the Year. A thirty year veteran staff member of the Woodbridge Township School District of Middlesex County, Lois has served as a bus driver, attendance officer, and trainer. She is currently President of the Middlesex County Education Association representing some 16,000 NJEA members who work in Middlesex County.Read “The intersection of service and activism” from the February 2017 NJEA Review here.Learn more about Lois and the ESP of the Year Award here in this njea.org article.Upcoming NJEA Events5/6 Grow your support network: financial planning.5/20: 90’s Prom with Central Connection. Subscribe to Our Podcast on iTunesWe are proud to be listed in the iTunes Directory. Please take a moment and subscribe to this show on your favorite podcast player today!Show HostsJeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net, TeacherCast University, and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher, Google Education Trainer, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, speaker, writer, broadcaster, consultant and educational media specialist. He is currently the Coordinator for Technology Integration for the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey. In 2012, Jeff was recognized as one of top 50 educators using social media at the first ever Bammy Awards and has been nominated three times in the category of Innovator of the Year. Jeff has Keynoted for the Pearson Authentic Learning Conference, EdTechNJ and most recently at Columbia University's Teacher College and Podcast Mid-Atlantic. Jim Boice is a field representative with the New Jersey Education Association. Prior to joining NJEA is 2012, Jim was a high school English teacher for ten years in the Pennsauken Township School District of Camden County, NJ.

Welcome to the Jersey Educator Podcast, a show created by NJEA members … for NJEA members. Whether you are a teacher, an education support professional, or a New Jersey Student Education Association member, this show will serve as a platform to help YOU bring out the best in your students . . . each and every day in your schools. The shows are hosted by Jeff Bradbury of TeacherCast.net (@TeacherCast) and Jim Boice, a field representative with NJEA (@boiceinthehood). For more information, please visit njea.org/podcast and email us at [email protected] this episode, we welcome Michael Wildermuth onto the program.About Our GuestMichael Wildermuth is in his 16th year as a social studies teacher at East Brunswick High School. Michael also serves as Vice President of the East Brunswick Education Association. He lives in Freehold Borough with his wife and two daughters.Learn more here about Michael’s efforts to encourage lawmakers to pass legislation that would end surprise out-of-network medical bills.Mike spoke about a 2016 Consumer Reports article that lists some great tips. Find the article here.Details about S1285 “Out-of-network Consumer Protection, Transparency, Cost Containment and Accountability Act.”Upcoming NJEA Events3/23: Trivia Night at Pilsener Haus and Biergarten.3/31: March Madness City Crawl in Sparta.5/6 Grow your support network: financial planning.Subscribe to Our Podcast on iTunesWe are proud to be listed in the iTunes Directory. Please take a moment and subscribe to this show on your favorite podcast player today!Show HostsJeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net, TeacherCast University, and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher, Google Education Trainer, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, speaker, writer, broadcaster, consultant and educational media specialist. He is currently the Coordinator for Technology Integration for the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey. In 2012, Jeff was recognized as one of top 50 educators using social media at the first ever Bammy Awards and has been nominated three times in the category of Innovator of the Year. Jeff has Keynoted for the Pearson Authentic Learning Conference, EdTechNJ and most recently at Columbia University's Teacher College and Podcast...

This week on the Jersey Educator Podcast, Jim Boice and Jeff Bradbury sat down for a candid discussion about how educators should be crafting their 2017 resumes. In this episode, we take a look at some key features that every resume should (or must) have and provide helpful tips for not only your “paper” resume but also your digital and social resumes as well.This episode of the Jersey Educator Podcast can be found on iTunes and Stitcher Radio and is a companion episode to a previous show where we discussed 11 things every educator should be thinking about as they prepare for a job interview or job fair.What is a Resume in 2018?What is a resume . . . it's the age-old question that everyone has an answer for, but yet nobody has the right answer. Your resume in 2017 looks completely different than it did in 2007 and yet, has the format really changed? Yes and NoTo set some standards for this post, I think we can all agree what a resume is. Your resume is a gateway through a conversation. It is a document designed to be handed to someone who is about to have a conversation with you. It is a professional yet concise way of showcasing your accomplishments in a format that allows your reader to (hopefully) select you above all other resumes in the stack and either create a positive situation that produces a phone call (for an interviewer) or a handshake and a contract.In addition to your paper resume, we will also be digging into the additional parts that you can use to sell your unique individual brand, your website, and your social media presence to identify how you can create unique and eye-catching experiences that will be sure to land you in front of your future employer.How to Write a Good Cover LetterYour Cover Letter is generally one of, if not the first thing that someone sees when reviewing materials. Cover Letters should be crafted not only to provide a positive and well-rounded picture of you, but they should also provide knowledge that you have done a little bit homework about the position in which you are applying. Anyone can take a look at a Cover Letter and tell if it's a generic letter or not.When hand mailing (or emailing) Cover Letters, they should always be addressed to the Superintendent and be professional. When attending a job fair, it is recommended that while prepping for the fair and seeking who will be there, create a cover letter for a few specific schools you know you will be interviewing at, but always have the basic generic one in your pocket for those schools you might not have planned to meet.Should you put your Cover Letter on special paper? I think it's a good idea to do this when meeting people face to face, but the majority of your Cover Letters will probably be sent electronically.Cover Letter TipsKeep it simpleKeep it ProfessionalSpell Check … Spell Check … Spell CheckPoint out some key spots in your resume that you want to draw their attention toHow Do I Write a Good Resume?If your Cover Letter succeeds where you need it to, your Resume is the next item that should be designed to sell you above all others. The trick to any good Resume is brevity. It's easy to take a career, (short or long) and write a 6-page resume. The problem is that nobody will take the time to read it.Your resume should be one page. Where we can debate on if this means one full sheet (front and back) or just a single side of a sheet is something we can leave for another blog post, it is important to craft, not write your...

As the snow starts to melt and the flowers begin to blossom, the calendar turns to one of the most exciting parts of the school year. JOB HUNTING SEASON! This is the time of year when students preparing to leave college and begin the exciting process of meeting other school districts and learning all about the networking process. But, what types of things should be considered when attending your first job fair? Dress, Resume, and Conversations should, of course, be in the front of everyone's playbook but there are several others that are equally important.Here are 10 things that you might be thinking about as you prepare for your next job fair or interview. . . plus one very important bonus tip that I highly recommend you consider. 11 Things You Should Consider When Preparing For Your Next Job FairPrepare … Prepare … PrepareWhen attending a job fair or interview, it can not be overstated enough. Prepare ahead of time for the big event. Make sure you have everything you need the night before.Have your resume's prepped, proofed, and printed and put in a folder so they don't bend.Make sure you have your clothes ready and pressed. If you are someone who has a habit of sweating, it might be best to take a second shirt with you.Check out the schools ahead of time so you know who will be there and what positions they have available. You want to make sure you are going to be hitting the right schools for you early in the day.Are your business cards in your jacket pocket so you can take them out at a minutes notice? They should be put in your pocket in just a way that when you reach in and extend your arm, it is properly presented to them so they read it. (it's a nice touch)Dress For SuccessThere are several ways of saying “business casual” and “dress to impress.” For many, you should dress for the job you want.Be professional:Make sure your shirt is clean and pressed. (be careful of what you have for breakfast)Wear comfortable shoes… you will be on your feat all day.Remember that you may be carrying a backpack or other item with your papers in it… don't over pack… if you need to run to your car to reload …. do it, rather than carry a heavy bag that will exhaust you during the day.Nail Your IntroductionYour first 60 seconds with a potential employer is the most critical. You should have your game face on and be energetic, happy to be there, and overall, showing confidence.Be prepared to answer some of the standard first questions:How are you today?Tell us a bit about yourself?How are you enjoying the job fair today?Did you travel far to get here?How are things these days in ____(fill in your current school district)_____You should have canned answers for all of these questions. These questions are to get you talking. Your answers should be designed to invite those across the table to answer questions. The quicker you can engage in conversation, the easier it will be for you to relax through the interview process.It's also best in your into to quickly mention that you have expertise in something that the school is proud of or currently deploying with their staff. It will give them an opportunity to bring up additional questions for you to converse over.Do Your HomeworkAs stated in the first section, you should go in with a handful of schools you WANT to interview for. Have them well scouted. Know who their Superintendents are and the names of their Human Resource staff and perhaps the principals. It is always a great first impression when you sit down with a recruiter and ask how Dr _____ is doing.You should...

On this episode of the Jersey Educator Podcast, we welcome New Jersey State Teacher of the year Argine Safari onto the program to share her experiences in music education.Welcome to the Jersey Educator Podcast, a show created by NJEA members … for NJEA members. Whether you are a teacher, an education support professional, or a New Jersey Student Education Association member, this show will serve as a platform to help YOU bring out the best in your students . . . each and every day in your schools. The shows are hosted by Jeff Bradbury of TeacherCast.net (@TeacherCast) and Jim Boice, a field representative with NJEA (@boiceinthehood). For more information, please visit njea.org/podcast and email us at [email protected] this episode, we welcome Argine Safari onto the program.About Our GuestArgine Safari is the 2016-17 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year. She is a member of the Pascack Valley Regional Education Association, where she developed a nationally recognized vocal program at the high school. She has also collaborated with several other departments and artistically directed countless benefit concerts and events in order to raise money for several charities. In 2013, Argine co-founded a non-profit New Jersey youth theater arts company, Stage Scene and Song Performing Arts.Learn more about Argine here in this njea.org article.Upcoming NJEA EventsBowlero with Central Connection: February 17.Swipe Right for your Union Night: February 17.Learn more at the events page of njea.org/earlycareermembers.Subscribe to Our Podcast on iTunesWe are proud to be listed in the iTunes Directory. Please take a moment and subscribe to this show on your favorite podcast player today!Show HostsJeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net, TeacherCast University, and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher, Google Education Trainer, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, speaker, writer, broadcaster, consultant and educational media specialist. He is currently the Coordinator for Technology Integration for the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey. In 2012, Jeff was recognized as one of top 50 educators using social media at the first ever Bammy Awards and has been nominated three times in the category of Innovator of the Year. Jeff has Keynoted for the Pearson Authentic Learning Conference, EdTechNJ and most recently at Columbia University's Teacher College and Podcast Mid-Atlantic. Jim Boice is a field representative with the New Jersey Education Association. Prior to joining NJEA is 2012, Jim was a high school English...