151: Hacking Distance Learning in a Pandemic World and Beyond

We're in an education crisis, and many teachers fear they won't make it through this year. Some are begging for help; some are preaching self-care. Others are quitting--just walking out of their classrooms and schools and moving on to something else.In this episode of the Hack Learning Podcast, Mark Barnes is asking you to help solve this crisis. He shares a disheartening Twitter chat, in which educators from across the country share the issues:> teachers being told to "stick it out," no matter what> a massive substitute teacher shortage is pulling teachers from their classes and moving them into others, during their plan times and lunches> teachers feel obligated to work, even ignoring doctor's orders to stay home> some fear a return to distance learning, while others hope for it> feeling of helplessness and overwhelming stress are pushing educators to the brinkYou can find the Twitter conversation Mark references here: https://twitter.com/imacoolibrarian/status/1450146195779690497?s=20Comment there and mention @markbarnes19 and add #HackLearning. Mark asks for your feedback, and your Hacks. What can we do now to solve this problem in the short term? How can we end this crisis?Find more episodes at https://www.10publications.com/Episode Photo by Olya Kobruseva from Pexels

Angry, litigious, anti-mask parents are suing schools in Ohio, and Mark Barnes has Hacks you can share to stop this madness and solve one of education's biggest problems.1 -- Don't sue schools over mask mandates2 -- Don't attend school boards in an angered state of mind3 -- Create conversations with school leaders and with kids about safety4 -- Get vaccinatedDo these hacks look simple here? They are just as simple when you put them into action.For more education hacks and practical solutions for busy educators, visit https://www.10publications.com/For more from this show, visit hacklearningpodcast.com

Sometimes teacher burnout is due to shame and blame and avoiding the problems. Mark shares some quick hacks from Hacking Teacher Burnout author Amber Harper. Learn how to seek help and to seek "help seekers." More episodes are available at hacklearningpodcast.com

Mark is joined by two national distinguished principals, Tony Sinanis, an administrator in New York and co-author of Hacking Leadership, and Jessica Cabeen, a principal in Minnesota and author of Lead With Grace and Hacking Early Learning. In this excerpt of a Times 10 Roundtable webinar, the three educators discuss the problems teachers and leaders are facing during the global pandemic and how to prepare for the huge changes we're facing in education, in what is sure to be some kind of blended learning environment now and in the future.Learn more at 10Publications.com/webinarsListen to more episodes at HackLearningPodcast.com

In this brief excerpt from the Times 10 Roundtable, Mark Barnes talks with anxiety experts Christine Ravesi-Weinstein and Connie Hamilton about anxious students' triggers, while providing powerful tips and tools for helping our kids cope with anxiety, in a pandemic society and beyond.To view the entire hour-long, free webinar, visit https://www.10publications.com/webinarsFor more from the pod, visit http://hacklearningpodcast.com

Mark Barnes shares an excerpt of the Times 10 Roundtable Webinar--Hacking Distance Learning: How to Deliver Impactful Instruction When Teaching from Home.Times 10 teachers, school leaders, and authors unpack the problems educators face with distance learning, in a climate of uncertainty, and they provide sound, practical strategies and tools that will make you successful at any level and in any subject.To see the entire hour-long discussion or other Roundtables, visit 10Publications.com/webinarsFor more podcast episodes, visit HackLearningPodcast.com

A school district in Texas is bringing back the paddle, because some parents okayed teachers hitting their children. Mark Barnes compares this to 1950s style discipline and shares the thoughts of Nathan Maynard, co-author of Hacking School Discipline, on the subject. There are better ways to handle behavior issues in class and hitting is never okay, Maynard says. In the end, Barnes says, "Spare the rod, save the child!" What do you say. For more from Times 10 and the Hack Learning Podcast, visit us at 10Publications.com

The focus and goal of mentoring is not to point out weak performance, but rather to shape a career and develop potential. Before you can be a mentor, you have to LEARN what it means to be a Modern Mentor. Mark Barnes shares the LEARN model from Modern Mentor and how you can apply it in your space, no matter what role you play.Find additional notes for this episode at http://10publications.com/learn-how-to-be-a-mentor

James had what appeared to be some major problems. How did his teacher connect with this introverted student? You'll be amazed at how simple it was.For more on connecting with introverted students, look inside Quiet Kids Count: Unleashing the True Potential of Introverts, on AmazonVisit the Hack Learning Podcast archive at http://hacklearningpodcast.com

Teacher, author, keynote speaker Chrissy Romano Arrabito was the student who always raised her hand first, always had the answer, was eager to share, was well-behaved, and made good grades. She was, from any teacher's perspective, a well-adjusted child. Little did most, if any, of her teachers realize, Chrissy was a quiet kid--an introvert. She struggled with her emotions constantly. How did her teachers miss this? Are you misunderstanding your own quiet kids? Learn more about introverts and one easy strategy for helping them cope, in this episode of the Hack Learning Podcast. Read the introduction to Quiet Kids Count at http://hacklearning.org/quietkidsLearn about Chrissy's new book, Quiet Kids Count, at http://weleadforward.comListen to more Hack Learning episodes at http://hacklearningpodcast.com