In this special end-of-semester wrap-up, Ashley and Dan reflect on the four major themes explored in this semester’s podcast episodes: Planning, Creating Authentic Work Experiences, Collaborating, and Building Connections with Students. They share key insights from their conversations with instructional coaches, highlight strategies that resonated, and discuss practical applications for teachers and coaches alike.

Ashley reflects on what she’s learned as a teacher, while Dan connects those lessons to coaching strategies that help teachers succeed. Whether you’re a teacher looking to enhance your practice or a coach seeking ways to support your colleagues, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways.

Key Topics Covered:

• The power of intentional planning in saving time and improving teaching outcomes.
• Why authentic learning experiences engage students and how to incorporate them into your classroom.
• The role of collaboration in fostering deeper learning and teamwork skills.
• Strategies for building meaningful connections with students to improve engagement and achievement.

Resources Mentioned:

• Concept map
• Questions for collecting student feedback

Quotable Moments:

• “Your schedule represents your values.” — Daniel Rock
• “The person doing the talking is doing the learning.” — Ashley Shaw
• “If you want students to do what you want them to do, you have to make those connections.” — Ashley Shaw

Don’t Miss:

• Ashley’s creative teaching tip: Wikipedia Roulette—a game to help students develop critical thinking and research skills.
• Dan’s advice for coaches: How to effectively support teachers in collaboration and planning.

Enjoy your break and get ready for more exciting episodes in 2025!

You can find this episode on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you listen to your podcasts.