Let's Talk About Teaching

Are you an educator in Scotland embracing teacher empowerment? Do you feel under siege with the expanding expectations of teachers responsibility in Scotland? In this episode we are talking about the importance of a teacher led "bottom-up" approach to recovery in education across Scotland. Sharing the idea that practitioners working with pupils face to face everyday, who have first hand experience of the challenges of implementing new initiatives in the classroom, are best placed to inform the direction education recovery ought to take, to meet the needs our learners in Scotland. The episode advocates for continued professional development, engagement and empowerment. Information from the GTCS about the Scottish Framework for Masters in Education can be found here: https://www.gtcs.org.uk/TeacherJourney/framework-for-masters/framework-for-masters-in-education-faqs.aspx For anyone interested in engaging with the Scottish primary teacher research into the curriculum with Dundee University should get in touch with the school of education directly by emailing CurriculumStudy@dundee.ac.uk Get in touch with the podcast at: TimeToTalkAboutTeaching@gmail.com

Do you think teachers within our profession compete against one another more than we collaborate? Are you a teacher who enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues to support one another and improve standards of education across Scotland? In this episode we are talking about whether the teaching profession creates a collaborative or competitive environment. We explore healthy competition versus unhealthy comparison and how working together forces us to be honest about our strengths and our weaknesses. Get in touch at: TimeToTalkAboutTeaching@gmail.com Or find the Facebook group: Let's Talk About Teaching

Do you think using humour and humanity in our practice enhances teacher professionalism and contributes to a nurturing and inclusive classroom? Are you a teacher with professional experience of using humour and humanity to solve issues at school with pupils in Scotland? In this episode we'll explore the importance of humour and humanity in the classroom and the benefits of using laughter in learning to boost retention, engagement and deescalate tensions. A special thank you to Julia for her suggestion and contribution to this episode! If you'd like to get in touch with the podcast, you can email in at: TimeToTalkAboutTeaching@gmail.com Or find us on facebook at Let's Talk About Teaching

Are you a teacher in Scotland enjoying rest and recovery during the school holidays? Do you find it difficult to switch off from school and allow yourself to do nothing work related? In this episode we'll explore the challenges of teacher burnout, doing a job that's never done, how to deal with time management and creating a clear work life balance. Listen for tips for rest, recovery and mental decluttering. Happy holidays educators! You're the best and you deserve a rest. #TimeToTalkAboutTeaching Get in touch with the podcast at TimeToTalkAboutTeaching@gmail.com. (Please do include a subject line in the email, it helps me make sure it's not spam!)

Are you a Scottish teacher reflecting on your professionalism over the last year? Do you think teachers across Scotland have shown dedication and resilience throughout the covid-19 pandemic? In this episode we reflect on what teaching professionals have contributed and what we as teachers have learned after one year of teaching through a pandemic. We discuss the impacts of teachers and schools being responsible for so much more than pupils education and ask what happened to educational recovery phase and the priority on the Health and Wellbeing of pupils across Scotland? Get in touch with the podcast at: timetotalkaboutteaching@gmail.com

Why did you become a teacher and what do you get from the profession? Do you as a teacher feel empowered to make a positive impact on the lives of pupils learning in Scotland? In this episode we focus on the positive! Why we became teachers and what we get out of this demanding profession. We hear from two professionals who share their story of why and how they got into teaching. As well as added insight into what it's like to be a teacher in Scotland. Thanks to Anne for this episode suggestion. Special thanks to Bex and Sara for sharing their experience and insightful contributions.

Are you a teacher concerned about the challenges of providing quality PE in an outdoor only setting? Do you think current restrictions to Physical Education provision in Scotland are devaluing this curricular subject? In this episode we discuss how the current restrictions around PE are affecting our teaching practice and creating barriers to quality PE provision. Special thanks to our guest Dominic Tollan for his contribution to this episode and his recommendations for providing safe quality PE for pupils. Get in touch with the podcast at TimeToTalkAboutTeaching@gmail.com

Do you think that digital learning on Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams and Glow Blogs will continue to be used in schools across Scotland? In this episode we explore the most helpful online resources, functionalities and strategies for streamlining workload around digital learning and exploring time efficient google functions and apps.

Do you think there is an inequality around the current demographic of Scottish teachers? Are you a Black Minority Ethnic teacher feeling disadvantaged or disheartened about promotion opportunities in your local authority? This episode is a call to action to promote an inclusive and diverse teaching workforce, that is representative of the increasingly diverse pupil demographic that we teach.

Are you a Special Education Needs teacher feeling marginalised? Do you think that mainstream education dominates conversations about contemporary education? This episode is dedicated to our ASN/SEN teaching professionals and all that they contribute to ensuring inclusion within our profession and Scottish education.

Are you concerned about the safety of adults working in Scottish schools? Following the First Ministers Announcement to go ahead with the phased re-opening of schools, bringing back ELCC, P1-3 and S4-6 for practical coursework this episode talks about the challenges of social distancing, the concerns of school staff around vaccinations, face masks and school risk assessments.

Are you a teacher supporting vulnerable and key worker children in school during lock down? Definitions of "hub" classes and the dilemma of household mixing in schools.

Are you concerned about the proposed phased return of infants in primary and seniors in secondary schools while the message for Scotland is to stay at home? In this episode we discuss the proposed return from parent, pupil and teacher perspectives.

Are you facing challenging digital dilemmas during remote learning? Do you find it more difficult to create a work/life balance when you are working from home? This episode discusses the blurred boundaries of technology and the steep digital learning curve teachers are undertaking in Scotland.

Are you a teacher feeling overwhelmed with negative representations of our profession? You are not alone. Welcome to the Let's Talk About Teaching Podcast.