Interviews with educators, changemakers, and advocates to inspire you as the 2024-2025 school year kicks off!

Back to School 2024-2025

Imagine a classroom in which students greet their teacher at the door, enter the room, grab a mat, and take a seat in a circle on the floor, then engage in a warm-up that involves clapping or jumping or stretching – every day, in every class period. Aleta speaks with Chiara Monitcelli, an Italian language teacher, about her approach to teaching -- sans desks and chairs. 

Read the latest issue:

Resources

How Vigorous is My Heart:https://inspiredteaching.org/how-vigorous-is-my-heart/?mc_cid=c209cb4e96&mc_eid=UNIQID

Hands and Feet Stories: https://inspiredteaching.org/hands-and-feet-stories/?mc_cid=c209cb4e96&mc_eid=UNIQID

Make Way for the Monarchs: https://inspiredteaching.org/make-way-for-the-monarchs/?mc_cid=c209cb4e96&mc_eid=UNIQID

May 16, 2022: The Desk is a Barrier

As we look toward summertime, with the opportunities it offers to reflect on our practice, how might we see our students differently - as dancers, mathematicians, historians - and most importantly, as essential parts of our learning community? 

This Week's Issue:https://inspiredteaching.org/essential-community-members

Resources

Dance Clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTsy16DQvik&mc_cid=86429b65ab&mc_eid=UNIQID

Speak Truth Fellowship:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScw1zx_xYsn3mdvel01E_ktCLkvRP0HPxH4lUX9WIrYsWeCqw/viewform?usp=sf_link&mc_cid=86429b65ab&mc_eid=UNIQID

Inspired Teaching Institutes: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/inspired-teaching-institutes-94779

Butterfly Garden: https://inspiredteaching.org/make-way-for-the-monarchs/?mc_cid=86429b65ab&mc_eid=UNIQID

June 13, 2022: Essential Community Members

This week, guest host Jenna Fournel speaks with Lacey Hunter. Lacey is a PreK3 teacher at Inspired Teaching Demonstration School in Washington, DC. She shares with Jenna her approach to classroom interactions, which means using open-ended questions and helping students learn how to think, not what to think. 

Read this issue here: https://inspiredteaching.org/colorful-language-hooray-for-monday/

Resources:
Why I Don't Ask My Students Their Favorite Color: https://inspiredteaching.org/why-dont-i-ask-whats-your-favorite-color/?mc_cid=dbd5e36e7c&mc_eid=UNIQID

Rotten Pumpkin video: https://vimeo.com/760835567

October 17, 2022: Colorful Language with Lacey Hunter

In this week's episode, Jenna Fournel (Director of Teaching and Learning) speaks with Kulsum Omer. Kulsum is a long-time teacher who shares her insights into the power of observation in the classroom. 

Resources: https://inspiredteaching.org/observing-instrinsic-joy/
Written version: https://inspiredteaching.org/observing-instrinsic-joy/

21 Ways to End School Days: https://inspiredteaching.org/inspired-teaching-institute/21-ways-end-school-days/ 

November ONLINE Inspired Teaching Institute: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meeting-the-social-and-emotional-need-for-mutual-respect-online-tickets-394056663087?aff=odeimcmailchimp&mc_eid=UNIQID&mc_cid=e31f75b407
November IN PERSON Inspired Teaching Institute: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meeting-the-social-and-emotional-need-for-mutual-respect-in-person-tickets-394057846627?aff=odeimcmailchimp&mc_eid=UNIQID&mc_cid=e31f75b407

October 24, 2022: Observing Intrinsic Joy

This week, Jenna speaks with Hakim Johnson. Hakim is principal at Inspired Teaching Demonstration Charter School in Washington, DC and shares with us his insights into the power and importance of feedback.

Written version: https://inspiredteaching.org/grades-dont-provide-much-feedback/

Resources:

5 Closing Activities for Student Feedback: https://inspiredteaching.org/5-closing-activities-to-give-you-feedback-on-your-lesson/

Finding the Zone of Proximal Development: https://inspiredteaching.org/finding-the-zone-of-proximal-development/

Say "Yet" More: https://www.instigatorofthought.org/sayyet

October 31, 2022: Grades Don't Provide Much Feedback

On Thursday, January 26th, Center for Inspired Teaching will host a special, online, Speak Truth event. Speak Truth is a student-led series of respectful conversations, themed around both current events and larger social issues. Student-facilitators work with teachers to prepare, and then each Speak Truth session is run for and by students. Adults are welcome to attend - to observe, listen, and learn.

Thursday evening’s event is titled “Talking Across Dividing Lines,” It will be an opportunity to understand how and why to engage with people whose experiences, perspectives, and opinions differ from our own. It will feature a wonderful guest speaker, Helanius J. Wilkins. Helanius is a performance artist, choreographer, and changemaker whose own work is dedicated to bridging the differences that separate us.

Inspired Teaching’s Director of Teaching and Learning, Jenna Fournel, interviewed Helanius for more insight into his story, his art, and his passion for curiosity. We hope you find his thoughts as joyful to listen to as we did!

Speak Truth: Talking Across Dividing Lines registration: https://forms.gle/aPAHP1cC2B5L8yjy7

More information on Helanius J. Wilkins and his work: https://www.helaniusj.com/

January 26, 2023: Curiosity is Everything

In this week's Hooray for Monday, we share insights into children's mental health for teachers, from a medical professional. Inspired Teaching's marketing & communications associate Michelle Welk speaks with Dr. Sarah Ash Combs, an attending physician in the ER department at Children's National Hospital in Washington DC. 

Written version:
Safe and Happy and Healthy: https://inspiredteaching.org/safe-and-happy-and-healthy/

Resources:
ABCDE of Learner Needs: https://sites.google.com/inspiredteaching.org/abcde/home
Zoom Out: https://inspiredteaching.org/zoom-out/
American Academy of Pediatrics: https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/school-health/mental-health-in-schools/

Teaching with Improvisation fellowship application: https://inspiredteaching.org/2023-summer-inspired-teaching-institute/

May Inspired Teaching Insitute
Monday, May 8, 3p ET: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/571033505587
Wednesday, May 17, 7p ET: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/435762717017

April 24, 2023: Safe and Happy and Healthy

Happy Teacher Appreciation Month to everyone in our Hooray For Monday community. Know that at Inspired Teaching we remain committed to providing teachers with quality learning experiences that honor their Intellect, Inquiry, Imagination, and Integrity. This is how we show our deep respect for all you do.

Written Version:
https://inspiredteaching.org/hooray-for-pd/

Resources

Inspired Teaching Institute Booklets: https://inspiredteaching.org/inspired-teaching-institute/#institute-resources

Instigator of Thought Challenge https://www.instigatorofthought.org/ 

Hooray For 2023: https://inspiredteaching.org/hooray-for-2023/

Teaching with Improvisation Fellowship: https://inspiredteaching.org/2023-summer-inspired-teaching-institute/

May Inspired Teaching Institutes
Mon. May 8, 3:45p ET: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10-ways-to-end-the-school-year-with-joy-online-tickets-571033505587
Wed. May 17, 7p ET: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/435762717017

Real World History '23-24 Application: https://inspiredteaching.org/youth/real-world-history/

May 1, 2023: Hooray for PD!

In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, Inspired Teaching shares insights from a newcomer to the. Bella Cavicchi is a former colleague at Inspired Teaching who moved to London and last year, became a teacher. Her story is a beautiful reminder of why we do this work. 

Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/reflections-from-a-first-year-inspired-teacher/ 

Resources:

Random Walk: https://inspiredteaching.org/random-walk/
Seven Bikes: https://inspiredteaching.org/seven-bikes/
Finding Smiles: https://inspiredteaching.org/finding-smiles/

Teaching with Improvisation Summer Fellowship: https://inspiredteaching.org/2023-summer-inspired-teaching-institute/

May Inspired Teaching Institutes
Monday, May 8, 3:45p ET https://www.eventbrite.com/e/571033505587
Wednesday, May 17, 7p ET https://www.eventbrite.com/e/435762717017

Real World History application: https://inspiredteaching.org/youth/real-world-history/

May 8, 2023: Reflections from a First-Year Inspired Teacher

This week, Inspired Teaching Director of Teaching and Learning Jenna Fournel speaks with Sarah Elwell, Assistant Director of Professional Learning at the American Federation of Teachers. Sarah shares her insight into the necessity for professional development, its impact on her teaching career, and the importance of being open to every learning opportunity.

Written version: https://inspiredteaching.org/taking-it-to-the-next-level/ 

Resources:

Make Praise Meaningful: https://www.instigatorofthought.org/makepraisemeaningful

Poster Analysis: https://www.instigatorofthought.org/posteranalysis

Walk the Walk:https://www.instigatorofthought.org/walkthewalk

Teaching with Improvisation summer fellowship program:https://inspiredteaching.org/2023-summer-inspired-teaching-institute/

May Inspired Teaching Institute:
ONLINE, Wednesday, May 17, 7pm ET: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/435762717017

June Inspired Teaching Institute:
ONLINE
Monday, June 5, 3:45p ET: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/571036494527
Wednesday, June 17, 7p ET: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/435764562537

May 15, 2023: Taking it to the Next Level

Aleta speaks with Jill Vialet, Co-founder, and Erin Ruegg, Director of Teaching & Learning, at Substantial Classrooms (https://substantialclassrooms.org) -- a nonprofit dedicated to improving the substitute teaching situation for everyone. Aleta, Jill, and Erin discuss the myths around subs, the role teachers can play in creating welcoming environments, and more.

Written Version:  https://inspiredteaching.org/disrupting-the-egg-carton/

https://inspiredteaching.org/disrupting-the-egg-carton/

Resources:

Warming Up with Mutual Respect: https://inspiredteaching.org/warming-up-with-mutual-respect/ 
Scribe's Record:  https://www.instigatorofthought.org/scribesrecord
Emotion Continuum: https://www.instigatorofthought.org/emotioncontinuum


June Inspired Teaching Institute:
ONLINE
Monday, June 5, 3:45p ET: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/571036494527
Wednesday, June 7, 7p ET: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/435764562537

May 22, 2023: Disrupting the Egg Carton

In early May, Aleta hosted a LinkedIn Live interview with Dr. Tangy Millard, principal at West Potomac High School, about the importance of school connectedness. In that discussion, Dr. Millard shared her appreciation for the challenges all of us in education face right now which exist alongside a strong desire to get back to normal. But maybe normal isn’t where we should be setting our sights. 

Written Version:

Resources:
Interesting, Important, Useful: https://inspiredteaching.org/interesting-important-useful/

Yes, But vs. Yes, And...: https://inspiredteaching.org/yes-but-vs-yes-and/

What would make you look forward to coming to school? https://inspiredteaching.org/what-would-make-you-look-forward-to-coming-to-school/

Inspired Teaching Institute:
Online, Monday, June 5, 3:45p ET: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/571036494527
Online, Wednesday, June 7, 7p ET: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/435764562537

Speak Truth virtual seminars: https://forms.gle/L4PuPKLpf3iC2AMEA

Real World History: https://inspiredteaching.org/youth/real-world-history/

May 29, 2023: Blow it up a Little Bit

This week, Jenna speaks with Dr. Cecilia Behn, a mathematician at Colorado School of Mines, about what makes her curious! 

Transcript:

Resources:
Society for Mathematical Biology: https://www.smb.org/

Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics: https://www.siam.org/

Sync: How order emerges from chaos in the universe, nature, and daily life: https://www.stevenstrogatz.com/books/sync-the-emerging-science-of-spontaneous-order

Real World History Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaa7d6bvI1BO3YPxWI8nrhvMPnoD7wvo_IjMlcZt_t6uSieg/viewform?usp=sf_link

July 17, 2023: Fireflies and Mathematical Models

Inspired Teaching continues our exploration of curiosity with this conversation between Aleta and Marcus Lee, a former professional football player who now owns a yoga studio in Maryland.

Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/what-makes-yogi-curious-hooray-for-monday/

Resources:
Word-at-a-Time Stories: https://inspiredteaching.org/word-at-a-time-stories/
Automatic Writing: https://inspiredteaching.org/automatic-writing/
Once Upon a Time: https://inspiredteaching.org/once-upon-a-time/

Professional Development:
August Inspired Teaching Institute
Wednesday, August 9, 7pm EST: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/677015701187 
Tuesday, August 22, 7pm EST: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/677063393837

Youth Program:
Real World History Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaa7d6bvI1BO3YPxWI8nrhvMPnoD7wvo_IjMlcZt_t6uSieg/viewform?usp=sf_link

July 24, 2023: What Makes a Yogi Curious?

In this week's Hooray For Monday, marketing and communications specialist Michelle Welk speaks with Christa Barfield, founder and CEO of FarmerJawn Agriculture, about organic, regenerative farming and pursuing your curiosity despite fear. 

Transcript: https://inspiredteaching.org/do-it-afraid-hooray-for-monday/

Resources:
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society: https://phsonline.org/ 
Rodale Institute: https://rodaleinstitute.org/visit/organic-stewardship-awards/
FarmerJawn Agriculture: https://www.farmerjawnphilly.com/

August Inspired Teaching Institute
Wednesday, August 9, 7pm EST: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/677015701187
Tuesday, August 22, 7pm EST: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/677063393837

Real World History application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaa7d6bvI1BO3YPxWI8nrhvMPnoD7wvo_IjMlcZt_t6uSieg/viewform?usp=sf_link

July 31, 2023: What Makes a Farmer Curious?

This week's Hooray For Monday features the conversation on School Connectedness, originally streamed live on Inspired Teaching's Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube, between Aleta and Trabian Shorters. Trabian is a social entrepreneur and expert on asset-framing.

Transcript: https://inspiredteaching.org/prime-the-brain-hooray-for-monday/

Conversations on Connection livestream series: https://inspiredteaching.org/conversations-on-connection-livestream-series/

Resources:
Trabian's Website: https://trabianshorters.com/
BMe Community: https://bmecommunity.org/
Donors Choose: https://help.donorschoose.org/hc/en-us/articles/360013012094-How-to-describe-your-classroom-using-asset-framing
Asset-Framing Pledge: http://assetframingpledge.org/

August Inspired Teaching Institute: Aug. 22 @ 7pm EST
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/677063393837

Real World History Application: https://inspiredteaching.org/youth/real-world-history/

August 21, 2023: Prime the Brain

This week's Hooray For Monday features Aleta's conversation with Ann B. Friedman, founder and CEO of Planet Word Museum in Washington, DC. Aleta spoke with Ann for the second in Inspired Teaching's series of conversations on building School Connectedness.

Transcript: https://inspiredteaching.org/words-connect-us-hooray-for-monday/ 

Planet Word Teacher Resources: https://planetwordmuseum.org/for-educators/
Participatory Museum: https://participatorymuseum.org/ 

Inspired Teaching September Institutes
Wed. Sept 6, 7pm EST https://www.eventbrite.com/e/warming-up-with-improvisation-tickets-677064567347 

Tue. Sept 19, 7pm EST https://www.eventbrite.com/e/677066483077

Real World History application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaa7d6bvI1BO3YPxWI8nrhvMPnoD7wvo_IjMlcZt_t6uSieg/viewform?usp=sf_link

August 28, 2023: Words That Connect Us

Jenna Fournel speaks with Dana Mortenson, cofounder and CEO of World Savvy, about building school connectedness. World Savvy’s approach to learning is based on the belief that students learn best when they are engaged in relevant and important issues that impact their communities and the world.

https://www.worldsavvy.org

Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/learning-vulnerable-hooray-for-monday/

Resources:
Belonging Barometer: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/the-belonging-barometer

September Inspired Teaching Institutes
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 7pm EST: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/677066483077?aff=oddtdtcreator

Real World History Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaa7d6bvI1BO3YPxWI8nrhvMPnoD7wvo_IjMlcZt_t6uSieg/viewform?usp=sf_link

September 11, 2023: Learning is Vulnerable

In this week's Hooray For Monday, Jenna shares a conversation she had with Cosby Hunt, Inspired Teaching's Director of Youth Programming, Real World History instructor, and teacher at Roosevelt HS in Washington, DC. They discuss a recent event headlined by Dr. Khalil Muhammad and the importance of trusting our young people.

Written version: https://inspiredteaching.org/trusting-students-with-truth-hooray-for-monday/

For full resources and information on Inspired Teaching programming and events, subscribe to the Hooray For Monday newsletter: https://inspiredteaching.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b82ba57eebd6ac2ac331f5104&id=2e045db702

December 4, 2023:Trusting Students with the Truth

In this week's Hooray For Monday, we hear from Sarah Lydia, a high schooler in DC who shares her thoughts on Speak Truth and advice for teachers.

Written version:

Resources:
Speak Truth Events: https://inspiredteaching.org/youth/speak-truth/
Speak Truth Guidebook: https://simplebooklet.com/speaktruthteacherguide
Inspired Teaching Institutes: https://inspiredteaching.org/inspired-teaching-institute/
Teaching with Improvisation Fellowship:https://inspiredteaching.org/2023-teaching-with-improvisation/

January 29, 2024: Don't Be Afraid of Kids

Hooray for Monday is an award-winning collection of resources from Center for Inspired Teaching, shared at the start of every week. These resources feature questions, ideas, reflections, and actions we can all take to remodel the school experience for students. Hooray for Monday challenges teachers to hone their skills as Instigators of Thought©, includes instructional ideas from our #Inspired2Learn collection, and provides links to other useful tools and opportunities.

About Us
Creating radical change in the school experience — away from compliance and toward authentic engagement. Center for Inspired Teaching envisions a future in which every person is prepared to thrive in and contribute to our complex and rapidly changing world, through an education that teaches students how to think, not what to think.

Back to School 2024-2025

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