Copy Room Conversations

Paying it Forward - Chris and Lynne Dier

When you're a teacher in large part because of a teacher you had, there is no greater gift you can give than to tell them so. In the next three episodes, you'll meet three teachers duos, one inspired, the other inspiring. Truth be told, in every case, the inspiration most definitely goes both ways. First up is history teacher, Tik-Tok-er (@cmdla), Stanford Hollyhock Fellow, and Louisiana State Teacher of the year, Chris Dier, who brought with him the teacher that most inspired him, his mom, Lynne Dier, now in her 45th year of teaching. Their mutual adoration will leave you knowing for sure that we belong to each other; their ethic will remind you there's no such thing as other people's children. This episode is a must listen if you want to remember just how important your work is. 

Paying it Forward - Sam Bradbury

If the last episode was personal, this one can only be characterized as *very* personal, as I interview my dearest friend and high school sweetheart, Samuel Bradbury. In many ways he paved my life's path; in some ways I may have paved his too. In this episode, we explore both as well as the deeply important role teachers play in the lives of our students who, for one reason or another, are lost and lonely and fear they may be unseen. These are our kids. They are all our kids. Because we belong to one another. 

Paying it Forward - Dr. Michael Matthews

This episode is a personal one, where I talk with the teacher who, more than any other, helped me develop the identity of "student" which opened the door to the work of my life and heart. The conversation brings me full circle, a circle 35 years in the making. 

Paying it Forward - Dr. Micia Mosely

Dr. Micia Mosely is the Founder and Director of the Black Teacher Project. She's also an academic, a comedian, a storyteller, and a teacher. In this episode we talk about the importance of communities of belonging as well as the fuel of love and legacy; her story serves as the perfect bridge between seasons one and two and it was my honor to spend an hour talking to her about the work of our lives work that honors those who came before us in service to those who come after. 

Paying it Forward - Season Two Introduction

Welcome to Season 2 of Copy Room Conversations. This season we focus on paying it forward, honoring the legacy of those who came before us by serving those who come after us. In this season you'll meet educators I've known and loved for decades, and another who I met IRL the day we recorded our episode. My intention with this season is to remind you just how important your work is, including the opportunity to consider how you are both the result of and the catalyst for greatness.

Season One BONUS Episode - Lydia McClanahan and Responsive Reads

Lydia McClanahan is a decades long teacher, instructional coach, and librarian who specializes in culturally authentic texts. Because we teachers LOVE to talk about great practical tools in the copy room, Lydia will be joining us in our copy room for the last episode of every season. In these episodes you get to listen on us chatting like we do, and learn along with me about a culturally authentic text that goes with the theme of the season. This episode features the book, Harbor Me, by Jacqueline Woodson, about a group of sixth graders and their quest to belong.

Belonging - Mary Milton, The One Who Serves

Mary Milton, the name conjures up a vision of joy and curiosity, love and support, and a relentless desire to serve. In this episode Mary and I talk about where that desire to serve comes from and how she's used it to care for and empower our kids, our colleagues, and our community. 

Belonging - Sheryl Cambra - The One Who Reaches

For all the pressures our teachers are under right now, we must also remember our principals are arguably under even more. I often wonder what a Sheryl Cambra principalship would look like in this season, as I long for leaders like her in a time like this. She has retired now, leaving it all on the field, as they say, with no regrets. Learning from her all these years was such a gift; interviewing her for this episode was no different. 

Belonging - Stephanie and Sharon, The Ones Who Partner

The School Spouse, the School Bestie, the School Neighbor...the luckiest among us have all of these because school is a microcosm of our larger lives. How we do one thing is how we do everything and Stephanie and Sharon remind us of that very fact. Consummate partners to others in all areas of their lives, in school they were each other's. Listen in to our conversation to be inspired to thank those who walk this journey with us and remind us on the daily that we belong to one another. 

Belonging - Glenna Wurm Hayenga -The One Who Cheers

Who among us does not need a cheerleader right now? I'm sharing my dear friend and consummate cheerleader with you because now, more than ever, we need someone who puts the wind at our backs. Glenna will pick you up and carry you over the finish line herself if you can't, she's that dedicated to making sure everyone in her care knows how valuable they are and how much potential their future holds. Glenna lives and breathes the fact there is no such thing as other people's children, and that we belong to one another.