What’s playing over your headphones lately? Music, or a favorite morning talk show? You could use your spare time as a way to find out what’s going on with your peers and learn new techniques through podcasts! Podcasts are pre-recorded radio shows you can download to your phone, music player, or computer. This month, we’ve found three we think Division Heads will appreciate.
Ask A Teacher
Release Schedule: Currently on hiatus; 9 episodes archived
Description: “Teachers answer questions submitted by Slate readers. Part of the Schooled collaboration with the Teacher Project at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.”
Why We Chose This: Sometimes people can forget there’s a whole educational universe beyond their schools’ walls. While this particular series seems to have run its course—we can’t find any indication that they’ll be resuming their interviews any time soon—listening to the archived episodes offers fascinating, nuanced perspectives from teachers around the United States. West Coast and East Coast, small schools and large ones, rich communities and those riddled with poverty—many different points of view are offered here for listeners to consider and learn from.
Previous Episodes Include:
- Ask a Teacher Ep. 6: Evaluations
- Ask a Teacher Ep. 3: The Moment That Made You Want To Quit
- Ask a Teacher Ep. 7: The Student You Dislike
Manager Tools
Release Schedule: Weekly
Description: “Tired of management theory? Want to learn specific skills to help improve your management performance? Then Manager Tools is the podcast for you! Manager Tools is a weekly business podcast focused on helping professionals become more effective managers and leaders. Each week, we discuss specific actions for professionals to take to achieve their desired management and career objectives.”
Why We Chose This: This podcast comes with an award-winning history of excellence, designed to help leaders in all industries. Managing your teachers and other staff members requires specialized tools and skills—some of which can be found through listening to this podcast series.
Previous Episodes Include:
- Sending a Direct to an Industry Conference - Parts 1 & 2
- Handling Special Emails
- Career Tools: Dealing With Objections - Parts 1 & 2
Podcasts for Leaderful Schools
Release Schedule: Sporadic
Description: [Found here] “PFLS is a resource through which educational leaders (PreK – Higher Education) may become effective practitioners who strive to understand issues of social justice, cultural competence, equity, and best practice to improve teaching and learning.
“We believe that collaborative leadership in schools involves teachers and administrators working in a professional learning community. Our goal is to stimulate a worldwide dialogue on the importance of creating effective learning communities centered on student success. The weekly podcasts are targeted toward leadership at all levels (teachers, school administrators, business leaders, university faculty, policy makers) and explore aspects of leadership topics through critical conversations.”
Why We Chose This: This podcast is for those who enjoy more philosophic discussions along the lines of, “What is the current role of education? What should it be?” Episodes are released in fits and spurts as the hosts find time and—we suspect—as inspiration strikes. These podcasts spur thoughtful consideration on the impact current events will play on the future of education within the United States.
Previous Episodes Include:
- Volume 8, Episode 6 - Dr. Gary VanStaveren
- Volume 5 Episode 12: Dr. Paul Thomas: Educating the "Others"
- Volume 4 Episode 17: Gary Doyle
A quick note: ISM is not affiliated with any of these podcasts directly, and so advice at times may conflict with ISM theory or guidance. We're offering you these resources as a chance to take from them what works for your school and to be re-inspired for fall!
Additional ISM resources:
ISM Monthly Update for Division Heads Vol. 12 No. 8 8 Must-Have Student Resources for Writing and Researching
Additional ISM resources for Gold Consortium members:
I&P Vol. 39 No. 12 The Rhetoric of Rigor
Research: ISM Research Report: 16 Characteristics of Head Leadership
