Episode 026 features the amazing Megan Moffett, a talented teacher, education consultant, future administrator, and parent. She shares advice for parents struggling to "home school" their children, tips to improve school cultures, ideas about what the best early elementary education should include (reading and play!), school division organization, and much, much more. For more information, educational activities, and advice, follow Ms. Moffett's Facebook page for her education consulting business, Littles Love Learning (https://www.facebook.com/mylittleslovelearning/). She's also on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mylittleslovelearning/. 

The full episode PLUS six highlight clips are all available below. The ClassCast Podcast also streams on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and most other major podcast platforms. All highlight clips are also available on YouTube. Please comment and respond to let us know what you think about Ms. Moffett's ideas as well as what you want to hear in future episodes! 

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ClassCast Podcast Ep.026 features early elementary education expert Megan Moffett and host Ryan Tibbens discussing a wide variety of topics related to early childhood education, school at home, learning through playing, school climate, testing, teacher preparation, and much, much more. Ms. Moffett shares advice and tips to help parents educate their children at home, to help principals improve school culture, and to help us all achieve a better, more purposeful public education system.  

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, early childhood education expert and teacher Megan Moffett talks with host Ryan Tibbens about the essential elements of education for preschool and early elementary students in hopes of helping parents navigate "homeschooling" and COVID-19 school closures. Ms. Moffett focuses on the benefits of purposeful play, guided practice, flexibility, stress-reduction, and -- above all -- reading. Several ClassCast listeners have requested an early-childhood episode just like this in recent weeks; this discussion should address the needs so many of us are experiencing. If you or someone you know is struggling with (or stressed about) helping young children to keep learning while staying at home, this highlight clip contains essential advice, research, and grace for parents. 

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, early elementary education expert Megan Moffett describes her "ideal" school. A standard ClassCast question, Ms. Moffett responds with enthusiasm and a clear vision -- an elementary school that focuses on play, collaboration, social-emotional learning, age-appropriate skills, and reading.  Her goals are lofty, but what makes them truly great is that they are practical and attainable -- nothing except stubborn stakeholders, cautious administrators, and dusty legislation prevent us from reinvigorating elementary education as Ms. Moffett envisions in this 6-minute clip. Let us know what you think!

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In this clip from ClassCast Pocast Ep.026, elementary education expert Megan Moffett and host Ryan Tibbens discuss the trend of splitting elementary schools, clustering grade levels, and other organizational creativity that can potentially save tax dollars and increase collaboration, though they also risk increasing transitions, anxiety, and homogeneity in the school. From "Kindergarten Academies" to upper/lower elementary schools and beyond, school divisions across the country are getting creative with how they organize and facilitate different groups and ages of students. Listen in to learn more, and let us know what you think!

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, early elementary education expert and future administrator Megan Moffett talks with host Ryan Tibbens about the important roles school administrators play and how they can create, change, and maintain school cultures that promote student well-being and that foster growth for faculty and students alike. If you have an interest in school improvement, administration, or culture, this clip is for you.  Let us know what you think!

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, elementary education expert Megan Moffett and host Ryan Tibbens discuss teacher preparation, including their own college and student teaching experiences, course requirements, and what future teachers may need to be successful. One of the most important (and obvious) ways to improve the quality of instruction in public schools is to increase the quality of teacher preparation programs; that's a topic that could fill volumes, but this clip is a great place to start. If you are a teacher or administrator, or if you are considering becoming a teacher in the future, this clip is for you!  

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In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, early elementary education expert Megan Moffett and host Ryan Tibbens discuss benefits, drawbacks, and trends related to project-based learning, standardized testing, and data collection during COVID-19 school closures. So much school legislation and policy revolve around assessment, and so much school discussion revolves around assessment, that sometimes it all starts to sound alike.  This clip is honest, direct, and refreshing -- why assessments are necessary, and why we can still do better. Let us know what you think!

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

In this clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.026, early childhood education expert and teacher Megan Moffett talks with host Ryan Tibbens about the essential elements of education for preschool and early elementary students in hopes of helping parents navigate "homeschooling" and COVID-19 school closures. Ms. Moffett focuses on the benefits of purposeful play, guided practice, flexibility, stress-reduction, and -- above all -- reading. Several ClassCast listeners have requested an early-childhood episode just like this in recent weeks; this discussion should address the needs so many of us are experiencing. If you or someone you know is struggling with (or stressed about) helping young children to keep learning while staying at home, this highlight clip contains essential advice, research, and grace for parents. 

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

In highlight clip 022.2, which actually comprises nearly half of ClassCast Podcast Ep.022, host Ryan Tibbens discusses Coronavirus school closings as an opportunity for progress and innovation in education.  He addresses some of the risks and threats inherent in the situation as well. From looking at what we might gain to what we could lose, from bureaucratic decision-making to leaders in the classroom, Tibbens points out how long term goals for public education might actually be supported by the current closings and pandemic. 

If you appreciate any of the ideas in this clip, you might also enjoy the full episode or another highlight clip about 'being wrong' and announcing school closures (lower on this page).  At the end of the full episode, there are also book recommendations to help listeners regain some balance and confidence in their lives as well as a reference to how school stakeholders are handling the closures. Stay home; stay safe!
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This quick highlight clip from Episode 022 of the ClassCast Podcast features host Ryan Tibbens discussing a new unit he hopes to teach online ("To Err Is Human" -- focus on errors, mistakes, and the human condition) and the need for more confident, long-term decision-making by politicians and education bureaucrats during the Coronavirus pandemic ----- Close Schools Now! He also discusses how long-term planning is a necessity and why short term official guidance is counterproductive. 
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Episode 022 of the ClassCast Podcast features host Ryan Tibbens discussing how teachers and school stakeholders are coming to terms with Coronavirus school closings (and how they might capitalize on this opportunity).  This episode begins with a personal reflection on the rise of the illness and predicting school responses; later discussions include being wrong, announcing school closures, innovation, the wisdom of caution, leadership, and more. Most school divisions now have some form of distance learning plan in place, and as new instruction gains momentum, it is important for teachers to consider the long-term implications of our current situation and decisions. At the end, there are also book recommendations to help listeners regain some balance and confidence in their lives as well as a reference to how school stakeholders are handling the closures. Stay home; stay safe!
Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)