Activating Agency to Grow Readers

Natalie Vardabasso#EduCrush Podcast

Why do so many teenagers hate reading? Renowned author and Literacy advocate Penny Kittle believes it has everything to do with a lack of “book love” and that teachers have the capacity to ignite it. On the episode, she connects with Natalie to discuss how to expose students to a wide variety of books, conference to unlock the reading life, … Read More

Decolonization, Love and Witnessing at Mill Bay Nature School (Cayla Brown & Kim Ondrik)

Natalie Vardabasso#EduCrush Podcast

In the simplest of terms, decolonization means moving from a triangle to a circle. From a hierarchy to a community. In the episode, Natalie joins the Head Learner of the Mill Bay Nature School, Kim Ondrik, and the Smuqw’a’ (middle years) Clan Leader, Cayla Brown, to learn how they are building a decolonized school together through love and witnessing. Show … Read More

Realigning During Moments of Change

Lindsay TitusBlog, Self Care Better, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Don’t let limiting beliefs take over. Realign yourself in times of change by creating an anchor affirmation, scheduling energy check-ins, increasing times of stillness and silence, enjoying nature, and remembering that change is part of the journey. A few months ago I embarked on a journey that truly tested my ability to think better during moments of change. On … Read More

Narrating the Learning Journey using Self-Assessment & Portfolios (w Katie White)

Natalie Vardabasso#EduCrush Podcast

Too often, self-assessment is treated as a capstone, rather than a catalyst, and portfolios as a scrapbook, rather than a learning tool. On this episode, we go beyond the mistakes we’ve made with self-assessment and portfolios to discover how they can help students tell the story of their learning. Katie White is a Canadian author, consultant, and leader, and she … Read More

Going Gradeless (w Charlotte Nixon)

Natalie Vardabasso#EduCrush Podcast

Description: Going gradeless is a phrase that can create excitement or dread. It’s intimidating just to take a chance and dive in. Charlotte Nixon, a seasoned teacher and playwright, has done just that. On this episode Charlotte explores with us the lessons she learned going gradeless in her ELA class.   Show Notes:  Charlottes teaching style 2:41  The projects inspirations 3:15  … Read More