Dismissed podcaster

As educators, we sometimes need a spark. One great place to find that inspiration is in movies. In Episode 234 of Class Dismissed, we highlight some of the most inspirational movie scenes for teachers. The movie scenes that made our list include… Stand and Deliver (Rotten Tomatoes Score 82%) Los Angeles high school teacher Jaime Escalante (Edward J…

"I feel like we're at a stage [in life], where our safety net is still holding us, but it's ripping... what if there are fun things that we're falling into?" Year 11 students Cindy and Minh Thu share what's been on their minds since turning seventeen! This episode is for anyone who ever has been or will be seventeen. DismISSed is an International S…

For more than 15 years, Johnny Tiersma brought humor into his classroom. He does this, be he feels it builds trust with his students. “You know when you’re all in on the same joke, and you’re all laughing together,” it creates a bond Tiersma says. The sixth-grade teacher serves in the Cardiff School District in San Diego, and bringing humor to his …

It's October 31st! Time for spooky season! In this special Halloween episode of DismISSed, Year 9 students J'lein, Almira, and Nisi talk about what they love (and hate) about horror movies. From The Conjuring 3 (2021) to It (2017) and Annabelle (2014), these ladies chat about jump scares, suspense, and making normal things terrifying (beware SPOILE…

During their second unit of study, Year 8 theatre students explored indigenous symbolism through theatre. For their summative task, the young actors and actresses were asked to collaborate and create symbolic narrative performances inspired by indigenous art pieces from the Pacific. Their performance also connected to Oceans Week at ISS, seeking to…

There’s little doubt that students will learn more when they engage in classroom discussions. So for many teachers, finding ways to motivate students to participate in class makes complete sense. For years, Jim Lang (Assumption College) did this with a class participation grade. The English professor says he tried to keep track of each student’s cl…

Educators always want their students to thrive and succeed in life. Often, that path for students runs through college. But for many students, that’s not the case. Our guest in Episode 231 offers tips on how teachers can best support students who choose an alternative post-high-school path. Stephanie Haynes is a licensed education coach and consult…

A well-run, fun classroom is pivotal to the way students learn. But for some educators, meaningful classroom management can be a challenge. Gamifiying a classroom is one strategy educators use to improve this. In Episode 230 of Class Dismissed, we chatted with Shawn Young, the Co-Founder, and CEO of Classcraft, a platform that helps educators motiv…

The state of civics education in the United States The push for impactful STEM education over the past decade has made a positive difference in preparing our youth. But have other areas suffered? Civics, for example? Our guest in today’s bright idea segment is here to offer us some perspective on the state of civics education here in the United Sta…

Not long after the start of each school year, an important topic comes up, September 11th. For some teachers, it can be challenging to figure out how to discuss such a tragic day in American history with students. In Episode 228, we invited Jan Helson to give us some guidance. Helson is the Co-founder and Board Chair of Global Game Changers, a 501(…

In early 2022 NEFE and AmeriSpeak surveyed U.S. adults on high school financial education graduation requirements. 88% surveyed said their state should require a semester- or year-long financial education course for graduation. Remarkably, only 14 states require personal finance education before graduation. Our guest on Episode 227, Jessica Pelleti…

Does blended learning make teaching easier or harder? Catlin Tucker has been a thought leader in the world of blended learning. But many educators’ Tucker would interact with perceived blended learning as more work for teachers. “I couldn’t understand why that was,” says Tucker. So, as Tucker started visiting classrooms, she realized teachers were …

Many students feel overwhelmed with homework, and it’s taking a toll on their mental health. It’s the million billion dollar question. How did we get to a point where some teens are so hyper-competitive that giving them a “B” on a paper or quiz is like giving them an “F”? Why do some teens now overload themselves with advanced placement courses and…

In preparation for their upcoming Language & Literature unit (where their summative task is creating a podcast episode), a small group of Year 9 students practiced and prepared an example episode discussion to be recorded LIVE in front of their class. In this unique Let's Talk episode, hear Joshua, Chuchu, Anabelle, and Aliya podcast about podcasti…

DNA TCK is a series that brings Third Culture Kids together to dialogue about their incredible cross-cultural experiences, unique worldview, and what it's like to grow up amidst a lot of transition. For those who may not be familiar with the term, a TCK "is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside their pa…

DNA TCK is a series that brings Third Culture Kids together to dialogue about their incredible cross-cultural experiences, unique worldview, and what it's like to grow up amidst a lot of transition. For those who may not be familiar with the term, a TCK "is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside their pa…

Starting on the right foot On the first day or two of school, it can be tempting to want to lay the ground rules. You know, set the expectations about workload, go over the rules, and fill out the required forms. But Rick Wormeli wants to challenge educators to think differently. Wormeli, one of the first Nationally Board Certified Teachers in Amer…

Do we often pay attention to the conversations we’re having with children? Or is it just automatic? Rebecca Rolland, a speech pathologist, affiliated with Children’s Hospital Boston, has put together a guide to achieving what she calls “rich talk.” It is a deeper conversation that can transform your relationships with children. The science of conve…

After the Episode is a new series that focuses on reactions, commentary, and predictions for episodes of recently released shows. In our first episode, Dominic, Elijah, Jordan, and Ms. Manning talk about the premiere episode of Disney's newest Star Wars show, Obi-Wan Kenobi starring Ewan McGregor. Currently streaming on Disney+. Synopsis: When agen…

Join Isabelle, Mufaro, Kitty, and Ms. Manning as they chat about the universally acclaimed Hamilton: An American Musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Opening in 2015, Hamilton has been seen by around 7.8 million people on stage. With a filmed version of the theatrical premiering on Disney+ in 2020, the number of fans of the show has only continue…

How to start with learner-led conferences For many educators, the idea of letting a student lead a parent-teacher conference is unsettling. However, if done correctly, a learner-led conference opens an opportunity for self-evaluation, which can lead to figuring out the next steps in learning. Our guest in Episode 222 has spent years practicing lear…

The number of emerging companies in the EdTech space can be overwhelming for school districts. The fast growth of new K-12 software companies is due, in part, to COVID 19 and a subsequent surge in ESSER funds. Our guest in Episode 221 is an expert in parsing through the EdTech space. Doug Roberts is the Founder and CEO of the Institute for Educatio…

New Series! DNA TCK brings Third Culture Kids together to dialogue about their incredible cross-cultural experiences, unique worldview, and what it's like to grow up amidst a lot of transition. For those who may not be familiar with the term, a TCK "is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside their parents…

Join DC Comic superfans Isabelle, Driya, Jackson, and Antonio as they share their favorite characters, comics, television series, and film adaptations of some of the world's most well-known superheroes. From the CW's Arrowverse to the newest Batman film, these guests discuss their opinions, present new facts, and seek to connect what makes audience…

DismISSed host Elijah interviews Year 12 students about the new 2022 Homework Assistance Program available to MYP students. Year 11 and 12 CAS students are offering one-on-one student tutoring opportunities for a number of subjects and student leaders Fiona and Hena share all the details in this interview episode. DismISSed is an International Scho…

It’s no secret that mental health care can be expensive and difficult to access, especially for young people. This can be a huge problem for students, who often face significant stressors. Bridging the gap in student access to mental health care can alleviate some of these stressors. Dr. Travis Gayles, a recent recipient of the AMA Award for Outsta…

Tools for facing adversity When teachers at Robert W. Coleman Elementary in Baltimore are struggling with a student’s behavior, the educators have an alternative to detention. Instead, they can refer the student to meditation. The Holistic Life Foundation keeps three staff members in a “mindful moment room” ready to help a frustrated student with a…

In Episode 218 of the Class Dismissed Podcast, we caught up with Minnesota principal and author Jessica Cabeen. Cabeen, who is the author of “Lead with Grace: Leaning into the Soft Skills of Leadership,” shared tips on handling professional confrontations. Cabeen says one of the biggest mistakes school leaders can make is to “lead with their title.…

In this DismISSed episode, Year 9 student Mugabi interviews new ISS teacher and Oceans facilitation team member Mr. Andy about his life experiences, water safety, and his passion for ocean education and advocacy. If you are on campus, you can often find Mr. Andy feeding the colorful underwater wildlife at home in ISS's 2500 liter saltwater tank in …

The HELPER Act In Episode 217 of Class Dismissed, we talk with Sam Royer, the architect of the HELPER Act, a bipartisan bill with broad support in the U.S. House, with a companion bill recently introduced on the other end of Capitol Hill by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) & Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA). The legislation would eliminate a down payment requirement …

For the past few years, the world has consumed podcasts at blistering speeds. Consequently, a lot of listeners can choose from a variety of content. It’s estimated that more than 2 million podcast shows are available. However, most of those shows target adults and teens. Very few podcast creators have taken the time to make shows aimed at 6-10-year…

Mud fights, animal encounters, daring (and arguably crazy) rescues are all in a day's work for young people venturing through the wilds of West Africa. In this adventure-filled AUDIO DRAMA PRODUCTION, listeners are invited to experience suspense, humor, survival, and friendship brought to life nestled somewhere between the Sahara Desert and the Atl…

Managing Up In this week’s Episode of Class Dismissed, we focused on some tips about managing up. The term “managing up” refers to an employee taking steps to improve their boss’s efficiency and efficacy. For some, steering their supervisor in any direction may bring anxiety, but there is a way to do it without coming across as pushy. We go over a …

Combatting Burnout Let’s face it. Being an educator can be an incredibly daunting task. There’s constantly a demand to “do more” with fewer resources, and COVID has only compounded the stressful work environment in the classroom. In this episode of Class Dismissed, a former teacher turned burnout coach, Gabby Lubin, discusses mindfulness and exerci…

It’s about teaching life lessons that prepare our children for the future. We all make thousands of decisions a day. So shouldn’t we begin teaching the psychology of decision-making to our students? Our guest on Episode 213 of Class Dismissed is a former high school English teacher and the Senior Educational Content Designer for the Alliance for De…

Predictions for 2022 In Episode 212 of Class Dismissed, we chat about what education may look like in 2022? Could we see a mass exodus of teachers fed up with educating through a pandemic? How might two years of learning in a pandemic impact test scores? Will Universal Pre-K ever become a reality? We examine Larry Ferlazzo’s latest list of predicti…

In Episode 211 of Class Dismissed, we have our 5th Annual “Classy Awards.” This annual tradition allows us to reflect on a few of our incredible show guests during 2021. This year’s categories include… Most Downloaded Episode Most Clicked on Article on our Website Most Useful Episode for Teacher Most Useful Episode for School Leaders Most Thought P…

The first step to understanding something new is often the most challenging part. Our guest on Episode 210 of Class Dismissed explains why we need to rethink the way we teach students. He suggests that we reconsider the three Rs – Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic and possibly replace those with some new Rs. Such as Relationships, Resilience, and Re…

In celebration of the season, Ms. Manning hosts some of the 2021 Podcasting Co-curricular members (Chuchu, Jordan, and Dolly) as they all share what they are thankful for this year. The team also gives their thoughts and reflections on the podcast experience so far while looking forward to more in the future!…

In this DismISSed episode, Podcast student Chuchu interviews Language & Literature teacher Ms. Shelly on the topic of books and reading. Many of the book series and titles mentioned can be found in the ISS Library or the Year 6 Homeroom. DismISSed is an International School Suva Podcast Series. ——— Title Track Info: "Fiji" by MusicbyAden Contact th…

Many students can remember details from their favorite television show but struggle with remembering things their teachers say in class. Why is this? Memory is an intriguing subject. You might think that your most recent memory would always be in front of you, but sometimes we find ourselves at a loss when trying to remember something from 15 secon…

ISS student Nylla and her mother wanted to buy a horse. As they started looking they realized there was a real need for education regarding horse care in Fiji. Soon after, the Fiji Horse Sanctuary was born. In today's episode, Ms. Manning interviews Nylla all about the sanctuary's history, vision, and support needs. To learn more about the Fiji Hor…

In this episode, ISS students Jordan, Eneriko, along with Ms. Manning and Ms. Ana, talk about their most recent watches and favourite KDrama series. KDramas are South Korean television shows and series that have become popular throughout the world. And we're warning you now, they are addicting! DismISSed is an International School Suva Podcast Seri…

Join ISS students Mikeala, Eneriko, and Jordan as they talk about one of the world's most popular gaming platforms: Roblox! DismISSed is an International School Suva Podcast Series. ——— Title Track Info: "Fiji" by MusicbyAden Contact the Artist: MusicbyAden: https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QgJN... https://youtube…

Spoiler warning! In this episode, ISS students Jordan, Chuchu, and Dolly talk about one of the most popular book series and film franchises in modern history: Harry Potter. DismISSed is an International School Suva Podcast Series. ——— Title Track Info: "Fiji" by MusicbyAden Contact the Artist: MusicbyAden: https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden https:/…

In K-12 education, there’s a strong push for STEM education. It’s for good reason, math and science are important. But where should social-emotional learning rank? Psychiatrist Helen Riess, MD, believes we’re in a society that’s ill-equipped to talk about emotion and feelings. Riess thinks we need more than just information in this world to succeed…

Are educators doing enough when it comes to climate change? Purdue University Professors Dr. Daniel Shepardson and Andrew Hirsch believe that right now, climate change is the one topic that isn’t adequately covered in classrooms across America – even though this is one of our most pressing environmental issues today. “It tends to be addressed in a …

The Operation Varsity Blues investigation is a landmark moment for college admissions. More than 50 wealthy parents have been revealed to be participating in an expensive fraud scheme orchestrated by William “Rick” Singer that nets them their kids’ spot at some of America’s most elite universities. One of those universities is Stanford. John Vandem…

Exercising your critical thinking muscle We now live in a world where Siri, Alexa, and Google can answer straightforward questions in a matter of seconds. So when it comes to educating our students, there’s almost no doubt that teaching our students how to think critically is an essential skill. Our guest in Episode 205 has conducted research that …

Somehow the graphing calculator has stayed the same since the ‘90s Mathematics and engineering students worldwide have long been at the mercy of Texas Instruments, a company that has held an exclusive on graphing calculators for more than three decades. But that did not stop former Apple employee Romain Goyet from trying to disrupt the market. Goye…