This episode of the Teacher Fellows Podcast hosted live from the UEN booth at UCET, features an in-depth discussion with Ryan Rarick, Lauren Merkley, and his students from the CareerTech High School Education Pathway. The session includes interviews with high school juniors and seniors who are part of the education pathway program, sharing their experiences working in preschools and as paraprofessionals in elementary schools. The students discuss their aspirations to become teachers, the skills they have gained, and the impact of their roles on their perspectives. Additionally, Robert Proffitt, the Professional Learning Coordinator from Washington County School District, shares his insights on impactful teaching, coaching strategies, and professional growth. Join us in this special episode that highlights the importance of real-world teaching experiences, the value of professional coaching, and the powerful influence of mentors and life experiences in shaping future educators.
In this engaging episode of the Teacher Fellows Podcast, hosts Ryan Rarick and Lauren Merkley broadcast live from the UEN booth at the UCET conference. They interview several students from the CareerTech High School Education Pathway program and Robert Proffitt, the Professional Learning Coordinator from Washington County School District. The episode delves into the students’ experiences working in preschools and as paraprofessionals in elementary schools, highlighting their aspirations, challenges, and growth. The discussion shifts to Robert Proffitt’s keynote and his transformative concept of 'pennies,' which symbolizes the impactful experiences that shape educators. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of empathy, effective teaching practices, and continuous learning for both students and teachers.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
01:32 Meet the Juniors: Joseph, Brooklyn, and Emily
04:30 Student Reflections on Teaching Experiences
07:08 The Color Song and Final Thoughts from Juniors
08:12 Meet the Seniors: Abby and Alejandra
09:02 Educators Rising and Paraprofessional Experiences
11:01 Challenges and Rewards of Being a Paraprofessional
17:45 Meet the Seniors: Kyah and Kylee
21:20 Impactful Teachers and Future Aspirations
25:07 Final Senior Interviews: London and Lyla
25:38 The Importance of Educators Rising
27:07 Experiences as Paraprofessionals
29:00 Key Takeaways from UCET
30:20 Lessons Learned in the Classroom
32:10 Introducing Robert Proffit: The Coach of Coaches
33:20 The Pennies Activity: Honoring Life Experiences
35:59 Robert's Journey: From Teacher to Coach
44:51 Key Takeaways from Robert's Keynote
47:24 Final Thoughts and Podcast Wrap-Up
GUESTS ON EPISODE:
Keynote Presenter at UCET
Students from CareerTech High School Education Pathway