Dr. Matt Zakreski, a clinical psychologist specializing in neurodivergent kids, discusses his work with ADHD, autism, giftedness, OCD, and dyslexia. He emphasizes the importance of awareness and accommodations for neurodivergent individuals, highlighting the need for universal design in education. Dr. Matt shares strategies for managing anxiety, such as praising behaviors and adapting environments. Dr. Matt's approach focuses on strengths rather than deficits and aims to support both students and educators.

Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploration, and career exploration, aiming to help students find fulfilling careers. Educators and professionals are encouraged to become mentors or volunteers. https://www.majorchoice.com/home-page5pdqllzu62926234

Check out Drama Notebook: https://www.dramanotebook.com/

Amy McMahon, with 27 years in education, discusses the importance of brain breaks in the classroom, especially post-COVID, to help students self-regulate and focus. Amy shares various no-prep brain break activities, including the "timer game," "mind reader," "silent partner draw," and "going on a picnic." She also recommends online resources like Teach Flix and Teach Flex for additional brain break ideas. Amy is also starting an online tutoring and coaching business, Early Smiles Education, focusing on phonics and teacher coaching.

Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploration, and career exploration, aiming to help students find fulfilling careers. Educators and professionals are encouraged to become mentors or volunteers. https://www.majorchoice.com/home-page5pdqllzu62926234

Check out Drama Notebook: https://www.dramanotebook.com/

Phil Janiszewski, a former high school chemistry and physics teacher, discusses his transition to motivational speaking to combat educator burnout and boredom. He emphasizes the importance of integrating personal interests into teaching to maintain enthusiasm. Phil highlights the significance of positive psychology, which suggests that happiness leads to success. He advises educators to identify activities that fill them up and to give back to their community. Phil also stresses the need for administrators to support teachers better, acknowledging the challenges they face, and offers his services as a motivational speaker to boost morale and resilience.

Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploration, and career exploration, aiming to help students find fulfilling careers. Educators and professionals are encouraged to become mentors or volunteers. https://www.majorchoice.com/home-page5pdqllzu62926234

Check out Drama Notebook: https://www.dramanotebook.com/

Melissa chats with Jon Rand and Tom Turner from the "Failing Writers" podcast. Jon and Tom highlight the significance of making writing enjoyable and the potential of flash fiction and radio ads as educational tools.

https://www.failingwriterspodcast.com/

Instagram and Threads: @failingwriters

Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploration, and career exploration, aiming to help students find fulfilling careers. Educators and professionals are encouraged to become mentors or volunteers. https://www.majorchoice.com/home-page5pdqllzu62926234

Check out Drama Notebook: https://www.dramanotebook.com/

In Episode 2 of What About This?, Melissa talks about her fourth and fifth-grade drama club's upcoming performance and a recent Thanksgiving play. Andrea recounts her experiences at the MassCUE Fall Conference at Gillette Stadium, highlighting keynote speakers and the positive feedback. They also discuss Andrea's role at MassCUE, including organizing events and an internship program.

Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploration, and career exploration, aiming to help students find fulfilling careers. Educators and professionals are encouraged to become mentors or volunteers. https://www.majorchoice.com/home-page5pdqllzu62926234

Check out Drama Notebook: https://www.dramanotebook.com/

Leah Crawford is an experienced educator and independent education consultant. She emphasizes the importance of engaging teaching methods, such as using dialogic exchange and mentor texts to enhance student comprehension and creativity. Leah also highlights the significance of teaching concepts over skills and the value of using literature to foster a rich understanding of storytelling and writing techniques.

https://leahcrawford.com

https://searchingforexcellence.co.uk Bob Cox’s site - the home of Opening Doors

https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/opening-doors The Opening Doors series of books

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxCgNvQM8mbQK9KZ3P5UtQ5dmy5uQrRAX 15 mini tutorials lifted from the books on YouTube

Bluesky @thinktalkleah.bsky.social

LinkedIn Leah Crawford

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Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploration, and career exploration, aiming to help students find fulfilling careers. Educators and professionals are encouraged to become mentors or volunteers. https://www.majorchoice.com/home-page5pdqllzu62926234

Check out Drama Notebook: https://www.dramanotebook.com/

Holly Britton, a handwriting instruction specialist, discusses the importance of early transcription skills in education. She highlights the decline in handwriting proficiency, especially during COVID-19, and the need for explicit instruction starting from kindergarten. Holly founded Squiggle Squad, designed to teach handwriting through a fun, research-based approach.

Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploration, and career exploration, aiming to help students find fulfilling careers. Educators and professionals are encouraged to become mentors or volunteers. https://www.majorchoice.com/home-page5pdqllzu62926234

Check out Drama Notebook: https://www.dramanotebook.com/

Melissa Milner hosts the "Teacher as Podcast," now in its seventh season, with episodes released every other week. The podcast is sponsored by the Career Mentorship Program at Major Choice. AJ Cullen, a licensed independent clinical social worker and certified Animal Assisted Intervention specialist, discusses his podcast "Rising Voices" with co-host Danielle Terrell, which aims to connect young professionals with careers in autism and human services. AJ also shares his journey with Autism Barks, a business connecting neurodivergent individuals to Animal Assisted services, and the importance of properly trained therapy animals. He emphasizes the need for public awareness and education to combat service dog fraud and ensure legitimate service dogs are not discriminated against.

Major Choice is a career mentorship program for students with and without disabilities. The program emphasizes personalized mentorship, self-exploration, and career exploration, aiming to help students find fulfilling careers. Educators and professionals are encouraged to become mentors or volunteers. https://www.majorchoice.com/home-page5pdqllzu62926234

Check out Drama Notebook: https://www.dramanotebook.com/