In this episode of the Smart and Simple Matters (SASM) show, I talk with one of the smartest, funniest, and well-spoken people I know.

Pam Peterson, one of the newest teachers in Minnesota, takes us on an insightful journey about education today and in the future. And if you have school age kids/grandkids or maybe just plan to have them at some point, you gotta listen to this.

After all, where else are you going to get a pearl of wisdom like this?

When push comes to shove, there are no test subjects in the classroom. They're real kids spending real time in their real grade needing to acquire real responsibilities and real skill sets to move along. – Pam Peterson

Or how about this?

Ultimately what we want is for people to have courage. Courage to explore. Courage to ask better questions. Courage to put themselves out there. Courage to express themselves. – Pam Peterson

What You'll Learn

Pam has been on an amazing journey to fulfill her almost decade-long passion to become one of the best darn teachers around. And she's finally passed the crossroads to teaching full-time.

You'll get to hear her riveting story about why teaching is the emotionally and spiritually lucrative option that allows Pam to leave corporate America with no regrets. Pam is an expert storyteller, but you'll hear more than just magnetic tales here.

In this episode you'll learn about:

The “power of the yes” and when you should use it.
The dirty little secret about why students like competition in learning.
What can be achieved when you're perspiration-smart instead of inspiration-smart.
Keys to becoming fully engaged with your work.
Which learning muscles you need to work the most.
How to avoid wasting kids' time in the classroom.
New forms of teaching accountability … and what they say about the status quo.
Analyzing whether school material is relevant to the real world.

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Resources and Items Mentioned in This Episode Include:

Books: Passages by Gail Sheehy (Affiliate link)
Teaching Movements: Curriculum Integration, Accountable Talk, Student-Centered Learning, Khan Academy

Topics

[02:49] Pam's values, history, fashion sense, and what makes her tick
[06:26] What's prepared Pam for teaching and the “power of the yes”
[12:45] Doing simple things right like asking better questions and leading a conversation well
[16:50] A primary paradigm for teaching any subject in school
[20:56] Where the future of teaching is and should be going
[24:44] The challenge for parents to determine if online learning is right for their kids
[26:43] A crucial goal of teaching from K-12
[29:05] The universal skill sets that all children should have
[30:57] The myth about diversity and teaching that needs to be dispelled
[33:53] Educational movements you should be aware of
[36:44] Making school service projects more than just about service
[39:34] Enforcing key concepts across subjects

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Transcript

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Kate Bell on December 29, 2012 at 4:12 pm

I very much enjoyed this discussion! For many years I worked with, and greatly enjoyed working with, college students. Most of the students were adult learners who were either trying to further their career by getting an MBA or were changing careers. I have also substituted (some long term) at many grade levels from Developmental Pre-K to 8th grade. I have taught at Community college and at traditional colleges. I say all this about my experience to let you understand where I come from in my thinking. Oh I should also point out that I went to public school for twelve years in a small but educationally rigorous school system, a Lutheran college (for 1 year only), went back as an adult learner through a large university system at a military base, and then a community college and a public university to finish my BA. I then got my MSHS at a non-traditional small school on weekends with 8 hour long classes! OK. So, I am passionate about education. I am most passionate about the value that one should/must/ought to get as a teacher, as a student, as a parent, and as a taxpayer from that education.

I love that Pam Peterson has made the transition from working a corporate job to working as a teacher. Her students are lucky to have someone who is both passionate about teaching but also one who has experience in another field. Thank you Pam for doing this podcast with Joel! You sound as if you are going to be quite clear about the “take-aways” that the students get from your classes.

I have been casting about lately trying to “find my place in the Universe”. I was unwillingly retired due to ill-health a few years ago. I need to make a transition and was thinking that it needed to be out of the field of Education. I think now that perhaps what I could do is do more writing on transitions and carrying one’s skill set and abilities from one career over to a new one. You seem to be bringing skills you learned as a project manager into the classroom as well as other skills.

You have both given me much to ruminate on. Thank you.

2 Comments

Kate Bell on December 29, 2012 at 4:12 pm

I very much enjoyed this discussion! For many years I worked with, and greatly enjoyed working with, college students. Most of the students were adult learners who were either trying to further their career by getting an MBA or were changing careers. I have also substituted (some long term) at many grade levels from Developmental Pre-K to 8th grade. I have taught at Community college and at traditional colleges. I say all this about my experience to let you understand where I come from in my thinking. Oh I should also point out that I went to public school for twelve years in a small but educationally rigorous school system, a Lutheran college (for 1 year only), went back as an adult learner through a large university system at a military base, and then a community college and a public university to finish my BA. I then got my MSHS at a non-traditional small school on weekends with 8 hour long classes! OK. So, I am passionate about education. I am most passionate about the value that one should/must/ought to get as a teacher, as a student, as a parent, and as a taxpayer from that education.

I love that Pam Peterson has made the transition from working a corporate job to working as a teacher. Her students are lucky to have someone who is both passionate about teaching but also one who has experience in another field. Thank you Pam for doing this podcast with Joel! You sound as if you are going to be quite clear about the “take-aways” that the students get from your classes.

I have been casting about lately trying to “find my place in the Universe”. I was unwillingly retired due to ill-health a few years ago. I need to make a transition and was thinking that it needed to be out of the field of Education. I think now that perhaps what I could do is do more writing on transitions and carrying one’s skill set and abilities from one career over to a new one. You seem to be bringing skills you learned as a project manager into the classroom as well as other skills.

You have both given me much to ruminate on. Thank you.
- Joel Zaslofsky on December 30, 2012 at 8:54 am
  
  Hi Kate,
  
  From your description, there’s no doubt you’re passionate about education and teaching. It’s a bummer you were forced into retirement because of health issues, but there’s plenty of nontraditional ways to make an impact in the universe regardless of your age or where you are in life’s crossroads. I’ve learned that lesson well and continue to evolve with that lesson in mind.
  
  I’d love to hear any conclusions or goals you’ve created when you’re done ruminating about this!

SASM 007 – The Future of Education and Brilliant Teaching Movements with Pam Peterson