Life Behind the Desk

Jonathon Miller

In Life Behind the Desk, Jonathon Miller takes you into the classroom so he can give teachers an opportunity to answer the questions they wish they were asked. Discover the challenges that teachers face on a day to day basis and the added challenges they are facing due to school closures as a result of COVID-19 from a personal perspective. Dive deeper than the stories featured in the mass media so you can gain a greater understanding of what it's like to be trusted with the care and education of the nation's children from the people who do the job. Jonathon will talk to teachers from around the country to learn how they deal with under-funded classrooms, challenging parents, the administration, work life balance, and more in a public school setting. We'll also delve into what it was like the day they got sent home and told to teach from there, how they are coping with it today, and what they see in their future. If you've ever wondered what it was like to be a teacher: the struggle, the balance, and just what do they do over summer vacation we’ve got you covered. Hit Subscribe and get ready to step behind the desk. read less
EducationEducation

Episodes

Navigating Teaching, Technology, and Side Hustles with Tennille Martinez of The Book Advantage
Jun 12 2023
Navigating Teaching, Technology, and Side Hustles with Tennille Martinez of The Book Advantage
Join our insightful conversation with Tennille Martinez, a South Florida middle school teacher with over 20 years of experience, as she shares the daily struggles of grading papers, attending to her personal life, and managing her side hustles. We dig deep into the challenges she faced when transitioning from teaching high schoolers to middle schoolers, and the unique alternative charter school she worked at that offered students the opportunity to get a high school diploma.In this episode, we explore the impact of COVID on teaching and learning, discussing the struggles of balancing virtual and in-person instruction and how it has changed the way students interact with each other. Tennille also shares her thoughts on the challenges of technology in the classroom, including maintaining her students' focus and preventing them from using AI and chat GPT to pass off other people's work as their own.But it's not all doom and gloom! Tennille reflects on the rewards of teaching, such as the lessons she's learned from her students and the impact they've had on her life. We also discuss the current teacher exodus and how to make the profession more appealing, while touching on Tennille's side hustles, including a podcast, The Book Advantage, about the power of books and her blog, The Profitable Teacher.Visit The Book Advantage at:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-book-advantage/id1654267198Visit The Profitable Teacher at:https://www.profitableteacher.com/Connect with Tennille on Instagram:@thebookadvantageLearn more about Coach Hall Writes at:https://coachhallwrites.com/Listen to Coach Hall's Life Behind the Desk episode:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/003bethhall/Support the Show.Be sure to visit the website at http://www.lifebehindthedesk.com
What you do the least of my brothers . . . - Melanie D'anna
Apr 29 2021
What you do the least of my brothers . . . - Melanie D'anna
#023 - This week we talk to Mealnie D'anna from Mesa, Arizona. In some ways going behind the desk with Melanie didn't yield huge surprises, because she is just as dedicated to her craft as the other teachers I have had the honor of speaking with. Unlike most teachers, however, Melanie came to it a little later than most. She spent the first part of her working life as a newspaper photographer before making the switch to public education. She got a quick baptism in the profession by teaching in a Title One school out of the gate. Though challenging and heart breaking, that experience is what taught her just how impactful she could be as a teacher. In this episode Melanie and I talk about the challenges of teaching young students to read when everyone is in a mask. We also talk about the importance of reading to a proper education, what it's like when you have to be a child's advocate, and the all the paper work.  Buy me a Coffee (Help fund the podcast)There are a fair amount of monthly costs associated with keeping the lights on here. Just like in education. So far I have been footing the bill. I am happy and honored to do so. It is a privilege to be able to do. However, I would like to expand our reach. If I can get some of the bills covered here we can do more, we reach more people, share more stories, and maybe even help some deserving people make it into the classroom. Unfortunately, that all costs money. For now I am using Buy me a Coffee. It's an online platform that help people collect financial support for creative endeavors. If you can, please consider going to the link below and throw in a buck, or two, or five. Consider how much a cup of coffee actually costs. It's a one and done setup, so please feel free to make your way back every month or every episode and throw something in the "hat". Every dollar is appreciated. And if you can't, just listening to these teachers share their stories and following them in their endeavors warms my heart. It is more than enough.Learn more about Coach Hall Writes at:https://coachhallwrites.com/Listen to Coach Hall's Life Behind the Desk episode:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/003bethhall/Support the Show.Be sure to visit the website at http://www.lifebehindthedesk.com
Specialist & Side Gigs - Tess Kraft
Apr 13 2021
Specialist & Side Gigs - Tess Kraft
#022 - This week we talk to Tess Kraft from Kansas City, Missouri. Tess has taught most of the lower elementary grades and at the end of last year she was working as a reading specialist. When the pandemic hit she had to scramble to figure out how to continue supporting an entire school worth of teachers. Like any good teacher, Tess thought on her feet. She started recording herself reading children's books and brought in authors to speak to her students virtually. Fast forward to this school year where Tess found herself back in the classroom, teaching First Grade before quickly transitioning to Kindergarten. In this episode we discuss just how important it is for kids to be successful readers. We also talk about what tools parents can use to support their kids in that goal. We get to learn about an amazing lesson that Tess's district is taking away from teaching in this pandemic year. Learn more about TessLike so many teachers today, Tess has a side gig. She produces materials that help teachers prep their reading lessons more efficiently and teach reading more effectively. I highly suggest you check out her work at the links below.Website: https://www.kraftyteacher.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessthekraftyteacher/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekraftyteachermo/Teachers Pay Teachers store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Tess-The-Krafty-TeacherBuy me a Coffee (Help fund the podcast)There are a fair amount of monthly costs associated with keeping the lights on here. Just like in education. So far I have been footing the bill. I am happy and honored to do so. It is a privilege to be able to do. However, I would like to expand our reach. If I can get some of the bills covered here we can do more, we reach more people, share more stories, and maybe even help some deserving people make it into the classroom. Unfortunately, that all costs money. For now I am using Buy me a Coffee. It's an online platform that help people collect financial support for creative endeavors. If you can, please consider going to the link below and throw in a buck, or two, or five. Consider how much a cup of coffee actually costs. It's a one and done setup, so please feel free to make your way back every month or every episode and throw something in the "hat". Every dollar is appreciated. And if you can't, just listening to these teachers share their stories and following them in their endeavors warms my heart. It is more than enough.https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jonathonmillerLearn more about Coach Hall Writes at:https://coachhallwrites.com/Listen to Coach Hall's Life Behind the Desk episode:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/003bethhall/Support the Show.Be sure to visit the website at http://www.lifebehindthedesk.com
Music & Fitness - Erin Ross
Mar 9 2021
Music & Fitness - Erin Ross
#021 - This week we talk to Erin Ross. Erin teaches orchestra in Springfield, Missouri. When the pandemic hit, all teachers had it rough. I think music teachers had it particularly rough. Not only is it just not possible to be as effective as you were in person, Erin had no way to provide the group environment that is so much a part of being a musician. She has struggled this year with the loss of being able to instill in her students what it means to be a part of something bigger than themselves. And, with trying to keep them motivated when there is no culminating concert at the end of the year.In this episode we talk about what it’s been like to return to the classroom and the challenges that came with a hybrid schedule when the first returned. Erin is optimistic about what the future holds and is looking forward to the rest of this school year and into the next.Like so many teachers today, Erin has her side hustle. Not only does she keep private music students, she is also a fitness coach with a wonderful online presence. You feel inspired just scrolling through her feed. To find Erin’s Instagram and learn more about her fitness coaching business follow the links below.Instagram: @erinruscelFitness Coaching: https://mysite.coach.teambeachbody.com/?coachId=1979822&locale=en_US#contactLearn more at the show notes available at the link belowhttps://lifebehindthedesk.com/021erinross/Learn more about Coach Hall Writes at:https://coachhallwrites.com/Listen to Coach Hall's Life Behind the Desk episode:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/003bethhall/Support the Show.Be sure to visit the website at http://www.lifebehindthedesk.com
Engineer Does Education - Samantha Holcomb
Feb 23 2021
Engineer Does Education - Samantha Holcomb
#020 - This week we talk to Samantha Holcomb. Samantha started her professional life in industry as an engineer. This choice was a byproduct of what would fund her college education. Her true passion was to be an educator herself. Samantha teachers in Illinois' largest school district, covering approximately 250 square miles. That size is in direct opposition to the number of people that live there. Samantha serves her school's small student body passionately and with a sense of responsibility to demonstrate that women can be engineers too. Her road to the classroom was unique and challenging. Someone not as committed to being an educator might have given up, multiple times, if faced with the challenges Samantha overcame to get where she is. In this episode we talk about what it's like to teach in a small school district in the face of uncertainty and the challenges of getting kids back into the classroom as the Covid-19 pandemic continues. Samantha shares her exploits outside of the classroom with her blog and website, Engineer Does Education, where she publishes posts helping teachers run a more efficient classroom and produces tools and lessons to help teach STEM lessons. You can find all of that and more at the links below. Get involvedhttps://www.lifebehindthedesk.com/episode020signupThere are a lot of goals I would like to accomplish with this project and I am sure that there are much more that could be done. I also want to fine tune things as we go along, to better serve you, the listeners and our participants. And YOU can help with that. I want your feedback to help guide the future of Life Behind the Desk. To be part of that sign up for the mailing list at this link.And, if you sign up you can learn about Samantha's most memorable students in a clip I had to cut for time's sake. Sign up at the link below:https://www.lifebehindthedesk.com/episode020signupEngineer Does EducationBlog: www.engineerdoeseducation.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/engineerdoeseducationTeachers pay teachers store: www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/engineerdoeseducationOther ways to listenJump to Life Behind the Desk at popular streaming services below:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/applehttps://lifebehindthedesk.com/spotifyAnd you can bookmark the link below so that can always jump to the most current episode available:https://www.lifebehindthedesk.com/latestLearn more about Coach Hall Writes at:https://coachhallwrites.com/Listen to Coach Hall's Life Behind the Desk episode:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/003bethhall/Support the Show.Be sure to visit the website at http://www.lifebehindthedesk.com
K to STEM in New Jersey - Megan Browne
Feb 9 2021
K to STEM in New Jersey - Megan Browne
#019 - This week we talk to Megan Browne. Megan started off her teaching career with the littles, spending years teaching Kindergarten. Loving where she was at, it was a rough shock when she got moved to junior high, through no choice of her own. However, she has found that she loves it! She has been able to specialize in teaching science because of the timeline of her move from kinder to adolescences, she gets to see a number of repeat customers. Like so many teachers, Megan has a side gig. With Browne’s Bunch of Stem she provides lessons, techniques and education to help teach STEM subjects effectively in the classroom. To support the current reality that teachers, and the rest of the world, are facing right now she has materials to support teaching STEM in a digital setting.In this episode we talk about how teaching has changed with Megan’s change in learner groups and how her relationship with students is different. We also touch on topics related to employment. Where some personal decisions are made based on a balance of what you want and where your heart leads, but also with the need to maintain a paycheck.There are a lot of goals I would like to accomplish with this project and I am sure that there are much more that could be done. I also want to fine tune things as we go along, to better server you, the listeners and our participants. And YOU can help with that. I want your feed back to help guide the future of Life Behind the Desk. All you need to do is click the link below and sign up for the mailing list. It’s never spammy, and I will never give you email away. After that, I’ll send you an email reminding you of the release of each episode and the occasional survey. And by occasional, I mean 3-4 times a year. It’s not a lot, but it will be a huge help for me and a huge help in guiding Life Behind the Desk as we move through 2021. You can take part in that with the link below.https://lifebehindthedesk.com/Signup001Browne's Bunch of STEMFollow Megan on Instagram and check out her other work at Browne's Bunch of STEM.https://www.brownesbunchofstem.comhttps://www.instagram.com/brownesbunchofstem/To visit the show notes, use the link below:https://www.lifebehindthedesk.com/019meganbrowneLearn more about Coach Hall Writes at:https://coachhallwrites.com/Listen to Coach Hall's Life Behind the Desk episode:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/003bethhall/Support the Show.Be sure to visit the website at http://www.lifebehindthedesk.com
New Teacher in Missouri - Taylor Asberry
Jan 19 2021
New Teacher in Missouri - Taylor Asberry
#018 - In this episode we talk to Taylor Asberry. Like our guest in last weeks episode, Taylor is a first year teacher. She is teaching ELA in rural Missouri. Not only is Taylor facing all the challenges of a first year teacher, but she is doing it in the midst of a pandemic, which means everything is just that much more difficult. Taylor is lucky in that she has an excellent support group in her peers.In this episode we talk about the challenges of keeping up with a younger generation while maintaining healthy boundaries. We also talk about her own long term project, spinning up a theater program at her school. The pandemic may be dragging that project out, but Taylor is looking forward into the next year when she can see her project launch. I hope you enjoy hearing about Taylor's dive into the deep of her dream job.As I asked in the episode, It would be a huge help if you could share the podcast with just one person. A conversation, a test, an email, or message from your favorite messaging service. Feel free to share this link so folks can find the latest episode.https://www.lifebehindthedesk.com/latestFor more information, make your way over to the show notes:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/018taylorasberry/Learn more about Coach Hall Writes at:https://coachhallwrites.com/Listen to Coach Hall's Life Behind the Desk episode:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/003bethhall/Support the Show.Be sure to visit the website at http://www.lifebehindthedesk.com
First Year On the U.P. - Audra DeRidder
Jan 13 2021
First Year On the U.P. - Audra DeRidder
#017 - In this episode we get to talk to Audra DeRidder. I thought Audra's episode was the perfect episode to start the year off with. I figured we could celebrate the new year with a new teacher. This is Audra's first year behind the desk teaching elementary school on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Audra grew up in the small community in which she teaches. Her community is so small in fact, that many of her colleagues were once her teachers. It's mind boggling to consider beginning a teacher career in the middle of a pandemic. And, there some definite challenges. However, Audra does see the advantage of being a new teacher, she didn't have to worry about taking the way she had always been teacher and leveraging it to work for distance learning. Pandemic teaching is just what she knows. In my book, you get a lot of credit for showing up. And Audra shows up for her students. She provides an anchor for them. Showing them that even though the world around them may be a bit of a dumpster fire, Mrs. DeRidder is there, at work, ready to teach. Don't think for a minute that a first year teacher can't be inspiring. If you want to get in on that offer to join the cool kids and get yourself a Life Behind the Desk sticker, jump over to the full show notes at the link below.https://lifebehindthedesk.com/017audraderidder/Learn more about Coach Hall Writes at:https://coachhallwrites.com/Listen to Coach Hall's Life Behind the Desk episode:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/003bethhall/Support the Show.Be sure to visit the website at http://www.lifebehindthedesk.com
Investing in Human Capital - Sarah Thurlow
Dec 8 2020
Investing in Human Capital - Sarah Thurlow
#014 - In this episode Sarah discusses her decision totransition from teaching Chemistry at a performing arts high school to a non-profit program for young men who are at risk. Her experiences in this new role have been much different than anyone might experience in a traditional school. Sarah tried to leave the profession entirely, but COVID had other plans. She put aside a career change and headed back to the classroom. Though it didn't involve a career shift, it involved a huge shift in her group of learners, but was still an investment in human capital.Join us as Sarah discusses just how different things have been in her new position, the confrontations that have come with it, and even talk about how geography plays a role in education. We dive into the role social media plays in lives of todays students and it does and does not get used well. I am always thankful for the time you invest as a listener in Life Behind the Desk. I work hard to provide a platform for teachers to share their stories about their craft. You can help me do that by sharing a little bit of information. In the comments below let me know where you listen to Life Behind the Desk. Is it iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, straight for this page? Do you have a favorite podcast listening service that Life Behind the Desk isn't available on? If so, what is it? And where/when do you listen: on the way to work, working in the yard, working out? All of this is an easy way to help grow the podcast.Please take a moment to visit the show notes at the link below:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/014sarahthurlow/Learn more about Coach Hall Writes at:https://coachhallwrites.com/Listen to Coach Hall's Life Behind the Desk episode:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/003bethhall/Support the Show.Be sure to visit the website at http://www.lifebehindthedesk.com
SPED From a Distance - Sabrina Crews
Dec 1 2020
SPED From a Distance - Sabrina Crews
#013 - In this episode Sabrina Crews discusses what it’s like to be a special education teacher who is teaching from a distance. Special education is a challenging field in the best of situations and the pandemic hasn’t made it any easier. Sabrina was also robbed of the opportunity to be there for her kids in the lead up to the pandemic shut down because her district was still recovering from major storm damage. Sabrina and her students moved from one trauma to the next with no break. Then returned to school and distance learning with even more challenges.Join us as Sabrina talks about how she came into special education with a drive to serve. That drive to serve students inspired her online program, Ms. Crew’s Classroom Creations. Her online teacherpreneur aspirations are dedicated to using her experience in her craft to bring proven systems and lessons to other teachers helping them be more effective in the classroom.Thank you so much for taking your time to invest in Life Behind the Desk. Please take just another moment and share this podcast with someone you think would also find value in what we’re doing here. Word of mouth is great, sharing a link is even better. The link below takes you, or anyone you share it with, to this episode's webpage where you can find the show notes and links to Sabrina’s teacherpreneur endeavors. Please take a moment and share this link.https://lifebehindthedesk.com/013sabrinacrewsLearn more about Coach Hall Writes at:https://coachhallwrites.com/Listen to Coach Hall's Life Behind the Desk episode:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/003bethhall/Support the Show.Be sure to visit the website at http://www.lifebehindthedesk.com
Full Days and Packed Nights - Jimmy Morey
Oct 27 2020
Full Days and Packed Nights - Jimmy Morey
#008 – In this episode we go behind the desk with Jimmy Morey. Jimmy’s teaches English, Public Speaking, Drama, etc, etc. The guy does a whole lot. Jimmy teaches is another teacher from rural Missouri, just like Mandy from Episode 001 and Angie from Episode 006. Jimmy talks about the sense of loss he felt when his school got sent home and his seniors never got to top off their high school career with the play they had been working so hard on preparing. When we spoke, Jimmy’s school was back to work in person with an option for remote learning. He and his colleagues developed creative solutions for remote learning to serve their students who have yet to return, and to be prepared in case everyone is sent home again. I hope you enjoy our conversation with Jimmy. He truly is one of the good ones. Thank you for investing your valuable time with Life Behind the Desk. I hope you find value in this episode and this project. If you would like to help grow this podcast, please leave a review or a comment. If you would like to listen to Mandy or Angie’s episodes, you can find links in the show notes. Just click the link below. Yes, that one.https://lifebehindthedesk.com/episode-008-full-days-and-packed-nights/Learn more about Coach Hall Writes at:https://coachhallwrites.com/Listen to Coach Hall's Life Behind the Desk episode:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/003bethhall/Support the Show.Be sure to visit the website at http://www.lifebehindthedesk.com
Credits, College and Vocations - Megan Crawshaw
Oct 20 2020
Credits, College and Vocations - Megan Crawshaw
#007 - In this episode Megan Crawshaw gives us a slightly different look at what it is like to be charged with caring for, and educating other peoples’ kids. Megan is a school counselor in Florida where she works with students to make sure that they accumulate the credits they need to graduate. At least on the surface. In this episode Megan talks about how not only does she help students get the grades they need, but also help point them in a career direction and care for their emotional needs. Like her teacher colleagues, Megan has seen challenges brought on by the pandemic that no one had any reason to expect. With students scattered between in person, blended, and remote learning her current school year has been extra. She meets those challenges with the grace and care we have learned is the driving force behind the vast majority of educators. And, make no mistake about it, Megan is an educator. She is also an entrepreneur where she shares the creative touches she puts on her adorable Florida home and markets her home décor items. If you like to learn more about Megan and her exploits, visit the show notes at: https://lifebehindthedesk.com/episode-007-credits-college-and-vocations-megan-crawshaw/If you want to know how Megan’s school year has gone since our recording back at the beginning of September, you can get her update in her words at the link below:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/update-007-credits-college-and-vocations-megan-crawshaw/Learn more about Coach Hall Writes at:https://coachhallwrites.com/Listen to Coach Hall's Life Behind the Desk episode:https://lifebehindthedesk.com/003bethhall/Support the Show.Be sure to visit the website at http://www.lifebehindthedesk.com