Archives: Episode

Ep #29 – What strategies are you employing as an educator to meet your students’ needs? For your students to be successful, you have to engage different appropriate strategies that work for each of your students. 

Culturally responsive teaching is using the cultural knowledge, prior experience, and performance styles of diverse students to make learning more effective and appropriate. It is essentially teaching to and through the student. The educator makes sure that the instructional strategies and methodologies that you’re using are going to help the student be successful- you make it about the student and not you. This method helps educators meet the needs of their students, which goes beyond instructions but building and maintaining relationships with them and their families.

Teachers need to identify the cultural background of their students and understand the processes that are going to work to meet their needs. You have to use different things to ensure all students’ needs are met and that they become successful. Learn the concept of meeting all your students where they are by engaging appropriate strategies that they understand. You have to look at your students’ cultural knowledge, the experiences they bring, and then add spice to it so they understand and perform at their highest level. 

Stop being afraid of your students so your strategies can work! Dr. Shonta explains how as an educator, you can get to know your students and effectively build and maintain relationships with them. She also gives some tips on how to approach lesson planning to give your student and yourself ownership of the time available. 

Key Moments:

 [1:54] Defining culturally responsive teaching and its effectiveness.  

 [3:14] The importance of culturally responsive teaching in building and maintaining relationships between students and teachers. 

[5:54] Dr. Shonta explains the importance of identifying and understanding your students. 

[7:55] How to use multiple different modalities to teach your students. 

[8:13] Just teach! How to employ engaging strategies that your students understand.

 [14:18] Why you should stop being fearful to be successful in teaching your students.

 [16:47] The ways you can get to know your students and maintain relationships with them. 

[20:19] She states a few things an educator should keep in mind when planning a lesson.

[23:55] Why Dr. Shonta chose a path in education over any other career. 

Quotes:

·       “What works for one student might not necessarily work for another student.”– Dr. Shonta [3:01]

·       “To be successful, you have to make sure you’re engaging in successful practices.”– Dr. Shonta [4:31]

·       “If you’re not experiencing success with the students, then what you’re doing is not effective and efficient.”– Dr. Shonta [12:49]

Relevant Links:

Website: https://www.drshontasmith.org/

Book: The Essence of Education by Dr. Shonta Smith 

Contact Nick:

Website: https://nickzizi.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickzizi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickzizi/?hl=en

Let’s continue the conversation in our Facebook group. Join our dazzle of educators from around the country here https://facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators

 

Ep #28 – Are you frustrated with the lack of parent involvement? In this episode, Nick Zizi shares five sure fire ways you can boost parent engagement. Studies show that students do better when parents are involved in their education. 

Contact Nick:
www.zratedsuccess.com

Join our Facebook group for zebra educators  here: www.facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators 
We lift as we climb. 

#27 – Do you have any disengaged students in your virtual classroom? Do you have any students who are MIA? In this episode, Nick Zizi shares some of the very best strategies you can use today to engage your students. Virtual learning is difficult because we don’t have the face to face interaction. But there are ways to maximize learning to increase engagement of the disengaged. 
Please consider subscribing and sharing with a friend who needs to hear this episode if you receive value. 

Join our Facebook group for educators. Go to Facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators to join today. You will not learn from others in the field but also get support from zebras like yourself. We lift as we climb. Join today. 

Contact Nick Zizi 
www.nickzizi.com.

#26 – Educators light the path. We help our students see the possibilities. Just imagine for a moment how many students you have imparted wisdom with over the years. Your words, your example have left an indelible mark in their lives. In episode 26, Nick Zizi shares three keys plus a powerful exercise that you can do with your students to help them dream big. All progress begins with the ability to dream. 

If you receive value, consider subscribing to Z-Rated Success Podcast today. 
Join the dazzle here: Facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators 

Contact Nick:
www.nickzizi.com
info@nickzizi.com 

#25- Did you know that most people fail to achieve their New Year’s Resolutions? Setting a new goal doesn’t mean you will be guaranteed success to achieve it. There are three powerful steps that I call the three Ps that will enable you to stick with your goals throughout the year. Better yet, you will have a greater chance of achieving your goals this year by following these three surefire steps to have the best year ever. 

If you receive value, consider subscribing and leaving a review. Also, join our dazzle of educators across the nation here www.facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators 

Contact Nick:
www.zratedsuccess.com
info@nickzizi.com

#24- Have you thought of a way to engage your students by getting to know what they want? How about asking them questions to understand them so you can better make the needed change. 

Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a career and technical student organization that’s been around for about 53 years. They focus on business, marketing, entrepreneurship, digital communications, and IT. 

BPA is a three-legged stool in the areas they focus which are; academic excellence, leadership development, and a community service component. Educators get to work with well-rounded and dedicated students preparing them for the future. 

It is important to know what people need by asking questions to make an impact. Learn to keep your eyes and ears in the trends and align them with what people want to see in their lives.  Be the educator that asks their students what they want and then strategically implement their answers. The method of asking questions helps you understand what your students want to be able to meet them where they are and to engage them in the classroom. 

Dr. Ross believes that leaders develop other leaders, which is her role as a servant leader. Leadership development at BPA is about those in leadership, developing others to be leaders. 

There’s a need for student equity right now which will be solved by having ongoing conversations intentionally at the national level. 

Key Moments:

·       [2:17] The lessons this pandemic has given us as teachers to continue being creative and committed.

·       [4:02] Dr. Ross defines BPA, what it does for students, and how to join.

·       [6:10] The benefits of the BPA program to educators. 

·       [5:48] Dr. Ross narrates how she came from executive leadership in nonprofits to finding a passion in education leadership at BPA.

·       [8:21] She explains how the idea of the ‘purpose to potential’ tagline at BPA came about. 

·       [10:36] How to bring change by raising questions to understand what’s affecting people. 

·       [12:17] Learn to ask your students to get their honest answers and to engage them. 

·       [15:47] Some of the events like conferences and summits they’ve had this year and the past years. 

·       [19:11] The meaning of true leadership in all areas of life. 

·       [21:17] How passion and resilience make educators stand out from others. 

·       [22:44] The importance of having intentional and continuous conversations about student equity to bring change. 

·       [24:48] Dr. Ross answers some random questions. 

Contact Dr. Ross:

Website: https://bpa.org

LinkedIn: 

 
Contact Nick:

Website: https://nickzizi.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickzizi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickzizi/?hl=en

 

If you receive value, consider subscribing and leaving a review.

Also, join our Facebook group for educators here: www.facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators

#23 – Do you ever find it challenging to stay positive when your students may not be performing at their best? Staying positive in a negative world can be very challenging. It won’t happen automatically. Think of a garden that is left untended. Over a short period of time, the weeds will begin to take over and will destroy the garden. Our minds are like a garden. As educators, people of influence we must remember that how and what we think affects every area of our lives. Focusing on fruits will not solve the problem. We must dig deep into the roots to make the changes from a seed thought level. 

If you receive value from today’s episode please consider doing the following:

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3. Join our Facebook Group for Educators www.facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators 

#22- The 3 Rs of an Attitude of Gratitude. 
Do you want to be happier? Do you want to build strong relationships? There are so many benefits of having an attitude of gratitude. Just imagine you can better cope with adversity when you are grateful. In this episode, you will learn the 3 Rs that will not only make a powerful impact in your life but also in the lives of your students and everyone else. 

If you receive value, please consider subscribing. 

Join the dazzle today, for more insights from educators across the country. Go to facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators 

Contact:
info@nickzizi.com
www.zratedsuccess.com 

#21- Effective Behavior Management Strategies

Do you have any off-task students? Do you find correcting a misbehaving student challenging? In today’s episode, Nick Zizi shares his best behavior management strategies that will yield instant results. The wrong approach will never produce the right results. If you receive value, please consider subscribing and sharing.

Contact: 

www.nickzizi.com 
email: info@nickzizi.com 

#20- Have any of your students ever asked what’s your political view? How did you answer? The election is still in the news. Emotions are high. The nation is split. As educators, we must show up for our students. Putting our heads in the sand is not showing up. In this episode, Nick Zizi shares what educators on both sides of the fence think about sharing their positions with their students and he also shares his personal take on the topic. 

Please share your thoughts with us in the group. 
Join our Facebook community Zebra Educators to continue the conversation here; facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators 

Contact Nick
www.zratedsuccess.com