The Educational Currency Podcast

Fight Against Vaping: Teacher Edition | Season 1 — Episode 9

A Teacher's Guide to Vaping Prevention, and Why Students Vape
Joining Rob and Chris in this episode is Kim - a trained PD/H/PE teacher whose career has moved into health policy and programs targeting issues impacting teenagers. Currently, Kim is working on programs to address vaping and focusing on behaviour change through peer-led discussions. She outlines the emerging impacts of vaping (it's not great) and strategies for teachers and parents to help teenagers quit (step one: listen, don't lecture).  
Topics covered
The rise of vaping from 2020 onwards 
The lack of regulation for vaping products, and how the marketing of these products targets teens
How and why the peer-led education model has better outcomes for students
The links between health prevention, schools, parents, students and teachers
Why do students vape? Mostly due to stress, mental health and risk-taking
Dangers of vaping
How much nicotine is in a vape?
How many puffs are you taking?
What are the dangers of nicotine to a developing brain?
Passive vaping has risks to others
What can parents do?
Ask your child, don't accuse them
Be pre-emptive with the conversation at an age-appropriate level
There are guides available from NSW Health, QLD Health and Victoria Health with excellent tools and tips for parents and teens
Resources
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/vaping-resources.aspx
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/vaping.aspx
https://www.health.gov.au/vaping/resources
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/vaping
https://www.quit.org.au/
https://swsphn.com.au/news/nsw-health-develop-vaping-resources-for-parents-and-carers-of-young-people/
Vape Check/Dovetail – from QLD Health: https://insight.qld.edu.au/shop/vape-check#:~:text=Vape%20Check%20is%20a%20guided,Check%20before%20using%20the%20tool.
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.
 

Classroom management | Season 1 — Episode 8

Expert Strategies for Connecting and Engaging with Students: A Teacher's Perspective
Joining Rob and Chris in this episode is Stoyan Kosteski — a science teacher with a knack for exceptional classroom management. Stoyan shares key moments from his teaching career, his best hacks for setting expectations in the classroom and reflects on why teaching is a rewarding career. Along the way Stoyan, Rob and Chris discuss facing the moment you got it wrong and why failing forward is how you grow as a teacher.
Topics covered
Stoyan’s Three Unbreakable Rules for Effective Classroom Management™Always show respect for others and listen when they are talking (this goes for both students and teachers)
No student is allowed behind the Teacher's desk
No one is allowed to move around the classroom without permission
Always follow through with your expectations and outcomes with students
Have a conversation with the student if they are acting up – find out why they are acting out
Students need to feel respected, as well as being seen as people
The manner and volume in which you speak to the student drives the conversation
Model the behaviour you expect from the students
State the facts. Stay on the facts. Repeat the facts.
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

Artificial Intelligence in Education: A Guide for Teachers and Students | Season 1 — Episode 7

How should teachers and students navigate the rapidly emerging technology of Artificial Intelligence?
It's the next industrial revolution: computer programs that learn and improve the more you with it. Instead of searching for a particular webpage, you will prompt an AI to compile the research for you, and in concisely written chunks, or even tell it to simply automatically summarise the information into a stylish graphic.
This technology is programmed to mimic human abilities like learning from data, recognizing patterns, and even making decisions. You see AI in things like chatbots answering your questions online, or photo apps that recommend edits. AI is still under development, but ChatGPT and similar AI programs are swiftly coming to your phone, laptop and digital life.
Join Chris and Rob as they discuss how this technology could impact students, teaching methods and considerations for skilling the future workforce.
Topics covered
What is AI
How a student could use AI at school – it’s not all about plagiarism
Advantages, disadvantages and limitations of AI in an Education setting
Data privacy
The intersections of AI, Robotics and Virtual Reality
Building AI skills for the workforce
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

Choosing the Right School: Mixed vs. Single Sex Education | Season 1 — Episode 6

Exploring the pros and cons of sending your child to a mixed or single-sex school
There is a change in the air: more parents are choosing to send their children to mixed or co-educational schools, traditional single-sex independent schools are becoming co-ed and, in a few years, most public schools in NSW will also be co-ed.
This week Rob and Chris discuss the arguments for and against these changes, while reflecting on their experiences as parents and teachers in single-sex schools.
Topics covered
What factors should parents consider when choosing the right school for their child
Advantages and disadvantages of mixed or co-educational environments
Advantages and disadvantages of all-girls or all-boys environments
Do girls and boys have different learning styles?
Socialising and bullying at single-sex schools
Addressing misogyny within all-boys schools
Privilege, equity and social mobility
The 7am podcast episode referenced by Chris, which inspired that episode: https://7ampodcast.com.au/episodes/why-the-newington-old-boys-are-crying   
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

Navigating the Beginning of Your Teaching Career: Tips and Strategies | Season 1 — Episode 5

New to teaching? Having your first prac? Rob and Chris share their strategies, personal experiences and tips on navigating the beginning of your teaching career. 
Topics covered
Starting teaching at any age: straight from high school to university to being on staff, contrasted with coming into teaching as a mature age student
Ways to practice teaching and leading groups before you have to teach a class
Getting your classroom management down
Building your professional support network: mentors, your faculty staff and the wider staffroom are a wealth of knowledge
Asking for advice and feedback, and acting on it
Building a rapport with staff and students
Appearing professional, and the role of presentation and body language
Challenges facing new teachers on their practicums and first teaching roles
Discipline, restorative justice in action and reframing how to deal with problems in classroom management
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

Forming Healthy Habits for Better Study and Life Balance | Season 1 — Episode 4

What healthy habits can you develop to help support your life and study plans?
Chris asks Rob about his top tips for forming healthy habits that support your mind, mood, study plans and school-life balance.
Topics covered
Healthy body, healthy mind.
Nutrition: see an accredited dietitian, reduce your sugar intake, and you want to avoid spikes in your blood sugar. Have a high-protein breakfast.
Aim for 7 to 8 hours a night of sleep. Get natural sunlight in your eyes early in the morning (this helps your body maintain a sustainable sleep cycle).
Keep hydrated, and don’t forget your salt (Rob suggests hydralyte to help with your sodium levels).
Move your body: walk with purpose, start with 15-minute goals, exercise increases your feel-good hormones and improves your mood.
Support your mental health and aim for a balanced lifestyle.
Stay connected socially: have a solid and wide support network (family, friends, school, sport and/or community connections).
Parents are the ultimate mentors for a healthy lifestyle.
Robert Naumoski and Christopher Kalodikis have over 20 years of teaching experience. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education.

Exam Preparation and Study Habits: Proven Tips for Students and Parents | Season 1 — Episode 3

How to help your students and children prepare for exams and effective study techniques
Rob and Chris share their professional and parental experiences to foster productive study habits. Habits are incremental and built through repetition.
Topics covered
Are you actually studying?
Setting good study habits
Homework is continuing and finishing their classwork
Study is summary and reflection
Preparing productive study plans
Time management
Distractions: phones, computers, notifications and chat functions
Monitor and guide study habits for your child
Supporting different ages and stages
Subject selection and developing your academic habits
Stress management in senior students: support networks, what are your stressors and concerns?
Your study timetable should be balanced, with family time, socialising, sporting/exercise commitments and/or work shifts. Relaxation should be included. Review each term. Tick it off and aim to build it up. You don’t have to nail it perfectly. The schedule should not add to your stress! It is there to support and guide you.
Ask your mentors and support network for feedback
Rob’s HSC-specific tips:
What is in an exam?
Collect your marks slowly and accurately
The night before an exam you focus on your weaker areas only
Chris’ exams tips:
Past papers
Consistent study schedule, balanced with well-being and life commitments
Who are your support networks? Who can you go to for help and/or feedback?
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

Spotting Imposter Influencers in Education: A Guide for Parents and Teachers | Season 1 — Episode 2

How do you guide your students or children to find reliable experts?
Welcome to the Educational Currency, a podcast about all things current with education. Join Chris and Rob in discussing how to spot an imposter influencer in the sphere of education.
Topics covered
Who are you listening to?
What are their credentials and/or experience?
What is an “expert”?
Influencers and social media – AI and gaming the algorithm
An expert in one field is not an expert in all fields
Experience leads to expertise
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

Effective Mentoring in Education | Season 1 — Episode 1

Welcome to the Educational Currency, a podcast about all things current with education. Join Rob and Chris in discussing what makes a good mentor.
Topics covered: 
What is a mentor?
What makes a good mentor? 
What is the value of a mentor for students?
How to help transition your child with starting high school
Supporting your senior students with stress and study habits
Robert Naumoski and Christopher Kalodikis have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

Trailer | Season 1

Welcome to the Educational Currency Podcast, a podcast exploring all things education, for teachers, students and parents. Hosted by Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski, educators with over 20 years of experience in the classroom. From study habits to AI in classrooms, how to be a good mentor and mastering classroom management, we'll discuss everything that's current in education.