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What makes a first-year teacher not just survive, but truly thrive? Michelle Cummins, author of "The First Year Teacher Survival Guide: Fifth Edition" and education advisor at Brisk Teaching, brings decades of wisdom to this question while exploring the evolving landscape of education.
Michelle's remarkable journey from childhood teacher (complete with a playroom chalkboard at age six!) to high school educator, principal, and educational leader provides the perfect backdrop for our wide-ranging conversation about teacher development. She addresses head-on the crucial misconception many new educators face – that teaching is primarily about delivering content rather than building relationships. "You have to teach your students first," Michelle emphasizes, "and the content is a vehicle for that relationship."
The episode overflows with practical strategies for building authentic classroom communities. From greeting students at the door each morning to creating projects that invite students to share their personal narratives and family stories, Michelle outlines actionable approaches that transform educational experiences. A particularly moving example involves multilingual learners creating artwork and poetry based on family interviews – work that helped students see themselves and their cultures in a powerful new light.
We also dive deep into the revolution of AI in education. As Michelle puts it, "AI literacy is not just for our students, it's for educators as well." She explains the "80-20 rule" – how AI tools might handle 80% of task creation, but a teacher's expertise with their unique students provides the critical 20% that makes learning meaningful. Through her work with Brisk Teaching, Michelle has seen how these tools can free teachers from overwhelming workloads while enhancing their creativity and effectiveness.
Regardless of whether you're just starting your teaching journey or are a seasoned educator looking for fresh perspectives, this conversation offers both practical wisdom and heartfelt encouragement. As Michelle reads from her book: "May the encouragement you find in these pages give you the courage and confidence to teach in a way that uplifts all of your students."