ClassCast Podcast Ep.024 features talented AP Government teacher and former baseball State Coach of the Year Jason Miller speaking with host Ryan Tibbens about the value of sports, winning titles, valuing family, teaching AP classes, improving schools, pedagogy, as well as how Coronavirus closures have affected personal routines, sports recruiting, class discussions, and more. Mr. Miller is a talented teacher, accomplished coach, and sincere family man -- listeners have much to gain from his insights into our education and sports institutions. 

​Check out the full episode and five quick-hitting highlight clips, all linked below and streaming on major podcast platforms.  Leave us a comment about what you like, what you think, and what you want to hear more about -- and be sure to share the episode with friends!

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This sub-3 minute highlight clip from Episode 024 features teacher and former Coach of the Year Jason Miller addressing concerns about how Coronavirus closures might impact the recruiting process for college sports.  If you have an interest in high school or college athletics, these insights about high school sports, showcase events, and the recruiting process are essential.

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In this highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.024, AP Government teacher and former baseball State Coach of the Year Jason Miller talks with host Ryan Tibbens about the significance of daily routines and how social distancing and closures from Coronavirus are interrupting our schools, sports, and lives; he also addresses how important schedules and routines are to many people's individual productivity and happiness. 

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)

In this highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.024, acclaimed teacher Jason Miller speaks with host Ryan Tibbens about how Coronavirus closures and the shift to online schooling impacts soft skills, teachers' impacts on students, and ensuing class discussions, particularly at the high school level.  If you're a teacher, student, or parent considering how closures might affect your student, or how teachers might address the pandemic in class discussions, this clip provides great perspectives. 

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In this highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.024, acclaimed teacher Jason Miller speaks with host Ryan Tibbens about how to improve schools -- increasing vocational, technical, and entrepreneurial programs -- and what students actually get from school now. The ClassCast Podcast is all about how education institutions can be improved, and Miller offers great common sense solutions that are both progressive and in keeping with many other guests' suggestions. 

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)

In this highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.024, AP Government teacher and baseball coach Jason Miller describes his varsity coaching career -- from building his program to winning the state championship to being named Virginia State Coach of the Year -- and how he went out on top because he lives the advice that all coaches give: "Family first." Whether you love baseball, teaching, or great human interest stories, this clip is not to be missed.  Be sure to check out other highlight clips and the full episode in which we discuss the effects of Coronavirus closures on college recruiting, daily routines, class discussion, AP exams, and more. 

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)

ClassCast Podcast Ep.023 features our first return guest, educator Jim Dunning, and an in-depth discussion of the complexity of COVID-19 closures on students' college plans, family finances, school solvency, scholarships, athletics, and more. Dunning and host Ryan Tibbens also go on to discuss the need for open, honest conversations with students; contingency plans; and common sense.  Listen and think carefully -- what should we do next? Enjoy this full episode and the highlight clips (below). Please share the links and ideas with family, friends, coworkers, and students affected by the closures. 

In this highlight clip from ClassCast Pocdcast Ep.023, educator Jim Dunning and host Ryan Tibbens discuss the uncertainty of returning to school, particularly to college, after Coronavirus closures. They raise concerns about college enrollment and attendance in Fall 2020 and what schedule changes might mean for graduates from the Class of 2020. These issues have been under-reported; we hope this episode will help students and their families to begin making contingency plans. ​

This highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.023 features teacher Jim Dunning and host Ryan Tibbens discussing the financial burdens of Coronavirus closures and how those changes might affect students and their colleges. As more people lose their jobs, are furloughed, or work reduced hours, families' economic and education plans might change.  Students, parents, counselors, and college administrators must be cognizant of these issues and create contingency plans to make sure long-term goals aren't derailed. Financial concerns come up again multiple times later in the full episode, and a more detailed discussion of how closures are affecting athletes/athletics follows this clip (begin ~17:30 in the full episode). ​

This highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.023 features educators Jim Dunning and Ryan Tibbens (host) discussing post-high school plans for the Class of 2020 and how public schools, college admissions offices, teachers, counselors, parents, and others should be helping students to assess their current Coronavirus-dictated situations and to create contingency plans for this summer, next fall, and beyond. Dunning generally believes that this is a weakness in our education system anyway, and while he may have a valid point, students' current needs should be forcing greater support and long-term planning assistance from trusted adults. ​

In this highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.023, teacher and philosopher Jim Dunning talks with host Ryan Tibbens about the broader issues of Coronavirus closures and quarantines, the trade-offs, the possible public responses, and what is the right, most just response. They reference the famous Trolley Problem as a way to clarify humankind's situation and the decisions we must make -- how many (and whose) lives we should try to save in exchange for serious, long-term affects on economies and quality of life.  This focus on justice and well-being both provides broader perspective on the shutdown without fear-mongering or judgment; it could also serve as a good starting point for teachers interested in discussing shutdown issues with students.

In this highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.023, educator Jim Dunning and host Ryan Tibbens address the need for (and concerns about) discussing COVID-19, including its impacts on health and daily life, with students in virtual classes. ​

In highlight clip 022.2, which actually comprises nearly half of ClassCast Podcast Ep.022, host Ryan Tibbens discusses Coronavirus school closings as an opportunity for progress and innovation in education.  He addresses some of the risks and threats inherent in the situation as well. From looking at what we might gain to what we could lose, from bureaucratic decision-making to leaders in the classroom, Tibbens points out how long term goals for public education might actually be supported by the current closings and pandemic. 

If you appreciate any of the ideas in this clip, you might also enjoy the full episode or another highlight clip about 'being wrong' and announcing school closures (lower on this page).  At the end of the full episode, there are also book recommendations to help listeners regain some balance and confidence in their lives as well as a reference to how school stakeholders are handling the closures. Stay home; stay safe!
Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)

This quick highlight clip from Episode 022 of the ClassCast Podcast features host Ryan Tibbens discussing a new unit he hopes to teach online ("To Err Is Human" -- focus on errors, mistakes, and the human condition) and the need for more confident, long-term decision-making by politicians and education bureaucrats during the Coronavirus pandemic ----- Close Schools Now! He also discusses how long-term planning is a necessity and why short term official guidance is counterproductive. 
Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)

Episode 022 of the ClassCast Podcast features host Ryan Tibbens discussing how teachers and school stakeholders are coming to terms with Coronavirus school closings (and how they might capitalize on this opportunity).  This episode begins with a personal reflection on the rise of the illness and predicting school responses; later discussions include being wrong, announcing school closures, innovation, the wisdom of caution, leadership, and more. Most school divisions now have some form of distance learning plan in place, and as new instruction gains momentum, it is important for teachers to consider the long-term implications of our current situation and decisions. At the end, there are also book recommendations to help listeners regain some balance and confidence in their lives as well as a reference to how school stakeholders are handling the closures. Stay home; stay safe!
Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)