Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast

"Teacher Talk" is a story-sharing podcast by the Elementary Teachers of Toronto with a mission to provide insight into the challenges teachers face daily and the impact underfunding creates on students. This podcast allows us to "humanize" teachers by telling their stories and the stories of students they serve. Hosted by ETT members and fellow Toronto teachers, Chey Cheney and Pav Wander, the mission is to bring the whole picture of the elementary teaching experience into full view.

Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast is a education podcast hosted by ETT TeacherTalk, with 16 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

ETT TeacherTalk hosts Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast, a education show with 16 episodes published.

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  Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast

  Episode 20: Math Learning Partners with Aline & Jamile

  Sep 13, 20261 hour

  Episode Summary: In this insightful and practical episode of Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast , host Pav Wander sits down with Aline Maleganovski and Jamile Lewis, Math Learning Partners with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Drawing on decades of combined classroom experience, special education support, and system leadership, Aline and Jamile invite us into a rich conversation about modern math instruction, student growth trajectories, and closing systemic learning gaps. Together, they break down where students and systems struggle—from spatial sense and proportional reasoning to navigating the "back to basics" debate. At the heart of this episode is a call for high-impact, humanizing math practices that build conceptual understanding, leverage concrete tools, and prioritize teacher collaboration over isolation. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Inside the MLP Role: How Math Learning Partners work alongside educators in priority partnership schools to foster student growth and shift math mindsets. Where Students Struggle Most: Unpacking data around spatial sense, proportional reasoning, knowledge transfer, and mathematical vocabulary. Demystifying "Back to Basics": Moving past political buzzwords and rote memorization to focus on foundational numeracy, additive-to-algebraic reasoning, and conceptual depth. Maximizing the 60-Minute Math Block: Working smarter, not harder—repurposing routine moments for math conversations and using clear success criteria to keep lessons focused. High-Impact Classroom Shifts: Utilizing concrete manipulatives, fostering rich math discussions, and shifting focus from final answers to student reasoning and process. Navigating EQAO Without Test Anxiety: Understanding EQAO as a multi-year system measurement tool, separating test scores from teacher identity, and letting strong daily instruction naturally drive assessment success. Why You Should Listen: This episode is a must-listen for elementary teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders seeking actionable strategies to make math engaging, equitable, and accessible. Aline and Jamile’s grounded, empathetic perspectives will affirm your instructional journey, help reduce math anxiety for both teachers and students, and inspire you to bring your whole self to the classroom space. Resources & Links: Learn more about Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast at ETT.ca Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to stay up to date with future episodes #ETTTeacherTalk #MathEducation #MathLearningPartners #ElementaryMath #EQAO #TeacherWellbeing #Pedagogy "Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast" is a Chey and Pav Educational Services, Inc. production.

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  Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast

  Episode 19: Remembering What Matters in Education with jeewan chanicka

  Apr 11, 202653 min

  📢 Episode Summary: In this powerful and reflective episode of Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast , we sit down with jeewan chanicka , an educational leader widely recognized for his commitment to social justice , student voice , and humanizing approaches to education. Drawing on over 25 years of experience across classrooms, schools, and system leadership, jeewan invites us into a deeply meaningful conversation about what truly matters in education—centering relationships, well-being, and the humanity of both students and educators. At the heart of this episode is his emerging framework, “The Pedagogy of Remembering,” a call for educators to move away from deficit thinking and instead recognize and honour the strengths, identities, and lived experiences of the learners in front of them. 🔍 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 🏫 Why jeewan’s most meaningful work has always come back to the classroom and school leadership , and what that reveals about the core of education🌍 A thoughtful reflection on where education is right now , including the challenges facing students, educators, and systems💙 Honest insights into educator and student well-being , and how we can sustain ourselves in a demanding profession🧭 The leadership moves that truly support teachers and classrooms in meaningful, lasting ways🧠 An introduction to The Pedagogy of Remembering —and how it challenges us to rethink deficit thinking and re-center humanity in education 🎧 Why You Should Listen: This episode is a must-listen for educators, leaders, and anyone passionate about equity, inclusion, and meaningful change in education . jeewan’s insights will challenge your thinking, affirm your purpose, and inspire you to reflect on how we can all contribute to more humanizing and student-centered learning environments . 🔗 Resources & Links: 🌐 Learn more about Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast at ETT.ca 📲 Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to stay up to date with future episodes #ETTTeacherTalk #StudentVoice #SocialJusticeEducation #PedagogyOfRemembering #EducationLeadership #TeacherWellbeing #EquityInEducation "Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast" is a Chey and Pav Educational Services, Inc. production.

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  Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast

  Episode 18: Black Brilliance in STEM featuring Joseph Galiwango

  Mar 31, 202648 min

  Black Brilliance in STEM: Cultivating Identity and Excellence Episode Summary In this episode of "Teacher Talk," we are joined by high school educator and STEM advocate Joseph Galiwango . Joseph discusses the critical importance of embedding Black excellence into the STEM curriculum from the early years to prevent the "leaky pipeline" that often sees Black students opt out of higher-level science and math. We explore how Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy (CRRP) can transform a simple science lesson into a powerful tool for identity building. Joseph shares practical ways to use modern technology, community partnerships, and the stories of "hidden" figures to help every student see themselves as a future scientist, engineer, or mathematician. Beyond Black History Month: How to move from simply "naming" Black scientists in February to integrating their contributions into the curriculum all year long. Bridging the Gap: What foundational STEM identities Joseph hopes elementary students bring with them when they arrive in Grade 9. CRRP in the Early Years: Simple, everyday strategies for elementary teachers to make science lessons more inclusive of Black identities. Modern Tools for Equity: Using AI and chatbots to uncover "hidden" histories, such as the work of Gladys West, that traditional textbooks might miss. Building Networks of Excellence: Advice on collaborating with parents and organizations like Visions of Science to enrich classroom programming. Joseph Galiwango: A secondary educator dedicated to leveraging STEM as a tool for equity and student empowerment. Joseph has provided a wealth of resources for educators looking to deepen their STEM programming: The Abeku Adventures: Abeku Goes Foraging by Justin Rhoden and Rachel Cheung Sankofa Black Heritage Collection: Rubicon Publishing Literacy Resources Black E.S.T.E.E.M.: Advancing Black Excellence in Science and Tech Essential Reading: They Came Before Columbus by Ivan Van Sertima Blacks in Science by Ivan Van Sertima Community Partnership: Visions of Science Help us amplify these stories! Follow the Elementary Teachers of Toronto on: X/Twitter: @ElemTeachersTO Instagram: @elemteachersto Facebook: Elementary Teachers of Toronto LinkedIn: Elementary Teachers of Toronto "Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast" is a Chey and Pav Educational Services, Inc. production www.cheyandpav.com

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  Episode #17

  Episode 17: The Evergreen Teacher with Seán Tierney

  Mar 19, 202644 minS1

  Episode Summary In this episode of "Teacher Talk," we sit down with Seán Tierney , a K-12 Central Math Learning Coach, AQ instructor, and dedicated mentor within the TDSB. Seán discusses the importance of the "Evergreen" teacher—educators who stay rooted in learning to better serve their students. We dive into how Additional Qualification (AQ) courses transform teacher confidence, the power of viewing math through a developmental continuum, and how digital tools can make abstract concepts accessible for all learners. Seán also shares his insights on balancing high-level pedagogy with a "pedagogy of care" when working in high-risk school communities. The Value of AQs: Why stepping back into the "student" role is essential for navigating the demands of modern teaching. The Mathematical Continuum: How tools like the Interactive Continuum for Addition and Subtraction help teachers from Grade 1 to Grade 8 see themselves as part of a single, unified mission. Mentorship & Equity: Navigating the unique challenges of high-risk contexts by balancing math instruction with equity and care. Digital Math Tools: Helping "tech-hesitant" teachers use virtual tools as essential instruments to make math thinking visible. Building Community: Advice for new and veteran teachers on finding a Professional Learning Community (PLC) that inspires growth rather than burnout. Seán Tierney: A Math Learning Partner, former Digital Lead Learner (DLL) Mentor, and AQ instructor for Primary/Junior and Grade 7/8 Math. ETT Professional Development: Check the ETT website for upcoming AQ opportunities and workshops. If you enjoyed this episode please share it with your professional learning community! "Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast" is a Chey and Pav Educational Services, Inc. Production.

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  Episode #16

  Episode 16: Fair Vote Canada with Michelle, Jordan and Cindy

  Mar 13, 202643 minS1

  Podcast Show Notes: Teaching Fairness and Democracy in Grade 5Episode Summary In this episode of "Teacher Talk," we sit down with Michelle Munk, Jordan Steenge, and Cindy Long to discuss a groundbreaking collaboration between the Elementary Teachers of Toronto (ETT) and Fair Vote Canada. Together, they have developed a new Grade 5 Social Studies resource, "Rights, Responsibilities, and Decision-Making in a Democracy.". The conversation explores why it is critical to introduce concepts of fairness and electoral systems to students at a young age. Our guests share how this resource uses hands-on activities, such as mock Citizens' Assemblies, to help students think critically about how their voices are heard and how they can become active, engaged citizens in their communities. The Collaboration: How ETT and Fair Vote Canada worked together to create a resource specifically for Strand B of the Ontario Grade 5 Social Studies curriculum. The Power of Mock Elections: Using practical simulations to teach students about the "first-past-the-post" system versus proportional representation. Building Civic Muscles: Why teaching citizenship is about more than just voting—it’s about questioning, collaborating, and advocating for a fairer system. Adaptability: How these lessons, while designed for Ontario, can be adapted for classrooms across Canada. Michelle Munk: A lead collaborator on the Fair Vote Canada project. Jordan Steenge: A contributor to the development of the Grade 5 resources. Cindy Long: A former teacher and current advocate for electoral reform. You can download the full Grade 5 curriculum resource, including lesson plans and slide decks, directly from the Fair Vote Canada website: Download the Grade 5 Resource: Fair Vote Canada Teacher Resources Lesson Plan Direct Link: Democracy and Voting Systems Lesson Plan (PDF) If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your professional learning community! Teacher Talk: An ETT Podcast is a Chey and Pav Educational Services, Inc. Production.

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