Media Hub

Date: Dec. 6, 2024 

Grab your favorite drink and join Kelly Fox, Jarrod Otterman, and Kim Reid for a fun and insightful chat on Three Strong Cups! In this episode, the trio gets real about professional development (PD) and how it’s evolved beyond those old-school classroom workshops. Spoiler: PD doesn’t have to be boring! 

They dive into the highs and lows of keeping things fresh as educators—whether it’s finding ways to avoid career burnout, experimenting with new teaching techniques, or embracing the power of podcasts (yes, like this one!) for personal growth. From Kelly’s dental hygiene days to Jared’s love of shaking things up in the classroom, the hosts share candid stories on how PD keeps them motivated and inspired. 

With a sprinkle of humor and some honest reflections, they explore how teachers can stay relevant in a fast-changing world without losing their sanity. Plus, they dish on why being intentional with learning goals—and knowing when to say “no”—is the secret sauce to success. 

Get cozy, tune in, and sip on some fresh perspectives in this lively discussion that’ll leave you fired up about your own professional growth! 

Concepts and Ideas: 

Professional Development (PD): If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that the profession of teaching and learning is constantly changing. Constantly updating our skills and being lifelong learners just makes sense.   

CTL offers a wide range of professional learning opportunities including workshops, series, community of practices and asynchronous self-paced learning opportunities.  It’s all about helping you build your skills and create amazing learning experiences for your students. Faculty PD – Georgian College  

Date: Nov. 29,2024 

In this episode of Three Strong Cups, hosts Kelly Fox, Jarrod Otterman, and Kim Reid dive into the concept of the “When-Then Trap”—the mindset where we constantly delay happiness, waiting for some future event to finally feel fulfilled. Whether it’s waiting for a promotion or achieving a goal before we can relax or feel content, this mindset keeps us in an endless loop of chasing something in the future while missing out on the present. They explore how this trap impacts both personal lives and professional settings, particularly in the world of education at Georgian College. 

Through raw and honest conversation, the hosts share their own experiences with this mentality and discuss how it can often rob us of joy in the moment. They also touch on the importance of modeling this awareness for students, encouraging a focus on the journey rather than just the end result. By reframing our perspectives, they argue, we can break free from the “when-then” cycle and allow ourselves to enjoy life’s little moments along the way. This episode is a reminder that happiness isn’t something we should save for later—it’s something we can choose right now. 

Concepts and Ideas: 

• When-Then Trap: The mindset where happiness or fulfillment is deferred to the future, tied to achieving specific goals or milestones. 

• Process over Product: Emphasizing the importance of enjoying the journey and focusing on learning, growth, and experiences rather than just the outcomes. Process Over Product in Open Education – Teaching in Higher Ed 

• Gratitude Practice: Cultivating gratitude for present moments and small joys as a way to counteract the “When-Then Trap.” 8 gratitude exercises to cultivate a more grateful mindset — Calm Blog 

• Childlike Wonder: Rediscovering and embracing curiosity and awe in everyday moments, inspired by children’s perspectives. https://youtu.be/YsYHqfk0X2A?si=p3uphppXHEJyoWIc;  

Books and Authors: 

Kim talks about one of her favorite authors, Dr. Robin Hanley-Defoe.  Her book Resiliency Redefined by Dr. Robyne – Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe shares ideas on embracing happiness and resilience without waiting for perfection.  

Date: Nov. 22, 2024 

In this episode of Three Strong Cups, Kim, Kelly, and Jarrod dive into the concepts of compassion, empathy, and generous assumptions in the classroom, inspired by Dr. Becky Kennedy’s book Good Inside. They explore how these principles can reshape our approach to teaching, parenting, and human connection. The hosts share personal stories on fostering resilience, promoting academic integrity, and maintaining firm boundaries, all while building strong relationships with students. Tune in for a heartfelt discussion about balancing kindness with accountability, and the importance of connection in education and beyond. 

Books and Authors: 

Kim recommended a couple of books that were inspirational to her: 

Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy: Focused on compassionate parenting and teaching, emphasizing that everyone is “good inside” despite challenges or mistakes. 

Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Fields: Discusses the importance of connection before correction in building resilience and positive behaviors in children. 

Recommended Podcasts: 

• Armchair Expert: A favorite resource for learning about new ideas, featuring an episode with Dr. Becky Kennedy that inspired this discussion. Dr. Becky Kennedy — Armchair Expert 

Concepts and Ideas: 

• Generous Assumptions: Popularized by Brené Brown focusing on assuming positive intent in others. Generous Interpretation: Building Bridges of Understanding and Connection • Quiet Connections 

• Restorative Justice: Suggested as a framework for addressing academic misconduct, focusing on understanding, accountability, and growth. Restorative practices for academic integrity 

• Humanizing Education: Inspired by Michelle Pacansky-Brock, emphasizing connection, warmth, and clear expectations to build a supportive learning environment. Humanizing – MICHELLE PACANSKY-BROCK 

Academic Articles: 

Kelly mentions an article by Michael Brickhill, Grant Andrews & Johanna Nieuwoudt (2024): Published in the Journal of Academic Ethics, this article discusses fostering positive learning environments through generous assumptions, especially regarding academic integrity.  Developing Student Agency Towards Academic Integrity Through an Educative Approach: Exploring Students’ Experiences and Perspectives | Journal of Academic Ethics 

Date: Nov. 15, 2024 

In this thought-provoking episode of Three Strong Cups, hosts Jarrod Otterman, Kelly Fox, and Kim Reid dive deep into the tension between success and failure in both personal and educational settings. The trio explores how society bombards us with the concept of success—whether academic, financial, or personal—and the stigma attached to failure. Together, they challenge the traditional binary view of success versus failure, considering whether we need a new language to capture the growth, practice, and learning that happen in between. 

With personal anecdotes, classroom experiences, and insights from educational theories, the hosts discuss how failure is often a necessary step on the path to success. They also explore strategies for creating safe spaces in education where failure is encouraged as part of the learning process. Tune in to this episode for an engaging conversation on redefining success and embracing failure as a critical part of growth. 

Grab a cup of your favorite drink and join in as the hosts offer a refreshing perspective on how to thrive through life’s inevitable failures. 

Date: Nov. 8, 2024 

In this debut episode of Three Strong Cups, hosts Kim Reid, Kelly Fox, and Jarrod Otterman introduce their new unscripted podcast. The trio dives into the inspiration behind the show, shares their goals for creating meaningful conversations about higher education, and reflects on post-pandemic community building.

From lighthearted laughs to deep thoughts on professional development and burnout, the hosts bring their unique perspectives as educators and colleagues at Georgian College. Join them as they sip, chat, and offer listeners a space for guilt-free connection. Grab your cup, get cozy, and tune in! 

Episode Resources

Pixabay 

Used for background music in the podcast, adding a professional and polished touch.  Podcast Background Music | No Copyright Song & MP3 Free Downloads – Pixabay 

Georgian College Resources 

Did you know CTL offers a wide range of professional development opportunities like workshops, faculty learning communities and session series.   Don’t have time to attend a workshop? CTL’s online, self-paced professional development courses are just the thing. They’re designed to fit into your busy life while giving you the tools and ideas to improve your teaching and learning practice. 

Faculty PD – Georgian College 

Stress Management & Mindfulness In this episode, Kim and Jarrod encourage guilt-free time to recharge and connect.  Many health care providers are advocating for teachers and students to be more proactive when it comes to stress management. It’s been shown that stress, anxiety and depression negatively affect cognitive function, thereby decreasing a student’s ability to learn and flourish in the classroom (How to Manage Stress During the School Year). You may consider the following to support mindfulness in your classroom, work environment and home: 

• Introduction to the Mindful Classroom – The Art & Science of Well-being for Staff and Students 

• Check out the resources offered through Mental Health and Well-Being.  Looking for more, you can check out the Georgian College Mental Health and Well-being 

Podcast in Higher Education 

Listening to a podcast is an excellent way to immerse yourself in a topic you’re passionate about, with hosts whose opinions and voices you respect and enjoy — including educational leaders that you may not otherwise be able to access! Podcasts also afford busy professionals the opportunity to pursue professional development without setting aside significant time or even making a lasting commitment. Whether you’re looking for new teaching strategies, inspiration, conversations between thoughtful working educators, or simply a few laughs about the daily realities of the classroom, there’s an education podcast out there for you.  You can check out the CTL resources for more information and ideas.

If you’d like additional information or resources on any of these topics, you can check out these resources: Instructional Coaching – Georgian College or reach out to the CTL team at facultydevelopment@georgiancollege.ca