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Having tough conversations with students is all part of the job. Teachers can have conversations ranging from grades all the way to mental health. But what about the guidance counselors?! They face a lot of tough conversations behind closed doors that teachers don't see. So in todays episode we want to explore those conversations and how to have them!  So today I bring in Sam Layton, a Guidance Counselor that’s works in the private School system. Before going into Guidance, Sam taught subjects ranging from English, Drama, Music, Phy-sed,  and ESL. She also has some teaching experience in New Zeland, and Korea before teaching full time in Canada. Sam received her teaching degree in New Zealand at the University of Canterbury. Click on this episode to check out what kind of challenges a guidance counselor faces and how to deal with them like a pro! Oh! And Sam is the host of her own podcast called Popcorn Cinema! Go check it out on all streaming platforms! Instagram: @theteacherhotline Facebook: @theteacherhotline Twitter: @ronaldhae

Have you ever thought about teaching at a university? Have you ever thought about teaching in a teacher education program? We'll you'll want to tune in to this weeks episode!  Today I bring in Liz Coulson, an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of The Education Studies program in the Department of Language Studies at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). For over a decade, Dr. Coulson was an instructor and secondary practicum coordinator in the Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching Programs at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). In this episode we talk about: What qualifications do you need to teach at a university?Whats the difference between "Sessional Lecturer", "Contract jobs" "Tenure "Stream Faculty"? Whats the difference between being an Assistant Professor and a Professor role?What are the biggest difference between teaching adults versus high school or elementary?What should teachers do to begin the process of working at a university?and much more! Instagram: @theteacherhotline Facebook: @theteacherhotline Twitter: @ronaldhae

Building off last weeks episode, we are going to dive deep into the jobs of our school leaders. This week we are taking a look at the High School Principals role. After all my years in education, I still have no idea what the heck these people do! Are they just shaking hands and kissing babies? Who knows! Today I bring in John Marinelli, Principal of St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in London, Ontario. John has been a Principal for 6  years. Previous to this role, he was a Vice Principal for 7 years and also taught Social Sciences, Business studies and even in Guidance for 15 years. John received his bachelors of education from Western University. In this episode we talk about: What are the responsibilities of a High School Principal?What are some soft and hard skills required to do the job?What are some of the hardest and most rewarding parts of the job?Are the working hours different than a teacher?What should listeners know if they want to become a High School Principal?and much more!  Instagram: @theteacherhotline Facebook: @theteacherhotline Twitter: @ronaldhae

Hey incoming teacher candidates! This episode is for you! If you are planning to apply to different teacher education programs and not sure which one you should go to,  you'll want to check out this episode. On today's episode, we check out University of Toronto - Ontario of Institute of Education (OISE) Master of Teaching program (not Masters of Education! There is a difference!) We bring in my current student teacher Ava Skuse. Ava is a first year student at OISE and gives us a bit of insight into the program. We talk about: What mandatory courses do they make you take at OISE? Her thoughts on the professors at the schoolHow much is tuition, textbooks  and other fees?How many practicum's does OISE offer in this program? What has been Ava's expierence? What is this research paper that OISE makes you do in this masters program?What's the difference between the Masters of Teaching and Masters of Education program?Hope this episode is useful! Good luck everyone! Instagram: @theteacherhotline Facebook: @theteacherhotline Twitter: @ronaldhae

Have you ever thought about going into school leadership? Perhaps a High School Vice Principal is opening up and you have your eyes on it? Do you have any idea what the job entails? Well, look not further and listen to this episode! Today I bring in Candace House, Vice Principal at Waterloo Region District School.  Candace has been in this role for 5.5 years. Before this she was an English teacher and was department English Head in the TSDB for 7 years. Before this Candace had a long career in software development and consulting before making a career change in her 40s.  Candace decided to go back to school and get her B.Ed from OISE. In this episode, we talk about: Whats the big difference between the Vice Principal and Principals role?What are the most common challenges in the VP role?Is it possible for administrators to lose touch in the classroom?How does compensation work for a VP? Are they on a different grid?What should listeners know about the job before applying?and so much more! Instagram: @theteacherhotline Facebook: @theteacherhotline Twitter: @ronaldhae

Ok folks, so this is a big one! If you got an Elementary LTO job interview coming up, you need to click this episode! Super juicy with all of the questions from the TDSB with a former VP panelist coaching you through some of the answers! Today we have Linda Taillefer, a Educational Consultant and retired elementary school Vice Principal in the Toronto District School Board. She has been a VP for nine years. Before going into a school leadership position, she was a French Immersion teacher for 19 years. Linda received her B.Ed from Laurentian University.  On this episode, we talk about: What are some of the questions that the TDSB will ask applicants?What are the panelist looking for in your answers?Does gender, race, and identity impact your chances of landing a job?Wow! You definitely don't want to miss this! Share this episode and help out your fellow friends! Instagram: @theteacherhotline Facebook: @theteacherhotline Twitter: @ronaldhae

After all these years in education, I'm just finding out now what is a Montessori school! This entire time I thought it was some sort of Religious school. Wow, I was so wrong. If you're thinking about applying for a job at Montessori school or maybe even sending your kids to a Montessori school, you'll want to check out this episode! Today we bring on Carolyn Reid and Rachel Marks, both Academic Heads at Toronto Montessori School in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Rachel has been at TMS  for 25 years now and is the Head of their Elementary School and has been in the role for 5 years. Rachel also received her B.Ed from McGill M.Ed at Queens University. Carolyn has been at the school for 35 years and is the Head of their Toddler and Children House. She's been in this role for over 20 years. Carolyn received her degree in Early Childhood education from Ryerson, and her Primary Montessori Training from AMI. In this episode, we talk about: What is a Montessori School? How is it different than a traditional public school?How does a Montessori Toddler program differ from traditional day care?Is Montessori more "challenging" then your traditional schools?How much does Montessori cost?Should I send my child to a Montessori school?...and so much more! Click subscribe and give it a listen folks! Instagram: @theteacherhotline Facebook: @theteacherhotline Twitter: @ronaldhae

Imagine living with students and then waking up the next day and teaching those same students. This happens everyday at all boarding schools and its the norm! I work at a boarding school, and its a different beast. I don't work directly in boarding, but I know a few people that do. Today I bring in Andrew McNiven, a Business Teacher from Ridley College in St. Catharines, Ontario. Andrew has worked at Ridley for 12 years and works with the student boarders at the school as Head of House on campus and has been in this role for five years and worked as an Assistant Housemaster for 5 years prior to this role. So 10 years in boarding!   In this episode, Andrew will try to answer all your questions regarding boarding, including: What are his responsibilities?What's the difference between being Head of House vs an Assistant role?Is privacy and maintaining your own life outside of school possible? What are the major challenges and perks of working in boarding?How do teachers get compensated?and much more! Check out this episode if you are interested in boarding schools. You'll hear all about it! SPONSOR: SPACES Spaces is a new platform backed by 15+ years of educator feedback, designed to document the process and progress behind Student learning in your classroom. Join the Spaces community to connect with educators across North America, gain access to free teacher-created resources, help educators who are just starting out in their journey and learn new things from teachers who have been there before. Visit community.spacesedu.com today to join." Instagram: @theteacherhotline Facebook: @theteacherhotline Twitter: @ronaldhae

As a kid growing up in an Asian household, the dream for my parents was for their children to become a doctor. My brother helped my parents achieve that dream. I failed miserably. I couldn't even make it out of grade 10 chemistry! So many students and parents want to become doctors, but in reality have no idea what the job entails! Are people just chasing the title of "doctor" for prestige? Are they misinformed by what television shows them? This episode dives into the realities of becoming a doctor and what the journey looks like. Today I bring in my good friend, Dr. Andrew Lim. Andrew is a Radiation Oncologist who specializes in treating cancer. Andrew did his undergraduate training at St Francis Xavier, in a degree in Physics. He went on to do his medical training at Western University. He then began his residency training in General Surgery in Alberta before deciding the speciality was not a fit for him. He transferred over to the Radiation Oncology and he is  now working at the University of Southern California  as a Radiation Oncologist and the Director of Brachytherapy On this episode we discuss: What does medical school look like?When do you choose your speciality?What are the most popular/least popular fields? Differences between working in the U.S vs Canada?Something Andrew wished he knew about the job when he was youngerIf you're interested in medicine, you'll love this episode! SPONSOR: SPACES Spaces is a new platform backed by 15+ years of educator feedback, designed to document the process and progress behind Student learning in your classroom. Join the Spaces community to connect with educators across North America, gain access to free teacher-created resources, help educators who are just starting out in their journey and learn new things from teachers who have been there before. Visit community.spacesedu.com today to join." Instagram: @theteacherhotline Facebook: @theteacherhotline Twitter: @ronaldhae

Ever think about making a career change as a teacher into the world of guidance? Look no further!  So today I bring in Adrienne Tolton, a guidance counsellor from Garth Webb Secondary School in the Halton District School Board. Adrienne has been a guidance counsellor for four years. Before guidance, she was a teacher 18 years teaching Math and Science in Ontario and Internationally. She got her B.Ed from OISE at the University of Toronto. Today we talk about: What qualifications and training do you need to become a guidance counsellor?What are the general responsibilities of a guidance counsellor?What is the hardest part of the job?Is compensation different for a guidance counsellor versus a teacher?What type of person makes a great guidance counsellor?plus more! Check out this episode and don't forget to follow the podcast! SPONSOR: SPACES Spaces is a new platform backed by 15+ years of educator feedback, designed to document the process and progress behind Student learning in your classroom. Join the Spaces community to connect with educators across North America, gain access to free teacher-created resources, help educators who are just starting out in their journey and learn new things from teachers who have been there before. Visit community.spacesedu.com today to join." Instagram: @theteacherhotline Facebook: @theteacherhotline Twitter: @ronaldhae

Ever wonder what the heck the folks in HR are looking for before submitting your resume? How can school boards possibly sift through all those resumes and pick the right candidate? Oh and once you get an interview, now you need to prep for that gauntlet!  On todays episode, I hope to peek behind the curtain and help with the job application process. Today I chat with  Majella Hillsdon, our Chief People Officer at Appleby College. Majella has been at Appleby for 17 years.  In this episode we talk about: Resume - What makes a strong resume? Do buzzwords matter? Does experience matter? Cover Letters - What are they? Are they a nice to have or need to have in an application?Interviews - What do interviewers look for in an applicant? What are common questions? How can candidates be successful in these interviews?Social Media - Is HR trolling our social media pages?!Check us out! You're going to want to hear what she has to say! Links: Appleby College - Career Opportunities SPONSOR: SPACES Spaces is a new platform backed by 15+ years of educator feedback, designed to document the process and progress behind Student learning in your classroom. Join the Spaces community to connect with educators across North America, gain access to free teacher-created resources, help educators who are just starting out in their journey and learn new things from teachers who have been there before. Visit community.spacesedu.com today to join." Instagram: @theteacherhotline Facebook: @theteacherhotline Twitter: @ronaldhae

Today I'm introducing a new segment in the show called "I Wish I Knew in School". Unfortunately, we are forced to begin choosing career paths at an early age. Media, family and friends can also paint an inaccurate depiction of certain career paths. So on this segment, I want to bring in seasoned professionals to talk about the good, the bad and the ugly truths of their profession to educate teachers and students to better prepare them for the future that lies ahead. We'll also talk to these professionals about what real world skills student need to develop and focus on in the classroom to better prepare them for these jobs. Today I bring in an old friend Aaron Baer, Co-Founder of 4L Academy, an organization that provides modern training for lawyers and law students. Aaron has a wealth of industry experience. He spent almost 7 years working at Aird and Berlis Law firm corporate lawyer, before working his way up into becoming a partner at the firm. Aaron got his dual business and law degree from Western University and the Ivey Business School.   On this episode we talk about: What are some of the exciting things that make the job exciting?What skills should teachers be focusing on in the classroom to help students enter this career path?What skills are modern day lawyers lacking?What is the current state of mental health in the field of law?Aaron: "I wish I knew in high school before entering law..."Check this episode out! Its a doozy!  LinkedIn - Aaron Baer Twitter - @4lAcademy SPONSOR: SPACES Spaces is a new platform backed by 15+ years of educator feedback, designed to document the process and progress behind Student learning in your classroom. Join the Spaces community to connect with educators across North America, gain access to free teacher-created resources, help educators who are just starting out in their journey and learn new things from teachers who have been there before. Visit community.spacesedu.com today to join." Instagram: @theteacherhotline Facebook: @theteacherhotline Twitter: @ronaldhae