Doug has taught school for 11 years, including several in Hawaii, but moved to Oregon after his wife became pregnant because the cost of raising a family in Hawaii is prohibitive (1:45)
The story of how Doug became known as “the weird teacher” (4:41)
Some tips on how to be stand out even if you have a reserved personality (6:45)
How to decide which ideas are worth pursuing and which ones aren’t (12:00)
What Doug hopes readers get out of his book, He’s the Weird Teacher (12:48)
Building a sense of community among your students despite their differences (14:40)
Doug’s other education book, THE Teaching Text (You’re Welcome), is a light-hearted, satirical look at teaching (and at education “experts”) (17:00)
Doug can’t remember a time when he didn’t want to become a teacher, but being a lifeguard solidified his decision by showing him how much fun it is to work with kids (27:20)
What teacher leadership is all about, and how Doug was drawn to it (29:50)
Getting buy-in from administrators for innovation and risk-taking (37:53)
Start saying yes more, and start taking more chances (40:55)
Why every teacher absolutely has to have a hobby that’s not related to education (44:10)
Two books Doug strongly recommends: one about education, one science fiction (46:13)
Reach for joy – find ways for your kids to have fun (47:31)
Be open and positive with teachers, and allow them to work at their own pace (47:58)
If Doug had a time machine, here’s the advice he would go back and give his younger self when he was just starting out in administration (49:35)
Books mentioned in this episode
He’s the Weird Teacher by Doug Robertson
THE Teaching Text (You’re Welcome) by Doug Robertson
Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke
Master the Media: How Teaching Media Literacy Can Save Our Plugged-in World by Julie Smith
Connect with Doug Robertson
About EducatorsLead:
Educators Lead is a podcast created to help launch educators into the next level of leadership. This show is for you if you are interested in educational leadership as an assistant principal, principal, superintendent, teacher or someone who hopes to be a school leader one day. Educators Lead offers inspiration and practical advice to help you lead more effectively. Jay Willis interviews school leaders weekly to discuss why and when these educators made the decision to move into school leadership, challenges along the journey, and stories that made it all worthwhile. Educators Lead is a great resource for any educator looking to make a greater impact.
Educate. Inspire. Lead.
