Have you ever struggled with integrating holidays into your already existing curriculum? In Episode 8 of Season 2 of The Schoolyard Podcast, host Nancy Chung welcomes the remarkable Carlanda Miller, also known as “The Magical Teacher”, to share her thoughts on the topic.
With 13 years of education experience, Carlanda has significantly impacted many students of all ages, including those in special education and early learning. Her innovative teaching methods have garnered her numerous accolades, including being named California’s 2018 Celebrity Educator of the Year.
Throughout the episode, Carlanda and Nancy discuss the importance of incorporating holiday themes into lesson plans to engage students. She shares her creative approaches, such as a Halloween escape room where students solve riddles to find a stolen pumpkin. Another one of her ideas is a “Friendsgiving celebration” that emphasizes kindness and sharing. Carlanda highlights her commitment to inclusivity and to ensuring that all students feel represented and valued in her classroom.
The conversation also covers Carlanda’s intentional planning strategies where she aligns fun, thematic activities with core curriculum requirements. She emphasizes the value of community involvement and the importance of representation in educational materials. Carlanda discusses the children’s book she authored, “My Magical Teacher,” which highlights and celebrates the dedication of educators.
The episode ends with a lighthearted segment where Carlanda imagines a new holiday, “National Switch Day,” which would allow students to explore different classrooms and learn through play. The conversation is filled with inspirational creativity and encourages listeners to infuse joy and engagement into their own teaching practices.
More About Carlanda
Carlanda Miller, also known as The Magical Teacher, is a distinguished educator with 13 years of experience across various grade levels and leadership roles. She leads nationwide Professional Development and delivers inspiring keynotes to students and educators. Carlanda’s innovative teaching methods have earned her recognition, including being named FUSD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year for the 2017-18 school year, California’s 2018 Celebrity Educator of the Year, a finalist for FUSD’s Excellence in Education for 2021-22, and honored as one of Walt Disney World’s 50 Most Innovative Educators. Carlanda is also a children’s book author and a LEGO Education Ambassador, championing learning through play and inspiring creativity and critical thinking in students.
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