9 Best TED talks for teachers

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2. Every kid needs a champion: Rita Pierson

Oh I wish I had a teacher like Rita Pierson when I was at school! 

She understands the value and importance of human connection for the learning and growth of young people. My favourite quote: “kids don’t learn from people they don’t like”.  Ain’t that the truth! 

3. Teach teachers how to create magic: Christopher Emdin

In his TED talk, Christopher Emdin talks about the need for teachers to engage their students and compares these necessary skills to those seen in a ‘black church’. The magic he speaks of is the ability to really engage students. Do you have it? Do you want it?

4. How to Make Stress Your Friend: Kelly McGonigal

If you’re a teacher, then you’re also stressed. You can be stressed but not a teacher. But you can’t be a teacher and not be stressed. It’s a fact. 

Therefore, this TED talk is a must for teachers!

This is one I also built into my wellbeing program as year 11 welfare advisor. So worth while showing your students as they prepare for their exams as well!

5. Bring on the learning revolution: Sir Ken Robinson

As a follow up to his 2006 TED talk ‘why schools kill creativity’, Sir Ken Robinson charms us with his wit and intelligent insight into the education system. He challenges the linearity of the education system and the ‘fast food’ method which we have adopted and now take for granted.

6. The child-driven education: Sugata Mitra

I’ve actually had the pleasure of hearing Sugata Mitra talk in person at a conference here in Australia. What a privilege to hear his philosophy and the ways in which he has challenged the education system in his own experiments.

These experiments demonstrate the power of collaborative learning and student led discussion. While collaboration is a part of every healthy learning environment, the extent to which the learning was independent of the teacher was staggering. 

The reason I like this TED talk is because it really made me think about the capabilities of my students and not to underestimate them. 

7. Creative ways to get kids to engage: Olympia Della Flora

In one of the best TED talks for teachers, school principal Olympia Della Flora challenges us to think differently about what we have and how to engage young learners. She outlines different strategies to use to help students feel safe and to make the transition from home to school much smoother.

This school principal was so present in her school that she was able to identify individual student challenges and make adjustments for them. These strategies helped students build their emotional intelligence as well as their skills in the core curriculum. I praise her for investing in her students in a way that she knew would meet their needs, and not just going along with the norm.

8. How we can help the forgotten middle reach their full potential: Danielle R. Moss

Danielle R.Moss was a “forgotten middle” when she was in school. It wasn’t until her mother really guided her that she began to reach her full potential. 

While Danielle starts off a bit nervous, she absolutely had no need to be. Her words hit home hard in the beginning, and unfortunately I understood what she was saying more than I want to admit. She’s right. The middle is often overlooked as they are compliant and quiet and it’s easier to let them slide under the radar while we deal with the students who present behavioural challenges. 

Danielle presents a compelling case for strategies that actually work in helping “middle” students reach their potential. I love her acknowledgement that it took a shift in their own perspective and that it required a long term commitment to these students in order to see change.

9. 3 rules to spark learning: Ramsey Musallam

Ok so maybe as a chemistry teacher I was particularly drawn towards this video. But even for those who have no interest in science here this video is a must watch. 

Ramsey gives us the tools to really spark curiosity in our students for real authentic learning. My favourite quote from him is “learning is ugly”. This is definitely true in my messy and, more often than I’d like to admit, chaotic science classroom.

Conclusion

It was so hard to cull the list of amazing TED talks for teachers down to just 9! 

Did your favourite TED talk make the list? 

Comment below with your favourite TED talk for teachers.