Naomi Meredith  00:00

In today's episode, I am interviewing Tiana Walton, who is a STEM teacher for first through sixth graders. Tiana and I connected together on Instagram when she had recently purchased my K through five STEM year long plan. It's been really fun chatting with her about the lessons that she's teaching in her classroom when I am teaching the same ones in my classroom at the same time, so it's been really fun chatting back and forth. She asks me excellent questions all the time. So I asked her, “Hey, why don't I have you on the podcast? I think you would be a perfect guest to have other teachers hear about you and your story in the STEM classroom.” Tiana is a former long-term substitute and she works in a small town outside of Lubbock, Texas. Her role teaches over 400 students in her building and she loves to teach her students and show them all the ways to learn about projects and creating their challenges. Outside of teaching Tiana loves to enjoy hanging out with her two beautiful kids and husband. She also loves to stay active by playing sports, participating in gymnastics and more. I loved chatting with Tiana and I know you are going to love to hear from her. She has so much passion and excitement for STEM, and it really shines in the way that she talks about her classroom. I hope you enjoy this episode. 

Naomi Meredith  01:50

Well, thank you Tiana's so much for being here today. I'm so glad that we finally get to chat virtually since we've been talking on Instagram over the past few months. When I was starting my podcast, I gave you a little inkling and asked would you want to be on the show? You said yes. So I double checked with you again a few months later, and you're still excited to be here. So I was so happy to chat with you and you're in your cute classroom. Before we hit record, you were showing me the cute poster that you have behind you with different inventors. So I know that we're gonna have a great time chatting together, you're just so much fun and so smiley. So for my audience and and for me, too, for those of us who don't know what you yet, if you wouldnt mind telling us about yourself, your teaching background, and then how you stepped into your role as a STEM teacher?

Tiana Walton  02:39

Well, my name is Tiana Walton. I'm a small town girl from Slaton, Texas. It's about 15 minutes from Lubbock. I stepped into teaching. A few years after I graduated, I became a long-term sub, because COVID hit really hard here. Our district was like, you know, let's do this COVID relief subs, you know, teachers will be in and out. So I got to spend full-time on campus for two and a half years. Then going into my third year, my admin approached me and she said, “Hey, we have this bright idea. We want to bring STEM to our campus.” And I was like, okay, and she said, Will, you become our STEM teacher. And I said, Yes, of course, without even thinking about it. I was like, Yes, um, yes. And this is my first year, and it's been so great. Having your curriculum really helped me a lot, because I was like, “Oh, my gosh, what am I gonna do? I don't have anything to teach.” And just having that K through fifth grade STEM all year long plan has been I mean, it's been amazing. I don't have to prep anything besides printing. And I'm like, this is so great. And so I've loved it. It's been a few months, and it's been going really good. My kids have enjoyed it. The campus has been talking about it. So it's been perfect for us. 

Naomi Meredith  04:01

Oh, that's so sweet of you. Well, that's so sweet how you said yourself in that you like, tell me how you like my year long plans. So it's so kind of you and I'm so glad it's been helpful for your role and what a unique background you have, because you're so used to teaching on the fly already in a sub position. And you probably taught all the grades. So you're such a great fit for STEM because you already know how it goes, how crazy it is. That's so interesting that they had COVID Relief subs. I wish we had that at my school at the time, but as we know, it was so crazy. And everyone's had everything different. 

Tiana Walton  04:37

So the next day was like, Oh, you'll be here. Oh, wait, nevermind, you'll go here. So it was really being flexible and being able to fit in each classroom. I mean, it opened up my relationships with the kids too, because now I have my own classroom and they're like, “Miss Walton, we've been waiting for you to teach.” It's been so good. It's been so amazing. These students are so kind and they're loving. They care about you and they know you care about them. So it's been great being able to build relationships with all of them.

Naomi Meredith  05:11

Oh, yeah, I love that part too. It's cool seeing all the kids in the school like another STEM teacher I chatted with. You may feel the same way. It's kind of like being the cool aunt where like you have a really fun loving relationship. You're like, Okay, you're on your way.

Tiana Walton  05:30

It's perfect.

Naomi Meredith  05:32

Yeah, how often do you see the kids? Are you with them the whole week? Or is it just once a week?

Tiana Walton  05:38

So I see first through fifth grade. And so I'll see each class once a week. So each, each class will come once to me Monday through Friday. So I'll have one class Monday, another class Tuesday, and it'll rotate throughout the week. So it's been great. It's a really awesome schedule to

Naomi Meredith  05:57

Yeah, that's interesting. How do you manage projects? Because that a lot of STEM teachers I've talked to I feel like are more it's more common, where you see one, a different class every day, like, do you how do you store everything? How do you manage all of that? That's a lot.

Tiana Walton  06:12

I have cabinets everywhere in my classroom, and that has been my storage savior. So like, if we do the building your own shelters, everybody I've been trying to group them together so that I don't have individual projects all over the place. So I've done table projects for the most part. So each group has a section where they store their projects. So it's helped out a lot.

Naomi Meredith  06:37

Oh, good. That's good. Do you do a lot of digital assigning when it comes to the plans or engineering notebooks just because it changes so much every day? Or do you just keep it all with the projects?

Tiana Walton  06:48

I want to try the digital next year because I did all paper this year. So I did a system of where month to month, what we're working on and classroom folders. So if they do a worksheet, it goes in their teacher's classroom folder, and then at the end of the month, they'll take all their papers home. I want to try doing the digital because Google Classroom is what we use. So I feel like if I can put it out there for them, they can do it on Google Classroom, save it and it's there instead of doing the worksheets and printing it out.

Naomi Meredith  07:20

Totally, I did the same exact thing. I go back and forth to like some things. I still use paper. Like I always have kids plan on paper for the older kids. Because, you know, it's it's hard to draw digitally. I mean, for an elementary student, like we don't have the tools where we have a professional drawing pad with a stylus. So I'm with you, I still use paper for a lot of stuff. But I mean, it sounds like you're really organized and you're look you're happy today, you're on break, and you're talking to me, which is pretty amazing.

Tiana Walton  07:52

I know. I'm so excited to be here.

Naomi Meredith  07:56

So what has been your favorite part about teaching STEM? I mean, I know that you love it. You love seeing the kids, but what else has been your favorite part about it?

Tiana Walton  08:04

I think my favorite part about doing it is knowing that there is more to learning rather than just math and reading and STEM steps up for different kids. I mean, you have those kids who rather use their hands to create things rather than reading a book. You have those kids who are all your science nerds and love building projects, and STEM class is a break away from learning. I mean, it's not preparing you for the star, it's not you have to make this grade or you know, so I love having the kids be themselves in my class because it opens up to all the personalities on the campus. It's been really great.

Naomi Meredith  08:48

Good. That's so funny. Because a lot a lot of teachers I feel like say the same thing, like in different ways. Like I feel like with STEM, you see the kids in a different light that can shine in a different way. And it's so interesting. I don't know if you have those conversations too, with like PE or in music. But sometimes it's just depends on the kid. But sometimes they have a really hard time in PE but then I don't see those behaviors in STEM. And it's not that I'm some magical teacher, but there's just something really special about STEM and that hands on learning and collaborating and PE might not be their favorite. And that's like more to say why we need more STEM in schools, because it's just an opportunity that most kids like it, but there are some kids it's like their thing. And they're like in their zone of genius. You probably see that too. 

Tiana Walton  09:39

Oh, yes. All the time. I do have those conversations with our art teacher. We always talk about, “Hey, how did the kids do for you today?” Like touch and go like what is something that I need to do to make them feel like okay, this is something they can do and not get into their heads like okay, I can't do this. This is too hard. So we have those conversations with each other. She's amazing. She's always like, so hey, so and so what do you think? What do you think I need to do? And I'm like, Oh, he did great in my class last week. So this is what I, you know, these are the strengths he showed in my class. So we bounce ideas off of each other all the time, even though we teach two different things.

Naomi Meredith  10:20

Yep. Oh, yeah, we have the same thing. Because I feel the same way. Like I know, it can be like an island teaching STEM in a building if you're not a STEM school, or you're just a specialist teacher. So me and my teammates, we talk about students, I would say the most and just yeah, how to problem-solve, behavior management tricks, even though we have different subjects. So that's definitely been helpful, too. Do you have any other STEM teachers in your district or nearby? I know, you said, you're in a small town.

Tiana Walton  10:48

We have a guy who teaches our GT students, and it's called Quest. So he touches STEM, but he doesn't. So it's like, your gifted and talented kids like those kids that are there above their grade level. So he gets those kids from each grade level, and they do different projects and stuff. It's nice having him because he'll come into my class, and he's like, Oh, you're doing really great. Like, getting his feedback, because he's been doing it for years. So getting his feedback, really, like it boosted my confidence, because I'm like, Okay, I messed up on this, like, what in the world am I doing? But he comes in, and he's like, Oh, you're doing so great. The kids are always talking about your class. And just getting that feedback from my peers. I mean, it means a lot to me. So it works out.

Naomi Meredith  11:35

Oh, yeah. You're kind of alone. In a sense, you're pretty much the only adult in the room. But yeah, always have somebody there. There's always a child there no matter what. I have a glass wall, so people can see what I'm doing. But I'm really alone all day. So that's really nice that he could pop in and let you know, because you don't always know. And trust me, I fail all the time. Like my room is a disaster. And like, I feel like with Kindergarten, I talk about Kindergarten a lot on this podcast, or in general. I love Kindergarten but they're just so interesting to me, like those little kids were like, sometimes they get through a project really fast. And then sometimes it takes them forever and longer, and I don't understand. They're a mystery to me, and I love them. They're so creative.

Tiana Walton  12:19

It's exactly how my first graders are like they fly through things. And then they're like, oh, wait, they're taking their time on it. They're coasting through, and I'm like, Okay, wait, this is something we should be pushing through. What are y'all doing?

Naomi Meredith  12:31

I know. And it's usually it's even the same class. You're like, wait, what? What's happening? If they're still confusing me. They're so creative and so confusing. And I know a lot of people struggle with the little kids, but they're fun. But you even told me before we started recording that your son gets to be in your class, sometimes.

Tiana Walton  12:51

Yes, I enjoy getting to teach him. I'm like, okay, so I get to be the teacher today and not mommy right now. So it's really awesome, because I get to see what he is like in class. And it's, I mean, it's awesome because he's so invested in my class. He's so excited about these robots that he wants one for Christmas. So I think getting to see him outside of mom and son relationship has really been, I think it's really built my relationship too because we get to talk about my class, and he gets to enjoy being in my class. And he's like, I see you in mom mode, but now I get to see in teacher mode, and it's so much fun.

Naomi Meredith  13:32

That is so cool and not a lot of teachers can say that they've had their kid in their class. That is so amazing. That is so cool. Does he call you mom?

Tiana Walton  13:42

No, he calls me Miss Walton. And it's so funny. 

Naomi Meredith  13:45

He does?

Tiana Walton  13:47

Yes. Some of the kids are like, that's your mom. You know that right? And he's like, Yeah, but she's Miss Walton at school. So it's awesome. 

Naomi Meredith  13:54

That is so cute. You're like, wait, what, 

Tiana Walton  13:57

Like it catches me off guard because I'm like, Oh, okay. That's how you do.

Naomi Meredith  14:02

Do you call him son? Like, “Hey, bud.”

Tiana Walton  14:04

I'm like, “Hey! Okay, what do you need Torbin? So it's like, I'm trying. I have to be like, Oh, we're still at school. I can't say Hey, son. Yeah.

Naomi Meredith  14:13

That is so cute. He's like, almost like acting with you.

Tiana Walton  14:16

It catches me off guard that I'm like, Oh, okay. Hey!

Naomi Meredith  14:23

That's so cute. Well, besides your son calling you your name. Is there anything else that has surprised you in this role? Because it's very hard, but also very exciting. There's a lot of surprises like what were you like, oh, like I did not expect that. Has there been anything like that for you?

Tiana Walton  14:44

I think the biggest aha moment for me is the supplies that you use. Like some of the stuff can come from your house, and rather than go and buy it at the store. So it's like, the supply list to me is like like, “Oh, I can use such and such for this, like, I don't have to go buy, like all this stuff for it, it can be in the kit.” Or like, we can bring sponges from home and do this. And I'm like, oh yes, like, being the flexibility of the supply list is what really amazes me like, and I was expecting, oh, gosh, I'm going to spend a fortune on supplies. And that's not been the case. So that's been the biggest aha moment for me is utilizing supplies that kids use every day at home. In our projects, it's been very flexible.

Naomi Meredith  15:31

That is a really good point. Because I feel like a lot of teachers that and I felt the same way I had a classroom and no, like no curriculum, also, no materials, and it can be really overwhelming that you have to have a ton of money to get started in STEM. It's nice to have fancy things like those are nice to have. But like you said, it's not required. I mean, you taught the whole STEM survival camp unit, half of this stuff is stuff kids find from outside.

Tiana Walton  15:58

And it was so amazing watching them like, Oh, we're gonna use sticks for this. Oh, wait, Miss Walton, you have popsicle sticks, can we build with popsicle sticks? And I'm like, Yes. Like their brains were like overload. And they're like, so excited to build all this stuff. And it was awesome watching them put it all in play, what they had planned out. 

Naomi Meredith  16:15

Oh, totally, and it's cool. It's good for kids to think of the world in new ways. Like I feel technology is super important. And I'm big on technology and using that. But also I'm really big on creating and doing things screen-free. I don't know about you, as a kid, I love to build stuff. Like I would sit and build random things for my Barbie dolls. I made them go school.

Tiana Walton  16:38

I was a teacher, teddy bears for the students.

Naomi Meredith  16:42

Same I was saying either Yup, I was the same way. Like making stuff like, okay, like we're doing art class or whatever. But I think like sometimes kids don't always get those opportunities where they, their parents might forget about those things. So I'm so glad that they started this program at your school, and you're excited about it. And you're noticing we don't have to have all this fancy stuff, even though you're gifted all of these Dash robots. Yes. Oh, amazing. But it was awesome. But it's good.

Tiana Walton  17:11

I know. And I always see parents out there like my kids love your classroom, and they want to know, what can they help bring them like, they don't have to bring anything unless we're doing a project. So it's been, it's been awesome. I mean, getting the kids involved and the kids using their minds in different ways. I mean, it's been so great getting to watch them, put what they're thinking out.

Naomi Meredith  17:34

Totally, and you're gonna love it next year, and seeing the same kids again, and how much they've grown and learn from you. Because that is a really cool thing about being like in a special area. The position is like as a classroom teacher, they move on, you don't normally move up with them, I wouldn't do that. But you're gonna come every year, and you're gonna see that growth and you know what they did last year, and you get to build up upon that learning. So it's just a really fun way to connect with the kids. So I know that so you're so sweet. You're like already talked about the year long plan. But are there any specific resources of mine that you've seen great success with your students or that you really love teaching so far this year? It's like about halfway through the year. What have been some of your favorites so far?

Tiana Walton  18:22

I think me and my kids enjoy the Engineering Design Process chart. Because they're like, Okay, we're asking this, and then we imagine what's going to happen. And then we're going to put in our plan, and then we get to share and create like so they're like, bouncing their ideas back off of that design process. And I love seeing it because I'm like, okay, yes, they're so they're invested. They remember it.

Naomi Meredith  18:44

Good. That is so good. Have there been like a certain project that they used that you're like, “Wow, you guys really understand this Engineering Design Process?”

Tiana Walton  18:53

I think yes. My fourth graders, they did the community, they built their community thing. And I mean, they were like, Okay, so the question, what is the problem in this, we need to build out our landscape for our community. Okay, so the plan will be, and they were like, “Okay, so we're going to use clay and we're going to make roads and different things and I love seeing them put together their design, it was amazing. They loved it. They were like oh, Miss Walton it looks like a real community and I'm like yes, that's what we're trying to do. So it worked out, it was good.

Naomi Meredith  19:26

That was one of my favorites too. I love it because you and I are like teaching at the same time so that's really cool to hear like your kids are loving it too.

Tiana Walton  19:35

They're with this project so I can get like what my kids should be doing.

Naomi Meredith  19:40

Yeah if you go it changes. Like I did the clay the first time and mine was so sticky. I totally messed up and then kids were screaming and I had clay all over the floor, playdough and then they're like, like flinging it in the air. It was all over their computers like, what is going on?

Tiana Walton  20:02

Oh, I was like, okay, stays on the table. We did not put clay anywhere else but the table. So my expectations were like I'm embedding these expectations in you. This is what we're going to do. 

Naomi Meredith  20:13

Oh yeah. Well, and like with so many other projects, you like have to make up expectations along the way.

Tiana Walton  20:21

I'm like, Okay, I wasn't expecting this. So next time I know, to say this expectation. So, yes. And it's like a touch and go thing. I mean, now, I know next year when I do this for the second year, I'll know okay, these were the expectations that are followed. This is what we need to continue to do for this project. So it's been so much fun, right?

Naomi Meredith  20:40

I'm so glad. Yeah that community one was really cute, and a lot of kids start getting interested about, oh, maybe I want to be a civil engineer and design a city. Or maybe I want to be an architect, or they say, Oh, my mom's an architect. So it's really neat, like the conversations that they come up just from that project, or even others just thinking about just topics they might not realize they know. And I love the weirder the topic, the better. I love it. When I asked them, Oh, do you guys know what a Rube Goldberg machine? There's like two kids, like raise your hand. And they're like, oh, my gosh, you guys good thing, because my job is a teacher. And I get to teach you what a Rube Goldberg is, and then how it's all going to connect together. So it's just really cool. Like the more obscure the better.

Tiana Walton  21:30

Kindergartners were so excited to do that Rube Goldberg machine like they were like getting their work done in class so they can come to class. And I'm like, Okay, I've literally had every single one of you today. Let's start. Like Miss Walton. We work so hard to get our work done. We want it to do this. And I'm like, Oh my gosh. And I mean, it was amazing. We used dominoes and the wooden blocks, and they use marbles to push their stuff. I mean, they were so invested. And they were like, We never knew what this was. That's what this is. We watch your videos over this. And I'm like, Yes, exactly.

Naomi Meredith  22:05

So like there's one thing.

Tiana Walton  22:07

Yes. Then putting the name to what they're actually watching and not knowing what it was. It was so funny. I was like, Yeah, y'all probably watch these all the time. And they're like, Yeah, we watched this guy on a skateboard do it one day. I'm like, Oh my gosh, how convenient.

Naomi Meredith  22:20

Oh, yeah, I had one kid. And I don't know why I didn't think of this. He's like, that's like in home alone. He has a Rube Goldberg machine.

Tiana Walton  22:28

this thing about that? Made me there.

Naomi Meredith  22:31

And so there's one clip of him setting it up. I don't think you can play it in school where it's like actually hurting the people. But there's one clip on YouTube. So the kids setting it all up and they're all They're all gasping there's like feathers and there's nails and then ice like it's super dangerous. What do you think?

Tiana Walton  22:51

And he's like setting this up for to catch robbers. Yeah, I'm

Naomi Meredith  22:55

like, well, that's kind of dangerous. But yeah, they told me about like, Oh, you're right. That's yeah, that's true. So you'll have to look at

Tiana Walton  23:01

The bowling ball coming down from the thing? 

Tiana Walton  23:04

Yes.

Naomi Meredith  23:06

Like, yeah, he's pretty smart. I'm like, we're not going to do any of this in our design. But it's fun to watch.

Tiana Walton  23:14

Simple on the table. Yeah.

Naomi Meredith  23:18

Well, if there's anyone in a similar position like you would there, is there anything that you would recommend to them? Or any advice getting started? You're super energetic, and I think you're perfect for your position. It's by anyone who's starting out like you, what would you recommend or give advice,

Tiana Walton  23:36

I would say definitely resources, looking for just like you're looking for curriculum that you think is best fit for your students getting to know their curriculum before you teach it, asking people around you for help. Because that takes a village. Literally, I think just looking into everything and preparing for what you're about to step into is one of the biggest things I could say you need to do because STEM is not reading and math. It's not just one particular thing. It's everything. It's building different things and learning what your kids are learning and you're doing it together. So it's I've loved it and I've enjoyed every minute of it. And I think having your resource, having rgt teacher here and having my admin the other teachers, just science teachers they know exactly different kinds of projects and what STEM is so it's been great having a village to help me get through this year.

Naomi Meredith  24:40

That is really great advice. That is so helpful. I hope you guys all go back and rewind that because that was so good. Well, thank you so much Tiana for being here. I'm so glad we got to chat. Since we've been messaging each other Um, is there a way that teachers can find and connect With the link in in the show notes.

Tiana Walton  25:01

Um, yes, you can find me on Instagram. I'm strictly on Instagram now. My user name is t.seymone. It'll be in her link as she said, feel free to follow me. I'm transitioning my Instagram into my teacher resource so that you'll get to see all the other things that I get to do in class. It's been great being on the show. Thank you so much for having me.

Naomi Meredith  25:26

Yes, thank you so much, and I'll chat with you soon.