Naomi Meredith  00:00

Today is a special episode that you helped me plan. Ask me anything. You sent me questions over on Instagram and by way of email and I will be answering those in today’s episode. Some of these questions are STEM-related, but some are personal, and I am answering them all. So let’s jump in. 

Naomi Meredith  00:21

Thank you so much for submitting your questions. It was so much to read what you wanted to know. There was quite a variety of things, and they were so much fun to answer. I always take notes before I record this podcast. So it’s very reflective for me. A few of them had me stumped for a minute. So I’m definitely excited to talk about these and answer the things that you wanted to know. Also, I hope you enjoy it. So we could definitely do another one like this. Again, I’m sure you will have more questions after I answer all of them. So let me know if that’s something that you’re interested in. Also, don’t forget to join the waitlist for my virtual workshops coming in 2023, it will be a good time to learn and connect with other STEM teachers. I definitely don’t want you to miss out on this new opportunity. So jump in on that waitlist at Naomimeredith.com/workshopwaitlist. 

Naomi Meredith  01:48

Now let’s get started on these questions. I’m going to read the question out loud. I’m not going to name names. I didn’t ask if I could read your name. So if you asked it, you know who you are. If you wanted to ask it, you know who you are. So let’s jump in to these questions. Question number one is, what is your absolute favorite thing about teaching STEM and what is your least favorite compared to being a classroom teacher? So most of you know by now that I am a former classroom teacher turned current K through five STEM teacher and coach. I taught in the classroom for six years at two different schools by choice. So second grade for two years at a title one school. Then third grade for four years at the district I actually grew up in. So I taught in the classroom for six years, and I wanted more of a challenge. So I took on this role as being a K through five STEM teacher with zero curriculum, and minimal tools. So here I am five years later in this K through five STEM position. I will say my most favorite thing of all is being able to teach all of the kids in the school. I’m not surprised by this because that’s actually the main reason why I got into teaching K through five STEM, I wanted to impact more kids than just my classroom of 20 for which that is actually something I really do miss is having your own little group of kids that you see every day. But I do love seeing all the kids in the school. I love seeing them year after year, because as a classroom teacher, you don’t get that opportunity all the time to teach all the kids and have that relationship with them. Sure you see them in the hallway. But it’s really cool that my fourth graders now I’ve known them since Kindergarten. So I’ve really gotten to get to know them throughout the years, have them in my after school clubs, just all of those really cool things that we have been able to build upon every year. My least favorite thing and it also is dependent on the day, my energy levels is when you are a K through five specials teacher, especially if you’re teaching in that position all day, there were years that I would co-teach. So that was a really nice mix up. But the thing of being in the specials rotation is that you always have to be on and that can be very exhausting. Some days, especially when the days are like sunlight is getting shorter, and I need some coffee when I get home. Like for real. I actually drink coffee when I get home from work. But always being on is a lot. It’s like being the cool aunt, hosting sixth birthday parties at a time. I have five to 10 minutes transition time depending on what class that’s in between. I covet those 10 minute times. Sometimes I just need to sit there and decompress for a minute, because I don’t even know what just happened. So it can definitely be a lot being on and you have to be excited and pumped up for all of the classes. Even if it’s your fourth time teaching that group of kids I always say that the first rotation, “Poor kids,” especially if I’ve never taught it before they get the kind of like the worst version. Then I would say, the third group of kids, the third time I teach the lesson get like the best version of the whole lesson. When we get to the fourth, I’m so over it and I want to move on. So you might be feeling the same thing. But I’m the kind of person you probably know by now, I will dive in and do everything to the best of my ability. So I am definitely drained at the end of each day, but those are my favorite and least favorite things. 

Naomi Meredith  02:32

Next question is would you ever record yourself teaching the STEM K through five curriculum. As you now I have built up my whole K through five STEM curriculum from scratch, which you can actually see the whole year long plan at Naomi meredith.com/year long plan, there’s still several lessons on the way where I am perfecting those for you. But you know, I have created those things. And they are very detailed when it comes to the Engineering Design Process. And it’s a yes or no for me when it comes to teaching those and recording myself. No, I’m not going to record myself teaching every single lesson while in the classroom, I just want to make sure that I am protecting my students privacy. And when I’m teaching, of course, I’m saying their names and all of that, that would take a lot of editing. I feel like that’s just a lot of pressure on me and also for those students as well, knowing that we are being recorded. So for me personally, I’m not going to record myself in my actual classroom. However, I am planning forward and we’ll be doing this for like kind of like a 2.0 version of the year long plan where I want to create something where I am actually talking about the behind the scenes, and how to set up each stage of the Engineering Design Process materials, differentiation opportunities, and even how to set up some specific things. So I want to have that but also I would teach where I would be teaching and you could even use the lessons with your students or you could watch me and give you some ideas of how to relay that information to your kids. So it’s a yes or no for me so not completely now. But that is definitely something I have. Of course thought about. I am making notes when I am teaching so I can help create that opportunity for you. 

Naomi Meredith  02:32

The next question is, how much time do you put into your job outside of contract hours. My first year teaching K through five STEM was obviously a lot of work. And in a lot of ways, I felt like being a first year teacher. So not only was I new to the position, I was in a brand new to me district. And I had to get to know the people get to know the kids learn how the school ran. So that was a lot in itself. So it really humbled me to learn reading and relearn some new things. So I would say my first year in the position, I spent a lot more time outside of work, preparing and researching and teaching myself how to use even some of the basic tools, and even get to know my students what will work best for them. That first year, I was doing things with kids that I definitely don’t do now I had to build up simple things like learning how to log in how to use Google Slides and Google Docs, just basic, basic things. And we are definitely in a different place now. So likewise, I was spending a lot more time out of work to get all of those things ready. And make sure that I was prepared K through five because oftentimes, my plan time was not enough time, or is it really ever enough time. But it wasn’t enough time for me to really have thoughtful plan that lessons. Of course, over the years I have built upon those lessons, I have modified things, I have streamline things. You even hear on this podcast, how I live for systems and routines and structure. And everything I teach even that first year is very purposeful. And I have a lot of meaning behind it, I am still testing out things and seeing what works and doesn’t work. And that might even change class till class. So that it self reflection is super important to me to always be a better teacher, even a better teacher than the hour before. So the time I do spend outside of work is mainly business related, which is STEM related, which also impacts my job in a good way. But I will say I don’t spend a whole lot of time outside of work working on actual school things. But when I do work on school things, it’s often related to my after school clubs, mainly my school, my news that I run where we record five days out, and we have an episode come out every single day. Last year, I actually was editing majority of the videos on my own, I figured out how to have kids helped me edit a lot more. So the time I spent outside of work is usually when it comes to a brand new unit that I need to revamp or when it comes to after school clubs. 

Naomi Meredith  08:11

Okay, the third question is what is my top or favorite STEM activity your students have tried. This is my most favorite one. I love talking about it because this is definitely born out of absolutely nothing. And it was my whole unit that I love to start off the school year STEM survival camp. I talk all about this in episode four. So if you want to hear it all in detail, I go through the whole thing and how I set it up. But basically, at the time, I was going into the fall of 2020, I needed a set of lessons that if my students were to go remote at any moment, we were starting off in person, I needed something where they could have materials at home and I wasn’t sending home about love of supplies. So at the time, I was watching a lot of alone with my teacher, honey. And it’s about these people who are sent off to the wilderness their extreme survivalist. And they have to literally survive alone. But if you keep watching the show, there’s a lot of patterns of things that people have to do to survive. So from there, I created a whole K through five STEM unit of different challenges that are based off of the show, and things that they could do to learn that Engineering Design Process and start off the year in a fun way. So definitely one of my top favorites. I love that unit. The kids still talk about it. They love that unit as well. They always beg for it they always ask if we’re gonna do it again. So that was a really great challenge to start off the year with all of my kids. 

Naomi Meredith  09:45

Okay, along with that there’s a similar question but different and this one is What do you think is one of the best Engineering Design Process activities to do with Kindergarten in first grade. So aside from STEM survival camp, when it comes to the Engineering Design Process with these younger grades, I love doing things that are quick. So things that you can do within two to three days is a perfect amount of time. And they can actually go pretty deep within that timeframe. What I will say is my favorite is doing things that involve Makerspace with Kindergarten and first grade. They are so creative and imaginative, they are willing to try anything. And I love how they believe in themselves. And they are so excited about what they build, and they still have that magic in them. So that is definitely my favorite type of project when it comes to Engineering Design Process to do with those younger kids. And a specific lesson that I really have loved with my first graders you could do with Kinder is where we talk about bioluminescence, where we talk about how living things give off their own light, and they love they’re so amazed they cannot believe and I’m like, Oh my gosh, these things do not plug in into an outlet on the wall. They don’t have rechargeable batteries, they glow on their own. They’re super amazed. And so like, oh my gosh, I can’t believe that. So we talk about that. And then students think of a living thing that they wish had bioluminescence and then they have to create that item, and then explain what that bio element what that bioluminescent part helps them so Makerspace definitely a winner, it can get crazy. But if you have systems and routines in place, it’s totally a lot of fun with those younger students. 

Naomi Meredith  15:02

This question made me laugh and there was emojis on this one. So this question was, Do you have any kind of class reward for behaviors asking because my kinders are, they had some emojis on here, and I’m going to just say cray cray. Yeah, I kind of do. Kinder is crazy. And I feel like for some reason this year, they’re even crazier. So at my school, we have a PBIS system where whole classes can earn a tiger paw. So they can earn this through specific behaviors that they represent and as the class, so I talked about this in a past episode when it comes to behavior management. So I list all of those factors. So when they are crazy coming in, we reveal all those factors. Sometimes I’ll even practice them coming into the room, we will do a lot of hand signals, like if you can hear me point to the ceiling, if you can hear me hands on your shoulders, point to miss Meredith point to your ear segment. Listen really well. Fun fact, I worked at Build A Bear in college for a few months. And I was that person who would be at the little like fluffers station, where they have their heart. So if you haven’t been available bear, it’s a little creepy at first, where they have these shells of bears, you pick out your shell, you could pick out a heart to put in your bear and you go to the station, they fluff up the bear, they literally put the fluff in. So I was the person at the fluffing station. And I had to talk to the kids, a lot of them even Kindergarten, where oh, put the heart to your heart. So it’s extra loving, like you put it to your brain. So it can be as smart as you. So I kind of do those things with Kindergarten and pay, it works well. So those little things are helpful, giving them our behavior, incentive stickers, or even any stickers in general. I don’t give kids candy. That’s not for me, but I am not against bribery. So if they’re having a hard time, like if you’re good, if you’re doing what you’re supposed to do, I have a special surprise. Sometimes a special surprise is the story bots. He’s singing some songs and they have some really great songs about space. So if you’re doing a space unit, check it out. Highly recommend. I have most of the words memorized by now. Another time The surprise was I’ll show you the hole in my tooth. So one day, I was eating oatmeal for breakfast. And I thought I had oatmeal on my teeth. But it was a filling from when I was a kid it fell out. And I had a hole in my tooth that day. So the kids are in Kindergarten a little crazy. And they clean up really really fast because they wanted to see the hole in my tooth. So I let them. They all sat around me and I showed them the hole in my tooth. And they were actually pretty good that day. So I’m not against that bribery, if you can make it a surprise. Super helpful. 

Naomi Meredith  17:43

All right, next question is how can I grow my STEM page? So this person reached out to me on Instagram, I just started this year and want to connect so much love here. I totally agree. I love me some teacher guy um, and I’ve met a lot of really cool people on there, including Kelly Hogan, who I recently had as a guest. And I also have future guests who I’ve also connected to on Instagram. So it’s a really cool way to reach out especially since most of us are the only STEM teacher in our building. So I love having that teacher gram aspect, Instagram, it’s been so awesome. I started my Instagram when I was a third grade teacher, I had another username, and I just posted random stuff. And it was super ugly scroll back to the bottom of my page. They’re still there, you could see what I was doing as a third grade teacher, which I’ve always been all about hands on learning and technology. So you’ll see some trends in there. But definitely if you’re looking to connect with other STEM teachers, go to some of your favorite accounts. You can go to mine and see who is following them and also who they’re following. That’s a great way to find other people in the STEM community. And you can comment on people’s pages you can send them a DM most of us teachers one thing gets creepy unless you are being creepy. So don’t be creepy. I appreciate some good DMS and answering your questions. So like this podcast, but that’s a good way to get started and get connected and definitely share what you’re doing in your classroom. That’s a great way to connect as well and give help to other teachers and inspire them along the way. Also, I have so many things for you guys coming out you’re just super inspiring and I love creating for you and just bringing us together that coming up soon I’m thinking of ways how we can meet virtually and chat with each other. So obviously you could tell I have a lot of things coming up in the future. So keep an eye out for that as well. Just join the waitlist you’ll be notified about everything. 

Naomi Meredith  19:46

All right, next question is the fun one and not stimulated, which is totally cool. When and where is your wedding? Because there’s so many you know, I got engaged on Christmas Day of 2021 and you didn’t ask for this story but I’m Gotta tell you. So we were on a cruise, I had no idea I was getting proposed to, I knew he had a ring, but I didn’t know I was gonna get proposed to. I didn’t think he wanted to travel with a ring. And that’s a whole other story. So somebody asked me that question. I’ll do another Ask me anything. And I’ll tell you the non engagement story. So anyway, he proposed we were on a cruise with a couple of friends. And we had a great time we went to a show. And then we got a phone call that we were in close contact with COVID, there was still covered protocols going on. And it was my friend, she had COVID, she was texting me, she and Phil while and then got tested. So they told us, we had to be in a room for about 24 hours, they’ll come back and test us. So when they called us it was midnight, and we’re like, Okay, we’ll come back at midnight the next day, like, No, it’s too late for us. We’ll come back the next next day. So it was 36 hours. But you know, when you can engage to have fun and you’re celebrating and kind of don’t really remember the whole conversation. So the next day, we went out and got breakfast. And then we heard our names over on the intercom at the boat and we had to go back to our rooms. And there were security at the door. And we were locked up in a room for a while. So I learned how to make towel animals we still do all you can eat all the food and drinks and made the most of it. And here we are. We’re going on a cruise again pretty soon. So that’s how we got engaged. But our wedding is June in June in Colorado of 2023. So super excited about that. It’s a winery that we really enjoy. So that will be a fun and beautiful time. I’m super excited. 

Naomi Meredith  21:36

Next question, what is your favorite pen and marker? This is such a T Trick question and I am here for it. Okay, my favorite marker 100 per million percent are the Mr. Sketch smelly markers. I love how all they smell. But I always wanted to be a teacher when I grew up and all my teachers use the Mr. Sketch smelly markers. I would ask for them for Christmas. I just thought that’s what real teachers use and write with. So when I got the call of my first teaching job teaching second grade, I ran over to Lakeshore learning and bought myself a pack of Mr. Sketch smelly markers, because that’s what real teachers write with. So hands down, still my absolute fave. When it comes to pens, I’m not super biased. I leave kind of like some bad pens on my desk because people leave me notes all the time for about computers or whatever. So I do love a good flare pan. My handwriting looks really good in a flare pen. But I’m always open to other options so you can hit me up with your ideas. I try the other day this really cool ink joy 300 T pen. I was like, Oh my gosh, this is beautiful. So not quite a gel pen is like in between. So love me a good pen. I don’t like pencils at all. I actually don’t even like sharpening pencils. I don’t leave a pencil sharpener out in my classroom because I don’t like the sound. So I’ll sharpen pencils, like once a month. So yeah, that’s where I’m at with the marker and pen situation. 

Naomi Meredith  23:10

Alright, a couple more. This was a good one. If you weren’t a STEM teacher, what other career would you love to have? You might not be surprised by this that I am definitely an entrepreneur at heart. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. But even as a kid, I’ve always had this entrepreneurial side to me. I was the kid where oh no, no, we’re not hosting a lemonade stand. We’re gonna upgrade this to a snow cone Stan and have 30 different flavors. And the sign is going to match all the names of the flavors. I made a lot of money doing that as a kid I even had the kids I nanny do a snow cone stand and we made a lot of money. So I love me making some good side hustles I even was set up garage sales for my family and wait all day to make a couple of bucks. I was the person in college I paid my way through college so I worked three full time jobs went to school full time paid my way through college was debt free when I graduated in four years, but I always had a lot of different side hustles to make ends meet and I just love meeting new people and I love learning new things. So not surprising that I have my own teacher business and I love supporting you because STEM there’s so much to learn. And just even running a business there’s so much so when it comes to a specific job if I wasn’t a STEM teacher, I think I’ve needed to be a STEM teacher first but I would love to be some sort of STEM coach like being able to reach out to schools across the world and or either being a STEM consultant so using my knowledge when it comes to being in the classroom, and just having those opportunities to meet teachers like you in person and really merging those two things together my passion for education and also entrepreneurship. So I think I would always be a STEM teacher at heart I I always thought I wanted to work for a magazine, which I thought would be really cool, but I think everyone wanted to work for a magazine. But I think that’s what I would definitely do if I wasn’t a STEM teacher. 

Naomi Meredith  25:11

All right, last question. It’s all about my little Freddy boys. So Frederick is my 10 going on 12 pounds chihuahua mix. And I think he was so freaking cute. I’m so in love. And so these questions are about him. What’s Frederick story? When did you get him and how did you pick his name? So Frederick is my first ever dog as an adult. And I got him in September of 2020. And he actually came with that name Fredrik, and we loved it so much. He’s looking at me right now, because I keep saying his name. He sits and listens to me podcast. But we thought it was such a good big boy name for such a tiny little boy who was seven pounds when we got him. And he lived on the streets for a week. He ran away from his family, and they didn’t want him back. So now he is our little fur baby and are his forever home. And so this leads into the next question that was asked, Does Frederick have any brand deals yet? Okay, so Freddy, Fred is the perfect dog for me. He does pose for pictures and he is super photogenic. He doesn’t have any brand deals. But if you want to reach out you definitely can. Well, you can go follow him on Instagram. It’s at little Frederick the dog. And he’s I think he’s cute. It’s just a way for me to spam his account with pictures and not always spam you guys on my Instagram for him? Because I know not everybody is a dog person, but you might become one when you see him. So no brand deals yet but if you know of any or if you want to connect, hit me up. All right, well, thank you so much for playing along with me and this episode, totally different vibe. But hopefully you got some good nuggets in there and had a good laugh. While you are listening to this, you kind of get to see a another side of me always a good time. It’s always a little awkward. Sometimes. I’m just standing here in my office at home, looking at my camera and talking into the microphone. So I hope that you had a fun time listening. I had a lot of fun with these questions. We definitely should do this again sometime. If you liked it. Let me know if you didn’t like it. Let me know I don’t ever have to do it again. So thank you so much again and we will chat soon.