Episodes

Think your syllabus is just a course document you download and forget? Think again! In this episode of the EduMagic Podcast, I'm sharing why your course syllabus is one of the most valuable tools for college success. I reached out to several professor colleagues and asked them one simple question: What do you wish students knew about your syllabus? Their answers were full of practical tips that can help you stay organized, understand expectations, communicate effectively with professors, and av...

First meeting as a student teacher? A concise, professional thank you email can set the tone for a strong mentoring relationship and reflect well on your professionalism. Learn how to write a student teacher thank you email after your first meeting. Build professionalism, strengthen relationships, and stand out during your field placement. You’ll discover: Why a thank-you email matters in your student teaching experience When to send your email for the biggest impact What to include in a th...

What can Walt Disney World teach us about connecting with students? A lot, actually. In this episode, we explore the Take Five strategy from Lee Cockerell's Creating Magic, spontaneous, intentional moments that cost nothing yet mean everything to the person on the receiving end. I walk through practical Take Five ideas for every grade level. Whether you're a preservice teacher, a veteran in the classroom, or a coach working with educators, this episode will have you walking in tomorrow asking: W...

What do you do when you studied hard, and someone else didn’t, but they did better than you? Or when you fail an exam, struggle in a class, or feel behind your cohort? This episode is inspired by the book Let Them by Mel Robbins. This theory is applied to preservice teachers navigating coursework, studying, fieldwork, and student teaching. This episode reminds future teachers that struggle is part of learning and that teaching begins long before graduation. Show notes: https://www.sfecich.com...

As classrooms continue to evolve, teacher candidates must feel confident navigating digital tools that support creativity, organization, and collaboration. Two standout platforms, Canva and Google Classroom, work together to help educators design engaging content and manage their digital curriculum without feeling overwhelmed. These tools are especially valuable for future teachers looking to streamline instruction while keeping students motivated and organized. Show notes - https://www.sfeci...

Educational technology empowers teacher candidates to collaborate, assess, organize, and inspire learning in new ways. Whether building a professional identity on Instagram and Pinterest, assessing learning with Google Forms, organizing content on Google Sites, or transforming instruction with VR, these tools prepare educators for today's and tomorrow's classrooms. Teacher candidates are encouraged to explore these tools, start small, and thoughtfully integrate technology to enhance learning ex...

In this EDUMagic Podcast episode, future teachers share their favorite engagement‑boosting EdTech tools: Padlet and Nearpod. Learn how these platforms support collaboration, real‑time feedback, and student participation across grade levels and content areas. Listen as pre‑service educators explain how Padlet encourages every student to share their voice and how Nearpod transforms lessons into interactive, data‑driven experiences. Perfect for future teachers seeking to build engaging, inclusive...

In this special EDU Magic Podcast episode, Dr. Sam Fecich hands the mic to future teachers from Slippery Rock University! Listen as teacher candidates share their favorite digital tools for planning, note‑taking, time management, and organization from both student and classroom perspectives. Featured tools include: Notability for digital note‑taking and math learning Google Calendar for classroom organization and time management Google Docs for collaboration, accessibility, and academic int...

March is the calm before the storm. Midterms are winding down, spring break is calling, and before you know it, the semester is over. But for student teachers, March is actually the perfect time to reflect about what comes next. In this episode, we slow down and plan how to set yourself up for a stronger, smarter second half of the year. From reflecting on your placement to building habits that will carry you into your very first classroom, this one's for you. https://www.sfecich.com/post/march...

If your devices feel cluttered, your browser has 27 tabs open, or your screen time habits are draining instead of fueling your teaching, this episode is for you. Let’s reset your digital teaching life with a quick, practical, and energizing. Get ready to spring clean! Episode link - https://www.sfecich.com/post/spring-cleaning-refresh-your-online-life-screens-and-screen-time Want to keep the conversation going? I’d love to connect with you! Whether you're a future educator, a current teacher, o...

Student teachers, let's discuss your desk area. It might be a student desk, a table, or an actual desk; either way, it's yours. It's your spot in the classroom. So let's make it an effective and efficient workspace, no matter the size. For these tips and resources check out https://www.sfecich.com/post/effective-student-teacher-desk-organization-tips-and-setup Want to keep the conversation going? I’d love to connect with you! Whether you're a future educator, a current teacher, or someone pass...

The holidays may be over, but the magic of teaching never ends. Let’s celebrate the 12 Days of EduMagic with a series of focused gifts to help future teachers, education majors, and student teachers thrive from their first 8:00 AM class to student teaching and beyond.

As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect. In this special holiday episode of the EduMagic Podcast, we share seven powerful reflection questions, one for each chapter of EduMagic, to help you recharge and reignite your passion for teaching. Get the guide here - https://www.sfecich.com/post/reflect-recharge-and-reignite-edumagic-holiday-reflection-guide-for-future-teachers What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why reflection is essential for educators Seven chapter-...

The fall semester is over, now what? In this episode of the EduMagic Podcast, I share five powerful reflection questions to help college students pause, recharge, and prepare for an amazing spring semester. Grades don’t tell the full story, so we’ll dive into what really matters: your proudest accomplishments, strategies that worked, areas for growth, and how to get involved on campus. Plus, we’ll talk about setting achievable goals that keep you motivated all semester long. Grab your favorit...

Guest host Dr. Jenna Copper, an Assistant Professor of Education at Slippery Rock University and a former high school English teacher, shares her top three classroom technology tools that every middle and high school teacher should know: Padlet, Canva, and Gimkit. Whether you're teaching in person, in a hybrid setting, or online, these tools are ideal for enhancing student engagement, creativity, and collaboration. Learn how to use Padlet for interactive discussions, Canva for eye-catching clas...

Hey EduMagicians! In this episode, we’re diving into a must-know skill for every college student: how to professionally email your professor when you miss class, whether it’s your first absence or your third, and how you communicate matters. I’ll walk you through a step-by-step checklist to help you write respectful, responsible, and effective emails that show initiative and professionalism. We’ll cover: What to check in your syllabus before emailing How to reference class content and assignm...

Welcome to EduMagic, where future teachers grow, reflect, and shine! If you're a new education major, you're probably asking yourself: What kind of teacher do I want to be? That question is at the heart of today’s topic: building your teacher identity. Your teacher identity is more than just your major; it's your purpose, your passion, and your personal teaching philosophy. Let’s explore how you can start shaping it from day one. Show notes can be found here - https://www.sfecich.com/post/build...

Starting college as an education major? Feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to find your people? In this episode of the EDU Magic Podcast, guest host Dr. Amy Orville, professor, mom, and professional development expert, shares three powerful, heart-centered strategies to help you build a strong support network in your first year of college. Whether you're just beginning your journey as a future teacher or looking to strengthen your connections on campus, this episode is packed with practical advic...

Are you a secondary education major getting ready for a new semester? Whether you're stepping into your first classroom observation or prepping for student teaching, this episode of the EDU Magic Podcast is packed with the inspiration and strategies you need to thrive. This Month’s Guest Host: Dr. Jenna Copper, educator, author, and assistant professor at Slippery Rock University, shares her journey from English major to passionate teacher educator. She’s bringing you real talk, practical tips,...

Welcome, EdguMagicians! I’m Dr. Sam Fecich, host of the EduMagic Podcast, and I’m thrilled to kick off our new podcast series: “Welcome to Your Journey,” a guide for future teachers preparing for their first year of college. As the author of EduMagic: A Guide for Preservice Teachers, EduMagic Shine On, Crush It From the Start, and Digital PD, I’m passionate about helping new and future educators thrive. Whether you're just starting your college journey or gearing up for student teaching, this e...

In this episode, we dive into how Canva AI is revolutionizing the way educators and creators work. Learn how to use Magic Write, create interactive games, design custom flyers, and more—all with the power of AI. Whether you're in the classroom or creating content, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiration! You'll learn: How to use Magic Write to generate blog posts, resumes, and more How to create educational games like flashcards, escape rooms, and quizzes Tips for customiz...

Congratulations, graduate! You’ve survived the lesson plans, late nights, and student teaching. You crossed the stage at graduation, now what? Whether you’ve landed your first teaching job or are still searching, this episode will help you transition from cap and gown to classroom and beyond. Here are three graduation tips to focus on as you step into this exciting new chapter. Graduation Tip 1: Find the Right Job Fit Graduation Tip 2: Budgeting, DIY, and Meal Prep Graduation Tip 3: Grow as a...

Hey EDUmagicians! Preparing for a teaching interview can be a challenging experience, but with the right approach, you can effectively showcase your skills and knowledge. In this episode, we dive into the powerful Danielson Framework for Teaching to help you answer interview questions with confidence and make your responses stand out. Understanding the Danielson Framework: The Danielson Framework for Teaching, created by Charlotte Danielson, is a widely used tool to assess and enhance teaching p...

Have you ever dreamed of being an action figure? Well, EDUmagicians, it’s time to make that dream a reality—AI style! In this fun and interactive episode, Dr. Sam walks you through how to create your very own teacher action figure using AI tools like...