This series is all about Libsyn’s podcasters. Its sole purpose is to introduce these awesome podcasts to the world as well as share their podcasting insight to empower the community!
Q & A with Kim from Teachers Need Teachers
When did you start podcasting?
I started podcasting just this past June 2018! My show is still in its infancy!
Why did you start podcasting?
I’ve been a middle school teacher for 17 years, and during the past five years, I’ve mentored beginning teachers. During this time, I’ve been passionate about helping these new teachers navigate through the craziness of teaching.
Teaching is overwhelmingly stressful and paradoxically joyful. When new teachers arrive, they come nervous, eager, optimistic, and determined. It doesn’t take long before they put their faces in their hands and scream WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO! But it doesn’t have to be that way!
My mission is to provide answers to the questions that new teachers didn’t even know they needed to ask and give them actionable advice that they can use immediately.
So through my blog and podcast, I hope to reach as many new teachers as possible.
What’s the name of your show about and what is it about?
My podcast is called Teachers Need Teachers, which aligns with my mission. We can’t survive the teaching profession without mentoring and support from our colleagues.
While some teachers have colleagues that are constantly pushing them to be their best, many others feel as if they’re on their own island and having to figure it all out on their own.
My podcast is for new and beginning teachers who don’t want to just survive their first few years but actually thrive. I cover topics from interviewing for teaching positions, busting teacher myths, analyzing student data, lesson planning, grading, classroom management, and teacher self-care.
What’s your podcasting set-up? Hardware, software, CMS, etc.
I record using my Audio-Technica ATR2100 that’s connected to my Behringer Xenyx Q502 Mixer. I also use OneOdio headphones when recording and editing.
Speaking of recording and editing, I do solo episodes through Audition, interviews using Skype Recorder, and if I need some serious audio editing, I use iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor.
On my podcast website, I use Simple Podcast Press, which I connect to Mailerlite for my email list. I’m also hosted on Libsyn (YAY!).
How have you promoted your podcast?
I use SmarterQueue to push out social media blasts on Twitter, my Facebook Page, and LinkedIn.
When I have interviews, I have a template that I use for Instagram that includes the episode name and the guest’s picture.
I also like to interview guests who have larger social media followings so that I can get in front of their audience. This has really helped spread the word about my podcast!
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
I love tech, but I don’t really need all of the tech. I probably don’t need my mixer at this point, nor do I need the fun headphones. However, getting all of this gear makes me feel more “legit” as well as excited to record in my “studio,” which is just one side of my guest room closet.
I also kind of wish I’d made a bigger deal with launching. I wanted to launch it first thing in June, so I didn’t have a lot of time to really get the word out.
I’m an impulsive person, and I just wanted to get my podcast going ASAP. So within two weeks of starting, I had my gear ordered, learned just enough about Audition to get started, got my Libsyn account set up, my podcast website set up, a trailer and two episodes going.
However, I’m definitely glad that I didn’t wait for it to be perfect. This podcast has been SO MUCH FUN, and I don’t have any real regrets. I might do a fun “relaunching” when I hit my 100th episode or something crazy like that, but I’m just happy that I decided to just do it and get my voice and message out to the world!
Are you a teacher? I mean…have you subscribed to Teachers Need Teachers? What in the world are you waiting for? Here’s the link to subscribe in Apple Podcasts!.
There is nothing like having your own personal and intimate support system, especially for teachers!
If you are in a career that seems like it doesn’t have much support and you have a passion to support those starting out, why not start a podcast? We’d love to host your media! And if you need a bit of how-to, we have a free monthly Podcasting QuickStart every month!
