Host: Aviva Levin
Aviva began teaching French and Social Studies in 2009 in British Columbia. She moved to Washington State in 2019 and decided it was finally time to start a podcast showcasing the inspiring work of educators around the world. She started her blog in 2021 as a way to share language teaching resources and strategies that she wished she’d known about from the start of her career. Aviva is currently on maternity leave and looks forward to resuming the podcast and blog at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year.
The theme of ‘Mission: Impossible’ was used because Aviva believes it reflects how many educators feel when attempting something innovative in a system that is not always equipped to handle change. Moreover, she wanted to put the spotlight on teachers and administrators who are taking risks, failing but still getting back up, and becoming agents of change in their schools.
Aviva is especially passionate about incorporating improv into all subject matters, teacher transparency, social-emotional learning, and equitable assessment. However, she could happily spend hours discussing all aspects of education.
Photo of Aviva by: Matthew Hoekstra / Richmond News
LISTEN OR WATCH AVIVA DISCUSS EDUCATION:
An interview on the BigEDidea Podcast (2021), where she discusses how to put a bit of improv into any lesson to improve engagement and put the focus on the students.
An interview on the Overthrowing Education Podcast (2021), where she discusses why teacher transparency is so important, and how to make it happen.
An interview on the Planning Period Podcast (2021), where she discusses what language instruction should actually look like, how the education system is built on beliefs that are not for our time, the importance of remembering that we teach students, not a subject, and how great teachers are transparent and reflective.
An interview on the Unprofessional Development Podcast (2020), where she discusses what Martin Luther didn't nail to a door, plays an improv game with the hosts, and defines the word "hyperpolyglot."
An interview on Shane Lawrence’s Ed Podcast (2020), where she talks about how all conversations are improv, as well as shares an embarrassing story from her teenage years which involves a cute boy and a rogue retainer.
An interview on Charles Williams’ Counter Narrative Podcast (2020), where she talks about what she’s learned about challenging the dominant educational narrative while interviewing her podcast guests.
An interview on Marie Kueny’s Compassionate Educator Podcast (2020), where she talks about how to engage and motivate your students, regardless of academic or language abilities, through improv.
An interview on Kris Broholm’s Actual Fluency Podcast (2019), where she shares the story of how she became a French teacher by coincidence, and what strategies she employs to teach high-schoolers effectively.
A presentation at the Ignite Seattle Education Lab (2018), coordinated by the Seattle Times, where she discusses why she believes improv in the classroom is a valuable way for students to have resources that literally reflect themselves.
A presentation at the Richmond Ignite (2016), coordinated by the Richmond School District, where she discusses the mechanics of bringing improv into the classroom.
READ what aviva has written elsewhere about education:
“Artificial Intelligence in Education: Robots are coming for our jobs… and I’m only slightly worried” (School Rubric Blog, 2022)
“The Absence of Joy” (Global Education Insights Magazine, Issue #10, December 2021)
“The Taboo of the Childfree Teacher” (School Rubric Blog, 2021)
“4 Times When Language Teachers Should Use Students’ L1” (School Rubric Blog, 2021), also available in Spanish
A profile in the Richmond News in their “Coffee with” column (2015) where she shares her personal journey to becoming a teacher.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT workshops:
If you’re interested in receiving an in-person or virtual professional development workshop about incorporating improvisational theater into specific, or all, subjects and grades, Aviva is happy to tailor a session specific to your needs.
Aviva Levin speaks at the Ignite Education Lab event “Unexpected Adventures in Learning” at Campion Ballroom at Seattle University (Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times)
Shelby
Shelby enjoys accompanying Aviva to interviews, where she normally quietly lays on Aviva’s feet while recording. Occasionally, Shelby will make herself known to listeners: in Episode 2 (Peace Circles with Agent Lauren Connaughton) her tail can be heard thumping excitedly, and in Episode 7 (Inquiry with Agent Jillian Gordon) she can be heard gently snoring in the background.
Shelby is a Bernese/Bouvier mix and looks forward to meeting any podcast guests willing to give her scratches behind her ears.
Photo of Shelby by: Caia Caldwell
Image source: https://welcomemagsnoho.com/magazine_article/destination-edmonds/
Lesson: Impossible is created in Edmonds, Washington. We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their successors the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and water.