Episode 128: Feed the Cats: Coaching Classrooms, Competition, and Joy with Tony Holler

What if the key to better classrooms isn’t more compliance—but more fire?In this episode of Schurtz & Ties, Kasey Schurtz and Brian T. Miller sit down with Coach Tony Holler—creator of the Feed the Cats philosophy, longtime chemistry teacher, and nationally recognized coach—to explore what schools can learn from athletics, competition, and joy.Tony brings decades of experience from both the classroom and the track to challenge some of education’s most common assumptions: bell-to-bell instruction, endurance over intensity, and the idea that struggle means failure. Instead, he makes a compelling case that learning, like speed, grows slowly, and that classrooms should be places where students (and teachers) want to show up.This conversation ranges from feral cats and redwood trees to standardized testing, teacher burnout, and why “happy teachers—not perfect teachers—change lives.” Along the way, Tony shares practical, unapologetic ideas for building culture, feeding curiosity, and making learning the best part of a student’s day 🐱 Feed the Cats: Why competitive, fast-twitch learners need a different approach—and how schools often miss them🌲 “Speed grows like trees”: Why real growth is slow, incremental, and worth measuring🎯 Record, Rank, Publish: What classrooms can learn from performance-based coaching🧑‍🏫 Never bell-to-bell: Purposeful teaching vs. robotic instruction❤️ Front-loading empathy and building classrooms that are safe for risk🔥 Lighting a fire instead of “filling a pail”😌 Why teacher joy, efficiency, and boundaries matter more than martyrdom🌱 Culture as something that must be taught, not assumedTony Holler is a retired chemistry teacher, veteran track coach, and the creator of the Feed the Cats training philosophy—a speed-first, motivation-driven approach now used by coaches and educators across the country. He has spoken in over 30 states and internationally, coaching coaches while continuing to advocate for joyful, human-centered teaching.Tony is passionate about helping educators:Build culture intentionallyGamify improvement without shameReach students who don’t fit the traditional “good student” moldRediscover why teaching can (and should) be funInstagram / Facebook / YouTube: Coach Tony HollerTwitter (X): @PNTrackFeed the Cats philosophy: Search Feed the CatsVisit schurtzandties.com for:🎧 Full episodes and show notes✍️ Essays, resources, and reflections on engagement and leadership📚 Tools for teachers, coaches, and administrators🎙️ Information on past and upcoming guests🧠 Key Topics & Takeaways👤 About Our Guest: Tony Holler🔗 Connect with Tony Holler🌐 More from Schurtz & Ties