Episodes
-
EP359 How to reduce decision-making when lesson planning (with Jennifer Gonzalez)
Every lesson plan can feel like an endless series of decisions: What should students do? How should I teach this? How will they practice it? How will I know whether they learned it? What needs to be differentiated? What should happen next? In this episode, I'm talking with Jennifer Gonzalez of…
more -
EP358 The first time I questioned tradition vs what's best for kids
I had an experience when I was a new teacher that shaped much of what I believe about how educators should use their time and the most effective way to reach students. It was my very first exposure to understanding and questioning school norms, and made me realize that so much of what we assume...
-
EP357 6 ways to prime students' brains for learning
You've probably heard the phrase "activate prior knowledge" a million times. It shows up in every lesson plan template, every observation rubric, every methods textbook. And teachers are good at it. But the behavioral science on how priming actually works in the brain goes way deeper than asking...
-
EP356 The digital delusion: Is classroom tech hurting how kids learn? (with Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath)
"My toaster has undergone more safety and efficacy testing than any piece of ed tech that's been put in front of our kids in the past 20 years." That's according to Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, a neuroscientist, university professor, and former classroom teacher whose book "The Digital Delusion" has...
-
EP355 A short history of the 8-hour workday (and how to protect yours)
A third of your day (apart from work and sleep) is supposed to be yours. So where does it go? In 1817, labor movement activist Robert Owen coined this rallying cry: "Eight hours for work, eight hours for sleep, and eight hours for what we will." But if you've ever tried to make that math work as…
more -
EP354 You don't have to teach like an influencer.
If you scroll social media right now, you'll probably land on a teacher revamping their reading corner like it's a home renovation reveal, then a TikTok Shop haul of classroom must-haves you didn't know you needed nine seconds ago, then someone who built an entire year's curriculum with AI in…
more -
EP353 Think out loud: teaching the hidden skills of planning and prioritizing
You make dozens of invisible decisions every class period. Should I squeeze in one more activity or leave time for questions? Do I spend more time on this concept or move on? Is this the best use of our remaining five minutes? You weigh options, estimate time, and reprioritize on the fly, and you...
-
EP352 Why distress tolerance is the missing piece in classroom management
Do your students seem less and less able to sit with anything uncomfortable, whether that's boredom, confusion, frustration, or the feeling of not immediately knowing the answer? The research backs up your anecdotal evidence: distress tolerance in young people is measurably declining. In this...
-
Stay Human in the Age of AI: Join me virtually July 13th and 14th
Right now, teachers are getting pulled in two completely opposite directions on tech use, particularly with artificial intelligence. Your admin may want you to use it to plan lessons, save time, stay current. And on one hand, it does save time, and we want to take advantage of the tools we've…
more -
EP351 What does learning science actually say about AI in the classroom? (with Erin Mote)
Everyone has an opinion about AI in classrooms right now, but very few of those opinions are grounded in what we actually know about how kids learn. In this episode, I sit down with Erin Mote, CEO and founder of InnovateEDU and co-founder of Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School, to cut through the...
-
EP350 The power of regret: using hindsight as a tool for growth
Teaching gives you a lot of opportunities to look back and wish you'd done it differently, and most of us carry those regrets way longer than we need to. In this episode, I'm sharing what I learned from Daniel Pink's book The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward, and how his...
-
EP349 Re-awakening kids' curiosity & connection to real food through sensory learning (with Bee Wilson)
Food writer Bee Wilson has been in classrooms across the UK, and what she's discovered is startling: many children have completely lost their sensory connection to real food. They know the peach emoji but not the fuzzy feel of actual peach skin. They recognize mint from shampoo but have never...
-
Join me for The Reset: a free at-home retreat for teachers (June 26-28)
You've been holding it together with caffeine and adrenaline, but your nervous system has been white-knuckling it for ten months and hit a breaking point. It's time for The Reset. This is something brand new I'm offering for the first time: an at-home restorative retreat for teachers happening…
more -
EP348 Stuck in survival mode? Here's how to calm your nervous system.
Most of us are walking around in a low-grade state of fight-or-flight all the time, and we don't even realize it. It looks like the tight jaw in the morning, the exhaustion that doesn't lead to sleep, or the feeling of being on edge even on a good day. These are signs of a nervous system that…
more -
EP347 An artful approach to exploring identity and fostering belonging (w/ Rebecca Bellingham & Veronica Scott)
When the world feels this heavy, this broken, it can feel almost frivolous to make space for art. And in the classroom with so much content to cover, can we really slow down enough to create and take an artful approach to learning with students? Who has time to write poems or pause over a…
more -
EP346 Feeling tied to your phone? These 3 habits can help you take control.
I picked up my phone to check the weather the other day, and twenty minutes later I was still standing in my kitchen, having bounced from app to app through a chain of perfectly legitimate tasks that I never actually chose to do in that moment. I wasn't scrolling mindlessly. I was checking my...
-
EP345 The brain isn't separate from the body–here's what that means for learning (with Caroline Williams)
We've been taught to think of the brain as the control center, the part of us that really matters for learning. But the body isn't just along for the ride, carrying our brains from place to place. Caroline Williams, science journalist and three-time author (including of the book Inner Sense) has...
-
EP344 So what are we doing here? Expanding into retreats, video essays, mindfulness, and more
After 20+ years of creating exclusively for educators, I'm expanding into some new creative spaces. In this podcast episode, I share the "why" behind my new YouTube channel ("So What Are We Doing Here?"), my Substack publication, my free guided meditations on Insight Timer, and some other fun new...
-
EP343 The truth about AI's environmental impact: Finding your ethical stance as an educator
Is AI using a bottle of water every time you make a query? Are you a bad person if you use it in your classroom? Should schools ban it entirely—or go all-in? If you've felt confused or conflicted about AI ethics, this conversation is for you. I sit down with Dr. Karen Boyd, an AI ethics…
more -
EP342 The hidden curriculum: getting real about the values we teach
Each time we decide which history gets a full unit and which gets a mini-lesson… Each time we choose whose stories to showcase in classroom libraries while others gather dust on shelves … Each time we select which family structures and cultures to represent in class and which we quietly pretend...
-
EP341 Everything all at once: what it's like to be a teacher with ADHD (with Andrew Gardner)
When he got his ADHD diagnosis at age 30, the first thought Andrew Gardner (https://www.agardner.com/about) had was, "Okay, now what? I'm still an idiot." That negative voice had been with him his entire teaching career, driving him to work 80-90 hour weeks trying to prove he wasn't failing at…
more -
EP340 Stay human: Teaching students to protect their brain power in an AI world
"If AI can write my essay in 30 seconds, why should I spend 30 minutes doing it myself?" I believe students asking this question deserve a thoughtful response ... or even better, an invitation to think critically about their own values and personal philosophy around artificial intelligence. In…
more -
EP339 It took me years to realize I'm not lazy. I'm neurodivergent.
Growing up, every report card comment and parent conference involved my teachers expressing some version of the following: "Angela is smart, but not working to her potential." "Angela needs to focus and apply herself." "Angela is a capable student but does not put forth effort." "Angela could do...
-
EP338 Looking ahead to 2026: A new direction beyond Truth for Teachers
It's the final episode of the 2025 season, and I want to leave you with something meaningful. I'm sharing some personal thoughts as I prepare to step away for my December internet sabbatical. I'm thinking deeply about alignment, presence, and what it means to move forward with clarity and…
more -
EP337 Restorative practices aren't a strategy–they're a way of being (with Marisol Quevedo Rerucha)
"The adults in the building need healing just as much as the kids do. Self-compassion isn't soft. It's the most radical act of self-preservation an educator can practice." That's a quote from my guest in this episode, Marisol Quevedo Rerucha. She's the author of Beyond the Surface of Restorative...
-
EP336 4 routines to help students notice and adjust their thinking
Metacognition — "thinking about your thinking" — is one of the most powerful skills we can teach students, and it doesn't require adding anything new to your already packed schedule. In this episode, you'll learn four simple, one-minute routines you can weave into your daily classroom flow to…
more -
EP335 How teacher language shapes us—and teaches kids to find their wisest self (with Lily Howard Scott)
"Giving kids, and yourself, language to wrap around the idea that we have an inner leader (our kindest, best self) is transformative." Join me as I talk with Lily Howard Scott, a NYC-based parent, educator, and author, who shares insights from her book The Words That Shape Us: The Science-Based...
-
EP334 Are you a Type A or Type B teacher? Rethinking effort, expectations, and balance
How much effort is enough—for you and your students? In this episode, I'm weaving together three listener questions about navigating effort, expectations, and balance. We'll explore how to recognize whether you lean more toward Type A (overextending) or Type B (holding back) tendencies, and how…
more -
EP333: Engagement isn't extra: boredom busters that prime the brain for learning (with Katie Powell)
Engagement is not the same as "fun." It's the foundation for meaningful and lasting learning. Join me as I talk with Katie Powell, author of Boredom Busters: Transform Worksheets, Lectures, and Grading into Engaging, Meaningful Learning Experiences. Katie shares simple yet powerful strategies…
more -
EP332 Time blocking for teachers: Align your priorities, energy, & tasks to create a sustainable schedule
Time blocking sounds simple… but if you've ever sat down during your prep period with a plan and still ended the day feeling behind, you know it's not always that straightforward. In this episode, I'm walking you through a flexible, teacher-centered approach to scheduling your time. This isn't...
-
EP331 Want to individualize learning without overwhelm? Try this self-paced approach (with Rob Barnett)
How can you meet the needs of every learner in your classroom while keeping your workload manageable? In this episode, Robert Barnett shares how self-paced learning can transform your teaching and create a more personalized, effective, and sustainable experience for both you and your students. We...
-
EP330 Design a self-running classroom that frees you to teach
One of the most exhausting parts of teaching is the constant decision-making. You're answering questions like: Where do I turn this in? Can I go to the bathroom? What do I do when I'm done? My pencil broke—what now? Over and over. All day long. You're managing behavior, passing out materials,...
-
EP329 How a daily binder routine teaches students the skills behind academic success (with Mitch Weathers)
We often assume students should already know how to stay organized, manage their time, and start tasks independently—but these are skills that need to be taught, modeled, and practiced. In this episode, I'm talking with Mitch Weathers, a former high school teacher and creator of Organized Binder,...
-
EP328 The crumb story: following your inner compass when you can't please everyone
In this summer reflection episode, I'm sharing a small story—just a quiet moment at an airport breakfast counter—that brought me back to the kind of person I want to be. It's a simple action, one that no one asked for or expected. But it reminded me that our small choices matter… especially now....
-
EP327 Screens, schools, and the future of childhood: a candid dialogue with Jonathan Haidt
"We have overprotected kids in the real world and underprotected them online." Jonathan Haidt believes we have bubble-wrapped childhood: cut back on recess, banned kids from walking to school alone, and filled every spare moment with structured, adult-led activities. But at the same time, we gave...
-
EP 326 My top ways to use AI for scaffolds, supports, and differentiated tasks
I'm pulling back the curtain on how I use AI in my work with teachers as an instructional coach. I'll show you how I collaborate with AI to brainstorm ideas, reflect on lesson design, and help teachers build scaffolds and supports that truly meet students where they are. This is an honest,...
-
EP325 How to find your voice and self-advocate, even if you're conflict-avoidant (with Neelu Kaur)
Self-advocacy can feel like a challenge, especially if you're conflict-avoidant, culturally conditioned to prioritize group harmony, or simply unsure how to speak up without fear of being labeled "difficult." In this episode, we'll explore how to advocate for yourself effectively while balancing...
-
What I'm working on right now–and what's coming next
Just popping in with a special update to catch you up on everything that's happening behind the scenes. If you've been thinking about ways to streamline your work, learn new strategies, or just reconnect with your sense of purpose this summer and fall, I've got a lot of different options for you....
-
EP324 Five changes teachers want to see in professional development
PD is supposed to help teachers grow, but so often, it feels like a missed opportunity. In this episode of Truth for Teachers, I'm sharing five things teachers wish PD presenters understood—straight from your thoughtful comments and the experiences I've had attending and delivering professional...
-
EP322 A school framework where learning feels different and students thrive
What if school was designed around student agency, real-world learning, and deep relationships—instead of compliance and test scores? In this episode, I take you inside Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School, a Big Picture Learning school in the South Bronx that is reimagining what education can…
more -
EP321: Meaningful & relevant: Engaging learners in an age of distraction (with AJ Juliani)
We're tackling one of the biggest challenges educators face today: keeping students engaged in a world full of distractions. AJ Juliani joins me to explore how to create meaningful and relevant learning experiences that resonate with today's learners, even in the age of TikTok, smartphones, and...
-
EP323 Teacher leadership: growing your impact in–or beyond–the classroom (with Starr Sackstein)
Are you considering stepping into a leadership role in education but feeling unsure of where to start? In this episode, I sit down with Starr Sackstein, an experienced educator, consultant, and author, to talk about the journey from teacher to leader. Starr shares her personal story of leaving…
more -
EP320 4 ways to keep going when you're not feeling motivated
Feeling blah these days? You're not alone. Let's dive into what it really means to keep going when motivation feels out of reach. Spoiler: it's not about forcing yourself to feel happy or productive right away. Instead, we'll explore how to sit with your emotions, honor what your body and mind...
-
EP319 Teaching creatively within the constraints of the system (with Trevor Muir)
How can teachers embrace creativity in their classrooms when faced with rigid curriculums, standardized testing, and limited time? That's the question I'm exploring today with Trevor Muir, an educator, author, and advocate for creative teaching. Trevor's taught at the middle, high school, and...
-
EP318 How to use AI to plan a lesson and still make it YOURS
AI tools are transforming the way teachers plan lessons, but how do you use them without losing the personal touch that makes your teaching unique? In this episode of Truth for Teachers, I'm showing you how to use AI as a time-saving tool while still keeping your lessons authentic, creative, and...
-
EP317 It's never just about the behavior (with Claire English from The Unteachables)
What if the key to managing challenging student behavior isn't about "fixing" the kids—but about regulating yourself? In this episode, we explore a sustainable approach to classroom management that shifts the focus to what you can control. Join me and my guest, Claire, as we discuss how...
-
EP316 Radical acceptance and the power of "we'll see"
Feeling unnerved by the unpredictability of our world right now? You're not alone. This ep dives into how to practice radical acceptance as we navigate uncharted territory as educators (and as a society.) Join me as I share practical strategies I'm using right now for staying grounded, making my...
-
EP315 Humans Who Teach: A guide for centering love, justice, and liberation in schools (with Shamari Reid)
In this last episode of 2024, I want to leave you with a powerful conversation to marinate on deeply. I'm talking with Dr. Shamari Reid, an assistant professor of justice and belonging in education at New York University. He has taught Spanish, English as a new language, and ELA at the…
more -
EP314 How you–and your students–can use movement to increase work quality, focus, and creativity
There's a powerful connection between movement and cognitive performance. Standing up and moving around can both foster diffuse thinking—the kind of relaxed mental state that encourages breakthroughs and innovative ideas. In this episode, I'll share Cal Newport's research on training the brain…
more -
EP313 What students need to know about artificial intelligence (and how to help them learn it)
Many teachers are already seeing incredible results when their students use artificial intelligence to brainstorm creative project ideas, get instant feedback on their writing, and even generate unique artwork. The potential is there for a lot of good…but also, a lot of bad. As educators in this...