The ABC's High School Teachers Really Need to Know

Don't give apologies or make excuses when it comes to advocating for students.  Being an effective teacher means that we focus on relationships and creating a process and environment that are conducive to learning.  Sometimes, advocating means we have to also make tough and unpopular decisions (especially in the minds of students).  Still, we have to be leaders.  We have to be educators.  

I am asked constantly to name some common pitfalls educators make.  While the entire podcast is that list to some degree, this episode includes some mistakes regularly made by classroom teachers.  Becoming an effective educator means avoiding them (or learning from them after you make them).  If you don't you'll absolutely regret it.

We've said it many times...teachers are superheroes.  In this episode, we discuss the importance of identifying and leveraging your unique superpowers as an educator.  What makes you effective?  What moves the needle?  What makes you and your process amazing?  Answering these questions will help you improve outcomes in a big way.  

Administrators are people too!  Seriously, take the time to build a genuine relationship with your admin.  It will typically help you and those you serve.  Most importantly, it will make your job and day-to-day much more meaningful.  

Teachers love ideas that are effective and efficient.  Here's one that will save you so much time, spare you from needless headaches, and help you become better at your job:  make it a regular practice to vary your vantage points.  You'll be so glad you did...and so will your students.  

All students need experience solving problems, making decisions, advocating for themselves, applying skills, and completing assignments under pressure.  It's a crucial instructional approach, that when used in a balanced and productive way, generates better, more meaningful outcomes.  While effective teachers never intentionally humiliate, power struggle, or leave students to drown in the classroom, they also know that providing ample opportunities for students to work under pressure, think on their feet, and demonstrate skills in real time are critical for effective academic and personal development.  

Effective teachers know that action is necessary to make change and positive impact happen.  All too often, we talk too much, make too many excuses, or give in to inaction.  Whether it's in how you manage your classroom, your process, or yourself, don't be afraid to take action.  Don't make empty promises or underestimate your ability.  Trying to improve and grow are extremely important goals themselves and far superior to choosing stagnation.  

The more we focus on grades and policies like "credit recovery" the less we focus on the things that really matter - learning and mastery.  It really is a mindset that must play out in classrooms each and every day.  Unfortunately, too many teachers fail to recognize this and/or are simply unaware of how to create a "mastery classroom."  As a result, they become highly ineffective.  

Excessive negativity and overreaction seems to be creeping into the classroom from all around us.  It can make our jobs seem counterproductive or even impossible.  However, effective educators use philosophical approaches and practical strategies to keep the rot at bay.  Will there always be problem stakeholders and problem situations that come up in the classroom...absolutely.  Can we overcome and minimize those things...absolutely.  

It's amazing how much dysfunction is ingrained in our classrooms, schools, and the education system itself.  Much of it is so prevalent that we have resigned ourselves to accept it as reality.  We can do better.  Effective educators identify normalized dysfunction in their classrooms and then take steps to begin eliminating it.  For things we can't completely control, we advocate for change and  focus on leading by example.  

Teachers live a dual existence as very public figures trying to also have a private life.  It is difficult for many educators to understand and achieve a balance between the two.  It's important that we don't let awareness of our public perception become worry or fear.  Also, we can't be scared to be ourselves inside or outside of the classroom.  Being unauthentic reduces your quality of life and the quality of education for your students.   

The Octopus Mentality is crucial for any effective educator.  If you're not familiar with it, you should definitely tune in to this week's episode.  It could change your whole perspective on working with your students, your process, and even with yourself.  This is an episode of self-reflection that could lead to real improvement for your students and a longer and more successful career in education for you.    

Effective teachers know that functioning in absolutes is very difficult and often counterproductive to authentic learning.  Learning to expect, navigate, and plan for the gray is both a skill and professional necessity in education.  As a teacher, becoming more comfortable working in the gray will have lasting benefits for you and your students.  

Most people aren't terrible.  You have to believe that to survive and thrive in education.  It's both a mindset and a philosophy.  If you let the negative control you or your process, everyone will suffer.  

This week's episode is a good old fashion reminder of some key classroom management mistakes.  If you are the teacher that "throws" or the teacher that "quips" with your students, or you know someone who is, you better listen up.  

Effective teachers regularly ask themselves, "What do kids need?" in order to understand their own teaching philosophy and measure effectiveness.  It's difficult to improve outcomes if you don't know what you actually value as an educator and subsequently set goals to achieve it.  

This week's episode is all about challenging ourselves to open our minds to growing and developing as a professional.  Yes, "PD" can be time-consuming and terrible, but it doesn't have to be!  Start advocating and getting involved!  Be a part of the solution and not the problem.  Professional development provided by your school or other organizations should supplement your own efforts to grow as both a content specialist and classroom manager.  Explore topics and become an active learner yourself.  Engage in your craft so you can better lead students and your process.    

In this week's episode, we look at some commonly confused words that have huge implications for the education system, and most importantly, our students.  Effective educators must understand these words, as well as how they impact their teaching philosophy and academic process.  

Your students respect and love you...even if they don't show it or even know it yet!  It's hard for secondary teachers to get that much needed affirmation from students in the short-term (which is important for making adjustments in the learning process AND finding confidence and self-worth in our roles).  Trust me though, the signs are there!  Keep your focus on building relationships and reminding yourself you're making a difference.  You are bringing both value and life-changing impact.      

In this episode, we discuss 5 things that can transform your classroom from "good" to "great" when it comes to grading and giving feedback.  Don't miss this opportunity to improve mastery and outcomes for your students!

Diversity, exploration, curiosity, innovation, and motivation are all on the opposite side of the spectrum from standardization.  From instruction and assessment to student and colleague interactions, effective teachers are brave enough to be different and individually impactful.  

Please listen to this episode for your students, for your school, and for yourself.  In order to be successful, educators MUST look backward as much as they look forward.  This is one of the most crucial aspects of classroom success, but unfortunately, it is also one of the most overlooked and underutilized.  This combination is devastating to learners.   

We have said it many times.  Educators have to focus on understanding where students are on their academic journeys and building consistency BEFORE driving improvement, starting a new unit, etc.  Consistency, comprehensive/cumulative approaches, and a firm foundation of knowledge and skills will allow for enduring learning.  

In this episode, we talk about the importance of advocating for students and teachers beyond our classroom walls.  We are important in creating policy, driving positive change, and improving academic outcomes.  Educators know that...we just wish the rest of the world knew it.  

If you are looking for a way to bridge gaps in learning or extend learning opportunities for your students, you should absolutely take the time to listen to this week's episode.  Effective teachers know that when it comes to student ownership and success, individualized learning is key.  

We are back for Season 7!  Sometimes we look in the mirror and get down about the wrinkles and scars we see.  In this episode, we talk about the importance of those wrinkles and scars in who you are as a person and as an educator.  They tell an amazing story.  Be proud of that story.  Our kids need you, and you need you.  Thank you for being a teacher.  

In our final episode of the season, we will talk about the prevalence of "zero to sixty" in education.  Things change fast in our dynamic profession, and the journey from year one to beyond is a roller coaster.  Effective teachers need to be prepared for the ride.  We are also joined by two special guests this week that will provide interesting takes - former students and a college senior about to enter the field of education.  

Do you remember being a teenager?  The struggle is real for them.  How are we supposed to get them to focus on things like algebra, Spanish, and biology with all of THAT going on in their heads?  The good news is that the answer really comes down to what teaching has always been about:   coaching, empathizing, and leading by example.  

XL educator egos have no place in a classroom.  They undermine relationships, productivity, and learning.  They also make for bad colleagues and lifelong learners.  Instead, learn with your students and model the behaviors you want to produce.  

Watching others teach is the number one way to grow as an education professional.  Unfortunately. too many teachers and administrators fail to make it a priority.  If you don't observe others, you miss out on valuable perspective, ideas, and growth.  You also inevitably underserve your students.  

Please stop judging teachers for working at night or whenever they are able to find time to be creative, innovative, productive, or anything else.  Stop expecting teachers to think the same, act the same, or lead their classrooms the same.  Collaborate without strings attached.  Teachers have to be at their best as often as they can.  If that means grading papers and fighting fires at 11pm for you, then great!  If that means responding to emails as you eat your eggs with the sunrise for you, then great!  Just don't expect me to have to do it too.  Don't preach individuality in the classroom and then put teachers in a box.  

For educators, a few things in this world are certain - death, taxes, and the undeniable teacher truths mentioned in this week's episode.  Remember, as an educator, you are never alone.  Connect and collaborate with the amazing people in our field.  In addition to making you better at your job, it will also help you find support.  

It's hard to believe, but this week we are celebrating 150 episodes!  Thank you for making this journey so special!  We have thousands of listeners from six continents, many of which have been with the podcast for years, all working to find support, collaboration, and better ways to serve our students.  You are superheroes!  This week, we continue with a discussion of the importance of "backwards" design.  The backwards design framework will help you improve your lessons and generate student mastery of content.  

School soap operas are a real thing, and effective teachers know how to minimize their involvement.  This episode will discuss some crucial strategies that will help you be happier AND more effective as an educator in today's world.  It's time to reduce the drama!

Students have changed, along with the rest of the world.  Effective teachers don't complain - they adjust.  We have to continue to work hard to reel students back into our lessons and process.  Even better, let's not lose them at all.  This episode will offer up some crucial strategies on how to do just that.  

Stop giving zeroes for assignments, awarding bonus points for non-content, increasing grades as part of class "curves," providing extra credit to "help" grades, and all other practices that distort or misreport a student's level of mastery.  Effective teachers know that grades should reflect mastery.  They also know that it's better to barter behavior with privileges, not points.  Grade inflation, reduced student effort, and academic misconduct have reached epidemic levels in our society.  Be a part of the solution and not the problem.

Students cycle through several academic and developmental transitions in their K-12 journey.  Effective teachers know that we have to prioritize supporting them through these transitions, particularly academically.  We have to build academic soft skills, be intentional about bridging gaps, give clear feedback based on mastery, and set clear expectations.  We can't  simply say "the best of luck" or set up false impressions of academic performance.  These things can cause significant damage to students in high school.  

Effective teachers realize that underperformance is easier than putting the effort in to find success - this is the magnet at the bottom.  This magnet affects your classroom in a big way.  Start developing a "+1 mentality" and help your students develop both motivation and academic stamina.  

Students and classrooms have changed in some key ways.  I'd encourage you not to waste too much energy reminiscing about the past.  Instead, use that energy to help the students of today.  The experience you have as an educator, student, and/or parent offers perspective and leadership.  Use that experience and influence to model successful strategies and shape powerful classroom experiences.  Effective teachers always adjust, adopt, and grow.

In the heat of conflict between students or with you, it's important to ask yourself a critical question before speaking or acting.  This practice is a major component of effective classroom (and life) management.  In this episode, we will discuss that question and so much more.  

Not surprisingly, a one size fits all approach to discipline management is usually ineffective.  Of course, building strong and productive relationships and communities are key.  Beyond that, we have to remind ourselves that our students are individuals with different experiences, personalities, and perspectives.  Standardizing discipline to fit in a box will inevitably fall short of serving you or the student.  As kids and humans, they will make mistakes.  They aren't robots.  Do them a favor and don't act like one either.

Many teachers struggle with classroom management, despite their efforts to create and enforce policies and procedures.  Effective teachers know that if you focus on the people more than structure, the classroom management will almost certainly follow.  

Changing jobs or roles can be challenging.  However, effective teachers know that sometimes we have to do one or both to better serve our students.  As we grow personally and professionally, we often have to choose change - that's what being a lifelong learner is all about.  

Effective teachers know that intelligence is not the same as experience.  Neither is superior, but differentiating the two is crucial to building and managing your process.  

Effective teachers run counter to the notion that some students are just "hardened criminals" with a history of underperformance and bad behavior.  We focus on being a supporter, challenger, and champion for all.  Whether self-created or not, many students become victims of hardened circumstances.  Effective teaches focus on helping them rise.  

Effective teachers know that group work can be a powerful tool, or completely undermine your learning objectives, depending on how you use it.  This episode discusses the only two scenarios group work should be used, and more importantly, how to gauge its use in achieving learning objectives.  

The future happens each and every day.  What we invest in our students (and ourselves) on a daily basis helps develop what tomorrow will look like.  Each day absolutely matters.  That shouldn't be a burden, but instead an opportunity.  Make the most of it!

There is a barrage of tools and talking heads ready to evaluate us, observe us, and tell us we aren't good enough.  Don't get lost or overwhelmed by all the noise.  Instead, live by the "Golden Rules" of teaching and learn to self-evaluate.  When you do those things, you actually generate a meaningful measure of effectiveness.  

Effective teachers know that delivering on your promises to students, parents, teachers, and administrators is key to a successful career in education.  The actions that we take and the words that we say make all the difference in the world, particularly to those we want to impact most - our students.  

Effective teachers know that there are common elements in every powerful lesson.  In this episode, we will talk about them.  Also, we will discuss example lessons that illustrate and utilize these elements.