Podcasts about Classroom

This week: The first week at Hillsdale College, an update on the Abdul El-Sayed campaign, and Operation Economic Outcast. Dr. Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues. Release date: 28 August 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week: The first week at Hillsdale College, an update on the Abdul El-Sayed campaign, and Operation Economic Outcast. Dr. Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues. Release date: 28 August 2026

Teaching is about more than delivering content—it's about being present with students, noticing their needs, and working alongside colleagues to create meaningful learning experiences. In this episode, Doug Fisher shares insights into what it means to be truly present in teaching and how educators can be more intentional about the way they connect, collaborate, and respond to the people around them. From building strong relationships with students to working as a team with colleagues, this conversation highlights how teaching becomes more powerful when educators learn and grow together. Quotables "When a team feels efficient and effective, and we feel like we're making a difference together, that brings us joy.""Putting good systems in place, I think is really important.""The more time teachers spend in each others classroom, the more benefit it has academically for the outcome of students." About Doug Fisher Doug Fisher went from working at KFC and riding ambulances to pay his way through college to becoming a Professor of Education at San Diego State and writing a whole shelf of books on how learning actually happens. But here's the part that makes him different: he never left the classroom. He co-founded a school in 2007 and still teaches there today. Over the past 20 years, he has helped more than 100,000 educators improve how they teach. Through these experiences, he realized something that drives him CRAZY: education has never had more experts—and less advice that actually survives a real classroom. Because of this, teachers sit through endless PD sessions, nod along... and NOTHING changes for their students on Monday morning. So he decided to start helping educators the RIGHT way—with evidence-based practices like teacher clarity, gradual release of responsibility, and PLC+ that actually survive contact with real students. Connect with Doug Fisher WebsiteEmail:dfisher@sdsu.eduConnect on XLinkedin Student Engagement Resources from Doug Fisher PLTogether Student Engagement Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comBlog: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.'Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.”Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in infoLeave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcastClick ‘Send'

Hey teacher besties, we're starting this one off with a real crisis, because I just found out I might have lice after spending a week in California with my whole extended family, and I am spiraling. Somehow we end up debating whether chest hair can get lice, and we also give Gerry exactly 60 seconds to nerd out about his Marvel figure collection. Then we get into some real teacher chaos: my kids catching random spiders in high school, Molly's cockroach-on-the-mouth horror story that may or may not be a lie, and an incredibly detailed debate about whether you'd rather poop your pants in public or eat a live cockroach. We also help Molly brainstorm ideas to boost school spirit at her school, swap our worst pajama day stories, and Gerry tells us about the time he dropped it low in front of his coworkers. We close it out with a hill Molly's dying on this week, that people are boring because they don't embarrass themselves enough, so go do something new. Takeaways: Lice can apparently spread through an entire extended family within days, and adults are just as vulnerable as kids. Simple, low-cost spirit week themes, like anything-but-a-backpack day or decades day, tend to get more student participation than overly complicated ones. Pajama day can create real dress code challenges for both students and teachers. Trying something new that you know you'll be bad at is a great way to build funny stories and a growth mindset. Class or grade-level competitions, like themed dress-up days tied to a fun concept, tend to build long-term school spirit and tradition -- Knoword is an online tool for creating fun vocabulary games. Visit Knoword.com to learn how it fits into your classroom. -- Teachers' night out? Yes, please! Come see comedian Educator Andrea…Get your tickets at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠teachersloungelive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Educatorandrea.com/tickets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for laugh out loud Education! — Don't Be Shy Come Say Hi: www.podcasterandrea.comWatch on YouTube: @educatorandreaA Human Content Production Chapter: 0:00 - Intro 1:17 - Andrea might have lice 4:57 - 60 seconds of Spider-Man 7:24 - Homework & celebrity DMs 11:07 - Classroom pest horror stories 16:28 - Would you rather: cockroach or poop your pants 22:33 - Best & worst spirit days Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hallway procedures might seem like a small part of classroom management, but they can have a much bigger impact on classroom success than you might expect. In this classic replay episode, we're breaking down how to create effective hallway procedures by planning strategically, responding to disruptions, and teaching and practicing expectations with your students. With a little intentional planning and practice, your hallway procedures can become a simple but powerful foundation for a calmer, more successful classroom.Prefer to read? Grab the original episode transcript and show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/hallway-behavior-management/Resources:Order our book: Structure and SparkClassroom Procedures and Routines Teaching Slides BundleJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyRelated Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 150. Perfect Your Classroom Procedures with the Help of Our Guiding QuestionsEpisode 173. Getting into the Nitty Gritty of Classroom Procedures and RoutinesEpisode 75. Classroom Procedures and Expectations: How they Differ and How to Teach ThemEpisode 18. Procedures for Success!Episode 98. 5 Reasons Your Attention Signal Isn't Working and How to Improve It

This week: The first week at Hillsdale College, an update on the Abdul El-Sayed campaign, and Operation Economic Outcast. Dr. Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues. Release date: 28 August 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you want a powerful, practical strategy to boost student engagement, motivation, and classroom culture THIS is it! All with a little help from the iconic game of Plinko. In this week's episode of the This Teacher Life, you'll learn how to turn a simple competition into a classroom climate game-changer. Discover step-by-step ideas for implementing a custom Plinko board in your teaching routine, tips for aligning it with academic and behavior goals, and creative ways to make it fun, fair, and effective for all grade levels. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, this episode will give you everything you need to spark joy and build connection from day one. Get ready to bring the excitement—and results—of game shows into your classroom! Want TONS more Awesome Ideas? Check Out These Fun, Flexible Teacher Courses for Official PD Credit:  monicagenta.com/courses Needing Some Awesome PD for Your School? Let's Connect:  monicagenta.com/PD Get a free PDF copy of Monica's Book Crushing It For Kids Here: monicagenta.com/freebook Here is a Digital Board You Can Use:  games.washingtonpost.com/games/price-is-right-plinkoarkadium.com/games/price-is-right-plinko/ Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd

Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News (02:00) – Jury Now Deliberating In Lindsay Clancy Murder Trial (05:15) – Nepal-Tibet Flood Update (14:10) – Military Trial Date Set For Alleged Mastermind Of Sept. 11 Attacks (18:30) – Trump Renames Lake Ontario “Lake America” (24:15) – Delaware Becomes the New Florida For Retirees, Straining Beach Towns (27:20) – A ‘Gas Station' for Farts? This Georgia Teacher Says It's a Classroom Win-Win (30:45) – What We're Watching, Reading, & Eating This Weekend (35:45) Thanks To Our Sponsors:  – Monarch - 50% off your first year | Code: MONEWS – Factor - 50% off your first box | Code: monews50off –⁠ Industrious⁠ - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Code: MONEWS50 – LMNT | Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix or 12oz cans purchase – ⁠Boll & Branch⁠ – 20% off first order, plus free shipping | Code: MONEWS

In this episode of Positive Philter, I'm joined by Dr. Keith Renshaw, Professor of Psychology and Senior Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education at George Mason University. We discuss his educational journey, his passion for student success, and why research and academic rigor are valuable for all students, not just those pursuing graduate degrees. Dr. Renshaw shares how undergraduate research experiences help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that translate across industries and careers. This is a great conversation for students, educators, and anyone interested in the transformative power of higher education. Shout Out and Plugs Dr. Renshaw's GMU Profile: https://provost.gmu.edu/profiles/krenshaw     Dr. Renshaw's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-renshaw-311170103/ Recording Credits Mason Innovation Exchange (The MIX): A collaborative space for innovation and entrepreneurship. Visit The MIX. Community & Support Jeff's Anti-Hunger Fund Dedicated to Jeff Kirsch, this fund supports the careers of future anti-hunger advocates. Please consider donating to the Jeff Kirsch Fund for Anti-Hunger Advocacy: Donate Here Pats for Patriots Members of the #MasonNation can recognize colleagues or students for their kindness via Pats for Patriots. We have received over 3,000 nominations—keep them coming! Nominate Someone Here Steam Pilots Program Steam Pilots, Inc. (501(c)(3)) improves STEAM education through pro bono programs. They are currently raising funds for kits and equipment. Support the GoFundMe Podcast Resources Connect & Follow Newsletter: Sign up for the Positive Philter Weekly Patreon: Support the Podcast Feedback: Complete our Audience Survey Questions: Call 571-336-6560 or use this Google Form Reviews: Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Featured Products & Music Book: "Forty Years of Advice" by Philip Wilkerson: Purchase on Amazon The Five Minute Journal: Shop Intelligent Change Tappy Card: Get Your Electronic Business Card Intro Music: DJ BIGyoks (Instagram | Soundcloud) Outro Music: Ryan Rosemond (Soundcloud) Positive Philter is honored to be among the Top 20 Positive Thinking Podcasts by FeedSpot: View the List

The guys give their opinion on the matter.

Hour 2 - Texans recap , Vince Young and Classroom

The students were assembled outside their school building, waiting for another school day to begin. Until tragedy struck this small village school and community. A teacher was found murdered inside her own classroom. So, who would want to murder her and why?APPLE FOR THE TEACHER tells true crime stories relating to schools.Hosted by Ana Thomas, a teacher from Australia.Disclaimer - Tyler Allen at the Minds ofMadness Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mindsofmadnesspodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send voice mail - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/applefortheteacherpod/message⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠applefortheteacherpodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/AppleforTeacher⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/apple_for_the_teacher_podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/applefortheteacherpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Stacie McClam is a filmmaker, educator, and author. Her film MR. ADVOCATE, released in the summer of 2026, is the first in THE SYSTEM Trilogy: three narrative fiction feature films about the benefits and challenges of AI in elementary, middle, and high schools. Her film production company, School Dismissed, focuses on films about K-12 education issues and solutions. Through film, Stacie exposes the realities that many students and staff face inside schools and reimagines education's future. She draws on years of teaching experience across the United States and abroad to tell stories rooted in real schools. As a law school graduate, her legal education shapes her perspective in storytelling. ______________________________________________________________________ The Edupreneur: Your Blueprint To Jumpstart And Scale Your Education BusinessYou've spent years in the classroom, leading PD, designing curriculum, and transforming how students learn. Now, it's time to leverage that experience and build something for yourself. The Edupreneur isn't just another book; it's the playbook for educators who want to take their knowledge beyond the school walls and into a thriving business.I wrote this book because I've been where you are. I know what it's like to have the skills, the passion, and the drive but not know where to start. I break it all down: the mindset shifts, the business models, the pricing strategies, and the branding moves that will help you position yourself as a leader in this space.Inside, you'll learn how to:✅ Turn your expertise into income streams, without feeling like a sellout✅ Build a personal brand that commands respect (and top dollar)✅ Market your work in a way that feels natural and impactful✅ Navigate the business side of edupreneurship, from pricing to partnershipsWhether you want to consult, create courses, write books, or launch a podcast, this book will help you get there. Stop waiting for permission. Start building your own table.Grab your copy today and take control of your future.Buy it from EduMatch Publishing https://edumatch-publishing.myshopify.com/collections/new-releases/products/the-edupreneur-by-dr-will

What did you think of this episode?Curious why self-publishing has become a popular choice for many authors? Christy Bass Adams shares her story behind The Master's Classroom and writing tips to help you in your craft. Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I'm your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. It's great to have you listening in. During this episode, we continue a new addition to Your Best Writing Life with The Story Behind the Stories series.Christy Bass Adams is a former elementary teacher turned college instructor, a boy mom of two, a wife of a country boy, and the author of five books. She is the Outreach and Connections Coordinator at Fellowship Baptist Church, and her family lives in the “booger woods” of North Florida.We all want to know the story behind The Master's Classroom Writer's tips. Ask God what he wants you to write every time you sit down to type.Be willing to pour your heart onto the page, even if it means only one person will ever benefit. One is enough.Obey God's leading and trust that there is a reason for everything he prompts you to write, even if it's scary or deeply vulnerable. What Listeners Will Gain –  Anyone in education, or who has ever worked in it, will be challenged to approach their classrooms in a completely different way. From how they view their students to how they plan their lessons, The Master's Classroom will show them that Jesus can be part of every single piece.  Those outside of education can be the wonderful friend who buys this book for someone in the school system. Both public and private school teachers can benefit from the deep challenges this devotional Bible study brings forth.  And for writers in general, the way this book came about will inspire them to keep looking to Jesus, because we never know what assignment he has for us next.Called to Christ Freebie LINKSwww.christybassadams.com https://www.facebook.com/christybassadams The Master's Classroom on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0gEKW1iZ www.tiktok.com/@christybassadams www.instagram.com/christybassadams https://www.youtube.com/@christybassadams8Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#4 Podcast 2026 "Million Podcasts Top 30 Christian Writers Podcasts"#1 Podcast 2024 "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers.Awarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy Podcast

In this episode, I share ten classroom book study ideas that use AI to support reading experiences from start to finish. You'll also hear how AI-powered tools can help you build background knowledge, introduce vocabulary, spark discussion, create paired passages, and gather student feedback in any subject. If you want to use AI for book studies in practical and engaging ways, this episode has you covered! Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/08/25/classroom-book-study-ideas-385/ Sponsored by Work With Monica: https://classtechtips.com/events-and-workshops/ Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/  Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/   

The Messy Middle of Your Outdoor Classroom: Permission to Start SmallWhat if your outdoor classroom doesn't need to be finished—or even close to perfect—to be meaningful?In this episode, we're talking about two permissions every outdoor educator needs: permission to start small and permission to embrace the messy middle.It's easy to look at a beautiful, established outdoor classroom and think you need the budget, materials, master plan, and perfect space before you can begin. But meaningful outdoor classrooms rarely happen all at once. They grow one idea, one experiment, and one small step at a time.And once you start? Things get messy. Children use materials in ways you never expected. Plants die. Plans change. Carefully designed spaces get rearranged. Something you thought children would love gets ignored—while the simplest addition captures their attention for weeks.That messy middle isn't a sign that you're doing it wrong. It's where the learning happens. In this episode, we explore:Why starting small is not the same as thinking smallHow to begin with what you already haveWhy your outdoor classroom doesn't need to look like anyone else'sWhat children's unexpected use of a space can teach usHow to view the “mess” as information instead of failureWhy outdoor classrooms should evolve alongside the children who use themHow to recognize progress that has nothing to do with how beautiful your space looksWhen to keep going, change direction, or let an idea goWhether you're dreaming about your first outdoor classroom, taking your first few steps, or standing right in the middle wondering if any of it is working, this conversation is for you. You don't need the whole plan to begin.Start small. Stay curious. Let it be messy.Then take the next small step. Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links:

Professional learning is a common part of education, but not all professional development leads to meaningful change in the classroom. In this episode, we take a closer look at what makes professional learning effective, relevant, and worth teachers' time. We explore the difference between simply attending a training and engaging in learning that actually changes practice. From relevance and collaboration to follow-up and opportunities for implementation, effective professional learning should empower educators rather than overwhelm them. Quotables "Reflection is where ideas become more personal.""Learning doesn't stick with people until they process it.""Every professional learning session needs at least one meaningful learning move." Resources from this Episode Instructional Leaders Library Membership Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comBlog: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.'Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.”Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in infoLeave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcastClick ‘Send'

Today's episode features sixteen-year-old Kristen Ye, a young entrepreneur and conservationist who discusses her lifelong passion for the aquarium hobby and her family business, Festae Factory. She shares how she invented a fluidized bed filter using recycled materials for a third-grade project, which has since evolved into a successful product sold at aquatic trade shows. The conversation highlights her "Fish Tanks in the Classroom" initiative, an educational program funded by filter sales that aims to inspire a new generation of hobbyists through school sponsorship and hands-on mentorship. Kristen details her dedication to animal welfare, her experience breeding diverse cichlid species, and her vision for sustaining interest in aquatic environments. Key Takeaways: Involve children in your hobbies from an early age to spark lifelong passions and build deep, generational family connections. Upcycle everyday plastic items into functional, self-sustaining tools to reduce waste and create efficient systems like moving bed filters. Test new designs and prototypes in real-world conditions for years to ensure their long-term durability and prevent messy structural failures. Introduce nature-focused projects like classroom aquariums to local schools to foster responsibility, teach environmental conservation, and support student mental health. Develop engaging manuals and mentor younger successors to ensure collaborative community projects can survive and continue running after you move on.

By the third week of school, the novelty starts to wear off and classroom expectations can begin to slip. In this episode, we explore how to hold students accountable without becoming harsh, using three practical strategies: reteaching procedures, giving clear directions and expecting follow-through, and helping students take ownership of their behavior. The goal is to stay steady, reinforce what matters, and create a classroom where students know they can count on consistent expectations!Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/classroom-expectations/Resources:Order our book: Structure and SparkTraysTeacher Approved: Calming Piano Spotify playlistJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyRelated Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 48. How to Make Classroom Transitions Simple With Clear Beginnings and EndingsEpisode 49. Rapid Classroom Transitions: How to Save 45 Hours a YearEpisode 50. 3 Guidelines to Make Classroom Transitions Work Smarter Not HarderEpisode 98. 5 Reasons Your Attention Signal Isn't Working and How to Improve It

#263This is episode 8 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning next week on August 31st, you will have new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at writing in the language classroom in episodes 239 and 240.Topics in this Episode: 239: Short Writing Tasks that Build Confidence240: Improve Student Writing with Frames & ScaffoldsReady For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual TeachersA Few Ways We Can Work Together:On-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language DepartmentsSelf-Paced Program for For Language DepartmentsConnect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:Website: wlclassrom.comInstagram:  @wlclassroomFacebook Group: World Language ClassroomFacebook:  /wlclassroomLinkedIn: Joshua CabralBluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.sociaX (Twitter):  @wlclassroomThreads: @wlclassroomSend me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

In this episode of The How-To School for Health Coaches, Tina-Marie de Lamerens shares what 27 years in the classroom taught her about becoming a stronger health coach.Before coaching, Tina-Marie spent decades learning how people understand, avoid, struggle, follow through, and surprise themselves. Those lessons did not stay in the classroom. They became part of the way she coaches.This episode looks at the difference between giving information and helping someone use it in real life. Tina-Marie talks about recognizing patterns, asking better questions, letting clients think, and learning how to guide a session without taking it over.If you are newly certified, or you have been coaching for a while and still wonder whether you are doing enough in your sessions, this conversation will help you see that good coaching is not about proving how much you know. It is about paying attention to what your client needs next.Join The Confident Health Coach CommunityConnect with other health coaches, ask questions, and get practical support for building your coaching business.https://www.facebook.com/groups/1617963345127083

Relebogile Mabotja speaks to Annemie Kruger, an optometrist, about the hidden visual challenges that can affect children’s reading and learning, some children have perfectly normal eyesight but may struggle with tracking, focusing, and coordinating their eye movements while reading. These hidden visual challenges can affect reading speed, comprehension, classroom performance, and a child’s confidence, they explore how eye-tracking technology is helping to identify these challenges earlier. 702 Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja is broadcast live on Johannesburg based talk radio station 702 every weekday afternoon. Relebogile brings a lighter touch to some of the issues of the day as well as a mix of lifestyle topics and a peak into the worlds of entertainment and leisure. Thank you for listening to a 702 Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja podcast. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 13:00 to 15:00 (SA Time) to Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/2qKsEfu or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/DTykncj Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlie Kirk was assassinated. Henry Novak was murdered while the police who could have saved him hesitated, too afraid of being called racist to act. Katharine Birbalsingh, Britain's strictest headmistress, says both deaths trace back to the same root. Classroom discipline disappeared from how an entire generation got raised, and victim mindset moved in. Then white guilt did the rest, until people stopped being able to tell right from wrong.She says it straight into the camera. We are building a society that finds a way to justify violence, as long as the target counts as the right kind of victim. The specific reason those officers hesitated while Novak bled out is the one detail from this conversation nobody forgets.It doesn't stop by itself. Watch and see how to we fix a broken society and a lost generation.

Looking for ONE classroom idea that could make your school year awesome? You are in the right place. In this episode we will take a deck of Uno cards and show you how to: increase student motivation, decrease problematic behaviors, boost classroom camaraderie, and create SO much fun. Literally all you need to implement this super simple, but super effective idea is a deck of uno cards and a classroom of kids. I promise you will want to implement this idea immediately! Episode Notes:  Check out These Fun, Flexible Teacher Courses for Official PD Credit: monicagenta.com/courses Needing Some Awesome PD for Your School? Let's Connect:  monicagenta.com/PD Get a free PDF copy of Monica's Book Crushing It For Kids Here: monicagenta.com/freebook Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd

Games That Belong in Every Classroom!This week on The Gateway Gamers Podcast, Bryan heads back to the classroom to talk about some of the children's games that have become staples in his kindergarten room.These aren't just games that keep kids busy. They sneak in counting, dexterity, storytelling, pattern recognition, memory, communication, and plenty of problem solving while still being genuinely fun to play.Bryan takes a look at Animal Upon Animal, Strike!, Rory's Story Cubes, The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game, I Want My Teeth Back!, and Hurry Up Chicken Butt! and talks about what makes each one work so well with young gamers.If you're a teacher, parent, or just looking for great educational board games for kids, this episode is packed with games that can help introduce children to tabletop gaming while building real classroom skills.Because sometimes the best way to learn is to just sit down and play a game.

Neuroscientist, educator, and author Dr. Jared Horvath joins Brian Kilmeade to discuss his book, The Digital Delusion. Horvath exposes how widespread classroom technology, laptops, and tablets are actively degrading student learning, memory retention, and critical thinking skills. He breaks down the cognitive neuroscience behind why handwriting beats typing, why screens destroy spatial memory, and why AI in schools triggers the "law of least effort" in young minds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Episode 218 of the Equipping ELLs podcast, Beth Vaucher picks up where Episode 206 left off — but this time leaves the theory behind and goes completely practical. Teachers who listened to the comprehensible input theory episode came back with one question: what does this actually look like on a Tuesday afternoon with 25 students at four different language levels? This episode answers that question with ten specific, concrete, immediately usable strategies.Beth opens with the anchor thought that runs through the whole episode: comprehensible input is not about making things easier. It is about removing the language barrier so students can get to the thinking. ELL students are intellectually capable of engaging with grade-level content. The challenge is the language used to deliver it — and every strategy in this episode is designed to take that barrier down enough that students can access the idea.Strategy one addresses rate of speech — something most teachers dramatically underestimate. Native English speakers speak at approximately 150 words per minute, which is overwhelming for a student actively decoding a new language. Beth recommends recording yourself teaching for three minutes and playing it back. Most teachers are genuinely surprised by what they hear. The pause, she notes, is not a break from learning — it is where comprehension happens.Strategy two connects pre-teaching vocabulary to comprehensible input. When a student encounters an unknown word mid-lesson, their brain stops and the next three sentences are lost. Pre-teaching five to eight essential words before the lesson — with visuals, student-friendly definitions, and a personal connection where possible — means those words are already in the brain when the lesson begins.Strategy three draws a sharp distinction between visuals that decorate and visuals that carry meaning. A labeled diagram of an ecosystem is comprehensible input. A stock photo of the ocean on an ecosystems slide is decoration. For newcomers and Stage 1 and 2 students, visuals are the primary access point — not a supplement.Strategy four addresses the long instructional block problem. By minute eight of a twenty-minute explanation, most ELL students have stopped comprehending. Chunking instruction into two to three minute segments with thirty seconds of processing time in between — whisper to a partner, jot a phrase — gives the brain time to connect new input to what it already knows.Strategy five covers gestures and physical demonstrations including Total Physical Response, noting that students can demonstrate comprehension through gesture long before they can demonstrate it through language. Consistent gestures paired with specific vocabulary build a physical vocabulary bank.Strategy six returns to modeling — the most underused strategy Beth has encountered in ELL classrooms. When teachers model by thinking out loud, making mistakes on purpose, and narrating self-correction, they provide comprehensible input for the task itself. Students hear academic language used purposefully in context rather than abstractly.Strategy seven addresses strategic partner pairing. Free conversation between a Level 2 and Level 4 student results in the Level 4 student doing most of the talking. Structured partner talk with a prompt and a sentence frame creates the conditions where the less proficient student receives comprehensible input from a peer at just one level above — i plus one in the most natural possible context.Strategy eight offers a fresh reframe: sentence frames as comprehensible input, not just scaffolded output. When a student sees a frame on the board they are receiving a model of how academic English organizes an idea — cause and effect, comparison, justification. The frame makes the language structure visible and comprehensible before students ever have to produce it.Strategy nine connects comprehensible input to background knowledge and translanguaging — asking a student what they know about ecosystems in Spanish, having them draw what they understand about the water cycle before it is taught in English. Schema is schema. Knowledge is knowledge. When students connect new content to what they already know in any language, the comprehensibility of the new input increases dramatically.Strategy ten addresses video and audio clips — genuinely powerful multi-channel input when used purposefully. The structure Beth recommends: preview two to three key words, give students one specific thing to listen or watch for, then respond with a sentence frame after the clip. Without that structure, a video clip is entertainment. With it, it is comprehensible input.FREE TRIAL: equippingells.com/trial — speaking and writing cards, close reading passages, tiered sentence frames, and scaffolds organized around comprehensible input, all ready to pull on Monday morning.

A teacher created a fart corner in her classroom. Experiment P. Man who murdered his family and is serving 5 life sentences is now engaged. Would Krystle stay with her boyfriend if he went to jail?

Recently I listened to Daniel Wilingham's book, Why Don't Kids Like School?, about how we can use what we know about how the mind works to make school work better for kids. And I found myself nodding along in chapter two as he talked about reading: "Do whatever you can to get kids to read, but it's not enough. People sometimes ask whether graphic novels count, or whether audiobooks do. The answer is an emphatic yes." I couldn't agree with Wilingham more. Sure, I've heard the argument that students need "rigor" at school. The canon. The classics. But I would certainly side with Penny Kittle and repeat the mic-drop line from her book, Book Love: "A book isn't rigorous if students aren't reading it." Sure, we can give kids only Dickens, Austen, and Hawthorne. That's an option. We can say only print-reading is "real" reading. But what will we gain, and what will we lose? It seems pretty obvious to me that while a few more kids might read classics if they're the only option, what will mostly happen is that we'll lose the majority of kids who might have started to love reading in our classrooms, given different starting points. So today I want to share the graphic novels I'll be showcasing in my classroom library this year. I'm really happy with this collection for my high school students, and I hope you'll find some new options for your library as I share mine. Of course, as always, you know your community best. Dig into the research and see the infographic and sources here: https://nowsparkcreativity.com/2026/07/the-uncrackable-justification-for-choice-reading.html  Watch Gene Luen Yang's Ted Talk, "Comics Belong in the Classroom" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjvTIP7pV20  Go Further:  Explore alllll the Episodes of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. Launch your choice reading program with all my favorite tools and recs, and grab the free toolkit. Join our community, Creative High School English, on Facebook. Come hang out on Instagram.  Enjoying the podcast? Please consider sharing it with a friend, snagging a screenshot to share on the 'gram, or tapping those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help others discover the show. Thank you!

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: o How Jim's years as a Marine Corps Infantry Officer shaped the leadership principles he still lives by today. o Why some of life's most important lessons can only be learned through experience. o The difference between gaining experience and gaining wisdom. o Why even intelligent, successful people often repeat mistakes they already know better than to make. o How to recognize the lesson hidden inside setbacks instead of simply calling them failures. o The story behind Jim's poem, The Breach, and why it continues to guide his life every day. To learn more about this guest: james.yount@destracapital.com    www.destracapital.com            

In this episode of The Nonprofit Exchange, I had the pleasure of speaking with Christine Lester, a lifelong learning and organizational development leader. Our conversation, titled "From the Classroom to the Boardroom," explored the unique journey Christine has taken from teaching young people to leading nonprofit organizations. Christine shared her insights on the importance of recognizing untapped talent within nonprofits and the challenges these organizations face, particularly in securing funding. She emphasized the need for leaders to develop softer skills, such as inclusivity and accessibility, which are often overlooked in traditional leadership training. We discussed her role as the founder of the Minister Development Center and her work with West Midlands Tomorrow, where she focuses on creating inclusive leadership and fostering community impact. Christine described herself as a "knowledge altruist," committed to sharing her expertise and helping others find their pathways to success. Throughout our conversation, Christine highlighted the significance of recognizing prior learning and experience, especially for young people entering the workforce. She passionately advocated for a more inclusive approach to education and employment, urging leaders to uncover hidden talents and capabilities in their teams. As we wrapped up, Christine expressed her hope for the future of nonprofit leadership, noting that the passion and tenacity of nonprofit leaders often surpass that of their corporate counterparts. Her insights serve as a powerful reminder that leadership is about creating systems and relationships that enable collective success. Join us for this enlightening discussion that encourages nonprofit leaders to stay open to opportunities and leverage the knowledge present in their communities for lasting impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A China expert explains Beijing's influence infrastructure; a surrogate mother defies intended parents who demanded abortion; and classroom phone bans may leave students still tethered to their devices. Plus: a bear honks for help before chewing up a car's interior, Tim Mulgrew on Scripture as a living record, Daniel Suhr on the malleable political center, and the Tuesday morning news.Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.Additional support comes from Ascend by Unbound. A higher education program focused on practical skill development and career preparation.  beunbound.us/worldFrom World Watch, a 10-minute daily news program that explores current events for students 5-12th grade. This high-energy show connects learners to the present, history and communities around the world. Join 40,000 Christian families that utilize World Watch as a tool to foster curiosity and have conversations about today's news as a discipleship rhythm within their families. “Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!” First time? Take advantage of a 30-days free trial at worldwatch.news/podcast Not ready to sign up? Check out a free episode at https://get.worldwatch.news/free-episode

In this episode of Art Ed Radio, host Tim Bogatz welcomes back high school art teacher Jenn Russell for an honest and entertaining conversation about teaching art history. Tim and Jenn discuss why art history works best when it is taught as a connected story full of drama, influence, cultural context, and unexpected twists. They also share their lists of overrated artists, as well as their lists of underrated artists who deserve a little more attention and respect. Jenn also shares her strategies for teaching AP Art History, connecting artworks to contemporary culture, and helping students move from memorable stories and strong reactions to thoughtful analysis. Full episode transcript below. Resources and Links Learn more about the Art Ed NOW Conference! Come join the Art of Ed Community! Browse the Art Ed Radio archives 12 Ideas to Help Students Engage with Art History But, Art History Is Boring! How to Bring Life to the Past and Present 7 Contemporary Artists Who Bring Art History to Life in the Classroom

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video EpisodeWhat if the best place to train your technicians isn't a classroom, but your own shop?In this episode of Remarkable Results Radio, Carm Capriotto sits down with Brandon Steckler, former Motor Age editor and industry educator, to discuss S.W.A.T. (Steckler Worldwide Automotive Technical Training and Diagnostics) and his mission to elevate automotive repair through hands-on education, diagnostic support, and a culture of continuous learning.Brandon explains why effective training should close knowledge gaps rather than simply provide quick answers, and why shop owners should view education as an investment in their people, their business, and the entire local repair community.What You'll LearnHow S.W.A.T. combines just-in-time diagnostic support with technician training.Why on-site training can create stronger technical foundations and better diagnostic habits.Why shop owners shouldn't fear inviting neighboring businesses to participate in training.How collaboration between local shops can strengthen the entire automotive repair community.Why technicians need to become "perpetual students" as vehicle technology continues to evolve.How investing in training can improve technician confidence, productivity, and profitability.Why bringing education directly into the shop can shorten the distance between learning and earning.Great technical training doesn't simply help a technician fix today's vehicle. It builds the knowledge, habits, confidence, and diagnostic thinking needed for tomorrow's challenges. Brandon's message is clear: shops that consistently invest in education create stronger professionals, stronger teams, and a stronger industry.Brandon Steckler, S.W.A.T Training and Diagnostics. Brandon's previous episodes HERE.Brandon's Cell Phone: 1 (484) 824-4621Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://remarkableresultsradiopodcast.captivate.fm/napaautocare NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/Connect with the Podcast:Download and Listen on Our Mobile App: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/app/Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriottoFollow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmastersJoin Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insiderAll books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/booksOur Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroomSpecial episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collectionsBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carmThe Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Facilitating Wisdom Through Storytelling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Automotive Field Theory: From Diagnostics to Quantum Physics and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numbers: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills with Craig O'Neill. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm

What if the reason your students shut down at "I can't" isn't a motivation problem — it's that nobody ever gave them a map?Jewellyn Forrest, co-founder of AutonoMY Learning and instructor at the University of Texas at Austin, joins me with over 33 years in education to introduce a visual framework that's changing how teachers and students think about struggle, effort, and what learning actually looks like. We talk about why circles are the wrong shape for learning, what happens when kids finally have language for what they're feeling mid-struggle, and why performing well on a test doesn't mean the learning is actually theirs yet. Jewellyn also gets real about her own parenting, her own burnout, and why this framework ended up doing something she never expected for her as a teacher, not just her students.If you've ever felt like you're the one holding all the weight of your classroom's learning, this conversation is going to shift something.Check out the full show notes: http://www.teachingmindbodyandsoul.com/episode160

Teaching is more than delivering content—it is a craft that requires intention, reflection, relationships, and a commitment to continually growing as an educator. In this episode, Dr. Anthony Richiez joins us for a conversation about the Craft of Teaching and what it truly means to develop the skills, mindset, and practices that make a lasting impact on students. Quotables "We're expected that we know everything, and I think sometimes the brain stops and we don't focus on the craft of teaching.""It's not content, it's context.""You have to find out why you're doing this [teaching]." About Dr. Anthony Richiez Dr. Anthony Richiez specializes in transforming classrooms from low engagement and disconnectedness to a high-achieving and comprehension-rich learning environment.Understanding what it takes to transform low-performing students into excelling scholars is the journey and system audiences will learn, experience, and implement. "I Teach Teachers How To Teach Better".-Dr. Richiez Connect with Dr. Anthony Richiez Website: https://www.anthonyrichiez.com/ https://myteachcraft.com/ Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lsx-eeZ_f4 Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/TeachCraftLearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/arichiez/ https://www.instagram.com/anthonyrichiez/ Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comBlog: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.'Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.”Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in infoLeave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcastClick ‘Send'

It's the night before CJ heads back to school for year 21—and there's still stuff left to do. And that's okay.In Episode 355 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, we're talking about what actually matters as a new school year begins: creating joy where you have control, staying grounded when you don't feel appreciated, simplifying your systems, protecting your time, and building a classroom where students know you genuinely want them to win.We also dig into some great teacher questions about mentoring new teachers, juggling teaching with graduate school, setting boundaries when students need more than you can give, grading without taking everything home, reading with struggling students, small-group instruction, and knowing when poor leadership is enough reason to leave a school.In this episode:Why you should “sweep in front of your own porch”Creating joy even when your school culture doesn'tWhat to do when you feel undervalued at schoolAdvocating for students when working conditions aren't acceptableHelping brand-new teachers survive multiple prepsJuggling teaching, graduate school, family, and your own goalsWhy CJ doesn't believe in work-life “balance”Setting boundaries without becoming less caringSupporting students without becoming their entire support systemHandling difficult personal seasons when returning to schoolReading aloud vs. independent reading vs. small groupsGrading and lesson planning without bringing everything homeTeaching the same students for another yearMaking directions clearer—and embracing a little weirdnessMaking small-group work actually workThe goal isn't to have everything perfect before students arrive. It's to show up intentionally, pay attention to what works, and keep building from there.

A primary school in Darwin, Northern Territory, celebrated Indonesia's Independence Day on a grand scale school-wide event, featuring activities that invited the participation of the entire school community for the first time. - Sebuah sekolah dasar di Darwin, Northern Territory ikut merayakan HUT RI secara masif, dengan kegiatan yang mengundang partisipasi seluruh elemen sekolah untuk pertama kalinya.Listen to SBS Indonesian on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 3pm.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our podcasts. - Dengarkan SBS Indonesian setiap hari Senin, Rabu, Jumat, dan Minggu jam 3 sore.Ikuti kami di Facebook dan Instagram, serta jangan lewatkan podcast kami.

Listen to the full episode here

It's back-to-school season, but what do kids actually need to thrive in the classroom? Brittany Wheaton, founder of Teaching to a Riot, joins us to challenge some long-standing ideas about student behavior. We talk about the psychological needs that may be hiding underneath certain behaviors, why some kids fall apart after holding it together all day, and why she believes common reward systems can sometimes backfire. Plus, what parents can do when they can't control how their child's classroom operates.   Learn more about our guest(s): https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/shownotes Join us again for our 15-minute daily news roundups every Mon-Fri!  Become an INSIDER and get ad-free episodes here: https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/insider Get The NewsWorthy MERCH here: https://www.theNewsWorthy.com/merch Sponsors: Get 20% off  Rosetta Stone Sapphire subscription when you sign up at  RosettaStone.com/newsworthy today! Stop piecing your software together. Go to Odoo.com/newsworthy to learn more. To advertise on our podcast, please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com

In Episode 217 of the Equipping ELLs podcast, Beth Vaucher delivers exactly what every ELL teacher needs in the first weeks of school — a clear, focused, week-by-week guide for moving from reactive teaching to a system that actually runs. Not a perfect classroom. Not a flawless first month. A grounded, intentional system that carries both teacher and students through the rest of the year.Beth opens by naming the mistake she made herself for years — trying to do everything at once in the first week of school. Getting to know students AND assessing levels AND launching the first unit AND setting up routines AND connecting with homeroom teachers all simultaneously. The result: everything done halfway, nothing done well. The framework she offers instead is built on a simple principle she names early: sequence equals success. One focus per week. One question to answer by Friday.Week one is entirely about knowing students before teaching them. Beth gives permission to skip the full instructional launch and invest in relationship building first — because students who feel known acquire language faster, and that is not just her experience but research. For newcomers specifically she is direct and clear: your first job is not instruction. It is belonging. She walks through what Week 1 actually looks like — getting to know you activities, speaking routines established from Day 1 using topics students actually care about, and observation with a general lens. Crucially, Beth frames this through an assets approach rather than a deficit one, asking teachers to focus first on what students can already do rather than immediately cataloguing gaps.Week two shifts from general watching to intentional informal assessment — one domain per day across the week. Monday speaking, Tuesday listening, Wednesday and Thursday reading and writing. Beth cautions against redundancy with classroom assessments already happening and encourages ELL teachers to use existing data rather than adding more assessment burden. By Friday teachers should have three clearly formed groups and have made one specific connection with one homeroom teacher — one observation, one resource, one relationship started.Week three is about launching and running. Beth connects directly back to the previous episode's unit planning framework and also offers a simpler entry point for teachers who are not ready for a full unit: DM the word ROUTINES on Instagram for five simple classroom routines that create the structure without requiring a fully designed unit. The key deliverables are baseline writing samples, speaking recordings, and any documentation system that teachers will actually maintain through the year.Week four is adjust and accelerate — looking at what the system is showing and responding. Moving students between groups, adjusting scaffold complexity, identifying students who need more targeted support than the group structure provides. Beth specifically names SLIFE students and long-term ELLs as the populations most likely to surface at this point — and frames the data collected in weeks one through three as preparation for the harder conversations with admin and colleagues that will happen in October and November.The episode closes with an honest and warm invitation to the free week trial of the Equipping ELLs membership — framed not as a sales pitch but as a direct response to the moment when the framework is clear but the resources are not yet there.FREE TRIAL: equippingells.com/trial — full access for one week, no credit card required.MEMBERSHIP CODE: TAKE20OFF — 20% off Tier 3 yearly for podcast listeners.FREE ROUTINES: DM ROUTINES to @EquippingELLs on Instagram.

For twenty-five years we sent the struggling kid to the back of the room with headphones on. Todd Brekhus of Renaissance explains why that model broke personalized learning, and how teacher-facing AI hands the room back to you. Todd Brekhus is Chief Product Officer at Renaissance, General Manager of Nearpod, a former English teacher and technology director, and the creator of the myON literacy platform. We recorded this conversation at ISTE 2026. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why "personalized learning" quietly pushed teachers out of the loop, and what changes when you say "personalized teaching and learning" instead - How to pull last year's skill-level data and plan two paths before tomorrow's lesson - Why back-of-the-room intervention stigmatizes kids, and how to differentiate inside the core lesson - The case for a formative check every six to eight minutes without leaving your slides - Why Renaissance deliberately chose not to build student-facing AI, and what productive struggle has to do with it This episode is sponsored by Renaissance. Renaissance Intelligence connects the loop across assessment, curriculum, instruction, practice and proficiency, so educators can act on student needs in real time. Learn more at renaissance.com/intelligence Full show notes, resources, and the complete transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e968  If this episode gave you something you can use tomorrow, leave a rating and review wherever you're listening — it helps other teachers find the show. And share it with a teacher friend who's tired of the screen-time argument. Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a sponsored episode. Renaissance has compensated me to share information about Renaissance Intelligence. However, all opinions expressed are my own. I have personally reviewed these resources and only recommend tools I believe offer genuine value to classroom teachers. My endorsement is limited to the educational products and services discussed in this episode. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." The sponsor has no impact on the editorial content of this show.

A new school year brings fresh opportunities—and plenty of preparation. In this back-to-school episode of Literacy Talks, classroom teacher Lindsay Kemeny shares the five priorities she focuses on every year to create a strong start for both students and teachers.From getting to know your students before the first day to planning instruction, building relationships with families, organizing your classroom, and even taking time to celebrate the start of a new year, Lindsay offers practical strategies that can help make those first weeks more intentional and less overwhelming.Along the way, Stacy Hurst and Donell Pons expand the conversation with insights on supporting students across grade levels, fostering self-advocacy, communicating effectively with families and educators, and creating learning environments where every student can thrive.If you're looking for practical ideas to make the transition back to school smoother and more successful, this episode offers actionable strategies you can put into practice from day one.Watch on YouTube.Show NotesLindsay's 5 Principles1: Get to know your students before day one.A fresh start doesn't have to mean starting with a blank slate. Lindsay explains how she reviews academic data, previous interventions, IEP accommodations, health considerations, and other available information before school begins. That knowledge helps her make intentional decisions about seating, initial small groups, and the support individual students may need.2: Plan instruction—and teach routines through it.Rather than spending the first weeks focused exclusively on rules and procedures, Lindsay begins teaching content right away, slowing down instruction as needed to explicitly teach classroom routines along the way. Procedures for using materials, transitioning, working at desks, and participating in lessons become part of actual instruction.3: Build communication and connection early.Positive relationships with families shouldn't begin when there's a problem. The hosts discuss welcome communications, parent questionnaires, regular classroom updates, and the value of intentionally reaching out with something positive—especially to families who may be accustomed to hearing from school only when something has gone wrong.4: Design the classroom around students and learning.Classroom setup isn't just about decoration. Lindsay considers traffic flow, accessibility, attention, student needs, seating, materials, and how easily students can see and participate in instruction. Donell extends the conversation to helping older students recognize environmental distractions and advocate for learning conditions that help them succeed.5: Make room to celebrate.Preparing for a new school year is a lot of work. Lindsay's final priority is simple: intentionally do something enjoyable to mark the beginning of a new year. The hosts also discuss checking in and celebrating after the first week as a way to reflect on what went well, what was challenging, and what's ahead.

What if sleep isn't just something your body needs but a gift from God that can actually teach you something about Him? In this fascinating conversation with Brett McCracken, author of The Wisdom of Sleep, we explore why God designed us to spend nearly a third of our lives asleep, how sleep gives us a beautiful picture of grace and the gospel, and why our resistance to rest may reveal more than we realize. We also talk about dreams, Sabbath, hustle culture, and what to do when good sleep feels impossible. I walked away seeing something I do every single night in a completely new way, and I think you will, too. Remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode! Xo, Donna Key Takeaways: 0:02:27 - Sleep as a Gift and Theology, Not Just a Health Hack 0:07:59 - Sleep, Hustle Culture, and Spiritual Warfare 0:11:02 - Nightly Sleep as a Living Picture of the Gospel 0:15:31 - Dreams as God’s Classroom in the Night 0:23:33 - Sabbath, Limits, and Resisting the Idol of Productivity What We Talk About Why Brett wrote The Wisdom of Sleep What a "theology of sleep" actually means Why Scripture describes sleep as a gift from God The physical, mental, and emotional benefits of sleep How sleep gives us a miniature picture of the gospel Why waking up can be viewed as a picture of resurrection What science tells us about why we dream How God uses dreams throughout Scripture How to discern whether a dream might have spiritual significance Why Scripture must always be our standard for discernment The connection between sleep and Sabbath How hustle culture can keep us from receiving God's gift of rest Why accepting our limitations is an act of trust Finding hope when good sleep feels elusive Sleep as a Nightly Picture of the Gospel Brett offers a beautiful way to rethink something we normally take for granted: We lie down. Sleep requires us to stop striving and surrender control. We receive. While we sleep, restoration happens without our effort. We don't achieve the benefits of sleep—we receive them. We rise. Each morning, we wake to new life, giving us a small picture of resurrection. We remember. Sleep reminds us that we're limited, God isn't, and His grace sustains us even when we're doing absolutely nothing. That changes the way I think about going to bed! Donna’s Resources: Order a copy of my latest book - Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God. It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their faith. Connect with Brett: Brett’s Website: https://www.brettmccracken.com/ Brett’s Book: The Wisdom of Sleep: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310175712 Let’s Connect: Instagram: @donnaajones Website: www.donnajones.org Donna’s speaking schedule: https://donnajones.org/events/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, and Robert Pondiscio discuss his Atlanta Classical Academy commencement speech, the value of learning together in a community, and the promise and perils of AI in education. Robert Pondiscio is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and an affiliate of AEI’s James Q. Wilson Program in K–12 Education Studies, where he focuses on K–12 education, curriculum, teaching, school choice, and charter schooling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**The Scott Adams School – Friday, August 7, 2026**What a great way to close out the week!Today we're joined by **King Randall**, known on X as **@NewEmergingKing**, as our Guest Professor.King is the founder of The X for Boys & Girls and has made it his mission to help young people build the skills, discipline, confidence, responsibility, and real-world competence they need to grow into capable young men and women.We're spending the hour getting to know King, hearing more about the work he's doing with boys and girls, what he has learned along the way, and why mentorship, practical skills, strong role models, and personal responsibility matter so much.We're really looking forward to this conversation, and we think you're going to enjoy getting to know him too.As always, thank you for being part of **The Scott Adams School** and this incredible community.

Today, host John Norlin shares a strategy called Deck of Destiny, a simple way to weave relationship-building into the daily fabric of the classroom without adding time to an already full schedule. Using a deck of cards connected to get-to-know questions, educators can create two-minute connection moments that are random, engaging, and easy to sustain. He also explains why the real barrier to relational work is rarely time and more often priority, and how reframing "I didn't have time" as "that wasn't a priority for me" changes the way educators think about what gets woven into the school day. In this conversation, John offers important reminders for educators and leaders: Saying "I didn't have the time" and saying "that wasn't a priority for me" mean the same thing. Sitting with that distinction changes how we make decisions about what gets into the school day. Two minutes of intentional connection at the start, end, or transition of class is enough to build the relational foundation that makes everything else work better. Giving students a random, choice-based entry point into connection increases engagement and makes the routine feel fresh rather than formulaic. Learn More About CharacterStrong:  Sign up for the CharacterStrong Weekly Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Free, ad-free BBC videos with ready-to-teach lesson plans — Bluey, leveled reading articles, dinosaur field trips, and a daily newsroom, all free for K-12. Kimmie Fink spent 13 years in the classroom and was named Puget Sound Teacher of the Year before becoming Senior Editor of the BBC Learning Hub. At her ISTE 2026 booth, teachers kept asking what the premium version costs. The answer: there isn't one. Everything is free. In this Fab Idea Friday episode, Kimmie walks through what a teacher can download and use tomorrow — and how a former teacher decides what belongs in a resource library she once wished she had. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the BBC Learning Hub holds the only licensed Bluey learning materials — 15 free lessons on friendship, feelings, and reading body language Where to find leveled reading articles pulled from BBC magazines, written at grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 so every reader in the room can access the same content How the Walking with Dinosaurs virtual field trip works — six dig sites, an interactive map, a paleontologist field journal, and a full teacher guide, in a 45- to 60-minute student exploration you can also break into pieces How a daily five-minute Newsbite with built-in questions gives you a media literacy warm-up that's ready every school day How to sign up free, build your own playlist, and assign it straight to Google Classroom Full show notes, every resource link, and the complete transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e964 This episode is sponsored by the BBC Learning Hub.

Character education often gets lip service in schools — we say it matters, but rarely build a real system to make it happen. What if students could regularly practice noticing and naming character strengths like self-efficacy, depth, and generosity in each other through anonymous nominations? On the podcast this week, high school English teacher Marcus Luther returns to share a system he created that does exactly that.  ___________________________ Thanks to Alpaca and Notability for sponsoring the episode. To read a written version of this podcast, visit cultofpedagogy.com/peer-affirmations. To learn more about my upcoming course, Mastering the Lesson Plan, visit cultofpedagogy.com/teaching101.