Teachers Not Following the Rules | When Professional Judgment Matters More 309

One Tired Teacher With Trina Deboree

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One Tired Teacher With Trina Deboree
Teachers Not Following the Rules | When Professional Judgment Matters More 309
Aug 24, 2026 Episode 309
Trina Deboree

Teachers Not Following the Rules | Professional Judgment in Teaching explores why professional judgment matters more than perfect compliance. If you've ever wondered whether you should follow every curriculum script exactly as written or trust your instincts, this episode is for you.

Teachers are natural rule followers. But children don't all learn the same way, and great teaching requires thoughtful flexibility. In this episode of One Tired Teacher, I share the classroom experience that changed the way I thought about curriculum, teacher judgment, and adapting instruction to meet students' needs.

You'll also hear The Trust Yourself Framework, a simple process that helps teachers make thoughtful decisions without losing confidence in their professional expertise.

In this episode:

• Why children deserve thoughtful teachers—not perfect rule followers
 • The classroom story that changed my approach to teaching writing
 • Why professional judgment matters more than blind fidelity
 • The Trust Yourself Framework: Learn, Observe, Reflect, Adapt, Repeat
 • Why teacher flexibility is a strength, not a weakness
 • How thoughtful iteration leads to better teaching and deeper student learning

Curriculum can support great teaching.

But the curriculum doesn't teach kids.

Teachers do.

If this episode encourages you, subscribe and join me each week as we bring more humanity back to teaching.

The Trust Yourself Framework

Learn. Observe. Reflect. Adapt. Repeat.

Because great teaching isn't about perfection. It's about thoughtful iteration.

Links Mentioned in the Show:

2nd Grade STEM Curriculum | NGSS Science Units & Lesson Plans

Support the show

Need a fully developed STEM Curriculum for 2nd grade with a heavy focus on reading and science? I've got you covered. 

 👉  2nd Grade STEM Curriculum | NGSS Science Units & Lesson Plans


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