The ABC's High School Teachers Really Need to Know
This podcast was developed to help high school teachers better reach students, as well as gain more self-fulfillment by doing just that. We will discuss essential strategies and stories to help new, experienced, burned-out, and/or growth-focused teachers find their way in a world of confusing, endless, and oftentimes overwhelming resources for educators. Hopefully, you will find these both tangible and applicable in your own professional journey. This podcast is definitely not about “polish” and “pretty”. Instead, it’s about REAL strategies that have proven results in REAL classrooms. Thank you for taking the time to get better for your students. Most of all, thank you for being a teacher.
Episodes
146 episodes
Episode #16: Primary School Performance Can Lead to Secondary Wounds
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 a...
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Season 6
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Episode 16
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30:08
Episode #15: Overcome the Magnet at the Bottom
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 yo...
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Season 6
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Episode 15
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25:57
Episode #14: Not Your Grandma's Classroom
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, ...
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Season 6
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Episode 14
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31:11
Episode #13: Message in a Battle
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...
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Season 6
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Episode 13
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21:10
Episode #12: Ladders of Discipline are Inadequate in Schools
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 stude...
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Season 6
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Episode 12
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20:20
Episode #11: Keep the Focus on Students and Classroom Management Will Follow
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 certa...
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Season 6
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Episode 11
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26:09
Episode 10: Job & Role Changes are Often Healthy & Productive
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 wha...
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Season 6
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Episode 10
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34:38
Episode #9: Intelligence is NOT Experience
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.
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Season 6
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Episode 9
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23:19
Episode #8: Hardened Criminals or Hardened Circumstances?
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...
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Season 6
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Episode 8
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18:43
Episode #7: Gauge Group Work Correctly
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, ...
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Season 6
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Episode 7
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28:09
Episode #6: Futures Happen Now
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 opportu...
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20:39
Episode #5: Evaluations that Actually Matter
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-eva...
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Season 6
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Episode 5
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26:39
Episode #4: Deliver on Your Promises
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 worl...
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Season 6
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Episode 4
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22:50
Episode #6: Craft Powerful Lessons
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.
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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35:05
Episode #2: Bandage the Wounds
Please take the time to listen to this week's episode. Do it for YOU! Effective teachers know that learning to bandage our wounds will lead to both better student outcomes and increased professional longevity. Letting things g...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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21:38
Episode #1: Affect Change, Even While You're Swimming Upstream
We're back! In this week's episode, we talk about the importance of affecting change, even though it feels like we're sometimes swimming upstream. Effective teachers know that spending a disproportionate amount of time on students t...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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34:05
Episode #26: Zapped and Zits: Navigating the 4th Nine-Weeks
In our final episode of the season, we look at how to turn the challenges of the 4th nine-weeks into incredible learning opportunities that improve outcomes. Simply put, effective teachers are at their best in May. We don't "mail it...
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Season 5
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Episode 26
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40:55
Episode #25: Your Life Sentence
If you had to sum up your impact in the classroom in one sentence, what would it say? How similar would it be to the sentence your kids would write? Effective teachers strive to make a positive difference. They also realize th...
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Season 5
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Episode 25
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25:11
Episode #24; X-Teachers and X-Parents and X-Students, Oh My!
Living in the past, no matter how great it may be, can lead to emotional drag for you and unfair comparisons and contrasts for your students. Effective teachers realize the importance of being fully present for their students and coworker...
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Season 5
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Episode 24
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18:31
Episode #23: Who You Gonna Call?
As a regular part of your process, utilize content experts/professionals, interventionists, and strong continuing education resources. Make relationships with people outside of your classroom and leverage them to generate better outcomes ...
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Season 5
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Episode 23
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28:21
Episode #22: Venture Into the Unknown
As an educator, if you aren't venturing into the unknown, you are reducing your effectiveness as a classroom manager, content leader, and professional colleague. Don't grow or change for the sake of growing and changing. Instead, ve...
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Season 5
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Episode 22
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23:18
Episode #21: Unclutter Your Mind and Your Path
Educators have to balance a seemingly endless number of tasks and responsibilities. This can lead to stress, anxiety, fatigue, burnout, and a lack of focus. However, effective teachers know the importance of eliminating clutter and ...
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Season 5
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Episode 21
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37:17
Episode #20: Top Ten Trademarks of an Anti-Misery Teacher
In this episode, we will talk about ten things that can help reduce or eliminate misery in your classroom. From mindless structure and obsessive bathroom policies to overreactions to gum chewing and more, we will discuss it. It's am...
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Season 5
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Episode 20
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32:13
Episode #19: Substitutes Shouldn't Be Your Burden
Let's keep it simple. Both philosophically and practically, the substitute shortage shouldn't be your burden. Educators can advocate for their kids and themselves at the same time. Stop going to work sick. Stop missing f...
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Season 5
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Episode 19
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22:28
Episode #18: Review Day Revisited
Teachers often use "Review Days" as a regular part of their process, especially before summative assessments. However, if not approached correctly, these days can actually hurt students and even prevent learning. Playing games of ra...
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Season 5
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Episode 18
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34:53