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
189 episodes
Episode #7: Get the Balance Right Between the Individual and the Community
It is difficult to be an effective teacher without developing productive and healthy relationships with students. These relationships, along with the connections that students form with other students, serve as the basis for building a st...
Episode #6: Find the Line Between Traditional and Modern Instruction
Do you consider yourself a more traditional or modern teacher instructionally? The truth is that our most effective teachers are both. Our students need you to be both. We need them to be able to learn from both. If you ...
Episode #5: End the Obsession with Money
Funding is important for the education system, but inside the classroom, budget should NEVER dictate the effectiveness of a lesson. Effective teachers innovate, create, and build meaningful lessons no matter the obstacles. The oppor...
Episode #4: Differentiation is NOT a Four-Letter Word
When did differentiating students and speaking truth about where they are in the learning process become four-letter words? As effective educators, we need to ensure that our process bolsters the individual. We can't do that if we d...
Episode #3: Coming of Age Is a Real Thing
I'm not sure when it happens for every teacher, but at some point, you will (or should) realize the incredible opportunity we have been given as educators. We have the ability to positively affect lives every single day! As part of ...
Episode #2: Botched Executions
Ever had a lesson go way south or messed up an activity so bad you wanted to run away and hide? Well, congratulations you're a teacher! The key is to adapt and improve. The worst thing you can do is stop innovating or being cr...
Episode #1: August Investments Make the Difference
We're back on the podcast and back in school! Start the year by investing in your students and yourselves. The people must always come before the process, particularly in August. Bring your best and carry that energy all the w...
Episode #26: Zero Apologies for Focusing on Students
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, advocat...
Episode #25: You'll Regret It...
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 ...
Episode #24: X-Men and X-Women
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 ...
Episode #23: Warm Up to Administrators
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 meaningf...
Episode #22: Vary Your Vantage Points
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. &nb...
Episode #21: Under Pressure Isn't Always a Bad Thing
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...
Episode #20: Too Much Telling and Not Enough Action
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,...
Episode #19: Stop with the Credit Recovery Mindset
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, to...
Episode #18: Rise of the Rot
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 practica...
Episode #17: Quit Normalizing Dysfunction
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 educat...
Episode #16: Public vs. Private Lives
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 publ...
Episode #15: Octopus Mentality
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, a...
Episode #14: Nothing is Black and White
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. ...
Episode #13: Most People Aren't Terrible
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.
Episode #12: Lord of the Flings and Zings
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.
Episode #11: Kids Need ______.
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 ...
Episode #10: Judge Professional Development Fairly
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! &n...
Episode #9: Intelligence is NOT the Same as Compliance or Experience
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 te...