Nov. 5, 2025

Transforming Education: Dr. Wendy Amato’s Insights on Warm Demander Pedagogy and Mistake-Friendly Classrooms

Transforming Education: Dr. Wendy Amato’s Insights on Warm Demander Pedagogy and Mistake-Friendly Classrooms
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Season 2

Welcome to Digital Learning Today. In this episode, Jeff Bradbury explores the strategic systems that shape the future of education, focusing on Instructional Coaching, Artificial Intelligence, Professional Learning, and the latest Educational Technology Trends. In this conversation, Dr. Wendy Amato, Chief Academic Officer for the Teaching Channel, shares her extensive background in education and the Teaching Channel's mission. She discusses the importance of effective professional development for teachers, emphasizing the need for adult learning models designed specifically for educators. Dr. Amato explains warm demander pedagogy and how to create mistake-friendly classroom environments. She also explores the K-12 Coalition's role in supporting teachers and building healthy school cultures. Throughout the discussion, she reflects on her experiences as a podcaster and the valuable lessons learned from her guests.

Become a High-Impact Leader:

This episode is just the beginning. To get the complete blueprint for designing and implementing high-impact systems in your district, get your copy of my book, "Impact Standards."
  • Strategic Vision for Digital Learning:Learn how to create a district-wide vision that aligns digital learning with your educational goals, transforming how standards-based instruction is designed and supported.
  • Curriculum Design and Implementation:Discover practical strategies for integrating digital learning into existing curricula, creating vertical alignment of skills, and mapping digital learning across grade levels.
  • Effective Instructional Coaching:Master the art of coaching people rather than technology, building relationships that drive success, and measuring impact through student engagement rather than just technology usage.

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Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Amato brings extensive experience in education, from classroom teaching to administrative leadership.
  • Teaching Channel offers resources and support for both teachers and school leaders.
  • Effective professional development must align with adult learning principles designed for educators.
  • Mistake-friendly classrooms encourage students to take risks and view errors as learning opportunities.
  • Warm demander pedagogy combines high expectations with strong support to help students succeed.
  • Meaningful professional development includes follow-up coaching and accountability measures.
  • Strong student-teacher relationships form the foundation of effective instruction.
  • K12 Coalition helps educators implement evidence-based teaching practices.
  • Teacher certification programs must be both accessible and high-quality.
  • Hosting a podcast has deepened Dr. Amato's understanding of current educational challenges and solutions.

Chapters:

  • 00:00Introduction to Dr. Wendy Amato
  • 02:40The Evolution of Professional Development
  • 05:25Understanding Adult Learning in Education
  • 08:04Warm Demander Pedagogy Explained
  • 11:03Creating a Mistake-Friendly Classroom
  • 13:49Building a Supportive Classroom Culture
  • 16:34The Role of K-12 Coalition
  • 19:17Inspiring Stories from the Field
  • 21:53Lessons Learned from Podcasting
  • 25:02Conclusion and Future Conversations

About our Guest: Dr. Wendy Amato

Dr. Wendy Amato is Chief Academic Officer at K12 Coalition, where she leads academic strategy across a suite of educator-facing brands, including Teaching Channel, iteach, and Passage Preparation. A former classroom teacher and seasoned program designer, Wendy has spent her career helping teachers and school leaders translate research into practice. She holds a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Virginia and has designed professional learning experiences for educators in all 50 states and several countries.

About the K12 Coalition

K12 Coalition provides products and services that help K-12 schools and teachers achieve transformational learning outcomes. We tackle many of today’s toughest education challenges, including teacher recruitment and retention, student learning acceleration, ongoing teacher coaching and development, long-range strategic planning, and school equity audits. K12 Coalition came together when passionate educators with deep experience as teachers, school leaders and high-level district administrators saw a genuine need for something better. Our divisions include iteach, Teaching Channel, Insight Education Group and Lavinia Group.

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Book Jeff for your Next Event

Jeff Bradbury (ISTE “20 to Watch” Award Winner and ISTE Certified Educator) is available for keynote speaking, workshop facilitation, and live event broadcasting. With expertise in educational technology and professional development, Jeff brings engaging content and practical strategies to conferences and professional learning events.
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