Episodes

Jennifer Abrams is an "international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, universities and non-profits," and in this episode, she brings profound wisdom, tangible strategies, and deep insight into how we can have hard conversations better. - Have you had a clarifying conversation? - Are you using power over another, or for another? - Do you want to be right? Or effective? - Are you suspending your certainty? - Do you have a SCARF mindset? - Are you c...

There are few educational leaders like Principal Kafele. His wisdom, experience, insight, and strength are unmatched, and his message is on point. He recently published his new book, What Is My Value Instructionally to the Teachers I Supervise? In this episode, Mr. Kafele shares insights about the book, thoughts around the book, and practices that should permeate our schools, hallways, and classrooms. Topics including, but not limited to: - The importance of Principal Voice - Developing schoo...

We've been together now for just under three years, and we are excited to celebrate this milestone with you! In this episode, Brian and Kasey spend a short time celebrating the moment but then spend the hour chatting about teachers, teacher struggles, and the well-being of educators. Throughout our educational career, we will carry three boxes, in and out of our schools and classrooms: Box 1: The box of hopes and dreams Box 2: The boxes of burden and responsibilities Box 3: The box of purpo...

Get your mind and pen ready! In this episode, Julie Schell takes us on a journey full of depth, purpose, and insight—walking us through how we think, encouraging us to feel the pinch of empathy, and clarifying the powers of purposeful AI use. Julie Schell is the Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Technology, Director of the Office of Academic Technology, Executive Director for Instructional Continuity, Innovation, and Accreditation, and Assistant Professor of Practice Design at the University ...

Educators are burning out. Quickly. But we don't have to! Nor do we have to overhaul our entire teaching practice. In fact, with a few minor changes, we can thrive! And so can our students. In this episode, Rae Hughart pulls back the curtain a bit, revealing a few simple truths about why teachers are struggling and, more importantly, what they can do about it. Rae Hughart is the CEO and Founder ofTeachers Deserve It, a TEDx Speaker, educator, and author of Teachers Deserve It and Teach Better...

Did Maslow get it wrong? Does writing poetry make us brave? Are we needlessly nailing ourselves to the cross? Maybe. In this episode, Brian and Kasey discuss educational phrases and mindsets, work through a few powerful quotes, and discuss if Maslow should consider giving up the title of GOAT. If you have any that you'd like us to (re)consider, let us know! Ideas and Quotes worth (re)Considering: - Be data-informed, not data-driven - Don't find a problem for every solution, lest you become ...

We don't have to travel far to find someone who is struggling. Be it a student, fellow teacher, neighbor, or friend, at some point, in some way, everyone will be asked to endure hard times. Often, we try and do it alone. In this episode, Kasey and Brian chat with Chris Gonsalvez - a teacher, administrator, and PD leader who is passionate about working with schools to create cultures where 100% take care of 100% - and discover a handful of tangible strategies that ensure we take care of ourselve...

"No savant has ever changed the world," David Epstein writes in Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World. Generalists, however, have. And do. Yet, in our classrooms and schools - in our quest to raise children as best we can - we strive for greatness, hustle towards the 10,000 hours, and applaud those who reach the podium. We celebrate the savant and overlook the jack who has dabbled in all trades and mastered none. We should be doing the very opposite. In this episode, Kasey and...

Scott Irvin is widely known as The Kid Whisperer, He is also the author of the Classroom Behavior Manual⁠ and strongly believes we are in the dark ages of behavior management. Fortunately, he has a plan. - Use your Argument Shield. - Make an ESPN Greeting (Eye Contact, Smile, Physical contact, call them by Name) habit. - Establish your role as the Friendly Loving Alpha. - Calmly hold kids accountable in a realistic way, and delay the learning opportunity. - Share control - provide students...

The Truth About Reading is an "eye-opening documentary film from Emmy-winning director Nick Nanton" that attempts to reveal the truth about reading and the failure of public schools to teach it. In this episode, Brian and Kasey ask the two stars of the film, David Chalk and John Corcoran share their story, explain the journey of The Truth About Reading, and seek a solution for struggling parents and students. Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is a proud partner with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TeachBetter.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Are our habits smart? Are they truly helpful? Are we acquiring high-quality knowledge or simple knowledge? And how do we know? Then, and most importantly, are we able to use it? The answers may not be as easy as we think. In this episode, Brian and Kasey chat with Dr. Markman and discuss his new book, Smart Thinking: Three Essential Keys to Solve Problems, Innovate, and Get Things Done.⁠ Smart Thinking: Three Essential Keys to Solve Problems Develop Smart Habits: 1. Develop Smart Habits 2...

Few people have made a dent in the academic universe like John Hattie. In our brief conversation, it is easy to see why. In this episode, Kasey and Brian chat with John Hattie about sports, Visible Learning, what it means to be a threat to the academic model, and much much more. - Schools have data but struggle to see it. - Educators give feedback, but is it received, heard, and actionable? - Are students/staff listening to your words or emotions? Episodes Referenced: - Ep. 57: The meaning ...

Dr. Brad Gustafson is a celebrated and award winning elementary principal, speaker, and author. He recently published his latest work, Overcoming Education: Complex Challenges, Difficult People, and the Art of Making a Difference. In this episode, Kasey and Brian walk with Brad through the complex challenges of education through the lens of the question, "Who do I want to be?" Episodes Referenced: - Ep 31: Education is a Wicked Problem, which means it is impossible to solve. We tried anyway. Sh...

Entertainment and manipulation, although low-hanging fruit that can easily change behaviors, are not true engagement. They're wolves. In this episode, using Amy Berry's Continuum of Engagement, Kasey and Brian work through the disguises of engagement, discuss their pros and cons to learning, and offer tangible solutions for educators to lead students into higher levels of engagement. Continuum of Engagement: Active Disengagement Passive Disengagement Passive Engagement Active Engagement S...

Before learners learn, they need to feel safe and sound. Before teachers teach, they need create a space that IS safe and sound. And we do so by building personal connections. - Enter with empathy. Say, "This isn't going to be easy, but we can get through this together." - Avoid sarcasm. It's destructive and unkind, disguised with a smile. - Respect the imbalance of power. You are the teacher. - Share control . . . cautiously. - Be a believer. Always hope. - Be interested in your students....

Being a teacher is unique. The struggles are real and the weight of responsibility overwhelming. Especially when tasked with doing "whatever it takes" for our students and schools. In this episode, Brian and Kasey discuss the unintentional manipulation of such phrases, play out their implications, and provide alternative perspectives that can provide educators a more healthy balance of life, work, and responsibility. Such as: - Forget the students - Seven minutes. No more, no less. - Suck at...

Grab your notes, sharpen you pen, and buckle up! In this episode, we take off quick and cover a TON of beautiful ground. John Almarode is an associate professor of education and the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education at James Madison University, and in this episode, he brings the intellectual boom. In just over an hour, Mr Almarode walks us through the land of Engagement with the help of Continuum of Engagement, arguing for Generative Learning, and breaking...

Cultural Engagement is essential to creating a safe and sound environment, and a safe and sound environment is essential to learning. In this episode, Kasey and Brian provide strategies for teachers and educational leaders that encourage students to bring in their culture, engage with the culture, and create a holistically safe, secure, and diversly strong culture. Episodes Referenced: - Ep. 73: Let them be loud; Let them show up with Dr Curry - Ep. 55: The Culture Blend with Jerry Jones - Ep...

From deschooling to the average age shifting to 32 and everywhere in-between. In this episode, Brian and Kasey take a break from the deep-dive of engagement and check in, share their current thoughts and convictions, and wrestle through - as always - how we can best support teachers, encourage students, and improve education. - Opus Number 1: You can download the song or listen to the This American Life episode. - Deschooling Society. It is available on Amazon. "Most learning is not the resul...

"How can I lead you through this?" This week, we welcome back school mental health expert Charle Peck to discuss Emotional Engagement and how we can best serve, protect, and teach our students in an emotionally secure environment. In this episode, we wrestle through a variety of questions such as, "How do we create an emotionally secure space?" and "What are some strategies teachers can use to help connect with students and quick and efficient ways?" As always, Mrs. Peck provides tangible ans...

Social Media is NOT true engagement. It has skewed our perception of connection and continually ignores the rules of social engagement. It has not only changed us all, it has directly impacted our schools and classrooms. In this episode, Kasey and Brian break down Social Engagement - what it is and what it isn't - and provide tangible ways educators can instantly and intentionally provide a space for students to safely and appropriately socially engage with each other. - Focus on first interac...

Understanding and guiding student behavior is a crucial component to any classroom. Unfortunately, our traditional discipline and behavior management strategies are also primarily based on reaction rather than proactive and purposeful teaching. In this episode, Brian and Kasey invite Jedd Hafer on the show to discuss Behavioral Engagement and why we need to stop drilling holes in our students' heads and start believing kids are capable. Jedd Hafer is a lead educational consultant for Ervin Edu...

Welcome to the 80s!!! It's hard to believe we've made it this far, but here we are, and what an episode to usher us in! In this episode, Brian and Kasey define "Physical Engagement," and discuss the importance of Although we disagree, the following are temporary definitions. Let us know what you think in the survey! Physical Environment: It is the built and natural environments—and the systemic factors that shape those environments— that interact with each other. It is the stage we set - or h...

In a variety of European countries, the expression “red thread” refers to the core idea or theme of something. It is as the “throughline” that allows everything else to make sense. In this episode, Kasey and Brian discuss some "red threads" that weave through all types of engagement and hold them together - that allow them to make sense. The "6+1 Types of Engagement" come from episode 68: "Rethinking that which shall not be named." which are: Social Emotional Physical Cultural Intellectua...