Do you refuse to throw anything out because you MIGHT need it one day, or find yourself holding on to worthless stuff “just in case” you need it? In this episode, I’ll share 10 things you can get rid of in your classroom this spring to make spa

EP298 Clock out confidently: 5 tips to get out the door at contract time (with June Link)

25 days ago 27m 57s

This episode features a sneak peek from one of the upcoming 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Online Summit sessions. You’ll hear from a teacher named June Link, whose session is called, “Clock out confidently: 5 tips to get out the door at contract tim

Join us for the FREE 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Online Summit in April

Mar 24th, 2024 7m 4s

It's the only event focused entirely on saving teachers TIME! Learn from current K-12 teachers as they share their best tips for working more effectively, efficiently, and enjoyably. The 40 Hour Teacher Workweek program is an online course I fi

EP297 Feedback first: How 2 different teachers help students focus on learning, not grades

Mar 17th, 2024 26m 36s

Teachers spend so much time giving feedback to students, but often kids don’t internalize it. They tune out the carefully-crafted written comments on their work, briefly register the grade they earned, and move on. So how can we help students c

EP296 Thinking creatively about tough problems: the power of diffuse thinking for you and your students

Mar 3rd, 2024 22m 28s

Have you ever noticed how breakthroughs often come when you're not actively trying to find a solution? That's diffuse thinking at work: a relaxed state in which creativity flourishes. On today’s episode of Truth for Teachers, I’ll share how ste

EP295 Can banning phones in school help solve the youth mental health crisis? (with Dr. Jean Twenge)

Feb 18th, 2024 29m 23s

There has been a significant increase in mental health issues among young people in America since 2012, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide attempts, and suicide. Contrary to popular belief, these trends started before the pandemi

EP294 What does it mean to “teach like yourself’ in 2024? (with Dr. Gravity Goldberg)

Feb 4th, 2024 32m 7s

“Making a conscious and intentional effort to tap into your own personal power and being courageous” is the way today’s guest defines “teaching like yourself.” I’m talking with Dr. Gravity Goldberg, whom you might remember from a 2019 interview

EP293 When students don’t want to think for themselves or put in effort, try this.

Jan 21st, 2024 24m 30s

Do you feel like self-advocacy among students is a pervasive problem? As in, if students don’t know what to do, they won’t ask questions or seek out more information … they’ll just sit there and do nothing. If something is challenging, they don

EP292 How I'm planning and setting goals this year

Jan 7th, 2024 22m 19s

I’m back from my sabbatical and excited to share how I used my time off and what I’m planning for 2024! I’m sharing more about my personal daily art practice in December (which I plan to continue) and time with family over the holidays. I also

EP291 Creating space this winter for dreaming and radical reimagination

Nov 26th, 2023 22m 33s

This episode is the last for 2023, and Truth for Teachers will be back in January. If you want to learn more about my sabbatical process or how you can take one with me on your break, read or listen to episode 244. I thought carefully about t

EP290 The surprising research about how talent is developed (with Dr. Rishi Sriram)

Nov 12th, 2023 53m 48s

What if there was no such thing as innate talent? That’s the argument my guest today is making: that talent is not a cause, but an outcome. It is cultivated, developed, and learned. I’m talking with Dr. Rishi Sriram, who serves as Associate Pro

EP289 A practical guide to building students’ attention stamina and ability to focus

Oct 29th, 2023 32m 6s

How long can you read a book without getting distracted? Do you swipe through TikToks or reels before they’re over because you’ve gotten impatient? Do you find it hard to just stream a TV show or movie without also looking at your phone or doin

EP288 Mindful moment: Finding the calm amidst chaos

Oct 15th, 2023 15m 48s

Let’s try something new together! I started offering guided “mindful moments” on my new Truth for Teachers Daily Encouragement podcast about once per week, interspersing them with the main content of uplifting and motivational messages. I don’t

EP287 Bell-to-bell instruction is NOT best practice. Here's the research.

Oct 1st, 2023 30m 54s

The expectation that students be fully engaged in learning tasks from the first minute of the class period until the last is known as “bell-to-bell instruction.” It’s a widely-accepted practice in education, but does neuroscience actually suppo

EP286 Student-centered learning sounds great, but what’s the reality? (with Erika Walther)

Sep 17th, 2023 40m 47s

Need a practical roadmap for increasing student ownership? So much of teaching now revolves around teacher accountability, but the same accountability and ownership can be transformative for students as well! Students who have opportunities to

Announcing the NEW Truth for Teachers Daily Encouragement Podcast!

Sep 10th, 2023 10m 57s

I’m starting a brand new show with short episodes dropping each week from Monday-Friday! The purpose of the Truth for Teachers Daily Encouragement Podcast is to offer an exclusive message each day for educators who want to show up as the best

EP285 Why boys are struggling (and what educators can do about it)

Sep 3rd, 2023 55m 49s

I recently read a powerful book called, “Of Boys and Men: Why They’re Struggling, Why We Should Care, and What We Can Do About It” by Richard Reeves. It’s not the first piece of media I’ve consumed about the crises men are facing in the U.S. ri

EP284 Ask me anything: Listener questions about my personal + professional life

Aug 20th, 2023 56m 49s

This AMA is a follow-up to the 3 part summer series I created for the podcast to celebrate 20 years of sharing teaching ideas online and reflect on my personal and professional growth during that time. In the final ep of that series, I included

EP283 Rooted in joy: Creating a classroom culture of equity, belonging, and care (with Dr. Deonna Smith)

Aug 6th, 2023 37m 48s

If you need an uplifting conversation to get you energized for the new school year, this episode is a can’t-miss! I’m talking with Dr. Deonna Smith about the ideas behind her new book, Rooted in Joy: Creating a Classroom Culture of Equity, Belo

EP282 Where I’m going: Reflections on what excites me about my work & the future of schools

Jul 23rd, 2023 1h 11m

I’m concluding the 3 part podcast series this summer offering a deep dive into my personal story: where I’ve been, where I’m at, and where I’m going. Usually you can listen to my podcast episodes in any order you want, but since this is basical

EP281 Why planning ahead can be a form of self-care (with Lisa Woodruff)

Jul 9th, 2023 33m 15s

It’s a myth that “having a plan” means locking yourself into a rigid schedule from which you can’t deviate. Knowing the things you want to experience and accomplish (and carving out time for them) is one of the most powerful ways to craft a ful

EP280 Where I’m at: Reflections on who I’ve become as a person and educator

Jun 25th, 2023 1h 6m

This is the 2nd episode in my 3 part summer podcast series offering a deep dive into my personal story: where I’ve been, where I’m at, and where I’m going. Usually you can listen to my podcast episodes in any order you want, but since this is b

EP279 Summit sneak peek: K-12 teachers share their favorite timesaving tips & tricks

Jun 11th, 2023 39m 7s

The first FREE online summit focused entirely on saving teachers time is happening July 10th and 11th! The 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Online Summit is: Entirely online Completely FREE Beneficial for all K-12 teacher Includes 30+ presentations an

EP278 How I got here: Reflections on 20 years of sharing teaching ideas online

May 28th, 2023 1h 2m

I’m getting deeply personal and vulnerable in this 3 part summer podcast series, and sharing things with you that I’ve NEVER talked about publicly before! This was sooo hard for me to do … but it’s the 20 year anniversary of my teaching website

EP277 Can you do "fewer things, better" when there's a staff shortage?

May 14th, 2023 37m 27s

If you’re constantly covering for absent colleagues, supporting temporary hires in your building, or otherwise taking on additional duties because there aren’t enough people on staff … you’re not alone. Teacher shortages have been one of the m