Have a Life Teaching

What happens when students say, "I don't know," when asked what they want to be when they grow up?In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, I speak with Shelly Howard, founder of College Ready, about helping students discover their interests, recognize their strengths, and turn curiosity into meaningful action.We explore practical strategies educators and families can use, including guided journaling, values-based activities, career exploration, and passion-driven projects. We also discuss why authentic experiences matter more than manufactured extracurricular activities in college admissions—and how community partnerships can help students translate their interests into real-world impact.The takeaway: Our job isn't to tell students what their passion should be. It's to create opportunities for them to discover, explore, and act on what matters to them.College Ready: https://collegereadyplan.com/resourcesEmpower Education: https://empowereducation.worldConsultation: https://collegereadyplan.infoShellee Howard LinkedIn Page Music by Aylex

Episode Title: By Design: Transforming School Systems with Dr. Mike MilesWhat if the biggest obstacle to improving schools isn't teachers, principals, or curriculum—but the systems themselves?On this episode of Have a Life Teaching, I speak with Dr. Mike Miles, Superintendent of Houston ISD and author of By Design: How to Transform School Systems, about why incremental reforms often fail and what meaningful systemic transformation requires.We explore instructional coherence, equitable resource allocation, earned autonomy, accountability, resistance to change, and the six conditions necessary for sustainable improvement.The central question: Are we redesigning schools for the future—or simply layering new initiatives onto outdated systems?Mike Miles Book - By DesignMike Miles LinkedIn Page

The Physics of Superheroes: Bringing Science to Life with James KakaliosCan Spider-Man really stop a runaway train? What would happen if Ant-Man shrank to the size of an insect? And what can superheroes teach us about scientific thinking?In this episode, I speak with James Kakalios, physics professor at the University of Minnesota, author of The Physics of Superheroes and The Physics of Superheroes Goes Hollywood, and Hollywood science consultant.We explore how comics and superhero films can make science engaging, relevant, and intellectually challenging.Highlights include:Using Spider-Man, Ant-Man, and The Flash to explore real physics concepts.Turning popular culture into opportunities for scientific questioning, estimation, and problem-solving.Encouraging students to think critically rather than simply memorize formulas.Connecting science with storytelling, history, and other disciplines.What superhero teams can teach us about collaboration in scientific research.Behind-the-scenes insights into bringing believable science to Hollywood.Key takeaway: Superheroes may be fictional, but the curiosity, reasoning, and problem-solving they inspire are very real.Listen to Have a Life Teaching for a conversation about making science accessible, meaningful, and fun.James Kakalios LinkedIn PageThe Physics of Superheroes Music by Aylex

Classroom Reset: Bringing Students Into the Conversation | Maureen Chapman & James SimonsWhat happens when classroom culture starts to unravel? Instead of imposing more rules, what if teachers invited students into the conversation?On this episode of Have a Life Teaching, returning guests Maureen Chapman and James Simons of Cor Creative Partners discuss their new book, Classroom Reset: Improving Class Culture Through Collaborative Conversations with Students.We explore:Why classroom culture is a shared responsibility between teachers and students.The RESET protocol for addressing challenges through collaborative conversations.How student voice can transform classroom behavior, engagement, and relationships.Why changing student needs require teachers to continually adapt.The opportunities and limitations of AI in supporting classroom conversations.How to move beyond rewards and build lasting student motivation.The big takeaway: Every feeling has a function, every conversation is an opportunity, and teachers and students are all on the same team.Learn more: Cor Creative PartnersClassroom Reset Book Music by Aylex

How to Go Beyond the Science of Reading — Natalie WexlerHave we gotten better at teaching children how to read without paying enough attention to what they need to know?Natalie Wexler, author ofThe Knowledge Gap and Beyond the Science of Reading, joins Have a Life Teaching to explore why phonics alone isn't enough. We discuss the importance of background knowledge, vocabulary, writing, and connecting literacy instruction to the science of learning. We also consider how schools can build knowledge while preserving student curiosity, engagement, and teacher judgment.Natalie Wexler LinkedIn PageBeyond the Science of Reading Book Music by Aylex

Thomas Guskey on Rethinking GradingWhat should a grade actually tell us?I talk with grading and assessment expert Thomas Guskey about why grades should communicate what students have learned and can do but not how they rank against classmates. We discuss why schools need a shared purpose for grading, the problems with averaging and percentage grades, and why product, process, and progress all matter but shouldn’t be combined into one confusing mark. We also explore homework, clearer rubrics, engaging families in grading reform, and Guskey’s fundamental challenge to educators: Are we selecting talent or developing it? Thomas Guskey LinkedIn PageEngaging Parents and Families in Grading Reforms Book Music by Aylex

What if schools stopped asking why fathers aren’t involved—and started asking whether fathers truly feel invited to belong?In this episode, John talks with Dr. Debra Higdon and Dr. Chacko Abraham, co-authors of The Dad Difference: How and Why to Invite Fathers into Your School, about moving beyond traditional parent-engagement events toward meaningful relationships with fathers.They explore the barriers that can keep fathers disconnected—including time, transportation, school culture, previous negative experiences, and invitations that unintentionally speak more to mothers than fathers. The conversation offers practical ways schools can change that: personally inviting dads, giving them specific and meaningful roles, asking when and how they want to participate, using technology when physical presence isn’t possible, and recognizing that “showing up” can take many forms.Most importantly, the conversation challenges schools to stop measuring father engagement simply by attendance at events and instead ask a deeper question: Do fathers have a meaningful place in their child’s educational life?Deborah Higdon LinkedIn PageChaco Abraham LinkedIn PageThe Dad Difference Book Music by Aylex

Can AI make teaching easier and make teaching better?John talks with Brett Roer, founder and CEO of Amplify and Elevate Innovation, about practical ways educators can use AI and digital tools to save time while keeping human expertise at the center.From voice memos and AI “sandwiches” to customized Gems and schoolwide AI playbooks, Brett shares concrete strategies teachers and leaders can use right away and explains why successful AI implementation starts with human wisdom, not the technology.In this episode:A simple AI/time-saving hack teachers can try tomorrowThe “AI sandwich” approachTurning teacher expertise into reusable AI toolsUsing AI to personalize learning without outsourcing thinkingWhy AI implementation sometimes failsBuilding staff trust and co-creating AI expectationsStarting small and moving toward an AI-forward schoolBrett Roer LinkedIn Page Amplify and Elevate Innovation Website Music by Aylex

What if improving schools isn’t only about improving teaching but also about teaching students how to learn?John talks with James Anderson, author of Learnership, about shifting from teacher-dependent learning toward independent and agile learners. They explore productive struggle, students’ relationship with challenge, the difference between performance and growth, and why mistakes should be treated as information.James also explains how teachers can help students recognize their “learning zone” and develop the capacity to take greater ownership of their growth.In this episode:What “learnership” meansWhy good teaching alone isn’t enoughThe progression from dependent to agile learnersChallenge, mistakes, effort, and productive struggleTeaching students to recognize when they are actually growingMoving from teacher as instructor to teacher as coachBuilding genuine learner agencyJames Anderson LinkedIn Page Learnership Website and Book Music by Aylex

What Is at the Heart of Better Teaching? — Larry FerlazzoWhat should remain constant in great teaching even as technology, AI, and instructional trends continue to change?John Schembari talks with educator and author Larry Ferlazzo about ideas from The Better Teacher's Toolbox, including relationships, student autonomy, relevance, competence, productive struggle, small-group learning, and keeping technology in its proper place.They also explore how teachers can use AI and technology without sacrificing the human interaction and student thinking at the heart of learning.Key takeaway: Better teaching isn't about chasing every new tool or trend. It's about knowing what matters, understanding your students, and adapting your practice to the context in front of you.Larry Ferlazzo LinkedIn PageLarry Ferlazzo - The Better Teacher's ToolboxMusic by Aylex