Ep 144 Students Aren’t Broken — They’re Responding

Grades were never meant to do this much work. In this episode, I reflect on how grading shifted from traditional point-based systems to standards-based grading and grading for learning — and how, in many schools, those frameworks eventually gave way to equity-driven policies that changed what grades actually represent. I believe in equity. I believe in standards-based grading. But I also believe we need to be honest about what’s happening when grades stop communicating learning and start communicating compliance, survival, or optics. We’ll talk about:why grades feel meaningless to many teachershow student apathy and entitlement didn’t come out of nowherewhy parents increasingly see grades as negotiableand how teachers are caught between professional ethics and institutional pressureI don’t have a solution by the end of this episode. What I do have is a growing concern that we’re avoiding a necessary conversation — one about accountability, motivation, and what we’re actually teaching students when effort no longer matters. If you’ve ever wondered whether grading still serves students the way we hope it does, this episode is for you.Chapters:00:00 — Why Grades Don’t Mean What They Used To03:00 — From Traditional Grading to Grading for Learning07:20 — When Equity Grading Took Over13:40 — How the System Went Off the Rails22:05 — Where This Leaves Teachers and StudentsI have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected]

Getting it all done in teaching often feels impossible—especially in the second half of the school year. In this episode, I share a midyear planning roadmap designed for teachers who feel behind on curriculum but still want to finish the year strong without sacrificing their sanity. This isn’t about perfect pacing or daily lesson plans. It’s about taking a step back, looking at the big picture, and making intentional decisions about what deserves your time and energy. We’ll talk about:How to look back at what you’ve taught without guilt or shameHow to prioritize skills using a simple tiered systemHow to plan around real-life interruptions like breaks, testing, absences, and school eventsWhat “good enough” means when time is limitedWhy flexibility is a strength—not a failureI also share how I leave notes for my future self so the same pacing issues don’t repeat year after year—and why reflection is the key to long-term growth as a teacher. 📄 Free Resource I’ve created a basic planning worksheet that follows the exact process outlined in this episode so you can take action right away. 👉 Free Planning ResourceWhether you’re in the middle of the year, just starting out, or planning ahead, this episode will help you move forward with clarity, intention, and a lot more grace.00:00 – Why Midyear Planning Feels So Hard 01:35 – What This Planning Method Is (and Isn’t)03:23 – Step 1: Look Back Without Shame05:04 – Step 2: Rank Skills by Priority09:23 – Step 3: Plan With the Calendar (Reality Check)14:02 – Planning Around Interrupters17:53 – Staying Flexible Without Falling Behind20:48 – When You’re Overwhelmed (Mindset Reset)I have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected]

In this episode, I talk about the conditions shaping what we’re seeing in classrooms right now—especially around behavior, attention, and regulation—and why so many teachers are quietly questioning themselves because of it. This isn’t a rant. It’s not about blaming kids or excusing behavior. It’s about reframing what’s happening so teachers can stop internalizing systemic shifts as personal failure—and start making choices that protect their sanity. I also share how I’ve adjusted my own classroom practice to stay grounded in a version of teaching that didn’t reset after the pandemic. If you’ve been wondering:Why does this feel harder than it should?Am I doing something wrong?How do I keep doing this without burning out?This episode is for you.I have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected]

After a year and a half away, I’m back—and in this episode, I’m sharing why I stepped away from teaching content, and why I’m returning now. This wasn’t a dramatic exit or a burnout spiral. It was a conscious pause. I talk honestly about the pressures of content creation, perfectionism, time, energy, and the emotional cost of always feeling like you need to be “helpful” or have the right answers—especially as a veteran teacher whose experience doesn’t always match the dominant narratives online. I also share what hasn’t changed: my teaching philosophy, my commitment to reflection, and my belief that teaching can be challenging and sustainable at the same time. This episode sets the tone for what’s ahead—fewer expectations, more honesty, and a lot more respect for capacity. If you’ve ever stepped back from something you cared about, or wondered whether it’s possible to come back on your own terms, this episode is for you.I have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected]

Learn how teachers can navigate school politics and prioritize student learning.  Just one of the many things teachers need to understand!I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected] with meSubscribe to Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or StitcherJoin my Facebook GroupMessage me through InstagramI have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected]

Let's get real about lesson plans and whether or not they're worth it!I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected] with meSubscribe to Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or StitcherJoin my Facebook GroupMessage me through InstagramI have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected]

Teachers, feeling the end-of-year crunch? This episode offers practical tips to not only survive but thrive during the final stretch. Learn how to prepare for what's expected (testing, celebrations), keep yourself calm and collected, and manage a restless classroom. You'll leave with actionable strategies to conquer the last 3 months and head into summer break feeling accomplished and ready to recharge.Episode 137 The Best Way to Ensure a Smooth Substitute DayEpisode 119 End-of-the-year Prep for TeachersI have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected] with meSubscribe to Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or StitcherJoin my Facebook GroupMessage me through InstagramI have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected]

In this episode, we're diving into the nerve-wracking world of master schedule time in schools. It's that crucial period where teachers' assignments, prep periods, and uncertainties about the next academic year are all laid out in those sprawling spreadsheets. Now, for educators facing non-renewal, let me tell you, the stress is real. But don't worry, because I've got your back. I'll guide you through your rights and potential paths forward. Whether it's securing permanent status or advocating for those preferred assignments, I've got some strategies up my sleeve to help you navigate the murky waters of school bureaucracy. And hey, if non-renewal is on the horizon, I've got some tips for broadening your job search and gathering those crucial references. So, tune in and let's make sure you're prepared for whatever the master schedule throws your way.Episode 121: Non-renewal notices for teachers and what it meansStill figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplanI have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected] with meSubscribe to Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or StitcherJoin my Facebook GroupMessage me through InstagramHave fun on TikTokI have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected]

Are you tired of the frustration that comes with delivering crucial lessons only to find students missing or failing to grasp the material? Join me as I explore a transformative solution that has revolutionized teaching for many educators, including myself.What's that solution? The Modern Classroom Project model!In this episode, I share insights into how eliminating traditional lectures has not only changed how my students learn but has also positively impacted my mental well-being. Discover effective classroom management strategies, innovative lesson planning techniques, and the remarkable results achieved through this paradigm shift.If you're ready to move past the frustration of students missing key lessons and unlock a new path to student success, subscribe to this podcast for more educational content.👉🏼 Missed my previous episodes about the Modern Classroom Project? Ep 128 How to realistically reach 99% of your studentsEp 129 This one shift could make you a better teacherEp 139 ONE Simple Shift in Teaching Saved Me!👉🏼 Want to take a free course to learn more about the Modern Classroom Project? https://www.modernclassrooms.org/sign-up 👉🏼 Join their Facebook Group for community and support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/modernclassroomsStill figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplanI have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected] with meSubscribe to Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or StitcherJoin my Facebook GroupMessage me through InstagramTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:22 Reframing teaching04:15 Rethinking assessment07:25 Streamlining lesson planning10:07 Video creation14:37 Classroom logistics19:36 Classroom management21:39 Results27:29 Should you try this?30:04 It's not too lateI have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected]

In this episode, I spill the beans on how a game-changing shift in my teaching approach not only made my life easier but saved my career in the process! If you're tired of the teacher nightmares we all dread, this one's for you. Get ready to revolutionize your teaching journey!Check out my interview with Kareem Farah, co-founder of the Modern Classroom Project: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-128-how-to-realistically-reach-99-of-your-students--55987156Learn more about the Modern Classroom Project and its incredible impact: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-129-this-one-shift-could-make-you-a-better-teacher--56042223Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplanI have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected] with meSubscribe to Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or StitcherJoin my Facebook GroupMessage me through InstagramI have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected]