Upgrade My Classroom

High school can be challenging. One of the biggest problems is that students are still so young. They haven't lived enough yet to gain the best tool in the toolbox...experience! So instead of trying to step into a time machine, I have three simple ways that students can gain the next best thing. Perspective. Take on leadership roles: Encourage students to step up and exhibit leadership in small wa...

Have you ever come across those intense, aggressive, and highly popular motivational videos on YouTube? You know the kind, the ones that feature people running and lifting weights while some voice over dude screams in the background?! But have you ever wondered why these videos don't show people sitting down and studying or writing?! In this episode, we explore the concept of motivation and why ph...

As teachers, administrators, and anyone involved in education, we can probably all recall the impact these activities had on our own lives and why they are so important for our students. From theater to sports, from music to student government, extra curricular activities teach our kids so much in the ways of social and emotional skills Responsibility: Being part of a team or group requires studen...

Today is a first experiment of the spotlight series. This will be a series on this podcast where we highlight individuals who are making a difference in the world of education. Today, we turn the spotlight on Doctor Justin Baeder, a former principal turned administrator mentor, who is helping principals become better leaders. We delve into one of his thought-provoking Tiktok videos regarding the p...

Last week I recorded an episode about the conflicting feelings of going back to school. I figured I would continue down of talking about the beginning of the year.  As educators, we have the power to not only teach academic subjects but also to prioritize our students' mental and physical health. So, how can we start the year off right and truly make an impact on their lives? What are some of the...

August is always a strange month for me. Whether I was in high school myself or as a teacher, I always had mixed feelings about going back to school.  On one hand, I was so excited! I can literally smell the excitement in the air! I was pumped to see my friends, all the after school activities starting up and just being around the action! On the other hand, I was terrified of all the hard classes...

I've noticed a recurring theme – this fear of making the wrong decision. And trust me, I get it. High school is a time of change. But here's the thing – it's absolutely okay to be wrong sometimes. In fact, making mistakes is an essential part of growth and learning. That's why I believe it's crucial to equip students with the skillsets to handle making decisions and learning from the outcomes. Thr...

In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, adaptability has become a crucial skill for success, particularly for high school students. Being adaptable means having the ability to adjust and thrive in different situations, allowing students to navigate the challenges they face both academically and personally. Think about the fact that both Facebook and the iPhone are not even 20 years old and...

On this episode, we explore the power of nonverbal communication through vocal inflection, hand gestures, facial expressions, and physical stance. We break down the box they are in and show them how to excel in communication and become successful students! Remember, communication is more than just the words we say, it's how we use them.  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -...

Today I sat down with Scott Wisniewski, a high school assistant principal and winner of the NJPSA/NASSP NJ Assistant Principal of the Year, to dissect how Wayne Schools is investing in the mental health of their students. We had a wide ranging conversation including what it's really like being an assistant principal. While maintaining discipline, attendance and scheduling are all important parts o...

In today's fast-paced world, our phones have become an integral part of our lives. They offer us a plethora of utilities and allow us to stay connected with the world at large. However, the excessive use of phones can also lead to stress and anxiety in our student's lives. Today we're going to look at how to audit your phone for your mental health. By prioritizing essential utilities, limiting non...

David Flood, a youth motivational speaker joins us to chat about his experiences helping students unlock kindness and compassion for one another. David shares his insights on why the word "love" and the influential figure that used this word so eloquently. David opens up about his son Justin who is autistic and how he is one of the most powerful drivers in his family and life. We also dive into wh...

I came across a teacher online who was doing some fantastic SEL exercises with his students and posting them online…I had to have him on as a guest to learn more! Scott Todnem is the author of  "Growing Up Great! The Ultimate Puberty Book for Boys"  and  "Sex Education: A Parent's Guide."  Scott has been teaching Health Education at the middle school level since 2001 and was awarded the 2019 Natio...

Student Leader Stress is a real thing. Teens have a lot going on in their lives. They face high expectations and often put unrealistic pressure on themselves to be the best version of themselves. These expectations may be self-imposed or put on them by others in positions of authority in their lives. Finding balance between their personal lives, reality, hopes, aspirations, and dreams can be chall...

Car ol D we ck 's work on fixed and growth minds ets is incredibly important for educators to understand , as it can help them better support their students . A fixed mindset is one in which an individual believes that their physical body , intelligence , or ability at a certain skill is fixed and limited in how much they can improve . A growth mindset , on the other hand , is one in which an indi...

Bull ying is an unfortunate reality for many students , and it can have serious effects on their mental health and wellbeing . In this episode I'll explain  how we as teachers and youth  professionals can help our students build resilience and deal with bullies in a healthier  way with a simple three "R" framework. REFLECTION We need to ensure that students have some time to sit down , relax and t...

As education professionals we know that we are, unfortunately, a small part of the success of our students. An overwhelmingly large factor is the influence parents have over their children. The routines, the values and the guidelines a parent instills at home all have a huge impact on the social development of our students. So today is going to be a short breakdown of the four stages of parenting....

Reaching teens can be tough. I found someone who has figured out how to do it…very well! Today on the show I sit down with Dr. Matt Bellace and learn how he uses comedy to present scientific evidence regarding substance abuse. We discuss his background as a clinical psychologist and the convergence of his comedy career, all at the same time while pursuing his PhD. When he works with students, Matt...

At-risk youth are students who need help avoiding the school to prison pipeline. This is what our guest Michy Morillo shares with us today on the show. Michy E. Morillo is an author, youth coach, and acclaimed keynote speaker with lived experience navigating the juvenile justice system. As a former juvenile delinquent and an expelled high school student, Michy went on to have a successful 20 year...

Social media has become a hotly debated topic, and as teachers and youth coaches, it's important to discuss the pros and cons it provides. On the one hand, social media gives teens instant and broad access to their peers and interests, plus the opportunity to make real money. It also offers access to amazing education resources.  On the other hand, social media can be a highlight reel, leading to...

How we redefine stress can literally make stress a non issue! When it comes to our students dealing with the stress and anxiety that comes with things like college admissions, making the school team, or dealing with bullies, it's important that we teach students to redefine the stress by changing it's meaning. It's all about reframing things in a positive way and helping students realize that it's...

A CTE teacher has a lot on their plate. For that matter, teachers in general have a lot on their plate! But when it comes to multiple prep teachers, there are other organizational challenges that are much more obvious. I can somewhat relate from my previous career as a music teacher. At the end of the day, the more organized and systematic we can be, the better off we can be for our kids. Today on...

No matter how old you are, I think we can all relate to not feeling worthy at certain times. The feelings of not being good enough, strong enough or smart enough are somewhat natural emotions that are designed to keep us in place which ultimately is designed to keep us safe. The problem is we are no longer hiding from lions trying to eat us! Today I brought on someone who really knows how to teach...

Teacher Burnout is a real problem and has been on the rise for the past few years. The pandemic has certainly expedited this issue. So today on the show we learn how to prioritize our own well-being as teachers and education professionals. Our guest, Molly Rasanen, is a holistic coach who specializes in energy healing. Molly helps us understand how our bodies hold trauma and how this can affect ou...

To teach students perspective of time is tricky. How can you teach students perspective when they have so little life experience to actually "have" perspective? On this episode, I discuss the importance of understanding our relationship with time, and how this is especially important for high school students. Time can be a double-edged sword, allowing us to be productive and feel like we're making...