Brain Space in Learning and Leadership

Coaching isn’t about fixing "broken" practice—it’s about leveraging how the human brain naturally learns, adapts, and grows. In this episode, we sit down with instructional coach Kathryn Markloff from Perkiomen Valley School District to unpack the inner workings of instructional coaching that meaningfully impact teachers and students, through the lens of brain science. Kathryn explains shifting fr...

What if the key to unlocking a student's potential isn't better instruction, but a deeper connection? In this episode, we sit down with one of our longest-lasting partners Zac Taylor from Bensalem Township School District, to explore the profound way that using brain science humanizes teaching and learning. Zac explains how experiencing the Six Gears as a middle school student (a teacher c...

You've probably heard of a Portrait of a Graduate, but have you ever heard of a Portrait of a Classroom? Pennsbury School District in Bucks County, PA is blazing a new trail by using brain science to develop their unique "Portrait of a Classroom". This shared vision identifies six key pillars that shape effective learning environments, culture, curriculum, and instruction across all...

We hear the term "future-ready" constantly, but what does it actually mean? Are our schools truly preparing young people to be ready to embrace their futures? Author and researcher Stephanie Malia Krauss breaks down her perception of what's really necessary to have a "livable lovable life", which goes so much farther than content knowledge and skills. Listen in to hear what...

Get ready to rethink how you teach! Dr. Manu Kapur's surprising research shows how productive failure actually leads to longer lasting understanding and memory than direct instruction! How is it possible that failing can help us learn better than getting something right? Listen to find out! Manu also has a new pilot program out that integrates productive failure into AI. Check it out at https:...

What is one of the highest leverage strategies we can use to improve engagement and performance for both staff and students? Showing people they MATTER. Dr. Zach Mercurio has uncovered the power behind this concept, and shares actionable strategies for how to create mattering that simultaneously accelerate connection and achievement. Some pearls from Zach during the episode: "We've told s...

We know people's brains are wired to resist change. So what do we do next? Whether you are responsible for leading change in your job, or you are receiving changes from above, what are healthy ways to navigate these uncomfortable experiences? In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Britt Andreatta, author of the book Wired to Resist, she uncovers several actionable strategies that allow us to have...

Do changes at work or home instill an instant sense of panic? Turns out there is a scientific (and evolutionary) explanation for this. Dr. Britt Andreatta, author of Wired to Resist, explains how and why our brains are actually wired to resist change. In Part 1 of our conversation with her, we dive into why change is perceived as threatening and how leaders can strategically approach this human re...

What actually makes learning stick? Hear the story of motivated leader Fred Backhaus, who guided his elementary school teachers to design lessons with impact using one or more of the gears from our Six Gears (R) Framework - trust, agency, passion, memorable, meaningful, or motivational. The experience was transformational. Learn key leadership and instructional strategies that facilitate lasting l...

We are all feeling the effects of having too much to do and not enough time to do it. Are there ways to do less that we might be missing? Dr. Leidy Klotz, author of Subtract, explains why our brains default to adding when faced with problems and how the less obvious options to subtract can save us time and energy. He also gives us a preview of his next book soon to be released called In a Good Pla...

Deciding how and when to use technology in K-12 classrooms is a daunting challenge. It's hard to know how to balance the benefits and tradeoffs in a sustainable and manageable way. Dr. Jason Kotch, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning at Avon Grove School District in West Grove, PA, shares with us how he and his team have designed a district-wide technology plan based upon current bra...

How do we change cultures of burnout and disconnection to purposeful and collaborative? How do we feel confident about our value through inevitable ups and downs? LaVonna Roth, Founder of Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E. has important knowledge, experience, and strategies that shine (wink ;) ) a light on this important and necessary topic. Her S.H.I.N.E. Framework has guided numerous teams through self-disc...

What do students think about effective their teachers' strategies are for their own learning? Meet PLP Intern Isha Patel! Isha is an 11th grade student who has been doing a passion project with PLP to uncover the science behind memorable teaching strategies. In this episode she shares her top 3 strategies to STOP, in efforts to help teachers cut out some practices that are no longer supported by r...

Jump in to part 2 of our conversation with Dr. David Yeager, author of the powerful book 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People! How do we meet students' needs for respect and status in the classroom? What does he think about the role of cell phones in schools? Go deeper into the science of motivation to understand how to make a long-lasting difference for young people in schools and at...

Motivating young people feels like a struggle! But does it have to be? Dr. David Yeager is the author of the powerful book 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People. He shares groundbreaking research which shows we may be misunderstanding young people in fundamental ways, which is contributing to their perceived lack of motivation. If we re-examine our beliefs about young people, and meet t...

How do we enable students and staff to grow in meaningful ways? Instructional coach Erin Landy believes it all starts with creating an authentic connection to show you care about the person you're supporting. Hear how Erin uses the science of trust, agency, passion to design memorable, meaningful, and motivational experiences with students and staff. Forming connections allows people to be vul...

Are you ready to get more brain space in your work and life? Join us as we introduce our brand new podcast about ways to improve the ways we teach, lead, and live, using brain science.