Anti-Burnout For English Teachers, a podcast for inspired teaching

In this Curriculum Lab, we're diving into the post-Labor Day chaos that every teacher knows all too well. From binge-watching 'UnReal' to suddenly remembering all those ungraded assignments, I'm sharing my own juggling act of honors classes, volleyball coaching, and parenting both a toddler and a teenager (and an adult). Join me as I talk through through adapting lesson plans and d...

Like Grogu learning to harness the Force, it's time for your students to master the power of reading. Discover how to forge a curriculum as strong as the finest armor, weaving together the science of reading with compelling storytelling techniques. From building background knowledge to mastering vocabulary, we'll equip you with strategies that work like a well-aimed blaster. Structure your...

Ever feel like your lessons are dragging, while your students’ attention spans are sprinting? You’re not alone! In this episode, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of micro-content—those short, sharp, and super-effective strategies that make your lessons click. We’ll show you how to turn long lectures into quick, engaging bursts that your students will actually remember. Think of it as the secret...

In this episode I'm sharing about week two of the school year. In this behind-the-scenes look, I navigate the ripple effects of a newly enforced cell phone ban, channel Marvel's 'What If?' series for lesson inspiration, and grapple with gender swaps in classic literature. From Stephen King-inspired stations to last-minute PB&J lunches, join me to pull back the curtain on the re...

Feeling overwhelmed by endless to-do lists and competing priorities? In this episode, discover the game-changing concept of "Classroom Triage" - a powerful technique borrowed from emergency medicine to manage your time and energy. Learn how to: Identify your most critical tasks and tackle them first Streamline your workflow for maximum impact Reduce stress and avoid burnout without sacri...

What if two simple words could transform your English classroom? Discover how this approach can bring new energy to both literary analysis and the writing process, making classics come alive and turning student writing into an adventure. Learn practical strategies to implement 'What If' thinking, explore its cognitive benefits, and unlock new levels of creativity and critical thinking in y...

I've got one week of school under my belt... Join me for an inside look at implementing my curriculum revamp n real time. I'll give honest insights about adapting to different class dynamics, engaging students, and balancing planning time. I'll catch you up on what's working, what's being adjusted, and how I'm navigating the challenges of bringing new ideas into the classro...

Ever faced a sea of blank stares during class discussions? You're not alone. In this episode I explore my practices and habits that practices that were hindering class discussion and how I rethought assessment and scaffolding so my ideas and strategies have evolved to encourage all voices are heard. Let's turn those crickets into conversations and make your class the one students can't...

Ready to murder the monotony in your English classroom? Join us as we dive into the audacious world of Liquid Death's marketing strategies and discover how they can revolutionize your teaching. In this episode, you'll learn: 5 punk-rock strategies to breathe new life into classic literature The art of subverting expectations in your lesson plans Why embracing the absurd might be your ticke...

Join me as we explore how to transform your Learning Management System from a mundane storage space into an engaging, year-long literary adventure. In this episode, we'll cover: • The evolution of LMS use in high schools • Why traditional module structures fall short for English classes • Strategies for organizing a spiral curriculum in a digital space • Incorporating year-long interactive element...

From index cards to AI fact-checking, research in the classroom has undergone a seismic shift. Join us as we explore how teaching research has evolved and why it matters more than ever. In this episode, you'll discover: How a rap battle research project revolutionized my teaching approach The unexpected return of "old school" research methods Strategies for teaching fact-checking in...

Dare to Beast-ify your English class? This episode is your million-dollar challenge." Dive into the world of YouTube's content king and discover how to: Create high-concept hooks inspired by MrBeast's challenges Design collaborative projects that turn your classroom into a content creation powerhouse Use data-driven strategies to continuously level up your teaching game Plus, learn ho...

Are you, like me, tired of first-day snooze-fests? This year, I'm shaking things up in my 10th grade English class, and I can't wait to share my plans with you. In this Curriculum Lab episode, I'm diving into some ideas I have to get our students engaged from minute one. My goal? To make our students the stars of their own learning journey right from day one. I'll walk you through...

Join me on a journey through the evolution of multimodal assignments in the English classroom. In this episode, I'll share: The 'love manual' assignment I thought was genius (and why I was wrong) How educational theories like UDL are reshaping our approach to teaching Why creating character Instagram profiles just doesn't cut it anymore The 'Songland' method: Turning your c...

Discover how a billion-dollar fitness empire's success story can transform your English classroom into a vibrant literary community. In this episode, we unpack Gymshark's innovative approach to community-building and translate it into powerful teaching strategies. You'll learn: How to use author backstories to make literature more relatable A unique "Literary Athlete" recogni...

Step into my classroom, where we're building a year-long scaffolding masterpiece! Join me to discuss how I'm ditching the one-size-fits-all approach and embracing a flexible support system that would make even the craftiest Lego builder jealous. You'll discover: Crafting a year-long scaffolding strategy that spans multiple skills and units Parallels between Lego building techniques and...

In a world where AI can churn out essays faster than you can say "thesis statement," we're flipping the script. Join me to explore where creativity and critical thinking collide, producing essays that are part art project, part deep analysis, and entirely engaging. Curious? Here's a sneak peek at what we're cooking up: Essay prompts that'll make AI scratch its virtual hea...

Imagine a classroom where students are as captivated by your lessons as they are by their favorite Netflix series. In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on Netflix's $260 billion success story and revealing how its strategies can transform your teaching. We'll explore how the magic of binge-worthy content can be harnessed to create an immersive, interconnected learning experience that ke...

I’m back to curriculum planning, and this time, I’m blowing it all up! After a brief hiatus, I'm relaunching the podcast with an inside look at my ambitious 10th grade honors curriculum revamp. Three weeks in, and it's a beautiful mess of sticky notes, midnight inspirations, and a few stubborn units. But amidst the chaos, a surprising solution emerges.  You'll discover: • Applying project manageme...

How can a 400-year-old play compete with TikTok for your students' attention? In this episode, we're exploring unexpected connections between Shakespeare's timeless works and modern digital culture. We'll discuss how thinking outside the script can transform both student engagement and your approach to teaching classic literature. You'll discover: * Applying social media strate...

I've got a $7 billion question for you: What does a yoga pants company have to do with revolutionizing your English classroom? In this episode, we're exploring unexpected connections between Lululemon's business strategies and innovative teaching practices. We'll discuss how thinking outside the script can transform both student engagement and teacher fulfillment. You'll discov...

In this episode of the podcast I talk with Allison McManus. She shared her approach and tips for bringing Science of Reading into the secondary classroom. Come hang out with us! Join us at Plot Twist! a summit on reading choice: https://english-classroom-architect.thrivecart.com/plot-twist-choice-reading/ Get to know Allison: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsmcmanusela/ Grab her freebie: ht...

In this episode the podcast I welcomed Amanda Cardenas to discuss essential questions. Amanda shares why crafting inquiry units with essential questions is so important to her, tips for creating essential questions, and how she went about creating her most recent unit offering for Othello. Join us at Plot Twist! a summit on reading choice: https://english-classroom-architect.thrivecart.com/plot-tw...

Does SEL feel like one more thing? In this episode of the podcast we discuss how English teachers can incorporate SEL in ways that naturally feed curriculum and feel authentic. Join us at Plot Twist: a summit on reading choice - https://english-classroom-architect.thrivecart.com/plot-twist-choice-reading/ Get to know Kathryn! Instagram: @welcome_to_hs_ela - https://www.instagram.com/welcome_to_hs_...

In this episode of the podcast I'm talking with Lauralee Moss! We're chatting about teaching memoirs and how her own experience as a writer has influenced her teaching. Join us at Plot Twist: a summit for reading choice, April 17-20! https://english-classroom-architect.thrivecart.com/plot-twist-choice-reading/ Connect with Lauralee: On Instagram @lauralee_moss: https://www.instagram.com/la...