Teach Your Class Off Radio

This week on Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ and his wife Jen dive into the tough realities of leaving the classroom, balancing motherhood and identity, and why some teachers need to take a mental health day—guilt-free. They also cover strategies for teaching mixed-level classes (especially in therapeutic or IEP settings), how to bounce back after long breaks, why leadership visibility matters, and...

In Episode 335 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ reflects on how tracking small wins and classroom buy-in can re-energize your teaching midyear. He and his co-host Jen dive into questions about: resetting expectations after big projects, writing honest but compassionate feedback for student teachers, managing disruptive classes, and overcoming anxiety when stepping into the classroom after a long b...

This week on Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ reflects on KnowledgeCon in Los Angeles and the power of surrounding yourself with people who sharpen your vision and re-ignite your passion. He shares updates from the classroom, including why he transformed his room into a jungle, how he resets after winter break, and how to make even midterm testing feel supportive, joyful, and human. Also in this epis...

🎥 What is Sunday Night Teacher Talk? Every Sunday at 4:00 PM Eastern , we go live for a teacher Q&A. Think of it as your weekly prep session with a community of educators who want to start the week strong. Whether you’ve got questions about classroom management, lesson planning, or just need encouragement, this is your space. 👉 Join us live here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRGA_FqyigEP...

This week on Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ kicks off 2024 with real talk about easing back into the classroom, navigating grading overwhelm, and how to show up with purpose and joy—even when the work feels heavy. He shares first-day-back routines, practical tips for grading essays and tests without drowning, and why teachers need both play and structure to thrive. Topics also include: navigating b...

In this low-key, holiday break episode, CJ reflects on the first half of the school year and shares his goals for a more intentional and joyful second half. Topics include helping students build confidence and creativity, choosing new core texts like Tuesdays with Morrie and Of Mice and Men , and using storytelling-based assessments. He also chats about parenting during tech-heavy times, how he us...

n this episode of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ unpacks what it means to lead with kindness—even when students act entitled. He shares how to respond when your classroom data gets called out, how to restore confidence through honest conversation, and why teaching with joy is a radical act in hard times. We also dive into media-based storytelling projects for December, parenting with purpose in a t...

Back from Thanksgiving break with three weeks 'til Christmas—and it’s already chaos. In this episode, CJ talks about navigating shifting schedules due to sports tournaments, whether to cancel the long-awaited brain rot project, and how to reset classroom expectations in December. He also dives into what to do when students trash-talk you for holding them accountable, how to come back after a r...

This week on Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ shares hallway snowstorms, Christmas confetti, and real talk about what happens when a student’s only friend cuts ties. We dive into how to rebuild class culture after an extended absence, why some teachers are ditching scripted curriculum (or fighting to), and what to say when other staff roll their eyes at esports teams. Also in this episode: strategies...

This week on Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ gets fired up about what it really takes to grow as a teacher—and how to mentor others without losing yourself in the process. He shares honest stories about co-teaching wins and disasters, classroom aides who ghost on the job, and what to do when your enthusiasm doesn’t match your students’ vibe (Tigger vs. Eeyore energy). We also talk about grading with...

This week on Sunday Night Teacher Talk, we’re unpacking what it really looks like to build a classroom and school culture from the ground up—especially when you’re new to the building. CJ shares updates on how shared experiences like lunch invites, Spirit Week, and hallway antics are shaping connection at his new school. Other big topics this week include how to use ChatGPT to streamline grading w...

This week on Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ dives into the real stuff teachers are navigating—burnout in the early months, resetting energy and habits, and how to bring “sprinkle magic” to your classroom without losing your mind. We also get real about romantic relationships in middle and high school, how to spot great leadership when job hunting, and how to keep your class culture joyful and groun...

What do a viral meme, a dream classroom makeover, and AI-powered grading all have in common? They're all part of this week’s Sunday Night Teacher Talk. In Episode 324, CJ shares a wild story about discovering one of his former students is behind the “6.7” meme, reflects on revamping outdated lessons, and answers questions about teacher burnout, classroom management, using AI ethically, and how...

In this episode of Sunday Night Teacher Talk , CJ dives into how to reboot your classroom mid-year, the power of bringing in guest speakers (like Marvel’s Jeff Willis!), and what to do when you're starting to feel stuck or stale in the classroom. He also unpacks how to handle school toxicity, prep for paternity leave, respond to student hardship, and balance journals/vocab without assigning homewo...

Whether you're drowning in grading, battling classroom chaos, or questioning your impact after a tough student interaction, this episode brings real talk and real solutions. CJ reflects on the surprising challenges of returning to the classroom, shares how he's using AI to speed up grading without sacrificing feedback, and unpacks everything from behavior consequences that don’t stick to w...

Welcome to Episode 321 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk , where we dive deep into some of the most difficult—but important—questions facing teachers today. From managing explosive behaviors to balancing life as a parent of a neurodivergent child, this episode is packed with real talk, practical tools, and heartfelt encouragement. _____________________________________________________ 🎥 What is Sunday...

Welcome to Episode 320 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk —a jam-packed conversation covering everything from classroom chaos and phone bans to teacher job loss and unexpected student feedback. This week’s wins, worries, and real talk include: Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome + Brody joins to share about ghost story day 05:10 – Who are your education heroes? (Rules to Engagement Season 2 input) 08:15 – Helping...

Welcome to Episode 319 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk! This week’s live Q&A hit everything from high-stakes classroom conversations to low-budget cozy setups. If you’ve got freshmen acting like they’re still in elementary school—or if you’re wondering how to set work boundaries, teach hard topics, or deal with planner drama—this one’s for you. Chapters & Topics Covered: 00:00 – Welcome, chia...

Episode 318 brings another round of real questions from real educators around the world—including one all the way from Iran. This week we dig into: What to do when students are below grade level, but admin says “teach the curriculum anyway” Strategies for students who refuse to follow class procedures and transitions How to respond when parents enable poor behavior—even on day three Should you acc...

Welcome back to another week of real talk for real teachers. Whether you’re a new teacher, returning to the classroom, or just trying to survive week three, this episode is packed with practical advice, encouragement, and a few laughs. This week we covered: What has been the biggest surprise for you starting this school year in a new location? What do you do when parents are okay with their child...

This week we cover: 💭 What to do when it’s the beginning of the year and you already feel like quitting 🎉 How to run Fun Fridays that students actually look forward to 🗣️ Getting more students to participate —especially the ones who refuse 🧠 Helping slow note-takers without slowing down the whole class ⏰ How to deal with overloaded schedules 🧑‍🏫 Tips for mentoring a brand-new teacher 📚 My f...

Most teachers start the year with rules, syllabi, and icebreakers. I don’t do any of that. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what I do (and don’t ) do on Day 1—and why it works. From handshakes at the door to writing letters to their future selves, here's how I start the year strong, build connection, and remind students that they belong. This approach might be unorthodox, but it’s been pow...

This week we’re talking about: 🎉 Icebreakers for staff meetings that don’t suck 📱 What to do when your classroom aide is lazy and glued to their phone 🔁 How to bounce back after a year with students who made you question everything ⚖️ Finding work-life balance after years away from the classroom 📚 Managing multiple class preps without burning out 🤖 Using AI to create meaningful classroom cont...

Too often, teachers are trained to plan for the worst—disruptions, burnout, failure. But what if we flipped the script? In this episode, I’m sharing a few simple, intentional ways I’m planning for the best school year yet. You deserve a classroom filled with joy, possibility, and purpose. Let’s talk about how to make that happen. ____________________________________________________________________...

In Episode 314 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk , we’re diving into real questions from real educators—like how to find joy after a tough year, how to rebuild your teacher identity in a new school, and how to manage chatty classes during activities. We also talk about building meaningful PD, getting to know new students, work-life balance, and what I’m excited to try this year. If you're heading into...