Teachers in America

Writing is more than putting thoughts on paper. How do you successfully guide students through the writing process? In this episode, we are joined by Rhode Island educator Kayla Dyer, a former 4th grade teacher and currentin her district. She'll discuss instructional best practices that get students excited about writing. Plus, she'll share teaching tips for new and not-so new teachers,...

How can you motivate reluctant readers to reach for a book? In this episode, we are joined by Texas teacher Russell Souders, who has been teaching for 29 years. He'll share tips on how he sparks his third-grade students’ interest in reading, including how he uses programs like HMH Into Reading to engage students in literacy instruction. Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the co...

Past NSTA President and Into Science Texas author Dr. Karen Ostlund joins us in our new episode of Teachers in America to talk about best practices to engage students both in the physical and virtual science classroom. Plus she'll share exciting new changes to the TEKS and what it will mean for teachers and students in Texas.  Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hea...

Morning meetings can set the tone for the rest of the school day, even the rest of the school year. In our latest back-to-school minisode, we welcome back 30-year seasoned teacher Teresa Meredith. Tune in and hear her expertise on creating a classroom community space and establishing expectations in the first weeks of school. Plus, she’ll give insights on how to structure morning meetings and addr...

Connecting with your students this school year can be as simple as asking what's their favorite dipping sauce. In our 13-minute minisode, we welcome back North Carolina State Teacher of the Year Leah Carper as she shares her number one social and emotional learning strategy that has been successful with her Gen Z students. Plus she dives into programs that  support all students, including uni...

Getting in front of your class to teach is a lot like getting in front of a crowd to MC. Fourth-grade Teacher MC Toney Jackson returns and shares tips to prep for the biggest teaching event—back to school! Learn how to start off the school year as a master of ceremonies in your class, including how to engage and empower students by sharing the stage and how to find your teaching crew. Teachers in...

We're starting the school year off right with our Back-to-School minisode series! We've invited some your favorite guest back to give quick tips about  getting ready for the year ahead. 

"Learning to read to then reading to learn," is a saying heard often. But literacy instruction is a bit more nuanced than that. In this episode, Utah elementary literacy coordinator and fellow education podcaster from the Teaching Literacy Podcast   Dr. Jake Downs joins us and explores the intricacies of teaching reading. He shares his literacy expertise and talks about best practices fo...

School is almost out for summer! How are you wrapping up the school year? Hear how David Staton, a second grade teacher from Middletown, Ohio, is creatively counting down the last days of school. In this episode, David shares activities to end the school year, tips on cultivating a positive classroom community, and resources to personalize writing instruction. Teachers in America profiles K–12 tea...

For Colorado teacher, Amber Reyes, focusing on phonics has led to great student gains. Today's guest has gone from phonics tutor to early childhood educator to elementary school teacher. In this episode, Amber shares strategies to engage students in fun phonics instruction, as well as resources to build fundamental reading skills. Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country....

We welcome back Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona for a special Teacher Appreciation Week message for 2023. In this episode, he shares how the Department of Education is working on reimagine our schools through the “Raise the Bar: Lead the World” effort, which pushes to accelerate learning, boldly improve learning conditions, and create pathways for global engagement. Teachers in America...

Differentiating instruction is challenging. But we're sharing how technology can help! Interventionist Becky Walker from the Blackfoot School District discusses how she's leveraged tech to meet the needs of her diverse student population. Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hear firsthand from the people who are shaping young lives in the classroom every day. I...

Learn to unleash the power of teacher collaboration. Thirty-year seasoned teacher and education advocate Teresa Meredith shares best practices to build positive relationships with fellow teachers, both on and offline. Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hear firsthand from the people who are shaping young lives in the classroom every day. If you or someone you know would...

We're dispelling dyslexia misconceptions with guests Rachael Cunningham and Sarah Fox, education leaders at the Charles Armstrong School. Hear how Rachael and Sarah have tailored their school's curriculum to meet the needs of learners with dyslexia. Together they'll share their expertise on dyslexia, including instructional strategies and research-based programs to support students...

For high school English teacher Leah Carper, a challenge from her Gen Z students transformed her teaching. Hear from Leah, the 2023 North Carolina State Teacher of the Year. She shares how her students inspired her to leverage technology and innovate her instruction. Listen to learn Leah's tips for the modern classroom! Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hear first...

2022 National Teacher of the Year finalist Autumn Rivera shares her journey as a middle school science teacher—from supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) to making the great outdoors her classroom, leading lessons right on the Colorado River. Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hear firsthand from the people who are shaping young lives in the classroom every day...

From poetry to puppetry — fourth grade teacher and artist Toney Jackson in Hackensack, NJ loves to bring his passion for the arts into his teaching practice. In this episode, Toney shares how he incorporates rhymes and raps to differentiate instruction and meet the needs of all his students. Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hear firsthand from the people who are shapi...

2022 DoDEA Teacher of the Year, Rachel Guilfoyle joins us all the way from Daegu, South Korea. On this episode, she shares how she creates an inclusive classroom for her military-connected students. Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hear firsthand from the people who are shaping young lives in the classroom every day. If you or someone you know would be a good candidat...

Mother-daughter educators, Darla Moyers and Renae Kuhn, share a passion for education and encourage others to pursue the profession. Hear the duo’s journey about what—and who—sparked their love of teaching. They discuss everything from screen time to student agency. Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hear firsthand from the people who are shaping young lives in the clas...

Velnetta Runyon’s goal is to show students not to be afraid of math. She ensures that her middle schoolers are believed in and are pushed to their fullest potential. In this episode, hear how she encourages perseverance from the first day of school.  Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hear firsthand from the people who are shaping young lives in the classroom every day....

How can you better connect with kids? Colorado teacher and author of I Wish My Teacher Knew , Kyle Schwartz, discusses how she helps students feel empowered to make a difference—and how she gives them a sense of belonging in her classroom and in the community. Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hear firsthand from the people who are shaping young lives in the classroom...

When customs broker Stacy Salter took on teaching elementary as a second career, she had to learn the ins and outs of classroom management, how to build student relationships, and what it took to be a teacher mentor. After years of contending with virtual learning and the evolution of her school's curriculum, Stacy has finally found her calling as a teacher in America. Teachers in America pro...

Today we speak with teacher couple and the creators of Virtual Team Teaching, Rachel and Steven Lamb. After meeting at an education conference, they worked together to come up with a way to connect their classrooms, despite their schools being on opposite ends of the city.  Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hear firsthand from the people who are shaping young lives in...

Today we speak with charter school teacher and 2022 Changemaker Award winner, Melissa Tracy. Between their raised planters, vertical gardens, and hydroponic learning lab, Melissa and her high school students grow enough leafy greens to help provide for the food deserts nearby. Teachers in America profiles K–12 teachers across the country. Hear firsthand from the people who are shaping young lives...

Today we are joined by the Hawai’i State Teacher of the Year and one of the four finalists for the 2022 National Teacher of the Year, Whitney Aragaki. She utilizes her state's natural resources  for her place-based biology and environmental science high school lessons. She is passionate about teacher mentoring programs and supports learning that honors place, people, and cultures. Teachers in...