The ABC's High School Teachers Really Need to Know

We are back for Season 7!  Sometimes we look in the mirror and get down about the wrinkles and scars we see.  In this episode, we talk about the importance of those wrinkles and scars in who you are as a person and as an educator.  They tell an amazing story.  Be proud of that story.  Our kids need you, and you need you.  Thank you for being a teacher.  

In our final episode of the season, we will talk about the prevalence of "zero to sixty" in education.  Things change fast in our dynamic profession, and the journey from year one to beyond is a roller coaster.  Effective teachers need to be prepared for the ride.  We are also joined by two special guests this week that will provide interesting takes - former students and a college senio...

Do you remember being a teenager?  The struggle is real for them.  How are we supposed to get them to focus on things like algebra, Spanish, and biology with all of THAT going on in their heads?  The good news is that the answer really comes down to what teaching has always been about:   coaching, empathizing, and leading by example.  

XL educator egos have no place in a classroom.  They undermine relationships, productivity, and learning.  They also make for bad colleagues and lifelong learners.  Instead, learn with your students and model the behaviors you want to produce.  

Watching others teach is the number one way to grow as an education professional.  Unfortunately. too many teachers and administrators fail to make it a priority.  If you don't observe others, you miss out on valuable perspective, ideas, and growth.  You also inevitably underserve your students.  

Please stop judging teachers for working at night or whenever they are able to find time to be creative, innovative, productive, or anything else.  Stop expecting teachers to think the same, act the same, or lead their classrooms the same.  Collaborate without strings attached.  Teachers have to be at their best as often as they can.  If that means grading papers and fighting fires at 11pm for you...

For educators, a few things in this world are certain - death, taxes, and the undeniable teacher truths mentioned in this week's episode.  Remember, as an educator, you are never alone.  Connect and collaborate with the amazing people in our field.  In addition to making you better at your job, it will also help you find support.  

It's hard to believe, but this week we are celebrating 150 episodes!  Thank you for making this journey so special!  We have thousands of listeners from six continents, many of which have been with the podcast for years, all working to find support, collaboration, and better ways to serve our students.  You are superheroes!  This week, we continue with a discussion of the importance of "...

School soap operas are a real thing, and effective teachers know how to minimize their involvement.  This episode will discuss some crucial strategies that will help you be happier AND more effective as an educator in today's world.  It's time to reduce the drama!

Students have changed, along with the rest of the world.  Effective teachers don't complain - they adjust.  We have to continue to work hard to reel students back into our lessons and process.  Even better, let's not lose them at all.  This episode will offer up some crucial strategies on how to do just that.  

Stop giving zeroes for assignments, awarding bonus points for non-content, increasing grades as part of class "curves," providing extra credit to "help" grades, and all other practices that distort or misreport a student's level of mastery.  Effective teachers know that grades should reflect mastery.  They also know that it's better to barter behavior with privileges,...

Students cycle through several academic and developmental transitions in their K-12 journey.  Effective teachers know that we have to prioritize supporting them through these transitions, particularly academically.  We have to build academic soft skills, be intentional about bridging gaps, give clear feedback based on mastery, and set clear expectations.  We can't  simply say "the best o...

Effective teachers realize that underperformance is easier than putting the effort in to find success - this is the magnet at the bottom.  This magnet affects your classroom in a big way.  Start developing a "+1 mentality" and help your students develop both motivation and academic stamina.  

Students and classrooms have changed in some key ways.  I'd encourage you not to waste too much energy reminiscing about the past.  Instead, use that energy to help the students of today.  The experience you have as an educator, student, and/or parent offers perspective and leadership.  Use that experience and influence to model successful strategies and shape powerful classroom experiences....

In the heat of conflict between students or with you, it's important to ask yourself a critical question before speaking or acting.  This practice is a major component of effective classroom (and life) management.  In this episode, we will discuss that question and so much more.  

Not surprisingly, a one size fits all approach to discipline management is usually ineffective.  Of course, building strong and productive relationships and communities are key.  Beyond that, we have to remind ourselves that our students are individuals with different experiences, personalities, and perspectives.  Standardizing discipline to fit in a box will inevitably fall short of serving you o...

Many teachers struggle with classroom management, despite their efforts to create and enforce policies and procedures.  Effective teachers know that if you focus on the people more than structure, the classroom management will almost certainly follow.  

Changing jobs or roles can be challenging.  However, effective teachers know that sometimes we have to do one or both to better serve our students.  As we grow personally and professionally, we often have to choose change - that's what being a lifelong learner is all about.  

Effective teachers know that intelligence is not the same as experience.  Neither is superior, but differentiating the two is crucial to building and managing your process.  

Effective teachers run counter to the notion that some students are just "hardened criminals" with a history of underperformance and bad behavior.  We focus on being a supporter, challenger, and champion for all.  Whether self-created or not, many students become victims of hardened circumstances.  Effective teaches focus on helping them rise.  

Effective teachers know that group work can be a powerful tool, or completely undermine your learning objectives, depending on how you use it.  This episode discusses the only two scenarios group work should be used, and more importantly, how to gauge its use in achieving learning objectives.  

The future happens each and every day.  What we invest in our students (and ourselves) on a daily basis helps develop what tomorrow will look like.  Each day absolutely matters.  That shouldn't be a burden, but instead an opportunity.  Make the most of it!

There is a barrage of tools and talking heads ready to evaluate us, observe us, and tell us we aren't good enough.  Don't get lost or overwhelmed by all the noise.  Instead, live by the "Golden Rules" of teaching and learn to self-evaluate.  When you do those things, you actually generate a meaningful measure of effectiveness.  

Effective teachers know that delivering on your promises to students, parents, teachers, and administrators is key to a successful career in education.  The actions that we take and the words that we say make all the difference in the world, particularly to those we want to impact most - our students.  

Effective teachers know that there are common elements in every powerful lesson.  In this episode, we will talk about them.  Also, we will discuss example lessons that illustrate and utilize these elements.