What's Best For Kids?

Education is at a crossroads. Parents want more control, schools are fighting technology and behavior battles, and students’ learning styles don’t fit an antiquated model. So…what’s next? We can’t wait for answers because the future is NOW!

What makes high school graduation such a seminal moment in our lives? What makes this annual right of passage so special for students and educators alike?

It’s never been harder to be a teacher, and the strain on educators is starting to show. The stress of larger classes, higher level demands, political polarization, the influence of AI, and increasingly reluctant learners is burning out good people just trying to serve kids. What can we do to address this today, and what do we need to do to avoid this tomorrow?

Student behavior issues continue to increase at schools across the county and educators have fewer tools than ever to address it. What’s behind this surge in disruptive outbursts, disrespect, and violence, and what can we do about it?

Adolescent risk-taking is prevalent, with over 60% of teens engaging in behaviors like thrill-seeking, substance use, or unsafe driving. Is this a new trend or has this always been the case and we just know more about it because of social media?

Colleges are reporting that more and more parents are following their kids to college. Is this helping kids launch, or is it keeping them from being able to effectively leave the nest?

Cheating has always been an issue in school, but it’s no longer in the shadows. What can schools do to address this trend, and what does the future hold for kids who see cheating as just a means to an end?

Individual plaintiffs are joining school districts in the legal battle over the impact of social media on mental health. As the data mounts, will tech giants buckle under the weight of litigation? More importantly, will these legal challenges affect change?

Individual plaintiffs are joining school districts in the legal battle over the impact of social media on mental health. As the data mounts, will tech giants buckle under the weight of litigation? More importantly, will these legal challenges affect change?

After years of heartbreaking data about teen suicide, a 2024 report shows that things are finally improving. What’s working, and what more do we need to do to save lives?

Between increasing demands and a raging political culture, is it any wonder that teachers are asking the question, “Should I stay or should I go?” How do we hold onto veteran teachers, how do we keep from scaring new teachers away, and how do we attract new teachers to the profession?

The San Diego Unified School District recently moved some schools from a traditional schedule to a 4x4. What is a 4x4 schedule, and what impact does the bell schedule have on student learning and wellness?

In an effort to counter all of the gloom and doom shared in the media about the current educational landscape, Rob and Don challenged each other to pick some highlights of improvements in education from decades past. It’s time to accentuate the positive. 

In our rush to protect girls from strangers, cyberbullying and discrimination, have we neglected the developmental needs of our boys? With data showing that suicidal ideation increases as boys become men, it’s critical that we stop and reflect to make sure our sons are ready for their future.

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, teens are increasingly reliant on this new technology to learn how to think. But can it also help them feel? Virtual companions are replacing human connection all over the world. What does this mean for our kids and their future? 

As instruction changes, so too does assessment. More and more, students are expecting good grades just for their effort. While effort helps a student be successful, should it be the only measure? Should content mastery still count?

If you’re a regular listener, you’ve heard us give a shoutout to one of our biggest fans, Reed Kendall. Well, why just hear about him when you can hear from him! Reed joins Don and Rob to talk about his experience as a new educator and what he has learned from the podcast that has helped him along the way.

Gen Z is facing the most uncertain economic future since the depression. Meanwhile, tech giants are engaged in a Max Max style battle for their attention. What does this mean for their future, and how can we help?

The end of the school year was busy for both Don and Rob so the podcast had to take a backseat to other responsibilities. The boys are refreshed and ready to get back on track with some updates and maybe a preview of season four?

For the first time since the pandemic, teacher morale is up. But the results vary depending on the state. Why the difference, and what do teachers think will increase their job satisfaction?

The benefits of reading are profound. But was Egon in Ghostbusters right? Is print dead? Gen Z is showing record low levels of reading for pleasure, and teachers are struggling to find a way to reverse that trend. What is the long term impact of a short attention span that doesn’t allow for analysis, nuance and discussion? 

We think we know our kids, but there is another side to them that only educators know. What is it like observing the behavior of teenagers in their natural habitat? Well, you’re about to find out.

As the Trump Administration continues to revamp the Department of Education and immigration enforcement, what does that mean for our schools? Some schools are already feeling the impact, while others are watching and waiting. It’s a dynamic time for public education. 

Education is often a political football kicked around in an effort to rally constituents by drawing on their deepest concerns - their kids. But all of the gloom and doom often shared in the media doesn’t reflect the reality of the magic that happens in classrooms all over the country every day. Rob and Don challenged each other to pick five highlights from the classroom that remind them, and us, w...

Education is often a political football kicked around in an effort to rally constituents by drawing on their deepest concerns - their kids. But all of the gloom and doom often shared in the media doesn’t reflect the reality of the magic that happens in classrooms all over the country every day. Rob and Don challenged each other to pick five highlights from the classroom that remind them, and us, w...