Too often, I see learning objectives on the board that say “Students will think about…” — but how do we actually know what students are thinking?

This week on the Podcast, I sit down with returning guest Alice Vigors, author of The Thinking Classroom and her brand-new book The Learning Classroom.

We dig into how teachers can make thinking visible by:

- Clarifying learning intentions & success criteria

- Embedding real-time, actionable feedback

- Building student self- and peer-assessment routines

Alice shares practical strategies (like scaffolding verbs, using thinking routines, and creating “pause points”) that help students not just do the work, but show their thinking — leading to deeper learning and independence.

Listen in and learn how to design a classroom where learning is transparent, feedback is meaningful, and students own their growth.

Alice Vigors LinkedIn Page

The Learning Classroom Book

Thinking Pathways

Teacher Takeaway Podcast

Music by Aylex

When Teachers Believe—in Themselves and Each Other—Students Thrive

This week on the podcast, we sit down with Jenni Donohoo and Glenn Forbes to discuss their new book, Collective Impact: Overcoming the Twelve Enemies of Teacher Efficacy.

We explore how collective efficacy—educators’ shared belief in their power to impact student learning—creates school cultures where both teachers and students flourish.

Just as we encourage students to see challenges as opportunities, teachers must shift from fixed, demoralized mindsets to one where a small win is celebrated and setbacks fuel growth.

Together, educators can—and do—make the difference.

- In this episode we highlight John Hattie’s research on collective efficacy as the #1 influence on student achievement.

- Explore the authors’ framework of the “12 enemies of efficacy” (from isolation to negativity).

- Share practical “micro moves” rooted in Bandura’s four sources of efficacy—mastery, modeling, emotions, and persuasion.

Jenni Donohoo LinkedIn Page

Jenni Donohoo Website

Glenn Forbes LinkedIn Page

Collective Impact Book

Southern Tioga School District

Music by Aylex

In this episode, we are joined by Shannon McLeod from Thrive with Outdoor Learning for an inspiring and insightful conversation about the power of taking learning outside the classroom.

We cover the how, why, when, and what of outdoor learning—from practical strategies to deeper reflections on its benefits for students' well-being, engagement, and development.

Shannon shares her journey into outdoor education, the philosophy behind her work, and the tangible ways educators can integrate nature into everyday teaching.

Whether you're new to outdoor learning or looking to expand your toolkit, this episode offers valuable takeaways and motivation to get outside and make learning come alive.

Thrive with Outdoor Learning Website

Teach Better Article

Pinterest

Our kids are drowning in math failure — and it starts shockingly early. By grade 3, too many students already believe: “I’m just not a math person.”

The culprit?

Timed tests that reward speed over thinking, worksheets that kill curiosity, and assessments that feel like traps, not opportunities.

We’re creating a generation terrified of math.

The SNAP Solution flips the script:

- Math becomes a puzzle full of wonder

- Students show thinking in drawings, equations, and real-life examples

- Teachers see true understanding — not test anxiety

If we don’t change math assessment now, the crisis only gets worse.

Hear from authors of the book - The SNAP Snapshot - on why SNAP might be the lifeline we need on the most to reinvigorate Math teaching and learning.

Tom Hierck LinkedIn Page

Jonathan Ferris LinkedIn Page

Kirk Savage LinkedIn Page

The SNAP Solution Book

Music by Aylex

Are we grading what really matters? In most cases, no.

In this episode, we sit-down with Karin Hess, Jonathan Vander Els and Brian Stack - authors of the book Elevating Competency-Based Learning in a PLC at Work - to discuss how competency-based learning and grading can help educators provide students with a clear pathway in learning both standards based academic content while developing higher order life skills.

We discuss, in particular, how to create classrooms that are student owned, assessment practices beyond the paper and pencil test, and how we can ensure equity in teaching practices across classrooms.

Karin l. Hess LinkedIn Page

Jonathan Vander Els LinkedIn Page

Brian Stack Linkedin Page

Book - Elevating Competency

Music by Aylex

We hope you have enjoyed season two. We will be back with brand new episodes and a third season in August 2025.

In the meantime, please feel free to catch up on any of our past episodes.

Music - Aylex

In this episode, I talk with educator and author Susan Midlarsky about her book The Art of Learning Math: A Manual for Success.

We explore how math can be more than numbers—how it can help students see patterns in life, solve problems creatively, and rebuild confidence after math-related stress or trauma.

Susan shares:

• How recognizing relationships and patterns helps students make sense of math and the world

• Ways to address math anxiety and trauma with compassion and curiosity

• The importance of student-led problem solving over rote memorization

• How connecting math to real life builds confidence and resilience

This episode is perfect for educators, parents, or anyone looking to make math a more meaningful, empowering experience for learners of all ages.

Susan Midlarsky LinkedIn Page

Book - The Art of Learning Math

Homepage

Achieve the Core Coherence Maps

Music - Aylex

In this episode of the podcast, we chat with a pioneer in the AI space - Dr. Ken Kahn.

Ken walks us through the amazing ways we can increase student creativity through the use of high-powered AI chat bots, not reduce it.

We discuss how students can create games and simulations to demonstrate their knowledge of concepts in all core content areas, without needing to know code, as well as ways to create multimodal resources for students (music and images) and choose your own adventure type activities.

It truly is a brave new world! Listen in as Ken and I discuss these ideas as well as how his new book can serve as a guide to educators in maximizing the use of AI with students.

Ken Kahn LinkedIn

Ken Kahn Book - The Learner's Apprentice

Music - Aylex

Drama critic George Jean-Nathan once said that "Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote." Although 47% of all young people eligible to cast a ballot in the 2024 presidential election did so, 53% did not.

How did we get here? Professor Lindsey Cormack, author of the book "How to Raise a Citizen" believes that this situation, overall, is the result of a lack of youth awareness of the political and democratic process. So how then can educators, along with parents, teach students what they need to know?

In this episode we discuss:

- The definition of "citizen".

- How teachers can teach the political process through experiential learning.

- How we should spiral or build upon learning of the democratic process in each grade not just in middle school or 11th grade government class.

- How to turn youth from consumers of information on the Internet to information seekers.

- Why adults need to turn down the negativity about politics and teach students how to argue opposing viewpoints with civility.

- How teachers can teach the democratic process without falling victim to increasing legal jeopardy when what they teach upsets some parents with strong political views - red or blue.

- How parents can and should support the awareness of their children about the democratic process.

We hope you will listen in to this important conversation.

Lindsey Cormack LinkedIn page

Book - How to Raise a Citizen

How to Raise a Citizen Instagram

How to Raise a Citizen Webpage

James Madison's Montpelier Website

Music - Aylex

In this episode of the podcast, we speak with authors Jenn David-Lang, the Main Idea, and Kim Marshall, the Marshall Memo, about their work in curating the "best of" resources available to educators - particularly leaders working with new teachers as well as new teachers interested in self-growth.

New teachers need certain supports beyond what David-Lang calls the boiler plate "where are the keys" training all teachers get at the beginning of each year.

Marshall and David-Lang offer their suggestions on what this training should look like if we want to retain their talents.

The Marshall Memo

The Main Idea

The Best of the Marshall Memo

Music - Aylex