Have a Life Teaching

“If students can’t read to learn, they can’t learn through reading.”

In this episode of the podcast, I talk with Gwen Pauloski, author of Making Deep Sense of Informational Text: A Framework for Strengthening Comprehension in Grades 6–12.

We dig into why every teacher—not just ELA—needs to see themselves as a literacy teacher.

Gwen shares her four pillars for helping adolescents make sense of complex texts: 1️⃣ Rebuilding confidence and “reading esteem” 2️⃣ Teaching comprehension strategies explicitly 3️⃣ Engaging students in scholarly talk 4️⃣ Guiding deep text study through pre-, during-, and post-reading work.

We also talk about practical scaffolds like Cornell Notes, annotation strategies, and discussion protocols that keep students thinking deeply instead of skimming for answers.

🔗 Listen to the full episode below to hear how you can help students move from “just reading” to truly understanding what they read.

Making Deep Sense of Informational Text

Gwen Pauloski LinkedIn Page

Music by Aylex

In this inaugural episode, education podcasters sit down to reflect on the art and purpose of podcasting in education. From the challenges of balancing storytelling with scholarship to the power of teacher voice in shaping public dialogue, the panel explores what happens when educators turn the mic on themselves.

Key Themes:

• The rise of podcasting as professional learning for educators

• Building authentic conversations in K–12 and higher ed contexts

• How podcasting strengthens community and reflection

• Tips for sustaining creativity and avoiding burnout

• The future of education podcasts as storytelling platforms

  
  

Takeaway:
Podcasting isn’t just about producing content—it’s about creating connection. This series opens a space for educators to learn from each other as they amplify ideas that move teaching and learning forward.

Literacy Landscapes Podcast

Teaching, Learning, Leading Podcast

Learner-Centered Spaces

In this episode of The Have a Life Teaching Podcast, host Dr. John Schembari talks with Illinois educators Paige Timmerman and Courtney Hake, co-authors of Their Stories, Their Voices. Together, they explore how teachers can use personal narrative writing to help students find and share their authentic voices—while meeting academic standards and preparing for real-world writing.

Paige and Courtney discuss how narrative writing builds engagement, supports social-emotional learning, and develops critical thinking. They outline four key narrative types—informative, analytical, persuasive, and reflective—and share practical ways to weave student voice into everyday assignments without overhauling the curriculum. The conversation also dives into innovative projects such as experimental narratives, podcast assignments, and multimedia memoirs that make writing both relevant and joyful.

John and his guests unpack how narrative connects to standards, fosters growth mindset, integrates with digital literacy, and even interacts with emerging tools like AI. The episode closes with an inspiring reminder: when students write about what matters to them, they not only learn to communicate—they learn who they are.

Paige Timmerman LinkedIn

Kourtney Hake LinkedIn

Their Stories Their Voices Book

Music by Aylex

In this episode of the Have a Life Teaching Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with David Richards, CEO of Changemaker Education, to discuss the revolutionary world of micro schools.

As a leader in the micro school movement, David shared his personal journey from traditional education to launching micro schools, emphasizing the importance of personalized learning, project-based learning (PBL), and social-emotional learning (SEL).

David’s insights on the benefits of small, community-driven schools—where students are seen, heard, and supported—highlight the future of education in a world where one size doesn't fit all. We also explored the entrepreneurial spirit required to build sustainable, high-quality micro schools, as well as the risks involved in starting from scratch.

🔑 Key takeaways:

• Micro schools offer highly personalized, relationship-based education that larger schools often can’t provide.

• The growing micro school movement is not just about small size but about innovative, student-centered learning models.

• The entrepreneurial journey of starting a micro school is rewarding but comes with unique challenges in sustainability.

💡 Want to learn more about micro schools? Check out David Richards' work at Changemaker Education and dive deeper into the evolution of education!

🔗 Changemaker Education Website
🔗 Changemaker Education Podcast
🔗 David Richards on LinkedIn

Music by Aylex

Poetry isn’t just “beautiful prose” — it’s a doorway into critical thinking, voice, and perspective.

In this episode, I sit down with Jewellyn Forrest, national writing consultant and co-founder of Autonomy Learning, to explore how poetry — and especially figurative language — can:

✔️ Help students “read between the lines”

✔️ Unlock reluctant writers

✔️ Build community and celebrate student voice

✔️ Offer an equity lens by honoring culture and personal experience

Jewellyn also shares her powerful Figurative Language Stretch strategy which she wrote about on the ASCD blog — a simple, playful way to help students move from identifying similes and metaphors to confidently weaving them into their own poems.

Give it a listen if you’ve ever wondered: How do we get students not only to understand poetry, but to love creating it?

Jewellyn Forrest LinkedIn Page

AutonoMY Learning Website

ASCD Blog Post - The Figurative Language Stretch

Music by Aylex

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