Teach Different

Is fighting the best way to get what you want?

Conflict consumes people of all ages. What makes conflict so taxing is the uncertainty in knowing how to deal with it in healthy ways. The simplest way to think about resolving conflict with other people is to choose domination through force and confrontation and, in dramatic cases, violence. That action carries dramatic consequences. Then, there's the softer, kinder approach which has the same goal but often takes longer and requires a wellspring of patience. Our choices surrounding conflict dictate the health of our relationships and leave indelible marks on our own character.

Join Steve and Dan Fouts for a conversation about conflict using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. 

Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.

Image source: Wikipedia

Do we control our own happiness?

Teachers and parents alike espouse the value of focus. With focus, children appreciate the value of the moment and can learn to control their mind. Yet, phones and social media conspire to make focus difficult. The undisciplined mind, split from its foundation, shifts and drifts in different directions leaving tasks undone, leaving students feeling inadequate and powerless.

Steve and Dan Fouts are joined by Evan Harrel and Laura Berland from the Center for Compassionate Leadership to explore the power of a disciplined mind and how it can not only foster compassionate leaders, but can also lead us to a peace and contentment we never knew was possible.

Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.

Image source: Flikr | Christopher Michael | Creative Commons

How do you stay happy in a cruel world?

When bad things happen, students have to make choices about how they'll protect themselves. Some choose to fight back against the people or events which caused them pain, thinking that they have the power to change the world into something better. Others recoil and focus on changing their internal attitude, hoping that by doing that they can maintain happiness no matter what happens.

Join Steve and Dan Fouts with Adrienne Borders for a conversation about the best ways to navigate a cruel world. Should we turn inward and make our own happiness or is there a better way to build a shield so we can survive?

Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons © Marie-Lan Nguyen

Do humble people make good leaders?

To most students leadership is about confidence, being in front of the crowd, setting the example, and showing the way. Some assume that to be good leader you have to act the part, maintain that confident edge and undying belief in your own abilities. Another way to secure that edge is to be humble, and convince yourself that you haven't succeeded yet, there's more work to do. A humble attitude could be the key to leadership.

Join Steve and Dan Fouts, and past president of the National Council for the Social Studies Stephanie Wager, and teacher Nadia Moreno for a conversation about how different cultures value unique leadership skills.

Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.

Image: Wikimedia | Tom@HK

Should we worry about our future?

It’s no secret that most kids tend to ‘live for the moment’ rather than planning for their futures. Living in the now has its benefits; instant gratification, less anxiety, and a sense of freedom. Worrying about what happens tomorrow ruins the present. But, maybe a little worry over the future is a good thing and makes people carefully consider their options in the moment to make sure the right choices are made and long-term happiness is secured.

Join Steve and Dan Fouts and emerging educators, Suzy Dean and Shannon Renshaw, for a conversation about what living in the "now" really means and how it can make you an unforgettable teacher.

Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.

Image source: Needpix

What is the purpose of school?

Most teachers agree that skills and content are important components for a quality education. Debate erupts over which is more important. Some argue that teaching a person how to think should be the primary focus. Others argue that teaching content knowledge is more worthwhile. In the middle of this debate are the students who have very passionate ideas of what the purpose of school should be.

Join Dan and Steve Fouts with Michael Strong, author and school innovator, for a conversation about what is really means to think and how teachers can help students learn the language of freedom through conversations.

Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.

Image source: Wikipedia Images / Creative Commons

When is going against the crowd the right thing to do?

Peer pressure is real. Many students choose to follow the crowd to avoid the repercussions of not following. They feel safer, less alone. It doesn’t mean the followers fully "buy in" to the crowd beliefs or actions, but the act of standing outside the crowd feels scary. Is there a good time to face that fear and go against the crowd? How does one do it and avoid being ostracized or humiliated by the crowd?

Join Steve and Dan Fouts and special guest educators, Jim Plaza, Jason Janczak, and Paul Solarz, for an unforgettable conversation that you can recreate in your classroom.

Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.

Image source: Pixabay

Are role models healthy for us?

The old adage "Just be yourself" looks good on paper, but gets pretty scary in the real world when we must rely on our own instincts to make decisions. Dangers abound. What if we make a mistake and hurt somebody? These fears - fueled by lack of confidence - cause us to look to other people to do the thinking and acting for us. Our role models inspire us to be better, but sometimes they become convenient ways to escape the responsibility we have to be the best version of ourselves.

Join Steve and Dan Fouts and special guests, Mary Ellen Wessels and Elizabeth Burgos, for an unforgettable conversation with great ideas for how to use Teach Different's 3-Step method for the classroom.

Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.

Image source: Pixabay | Flybynight

What in life is actually in our control?

The power of self-awareness isn't obvious to us. We may feel ourselves at the mercy of life, that life just happens to us. When things don't go our way, we may throw our energies into changing other people and events to make things right. But, maybe our efforts to change the world are futile. Maybe what we need to do is change our attitude about what happens, and that is the grandest expression of strength.

Experience Teach Different's 3-Step conversation method with Steve and Dan Fouts and two veteran educators, Herb Baker and Carol Kravetz. See if you agree that happiness and strength are found in your own mind, not the outside world.

Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.

Image: Pixabay | Serghei Topor

What makes somebody a hero?

Everybody respects heroes because they rise above and do extraordinary things. Common wisdom sees heroism as something you attain from serving others. Think of the firefighter who saves lives, or the patient who fights off illness. But, maybe heroism doesn’t require such remarkable effort. Maybe if we put trust in who we are and emanate confidence, then that will make us a hero.

Join Dan and Steve Fouts with guests, Joanna Wassillie and Josh Flug, for an unforgettable conversation about self-trust.

Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.

Image source: Library of Congress