Teach Me, Teacher

Hello everyone!

This week I'm joined by Carrie Jackson, the incredible principal of Allen High School in Texas — and someone I've had the privilege of working alongside in my career.

Carrie embodies what it means to lead with humility, compassion, and care. In our conversation, we dig deep into what real leadership looks like — not the kind that leans on authority or power, but the kind that sees people first.

We talk about the difference between power and influence, and how the best leaders earn trust and respect not through force, but through consistency, empathy, and a genuine commitment to the people they serve.

It's a reminder that leadership isn't about control — it's about connection.

Hello everyone! We have done extensive podcasts on the many aspects of reading and writing. We have covered pedagogy, research, cutting edge ideas and a return to form. One of the biggest topics that have graced this show is the topic of The Science of Reading. Heard of it?

To dive into the latest research, findings, and thinking around the subject, I have brought on one of the experts in the field, Erica Woolway. Erica Woolway is the President and Chief Academic Officer of Teach Like a Champion. Erica is a former kindergarten teacher and elementary school leader. She is coauthor of Practice Perfect and Reading Reconsidered.

In this episode we cover what SoR is, the debate around what works in reading, and the push for a more in-depth approach to reading instruction (among other odds and ends.)

Enjoy!

Teach Like a Champion Links

Buy the book: https://www.wiley.com/en-us/The+Teach+Like+a+Champion+Guide+to+the+Science+of+Reading%3A+Translating+Research+to+Reignite+Joy+and+Meaning+in+the+Classroom-p-9781394305995

Pilot the Reading Reconsidered Curriculum – available to purchase just one unit for £590 : https://teachlikeachampion.org/reading-reconsidered-curriculum/

Come to our workshops: https://teachlikeachampion.org/training/workshops/

Have us come lead training for you (in-person or remotely): https://share.hsforms.com/1w8SlL9vPRuq30hsy_6JUWgs3y4d?__hstc=65301169.251c3eb934a8f6dab79aeafc7cae4ab1.1727899617348.1757098518554.1757340098147.227&__hssc=65301169.2.1757340098147&__hsfp=3474073941

Doug

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglemov

X: @Doug_Lemov ; https://x.com/doug_lemov?lang=en

Blog: https://teachlikeachampion.org/blog/

Erica

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-woolway-44901130/

X: https://x.com/ericawoolway?lang=en

Colleen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-driggs-09903559/

X: https://x.com/colleendriggs?lang=en

Hello everyone! We have done extensive podcasts on the many aspects of reading and writing. We have covered pedagogy, research, cutting edge ideas and a return to form. One of the biggest topics that have graced this show is the topic of The Science of Reading. Heard of it?

To dive into the latest research, findings, and thinking around the subject, I have brought on one of the experts in the field, Erica Woolway. Erica Woolway is the President and Chief Academic Officer of Teach Like a Champion. Erica is a former kindergarten teacher and elementary school leader. She is coauthor of Practice Perfect and Reading Reconsidered.

In this episode we cover what SoR is, the debate around what works in reading, and the push for a more in-depth approach to reading instruction (among other odds and ends.)

Enjoy!

Teach Like a Champion Links

Buy the book: https://www.wiley.com/en-us/The+Teach+Like+a+Champion+Guide+to+the+Science+of+Reading%3A+Translating+Research+to+Reignite+Joy+and+Meaning+in+the+Classroom-p-9781394305995

Pilot the Reading Reconsidered Curriculum – available to purchase just one unit for £590 : https://teachlikeachampion.org/reading-reconsidered-curriculum/

Come to our workshops: https://teachlikeachampion.org/training/workshops/

Have us come lead training for you (in-person or remotely): https://share.hsforms.com/1w8SlL9vPRuq30hsy_6JUWgs3y4d?__hstc=65301169.251c3eb934a8f6dab79aeafc7cae4ab1.1727899617348.1757098518554.1757340098147.227&__hssc=65301169.2.1757340098147&__hsfp=3474073941

Doug

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglemov

X: @Doug_Lemov ; https://x.com/doug_lemov?lang=en

Blog: https://teachlikeachampion.org/blog/

Erica

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-woolway-44901130/

X: https://x.com/ericawoolway?lang=en

Colleen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-driggs-09903559/

X: https://x.com/colleendriggs?lang=en

In light of the world and the tragedies that have unfolded, Teach Me, Teacher skipped this week.

In the meantime, a PSA for the audience.

Welcome everyone to the Craft & Draft podcast! We are so excited to bring you what we love, talking with you about workshop, literacy, writing, reading, and real world teaching.

In this episode, Jacob and Pam address the issues of student cheating and AI. Jacob poses the question of whether cheating is a greater problem today than in the past.

Pam shares how she has seen cheating throughout her career and determined that it has always been a large problem. Jacob explains how technology changes seem to instill fear regarding cheating, such as Google, so, AI is just another one of those changes.

In this heartfelt new episode of Teach Me, Teacher, we sit down with Josh Monroe—the inspiring 5th-grade teacher behind the TikTok sensation @mrmonroeandnala, where he shares heartwarming and thought-provoking classroom moments alongside his therapy dog, Nala TikTok (though things have changed). Josh is also the co-host of the acclaimed podcast What the World Needs Now, where he and fellow educator Tom Whisinnand explore what keeps teachers motivated while uplifting educator voices from around the world.

Together, we explore the concept of "hidden standards"—the unspoken social expectations like listening empathetically, speaking kindly, and treating one another with respect. Josh shares why teaching content is only half the job and introduces audiences to classroom strategies that embed social-skill building into everyday teaching. Expect practical ideas for cultivating empathy, communication, and ethical behavior—because growing good humans matters as much as grade-level success.

Educators and parents, get ready to learn how to turn your classroom or home into a place where kindness is just as important as curriculum—and then some. Tune in now to reframe how we teach, how children learn to engage, and how we all build better communities, one conversation at a time.

If you'd like to hear his previous episode, click here.

In this heartfelt new episode of Teach Me, Teacher, we sit down with Josh Monroe—the inspiring 5th-grade teacher behind the TikTok sensation @mrmonroeandnala, where he shares heartwarming and thought-provoking classroom moments alongside his therapy dog, Nala TikTok (though things have changed). Josh is also the co-host of the acclaimed podcast What the World Needs Now, where he and fellow educator Tom Whisinnand explore what keeps teachers motivated while uplifting educator voices from around the world.

Together, we explore the concept of "hidden standards"—the unspoken social expectations like listening empathetically, speaking kindly, and treating one another with respect. Josh shares why teaching content is only half the job and introduces audiences to classroom strategies that embed social-skill building into everyday teaching. Expect practical ideas for cultivating empathy, communication, and ethical behavior—because growing good humans matters as much as grade-level success.

Educators and parents, get ready to learn how to turn your classroom or home into a place where kindness is just as important as curriculum—and then some. Tune in now to reframe how we teach, how children learn to engage, and how we all build better communities, one conversation at a time.

If you'd like to hear his previous episode, click here.

Jonathan Alsheimer is back on the podcast, and this conversation is every bit as powerful as his first appearance.

If you missed part 1, check it out here.

We dig into what it really means to show up for kids—not just being present in the room, but being fully engaged, intentional, and committed to their success. Jonathan shares how building strong, authentic relationships can transform not only the classroom environment, but also the learning that happens within it.

We also tackle one of the biggest balancing acts in education: delivering rigorous, meaningful content while also teaching the life skills, resilience, and character our students need beyond school walls.

If you enjoyed our first conversation, you'll love this one even more. It's a reminder that great teaching isn't just about the curriculum—it's about the connection.

Jonathan Alsheimer is back on the podcast, and this conversation is every bit as powerful as his first appearance.

We dig into what it really means to show up for kids—not just being present in the room, but being fully engaged, intentional, and committed to their success. Jonathan shares how building strong, authentic relationships can transform not only the classroom environment, but also the learning that happens within it.

We also tackle one of the biggest balancing acts in education: delivering rigorous, meaningful content while also teaching the life skills, resilience, and character our students need beyond school walls.

If you enjoyed our first conversation, you'll love this one even more. It's a reminder that great teaching isn't just about the curriculum—it's about the connection.

Welcome to Season X of Teach Me, Teacher—the podcast that refuses to stay silent while public education is under attack.

This season, we stand shoulder to shoulder with teachers, parents, and communities across the nation, fighting back against the tech giants, profiteers, and bad actors who want to see our schools shuttered, our classrooms emptied, and our children turned into data points.

They want kids to learn from screens, not people. From algorithms, not relationships. They want to strip the soul from education so they can monetize it.

But we won't let them.

On Teach Me, Teacher, we believe in the power of real educators, real communities, and real learning. Join us as we expose the threats, elevate voices on the frontlines, and champion the future of public education—one episode at a time.