In a world dominated by bad news, this episode explores why teaching students to notice and share real good news matters more than ever.

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In this episode, I’m sharing one of the most impactful projects I ever did with my students, and it all came down to one thing: their work mattered.

My class was studying tolerance, conflict, and what it looks like for people to live together throughout history. Instead of teaching it the traditional way, we partnered with a local college and gave students a real challenge: master the content, turn it into lesson plans, and teach it to future teachers.

Even though a big part of the project was writing a research paper, students consistently called it their favorite unit of the year. The difference wasn’t the assignment, it was the purpose behind it.

We’ll dig into why authentic audiences raise student effort, how relevance fuels motivation, and why project-based learning leads to deeper learning, not less.

Check out the Epic PBL Workshop here: https://www.trevormuir.com/pbl-workshop

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A look at how boredom fuels creativity for students and professionals, and simple classroom strategies to build quiet, low-stimulation moments that spark ideas.

Read the Article: https://www.trevormuir.com/blog/need-boredom

In this episode I share a winter lesson that almost got shut down after a single complaint and how my principal’s unexpected pivot changed the entire day. What happened next taught me one of the most important lessons about leadership, flexibility, and what modern students need from us. This episode is about staying open, adjusting when the moment calls for it, and why adaptability is one of the most valuable skills in today’s classrooms and workforce.

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In this episode, I talk about the importance of knowing how to ask for what you want and need, along with what I’ve learned about helping students develop the skill of making clear, respectful requests. Because asking is one of the most essential forms of communication in adulthood, and it’s something we can start teaching long before students enter the workforce. We’ll explore how teachers can guide students through this process, the power of classroom projects that involve making real asks, and a simple framework you can use right away to help your students advocate for themselves.

Get the Ask Framework free here: https://www.trevormuir.com/ask-framework

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A story about the power of one-on-one teaching, why it matters, and how teachers can make space for it, even in a busy classroom. Email Trevor at [email protected] Collaboration Toolkit: https://www.trevormuir.com/collaboration-toolkit

In this episode we talk about strategies to spark student curiosity and excitement in the classroom. Learn how passion, relevance, and student choice can turn flat lessons into engaging learning experiences. Here's the research I mention: https://news.gallup.com/poll/648896/schools-struggle-engage-gen-students.aspx?utm Read my article here: https://www.trevormuir.com/blog/student-interest

With AI tools able to record, transcribe, and even generate polished notes in seconds, it is easy to wonder: do students still need to take notes at all? In this episode, Trevor explores why the answer is a resounding yes. You will hear the brain science behind note-taking, why it leads to deeper comprehension than passive listening, and how different strategies—from handwritten notes to sketch notes to collaborative docs—can turn information into lasting learning. Discover practical ways to help your students use note-taking not just to prepare for a test, but to build critical thinking, communication, and adaptability skills that matter long after class ends.

If your students seem distracted, this episode explains why it’s not a decline in attention span but a lack of purpose — and what you can do to fix it.

Collaboration Toolkit (FREE): https://www.trevormuir.com/collaboration-toolkit

Read the article: https://www.trevormuir.com/blog/attention-span

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/pltYo40JzPg

In the days after the shooting that killed Charlie Kirk and yet another school shooting, many teachers are wondering how to respond to students who are processing fear, grief, and confusion. In this episode, Trevor shares personal stories of how teachers’ reactions shaped him during past tragedies like Columbine, 9/11, and Sandy Hook. He unpacks the psychology of emotional contagion, showing how students often mirror the emotions of the adults they trust, and offers practical guidance for approaching difficult conversations with wisdom, calm, and compassion.

Ground Rules for Class Discussion Posters: https://www.trevormuir.com/discussion-ground-rules