New Teacher Talk

Afleveringen

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  Ep 214: Structure, High Expectations, and Real Connection 19.08.2026 11min

  Structure, High Expectations, and Real Connection Guest: Chloe Lillie, first-year general music teacher In this episode, Chloe Lillie challenges the idea that student behavior is a puzzle to be solved, arguing instead that authentic, human connection is at the center of good classroom management. She shares hard-won lessons from her first year in the classroom. In this episode: Why interacting with students shouldn't feel artificial or like problem-solving The case for starting strict, and why clarity brings students comfort rather than stress Why structure matters for students still developing organizational skills How high expectations reduce students' fear of trying and failing Chloe's strategy of intentionally modeling mistakes to normalize the learning process A holiday classroom story: navigating a kindergartner's question about race and representation Chloe's framework: treat younger students like they're older, and older students like they're still kids Teaching first graders solfège and sheet music notation, with surprising results Why she gave middle schoolers holiday stuffed animals, and how they responded Why authentic, confident connection matters more than being a "perfect" teacher Key takeaway:Strong behavior management isn't about solving a puzzle, it's about building real, human connection while holding clear, consistent expectations. #ClassroomManagement #NewTeacherSupport #FirstYearTeacher #TeachingPodcast #StudentBehavior #ClearExpectations #ClassroomStructure #HighExpectations #LearningFromMistakes #SensitiveConversations #AgeAppropriateTeaching #TreatYoungerStudentsAsCapable #LetOlderStudentsBeKids #HumanCenteredTeaching #NewTeacherTalk
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  Ep 213: The Warm Demander Secret to Starting Your Year Strong 17.08.2026 14min

  The Warm Demander Secret to Starting Your Year Strong Guest: Melissa Dudic, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, large suburban high school district In this episode, Melissa Dudic explains how three fundamental elements, present in every classroom whether teachers realize it or not, shape the culture for learning: time, routines, and relationships. She draws on resources including Creating Cultures of Thinking by Ron Ritchhart and The 12 Touchstones of Good Teaching by Brian Goodwin and Elizabeth Ross Hubbell. In this episode: Why how teachers use class time communicates their priorities and values Specific feedback language that builds perseverance, resourcefulness, and independence The importance of wait time after posing a question Building in explicit closure and reflection time, even just 60 seconds Why classroom routines matter most for new teachers The "C3B4 me" routine for group work and student agency Why routines require modeling, practice, feedback, and reinforcement Relationships as the foundation of instruction The "warm demander" concept Practical ways to connect with every student daily, including quieter students Key takeaway:Intentional use of time, clear routines, and genuine relationships create classrooms where students see themselves as active participants in their own learning. #ClassroomCulture #NewTeacherSupport #TeachingPodcast #InstructionalLeadership #TimeRoutinesRelationships #ClassroomRoutines #WarmDemander #MeaningfulFeedback #StudentBelonging #C3B4Me #IntentionalTeaching #TeachWithConfidence #HighExpectationsWarmSupport #NewTeacherTalk #NewTeachers #FirstYearTeacher
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  Ep 212: Classroom Management Part Two, Structure, Strictness, and Redirection 12.08.2026 11min

  Classroom Management Part Two, Structure, Strictness, and Redirection Guest: Abby Bartle, fourth-year English teacher, Oswego High School, Oswego, Illinois In part two, Abby Bartle moves from big-picture classroom management into the daily habits and in-the-moment techniques that keep a classroom calm and focused. She emphasizes that classroom management is personal and that what works for one teacher may not work for another. In this episode: Why classroom management style is personal and varies teacher to teacher Starting each period with clear materials routines Setting realistic attention span benchmarks (10-15 minutes) based on knowing your students Using movement breaks and brain breaks to refocus a class Creating a positive classroom environment through tone, personality, and decor Why misbehavior happens even with strong management, and why strictness early matters The "sacrifice a lamb" concept for establishing authority as a new teacher A redirection progression: praise, direct redirection, and non-verbal cues Why addressing behavior privately avoids power struggles and public escalation The difference between handling off-task behavior and students talking over instruction When to involve counselors, colleagues, or parents Key takeaway:Consistent routines and calm, private redirection do more to manage behavior than volume or punishment ever will. #ClassroomManagement #NewTeacherSupport #TeachingPodcast #LessonPlanning #BehaviorManagement #StudentAttentionSpan #ClassroomProcedures #NonVerbalRedirection #TeacherExpectations #PositiveClassroomCulture #ProactiveTeaching #TeachWithConfidence #CalmClassroomStrategies #NewTeacherTalk
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  Ep 211: Classroom Management Starts on Day One, Not Later 10.08.2026 12min

  Classroom Management Starts on Day One, Not Later Guest: Abby Bartle, fourth-year English teacher, Oswego High School, Oswego, Illinois In this episode, Abby Bartle explains why classroom management can't be postponed while you settle into curriculum and school logistics. She makes the case for prevention over punishment and lays out a practical, proactive framework for the first weeks of school. In this episode: Why classroom management must start on day one, not once things "settle down" Establishing routines and procedures before the school year begins Where to find inspiration: online teachers, school colleagues, student teaching experience, and your own education Why the second week of school often brings boundary testing Learning student names quickly through attendance, pronunciation practice, and icebreakers Building relationships without becoming "too friendly," and why that boundary matters The concept of being a "warm demander" Strategic desk placement and seating arrangements, including pods, pairs, and rows A step-by-step approach to building seating charts, from accommodations to friendships Why students shouldn't choose their own seats early in the year Key takeaway:Structure now creates freedom later. Prioritizing routines and procedures at the start of the year makes it possible to build in flexibility and relationship warmth as the year goes on. #ClassroomManagement #NewTeacherSupport #TeachingPodcast #BackToSchoolPrep #WarmDemander #TeacherTips #ClassroomRoutines #BehaviorManagement #TeacherLife #PositiveClassroomCulture #TeacherProfessionalDevelopment #RelationshipBuilding #SeatingChartStrategy #TeachWithConfidence #NewTeacherTalk #TeacherPodcast
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  Ep 210: Classroom Design Secrets Every New Teacher Should Know 05.08.2026 13min

  In this episode, Dr. Meg White explains why classroom setup is never just about aesthetics, it's a direct reflection of your educational philosophy. She walks through the difference between behaviorist and constructivist theory, teacher-centered versus student-centered classrooms, and what that means for how your room should actually be arranged. In this episode: Behaviorist theory (B.F. Skinner): learning through repetition, rewards, and consequences, "learning by training" Constructivist theory (Piaget and Vygotsky): learning through hands-on problem solving and prior experience, "learning by building" The fishing analogy: teacher-centered classrooms "give a fish," student-centered classrooms "teach to fish" White's first-year teaching story about bulletin boards, construction paper, and a principal's hard lesson in priorities The "renting versus owning" framework for information retention Practical classroom arrangement guidance: desk placement, traffic flow, sight lines, and material accessibility Four fundamental principles of classroom behavior management A three-strike system built on student choice, featuring the "Roberto" scenario Why frequent punishment is usually a sign of a management problem, not a discipline problem Key takeaway:Thoughtful classroom design isn't decoration. It's a foundational teaching decision that shapes participation, collaboration, behavior, and learning.  #BehaviorismVsConstructivism #TeacherCenteredVsStudentCentered #ClassroomArrangement #TeachingPodcast #LearningTheory #ClassroomDesign #ProximityControl #ThreeStrikeSystem #IntentionalClassroomDesign #RentingVsOwningLearning #TeachWithConfidence #StudentResponsibility #NewTeacherTalk
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  Ep 209: The First 10 Days: Procedures that Prevent Chaos 03.08.2026 10min

  The First Ten Days: The Procedures that Prevent Chaos Hosts: Dr. Beth Wilkins and Dr. Anna Quinzio-Zafran In this episode, Dr. Anna and Dr. Beth make the case that classroom management isn't about rules or discipline, it's about procedures. They break down exactly how to use the first ten days of school to build the routines that prevent chaos all year long. In this episode: Why the difference between a calm and chaotic classroom often comes down to whether students know what to do the moment they walk in "Freedom through structure," why clear expectations give teachers more flexibility, not less The difference between rules (big-picture expectations like "be respectful") and procedures (the specific "how," like where to turn in homework) Why procedural gaps are an instruction problem, not a behavior problem, and can't be solved through discipline A day-by-day breakdown for the first three days of school: Day one: entry and exit routines Day two: materials distribution and collection Day three: attention signals and group work transitions Why the first 30 seconds of class sets the tone for the entire period The "explain, model, practice, give feedback" teaching method for procedures Why procedural mistakes call for reteaching, not punishment Reframing procedures as building muscle memory rather than catching students doing wrong Commonly overlooked procedures: early finishers, absence and makeup work, and emergency situations How to avoid overwhelm by prioritizing routines that happen multiple times a day, then adding more as the year goes on Why adjusting procedures for different classes or groups is normal, not a sign of failure Key takeaway:Strong classroom management starts with teaching clear, explicit procedures from day one. When students know exactly what to do, teachers spend less time managing behavior and more time teaching. #First10DaysOfSchool #ClassroomManagement #TeachProceduresNotRules #BackToSchoolPrep #TeacherSuccessStrategies #TeachWithConfidence #ClassroomSystems #EduPodcast #TeacherPodcast #EdLeadership #K12Education #TeachingCommunity #NewTeachers #FirstYearTeacher #NewTeacherTalk #TeacherPodcast
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  Ep 208: Summer Strong: What to Do Before Day One 01.06.2026 14min

  The season finale of New Teacher Talk delivers exactly what new and returning teachers crave heading into summer: a clear, confidence‑building plan that replaces overwhelm with strategy. Dr. Beth and Dr. Anna break down how to prepare for the school year with intention, from documenting your classroom space to designing management systems that actually work. Their message is simple and powerful — systems come first, content follows — and they show you how to build those systems step by step.  This episode is packed with the kind of practical wisdom teachers wish they’d had in year one: routines that run themselves, attention signals that actually land, community‑building that feels natural, and self‑care that keeps you in the profession long enough to thrive. If you want to start the year grounded instead of scrambling, this finale is your roadmap. Summer Extra Value "Classroom and Behavior Management” Episodes:  Episode 145: Building Community Through Structure, Essential Classroom Management Techniques with Kwame Sarfo-Mensa Episode 177: Mastering the Art of Behavior Redirection, Part 1 Episode 181: Mastering the Arts of Behavior Redirection, Part 2 Episode 183: Redirecting Behavior, Part 3 Episode 191: Redirecting Behavior, Part 4  HASHTAGS #TeacherSummerPrep #SystemsFirstTeaching #NewTeacherPreparation #ClassroomManagementDesign #SustainableTeachingJourney #EdChat #TeacherTips #NewTeachers #FirstYearTeacher #NewTeacherTalk #TeacherPodcast
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  Ep 207: Work-Life Balance: How New Teachers Can Protect Their Time and Avoid Burnout 25.05.2026 27min

  First-year teaching is a marathon disguised as a sprint. In this episode, first-year English teacher Isabel Wilde and department chair Amy Howerton get honest about what no one tells you before you step into your own classroom: the planning is relentless, the administrative tasks are endless, and the risk of burnout is real. Together they unpack practical strategies for protecting your time and your energy, from setting email boundaries and building smarter planning routines to understanding why comparison with other teachers will quietly steal your joy. Amy also shares research-backed insight on the three-year teaching cycle and what shifts when you finally hit your stride. Whether you are weeks into your first year or already dreaming of survival, this episode is your reminder that sustainable teaching is not selfish. It is the whole point. HASHTAGS: #SustainableTeaching #WorkLifeBalance #OnePositiveEveryDay #Yet #EdChat #Newteachertips #newteachers #newteachertalk #podcast
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  Ep 206: Building Confident Teachers: What Early-Career Educators Need to Stay and Thrive 20.05.2026 27min

  At the heart of every new teacher's journey is a quiet question: Can I really do this? In this episode, Dr. Beth and Dr. Anna welcome Dr. Virginia Shank of Liberty University, whose research and mentoring work centers on what helps early-career educators feel capable, confident, and supported. Dr. Shank unpacks the concept of teacher self-efficacy in practical, classroom-level terms -- explaining why it is one of the strongest predictors of new teacher confidence and success. She shares what tends to chip away at a new teacher's belief in themselves, what small wins and experiences can strengthen it, and why that inner confidence is so closely tied to whether teachers stay in the profession. Whether you are a new teacher, a mentor, an instructional coach, or a school leader, this conversation offers research-grounded, experience-backed insight into what early-career educators truly need to grow and thrive. AAEE Job Search Handbook: https://www.aaee.org/job-search-handbook HASHTAGS: #TeacherSelfEfficacy #TeacherConfidence #MentorSupport #SupportNewTeachers #EarlyCareerEducators #Newteachertips #NewTeacherTalk #podcast
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  Ep 205: The PD Early Career Teachers Actually Want: A Conversation with 3NBCTs 11.05.2026 7min

  What if professional development felt less like an obligation and more like a conversation? In this episode, Dr. Anna is joined by her 3NBCTs colleagues Maryellen Friel and Laura Mota Newmeyer, both National Board Certified Teachers, to talk about something teachers rarely get in their professional lives: the freedom to choose. Together, the three educators walk through the self-paced individual book studies available at 3NBCTs.com, explaining why teacher-selected reading paired with deep reflection questions produces the kind of growth that mandatory PD rarely does. They discuss how the books were chosen, how the reflection questions are designed to push beyond comprehension and into genuine practice transformation, and why starting this kind of reflective work early in a teaching career pays dividends for years. Whether you're a new teacher trying to find your footing, an experienced educator craving meaningful professional learning, or someone exploring National Board Certification, this episode makes the case that becoming a scholar of your own practice is not a luxury; it's the foundation of excellent teaching. Visit 3NBCTs.com to browse available book studies and find the one that meets you where you are right now. HASHTAGS: #EarlyCareerTeachers #TeacherPD #TeacherReflection #3NBCTs #TeacherLeadership #ReflectiveTeaching #TeacherBookStudy #Newteachertips #newteachers #newteachertalk #podcast
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  Ep 204: Five Things Every New Teacher Should Do in May 04.05.2026 9min

  May is a lot. You have spirit weeks, field trips, testing windows, and emotions all at once. But before you sprint to the finish line, there are five things that can help you close out the year with intention and set future-you up for success. In this episode, Anna and Beth walk you through a simple "What's Working" reflection, how to gather honest student feedback without a formal survey, what to document before summer erases your memory, how to start building the relationships that will carry you into next year, and why protecting your energy right now is not optional, it's essential. If you're a new teacher in the home stretch, this one's for you. HASHTAGS: #NewTeacherTalk #NewTeacher #TeacherPodcast #FirstYearTeacher #EndOfYear #TeacherSelfCare #NewTeacherSupport #TeachingTips #ClassroomCommunity #YouveGotThis
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  Ep 203: Teaching with Cultural Intention 27.04.2026 17min

  What does it mean to teach with cultural intention, and how do you actually do it across every subject area? In this episode of New Teacher Talk, host Dr. Meg White explores the transformative framework of Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors, first introduced by Emily Style in 1988 and expanded by scholar Rudine Sims Bishop in 1990. This powerful lens helps teachers evaluate whether their classroom materials reflect students' own identities, open windows into the lives of others, and invite deeper perspective-taking. Meg unpacks why the "heroes and holidays" approach falls short — and why celebrating culture only on designated days can actually reinforce the stereotypes we're trying to dismantle. Through the lens of the Cinderella story (did you know there are approximately 900 global variations?), she demonstrates how traditional curriculum choices can either limit or expand students' worldviews. You'll also hear practical, subject-specific strategies for building culturally responsive classrooms: from math word problems featuring diverse names and contexts, to STEM lessons that highlight scientists from underrepresented backgrounds, to gallery walks that invite students to engage with real-world social issues. Whether you teach in a rural, suburban, or urban school, this episode offers concrete tools to ensure every student sees their heritage, language, and lived experience reflected in your classroom. Inspired by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "The Danger of a Single Story" and grounded in equity-focused pedagogy, this episode is essential listening for any educator committed to creating a learning environment where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed. HASHTAGS #TeachWithIntention #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #WindowsMirrorsDoors #NewTeacherSupport #NewTeachers #NewTeacherTalk #TeacherPodcast #NewTeacherTalkPodcast
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  Ep 202: Rethinking Smart: A Framework for Recognizing Every Student's Strengths 20.04.2026 9min

  What if the students who struggle most in your classroom are actually among your smartest? In this episode, Dr. Beth welcomes Faye Snodgress, an elementary teacher with a powerful framework for transforming classroom culture by changing the way students, and teachers,  think about intelligence. Faye opens with a question that will immediately resonate: who gets picked first on the playground depends entirely on the game. The same is true in the classroom. When we expand our definition of smart, everyone gets to be a first pick somewhere. Drawing on Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, Faye introduces nine distinct ways of being smart: from word smart and logic smart to body smart, nature smart, and philosopher smart; and shows you exactly how to bring this framework to life with your students. You'll hear about a character creation activity that helps students discover their own strengths and recognize the strengths of their peers, plus individual reflection exercises that shift the focus from deficits to possibilities. Faye also gives you specific language to use in your classroom starting tomorrow, including how to respond when a student says they're bad at school and how to ensure every kind of smart is represented during group work. If you've ever watched a student disengage and wondered how to bring them back, this episode will give you both the tools and the perspective shift to make it happen. HASHTAGS #StrengthsBasedTeaching #ClassroomCultureShift #EveryKindOfSmart  #NewTeacherSupport #NewTeachers #NewTeacherTalk #TeacherPodcast
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  Ep 201: What No One Tells You About the Teaching Job Search (A Golden Apple Scholar's Real Advice) 13.04.2026 10min

  What does it actually take to land a teaching job while you're still student teaching? In this episode our guest is Samantha "Sammi" Katschke, a Golden Apple Scholar and current student teacher who secured a K-5 General Music and District Band Director position at Chadwick-Milledgeville before finishing her program. Sammi shares four concrete strategies that made the difference: expanding your professional network beyond job boards, preparing targeted application materials before you need them, submitting your first application earlier than you think you should, and applying even when a position isn't your perfect fit. Whether you're entering your student teaching semester or actively job hunting, Sammi's candid and practical perspective will give you real tools, not recycled advice, for navigating one of the most exciting and stressful chapters of your teaching journey. HASHTAGS: #NewTeacherTalk #TeacherJobSearch #FutureTeachers #TeacherInterviewTips #FirstYearTeacher #TeacherNetworking #EducationPodcast #Newteachertips
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  Ep 200: Are You Accidentally Triggering Your Students? 6 Teacher Behaviors That Cause Classroom Disruption 06.04.2026 15min

  What if some of the behavior challenges in your classroom are being unintentionally triggered by you? Before you close this tab, this episode isn't about blame. It's about empowerment. In this candid episode of New Teacher Talk, Dr. Anna and Dr. Beth open with a personal confession: even experienced educators have moments where they don't show up as their best selves. What matters is what we learn from those moments. Together, they walk through six categories of teacher-created triggers and offer concrete, compassionate strategies for making intentional changes. Here's what you'll explore: Communication and Language Triggers: How tone, sarcasm, public correction, and absolute language like "you always" or "you never" can escalate conflict before it even starts. Relationship and Respect Triggers: Why students challenge authority when they don't feel known or valued, and how cultural responsiveness and consistency build the trust that prevents power struggles. Environmental Triggers: How visual clutter, noise, harsh lighting, and unpredictable routines can overwhelm students and look a lot like misbehavior. Instructional and Academic Triggers: Why work that's too hard or too easy leads to avoidance and acting out — and why that's a curriculum problem, not a discipline problem. Power and Authority Triggers: How refusing to negotiate or offer agency sends tweens and adolescents searching for other ways to assert their independence. Emotional Climate Triggers: Why students are exquisitely attuned to teacher emotions, and what happens when their own emotional states go dismissed or unacknowledged. Dr. Beth and Dr. Anna close with five practical strategies for moving forward. This includes keeping a brief reflection journal, inviting trusted colleague observations, and practicing the self-compassion that makes honest self-examination possible. Teachers who are willing to look inward build stronger classroom communities and spend less time managing symptoms because they're addressing root causes instead. HASHTAGS #ClassroomManagement #TeacherSelfReflection #TeacherTriggers #TeachersOfInstagram #EdChat #TeacherTips #NewTeachers #FirstYearTeacher #NewTeacherTalk #TeacherPodcast
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  Ep 199: Testing Season Without Losing Classroom Culture 01.04.2026 10min

  April is here, and if you're feeling the weight of testing season, you are not alone. In this episode, Abigail Jarrett, a first-grade teacher from New York, brings warmth, wisdom, and practical strategies to help you navigate spring testing with confidence and intention. Abigail walks you through three core strategies for protecting your classroom culture when the testing environment threatens to unravel it, two morale-boosting rituals you can put in place right now, and one powerful mindset shift that will change the way you see this season entirely. You'll learn how to recognize the signs that your students are struggling with testing anxiety, why abandoning your routines is one of the biggest mistakes you can make this time of year, and how to separate your students' test performance from their identity and yours. Abigail also shares specific scripts for supporting students during testing, and how to handle the post-test moments in ways that keep community front and center. If you've been questioning everything you've done this year, this episode is your reminder: your classroom culture is your legacy, and no test score can measure what you've built. HASHTAGS: #TestingSeasonStrategies #ClassroomCulture #EdChat #NewTeacherHiring #Newteachertips #newteachers #newteachertalk #podcast
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  Ep 198: Thriving as a Department of One: A STEM Teacher's Survival Guide 30.03.2026 8min

  What do you do when you are the entire department? In this episode, Dr. Beth sits down with Nicole Heaver, a STEM teacher at a fifth and sixth grade intermediate school in Ottawa, Illinois, who has spent the last seven years doing exactly that — building a program from the ground up, leading a virtual reality lab, and coaching a cross country team, all while navigating the unique challenges of working completely on her own. Nicole shares her journey from nearly two decades of deeply collaborative teaching to a role where there is no team down the hall, no shared lesson planning, and no one who fully understands what you do. She gets honest about the mental demands of being your own curriculum writer, data analyst, and instructional coach all at once. But this episode is also full of hope and practical guidance. Nicole walks you through four strategies that have helped her protect her wellbeing, build her professional community, and show up confidently for the hundreds of students who depend on her expertise. You'll hear how she sets boundaries that actually stick, why your professional tribe doesn't have to be in your building, and what one powerful piece of advice from Dr. Joe Sanfelippo taught her about owning and sharing her story. Whether you're a department of one or simply feeling isolated in your role, this episode will remind you that your work matters, and you don't have to figure it all out alone. HASHTAGS: #DepartmentOfOne #TeacherOfOne #STEMEducation #TeacherLife #TeacherWellbeing #EdChat #NewTeacherHiring #Newteachertips #newteachers #newteachertalk #podcast
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  Ep 197: From Application to Job Offer: Interview Tips That Work 23.03.2026 22min

  Landing your first teaching job takes more than a great resume. In this episode, Amy Howerton, English teacher and department chair at Oswego High School, sits down with Isabel Wilde, a first-year English teacher she recently hired, to walk you through the entire teacher interview process from the inside out. Isabel shares what actually worked for her as a recent candidate, and Amy reveals what hiring managers are really looking for at every stage. From crafting a standout cover letter and researching school mission statements, to navigating the interview room with confidence and sending the perfect thank-you email, this episode covers it all. You will also hear honest advice on handling tough questions, showing your personality, and staying graceful if an offer does not come through. Whether you are just starting your job search or heading into interview season, this one is for you. HASHTAGS: #TeacherInterviewTips #TeacherHiring #EdChat #NewTeacherHiring #Newteachertips #newteachers #newteachertalk #podcast
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  Ep 196: You're Not Failing, You’re New: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a First-Year Teacher 16.03.2026 12min

  Every new teacher has felt it: that quiet voice whispering you're not ready, you don't belong here, everyone else has it figured out. That's imposter syndrome, and it's more common in teaching than almost any other profession. In this episode of New Teacher Talk, Dr. Alisa Ross, Interim Dean of University College and Student Success at Southern University and A&M College, offers new educators a compassionate, practical roadmap for naming, understanding, and moving through imposter syndrome. Dr. Ross explains why teaching is uniquely vulnerable to self-doubt: it’s highly visible work, with minimal ramp-up time, high expectations, and a social media culture that makes everyone else's classroom look perfect. Rather than dismissing these feelings, Dr. Ross walks listeners through four common manifestations of imposter syndrome in new teachers: over-planning out of fear, comparing yourself to veteran colleagues, taking student behavior personally, and treating mistakes as failures. She offers concrete mindset shifts and strategies for each, from keeping a "wins file" of positive feedback to reframing mistakes as data rather than diagnoses. Most importantly, Dr. Ross delivers a message every new teacher needs to hear: you are not behind, you are beginning. Confidence doesn't come before experience. It comes from it. Whether you're in your first semester or supporting new teachers as a mentor or leader, this episode will leave you with tools, perspective, and a renewed sense of purpose. Books mentioned: The First Days of School by Harry & Rosemary Wong | Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov | Mindset by Carol Dweck HASHTAGS: #ImposterSyndrome #NewTeacherConfidence #NewTeacherMindset #Newteachertips #newteachers #newteachertalk #podcast
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  Ep 195: Why Motivation Alone Isn't Enough: Effective Teaching Strategies That Drive Real Learning (3rd of 3 in series) 11.03.2026 16min

  Dr. Ken King challenges a common classroom misconception: that motivated students will automatically learn. While motivation is essential, it must be paired with structured instructional strategies to produce meaningful learning outcomes. Ken explains that motivation directs behavior and sustains effort, but doesn't automatically result in mastery or conceptual understanding. Through a compelling case study of a well-intentioned teacher whose enthusiastic students floundered without proper scaffolding, Ken demonstrates why motivation alone falls short. Discover three essential motivational frameworks every teacher should understand: Self-Determination Theory - Learn how autonomy, competence, and relatedness create engaged learners, illustrated through a middle school science example where students choose investigation variables within structured labs. Expectancy Value Theory - Understand how students answer "Can I do this?" and "Is this worth my time?" See how high school math teachers build confidence through manageable problems before connecting to real-world applications. Social Cognitive Theory and Self-Efficacy - Explore how success experiences, peer modeling, and feedback build student confidence, demonstrated through a first-grade writing classroom's gradual release approach. Ken emphasizes three critical instructional practices that support all motivational frameworks: scaffolding and guided support, teaching cognitive and metacognitive strategies, and providing competence-focused feedback. This episode provides practical, research-based strategies to create classrooms where motivation fuels learning and learning sustains motivation—transforming student engagement into genuine achievement. HASHTAGS: #EducationMyths #MotivationMatters #MotivationTheories #LearningScience #StudentEmpowerment #GrowthMindset #LearningScience #Newteachertips #newteachers #newteachertalk #podcast #kenking