Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

EP338 Looking ahead to 2026: A new direction beyond Truth for Teachers

16 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's the final episode of the 2025 season, and I want to leave you with something meaningful. I'm sharing some personal thoughts as I prepare to step ...

EP337 Restorative practices aren't a strategy–they're a way of being (with Marisol Quevedo Rerucha)

02 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"The adults in the building need healing just as much as the kids do. Self-compassion isn't soft. It's the most radical act of self-preservation an ed...

EP336 4 routines to help students notice and adjust their thinking

19 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Metacognition — "thinking about your thinking" — is one of the most powerful skills we can teach students, and it doesn't require adding anything ...

EP335 How teacher language shapes us—and teaches kids to find their wisest self (with Lily Howard Scott)

05 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"Giving kids, and yourself, language to wrap around the idea that we have an inner leader (our kindest, best self) is transformative." Join me as I ta...

EP334 Are you a Type A or Type B teacher? Rethinking effort, expectations, and balance

21 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How much effort is enough—for you and your students? In this episode, I'm weaving together three listener questions about navigating effort, expecta...

Join me for live PD this winter: Unlocking Teacher Productivity

14 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

SCHEDULE CHANGE! I'm partnering with Rocket PD to offer a live-virtual cohort called Unlocking Teacher Productivity starting in late January. (Origina...

EP333: Engagement isn't extra: boredom busters that prime the brain for learning (with Katie Powell)

07 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Engagement is not the same as "fun." It's the foundation for meaningful and lasting learning. Join me as I talk with Katie Powell, author of Boredom B...

EP332 Time blocking for teachers: Align your priorities, energy, & tasks to create a sustainable schedule

24 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Time blocking sounds simple… but if you've ever sat down during your prep period with a plan and still ended the day feeling behind, you know it's n...

EP331 Want to individualize learning without overwhelm? Try this self-paced approach (with Rob Barnett)

10 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How can you meet the needs of every learner in your classroom while keeping your workload manageable? In this episode, Robert Barnett shares how self-...

EP330 Design a self-running classroom that frees you to teach

27 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most exhausting parts of teaching is the constant decision-making. You're answering questions like: Where do I turn this in? Can I go to th...

EP329 How a daily binder routine teaches students the skills behind academic success (with Mitch Weathers)

13 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We often assume students should already know how to stay organized, manage their time, and start tasks independently—but these are skills that need ...

EP328 The crumb story: following your inner compass when you can't please everyone

29 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this summer reflection episode, I'm sharing a small story—just a quiet moment at an airport breakfast counter—that brought me back to the kind ...

EP327 Screens, schools, and the future of childhood: a candid dialogue with Jonathan Haidt

15 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"We have overprotected kids in the real world and underprotected them online." Jonathan Haidt believes we have bubble-wrapped childhood: cut back on r...

EP 326 My top ways to use AI for scaffolds, supports, and differentiated tasks

01 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I'm pulling back the curtain on how I use AI in my work with teachers as an instructional coach. I'll show you how I collaborate with AI to brainstorm...

EP325 How to find your voice and self-advocate, even if you're conflict-avoidant (with Neelu Kaur)

18 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Self-advocacy can feel like a challenge, especially if you're conflict-avoidant, culturally conditioned to prioritize group harmony, or simply unsure ...

What I'm working on right now–and what's coming next

11 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Just popping in with a special update to catch you up on everything that's happening behind the scenes.  If you've been thinking about ways to stream...

EP324 Five changes teachers want to see in professional development

04 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

PD is supposed to help teachers grow, but so often, it feels like a missed opportunity. In this episode of Truth for Teachers, I'm sharing five things...

EP322 A school framework where learning feels different and students thrive

06 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if school was designed around student agency, real-world learning, and deep relationships—instead of compliance and test scores? In this episod...

EP321: Meaningful & relevant: Engaging learners in an age of distraction (with AJ Juliani)

23 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're tackling one of the biggest challenges educators face today: keeping students engaged in a world full of distractions.  AJ Juliani joins me to...

EP323 Teacher leadership: growing your impact in–or beyond–the classroom (with Starr Sackstein)

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you considering stepping into a leadership role in education but feeling unsure of where to start? In this episode, I sit down with Starr Sackstei...

EP320 4 ways to keep going when you're not feeling motivated

09 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling blah these days? You're not alone. Let's dive into what it really means to keep going when motivation feels out of reach.  Spoiler: it's not...

EP319 Teaching creatively within the constraints of the system (with Trevor Muir)

23 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How can teachers embrace creativity in their classrooms when faced with rigid curriculums, standardized testing, and limited time? That's the question...

EP318 How to use AI to plan a lesson and still make it YOURS

09 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

AI tools are transforming the way teachers plan lessons, but how do you use them without losing the personal touch that makes your teaching unique? In...

EP317 It's never just about the behavior (with Claire English from The Unteachables)

26 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if the key to managing challenging student behavior isn't about "fixing" the kids—but about regulating yourself? In this episode, we explore a ...

EP316 Radical acceptance and the power of "we'll see" in 2025

12 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling unnerved by the unpredictability of our world right now? You're not alone. In this first Truth for Teachers episode of 2025, we're diving into...

EP315 Humans Who Teach: A guide for centering love, justice, and liberation in schools (with Shamari Reid)

24 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this last episode of 2024, I want to leave you with a powerful conversation to marinate on deeply. I'm talking with Dr. Shamari Reid, an assistant ...

EP314 How you–and your students–can use movement to increase work quality, focus, and creativity

10 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's a powerful connection between movement and cognitive performance. Standing up and moving around can both foster diffuse thinking—the kind of...

EP313 What students need to know about artificial intelligence (and how to help them learn it)

27 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many teachers are already seeing incredible results when their students use artificial intelligence to brainstorm creative project ideas, get instant ...

EP312 5 brain-based ways to help kids who shut down in class (with Dr. John Spencer)

13 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When students give up on assignments or get overwhelmed, it's tough to find ways to help them re-engage. So, I've invited Dr. John Spencer (https://sp...

EP311 Soft starts: a gentle, inviting way to begin the school day & foster self-regulation

29 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Starting the school day doesn't have to be chaotic or rushed. In this episode, I'll explore how soft starts are transforming classrooms by offering a ...

EP310 Unlocking the secrets of effective lesson design (with Gretchen Bridgers)

15 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels trying to improve your teaching, but not seeing the results you want? In this episode, we delve into the t...

EP309 Why humans fall for misinformation & creative ways to teach information literacy skills

01 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Even young students can learn how to understand and combat misinformation, and it's a key information literacy skill in 2024. In this episode, I'm ta...

EP308 How (and why) schools should support neurodivergent educators

18 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, we're talking about accommodations FOR TEACHERS… I recently asked educators on social media if neurodivergent staff were being offered any supp...

EP307 Creating conditions for transformation (with Elena Aguilar)

04 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"Transformative change means feeling different, having different experiences every day, not just little changes that feel like a band-aid." These are ...

EP306 How to get TRUE student buy-in for your "no phone" policy (with Ashly HIlst)

21 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here's an innovative way to get student buy-in for your cell phone policy, reduce distractions, and maximize class time. Today you're going to hear fr...

EP305 5 ways to automate teaching tasks to save you time

07 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It seems like every tech tool we use has now integrated generative artificial intelligence. Open a Google Doc, you're prompted to use Gemini to help y...

EP304 Is artificial intelligence the key to a 40 hour teacher workweek?

23 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We know there's potential…but let's talk about the larger implications for the profession. In this episode, I'm sharing how AI has already transform...

EP303 How Danish schools embrace the slowdown and foster work/life balance (with Pernille Ripp)

09 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As an educator who's lived and taught in both the US and Denmark, Pernille's story is a revealing look into two vastly different education systems. Le...

EP302 Education trends, predictions, and hope for the future of teaching

26 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the school year comes to a close, we're taking a step back from practical strategies, and looking at the big picture of K-12 education. Until summe...

EP301 5 ways to make an old lesson feel fresh and interesting again (with Betsy Potash of Spark Creativity)

12 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bored with your curriculum or instructional routines? I'm talking with Betsy Potash of the Spark Creativity Podcast about easy ways to make things fee...

EP300 Teaching through hormonal changes: post-partum, perimenopause, and beyond (with Dr. Jen Gunter)

28 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This topic is definitely new territory for my Truth for Teachers podcast, and I was initially hesitant to include it because I didn't want to oversha...

EP299 A spring cleaning classroom guide: what if you didn't need all that STUFF to teach well?

14 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do you refuse to throw anything out because you MIGHT need it one day, or find yourself holding on to worthless stuff "just in case" you need it? In t...

EP298 Clock out confidently: 5 tips to get out the door at contract time (with June Link)

31 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode features a sneak peek from one of the upcoming 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Online Summit sessions. You'll hear from a teacher named June Lin...

Join us for the FREE 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Online Summit in April

24 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the only event focused entirely on saving teachers TIME! Learn from current K-12 teachers as they share their best tips for working more effectiv...

EP297 Feedback first: How 2 different teachers help students focus on learning, not grades

17 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Teachers spend so much time giving feedback to students, but often kids don't internalize it. They tune out the carefully-crafted written comments on ...

EP296 Thinking creatively about tough problems: the power of diffuse thinking for you and your students

03 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever noticed how breakthroughs often come when you're not actively trying to find a solution? That's diffuse thinking at work: a relaxed stat...

EP295 Can banning phones in school help solve the youth mental health crisis? (with Dr. Jean Twenge)

18 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There has been a significant increase in mental health issues among young people in America since 2012, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, suic...

EP294 What does it mean to "teach like yourself' in 2024? (with Dr. Gravity Goldberg)

04 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"Making a conscious and intentional effort to tap into your own personal power and being courageous" is the way today's guest defines "teaching like y...

EP293 When students don't want to think for themselves or put in effort, try this.

21 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do you feel like self-advocacy among students is a pervasive problem? As in, if students don't know what to do, they won't ask questions or seek out m...

EP292 How I'm planning and setting goals this year

07 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm back from my sabbatical and excited to share how I used my time off and what I'm planning for 2024! I'm sharing more about my personal daily art p...

EP291 Creating space this winter for dreaming and radical reimagination

26 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is the last for 2023, and Truth for Teachers will be back in January.  If you want to learn more about my sabbatical process or how you ...

EP290 The surprising research about how talent is developed (with Dr. Rishi Sriram)

12 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What if there was no such thing as innate talent? That's the argument my guest today is making: that talent is not a cause, but an outcome. It is cult...

EP289 A practical guide to building students' attention stamina and ability to focus

29 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How long can you read a book without getting distracted? Do you swipe through TikToks or reels before they're over because you've gotten impatient? Do...

EP288 Mindful moment: Finding the calm amidst chaos

15 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Let's try something new together! I started offering guided "mindful moments" on my new Truth for Teachers Daily Encouragement podcast about once per ...

EP287 Bell-to-bell instruction is NOT best practice. Here's the research.

01 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The expectation that students be fully engaged in learning tasks from the first minute of the class period until the last is known as "bell-to-bell in...

EP286 Student-centered learning sounds great, but what's the reality? (with Erika Walther)

17 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Need a practical roadmap for increasing student ownership? So much of teaching now revolves around teacher accountability, but the same accountability...

Announcing the NEW Truth for Teachers Daily Encouragement Podcast!

10 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I'm starting a brand new show with short episodes dropping each week from Monday-Friday! The purpose of the Truth for Teachers Daily Encouragement Po...

EP285 Why boys are struggling (and what educators can do about it)

03 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I recently read a powerful book called, "Of Boys and Men: Why They're Struggling, Why We Should Care, and What We Can Do About It" by Richard Reeves. ...

EP284 Ask me anything: Listener questions about my personal + professional life

20 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This AMA is a follow-up to the 3 part summer series I created for the podcast to celebrate 20 years of sharing teaching ideas online and reflect on my...

EP283 Rooted in joy: Creating a classroom culture of equity, belonging, and care (with Dr. Deonna Smith)

06 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you need an uplifting conversation to get you energized for the new school year, this episode is a can't-miss! I'm talking with Dr. Deonna Smith ab...

EP282 Where I'm going: Reflections on what excites me about my work & the future of schools

23 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I'm concluding the 3 part podcast series this summer offering a deep dive into my personal story: where I've been, where I'm at, and where I'm going. ...

EP281 Why planning ahead can be a form of self-care (with Lisa Woodruff)

09 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a myth that "having a plan" means locking yourself into a rigid schedule from which you can't deviate. Knowing the things you want to experience ...

EP280 Where I'm at: Reflections on who I've become as a person and educator

25 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the 2nd episode in my 3 part summer podcast series offering a deep dive into my personal story: where I've been, where I'm at, and where I'm g...

EP279 Summit sneak peek: K-12 teachers share their favorite timesaving tips & tricks

11 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The first FREE online summit focused entirely on saving teachers time is happening July 10th and 11th! The 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Online Summit is: ...

EP278 How I got here: Reflections on 20 years of sharing teaching ideas online

28 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I'm getting deeply personal and vulnerable in this 3 part summer podcast series, and sharing things with you that I've NEVER talked about publicly bef...

EP277 Can you do "fewer things, better" when there's a staff shortage?

14 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you're constantly covering for absent colleagues, supporting temporary hires in your building, or otherwise taking on additional duties because the...

EP276 Finding flow: How to teach productivity strategies to students

30 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all want students to be self-directed in their learning and take initiative to figure things out for themselves. We want them to think critically a...

EP275 What does it mean to "bring the best version of yourself" to the classroom? (with Elena Aguilar)

16 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Who you ARE matters just as much as what you DO. How can you show up as the best version of yourself each day, not only for students, but in every asp...

EP274 Unlocking new ways to see learning—and ourselves—through STEM practices (w/ Jason McKenna)

02 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As a child, I didn't think I was a "math and science" person. But you know what I did like? Robots. Robotics would have been an easy inroad into scien...

EP273 The power of asking better questions for self-reflection

19 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When it feels like there's no good answers, that may be a sign that we're not asking useful questions. If we can frame our thinking with better questi...

EP272 The neuroscience of co-thriving with students (with. Dr. Rebecca Branstetter)

05 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Want some practical strategies backed by brain research that can help you and your students co-thrive together? My guest today is Dr. Rebecca Branstet...

EP271 What could be possible if you aimed for B+ work?

19 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Just do your best" is not always helpful advice for perfectionists, people-pleasers, and folks struggling with anxiety. The phrase is meant to offer ...

EP270 How ChatGPT can reduce your teacher workload (with Dr. Monica Burns)

05 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Artificial intelligence can help you work more efficiently and save hours each week! Listen in as I talk with Dr. Monica Burns, an author, speaker, an...

EP269 Why YOU always seem to be right (and how to tell if you're not)

22 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Truth for Teachers is back for Season 17! We're kicking things off with a powerful concept that can help transform your relationships with others (and...

EP268 A message of encouragement and call to rest: You. Are. Still. Here.

06 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's the LAST EP of season 16, and per usual, I want to be a little more informal as I close out the podcast season. I'm sharing some personal reflect...

EP267 How to release unrealistic standards and change the stories you're telling yourself

30 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When we feel responsible for controlling students' behavior and work habits, the classroom environment, the way parents/caregivers and other faculty b...

EP266 Creating change in education without burning out (w/ Dr. Nadia Lopez)

16 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Revolutionaries and visionaries can get exhausted. They often sacrifice their own needs because they believe so strongly in the cause. Today I'm askin...

EP265 Why I'm pulling some of my books out of print & rewriting "Awakened"

09 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here's a little insider knowledge into the publishing world and how I make decisions to ensure all 5 of my books are current and relevant... I'm plann...

EP264 Help students do more with less effort using cognitive load theory (with Jennifer Brinkmeyer)

02 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When students struggle to focus, follow directions, and stay on task, it may be helpful to consider cognitive load theory. Classroom teacher Jennifer ...

EP263 How to reframe a negative situation when you just can't move on

25 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've all had hurtful or upsetting incidents with colleagues, parents, and students that we can't seem to move past. How do you change your thinking ...

Introducing NEW Truth for Teachers playlists!

18 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I first started this podcast back in 2015, and nearly 300 episodes later, I'm proud to say there's a wealth of helpful information available to you. B...

EP262 The 3 day weekend mindset

11 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What if you were able to have a 3 day weekend EVERY week? Obviously you still need to show up to school 5 days a week and give your best each day. But...

EP261 The Swiss Cheese Model: letting go of "all or nothing" thinking

04 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This short, encouraging episode explains how you can tackle really difficult problems using layers of imperfect solutions, rather than giving up doing...

EP260 Three ways to create teaching templates that will save you 5-10 hours a week (with Marguerite Rendelfs)

28 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Save yourself huge amounts of time by reusing your own work! Teacher Marguerite Rendelfs has developed a plan to create reusable resources that saves ...

EP259 Set a target number of hours to work...and stick to it

21 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You can decide this school year to find a sustainable approach to your workload. How? By not trying to work until everything is done. It's NEVER all g...

Burnout, work/life balance, and supporting teachers (with Lisa Woodruff of Organize 365)

02 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I recently had an upbeat, fun conversation with Lisa Woodruff of Organize 365 for her podcast, and thought I'd share an excerpt of it here with you! W...

"Nothing short of a revolution": What's happening in the 40 Hour programs

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this in-between-seasons bonus ep, you'll hear some quick audio clips of teachers sharing how they are challenging norms in education and creating a...

EP258 Envisioning what's next for schools: my personal reflections & hope for the future

15 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

LAST EP OF SEASON 15! We're wrapping up with thoughts on processing, healing, dreaming, and rebuilding as we find our path  toward whatever is next f...

EP257 How to work ONLY your contractual hours as a teacher (with Samantha Smith)

08 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The job of a teacher is not designed to be completed within 40 hours a week. It's assumed that teachers will provide additional labor by coming in ear...

EP256 Four teachers' small changes that made BIG reductions in their workload

24 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We all want to work smarter, not harder … and that doesn't require a complete overhaul of your teaching practice or a brand new innovative workflow....

EP255 Student behavior, grace, & consequences in the final weeks of school (with Amy Stohs)

17 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Teachers are often told to "focus on the positive and ignore the negative" when it comes to student behavior. While providing positive reinforcement a...

EP254 An instant way to have fewer assignments to grade

10 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

No, the answer is not throwing the whole stack in a recycling bin. (Although it's perfectly fine to toss out some assignments from time-to-time.) And,...

EP253 Is teaching still the right career for you? (with Daphne Gomez)

03 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you're ready to reevaluate your job, and decide if you want to return next school year or explore other options, this episode will help you conside...

EP252 Three practices for more one-on-one time with students (with Kareem Farah of The Modern Classrooms Project)

20 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Finally — a sustainable model for self-paced learning and mastery-based grading! Kareem Farah of the Modern Classrooms Project (MCP) shares how ANY ...

EP251 Empathy fatigue is real. How can educators push through the exhaustion? (with Kyle Cohen)

13 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you show up each day as the best version of yourself? Kyle Cohen, a 4th grade teacher in Cleveland OH, is here to share his contagious positive...

EP250 Peek inside one teacher's lesson planning process—and how she streamlines to stay ahead (with Megan Faherty)

06 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"When I leave school, I'm not only ready for the next day, I'm ready for the rest of the week. I almost never do planning or preparation the day befor...

EP249 What if we stop moving goal posts, and enjoy where we're at?

27 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The constant pressure to achieve more, work harder, increase results, generate more money, and so on can be exhausting. In this episode, I wanted to s...

EP248 Uncovering the hidden clutter in your curriculum (with Sally Berquist)

13 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Teachers are expected to pack way too much into a school day, and it can be tricky to sift through everything in the curriculum and figure out what's ...

EP247 Are the kids alright? A deep dive into the pandemic's toll on students (with Jessica Kirkland)

06 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The instability and unpredictability that students have experienced in this third school year impacted by COVID has definitely taken a toll on kids …...

EP246 A more intuitive approach to tiered and differentiated instruction (with Tia Butts)

30 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You know your students and who's struggling, and you can prepare lesson scaffolding even without data "proof" that students need it.   Tia Butts, tea...