The ABC's High School Teachers Really Need to Know
Episodes
Episode #14: Nothing is Black and White
04 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers know that functioning in absolutes is very difficult and often counterproductive to authentic learning. Learning to expect, navig...
Episode #13: Most People Aren't Terrible.
28 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most people aren't terrible. You have to believe that to survive and thrive in education. It's both a mindset and a philosophy. If you...
Episode #12: Lord of the Flings and Zings
21 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode is a good old fashion reminder of some key classroom management mistakes. If you are the teacher that "throws" or...
Episode #11: Kids Need ______.
14 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers regularly ask themselves, "What do kids need?" in order to understand their own teaching philosophy and measure effective...
Episode #10: Judge Professional Development Fairly
07 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode is all about challenging ourselves to open our minds to growing and developing as a professional. Yes, "PD" can b...
Episode #9: Intelligence is NOT the Same as Compliance or Experience
28 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, we look at some commonly confused words that have huge implications for the education system, and most importantly, our s...
Episode #8: Hero Worship
21 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your students respect and love you...even if they don't show it or even know it yet! It's hard for secondary teachers to get that much nee...
Episode #7: Go from Good to Great with Grading Using These 5 Things
14 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we discuss 5 things that can transform your classroom from "good" to "great" when it comes to grading and giving ...
Episode #6: Fear and Fight Standardization
07 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Diversity, exploration, curiosity, innovation, and motivation are all on the opposite side of the spectrum from standardization. From instruction an...
Episode #5: Evaluate the Endpoints
01 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Please listen to this episode for your students, for your school, and for yourself. In order to be successful, educators MUST look backward as much ...
Episode #4: Drive Consistency Over Improvement
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We have said it many times. Educators have to focus on understanding where students are on their academic journeys and building consistency BEFORE d...
Episode 7.3: Choose Children and Teachers
18 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the importance of advocating for students and teachers beyond our classroom walls. We are important in creating polic...
Episode #2: Bridging Gaps and Extending Learning with References
11 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you are looking for a way to bridge gaps in learning or extend learning opportunities for your students, you should absolutely take the time to lis...
Episode #1: All of These Lines Across My Face
03 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We are back for Season 7! Sometimes we look in the mirror and get down about the wrinkles and scars we see. In this episode, we talk about the imp...
Episode #26: Zero to Sixty
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our final episode of the season, we will talk about the prevalence of "zero to sixty" in education. Things change fast in our dynamic p...
Episode #25: Young and Restless
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you remember being a teenager? The struggle is real for them. How are we supposed to get them to focus on things like algebra, Spanish, and bio...
Episode #24: XL Egos Lead to XS Results
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
XL educator egos have no place in a classroom. They undermine relationships, productivity, and learning. They also make for bad colleagues and lif...
Episode #23: Watch Others Teach Constantly
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Watching others teach is the number one way to grow as an education professional. Unfortunately. too many teachers and administrators fail to make i...
Episode #22: Vampire Teachers vs. Sunshine Warriors
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please stop judging teachers for working at night or whenever they are able to find time to be creative, innovative, productive, or anything else. S...
Episode #21: Undeniable Teacher Truths
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For educators, a few things in this world are certain - death, taxes, and the undeniable teacher truths mentioned in this week's episode. Remem...
Episode #20: Time to Utilize Backwards Design (and Celebrating 150 Episodes!)
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard to believe, but this week we are celebrating 150 episodes! Thank you for making this journey so special! We have thousands of liste...
Episode #19: School Soap Operas CAN be Minimized Using These Strategies...
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
School soap operas are a real thing, and effective teachers know how to minimize their involvement. This episode will discuss some crucial strategie...
Episode #18: Reeling in the Lost, the Space Cadets, and the Just Plain Checked-Out
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Students have changed, along with the rest of the world. Effective teachers don't complain - they adjust. We have to continue to work hard to...
Episode #17: Quit Giving Grades Away
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stop giving zeroes for assignments, awarding bonus points for non-content, increasing grades as part of class "curves," providing extra cred...
Episode #16: Primary School Performance Can Lead to Secondary Wounds
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Students cycle through several academic and developmental transitions in their K-12 journey. Effective teachers know that we have to prioritize supp...
Episode #15: Overcome the Magnet at the Bottom
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers realize that underperformance is easier than putting the effort in to find success - this is the magnet at the bottom. This magne...
Episode #14: Not Your Grandma's Classroom
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Students and classrooms have changed in some key ways. I'd encourage you not to waste too much energy reminiscing about the past. Instead, us...
Episode #13: Message in a Battle
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the heat of conflict between students or with you, it's important to ask yourself a critical question before speaking or acting. This practi...
Episode #12: Ladders of Discipline are Inadequate in Schools
16 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Not surprisingly, a one size fits all approach to discipline management is usually ineffective. Of course, building strong and productive relationsh...
Episode #11: Keep the Focus on Students and Classroom Management Will Follow
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many teachers struggle with classroom management, despite their efforts to create and enforce policies and procedures. Effective teachers know that ...
Episode 10: Job & Role Changes are Often Healthy & Productive
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Changing jobs or roles can be challenging. However, effective teachers know that sometimes we have to do one or both to better serve our students. ...
Episode #9: Intelligence is NOT Experience
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers know that intelligence is not the same as experience. Neither is superior, but differentiating the two is crucial to building and...
Episode #8: Hardened Criminals or Hardened Circumstances?
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers run counter to the notion that some students are just "hardened criminals" with a history of underperformance and bad beh...
Episode #7: Gauge Group Work Correctly
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers know that group work can be a powerful tool, or completely undermine your learning objectives, depending on how you use it. This ...
Episode #6: Futures Happen Now
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The future happens each and every day. What we invest in our students (and ourselves) on a daily basis helps develop what tomorrow will look like. ...
Episode #5: Evaluations that Actually Matter
29 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There is a barrage of tools and talking heads ready to evaluate us, observe us, and tell us we aren't good enough. Don't get lost or overw...
Episode #4: Deliver on Your Promises
22 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers know that delivering on your promises to students, parents, teachers, and administrators is key to a successful career in education...
Episode #6: Craft Powerful Lessons
15 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers know that there are common elements in every powerful lesson. In this episode, we will talk about them. Also, we will discuss e...
Episode #2: Bandage the Wounds
08 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please take the time to listen to this week's episode. Do it for YOU! Effective teachers know that learning to bandage our wounds will lead t...
Episode #1: Affect Change, Even While You're Swimming Upstream
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're back! In this week's episode, we talk about the importance of affecting change, even though it feels like we're sometimes swimm...
Episode #26: Zapped and Zits: Navigating the 4th Nine-Weeks
22 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our final episode of the season, we look at how to turn the challenges of the 4th nine-weeks into incredible learning opportunities that improve ou...
Episode #25: Your Life Sentence
16 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you had to sum up your impact in the classroom in one sentence, what would it say? How similar would it be to the sentence your kids would write?...
Episode #24; X-Teachers and X-Parents and X-Students, Oh My!
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Living in the past, no matter how great it may be, can lead to emotional drag for you and unfair comparisons and contrasts for your students. Effect...
Episode #23: Who You Gonna Call?
02 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As a regular part of your process, utilize content experts/professionals, interventionists, and strong continuing education resources. Make relation...
Episode #22: Venture Into the Unknown
23 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As an educator, if you aren't venturing into the unknown, you are reducing your effectiveness as a classroom manager, content leader, and profess...
Episode #21: Unclutter Your Mind and Your Path
16 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Educators have to balance a seemingly endless number of tasks and responsibilities. This can lead to stress, anxiety, fatigue, burnout, and a lack o...
Episode #20: Top Ten Trademarks of an Anti-Misery Teacher
09 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we will talk about ten things that can help reduce or eliminate misery in your classroom. From mindless structure and obsessive bat...
Episode #19: Substitutes Shouldn't Be Your Burden
02 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's keep it simple. Both philosophically and practically, the substitute shortage shouldn't be your burden. Educators can advocate for...
Episode #18: Review Day Revisited
26 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Teachers often use "Review Days" as a regular part of their process, especially before summative assessments. However, if not approached c...
Episode #17: Quibbling with Parents is Usually a Waste of Time
19 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Quibbling with parents in emails, parent conferences, or anywhere else is usually a waste of time. Effective teachers know that empathy, clear expec...
Episode #16: Personal, Political, and Professional Lenses
12 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It goes without saying that all of us have different life experiences, political beliefs, and professional practices. These serve as our "lense...
Episode #15: Operation Dumbo
05 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The gap between who we are and how we actually come across to our students needs to be as narrow as possible. In addition to being relationship-focu...
Episode #14: Not Just One Piece of Pie
29 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers know they have to offer different pieces of the "pie" to truly connect with the diversity of students in the classroom. ...
Episode #13: Maximizing Effort
22 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode discusses crucial strategies that will help your students find success in the classroom and beyond. Effective teachers know that effort...
Episode #12: Leverage Group Work Correctly
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Group work is often an obsession for teachers and other stakeholders. The truth is, like any other instructional strategy, if it is not used with ap...
Episode #5: Keep the Emphasis on Daily Classroom Value
08 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers know that the daily classroom experience has to be the most impactful part of the learning process, particularly in today's wo...
Episode #10: Join the Living
01 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Living at your job is not living at all. We have to strive for balance. Effective teachers know that you serve your students best when you are als...
Episode #5: Imagine the Ideal Classroom
24 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Spend time thinking about the ideal classroom, knowing that every classroom will look different. What does the physical space look like? How are l...
Episode #8: Hitting Your Stride
17 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Will it get easier? Will you figure it out? Whether you're beginning your career, changing schools or roles, or approaching decades of experi...
Episode #7: Game Changers
10 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode is all about "game changers" that have helped me find success in the classroom and in education. From instruction...
Episode #6: Furries and Other Fires
03 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It is absolutely impossible for a teacher to adequately meet all of the mental health and socioemotional health needs of our students - nor should we ...
Episode $5: Enrichment > Edutainment
27 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Enrichment is far more effective than edutainment. As students reach high school, they search for more "meaning" in lessons than "fun...
Episode #5: Don't Forget to Document
20 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Effective and professional teachers document early and often. They document the good and the bad. They document how effective lessons are in meeti...
Episode #3: Chatterbox
13 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's the age-old question, "How do I keep my students from talking so much in class?" This episode will help you answer that question...
Episode #2: Ban Bad Discipline Practices
06 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode presents a powerful list that educators can use to improve their classroom management, particularly when discipline problems occur. Whe...
Episode #1: All About People
29 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers focus on people, not just lessons or assessments. We learn together, achieve together, struggle together, overcome together, and ce...
Episode $26: Zero Regrets....Yeah Right
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As humans and effective teachers, we will always regret things - certain choices we made, how we taught a lesson, how we reacted to a student, etc. ...
Episode #25: Young and the Restless
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers turn the challenges of working with teenagers into opportunities for success and learning. Working with high schoolers is not for...
Episode #24: X-Factor
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's amazing how often we notice that certain teachers have the "X-factor." They just "get it." They are superstars. We...
Episode #23: Warning Signs
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers understand and define success through goal-setting. If we don't set goals and pay attention to the warning signs that indica...
Episode #22: Vast Learning Opportunities Are Being Missed
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The world is changing, and it always will. Effective teachers know, understand, and adapt to this change. Educators and the education system need ...
Episode #21: Undercover Agents and Unholy Alliances
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Serving in education, like most occupations, comes with its fair share of "politics." The goal is to stay out of the fray as much as possi...
Episode #20: Tragedy of the Commons
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The "tragedy of the commons" is having a real impact on educators and the system as a whole. Teachers are a limited resource with limite...
Episode #19: Stop the Sham Trials
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's sad to say, but students endure sham trials all the time in education. They are regularly "crystal-balled", pigeon-holed, stereo...
Episode #18: Rigor and Rigidity are Overused Weapons
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Making a class convoluted and challenging without purpose or intentionality is a losing strategy. Also, serving as the inflexible dictator of your p...
Episode #17: Question what You Celebrate
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You can determine a great deal about the culture of a classroom or school by what is celebrated in them. Be intentional about what you celebrate (...
Episode #16: Part to Whole vs. Whole to Part Learners
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the fundamental questions we must ask ourselves about a student is whether he/she is a "Part to Whole" (PW) or "Whole to Part&qu...
Episode 15: Out of Bounds
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Connecting and building relationships with students in the classroom is hugely impactful, as is building community with those you work with/for profes...
Episode #14: Nickelback
11 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The obvious reality is that teachers are overworked. Also, there is no such thing as "giving 110%." Why do we take on more classes, more...
Episode #13: Mundane in the Membrane
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The moment your class (or you) becomes mundane for students is the very moment our process begins to be less effective. Even the best instructional ...
Episode #12: Low Expectations = Low Results
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A simple truth: Low expectations almost certainly equal low results. From homogenizing the population to pushing 50% "zeroes," the syste...
Episode #11: Kryptonite for Kids
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We have to take a deep and empathetic look at what is affecting our kids today. From school dances and time management woes to friend drama and bull...
Episode #10: Jerry...Jerry...Jerry!
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More and more classrooms are becoming absolute clown shows and ineffective learning environments because of student populations that are becoming incr...
Episode #9: Inequity is Inevitable
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Strive for equitable access to education, knowing your classroom will never be perfect. However, don't obsess with trying to create equitable o...
Episode #8: Heavy Lifter Hostility
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As you know, 20% of people do 80% of the work. It's no different in our profession. In the high-functioning world of eduction, years of "...
Episode #7: Get Preppy
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Secondary teachers are getting absolutely buried by the number and types of preps they are assigned. Subject/content-areas aren't arbitrary -- ...
Episode #6: Four-Letter Words
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers realize that there are some four-letter words that are crucial in the classroom and our academic process. Words like "can&ap...
Episode #5: Efficacy and Efficiency
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Effective teachers, by definition, reach their objectives and desired goals. They are also efficient. Falling short on either efficacy or efficien...
Episode #4: Ditch the Useless Professional Development
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's time we ditch the useless professional development (PD). That doesn't mean we stop PD - it just means we stop wasting the valuable (a...
Episode #3: Crayons or Pencils?
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As a teacher, you need to reflect on your lessons and decide if they tend to be built for younger or older students. As you diversify instruction an...
Episode #2: Boulevard of Broken Dreams
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Teachers play a huge role in helping students achieve their goals and dreams. However, if we aren't honest with them and don't help them f...
Episode #1: Aged and Confused
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're back and adjusting our format a little this season! Join us for all new topics and expanded discussions of current events in education th...
Episode #26: Zone in on Standardized Testing
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Effective educators move the needle for their students on standardized test performance. From curriculum integration and innovative lesson planning ...
Episode #25: Yank Back Financial Control of Our Classroom
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From managing our resources to building effective school supply lists and enriching lessons, teachers need to take control of the financial spending a...
Episode #24: "X"ecute Plan A, B, C, D...
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the cliche goes, education is messy and change is inevitable. Do yourself and your students a favor - be flexible. Effective teachers know that...
Episode #23: Weaken the Grip of Helicopter Parents
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Don't let helicopter parents have a death grip on you or your process. Use classroom management strategies and policies that promote healthy pr...
Episode #22: Venture Into the Unknown
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Get out of your comfort zone and venture into the unknown. As always, exploration and application should be built into your lessons. Build a cla...
Episode #21: Utilize Social Media
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for us to accept that students communicate primarily through social media. Instead of running from it, teachers should embrace it i...
Episode #20: Teach Them to Explore
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Even if we successfully empower students, if we don't build in time for exploration, as well as model it consistently, our students will not li...
Episode #19: Separate Business and Personal
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While educators can never completely separate business and personal, effective teachers know that finding work-life balance, unplugging, and focusing ...