Teachers have important things to say and share about teaching, life, teaching, and learning. A podcast for teachers brings you the stories and inspiration behind the scenes from classrooms around the globe. Honest conversations about teacher tired and passion-filled teaching allow educators to speak their truth on the trials and treasures of being a teacher.
OTT 171: What Do Teachers Think About a 4 Day School Week
So I've seen the idea of 4 day school weeks come up a lot. I started wondering what teachers think of this. So I did a little digging, and I found out the scoop. Come take a listen!
OTT 170: What's Really Wrong With the School System From the Eyes of a Millennial
In today’s episode, I have my daughter, Emily talking about what is wrong with the education system. Emily and I get deep and shed a few tears in this vulnerable discussion about education. We touch on a few things; What is wrong with education, what can be done differently in schools, and our perspectives on how education has hurt not only us but is not benefiting students today.
OTT 169: 4 Ways to Make More Time at the End of the School Year
The end of the year can be super stressful. There is just so much to do and get done before the year wraps up. Plus, most of us are already feeling the pressure or possibly the enthusiasm of starting to plan for next year. For today I want us to focus on finding ways to make more time for ourselves at the end of the school year
OTT 168: How Do Teachers Really Feel About Required Team Planning?
Today we are taking a closer look at how teachers REALLY feel about required team planning.
OTT 167: 5 Detrimental Reasons Why Lesson Plans Should NOT Be Required a Year in Advance
In this episode, I get a little heated on recent bills being passed/proposed in the United States. Let’s talk about why these changes are outrageous and harmful to the education system, teachers, and inevitably students as well.
OTT 166: 2 Fantastic Ideas for Adjusting Your STEM Lesson
Mary Jo is here to talk about adjusting your STEM lesson for your classroom that isn't too hard, or too easy, they are just right!
OTT 165: 3 Essential Reasons to Attend STEM Con and Beyond This Year
Did you happen to catch STEM Con 2022 this past weekend?! It was AMAZING!! If you did I would love to hear about it in the feedback.
OTT 164: How Elementary Teachers Start With Project-Based Learning
Renee Heinrich & I put our heads together on this podcast to talk about project-based learning.
OTT 163: How Does STEM in Elementary School Teach Collaboration and Cooperation?
What do collaboration and cooperation look like in the classroom when we incorporate STEM? Loren Thorp & I discuss "cooperation over competition" using STEM in the classroom.
OTT 162: Why is it so Important to Teach Students About Careers in STEM?
Erin Twamley is joining us today about STEM careers and allowing them to imagine what that may look like for them. Today on the podcast, we will discuss ideas and ways to motivate students to get excited about their future in the STEM workforce!
OTT 161: How to Successfully Use STEM to Teach Social and Emotional Learning
Have you wondered HOW you can cover EVERYTHING AND focus on social and emotional learning?
OTT 160: How to Successfully Fit STEM into Small Time Frames
OH, the agony of not having enough time! If you are a classroom teacher trying to teach STEM or you are a special area teacher with a limited schedule then you know what I am talking about!! It is brutal. How can we get to the best part of the revision and learning from failure if we have to constantly stop due to time constraints?!
OTT 159: Inspiring Play in Young Children: A Conversation with Carla Gull
You have hit the jackpot in teaching when a child is actually having fun while learning! When learning feels like play the world makes more sense for children. Come join Carla Gull and me for a conversation around learning and playing.
OTT 158: 5 Fundamental Ways for Teachers to Be a Good Friend to Themselves
Teachers need good friends now more than ever before. Times are difficult in the world of education. Teachers often feel alone and bogged down with pressure and judgment. Learning to be your own best friend can offer at least some reprieve in a world that feels like it is against you.
OTT 157: How Can Schools and Administrators Reduce and Prevent Teacher Burnout?
Teacher burnout is something we hear a lot about these days. Burnout is real and is existing at a crisis level. How can schools, admins, and teachers themselves prevent or reduce burnout? Come take a listen.
OTT 156: Why Mindset Matters for Teachers and Why You Should Change Yours
Today we are talking about mindset for teachers. This can be really tricky as we often think about the mindset of our students and we disregard our own. Today, I want to talk about your mindset and why you should change it. I hope you stick around.
OTT 155: How Can 2nd Graders Celebrate Black History Month?
Black History Month is an annual celebration of the heritage and achievements of African Americans. It is also a time where we recognize the key roles our black and brown brothers and sisters played in U.S. history.
OTT 154: 5 Magnificent Benefits from an Elementary Makerspace
Today we take a further look at the magnificent benefits of an elementary Makerspace.
OTT 153: 5 Myths that Most Teachers Believe to Be True About Makerspace
Lately, I've been hearing a lot about ideas, or myths if you will, around Makerspace. You know the ones where teachers say that Makerspace is just for play, or where the materials or loose parts are too expensive, or even worse Makerspace takes up too much time and is too messy.
OTT 152: Is Play an Essential Aspect of a Child's Learning Process in School?
Today we are talking about play. You see, most educators have a love-hate relationship with the word play. We are often told to add more rigor to our lessons. And to be on the same page at the exact same time as our co-workers down the hall. (Oh, how I despise that!)

