EP321: Meaningful & relevant: Engaging learners in an age of distraction (with AJ Juliani)
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
Release Date: 03/23/2025
EP328 The crumb story: following your inner compass when you can’t please everyone
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 of person I want to be. It’s a simple action, one that no one asked for or expected. But it reminded me that our small choices matter… especially now. Because let’s be honest: it’s not always clear what the “right” choice is anymore. Social norms are shifting fast. Families have vastly different beliefs about what should be taught in school. Everyone’s following their own path, and as educators, we’re constantly navigating...
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EP327 Screens, schools, and the future of childhood: a candid dialogue with Jonathan Haidt
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
“We have overprotected kids in the real world and underprotected them online.” Jonathan Haidt believes we have bubble-wrapped childhood: cut back on recess, banned kids from walking to school alone, and filled every spare moment with structured, adult-led activities. But at the same time, we gave kids 24/7 access to social media, smartphones, and one-to-one devices—with very little guidance or boundaries. And now, we’re seeing the results. Rising anxiety. Fragmented attention. Lost confidence. Social disconnection. This quote about overprotecting in the real world and underprotecting...
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EP 326 My top ways to use AI for scaffolds, supports, and differentiated tasks
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 ideas, reflect on lesson design, and help teachers build scaffolds and supports that truly meet students where they are. This is an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how educators are already partnering with AI in powerful and practical ways, as well as the limitations of these tools and what’s NOT working. You’ll learn: What it means to treat AI as a reflective collaborator, not just a resource generator How tools like Diffit, Brisk...
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EP325 How to find your voice and self-advocate, even if you’re conflict-avoidant (with Neelu Kaur)
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
Self-advocacy can feel like a challenge, especially if you’re conflict-avoidant, culturally conditioned to prioritize group harmony, or simply unsure how to speak up without fear of being labeled “difficult.” In this episode, we’ll explore how to advocate for yourself effectively while balancing cultural expectations, professional norms, and personal boundaries. Neelu Kaur brings her unique expertise to the discussion. With a business degree and a masters in Social & Organizational Psychology along with her experience as a coach and master practitioner certified in NeuroLinguistic...
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What I’m working on right now–and what’s coming next
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 streamline your work, learn new strategies, or just reconnect with your sense of purpose this summer and fall, I’ve got a lot of different options for you. Listen in to hear: Insights from the latest survey I did on teachers’ thoughts about AI, and the resources I have to support you in artificial intelligence: Details about the next cohort of the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek program coming up this summer: Information on how you can...
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EP324 Five changes teachers want to see in professional development
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 teachers wish PD presenters understood—straight from your thoughtful comments and the experiences I've had attending and delivering professional development over the past 25 years. If you’ve ever been frustrated by PD sessions that feel irrelevant, condescending, or like a waste of time, you’re not alone. This episode explores what makes PD meaningful for teachers and what presenters can do differently to better serve the educators in...
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EP322 A school framework where learning feels different and students thrive
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
What if school was designed around student agency, real-world learning, and deep relationships—instead of compliance and test scores? In this episode, I take you inside Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School, a Big Picture Learning school in the South Bronx that is reimagining what education can be. I spent two days observing classes, talking with students and teachers, and experiencing firsthand how this school operates within the constraints of the public school system while centering student voice and engagement. You'll hear about: How Fannie Lou’s advisory system, looping, and block...
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EP321: Meaningful & relevant: Engaging learners in an age of distraction (with AJ Juliani)
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 explore how to create meaningful and relevant learning experiences that resonate with today’s learners, even in the age of TikTok, smartphones, and endless notifications. He’s an educator, author, and speaker who serves as an instructor for the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (PLN). AJ has worked towards innovative learning experiences as the Director of Learning and Innovation for Centennial School District, as...
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EP323 Teacher leadership: growing your impact in–or beyond–the classroom (with Starr Sackstein)
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 Sackstein, an experienced educator, consultant, and author, to talk about the journey from teacher to leader. Starr shares her personal story of leaving the classroom, the challenges she faced in leadership, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. We dive into practical steps for preparing yourself for leadership, how to balance progressive ideas with system demands, and the importance of staying connected to the heart of teaching—your students....
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EP320 4 ways to keep going when you’re not feeling motivated
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 about forcing yourself to feel happy or productive right away. Instead, we’ll explore how to sit with your emotions, honor what your body and mind need, and take small, manageable steps forward—even when you don’t feel like it. I’ll share why motivation isn’t always the answer, how “action before motivation” can help you regain momentum, and why rest and self-compassion are essential, not indulgent. You...
info_outlineWe’re tackling one of the biggest challenges educators face today: keeping students engaged in a world full of distractions.
AJ Juliani joins me to explore how to create meaningful and relevant learning experiences that resonate with today’s learners, even in the age of TikTok, smartphones, and endless notifications.
He’s an educator, author, and speaker who serves as an instructor for the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (PLN). AJ has worked towards innovative learning experiences as the Director of Learning and Innovation for Centennial School District, as Curriculum Coordinator, as Tech Director, English teacher, football coach, and K-12 Instructional Coach. His favorite role is being dad to five kids. You might know AJ from his books Adaptable, Empower, Launch, or The PBL Playbook.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why simply removing phones or distractions won’t solve the engagement problem.
- How to balance direct instruction with collaborative, student-centered learning.
- Why meaningful, relevant tasks are more effective than “rigorous” assignments for long-term learning.
- The “traffic light” system for integrating technology and AI into classroom activities.
- How to help students develop focus, self-regulation, and intrinsic motivation.
- Strategies for using choice and ownership to foster deeper learning experiences.
- The surprising truths about rigor, assessment, and knowledge transfer.
- How to create performance tasks that build real-world skills and make learning stick.
- Why human connection and relationships are more vital than ever in education.
- Practical advice for building long-term habits of engagement that go beyond quick fixes.
AJ also shares insights from his latest book and offers actionable strategies for educators who want to make their teaching meaningful and impactful in a rapidly changing world.