EP295 Can banning phones in school help solve the youth mental health crisis? (with Dr. Jean Twenge)
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
Release Date: 02/18/2024
EP317 It’s never just about the behavior (with Claire English from The Unteachables)
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 sustainable approach to classroom management that shifts the focus to what you can control. Join me and my guest, Claire, as we discuss how self-regulation empowers teachers to create calmer, more effective learning environments while building trust and healthier responses in students. Here’s what we cover in this episode: Why traditional behavior management strategies often fall short. How self-regulation in teachers sets the tone for the...
info_outline
EP316 Radical acceptance and the power of "we’ll see” in 2025
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 how to practice radical acceptance as we navigate uncharted territory as educators (and as a society.) Join me as I share practical strategies I’m using right now for staying grounded, making my world smaller, and focusing on what’s within my control. We’ll explore how to shift from fear to hope by embracing the opportunities hidden within unpredictability. You’ll hear about my own struggles with anxiety, my word of the year...
info_outline
EP315 Humans Who Teach: A guide for centering love, justice, and liberation in schools (with Shamari Reid)
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 professor of justice and belonging in education at New York University. He has taught Spanish, English as a new language, and ELA at the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels in Oklahoma, New York, Uruguay, and Spain. Shamari shares the journey from seeing himself as a “teacher superhero” to understanding he’s a human who teaches. Like many of us, Shamari once believed that it was his job to save his students and fix...
info_outline
EP314 How you–and your students–can use movement to increase work quality, focus, and creativity
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
There’s a powerful connection between movement and cognitive performance. Standing up and moving around can both foster diffuse thinking—the kind of relaxed mental state that encourages breakthroughs and innovative ideas. In this episode, I’ll share Cal Newport’s research on training the brain for deep work through “productive meditation”, a practice that involves focusing on a specific problem while engaged in physical movement. I’ll then share 4 practical ways to incorporate productive movement into your instruction, not as a break from learning but as a critical...
info_outline
EP313 What students need to know about artificial intelligence (and how to help them learn it)
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
Many teachers are already seeing incredible results when their students use artificial intelligence to brainstorm creative project ideas, get instant feedback on their writing, and even generate unique artwork. The potential is there for a lot of good…but also, a lot of bad. As educators in this particular moment in time, we have a unique opportunity to guide students in harnessing AI’s potential while teaching them to think critically about its limitations and impacts. In this episode, I’ll explain exactly what to say and do to help students to be thoughtful, tech-savvy learners in an...
info_outline
EP312 5 brain-based ways to help kids who shut down in class (with Dr. John Spencer)
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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://spencereducation.com/) of The Creative Classroom podcast (https://spencereducation.com/podcast/) to help us uncover 5 brain-based ways to help kids who shut down in class. John is a former middle school teacher and current college professor on a quest to transform schools into bastions of creativity and wonder. Listen in as John and I explore how to: 1. Intentionally cultivate self-empowerment (the ability to self-regulate and self-direct.) 2....
info_outline
EP311 Soft starts: a gentle, inviting way to begin the school day & foster self-regulation
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 calm, low-pressure beginning that allows students to ease into their day. Soft starts accomplish more than just setting a calm tone—they’re a powerful tool for promoting social-emotional learning and giving kids the autonomy they need to feel in control of their learning, fostering self-regulation, self-direction, and self-management. I’ll break down why this approach is beneficial (and super simple to implement!) for all age groups,...
info_outline
EP310 Unlocking the secrets of effective lesson design (with Gretchen Bridgers)
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 transformative power of sequential lesson design with Gretchen Bridgers of Always a Lesson. Gretchen is a teacher coach and trainer who has spent more than 2 decades mentoring and coaching educators, and leading professional development. has a fantastic podcast called Always a Lesson's Empowering Educators podcast which I often recommend to Truth for Teachers listeners, as there's a lot of overlap between Gretchen's mindset and areas of interest...
info_outline
EP309 Why humans fall for misinformation & creative ways to teach information literacy skills
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 talking to Melanie Trecek-King of Thinking is Power, because I love how her approach to the topic of misinformation is characterized by compassion and empathy. Melanie emphasizes that everyone is susceptible to misinformation, and falling for it doesn't indicate a lack of intelligence. This perspective humanizes those who believe in conspiracy theories or disinformation, so we can view them as people who--like ourselves--have unknowingly...
info_outline
EP308 How (and why) schools should support neurodivergent educators
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
Yes, we’re talking about accommodations FOR TEACHERS… I recently asked educators on social media if neurodivergent staff were being offered any support, and folks had a LOT to say! In this episode I’ll share: What we mean when we talk about neurodivergence Why neurodivergence isn’t a deficiency, just a difference What teachers say about accommodations that are (and aren’t) happening in their schools The legal rights that U.S. teachers have under the Americans with Disabilities Act The types of supports you can request and the logistics of making them happen From there, I’ll share...
info_outlineThere has been a significant increase in mental health issues among young people in America since 2012, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide attempts, and suicide. Contrary to popular belief, these trends started before the pandemic, with rates of major depression among teens doubling between 2011 and 2019. Girls and young women are more likely to experience these issues, and the gender gap has been widening.
The introduction of smartphones and social media around 2012 is believed to be a major factor in the decline of mental wellbeing, as it has led to less face-to-face interaction, increased sleep deprivation, and constant exposure to social media.
Dr. Jean Twenge has conducted extensive research in this area. She’s a renowned psychologist and scholar who specializes in generational differences and technology based on a dataset of 39 million people, and has published more than 180 articles and books.
In our conversation, Jean emphasizes the need for conversations about healthy phone and screen habits, as well as the importance of setting clear rules and boundaries for phone use.
We talk extensively about getting student and parent buy-in around Jean’s recommendation that cell phones be banned in school from bell-to-bell, including during lunch time and breaks. Jean asserts that the research supports this policy, and emphasizes that it should be school-wide and not left to individual teachers to enforce.
Despite the challenges, we discuss our hopes for Gen Z and what makes Jean optimistic about the future. She encourages educators to take the mental health crisis seriously and understand that it is not just our perception or feeling that something is wrong.
Her challenge is for educators to help students understand the love-hate relationship they have with their phones, and provide structure and clear rules to help them navigate technology in a healthy way.
Click here to read the transcript and participate in the discussion.