EP322 A school framework where learning feels different and students thrive
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
Release Date: 04/06/2025
EP332 Time blocking for teachers: Align your priorities, energy, and tasks to create a sustainable schedule
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 not always that straightforward. In this episode, I’m walking you through a flexible, teacher-centered approach to scheduling your time. This isn’t about squeezing more into the day—it’s about protecting time for what matters and letting go of the guilt about what doesn’t. I’ll share how to: Allocate time for high, medium, and low-priority tasks (without spinning your wheels) Match your work to your energy levels using deep vs....
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EP331 Want to individualize learning without overwhelm? Try this self-paced approach (with Rob Barnett)
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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-paced learning can transform your teaching and create a more personalized, effective, and sustainable experience for both you and your students. We dive into the Modern Classrooms approach, breaking it down into actionable steps that any teacher can take—whether you’re ready to fully embrace self-paced learning or just want to try one small change tomorrow. From recording simple instructional videos to using mastery checks, Rob shares what...
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EP 330 Design a self-running classroom that frees you to teach
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
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 the bathroom? What do I do when I’m done? My pencil broke—what now? Over and over. All day long. You’re managing behavior, passing out materials, troubleshooting tech, resetting the room, redirecting energy, keeping everything afloat. And underneath all of that is the belief—often unspoken but deeply ingrained—that YOU have to be the one holding it all together. But what if that’s not true? What if your students—yes, even the...
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EP 329 How a daily binder routine teaches students the skills behind academic success (with Mitch Weathers)
Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers
We often assume students should already know how to stay organized, manage their time, and start tasks independently—but these are skills that need to be taught, modeled, and practiced. In this episode, I’m talking with Mitch Weathers, a former high school teacher and creator of Organized Binder, about how a consistent daily routine anchored by a physical binder can help students build the habits they need to succeed. You’ll learn: Why organization isn’t a one-time fix, but a daily skill that must be practiced How predictable routines reduce cognitive load and help students feel...
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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...
info_outlineWhat 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 scheduling create a close-knit, supportive learning environment
- Why students don’t take standardized tests and instead defend portfolios of work
- How extended learning opportunities (ELOs) and internships connect students to real-world experiences
- The role of AI and technology in supporting student-driven, competency-based learning
What it actually looks like to make relationships the foundation of a school
Fannie Lou’s approach isn’t a magic bullet or an exclusive model—it’s a public school choice within NYC’s Department of Education that any student can opt into. Listen in to hear what’s possible when we trust students, empower teachers, and rethink what high-quality learning truly looks like.