Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

The podcast designed to speak encouragement and truth into the minds and hearts of educators, and get you informed and energized for the week ahead.

EP328 The crumb story: following your inner compass when you can’t please everyone 06/29/2025

EP327 Screens, schools, and the future of childhood: a candid dialogue with Jonathan Haidt 06/15/2025

EP327 Screens, schools, and the future of childhood: a candid dialogue with Jonathan Haidt “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 onloine hit me hard, because it puts into words what so many teachers have felt for years but couldn’t always articulate. If our kids seem less resilient, less focused, less ready to learn... maybe it’s not them. Maybe it’s the environment we’ve created. The good news? We can change that. We ARE changing it. More schools are rethinking tech. More parents are drawing tech boundaries. More teachers are advocating for what kids truly need. We can bring balance back. Today’s guest is Jonathan Haidt—a social psychologist, professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business, and author of several influential books, including most recently, The Anxious Generation. You may have seen Jonathan in recent interviews talking about how smartphones and social media are impacting kids’ mental health. But I wanted to bring him on the show to go deeper—specifically from an educator’s point of view. This conversation builds on some of the past episodes I’ve done around screen time, attention spans, and how tech is changing the way kids show up in the classroom. It’s a true back-and-forth conversation where we learn from each other, and I think it’s going to validate so much of what you’ve already sensed as a teacher. Later this summer, I'll share a different perspective from someone who sees personalized AI tutoring as the future of school, and I have to admit, I find that vision just as compelling as what Haidt has shared. Stay tuned! /episode/index/show/truthforteachers/id/36967915

EP 326 My top ways to use AI for scaffolds, supports, and differentiated tasks 06/01/2025

EP325 How to find your voice and self-advocate, even if you’re conflict-avoidant (with Neelu Kaur) 05/18/2025

What I’m working on right now–and what’s coming next 05/11/2025

EP324 Five changes teachers want to see in professional development 05/04/2025

EP322 A school framework where learning feels different and students thrive 04/06/2025

EP321: Meaningful & relevant: Engaging learners in an age of distraction (with AJ Juliani) 03/23/2025

EP321: Meaningful & relevant: Engaging learners in an age of distraction (with AJ Juliani) 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 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. /episode/index/show/truthforteachers/id/35793790

EP323 Teacher leadership: growing your impact in–or beyond–the classroom (with Starr Sackstein) 03/20/2025

EP320 4 ways to keep going when you’re not feeling motivated 03/09/2025

EP319 Teaching creatively within the constraints of the system (with Trevor Muir) 02/23/2025

EP318 How to use AI to plan a lesson and still make it YOURS 02/09/2025

EP317 It’s never just about the behavior (with Claire English from The Unteachables) 01/26/2025

EP316 Radical acceptance and the power of "we’ll see” in 2025 01/12/2025

EP315 Humans Who Teach: A guide for centering love, justice, and liberation in schools (with Shamari Reid) 11/24/2024

EP315 Humans Who Teach: A guide for centering love, justice, and liberation in schools (with Shamari Reid) 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 systemic issues like racism and classism through sheer hard work. That mindset led him to overwork himself until he burned out completely, even blacking out while driving from exhaustion. During his recovery, Shamari came across Toni Morrison’s concept of self-regard, which caused him to rethink his identity and realize that he was more than just a teacher. He started to see the importance of recognizing his humanity and taking care of his needs outside of the classroom. I could relate deeply to Shamari’s experience. As women, especially those of us in nurturing roles, we often feel pressure to put our personal needs last. In this conversation, we unpack how different groups, like Black male educators, face unique pressures. Shamari shares the unrealistic expectations placed on him, particularly being seen as a relatable savior for students facing discipline issues. Together, we explore how centering love in education—nurturing both students’ and our own emotional and spiritual growth—can create a more just and equitable learning environment. It takes courage to break away from fear-based, status quo practices and lead with love, but it’s necessary. We talk about how teachers can overcome common fears like making mistakes, not being perfect, or neglecting academics. Shamari shares practical steps for navigating these challenges, including articulating your vision, planning backwards, and, most importantly, giving yourself grace. At the heart of this conversation is a reminder: being human is enough. We don’t need to earn our worth by overworking or sacrificing our boundaries. It’s okay to say no, set limits, and take care of yourself. By embracing our humanity, we invite love into our classrooms and can overcome obstacles together. This is an honest, heartfelt conversation about what it really means to teach with love and why it's crucial to prioritize our well-being. I hope it leaves you feeling inspired and reminded that you are enough—just as you are. I’ll be back with more episodes for you in the new year. Until then, be well, my friends, and keeping choosing love over fear. /episode/index/show/truthforteachers/id/34025932

EP314 How you–and your students–can use movement to increase work quality, focus, and creativity 11/10/2024

EP313 What students need to know about artificial intelligence (and how to help them learn it) 10/27/2024

EP313 What students need to know about artificial intelligence (and how to help them learn it) 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 AI-driven world. This kind of instruction could begin as soon as kids are using devices–after all, even an elementary-aged child who’s watching videos on YouTube or playing games from the app store is already being impacted by AI-driven algorithms, images, and text. Obviously, you don’t need to go into a ton of detail with kids who aren’t using AI, but we’re seeing kids as young as fourth graders discovering ChatGPT and using it for assignments, so I think that an awareness of AI is important for teachers of any age group. And of course, we need to understand it for ourselves as adults, so we’re prepared to be thoughtful and intentional about how we use AI ourselves in our personal lives, and how we allow it to shift the way schools operate. Listen in for a detailed guide to introducing AI in the classroom, breaking down complex concepts in a way that’s engaging and accessible for students: Step 1: De-mystify the technology. Step 2: Set a purpose: why should we care? Step 3: Spark curiosity and explore possibilities. Step 4: Build awareness of limitations and potential problems. Step 5: Generate guidelines for responsible AI use. Step 6: Communicate clearly about when it is and isn’t okay to use AI for assignments in your class. By giving kids an in-depth understanding of AI, you’re going to really increase their buy-in. You’re not just saying “AI is cheating; don’t use it” and trying to police violations and punish students. You’re helping them understand and use it responsibly. This episode offers a clear roadmap for empowering your students to use AI thoughtfully and responsibly. Get a done-for-you mini unit on introducing students to ethical AI use: https://shop.truthforteachers.com/products/ethical-student-ai-use-guidelines-teach-students-to-use-artificial-intelligence /episode/index/show/truthforteachers/id/33628667

EP312 5 brain-based ways to help kids who shut down in class (with Dr. John Spencer) 10/13/2024

EP311 Soft starts: a gentle, inviting way to begin the school day & foster self-regulation 09/29/2024

EP310 Unlocking the secrets of effective lesson design (with Gretchen Bridgers) 09/15/2024

EP309 Why humans fall for misinformation & creative ways to teach information literacy skills 09/01/2024

EP309 Why humans fall for misinformation & creative ways to teach information literacy skills 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 accepted false information. Melanie and I discuss 3 primary reasons we fall for misinformation: Confirmation Bias: Our tendency to interpret information in ways that confirm our existing beliefs. Once we believe something, we see evidence for it everywhere, reinforcing that belief. Skepticism is crucial for protecting oneself from misinformation, but it's most challenging when information confirms our biases. Appeals to Emotion: Emotions, particularly anger, outrage, and fear, can trigger the part of our brain that hinders critical thinking. Many forms of misinformation specifically appeal to our emotions to convince us without evidence. When we feel emotionally triggered, it's a good time to slow down and practice emotional skepticism. Reiteration Effect: Also known as the illusory truth effect, the reiteration effect means that the more we hear something repeated, the more likely we are to think it's true, even if it isn't. Our brain equates ease of processing with truth, so repeated exposure to false information can lead us to believe it. We also discuss the problem with "doing your own research," and why Melanie sees 2024 as a the post-trust era, not the post-truth era, and how we can respond. The remainder of our conversation is centered on how to teach information literacy to students. Melanie provides actionable tips and ready-to-use resources to help you: 1. Demonstrate to students that they can be fooled (e.g., through personality reading exercises). 2. Discuss how beliefs are formed using non-triggering examples (e.g., historical witch trials). 3. Include misinformation in lessons to help students recognize its characteristics. 4. Use tools like the FLOATER toolkit to help students evaluate claims systematically. 5. Have students create misinformation to understand its techniques better. While these concepts are typically taught at the college level, they can be introduced as early as middle school. Even elementary students can begin to understand concepts like author's purpose and recognizing persuasive techniques. Understanding misinformation is crucial in our daily lives, yet it's often absent from educational standards. Check out Melanie's site for lots of free resources to teach about misinformation using humor and non-triggering approaches to help students recognize it in the real world. /episode/index/show/truthforteachers/id/32849172

EP308 How (and why) schools should support neurodivergent educators 08/18/2024

EP307 Creating conditions for transformation (with Elena Aguilar) 08/04/2024

EP306 How to get TRUE student buy-in for your "no phone" policy (with Ashly HIlst) 07/21/2024

EP305 5 ways to automate teaching tasks next school year to save you time 07/07/2024

EP304 Is artificial intelligence the key to a 40 hour teacher workweek? 06/23/2024

EP303 How Danish schools embrace the slowdown and foster work/life balance (with Pernille Ripp) 06/09/2024

EP303 How Danish schools embrace the slowdown and foster work/life balance (with Pernille Ripp) As an educator who's lived and taught in both the US and Denmark, Pernille’s story is a revealing look into two vastly different education systems. Let's unpack her journey and what it tells us about work-life balance, societal values, and teaching philosophies. You’ll hear: Why Pernille’s family moved to Wisconsin from Denmark when she was a teenager, how she became a teacher in the U.S., and why she and her American husband made the decision in 2022 to move with their four children to Denmark The cultural differences Pernille has noticed living in Denmark, particularly in relation to families, children, work, and school How the Danish school system is set up, including how students are not formally taught to read until the equivalent of 2nd grade in the U.S, and how high school (as Americans understand it) ends around age 15 so students can focus on career training What the school day looks like for Pernille, who is looping with her students through multiple grade levels, including how much instructional vs planning time she has and why Danish teachers are not permitted to work more than 40 hours a week The aspects of the Danish approach to work/life balance that U.S. educators might replicate to make teaching more effective, efficient, and enjoyable She shares, "In Denmark, being a teacher is about nurturing well-being first—both for students and educators. It's about giving your best within working hours and then fully embracing life at home." “And, education here isn’t just academics; it’s learning through play, community building, and practical skills that prepare children for real-world challenges from an early age." I’m always curious about what it’s like to teach in different countries, and if you feel the same, I think you’ll find this informal conversation is a fascinating deep dive into values, priorities, and what it means for kids and teachers to co-thrive. /episode/index/show/truthforteachers/id/31652657

EP302 Education trends, predictions, and hope for the future of teaching 05/26/2024

EP301 5 ways to make an old lesson feel fresh and interesting again (with Betsy Potash of Spark Creativity) 05/12/2024

EP300 Teaching through hormonal changes: post-partum, perimenopause, and beyond (with Dr. Jen Gunter) 04/28/2024

EP300 Teaching through hormonal changes: post-partum, perimenopause, and beyond (with Dr. Jen Gunter) This topic is definitely new territory for my Truth for Teachers podcast, and I was initially hesitant to include it because I didn’t want to overshare. However, as I began to talk to other women about this, I realized how many of us really didn’t have a good grasp on the way hormones impact our daily function. The experience is so individualistic, and no two bodies are alike. I realized that the more folks talk about this, the better informed we'll be. So in this episode, I’m sharing my own journey with perimenopause and brain fog. It took me many months to recognize what was changing in my body and why, and I misdiagnosed the brain fog as simply pandemic-related stress. At age 43, menopause wasn't on my radar yet, and I didn't know pre-menopausal symptoms were a thing. Once I sought guidance from my OB-GYN, I was able to find relief from my symptoms, and I want to help other women understand their options, too. So, I’ve invited Dr. Jen Gunter to shed some light on this topic for us. Jen is an obstetrician, gynecologist, and author known for her advocacy work in women's health and her efforts to debunk health misinformation. She is a prominent voice on social media and shares evidence-based information about women's health issues and challenges pseudoscientific claims, and has authored several books, including "The Menopause Manifesto," in which she addresses common myths and provides accurate information about women's health. In this interview, Jen and I discuss the impact of hormonal changes on energy and focus, throughout different stages of life, emphasizing that hormones should be viewed as a symphony of factors rather than isolated elements. Jen also dispels negative stereotypes about hormonal changes and challenges patriarchal concepts around women's competence related to hormones and aging. She encourages women to embrace their capabilities, and make informed decisions about how and when to utilize medical experts for support. /episode/index/show/truthforteachers/id/30980543

Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

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