Have a Life Teaching

John Schembari

In this podcast, we will engage in conversation with educators providing insight on best-in-class K-12 curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices.

  1. 2d ago

    Mike Miles: How to Transform Schools at the District Level

    Episode Title: By Design: Transforming School Systems with Dr. Mike Miles What if the biggest obstacle to improving schools isn't teachers, principals, or curriculum—but the systems themselves? On this episode of Have a Life Teaching, I speak with Dr. Mike Miles, Superintendent of Houston ISD and author of By Design: How to Transform School Systems, about why incremental reforms often fail and what meaningful systemic transformation requires. We explore instructional coherence, equitable resource allocation, earned autonomy, accountability, resistance to change, and the six conditions necessary for sustainable improvement. The central question: Are we redesigning schools for the future—or simply layering new initiatives onto outdated systems? Mike Miles Book - By Design Mike Miles LinkedIn Page

    Mike Miles: How to Transform Schools at the District Level

  2. Oct 27

    James Kakalios: How to Teach Physics with Superheroes

    The Physics of Superheroes: Bringing Science to Life with James Kakalios Can Spider-Man really stop a runaway train? What would happen if Ant-Man shrank to the size of an insect? And what can superheroes teach us about scientific thinking? In this episode, I speak with James Kakalios, physics professor at the University of Minnesota, author of The Physics of Superheroes and The Physics of Superheroes Goes Hollywood, and Hollywood science consultant. We explore how comics and superhero films can make science engaging, relevant, and intellectually challenging. Highlights include: Using Spider-Man, Ant-Man, and The Flash to explore real physics concepts. Turning popular culture into opportunities for scientific questioning, estimation, and problem-solving. Encouraging students to think critically rather than simply memorize formulas. Connecting science with storytelling, history, and other disciplines. What superhero teams can teach us about collaboration in scientific research. Behind-the-scenes insights into bringing believable science to Hollywood. Key takeaway: Superheroes may be fictional, but the curiosity, reasoning, and problem-solving they inspire are very real. Listen to Have a Life Teaching for a conversation about making science accessible, meaningful, and fun. James Kakalios LinkedIn Page The Physics of Superheroes Music by Aylex

    James Kakalios: How to Teach Physics with Superheroes

  3. Oct 20

    Maureen Chapman and James Simons: How to Bring Students Into the Conversation

    Classroom Reset: Bringing Students Into the Conversation | Maureen Chapman & James Simons What happens when classroom culture starts to unravel? Instead of imposing more rules, what if teachers invited students into the conversation? On this episode of Have a Life Teaching, returning guests Maureen Chapman and James Simons of Cor Creative Partners discuss their new book, Classroom Reset: Improving Class Culture Through Collaborative Conversations with Students. We explore: Why classroom culture is a shared responsibility between teachers and students. The RESET protocol for addressing challenges through collaborative conversations. How student voice can transform classroom behavior, engagement, and relationships. Why changing student needs require teachers to continually adapt. The opportunities and limitations of AI in supporting classroom conversations. How to move beyond rewards and build lasting student motivation. The big takeaway: Every feeling has a function, every conversation is an opportunity, and teachers and students are all on the same team. Learn more: Cor Creative Partners Classroom Reset Book Music by Aylex

    Maureen Chapman and James Simons: How to Bring Students Into the Conversation

  4. Oct 13

    Natalie Wexler: How to Move Beyond the Science of Reading

    How to Go Beyond the Science of Reading — Natalie Wexler Have we gotten better at teaching children how to read without paying enough attention to what they need to know? Natalie Wexler, author ofThe Knowledge Gap and Beyond the Science of Reading, joins Have a Life Teaching to explore why phonics alone isn't enough. We discuss the importance of background knowledge, vocabulary, writing, and connecting literacy instruction to the science of learning. We also consider how schools can build knowledge while preserving student curiosity, engagement, and teacher judgment. Natalie Wexler LinkedIn Page Beyond the Science of Reading Book Music by Aylex

    Natalie Wexler: How to Move Beyond the Science of Reading

  5. Oct 6

    Thomas Guskey: How to Make Grades Mean Something

    Thomas Guskey on Rethinking Grading What should a grade actually tell us? I talk with grading and assessment expert Thomas Guskey about why grades should communicate what students have learned and can do but not how they rank against classmates. We discuss why schools need a shared purpose for grading, the problems with averaging and percentage grades, and why product, process, and progress all matter but shouldn’t be combined into one confusing mark. We also explore homework, clearer rubrics, engaging families in grading reform, and Guskey’s fundamental challenge to educators: Are we selecting talent or developing it? Thomas Guskey LinkedIn Page Engaging Parents and Families in Grading Reforms Book Music by Aylex

    Thomas Guskey: How to Make Grades Mean Something

  6. Sep 30

    Deborah Higdon and Chaco Abraham: How to Make Fathers Feel Welcomed at School

    What if schools stopped asking why fathers aren’t involved—and started asking whether fathers truly feel invited to belong? In this episode, John talks with Dr. Debra Higdon and Dr. Chacko Abraham, co-authors of The Dad Difference: How and Why to Invite Fathers into Your School, about moving beyond traditional parent-engagement events toward meaningful relationships with fathers. They explore the barriers that can keep fathers disconnected—including time, transportation, school culture, previous negative experiences, and invitations that unintentionally speak more to mothers than fathers. The conversation offers practical ways schools can change that: personally inviting dads, giving them specific and meaningful roles, asking when and how they want to participate, using technology when physical presence isn’t possible, and recognizing that “showing up” can take many forms. Most importantly, the conversation challenges schools to stop measuring father engagement simply by attendance at events and instead ask a deeper question: Do fathers have a meaningful place in their child’s educational life? Deborah Higdon LinkedIn Page Chaco Abraham LinkedIn Page The Dad Difference Book Music by Aylex

    Deborah Higdon and Chaco Abraham: How to Make Fathers Feel Welcomed at School

  7. Sep 23

    Brett Roer: How AI Can Give Teachers Their Time Back

    Can AI make teaching easier and make teaching better? John talks with Brett Roer, founder and CEO of Amplify and Elevate Innovation, about practical ways educators can use AI and digital tools to save time while keeping human expertise at the center. From voice memos and AI “sandwiches” to customized Gems and schoolwide AI playbooks, Brett shares concrete strategies teachers and leaders can use right away and explains why successful AI implementation starts with human wisdom, not the technology. In this episode: A simple AI/time-saving hack teachers can try tomorrowThe “AI sandwich” approachTurning teacher expertise into reusable AI toolsUsing AI to personalize learning without outsourcing thinkingWhy AI implementation sometimes failsBuilding staff trust and co-creating AI expectationsStarting small and moving toward an AI-forward school Brett Roer LinkedIn Page Amplify and Elevate Innovation Website Music by Aylex

    Brett Roer: How AI Can Give Teachers Their Time Back

  8. Sep 22

    James Anderson: How Do We Teach Students to Become Better Learners

    What if improving schools isn’t only about improving teaching but also about teaching students how to learn? John talks with James Anderson, author of Learnership, about shifting from teacher-dependent learning toward independent and agile learners. They explore productive struggle, students’ relationship with challenge, the difference between performance and growth, and why mistakes should be treated as information. James also explains how teachers can help students recognize their “learning zone” and develop the capacity to take greater ownership of their growth. In this episode: What “learnership” meansWhy good teaching alone isn’t enoughThe progression from dependent to agile learnersChallenge, mistakes, effort, and productive struggleTeaching students to recognize when they are actually growingMoving from teacher as instructor to teacher as coachBuilding genuine learner agency James Anderson LinkedIn Page Learnership Website and Book Music by Aylex

    James Anderson: How Do We Teach Students to Become Better Learners
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About

In this podcast, we will engage in conversation with educators providing insight on best-in-class K-12 curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices.

Information

  • Creator
    John Schembari
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    157
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © John Schembari
  • Show Website
    Have a Life Teaching

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