The Curiosity Plug

Laurie Jack & Diane Mallard

The Curiosity Plug | An EduJack Podcast What if curiosity could change the way we teach, lead, and learn? Welcome to The Curiosity Plug, the podcast where we challenge conventional thinking, ask better questions, and explore what really makes a difference in education. Join hosts Laurie Jack and Diane Mallard as they unpack the realities of teaching, instructional coaching, leadership, student engagement, and everything in between. From research-backed instructional practices to the everyday challenges educators face, we bring honest conversations, fresh perspectives, and practical ideas you can put into action. Whether you're a teacher, instructional coach, campus leader, or simply passionate about education, this is your space to get curious, rethink what's possible, and reconnect with what matters most: student learning. Because great teaching starts with curiosity, not just content. Stay curious. Challenge the ordinary. Let's plug into what's possible. Powered by EduJack | www.edujack.com

Episodes

  1. Nov 4

    Who Is Actually Responsible for Student Failure? (Stop the Blame Game)

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What if we’re so focused on who’s responsible for student failure that we’re forgetting who’s responsible for student success? In this episode of The Curiosity Plug, Laurie Jack and Diane Mallard tackle one of the most persistent and draining dynamics in education today: the blame game. When students struggle with chronic absenteeism, behavior, or low academic growth, the fingers immediately start pointing. Are parents disengaged? Are teachers expected to cure complex systemic issues with "better lesson planning"? Where do school leaders and the students themselves fit into the equation? Laurie and Diane unpack the critical difference between your circle of control and your circle of influence. They examine why finger-pointing leads nowhere, how to look past surface-level test data to find the real story behind student struggle, and how educators and families can move from pointing fingers to building authentic partnerships that foster genuine student ownership. In this episode, we unpack: Circle of Control vs. Circle of Influence: Why teachers cannot control the home and parents cannot control the school—and how focusing strictly on what you can control protects against burnout.The Story Behind the Data: Why a low score or failing grade rarely tells the whole story, and how to separate instructional gaps from attendance or environmental challenges.Restoring Student Ownership: How to stop treating students as passive bystanders and empower them to take responsibility for their own effort, routines, and learning.A New Core Question: Why shifting your mindset from "Who is to blame?" to "Who is willing to be part of the solution?" completely transforms campus culture and family partnerships.Whether you're a classroom teacher, school counselor, campus administrator, or parent, this episode offers grounded, practical perspectives to help you drop the blame and focus on what truly drives student success. Connect with Us: Follow The Curiosity Plug on social media to keep the curiosity growing!Leave a review and share this episode with a colleague, leader, or parent in your community.

    Who Is Actually Responsible for Student Failure? (Stop the Blame Game)

  2. Oct 28

    How to Give Walkthrough Feedback Teachers Will Actually Use

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What if we can walk through classrooms every single day, give teachers feedback, and still not improve instruction? In this episode of The Curiosity Plug, Laurie Jack and Diane Mallard tackle a frustrating reality in school leadership: walkthrough feedback that changes nothing. When classroom observations focus on checking off surface-level boxes—like whether the date is correct on the whiteboard or if a learning objective is posted—feedback becomes an evaluative checklist rather than a coaching tool. Laurie and Diane dissect why telling teachers what to fix creates short-term compliance instead of long-term change, how to shift the observation focus from teacher behaviors to evidence of student learning, and how leaders can build genuine ownership through curious, student-centered coaching conversations. In this episode, we unpack: The Checkbox Trap: Why checking off posted dates, objectives, or teacher proximity does zero work toward growing teacher capacity.Skill Gap vs. Will Gap: Why telling a teacher what to do fails if they don't know how or when to execute it in real time.Evidence of Learning over Teacher Behavior: How anchoring feedback in student work, student responses, and student engagement removes defensiveness and opens the door to reflective coaching.Model the Model: Why leaders and instructional coaches must demonstrate the exact pedagogical moves in staff development that they expect to see in classrooms.Whether you're a principal, instructional coach, district administrator, or classroom teacher, this episode will help you rethink classroom walkthroughs and shift your campus culture toward meaningful, long-term growth. Connect with Us: Follow The Curiosity Plug on social media to keep the curiosity growing!Leave a rating or review, and share this episode with a colleague or campus leader in your network!

    How to Give Walkthrough Feedback Teachers Will Actually Use

  3. Oct 19

    Why Daily Walkthroughs Aren't Improving Instruction (And How to Fix It)

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What if we can walk through classrooms every single day, give teachers feedback, and still not improve instruction? In this episode of The Curiosity Plug, Laurie Jack and Diane Mallard tackle a frustrating reality in school leadership: walkthrough feedback that changes nothing. When classroom observations focus on checking off boxes—like whether the date is correct on the whiteboard or if a learning objective is posted—feedback becomes an evaluative checklist rather than a coaching tool. Laurie and Diane dissect why telling teachers what to fix creates short-term compliance instead of long-term change, how to shift the focus from teacher behaviors to evidence of student learning, and how leaders can build genuine ownership through curious, student-centered coaching conversations. In this episode, we cover: The Checkbox Trap: Why checking off posted dates, objectives, or teacher proximity does zero work toward growing teacher capacity.Skill Gap vs. Will Gap: Why telling a teacher what to do fails if they don't know how or when to execute it in real time.Evidence of Learning over Teacher Behavior: How anchoring feedback in student work, student responses, and student engagement removes defensiveness and opens the door to reflective coaching.Model the Model: Why leaders and instructional coaches must demonstrate the exact pedagogical moves in staff development that they expect to see in classrooms.Whether you're a principal, instructional coach, district leader, or classroom teacher, this episode will help you rethink classroom walkthroughs and shift your campus culture toward meaningful, long-term growth. Connect with Us: Follow The Curiosity Plug on social media to keep the curiosity growing!Leave a review and share this episode with an educator or campus leader in your network.

    Why Daily Walkthroughs Aren't Improving Instruction (And How to Fix It)
  • 3 Episodes

About

The Curiosity Plug | An EduJack Podcast What if curiosity could change the way we teach, lead, and learn? Welcome to The Curiosity Plug, the podcast where we challenge conventional thinking, ask better questions, and explore what really makes a difference in education. Join hosts Laurie Jack and Diane Mallard as they unpack the realities of teaching, instructional coaching, leadership, student engagement, and everything in between. From research-backed instructional practices to the everyday challenges educators face, we bring honest conversations, fresh perspectives, and practical ideas you can put into action. Whether you're a teacher, instructional coach, campus leader, or simply passionate about education, this is your space to get curious, rethink what's possible, and reconnect with what matters most: student learning. Because great teaching starts with curiosity, not just content. Stay curious. Challenge the ordinary. Let's plug into what's possible. Powered by EduJack | www.edujack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Laurie Jack & Diane Mallard
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © EduJack 2026
  • Show Website
    The Curiosity Plug