Beyond My Years

Amplify Education
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Host Ana Torres knows firsthand how hard it is to be a teacher. That's why on Beyond My Years, she seeks out the people who have thrived over decades in the classroom: seasoned educators.  You'll hear stories that make you cry, make you laugh... and may change the way you think.

  1. 4 FEB

    Embracing productive beliefs to transform your teaching, starring Mike Flynn

    To celebrate this second season of Beyond My Years, Ana is joined by Mike Flynn, nationally recognized expert in mathematics education and online learning. He explains how "disorienting dilemmas" can bolster our productive beliefs and lead to transformative change in our teaching. Mike and Ana also discuss the importance of teacher advocacy, the power of collective voice, and ways to overcome barriers to change. Our favorite Classroom Insider, Eric Cross, joins Ana to discuss how important it is to challenge our assumptions as we continue to grow and change. Show notes: Connect with Mike Flynn on LinkedIn Learn more about Flynn Education: https://flynneducation.com/ Subscribe to Advice for the Math Classroom on Amplify’s YouTube channel: amplify.com/mathclassroomadvice Subscribe to Advice for the Literacy Classroom on Amplify’s YouTube channel: amplify.com/literacyclassroomadviceFollow us on InstagramSubscribe to Beyond My Year.Connect with Ana TorresConnect with Eric CrossQuotes: "Leadership comes in a lot of different formats, but anyone interested in influencing change can orchestrate experiences to disrupt unproductive beliefs." —Mike Flynn "Don't be afraid of your own teacher voice and exercising that. Advocacy is one of the best things you can do." —Mike Flynn "Sometimes it gets really hard before it gets better. It just always reminds me to remember the long game." —Mike Flynn "As a learner, you have to have humility. Otherwise you won't grow." —Eric Cross "Change really behinds when you look at the unintended consequences of our practice." —Eric Cross

    42 min

  2. 21 JAN

    Embodying your passion, purpose, and personal values as an educator, starring Daniela Anello

    Ana is joined by Daniela Anello, CEO of DC Bilingual Public Charter School, to discuss how educators can create environments in which they can be their whole selves. Daniela tells her own story of identifying her values as a teacher and claiming the sense of purpose she wanted to bring into her own classroom; and then lays out how she works to incorporate them on a day-to-day basis. She also explains why its important for teachers to take chances, make mistakes, and try again—behaviors should be modeled for students. Ana is then joined by our Classroom Insider, middle school science teacher, Eric Cross, who delves into the importance of "being yourself on purpose" when. you teach. Show notes:  Connect with Daniela Anello on LinkedIn. Learn more about Daniela’s work at DC Bilingual. Check out the Marshall Memo. Follow us on Instagram.Subscribe to Beyond My Years.Connect with Ana Torres.Connect with Eric Cross.Quotes: "I needed to be in a place where I could be my full self, demonstrating all of the identities that make me who I am." —Daniela Anello "The first step is recognizing your own identity and your own values and the aspects of you that you want to see reflected in the place that you're going to pour your love and heart into." —Daniela Anello "Change and improvement happen over time." —Daniela Anello "Go where you're going to grow." —Eric Cross "If I'm in an environment where I can't be my authentic self, and I know what that is and I know what I value, then it might be time for me to go somewhere where I can flourish." —Eric Cross "A system is not a person. If you build something on a person, then when that person leaves or gets burned out,  your system falls apart." —Eric Cross

    40 min

  3. 7 JAN

    Cultivating critical thinkers in your classroom, starring Mitchell Brookins, Ph.D.

    Host Ana Torres is joined by nationally recognized educational consultant and thought leader Mitchell Brookins, Ph.D., to discuss what critical thinkng is and how to help students develop it. In addition to explaining why critical thinking is crucial for long-term academic success, Mitchell also gives educators four clear steps that they can implement to effectively develop critical thinking skills in their classrooms. Ana is then joined by Classroom Insider extraordinaire Eric Cross, who discusses how he encourages his students to hone their critical thinking skills in his classroom. Show notes: Visit Mitchell Brookins' website: https://brookinsconsulting.org/Connect with Mitchell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-brookins-ph-d-6a7259274Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amplify.education/Subscribe to Beyond My Years: https://amplify.com/beyond-my-yearsConnect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/ Quotes: "When you're a school administrator, you can't be confusd as to what your identity is. People expect you to step in with voice, with passion, with vision, and direct the path," —Mitchell Brookins, Ph.D. "[Critical thinking] is actually cognitive support. It's a mental act of process in which you acquire knowledge and understanding." —Mitchell Brookins, Ph.D. "When I see questioning that probes, that's how I know I'm in a classroom where a teacher honors students' thinking. It is an honor to hear what children have to think." —Mitchell Brookins, Ph.D. "That's how you know your in a classroom with critical thinking: We're not rushing the conversation. We're enjoying it." —Mitchell Brookins, Ph.D. "There's an art and a science to teaching, and I think that they're two different things." —Eric Cross "The importance of modeling can't be overstated." —Ana Torres

    39 min

  4. 22/12/2025

    Teach with resilience in the new year, starring Fawn Nguyen

    As we wrap up another incredible year together, Ana revisits her Season 1 conversation with the director of STEM Initiatives at Amplify, Fawn Nguyen. Ana is joined by Classroom Insider Eric Cross to pull out some brand-new takeaways and actionable tips that educators can use right away to create a classroom environment that sets students up for success. They also look ahead and give a sneak peek of what's coming up on Beyond My Years in 2026. Before the episode's end, Fawn gives new advice for avoiding burn out in the second half of the school year by "doing less, but doing it better." Show notes: Connect with Fawn Nguyen: https://fawnnguyen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Beyond My Years https://amplify.com/beyond-my-yearsFollow us on Instagram @amplify.education Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/ Connect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/Quotes: “In my next lifetime, I would still teach, I would go back to teaching. That's how much I love it.” —Fawn Nguyen "If I could give one piece of advice to young teachers, it would be to hold high expectations of their students." —Fawn Nguyen "We can have high expectations of [students] and still be very compassionate and be their biggest cheerleaders." —Fawn Nguyen “It has to be an exchange. We can't be just receiving, asking kids to be [themselves], and yet we ourselves are not.” —Fawn Nguyen "One of the things I always believed as an educator was when we make children believe they can, they do." —Ana Torres "Be willing to change your practice even when it challenges tradition." —Eric Cross

    53 min

  5. 10/12/2025

    Empowering diverse learners in math, starring Keri Brown

    Alabama K–2 educator, national presenter, and curriculum author Keri Brown discusses strategies for supporting students in the math classroom. While Keri focuses on math in the episode, many of her takeaways can be applied to all subjects. Keri breaks down the power of small-group instruction, the value of multisensory hands-on manipulatives, and the role of intervention. She also explains how to help students who may already be struggling feel comfortable and confident talking about math. Classroom Insider Eric Cross then joins Ana to reinforce the importance of implementing a routine in the classroom. Show notes: Instagram: @enchantedkindergardenWebsite: www.enchantedkindergarden.comRead Keri's blogFollow us on InstagramSubscribe to Beyond My YearsConnect with Ana TorresConnect with Eric CrossQuotes: "When you see the light bulb come on in a kid and I'm like, Ah this is why [I teach]." —Keri Brown "Sometimes it is hard. You're like, 'Why do I do this? The kids are this, the parents are this.' But then, you get that sweet note." —Keri Brown "We start small with just talking to them, helping them figure out how to have a conversation about math. They can talk about everything else, but we have to teach them how to talk about math. We have to give them the words, give them the tools." —Keri Brown "Predictable routines really help students feel safe because they know what's going to happen." —Eric Cross "It's impactful to spend that little extra time saying, 'Let me build some relationships and show these babies how to be students in my classroom.'" —Ana Torres

    41 min

  6. 26/11/2025

    Discovering your own teaching style, with Neysa Olivares-Torres

    Our guest this week, Neysa Olivares-Torres, breaks down the process of finding and developing your own personal teaching style. Neysa details how she landed on her “firm-but-fair" approach before sharing tips for other educators trying to develop their authentic teaching style. Neysa and Ana also discuss how finding—and embodying—your teaching style can reduce classroom behavior challenges. Our beloved Classroom Insider, Eric Cross, then joins Ana to share how he carved out his personal teaching style, “the warm demander.” Show notes: Connect with Neysa Olivares-Torres on LinkedInRead the "Achieving student growth in middle school" district success storySubscribe to Beyond My Years: https://amplify.com/beyond-my-yearsFollow us on Instagram: @amplify.educationConnect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/ Connect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/Quotes: "Understand that a teaching style is not just [something] you find once and then that's it, right? It's ever evolving; it's always in progress; and its not one size fits all." –Neysa Olivares-Torres "Great teaching is just like cooking, right? You never really stop learning, adjusting, and reflecting because our students keep evolving. And so we should, also." —Neysa Olivares-Torres "My style came, really, with experience, with time, and with observing other teachers." —Neysa Olivares-Torres "It's important to make sure that it feels like a partnership with your students, that we are equal partners in learning." —Neysa Olivares-Torres "When I did show up as my authentic self, it made such an impact in my classroom." —Ana Torres "Look at your strengths, your personality, and your values, and then build your classroom approach based on that." —Eric Cross

    41 min

  7. 12/11/2025

    Strategies for new teachers to overcome disillusionment, starring Tina Boogren, Ph.D.

    Tina Boogren, Ph.D., joins Ana Torres, not only to discuss how it’s completely normal for first-year teachers (and even some veterans) to experience disillusionment, but also to offer tactics for overcoming those feelings. Tina and Ana kick off this episode by explaining Ellen Moir's “The Phases of First-Year Teaching," which outlines the emotional stages new teachers move through. They discuss how teachers have to name their feelings to tame their feelings, the difference between stress and burnout, and the importance of giving ourselves grace and avoiding comparison with others. Tina also details her three research-backed strategies for self-care: gratitude, altruism, and laughter. Finally, Classroom Insider Eric Cross joins Ana to share takeaways from the interview, including how and why to ask for help, even if it’s just so you can take a small break. Show notes:  Connect with Tina Boogren:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tina-boogrenBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thboogren.bsky.socialX: https://x.com/thboogrenFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfcareforeducators/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thboogrenWebsite: https://www.solutiontree.com/tina-h-boogren.htmlPodcast: https://www.selfcareforeducators.com/Resources:Read The New Teacher Center’s “Phases of First-Year Teaching.” Read The Maslach Burnout Inventory.Subscribe to Beyond My Years Follow us on Instagram @amplify.education Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/ Connect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/Quotes: “It's teeny tiny little things. When you combine those together, you are tapping into that brain research that's giving our brain a different assignment and looking for the positive. And we will find it.” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D.  “I always say it's an ‘and’; it's not an ‘or.’ It's not instruction or self-care.” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D.   ”It's those small wins that we look over. If we're not looking for them, we can miss them, and we just keep thinking, ‘I'm not as good as that person.’” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D.  “It's vulnerable but it's necessary to be able to honor yourself and say, ‘I need help. I need support.’” —Ana Torres “Sometimes your day is just teaching someone a life skill…and hopefully that's going to get them to learning.” —Eric Cross  “ Whatever I'm feeling is not just impacting me, even though I want to think it is, or that I’m masking it. I know that if I'm not at my A game, it's impacting my students.” —Eric Cross

    41 min

  8. 29/10/2025

    Phone policies and the science of self-control, starring Angela Duckworth, Ph.D.

    Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., the New York Times bestselling author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, joins Ana Torres to discuss school phone policies and what the science of self-control can tell us works. In this episode, Angela highlights the many complexities surrounding student cell phone use in schools and why there is a need to conduct research, such as her “Phones in Focus” study, to look at which phone policies are actually yielding the best outcomes. She also outlines the limitations of “growth mindset” and "simply trying hard," and instead suggests four ingredients that set young people up to reach their goals. Finally, Ana and Classroom Insider Eric Cross reflect on Angela’s insights, and Eric shares the strategies he plans to implement to provide mentors to his students. Show notes: Resources:Phones in Focus survey: https://phonesinfocus.org/Read: Schools don’t know how well cellphone policies are working. You can helpConnect with Angela Duckworth:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeladuckworthX: https://x.com/angeladuckwFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/angeladuckworthgrit/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelalduckworth/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aduckworthWebsite: https://angeladuckworth.com/Subscribe to Beyond My Years https://amplify.com/beyond-my-yearsFollow us on Instagram @amplify.education Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/ Connect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/Quotes: “It is not just trying hard that makes you successful. You need to be set up in a situation that helps you like an ally, as opposed to fighting you like an enemy.” —Angela Duckworth, Ph.D. “Aside from parents, there's nobody more important than teachers in the life of a kid. They are looking to you as a role model.” —Angela Duckworth, Ph.D. “The strategy for regulating yourself that is the most successful for people of any age tends to be situation modification. That is not relying on willpower, but deliberately placing things either farther or closer, depending on whether you want to do them more or do them less.” —Angela Duckworth, Ph.D. “There is nothing more beautiful than a person who is fulfilling their potential. When people are doing what they love and doing it with all of their heart, it is like music. It is like poetry.” —Angela Duckworth, Ph.D. “That science of self-control—we have to actually teach that to our students. That is not something they come out of the womb knowing how to do.” —Ana Torres

    46 min
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About

Host Ana Torres knows firsthand how hard it is to be a teacher. That's why on Beyond My Years, she seeks out the people who have thrived over decades in the classroom: seasoned educators.  You'll hear stories that make you cry, make you laugh... and may change the way you think.

Information

  • Creator
    Amplify Education
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond My Years
  • Show Website
    Beyond My Years

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