Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

Angela Watson
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Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

Truth for Teachers is designed to speak life, encouragement, and truth into the minds and hearts of educators and get you energized for the week ahead.

  1. NOV 10

    EP 314 How you–and your students–can use movement to increase work quality, focus, and creativity

    There’s a powerful connection between movement and cognitive performance. Standing up and moving around can both foster diffuse thinking—the kind of relaxed mental state that encourages breakthroughs and innovative ideas. In this episode, I’ll share Cal Newport’s research on training the brain for deep work through “productive meditation”, a practice that involves focusing on a specific problem while engaged in physical movement.  I’ll then share 4 practical ways to incorporate productive movement into your instruction, not as a break from learning but as a critical component of it: Standing meetings and discussions to increase engagement and collaboration. Dictation while walking, allowing students to process and express ideas on the move. Using audio learning while students walk, so they can absorb information away from their desks. Encouraging walking brainstorming sessions to help students collaborate and generate new ideas. I’ll also share how to extend these strategies to outdoor environments for an even greater cognitive boost, even if you don’t have a large, quiet school campus.  Finally, I’ll talk about handling off-task behavior and off-topic conversations you observe during productive moment activities, and offer a mental reframing you can use to determine when you should (and shouldn’t) use these movement activities. Discover how simple shifts in how we think about movement can unlock deeper thinking and more focused learning for both you and your students! Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

    24 min

  2. OCT 27

    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. Access the written step-by-step guide on the blog. 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

    30 min

  3. OCT 13

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

    When students give up on assignments or get overwhelmed, it’s tough to find ways to help them re-engage. So, I’ve invited Dr. John Spencer (https://spencereducation.com/) of The Creative Classroom podcast (https://spencereducation.com/podcast/) to help us uncover 5 brain-based ways to help kids who shut down in class. John is a former middle school teacher and current college professor on a quest to transform schools into bastions of creativity and wonder. Listen in as John and I explore how to: 1. Intentionally cultivate self-empowerment (the ability to self-regulate and self-direct.) 2. Introduce creative constraints when kids are overwhelmed. 3. Use the gradual release model to slowly acclimate students to more self-directed work. 4. Think diagnostically, looking for root causes beyond those related to behavior. 5. Call impromptu workshops when you notice a significant number of students struggling. Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

    45 min

  4. SEP 29

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

    Starting the school day doesn’t have to be chaotic or rushed. In this episode, I’ll explore how soft starts are transforming classrooms by offering a calm, low-pressure beginning that allows students to ease into their day. Soft starts accomplish more than just setting a calm tone—they’re a powerful tool for promoting social-emotional learning and giving kids the autonomy they need to feel in control of their learning, fostering self-regulation, self-direction, and self-management. I’ll break down why this approach is beneficial (and super simple to implement!) for all age groups, from elementary to secondary students, and share practical ways to implement it in your classroom. Soft starts don’t require a monumental shift in your daily routine, but provide a powerful opportunity to create a foundation of calm, focus, and connection that will ripple through every lesson.  If you want your students to learn how to gauge their own needs and choose activities at the beginning of class that help meet those needs so they’re prepared to learn, soft starts might be the perfect option. Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

    26 min

  5. SEP 15

    EP310 Unlocking the secrets of effective lesson design (with Gretchen Bridgers)

    Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels trying to improve your teaching, but not seeing the results you want? In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of sequential lesson design with Gretchen Bridgers of Always a Lesson. Gretchen is a teacher coach and trainer who has spent more than 2 decades mentoring and coaching educators, and leading professional development. has a fantastic podcast called Always a Lesson's Empowering Educators podcast which I often recommend to Truth for Teachers listeners, as there's a lot of overlap between Gretchen's mindset and areas of interest and my own. Her advice is really practical and spot-on. And, she recently published her third book, called, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success. In our conversation you'll hear today, Gretchen breaks down some key ideas from that book. She counters the common narrative that classroom management is the first and most important thing to nail down, and reveals why lesson design is actually the secret sauce to transforming your classroom.  Join us as we explore: The pitfalls of improving instructional skills in isolation The "Teacher Success Pathway" and its four foundational bricks: lesson design, classroom management, student engagement, and student choice Why a well-thought-out lesson plan can prevent classroom disruptions before they start The importance of creating strong habits to free up cognitive load for both teachers and students Learn how to identify and fill gaps in your current instructional strategies, avoid common pitfalls that even veteran teachers fall into, and use simple ideas like video self-reflection to revolutionize your teaching. Gretchen's fresh take on reusing what works (instead of constantly reinventing the wheel) is a total game-changer for busy teachers. Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

    31 min

  6. SEP 1

    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. Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

    38 min

  7. AUG 18

    EP308 How (and why) schools should support neurodivergent educators

    Yes, we’re talking about accommodations FOR TEACHERS… I recently asked educators on social media if neurodivergent staff were being offered any support, and folks had a LOT to say! In this episode I’ll share: What we mean when we talk about neurodivergence Why neurodivergence isn’t a deficiency, just a difference What teachers say about accommodations that are (and aren’t) happening in their schools The legal rights that U.S. teachers have under the Americans with Disabilities Act The types of supports you can request and the logistics of making them happen From there, I’ll share the commonalities and patterns in the response from educators about what’s been helpful and what’s needed. I’ll talk about the 5 ways schools can offer support to neurodivergent educators and what these recommendations look like in practice: #1: Allow for flexibility and autonomy, especially within breaks #2) Designate quiet areas and mitigate the effects of overstimulating environments #3) Communicate proactively about scheduling and changes #4: Give clear directives, so the invisible expectations become visible #5) Differentiate PD and offer topics related to executive function and organization  Additionally, I’ll make the case for universal design: that’s what good for neurodivergent educators also benefits neurotypical educators, and that these practices can (and should) be implemented school-wide.  Listen in to hear more about what’s helping neurodivergent teachers thrive, and how to advocate for the support YOU need in your school.

    48 min

  8. AUG 4

    EP307 Creating conditions for transformation (with Elena Aguilar)

    "Transformative change means feeling different, having different experiences every day, not just little changes that feel like a band-aid." These are the words of today’s guest, Elena Aguilar, an instructional coach whose latest book is called Arise: The Art of Transformation Coaching. (https://amzn.to/3Srseot) Through her book and our conversation today, you’re invited to teach in a “human-centered, compassionate, wildly optimistic way.” Listen in as we discuss: What “transformation” looks like and how it applies to the work of classroom teachers Why transformation results from addressing the Three Bs: beliefs, ways of being, and behavior… and why that order matters Which conditions allow for beliefs to change and how we can implement them in our classrooms How our “ways of being” as teachers tie to transformation As we look toward the start of a new school year, I hope that Elena’s thoughts will help you reimagine what’s possible in your classroom, and create conditions for both student transformations and your own. Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

    33 min
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About

Truth for Teachers is designed to speak life, encouragement, and truth into the minds and hearts of educators and get you energized for the week ahead.

Information

  • Creator
    Angela Watson
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2024
  • Episodes
    333
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All content copyright Angela Watson 2015-2024
  • Show Website
    Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

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