(Re)Education of Schools Podcast

Justin Moorman and Katie Thornton
  • 4.7 (13)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Join educators Justin Moorman and Katie Thornton as they have open, honest conversations about how to better understand social-emotional learning, trauma-informed care, the “why’s” behind student behavior, and how to help kids navigate it all as they go through school and life. Each episode they will strive to provide practical understanding and opportunities to grow for anyone who works with children, or has children in their life … all in about 30 minutes! 

  1. 7H AGO

    The Great IEP Debate

    Are you an Intervention Specialist or educator feeling buried under state mandates and data metrics? Join us for Episode 77 as we dive deep into the art of Individualizing Education Plans (IEPs) without losing sight of the student behind the paperwork.In this episode, we narrow our focus specifically to behavioral goals. We discuss how to move past the "clinical" feel of standardized documents to create holistic, accurate profiles that truly serve the student's needs. In This Episode, We Cover:The Power of the Profile: Why painting a clear picture of who a student is—both behaviorally and academically—is the most vital part of the IEP.Data vs. Reality: How focusing on a student’s nervous system and regulation leads to more accurate testing and better SDI (Specially Designed Instruction).Navigating Barriers: Tackling the challenges of district uniformity, state mandates, and the "plan-on-plan" fatigue (FBA, BIP, IEP goals, oh my!).Holistic Teamwork: Strategies for streamlining goals to build strong neuropathways and ensure behaviors don't overshadow educational instruction. Key Takeaways:"Sometimes, in the name of trying to make sure we check all of those boxes... we can write IEPs that sound a lot more clinical than like they are describing a kid." Accuracy Matters: Ensuring students are regulated is the only way to get a true representation of their skills.Prioritize Input: Lean on veteran teachers and district leadership to balance complex documentation with practical implementation.Streamline: Work in step with your team to create cohesive plans that actually work in a classroom setting.Enjoyed the show? Please leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! It helps us reach more educators and keep these important conversations going.#SpecialEducation #IEP #BehavioralGoals #InterventionSpecialist #EdChat #Neuroscience #TeacherLife #specialeducation  Our Website Email justinmoorman@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com katiethornton@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com joshward@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com YouTube Facebook Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators! License code: 0WMLYW3GMFLMX8H7

    43 min

  2. MAR 2

    Unwritten-Window of Tolerance & Regulation

    Are you feeling overwhelmed by classroom management, or noticing your students struggling to stay engaged? In this episode, Justin and Katie explore one of the most vital concepts for educators and students alike: The Window of Tolerance . Join us as we break down what it means to be in your optimal zone of emotional and mental stability, and what happens when you are pushed into Hyperarousal (fight-or-flight, anxiety, racing thoughts) or Hypoarousal (shutdown, emotional numbness, disconnection) . We discuss why everyone's window looks different based on genetics, trauma, and daily stress , and take a deep dive into how this specifically impacts neurodivergent learners, including those with ADHD, Autism, and chronic pain. We also look at the reality of being an educator. Discover how lack of sleep, lesson planning, and the daily grind can shrink your own window of tolerance, impacting your relationships with colleagues, parents, and students . Most importantly, learn how to shift toward trauma-informed classroom regulation, teach students "interoception" (noticing bodily sensations), and build a classroom of self-managing humans rather than relying on codependent teacher systems. If you enjoyed listening, we would so appreciate it if you left us a 5-star review! It helps other people find this content and keeps the conversation going. Our Website Email justinmoorman@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com katiethornton@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com joshward@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com YouTube Facebook Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators! License code: 0WMLYW3GMFLMX8H7

    35 min

  3. FEB 16

    Organizational Growth and Leadership with Pastor Charlie McMahan

    How do you take a small organization and scale it into a high-growth, mission-driven community? In this episode, we sit down with Charlie McMahan, Lead Pastor of Southbrook Christian Church and creator of the Leaderwise series, to bridge the gap between pastoral leadership and educational excellence. Whether you are a school administrator, a teacher leader, or a community builder, Charlie’s insights on "distributed leadership" and culture-building offer a masterclass in making every member of your team feel welcomed, valued, and seen. In this episode, we discuss: Intentional Growth: The story of Southbrook and the leadership practices that fueled its expansion. Distributed Leadership: How to ensure collective buy-in while keeping the core mission unchanged. Launching Large Initiatives: Charlie shares the origin of Playersbox and provides a roadmap for school leaders trying to get major projects off the ground. Culture & Climate: Why "taking them to church" matters in professional development and how to create an environment where people thrive. Resilience in Leadership: Practical strategies for re-centering your team and navigating the "hard days" of leadership. About Our Guest: Charlie McMahan is the Lead Pastor at Southbrook Christian Church and a passionate leadership coach. Through his Leaderwise series and involvement with the Global Leadership Summit, he helps leaders across all sectors develop the heart and the systems necessary for lasting impact. SouthBrook Christian Church Our Website Email justinmoorman@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com katiethornton@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com joshward@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com YouTube Facebook Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators! License code: 0WMLYW3GMFLMX8H7

    53 min

  4. FEB 2

    The Enneagram and Impacts on Developing and Sustaining a Team

    In this episode, "I Had some Help - The Enneagram and Impacts on Developing and Sustaining a Team," we dive deep into the power of the Enneagram personality typing tool, exploring how understanding yourself and your colleagues can transform your team and culture. Episode 74: The Enneagram and Team Development Host Katie interviews Justin about the Enneagram, which focuses not on what you do, but on the motivation behind your actions. In this discussion, you'll learn: What is the Enneagram? A personality tool with nine types that focuses on core motivations. Self-Knowledge & Trauma-Informed Work: How knowing your number is key to better self-regulation and, consequently, helps students stay regulated. It also builds empathy by allowing you to look past surface actions to understand motivations. Impact on Colleagues: Discover how sharing Enneagram types provides a common language, builds empathy, helps maximize individual strengths, guides effective feedback, and assists in delegating tasks for maximum impact. Crisis & Conflict: Learn how different Enneagram types react in the aftermath of a crisis or conflict (e.g., Fives needing time to process feelings, Ones focusing on right/wrong, Threes seeking affirmation). Leadership & Team Building: Ideas for how building leadership can utilize the Enneagram to better develop teams and culture, such as: Utilizing Ones for building systems and organization. Having Twos check in on others. Tapping into Threes for vision. Empowering Fours for creative tasks. Understanding the needs of types like Nines, who may prefer leaders to make certain decisions for them. The better you know your people, the more likely you are to place them in roles that suit their strengths and maximize their abilities.  Enjoyed this episode? Please consider giving us a 5-star review on whatever platform you listen to podcasts on! It helps other educators and leaders find this content and keeps the important conversation going. Our Website Email justinmoorman@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com katiethornton@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com joshward@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com YouTube Facebook Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators! License code: 0WMLYW3GMFLMX8H7

    36 min

  5. JAN 19

    2025 Top Educational Research

    In this episode, special guest Josh Ward joins the conversation to dive deep into the most influential educational research of 2025. Based on Edutopia’s annual roundup of the year's most significant studies, we break down what the data says about the current state of our classrooms and where education is headed. From the undeniable impact of cell phone policies on academic performance and peer conflict to the surprising physiological benefits of extended recess, we explore the evidence-based practices that are moving the needle for students and teachers alike. Key topics discussed in this episode: The Power of the Pen: Why early handwriting remains a critical foundation for reading success. Cognitive Load & Math: How notes and annotations help students navigate complex word problems. The Science of Breaks: The dramatic impact of "microbreaks" on student test scores. Productive Struggle: Learning when to step back and allow students to build resilience. AI in Education: The role of ChatGPT and AI in streamlining special education paperwork and its effects on long-term recall. Relationships Over Rigor: Reaffirming why the human connection remains the most important factor in the classroom. We wrap up by sharing our thoughts on which of these findings made the biggest impact this year and making our predictions for the trends that will dominate the list in 2026. Check out the full Edutopia article here: The 10 Most Significant Education Studies of 2025 Our Website Email justinmoorman@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com katiethornton@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com joshward@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com YouTube Facebook Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators! License code: 0WMLYW3GMFLMX8H7

    42 min

  6. 11/10/2025

    Regulation.. How you doing?

    Before we dive in, if you’ve enjoyed listening to this podcast, we’d love for you to give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on your favorite platform. Your support helps more educators find this content and keeps the conversation going! In this episode, we’re unpacking one of the most misunderstood areas in education — student regulation after crisis moments. Too often, we assume students are “ready” or “regulated” simply because the chaos has stopped. But rushing back to routines or avoiding potential triggers can actually lead to a cycle of continued dysregulation — for both students and staff. We’ll talk about:  💡 What regulation really means and what it looks like in practice 🧩 How to tell when a student is truly regulated and ready to return ⚡ Common misconceptions — like thinking “once they stop fighting, it’s over” 🚫 The hidden costs of avoiding dysregulation with students 💬 How to reduce staff anxiety and build confidence through modeling, support, and coaching You’ll hear stories, practical strategies, and real talk about what it takes to stay calm, connected, and effective in the moments that matter most. Our Website Email justinmoorman@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com katiethornton@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com joshward@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com YouTube Facebook Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators! License code: 0WMLYW3GMFLMX8H7

    45 min

  7. 10/27/2025

    Time Poverty

    Teachers are facing time poverty — a growing cause of burnout, stress, and teacher fatigue. In this episode, we explore how packed schedules, state mandates, and constant pressure impact teacher wellness, student behavior, and school culture. Join us as we discuss practical ways to restore balance, protect mental health, and bring joy back to teaching. TIME POVERTY In today’s episode, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges educators face: time poverty — that overwhelming feeling of never having enough time for the things that matter most. With curriculum mandates, data requirements, and constant expectations, many teachers are left without time for the very practices that improve student well-being, critical thinking, and long-term learning. We unpack what time poverty really means in education and explore how it affects not just teachers, but students and families too. From the pressures of state mandates to the ripple effects of dysregulated adults and anxious kids, we take a closer look at how this imbalance shapes classroom culture and climate. Together, we discuss practical ways to push back — through intentional planning, clear boundaries, shared leadership, and creating space for what truly matters: connection, outdoor learning, creativity, and steadiness. Because when we slow down, we don’t lose momentum — we build sustainability. If you’ve ever felt like you’re racing through the day without enough time to breathe, this episode is for you. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review — it helps more educators find these conversations and keep the dialogue going! Our Website Email justinmoorman@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com katiethornton@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com joshward@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com YouTube Facebook Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators! License code: 0WMLYW3GMFLMX8H7

    34 min

  8. 10/13/2025

    Chaos Continuum

    When supporting students with challenging behavior, it can sometimes feel like complete chaos — but what if we thought about chaos as a continuum instead of a constant? In this episode, we unpack what it means to move students forward along that continuum, from moments of total chaos to controlled chaos to managed calm. We explore what each stage looks and feels like — for both educators and students — and how our presence, predictability, and systems can restore safety and connection. Through real examples and honest reflection, we discuss how neuroscience and intentional practice help us regulate ourselves, set realistic goals, and build environments where every student can succeed. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just trying to survive the “end-of-times” moments in your classroom, this conversation offers perspective, compassion, and practical strategies for turning chaos into progress. Our Website Email justinmoorman@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com katiethornton@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com joshward@reeducationofschoolspodcast.com YouTube Facebook Instagram Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators! License code: 0WMLYW3GMFLMX8H7

    41 min
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4.7
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Join educators Justin Moorman and Katie Thornton as they have open, honest conversations about how to better understand social-emotional learning, trauma-informed care, the “why’s” behind student behavior, and how to help kids navigate it all as they go through school and life. Each episode they will strive to provide practical understanding and opportunities to grow for anyone who works with children, or has children in their life … all in about 30 minutes! 

Information

  • Creator
    Justin Moorman and Katie Thornton
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 (Re)Education of Schools Podcast
  • Show Website
    (Re)Education of Schools Podcast