Empower Students Now

Amanda Werner

Amanda has been a passionate full time classroom teacher for 16 years. She’s worked in a wide range of educational settings teaching students grades 3rd-8th. Amanda worked for a Title I, charter, magnet, and National Blue Ribbon school and now she homeschools her twice exceptional daughter.No matter what type of school or grade she’s taught, engaging and empowering students has always been at the forefront of her work as an educator and teacher author.Amanda understands that helping students find their voice is core to being an effective teacher and social justice advocate.Even with a teacher willing to listen, there are many barriers that exist and hinder movement towards more equitable schools. Amanda has experienced first hand the many problems that exist in K-12 education. Listening to students is only the first step on a long road ahead. Amanda’s website, courses, lesson resources, and podcast are dedicated to supporting teachers and students in this important work for change.

  1. HACE 41 MIN

    What Made Me Suspect I'm Autistic: An Adult Diagnosis Story and Classroom Takeaways

    Amanda Werner hosts an off-the-cuff episode of the Empower Students Now podcast about what led her to suspect she was autistic and eventually seek a formal adult autism diagnosis. She explains that her suspicion began after her child was diagnosed with autism in 2021 (and ADHD), which led her to research autism’s genetic links and to reflect on stigma, labels, and the value of openly discussing autistic experiences to combat myths. A second reason was that her ADHD diagnosis didn’t fully explain her traits, especially her extreme need for order and discomfort with clutter and imperfection. She also discusses learning about the DSM-5’s shift away from Asperger’s as a separate label, how autism can be missed in people without intellectual disability, and how family learning differences (including her sister’s school-identified learning disability and self-identified dyslexia) contributed to her understanding. Amanda connects autism to her childhood experiences of rebellion, conflict at home, running away, social struggles, intense one-at-a-time friendships, frequent moving due to a Navy family, and severe bullying that caused her to leave a school in eighth grade. She describes insights from books including Uniquely Human by Barry Prizant, Unmasking Autism by Devin Price, and Girls and Women on the Autism Spectrum by Sarah Hendrickx, focusing on how autism in girls and women can present differently, including socially accepted special interests (people/animals), masking to fit in, sensory sensitivities (light, clothing, skin discomfort), modesty and discomfort with feminine clothing, tomboy/androgynous feelings, and gender uncertainty. She closes with classroom relevance: teachers may notice similar traits in students but should not diagnose; instead, they can use supportive practices that benefit all students, such as patience and empathy, active anti-bullying vigilance, connecting students to school resources (counselors, clubs), allowing headphones, offering choices and alternative options, shortening or excusing some assignments, and providing flexible seating and movement options. 00:00 Welcome + Why This Episode Is “Messy” (Adult Autism/ADHD Journey) 00:57 What Made Me Suspect Autism: Starting Point + Why Teachers Should Care 02:38 Reason #1: My Child’s Autism Diagnosis & Learning It’s Genetic 05:51 Reason #2: ADHD Didn’t Fully Explain Me  10:02 Reason #3: DSM-5, Asperger’s History, and Late-Diagnosed Adults 14:26 Reason #4: Childhood Red Flags—Rebellion, Social Struggles, and Puberty 17:40 Reason #5: Girls/Women on the Spectrum—Masking, “Special Interests,” and Fitting In 20:49 Sensory Sensitivities + Gender/Androgyny & Bullying Experiences 26:20 Back to the Classroom: You Can’t Diagnose, But You Can Support 28:53 Practical Accommodations Teachers Can Use (Even Without a Diagnosis) 30:58 Wrap-Up, Resources, and Goodbye

    30 min

  2. 14 FEB

    Teaching Emotional Regulation in the Classroom

    Access Editable Essential Skills Slideshows Here Amanda continues her Empower Students Now series with short classroom slideshow lessons available via email sign-up here by focusing on emotional regulation. She defines it as noticing emotions and body sensations, understanding triggers, using strategies to reduce intensity, and choosing responses rather than reacting—emphasizing it is not suppressing feelings or forced positivity. She explains why it matters for today’s overwhelmed students and developing brains, notes alexithymia (difficulty identifying emotions) and how ADHD/autism can make regulation harder, and urges teachers to view meltdowns as nervous-system overwhelm, not tantrums or kids choosing to be difficult. She shares practical tools (STOP, feeling wheel, 5-4-3-2-1 grounding, energy check-ins, thought records) and guidance for teaching proactively through emotionally safe classrooms, modeling, individualized supports, and de-escalation. She also covers co-regulation, introduces emotional labor, and cautions that “regulation” shouldn’t mean students—especially girls and students of color—must stay pleasant or manage others’ comfort. 00:00 Welcome + Grab the Free Classroom Slides for This Skills Series 02:28 What Emotional Regulation Really Means (and What It’s Not) 07:21 Why Kids Struggle: Overwhelm, Brain Development, and Today’s World 08:49 Step 1–4: Awareness, Triggers, Coping Strategies, and Self-Compassion 14:50 Neurodivergent Learners: ADHD/Autism, Meltdowns, and Misread Behavior 19:34 Practical Tools to Teach: STOP, Feeling Wheel, Grounding, Thought Records 22:46 Make It Work in Class: Emotion-Safe Culture, Modeling, and De-escalation 28:33 Co-Regulation: How Calm Adults Help Dysregulated Students 31:31 Emotional Labor: The Hidden Cost of “Always Being Pleasant” 34:38 Reflection Questions + Final Takeaways and How to Support the Show

    37 min

  3. 7 FEB

    How to Teach Conflict Resolution to Students

    Access Essential Skills Slides Here In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda dives into the critical skill of conflict resolution. Amanda shares personal experiences and highlights the lack of formal education on resolving conflicts. Offering a range of practical steps and strategies, she categorizes conflicts into task, values, and relationship types and provides a seven-step guide for healthy conflict resolution. Additionally, she discusses power dynamics and the importance of setting boundaries when conflicts can't be resolved. Accompanied by a free student-facing slideshow, this episode is a valuable resource for teachers looking to equip students with essential life skills. 00:00 Introduction to Conflict Resolution 05:33 Types of Conflicts 10:00 Common Reactions to Conflict 12:02 Steps for Healthy Conflict Resolution 24:32 Power Dynamics in Conflict 29:08 Setting Boundaries and Conclusion

    36 min

  4. 31 ENE

    Why I Left Teaching, A Career I Still Love

    Content Warning: This episode discusses emotionally charged topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Please take care of yourself and listen when and if you feel ready. In this raw and honest episode, I'm sharing something I wrote back in September 2025—a four-page document I never published, explaining why I left teaching. Again. I've left the profession three times. Gone back, left, gone back, left. And this time, I'm not going back. This episode is different from my usual content. There's no structured lesson plan, no tips or strategies. Instead, I'm speaking directly to teachers who are struggling right now—especially neurodivergent teachers, BIPOC teachers, and LGBTQI+ teachers navigating an increasingly hostile political climate. I read the letter I wrote to myself and to you, talking about: What the last few years of teaching have felt likeWhy masking my frustrations became impossibleThe disconnect between what teachers need and what the system demandsHow the current political environment is making teaching unsustainableWhy prioritizing your own wellbeing might be the only reasonable answer right nowI was a good teacher. I loved my students. And I still had to leave. If you're teaching right now and feeling trapped, exhausted, or questioning everything—this episode is for you. You're not alone. Take care of yourself. Subscribe to Empower Students Now for conversations about equity, neurodiversity, mindfulness, and student engagement.

    14 min

  5. 25 ENE

    Teaching When the News is Breaking Your Heart

    In this urgent and heartfelt episode, recorded on Sunday, January 25th, Amanda Werner offers raw and real advice for teachers dealing with a recent tragedy involving the death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents. Acknowledging the emotional burden and chaos, Amanda provides practical guidance and reassurance to teachers on how to care for themselves and their students in the aftermath. She discusses the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and maintaining a safe and stable classroom environment. This episode aims to support teachers in making the best decisions for their students and themselves during such challenging times. 00:00 Introduction and Urgency 00:35 Processing the Tragedy 03:11 Self-Care on Difficult Days 05:07 Navigating the Classroom Post-Tragedy 09:10 Balancing Personal and Professional Responses 12:32 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    13 min

  6. 24 ENE

    How to Teach Students Collaborative Problem Solving Skills

    Access Essential Skills Slides Here In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner dives into the essential skill of collaborative problem solving. This episode is part of a broader series focusing on the critical skills needed for students' futures. Amanda provides practical strategies for teaching collaborative problem solving in the classroom and emphasizes the importance of teaching these skills explicitly. She discusses the differences between group work and true collaboration, shares classroom scenarios and personal experiences, and offers a step-by-step process to help students effectively work together. Listeners are encouraged to access student-facing slideshows via the Essential Skills Slideshows link in the show notes for ready-to-use classroom materials. 00:00 Introduction to Collaborative Problem Solving 02:08 Understanding Collaborative Problem Solving 03:19 Common Classroom Scenarios 04:08 Teaching Collaborative Skills Explicitly 07:29 Key Points for Effective Collaboration 11:19 Classroom Project Example 16:04 Steps for Collaborative Problem Solving 19:02 Addressing Group Work Challenges 28:27 Final Thoughts and Reflection

    33 min

  7. 18 ENE

    How to Teach Active Listening: An Essential Skill for the Future

    In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner discusses the importance and challenges of teaching active listening to students. She provides an overview of essential skills like self-advocacy, ethical reasoning, and critical thinking, emphasizing that active listening might be the hardest but most critical of all. Amanda dives into the components of active listening, offering strategies for educators to model and teach these skills in the classroom. She also addresses common challenges, such as students' reluctance to listen or speak, and provides practical activities and solutions. This episode aims to equip teachers with tools to foster a culture of genuine listening, which is foundational for empathy, learning, relationships, and democracy. 00:00 Introduction and Series Overview 01:15 The Importance of Active Listening 05:05 Teaching Active Listening to Students 07:16 Components of Active Listening 27:08 Challenges and Solutions in Active Listening 36:03 Conclusion and Next Steps Essential Skills Slideshows

    39 min

  8. 10 ENE

    Navigating an Adult Diagnosis of Autism

    Join Amanda Werner and her good friend Jessica Martin in this insightful episode as they dive deep into navigating life with autism and other neurodivergent conditions in adulthood. Jess shares personal experiences about her sensory sensitivities and struggles with social anxiety, while Amanda discusses the process and importance of receiving an autism diagnosis later in life. They explore how self-awareness can improve entrepreneurial endeavors and offer resources for self-assessment through a website called Embrace Autism. Stay tuned for a candid conversation filled with humor, personal anecdotes, and valuable insights for managing a neurodivergent life in adulthood 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:36 Amanda's Autism Diagnosis Journey 02:04 Jess's Sensory Sensitivities 05:11 The Cost and Process of Adult Autism Diagnosis 06:07 Self-Diagnosis and Understanding Neurodivergence 07:19 Impact of Diagnosis on Personal and Professional Life 14:21 Resources and Assessments for Autism 19:08 Sharing the Diagnosis with Family 21:13 Conclusion and Farewell Resources:  embrace-autism.com

    28 min
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Amanda has been a passionate full time classroom teacher for 16 years. She’s worked in a wide range of educational settings teaching students grades 3rd-8th. Amanda worked for a Title I, charter, magnet, and National Blue Ribbon school and now she homeschools her twice exceptional daughter.No matter what type of school or grade she’s taught, engaging and empowering students has always been at the forefront of her work as an educator and teacher author.Amanda understands that helping students find their voice is core to being an effective teacher and social justice advocate.Even with a teacher willing to listen, there are many barriers that exist and hinder movement towards more equitable schools. Amanda has experienced first hand the many problems that exist in K-12 education. Listening to students is only the first step on a long road ahead. Amanda’s website, courses, lesson resources, and podcast are dedicated to supporting teachers and students in this important work for change.

Información

  • Creador
    Amanda Werner
  • Años de actividad
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodios
    113
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Empower Students Now
  • Mostrar sitio web
    Empower Students Now