Suck Less Tomorrow: A Podcast for Teachers

Carlton Glassford

Suck Less Tomorrow is an education podcast for teachers, administrators, instructional coaches, and anyone passionate about improving schools. Hosted by veteran educator, author, and speaker Carlton Glassford, each episode features honest conversations about classroom management, student behavior, teacher burnout, instructional strategies, school leadership, educational technology, and professional growth. Because the truth is, teaching is hard and nobody has teaching completely figured out. So join us each week as we try our best to the suck less tomorrow.

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 27: From Student to Teacher: Classroom Discussions, D&D, and Critical Thinking | Ben Boruff

    In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Ben Boruff, a veteran English teacher from Indiana—and a former student of mine. Ben and I first met when I was student teaching during the 2008 election cycle. Years later, Ben became an educator himself, and we reconnect to discuss teaching, critical thinking, classroom discussions, and what it takes to create an environment where students feel comfortable sharing their ideas. We explore how teachers navigate political conversations in the classroom, the role of bias in education, and why fostering critical thinking is more important than ever. Ben also shares strategies for facilitating meaningful discussions, encouraging student participation, and helping students engage with complex ideas. Along the way, we talk about Dungeons & Dragons clubs, student leadership, civic engagement, and the lessons both of us have learned throughout our careers in education. Topics include: Critical thinking in the classroom Teacher bias and instructional choices Classroom discussions and Socratic seminars Civic education and government classes Student engagement strategies Dungeons & Dragons and extracurricular clubs Creating safe spaces for student voice Building classroom culture and trust Teaching controversial topics effectively Whether you're a new teacher, veteran educator, or someone interested in how schools can help students think more deeply, this episode is packed with practical ideas and thoughtful conversation. If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ TikTok @SuckLessTomorrow Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

    49 min

  2. Jun 2

    Episode 26: 40 Years in Education: Libraries, Technology, and What Schools Still Get Wrong | Ft. Colette Cassinelli

    In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down in person with Colette Cassinelli, a veteran educator, library and instructional technology teacher, and instructional coach who is retiring after 40 years in education. Colette shares the story of her career journey from elementary classroom teacher to technology educator, certified librarian, and instructional technology specialist in the Beaverton School District. We talk about how education has changed over four decades, the evolution of technology in schools, and why collaboration between teachers, librarians, and instructional coaches matters more than ever. This conversation dives deep into research skills, project-based learning, interdisciplinary teaching, student engagement, and the growing challenges schools face when trying to build meaningful learning experiences at scale. We also discuss: The decline of student reading and research skills Why schools still need librarians Technology integration and 1:1 Chromebook programs Canvas and digital learning environments Instructional coaching and teacher collaboration Project-based learning and “signature projects” Socratic seminars and inquiry-based learning Vertical alignment and curriculum planning What has changed most in education over 40 years Colette also reflects on retirement, the changing priorities in public education, and what she hopes schools continue to focus on moving forward. If you’re a teacher, librarian, instructional coach, administrator, or anyone interested in the future of education, this is a conversation worth hearing. If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ TikTok @SuckLessTomorrow Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

    39 min

  3. May 27

    Episode 25: The Classroom Management Advice Most Teachers Need to Hear | Nicole Parks

    Note: This episode contains explicit language and is intended for a mature audience. In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Nicole Parks, known online as TeachWithMrs.Parks, for a deep dive into one of the biggest challenges facing educators today: classroom management and student behavior. Nicole brings her experience as a behavior intervention specialist, Dean of Students, and educator to an honest conversation about what actually works when students struggle with behavior, why traditional discipline often falls short, and how teachers can build classrooms that balance accountability with relationships. We discuss behavior management strategies, restorative practices, teacher mindset, student accountability, and the realities of working with challenging behaviors in today's schools. This is not a surface-level conversation—we get into the messy, complicated parts of teaching that most professional development sessions avoid. Whether you're a new teacher trying to establish classroom expectations or a veteran educator looking for fresh perspectives on student behavior, there's something in this episode for you. Topics include: Classroom management strategiesStudent behavior and accountabilityRestorative practicesBuilding relationships with studentsTeacher burnout and behavior challengesSchool culture and disciplineSupporting students while maintaining expectationsReal-world behavior intervention techniquesLearn more about Nicole's work at @TeachWithMrs.Parks and explore her behavior management resources and training materials found at her website: https://www.teachwithmrsparks.com/ If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

    51 min

  4. May 20

    Episode 24: Teaching in Japan Through the JET Program: Culture, Language, and Education | Erica Reynolds

    In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Erica Reynolds, an American educator who has been living and teaching in Japan for several years through the JET Program. We talk about her journey from learning Japanese in high school to eventually moving abroad to teach, and what it’s really like navigating life and education in a completely different cultural and school system. Erica shares insights into the JET Program experience, cultural differences between the U.S. and Japan, and how teaching abroad has shaped her perspective as an educator and as a person. Whether you're interested in teaching abroad, international education, language learning, or the JET Program, this episode offers a firsthand look at life and teaching in Japan. Topics include: The JET Program experienceTeaching English in JapanCultural differences in educationLearning Japanese and language immersionLiving and working abroad as a teacherInternational school systemsIf you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

    36 min

  5. May 13

    Episode 23: Teacher Stress, Grace, and School Leadership | Robert Blumenthal

    In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I’m joined by veteran Indiana school administrator Robert Blumenthal for an honest conversation about leadership, teaching, and what really matters in education. Rob currently works at the same school we both graduated from — and now supervises teachers who once taught him. We talk about the realities of school administration, what principals and admins are actually worried about, how teachers can give themselves more grace, and the mindset shifts that make the biggest difference in education. Whether you're a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, or just passionate about education, this episode dives into teacher burnout, school culture, educator relationships, and the human side of leading schools. Topics include: School leadership and administration Giving yourself grace as an educator What administrators really look for Education mindset and growth Teaching, coaching, and leadershipIf you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit We Suck Less Tomorrow for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Follow along on: TikTok @sucklesstomorrow Instagram @sucklesstomorrow Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

    36 min

  6. May 6

    Episode 22: School boards, JAG, and College Pals | Derek Morgan

    Ever looked at your school board and thought, “What do they even do?” Well, I had the same thought. So I brought school board member and college buddy Derek Morgan on the podcast. In this episode, we dig into what school boards actually do, why decisions can feel slow (or totally invisible), and why it sometimes feels like nothing is happening in public education. We talk teacher frustrations, education policy, and what’s really going on behind the scenes in school leadership. If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠We Suck Less Tomorrow⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years Follow along on: ⁠TikTok @sucklesstomorrow⁠ ⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠ Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

    43 min

  7. Apr 27

    Episode 21: So You Want to Be a Teacher? Here’s the Part No One Says Out Loud | Marlon White

    In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Marlon White, educator and author of So You Want to Be a Teacher: The Part No One Says Out Loud, to talk about what really happens when idealism meets the reality of the classroom. We challenge the common advice teachers are given to “just push through” and unpack why that mindset often leads to burnout instead of growth. This conversation dives into what new teachers are rarely prepared for, why burnout shows up so early in the profession, and what it actually looks like to improve as an educator without running yourself into the ground. We also explore the tension between passion and sustainability in teaching—and what it takes to stay in education long-term. Topics include: What new teachers aren’t prepared forEarly-career teacher burnoutThe gap between expectations and realitySustainable teacher growthClassroom survival vs. thrivingRethinking “just push through” cultureStaying in education long-termListen to the end for a special promo for Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow. If this episode resonates, share it with a teacher who needs to hear it today—and follow the podcast for more honest conversations about education, teaching, and growth. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠TikTok @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

    40 min

  8. Apr 19

    Episode 20: What Principals Really Look For During Walkthroughs | Ft. Barb Flowers

    In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Barb Flowers, host of The Principal’s Handbook podcast, to talk about school leadership, instructional walkthroughs, and what it really takes to support teachers effectively. Barb shares insights from her experience in educational leadership and coaching, breaking down what effective principals actually look for during classroom walkthroughs, how school leaders build strong and positive school culture, and why supporting teachers is more complex—and more important—than it often appears. We also explore the realities of school leadership, including workload expectations, the myth of the “typical school day,” and how administrators can lead without losing sight of teacher wellbeing. Whether you're a teacher, instructional coach, or aspiring administrator, this conversation offers a grounded look at leadership, communication, and building healthier schools. Topics include: What principals look for during walkthroughsSchool leadership and decision-makingBuilding strong school cultureSupporting and retaining teachersInstructional coaching in practiceLeadership workload and expectationsCommunication between teachers and administratorsIf you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and share the podcast. Learn more about Barb Flowers Coaching and follow along on social media at: Instagram @theprincipalshandbook If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to rate, review, and share the podcast. If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We Suck Less Tomorrow for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠TikTok @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

    37 min
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5
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13 Ratings

About

Suck Less Tomorrow is an education podcast for teachers, administrators, instructional coaches, and anyone passionate about improving schools. Hosted by veteran educator, author, and speaker Carlton Glassford, each episode features honest conversations about classroom management, student behavior, teacher burnout, instructional strategies, school leadership, educational technology, and professional growth. Because the truth is, teaching is hard and nobody has teaching completely figured out. So join us each week as we try our best to the suck less tomorrow.

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