Episodes

The Physics of Superheroes: Bringing Science to Life with James Kakalios Can Spider-Man really stop a runaway train? What would happen if Ant-Man shrank to the size of an insect? And what can superheroes teach us about scientific thinking? In this episode, I speak with James Kakalios, physics professor at the University of Minnesota, author of The Physics of Superheroes and The Physics of Superheroes Goes Hollywood, and Hollywood science consultant. We explore how comics and superhero films c...

Classroom Reset: Bringing Students Into the Conversation | Maureen Chapman & James Simons What happens when classroom culture starts to unravel? Instead of imposing more rules, what if teachers invited students into the conversation? On this episode of Have a Life Teaching, returning guests Maureen Chapman and James Simons of Cor Creative Partners discuss their new book, Classroom Reset: Improving Class Culture Through Collaborative Conversations with Students. We explore: Why classroom cult...

How to Go Beyond the Science of Reading — Natalie Wexler Have we gotten better at teaching children how to read without paying enough attention to what they need to know? Natalie Wexler, author ofThe Knowledge Gap and Beyond the Science of Reading, joins Have a Life Teaching to explore why phonics alone isn't enough. We discuss the importance of background knowledge, vocabulary, writing, and connecting literacy instruction to the science of learning. We also consider how schools can build know...

Thomas Guskey on Rethinking Grading What should a grade actually tell us? I talk with grading and assessment expert Thomas Guskey about why grades should communicate what students have learned and can do but not how they rank against classmates. We discuss why schools need a shared purpose for grading, the problems with averaging and percentage grades, and why product, process, and progress all matter but shouldn’t be combined into one confusing mark. We also explore homework, clearer rubrics...

What if schools stopped asking why fathers aren’t involved—and started asking whether fathers truly feel invited to belong? In this episode, John talks with Dr. Debra Higdon and Dr. Chacko Abraham, co-authors of The Dad Difference: How and Why to Invite Fathers into Your School, about moving beyond traditional parent-engagement events toward meaningful relationships with fathers. They explore the barriers that can keep fathers disconnected—including time, transportation, school culture, previo...

Can AI make teaching easier and make teaching better? John talks with Brett Roer, founder and CEO of Amplify and Elevate Innovation, about practical ways educators can use AI and digital tools to save time while keeping human expertise at the center. From voice memos and AI “sandwiches” to customized Gems and schoolwide AI playbooks, Brett shares concrete strategies teachers and leaders can use right away and explains why successful AI implementation starts with human wisdom, not the technolog...

What if improving schools isn’t only about improving teaching but also about teaching students how to learn? John talks with James Anderson, author of Learnership, about shifting from teacher-dependent learning toward independent and agile learners. They explore productive struggle, students’ relationship with challenge, the difference between performance and growth, and why mistakes should be treated as information. James also explains how teachers can help students recognize their “learning ...

What Is at the Heart of Better Teaching? — Larry Ferlazzo What should remain constant in great teaching even as technology, AI, and instructional trends continue to change? John Schembari talks with educator and author Larry Ferlazzo about ideas from The Better Teacher's Toolbox, including relationships, student autonomy, relevance, competence, productive struggle, small-group learning, and keeping technology in its proper place. They also explore how teachers can use AI and technology withou...

What if we could prevent hate, violence, misogyny, and discrimination before they take root? John speaks with Leslee Udwin, award-winning filmmaker and founder and president of Think Equal. Udwin shares how making the Peabody Award-winning documentary India’s Daughter transformed the direction of her life and led her to focus on the attitudes and beliefs that can underlie violence and dehumanization. They explore why Udwin believes early childhood education offers a critical opportunity to bui...

Teaching changes because what we know about learning changes. In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, John Schembari talks with Ross McGill, founder of Teacher Toolkit, about what 35 years in education have taught him about how students learn—and what teachers should do differently as a result. Ross explores the evolution from sharing “good ideas” to evidence-informed teaching, why retrieval and questioning matter, how teachers can make student thinking visible, and why metacognition may be o...

Becoming a principal changes everything from relationships with colleagues to responsibility for instruction, culture, communication, and the direction of an entire school. In this episode, I’m joined by Tom Hierck, Rita Marler, and Shan Jorgenson Adam, co-authors of You’re a Principal Now, What’s Next?, to explore the realities of school leadership that traditional preparation programs don’t always prepare leaders for. We discuss why new principals need support beyond their initial training, ...

What happens when a coaching relationship leaves the coach feeling frustrated, ineffective, or demoralized? In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, I talk with Elena Aguilar, founder and CEO of Bright Morning and author of How to Coach Resistance: Turning Pushback into Positivity. Rather than focusing only on why teachers resist coaching, we turn the lens back on coaches and school leaders responsible for adult learning. Elena challenges us to rethink resistance itself: what we experience as ...

What can students learn through dance that they may not learn sitting at a desk? In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, John Schembari talks with Minila Shah, founder of Ajna Dance Company, about the role dance and the performing arts can play in helping young people experience culture, develop confidence, express themselves, and connect with others. Minila shares her own journey from learning Bharatanatyam as a child growing up in Canada to eventually founding Ajna Dance Company in New York...

In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, John Schembari speaks with Derek Crager, CEO of Practical AI, about one of the most promising—and often overlooked—applications of artificial intelligence in education: supporting neurodivergent learners. Drawing on his own experience of being diagnosed later in life with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, Derek explains how AI can serve as a thinking partner that helps students organize ideas, communicate more clearly, reduce cognitive overload, and build grea...

Why do so many school change initiatives disappear after a year or two? In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, John Schembari talks with Shane Leaning, leadership consultant, author of Change Starts Here, and host of Education Leaders with Shane Leaning, about why traditional approaches to change often fail and how schools can build change that lasts. Shane challenges the idea that leaders should identify solutions and then seek staff “buy-in.” Instead, meaningful change begins by involving ...

This week I'm joined by Dr. Cinde Lock, Head of School at Pickering College and author of Connections, Academics & Purpose, to explore why traditional testing isn't enough and what schools can do instead. We discuss: Why students often forget what they memorize for tests The difference between authentic assessment and "doing a fun project" How community partnerships create meaningful evidence of learning Why alternative assessment can improve—not replace—academic rigor How AI makes persona...

What does effective explicit instruction actually look like—and when should teachers move beyond it? In this episode, Dr. John Schembari sits down with Australian instructional coach Brendan Lee, founder of Knowledge for Teachers, to explore how cognitive science, explicit instruction, and the instructional hierarchy can help educators improve student learning and instructional decision-making. Brendan shares his own journey from struggling teacher to instructional coach and explains why under...

Why are boys disciplined more frequently than girls beginning as early as preschool? Why are boys of color disproportionately affected by school discipline? And how can educators support boys in developing healthy, positive masculinity while improving behavior, communication, and leadership skills? In this episode of the Have a Life Teaching Podcast, host John Schembari sits down with Robert Cooper Jr., founder of Young Men Becoming Men and author of The Authentic Man: Embracing Your Journey. ...

Rural schools educate nearly one-third of America's public school students, yet they are often underrepresented in national conversations about education policy, innovation, and school improvement. In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, Dr. John Schembari is joined by Dr. Melissa Sadorf, Executive Director of the National Rural Education Association and author of The Resilient Rural Leader, along with Derek Cantrell, principal of Alleghany Highlands High School and author of Better Together: ...

In this episode, John Schembari speaks with Becca Silver about the real causes of resistance in schools and how leaders can respond more effectively. Becca shares her Catalyst Mindsets framework, explains why resistance is often rooted in unmet needs, and discusses the difference between compliance, buy-in, and ownership. The conversation explores practical strategies for coaches, principals, and district leaders seeking to build trust, navigate difficult conversations, and create cultures whe...

In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, I sit down with Starr Sackstein, Michael McDowell, and Alexandra Laing, co-creators of Actionable Assessment, to unpack one of the most pressing instructional questions teachers face every day: When some students get it, some don’t, and some are already ahead… what do you do next? We explore how formative assessment should be less about collecting data and more about making immediate instructional decisions during Tier 1 teaching. Key takeaways include...

In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, I sit down with Charlotte Dungan, Chief Learning Officer at the Mark Cuban Foundation, to explore what meaningful AI education actually looks like in K-12. We unpack: • What effective AI professional learning for teachers should include • Why AI literacy must go beyond prompts and productivity • How the Mark Cuban Foundation’s free teacher and student AI bootcamps work • The connection between AI, CTE, entrepreneurship, and future workforce readiness • E...

In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, John Schembari speaks with Musical IQ leaders Philip Gillette and James Soler about how music can become a bridge to culture, identity, collaboration, and deeper learning. The conversation explores how schools can move beyond treating music and the arts as “extras” and instead use them as powerful tools for engagement, systems thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and community building. Topics include: • Why music creates belonging and confidence for s...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. William DeJean, CEO of Unleash Learning, to unpack a reality many school leaders are feeling but struggling to name: we’re in an era of overwhelm. We explore why traditional approaches to leadership—compliance, checklists, and even strategy overload—are no longer enough. Instead, William makes the case for systems thinking: grounding schools in a clear teaching and learning mission and a stable instructional “system” that can absorb new initiatives without ...