Episodes

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 ...

In this episode, we explore one of the most debated questions in literacy instruction: 👉 Should students read grade-level texts or texts matched to their ability? Joined by Dr. Noreen Bunt, we unpack: Why grade-level text access matters for all students The risks of over-relying on leveled grouping How to support struggling readers without lowering expectations Practical strategies for: The evolving role of literacy in content-area classrooms How MTSS, Tier 1 instruction, and small groups sh...

International Schools: What Educators Need to Know Summary: What is it really like to teach in an international school? This episode explores the realities—opportunities, challenges, and misconceptions—of working abroad as an educator. Key Points: • There is no single definition of an international school • Leadership and school quality matter more than location • Compensation often includes housing, travel, and benefits • Professional growth comes from exposure to different systems • The expe...

In this episode, I’m joined by Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, authors of Lead It Like Lasso, to explore what school leaders can learn from Ted Lasso. We discuss leadership archetypes, building authentic school culture, and why leaders don’t need all the answers to be effective. We also dig into developing reluctant leaders, surrounding yourself with the right team, and the difference between students being “finished” vs. truly “ready.” Key Takeaways: Leadership comes in different styles—fi...

In this episode of Have a Life Teaching, we explore what it really means to prepare students for a future shaped by rapidly evolving technology. While tools like flight simulation may seem niche, the deeper conversation is about something much bigger: how we design learning experiences that build decision-making, problem-solving, and real-world application. We discuss how immersive environments and AI-powered tools are shifting students from passive learners to active designers and why this sh...

In this episode, I’m joined by Mariya Gluzman to explore how educators can use Notebook LM to support—not replace—student thinking. We discuss how AI is shifting instruction from product to process, and how tools like Notebook LM can help structure deeper learning, safer AI use, and more intentional instructional design. AI should supplement thinking, not replace it Traditional plagiarism detection is no longer reliable → task design must change Strong instruction in an AI era = process, scaff...

Leadership Isn’t About the Idea as much as It’s About the Decision Most leaders have great ideas. The difference? Execution lives in the shadow between idea and reality. In this podcast episode, we speak with Norman Hunter - author of the book "Between the Idea and the Reality: Decision-Making for the Thinking Educational Leader". We dive into: Why decision-making defines leadership How great leaders think beyond the obvious What it really takes to move from concept → impact If you’re lea...

What can crossword puzzles teach us about learning? In this episode of the Have a Life Teaching Podcast, I speak with crossword constructor and social scientist Natan Last, author of Across the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of the Crossword Puzzle. We explore how crossword puzzles bring together language, mathematics, history, and creative thinking—and why they can be powerful tools for classroom learning. Natan explains how crossword solving strengthens decoding skills, pattern rec...

In this episode of the Have a Life Teaching Podcast, John speaks with Dr. Danita Grissom and Dr. Vicki Kelner, co-authors of High Five to Thrive: Five Proven Practices to Unleash Your Passion for Teaching. The conversation explores why so many teachers are overwhelmed, why burnout is often created by the system rather than the individual, and what educators and leaders can do to restore hope, regulation, and sustainability. The guests share practical strategies including reconnecting to purpose...

In this episode of Have a Life Teaching Podcast, John sits down with Jeff Riley, former Commissioner of Education for Massachusetts and current Executive Director of Day of AI, a nonprofit initiative launched out of MIT. Together, they explore what AI truly means for K–12 education beyond the fear, beyond the cheating headlines, and beyond the hype. Jeff shares: Why AI literacy may become the “fourth R” How schools can balance innovation with student safety Why banning AI outright may harm ...

Anyone who has stepped into a K–5 classroom knows this truth: kids need to move. But they also need strong math foundations. So how do we do both—without sacrificing rigor? In this episode, I sit down with Suzy Koontz, CEO and Founder of Math & Movement, to explore how movement-based learning can dramatically increase math fluency, engagement, and student confidence. A former actuary turned education innovator, Suzy shares how a simple trampoline moment with her daughter sparked a 25-year journ...

What can the costume designer behind Raiders of the Lost Ark and Michael Jackson’s Thriller teach educators? A lot. In this episode, Dr. Deborah Landis, UCLA professor and legendary Hollywood costume designer (also behind The Blues Brothers, Animal House, and Oscar-nominated for Coming to America), breaks down how costume design is actually about: Reading deeply Interpreting text Understanding culture and history Building authentic characters Transporting an audience And that’s exactly w...

Why do people keep doing the opposite of what we’ve clearly explained over and over again? Or do nothing at all? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Judy Newman, researcher, former principal, and author of Influence, for a practical, eye-opening conversation on applied neuroscience, psychology, and learning. We unpack: Why thinking is not the same as learning (neurons fire vs. wire) How trust, relationships, and growth map directly onto the brain Why “one-and-done” PD and initiatives fail W...

In this wide-ranging conversation, Carol Ann Tomlinson reflects on her unconventional path into teaching and the classroom realities that led her to redefine differentiation—not as a set of tactics, but as an ethical stance toward learners. Key Themes & Takeaways: Differentiation ≠ multiple lesson plans: It’s about common goals with multiple pathways, supports, and timelines. Choice builds agency: Students learn more deeply when they can choose how they engage and demonstrate understanding. S...