Best Jenn David Lang Podcasts (2025)

1
How to Support New Educators (Jenn David-Lang and Kim Marshall) 34:51

20d ago34:51

34:51

In this episode of the podcast, we speak with authors Jenn David-Lang, the Main Idea, and Kim Marshall, the Marshall Memo, about their work in curating the "best of" resources available to educators - particularly leaders working with new teachers as well as new teachers interested in self-growth. New teachers need certain supports beyond what Davi…

1
134 S9 E9 How Principals Can Elevate Instructional Impact with Principal Kafele 44:43

5d ago44:43

44:43

In this episode, Jenn David-Lang sits down with renowned educator and turnaround Principal Kafele to discuss his latest—and most personally significant—book: “What Is My Value Instructionally to the Teachers I Supervise?” This conversation zeroes in on the principal’s role as an instructional leader. Principal Kafele makes it clear that the core fo…

1
How to Build Confidence and Connection to Math (Susan Midlarsky) 31:27

6d ago31:27

31:27

In this episode, I talk with educator and author Susan Midlarsky about her book The Art of Learning Math: A Manual for Success. We explore how math can be more than numbers—how it can help students see patterns in life, solve problems creatively, and rebuild confidence after math-related stress or trauma. Susan shares: How recognizing relationships…

1
How AI Chat Bots Can Increase Student Creativity (Ken Kahn) 34:38

7d ago34:38

34:38

In this episode of the podcast, we chat with a pioneer in the AI space - Dr. Ken Kahn. Ken walks us through the amazing ways we can increase student creativity through the use of high-powered AI chat bots, not reduce it. We discuss how students can create games and simulations to demonstrate their knowledge of concepts in all core content areas, wi…

1
How to Raise a Citizen (Lindsey Cormack) 30:51

13d ago30:51

30:51

Drama critic George Jean-Nathan once said that "Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote." Although 47% of all young people eligible to cast a ballot in the 2024 presidential election did so, 53% did not. How did we get here? Professor Lindsey Cormack, author of the book "How to Raise a Citizen" believes that this situation, overa…

1
133 S9 E8 Rigor Redefined: Unpacking the Myths of Hard Work and Hierarchy 44:00

20d ago44:00

44:00

In this episode, Jenn David-Lang took the reins and had a fascinating conversation with Michael McDowell, author of Rigor Redefined: 10 Teaching Habits for Surface, Deep, and Transfer Learning. Listen to the podcast to hear how Michael challenges our traditional understanding of rigor. Apparently, rigor isn't just about things being "hard" or doing…

1
How to Prioritize Learning Strategies Not Preferences (John Hattie) 34:07

27d ago34:07

34:07

In this latest episode of the Have a Life Teaching Podcast, we chat with education researcher John Hattie - professor at the University of Melbourne. We discuss, despite evidence suggesting it is ineffective, the continued prevalence of the theory of learning styles and preferences and targeting instruction for individual students towards a specifi…

1
How to Prioritize Your Teaching Day (Ellen Linnihan) 29:55

1M ago29:55

29:55

We waste so much time as educators during the working day. If we are not chatting with colleagues during our prep periods, we are often using many of our precious minutes in our prep periods planning how we will use our prep periods. Teacher Ellen Linnihan, author of the book "Teacher Time Management - How to Prioritize Your Day So You Can Enjoy Yo…

1
132 S9 E7 Don't Let Them Drown: Practical Support for First-Year Teachers 35:14

1M ago35:14

35:14

In this episode, I'm incredibly excited to be joined by two amazing people: my fantastic co-host, Jenn David-Lang, who's also stepping in as a guest today, and the one and only Kim Marshall! We're diving into a topic that feels more important than ever right now: supporting new teachers. It's something I'm seeing firsthand as my daughter navigates …

1
How to Teach High School Students Executive Functioning Skills (Johanna Tramantano) 24:24

1M ago24:24

24:24

In an earlier episode, we spoke with Stanford University Professor Robyn Brinks Lockwood on how to better prepare high school students for the rigors of college communication and discourse (making presentations/speeches). In this episode, college professor and former high school ELA teacher Johanna Tramantano also sounds the alarm as it relates to …

1
How to Help Students Tell Stories That Stick (Dana Seith) 17:10

1M ago17:10

17:10

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by journalist Dana Seith, co-creator of the bold new storytelling card game Tell Me a Story — made in collaboration with The Bitter Southerner, We’re not just talking games — we’re talking transformation. In this episode, we unpack: - The five essential elements of unforgettable narrative storytelling - How stor…

1
How to Develop a Strong School Culture in 6 Steps (Samuel Nix) 39:29

2M ago39:29

39:29

This week on the podcast, we are joined by chief academic officer Samuel Nix who discusses his book - 6 Stepa to a Strong School Culture: A Leadership Cycle for Educational Success. Nix should know - having taken, as principal, his school to the top 30 in the nation. Too often, says Nix, school leaders go from crisis to crisis rather than developin…

1
131 S9 E6 Unlocking Educator Joy: Pathways and Permission 44:25

2M ago44:25

44:25

In this episode, Jenn and I are thrilled to welcome William Parker! A longtime educator from Oklahoma who transitioned into full-time consulting, speaking, and writing, Will is the author of "Messaging Matters" and his new book, "Whose Permission Are You Waiting For?: An Educator's Guide to Doing What You Love" Will shares how his new book, born fr…

1
How to Teach Effectively through WALKTHRUS: Bringing Rosenshine's Principles to Life (Tom Sherrington) 37:27

2M ago37:27

37:27

Brak Rosenshine first published his Principles of Instruction in 2010 through the International Academy of Education (IAE) as part of their Educational Practices Series (booklet No. 21). Taking his years of research, Rosenshine paired down what good teachers do to obtain good academic outcomes: review, chunk information, question, model, guide prac…

1
How to Support Multilingual Learners in STEM Classrooms (Darlyne de Haan) 35:38

2M ago35:38

35:38

Per our next guest on the podcast, MLL/STEM specialist Darlyne de Haan, there are over 900K high school MLL students in the USA - a large number of these students living in poverty (2014). While Algebra and other STEM classes can catapult students into lucrative STEM careers, still, only a very small percentage of MLL students take these courses. I…

1
Leading Through Adversity: Nicole Roder on Resilience, Relationships, and Rising Strong 37:44

2M ago37:44

37:44

In this episode of Standout Voices: Leadership Lessons,Russ sits down with Nicole Roeder, the 2025 Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year, to explore what it truly means to lead with heart and strength in the face of adversity. Nicole shares her journey as the principal of Rock Valley High School — a role marked not only by professional excellence bu…

1
How to Teach Primary Students Five Math Superpower Understandings (Patrick Sullivan) 38:03

2M ago38:03

38:03

Do You Know What the Superpower Understandings in Math Are? Recently, I wrote an article for ASCD about modeling Math through a gradual release framework. A common way through which to do this is to teach Math conceptually, representationally, and then abstractly (CRA Framework). However, there are other frameworks that help students understand Mat…

1
How to Implement a High School Summer Reading Program (Katie Gillies and Beverly Zbinden) 34:47

3M ago34:47

34:47

In this episode, we speak with Niles North High School Summer Reading Program leads ELA teacher Katie Gillies and librarian Beverly Zbinden. While summer reading may help reduce the potential student summer learning slide, Gillies and Zbinden discuss their true purpose in creating this ambitious project at North Niles High School - a large and dive…

1
How to Infuse Art and Creativity in K-12 Core Content Learning (Cheri Sterman and Elle LeBlanc) 38:38

3M ago38:38

38:38

Earlier in the second season of this podcast, we had as a guest Bo Stjerne Thomsen of LEGO Education discussing the importance of play in creative learning. In this episode, we continue our look at creativity in learning by discussing how to infuse art in the four core -content areas. In this discussion, we are joined by Cheri Sterman, Director of …

1
130 S9 E5 Don't leave teacher induction up to chance. 44:59

3M ago44:59

44:59

In this episode, Jenn has a conversation with one of the educators who was featured prominently in Harry and Rosemary Wong's latest book, THE New Teacher Induction Book: How to Recruit, Train, and Retain New Teachers. Tara Link is a leader who started an induction program 18 years ago in Moberly, Missouri. She joined Jenn to talk about Rosemary and…

1
How to Help Secondary Students Develop a Math Identity (Jennifer Lenhardt) 37:35

3M ago37:35

37:35

When students ask where are they EVER going to use the Math they are learning in middle and high school, there is usually something deeper going on; And that is a disconnect in, disinterest, and lack of curiosity in learning Math which manifests itself in misbehaving students. So says, Jenn Lenhardt - author of the book Common Denominators: Cultiva…

1
How Educators Can Share Their Voice (Douglas Fisher) 41:23

3M ago41:23

41:23

The other day, I was speaking with a colleague with whom I co-moderated a LinkedIn Live event, a year or two ago, on supporting multilingual students. She told me that, recently, someone reached out to her from across the country for support. I was so excited by this. I also get excited when people reach out to discuss my occasional online posts pr…

1
129 S9 E4 S.H.I.N.E Bright: Empowering Women Leaders with LaVonna Roth 43:10

3M ago43:10

43:10

March is Women’s History Month! This episode features a conversation with LaVonna Roth, an inspirational speaker and consultant whose work has inspired women leaders everywhere. Jenn introduced LaVonna, highlighting her impactful speaking on leadership. LaVonna shared her "S.H.I.N.E." framework, initially for students but powerfully applicable to a…

1
How to Integrate Reading and Writing in a Secondary Science Class (Daniel Argentar, Katherine Gillies, and Maureen Rubenstein) 34:56

3M ago34:56

34:56

As one of our next guest on the podcast, Daniel Argentar says, students need to know something to learn something. Students need to be able to read and write to be able to internalize scientific information. In this episode, we are joined by the authors of the book Reading and Writing Strategies for the Secondary Science Classroom to discuss the mo…

1
128 S9 E3 Are you REALLY ready to respond in an emergency? 42:56

4M ago42:56

42:56

Responding to emergencies takes two things: leadership and communication. Are you prepared? Mike and Jenn had a truly productive conversation with school preparedness expert, Chris Joffe. He talked about everything from why leaders need to start with themselves and understand how THEY respond to emergencies. He also shared that one of the essential…

1
How to Create Effective AI Prompts as a Teacher (Paul Cancellieri) 36:19

4M ago36:19

36:19

AI can really help teachers plan more engaging lessons in a time conscious manner. In this episode, we speak about how AI can help teachers to plan engaging lessons with North Carolina based science teacher Paul Cancellieri. Cancellieri is the author of the new book - 50 AI Prompts for Teachers. We discuss in particular: - Why it is important for t…

1
How to Integrate Play-Based Learning Into Your Teaching (Bo Stjerne Thomsen) 30:25

4M ago30:25

30:25

How to Teach Using Play Based Learning In this episode, we chat with Bo Stjerne Thomsen - Director of Education for LEGO Education and former VP with the LEGO Foundation - about how teachers can integrate physical objects (manipulatives) and play-based learning across all content areas. We also discuss: What Play Based Learning Is How it Helps Stud…

1
How to Respond to Book Bans as a Librarian/Educator (Amanda Jones) 30:13

4M ago30:13

30:13

Parents should always have the right to decide what books their student can read. But school system wide book bans are bad for children. So says our next guest on the Have a Life Teaching Podcast, former ALA librarian of the year Amanda Jones. In this episode, Jones - author of the book "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in the United …

1
127 S9 E2 Year of Acceleration for All (Yes, that includes Black Males) 40:11

4M ago40:11

40:11

Khalid Oluewu, principal of Webster Elementary School in Chicago, has done what many principals would love to do: He has created structures and practices at his school to ACCELERATE learning for all, and in particular for Black males. Wow. The idea started when he was a teacher and taught middle school math and had students come to him years behind…

1
Leading while Serving with Humility and Grace with Dr. D. Nathan Phinney 38:16

4M ago38:16

38:16

In this episode, Russ sits down with Dr. D. Nathan Phinney, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Northwestern College, to explore the intersection of leadership, service, and faith. Dr. Phinney shares his journey from faculty member to administrator, reflecting on the importance of humility, patience, and seeing leadership as an opportunity to se…

1
How to Teach the Science of Reading to PK-3 Students (Steve Underwood) 33:36

4M ago33:36

33:36

While oral language development is a process that occurs naturally, over time, the written word is a complex human produced system that, therefore, requires a systematic approach to decipher - or read. So says this week's guest on the podcast, Steve Underwood. In this episode, Underwood, former senior director of professional development with NWEA …

1
How to Co-Teach Effectively (Belinda Karge and Matt Rhoads) 42:10

5M ago42:10

42:10

Effective coteaching has so many benefits for students, particularly in terms of inclusion for students with special needs and for bilingual learners. So say today's guests on the podcast - Belinda Karge and Matt Rhoads - who are the authors of the book "Co-Teaching Evolved". Listen here to our conversation with Karge and Rhoads as we discuss sever…

1
126 S9 E1 A Truly Transformational Approach to Coaching 44:40

5M ago44:40

44:40

After 30 years in the field Elena Aguilar gathered all of her experience and learning and put together the most powerful book on coaching we've seen -- Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching. Elena sees coaching as the way -- one conversation at a time -- that we transform our schools. In this deeply insightful conversation she shares the impo…

1
How to Help Students Take Ownership of Their Own Learning (Aaron Hansen) 37:32

5M ago37:32

37:32

Too often, at best, students are compliant with school directives and, at worst, actively defiant much like inmates in a minimum security prison. So says, today's guest, Aaron Hansen - author of the book "Heroes Within" - on this episode of the Have a Life Teaching Podcast. In this episode, we speak with Hansen about ways through which teachers can…

1
How to Guarantee You Are Using a Deep Knowledge Curriculum (Nathaniel Swain) 39:43

5M ago39:43

39:43

In some schools, curriculum is prescribed. In other places, teachers put together their own learning materials. In either case, how do we know that what we are providing students, in terms of materials and content, will promote learning acquisition, extend thinking, and foster creativity? How do we know that it aligns with the science of learning? …

1
How to Enhance Student Curiosity in Your K-2 Math Classroom (Chepina Rumsey and Jody Guarino) 28:20

5M ago28:20

28:20

Too often, we think of early primary learners as empty recepticles to be filled. However, this is when creativity and ingenuity is most unfettered and/or non self-conscious. How then can we draw out what early primary students already know and think about Math? How might we get students to make conjectures and extend their thinking? I hope you will…

1
How to Teach the Holocaust in the 21st Century (Maud Dahme, Mike Pawloski, David Modigliani, and Catherine Clark) 48:23

5M ago48:23

48:23

How and Why Still Teach the Holocaust? After all, it has been 80 years since the liberation of the concentration camps and end of WWII. Unfortunately, the answer to this question is very simple. Look at the world around us where hate and prejudice continue to thrive. As such, I hope you will listen in to this special episode where we ask several pe…

1
How to Ground Your Teaching in Best Practice Research (Nathaniel Hansford) 33:47

6M ago33:47

33:47

Knowing research can help us to determine if what others may be telling us to do in our teaching is in the best interest of us and our students. So says, Nathaniel Hansford, a teacher in Canada and author of the book "The Scientific Principles of Teaching", In this episode, Hansford talks about the importance of aligning our teaching practices to w…

1
125 S8 E10 Relationships, Relationships, Relationships 43:27

6M ago43:27

43:27

Mike returns to the podcast! Jenn and Mike had a great conversation with Coach Carlos about his book Power Engage: Seven Power Moves for Building Strong Relationships to Increase Engagement with Students. No, he's not a coach of a sports team, but a former school leader who has successfully turned around three failing schools by improving STUDENT E…

1
How to Create Digital Projects that Elevate Student Voice (John Arthur) 40:21

6M ago40:21

40:21

In this episode, we chat with John Arthur, former Utah teacher of the year, current 6th grade teacher in Salt Lake City, and author of the new book "The Digital Projects Playbook." Join us here as we discuss not only the benefits of project based learning, a topic we also have discussed in earlier episodes, but also how and why to turn projects int…

1
124 S8 E9 Building trust matters, and it matters deeply in schools 43:46

6M ago43:46

43:46

Megan Tshannen-Moran and Jenn had a delightful conversation about the power of trust in schools. It is one of three factors that is so powerful that it oustrips SES in predicting student achievement. Far from being a "soft skill," building trust has become a must-have skill for educational leaders. In this conversation Megan not only defines trust …

1
How to Develop Your Capacity as a Servant Leader (David Gaston) 31:41

7M ago31:41

31:41

Leadership within 21st Century schools should be different from what those of us in Generation X or before experienced of our school leaders says my next podcast guest, David Gaston. Gaston is founder and CEO of Gaston Educational Consulting LLC and a former district superintendent in Charles City, Virginia. He also partners with Commonwealth Learn…

1
123 S8 E8 Is A.I. the teaching assistant we've all been waiting for? 54:05

7M ago54:05

54:05

What a great conversation about the new book, The Artificial Intelligence Playbook: Time-Saving Tools for Teachers that Make Learning More Engaging! Jenn got to talk to all three of the authors: Meghan Hargrave, Douglas Fisher, and Nancy Frey and learned so much. We discussed everything from what AI is and isn't, to the reasons leaders should addre…

1
How to Ensure Great City Schools (Tracey Quarles and Michael Casserly) 39:24

7M ago39:24

39:24

Urban schools are vitially important for ensuring the strength of our overall economy as well as the growth of democracy says Michael Casserly, former executive director and current senior consultant of the Council of Great City Schools, on this week's podcast. On this episode, Casserly discusses his new book - The Enduring Promise of America's Gre…

1
How to Use Physical Objects in Student Historical Inquiry (Leslie Hayes) 37:09

7M ago37:09

37:09

In this episode, we are joined by Leslie Hayes, Vice-President of Education at the New York Historical Society. Hayes discusses how even the simplest item - a Dunkin Doughnuts Coffee Cup for example - can unleash deep and engaging student conversation on what everyday items tell us about the cultures we currently live in as well as about past times…

1
122 S8 E7 How to Supercharge Your Communication 41:45

7M ago41:45

41:45

You probably know Charles Duhigg from his book, The Power of Habit. Or maybe Smarter Faster Better. Now he has a newer book out that is another great resource for school leaders — Supercommunnicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection. Charles shares with Jenn how people mess up communication and how to improve it. He says that most m…

1
Growing in Leadership as a Lifelong Learner with Gary Richardson 31:40

7M ago31:40

31:40

We’re excited to share that we’ve made some big changesaround here! The Transforming Education: Leadership Lessons podcast is now Standout Voices: Leadership Lessons. Not only have we given the show a fresh new name, but we also have a brand-new host guiding the conversation as Russ Adams has taken over for Gary Richardson. In this installment of S…

1
How to Design Community Informed Schools (Jenee Henry Wood) 37:27

7M ago37:27

37:27

For too long, schools have been designed using either a top down or bottom up approach; top down where administration makes all system decisions or bottom up where leadership is responsive to parent needs and wishes. However, in each model, important stakeholders are missing from the decision making table - students, families, leadership, teachers,…

1
How Schools Can Create Systems To Weather the Unexpected (Geri Parscale and Darcy Kraus) 35:59

7M ago35:59

35:59

Did you know that two out of every three students will experience a traumatic event before they reach the age of 16? Trying to be clearheaded during a crisis is difficult. As such, schools must therefore be prepared to address the unexpected before the unexpected happens. But how to prepare for all of the unknowns that can befall our students and t…

1
How Schools Can Support Grieving Students (Lindsay Schambach) 37:39

7M ago37:39

37:39

Did you know that November is Children's Grief Awareness Month? Or, that 1/12 U.S. children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18? Grief is a normal part of life, and schools must find ways to support students experiencing it. Join my next guest - Lindsay Schambach , CEO of the NJ based Imagine Grief Support Center - and I as w…

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Jenn David Lang Podcasts

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