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Providing ideas and resources for K-12 teachers and school-based administrators.
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The Better Learning Podcast combines education and entertainment in a fresh, engaging format where guests share their favorite school-related movies. Host Kevin Stoller leads dynamic conversations, exploring memorable scenes, iconic characters, and timeless lessons through award-style categories like “The John Keating Award” for standout teachers and “Realistic or Ridiculous?” to dissect school life portrayals. With humor, analysis, and reflection, each episode celebrates the fun, flaws, and ...
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Steve Haberlin - Calming Student Stress: Mindfulness, Meditation, and Other Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Enhance Learning in K-12 Classrooms - 760
50:21
50:21
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Steve Haberlin - Calming Student Stress: Mindfulness, Meditation, and Other Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Enhance Learning in K-12 Classrooms. This is episode 760 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Steve Haberlin, PhD, is an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the College of Community Innovation and Education at…
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'Napoleon Dynamite' with Brian Parker, Carla Cummins, and Kevin Stoller
45:13
45:13
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In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, host Kevin Stoller is joined by co-host Carla Cummins and guest speaker Brian Parker, AIA, ALEP—Vice President of K-12 at MHTN Architects—for a quirky and insightful conversation centered around the 2004 classic Napoleon Dynamite. As one of only two Accredited Learning Environment Planners in Utah, Br…
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Ben Tanzer - After Hours: Scorsese, Grief and the Grammar of Cinema - 759
1:11:10
1:11:10
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Ben Tanzer - After Hours: Scorsese, Grief and the Grammar of Cinema. This is episode 759 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Emmy-award winner Ben Tanzer's acclaimed work includes the novel - The Missing, the short story collection UPSTATE, the science fiction novel Orphans and the essay collections Lost in Space and Be Cool. Ben is…
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'School of Rock' with Mason Pashia, Matt Rogers, and Kevin Stoller
59:28
59:28
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In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, host Kevin Stoller is joined by co-host Matt Rogers and guest speaker Mason Pashia, Partner (Storytelling) at Getting Smart Collective, for an energetic and thought-provoking conversation centered around the 2003 cult classic School of Rock. Known for his work amplifying the voices of educators and ch…
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What Are Green Schools and Why They Matter
34:29
34:29
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What is a Green School? When people hear “Green School,” they often picture solar panels, school gardens, or maybe a greenhouse out back. While those are pieces of the puzzle, the full picture is much more powerful. A Green School integrates sustainability into every aspect of the learning experience: from the design of its physical space to its cu…
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Craig Gehring - MasteryPrep: Helping Students Improve Their SAT & ACT Scores - 758
36:49
36:49
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Craig Gehring - MasteryPrep: Helping Students Improve Their SAT & ACT Scores. This is episode 758 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Craig Gehring is the founder and CEO of MasteryPrep. After he earned perfect scores on the ACT and SAT, Craig started tutoring to help students earn scholarships. He found that most students need more…
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'Stand and Deliver' with Don Baus, Victoria Morlan, and Carla Cummins
35:26
35:26
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In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, host Carla Cummins is joined by co-host Victoria Morlan as well as architect and education advocate Don Baus for a powerful conversation around the 1988 film Stand and Deliver. With decades of combined experience in designing and supporting student-centered environments, the two explore how the true s…
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Adam Geller - Observation Copilot: Turning Classroom Observation Notes into Feedback for Teachers - 757
32:16
32:16
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32:16
Adam Geller - Observation Copilot: Turning Classroom Observation Notes into Feedback for Teachers. This is episode 757 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Adam Geller is the Founder & CEO of Edthena which harnesses the power of AI and video coaching to enhance professional learning, boost teacher retention, and improve student outco…
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'High School Musical' with Candace Seda, Stephanie Seda, and Carla Cummins
51:26
51:26
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In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, Carla Cummins is joined by her daughter Jennifer Cummins and special guests Candace Seda and Stephanie Seda for a fun and thought-provoking dive into Disney’s 2006 cultural phenomenon High School Musical. With a multigenerational panel of educators, designers, and education advocates, the group explor…
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Lisa Gitelson - The Fresh Air Fund: Because a Summer Can Last a Lifetime - 756
32:10
32:10
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Lisa Gitelson - The Fresh Air Fund: Because a Summer Can Last a Lifetime. This is episode 756 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Lisa Gitelson is the CEO of The Fresh Air Fund. Each year the nearly 148-year-old nonprofit invites about 3,000 low-income New York City-based children ages 8-18 to spend the summer swimming, rowing, hiki…
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'Teachers' (1984) with Steve Miletto and Kevin Stoller
1:00:42
1:00:42
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Kevin Stoller is joined by longtime educator and podcast host Steve Miletto to unpack the 1984 film Teachers, a gritty dramedy that offers an unflinching critique of the American public school system. Directed by Arthur Hiller and starring Nick Nolte, Teachers dives headfirst into the dysfunction, bureaucracy, and burnout often hidden behind school…
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Sandra Jin - Bridging the Gap Between AI Optimism and Action Through PD - 755
40:44
40:44
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Sandra Jin - Bridging the Gap Between AI Optimism and Action Through PD. This is episode 755 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Sandra Jin is the Director of Innovation at Leading Educators, driven by her belief in self-determination as a fundamental right for every child. A former teacher inspired by her classroom experiences, she…
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Marianne Richmond - If You Were My Daughter: A Memoir of Healing an Unmothered Heart - 754
40:26
40:26
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Marianne Richmond - If You Were My Daughter: A Memoir of Healing an Unmothered Heart. This is episode 754 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Bestselling children's author Marianne Richmond has touched the lives of millions through her children's books that put into the world messages of love and belonging! She is now telling her ow…
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'Mean Girls' with Steven Shapiro, Nancy Shapiro Rapport, and Kevin Stoller
55:04
55:04
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55:04
Mean Girls, directed by Mark Waters and written by Tina Fey, is a cult classic teen comedy based on Rosalind Wiseman’s book Queen Bees and Wannabes. The film humorously yet accurately portrays the harsh realities of high school social dynamics, focusing on cliques, peer pressure, and the impact of popularity on self-identity. The story follows Cady…
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Laura Lipton - Groups at Work: Strategies and Structures for Professional Learning - 753
41:19
41:19
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Laura Lipton - Groups at Work: Strategies and Structures for Professional Learning. This is episode 753 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Laura Lipton, EdD, has been a featured speaker at international, national, and state conferences since 1984. She shares her expertise with thousands of educators throughout North America, Centra…
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'Top Gun' with Stacey Waxtan and Kevin Stoller
59:48
59:48
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Few movies capture the essence of leadership, teamwork, and adaptability quite like Top Gun. While it’s a high-octane film about elite fighter pilots pushing their limits, the lessons it offers extend far beyond the cockpit—straight into the world of education. Just like Maverick and his fellow aviators must embrace continuous learning, mentorship,…
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Ran D. Anbar, MD - The Life Guide for Teens: Harnessing Your Inner Power to be Healthy, Happy, and Confident - 752
48:03
48:03
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Ran D. Anbar, MD - The Life Guide for Teens: Harnessing Your Inner Power to be Healthy, Happy, and Confident. This is episode 752 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Ran D. Anbar, MD, FAAP, is board certified in both pediatric pulmonology and general pediatrics. He offers counseling and hypnosis services at Center Point Medicine in …
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Rev. Kathi Lockwood - Bridging Tough Conversations About Adoption and Addiction - 751
37:04
37:04
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Rev. Kathi Lockwood - Bridging Tough Conversations About Adoption and Addiction. This is episode 751 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Rev. Kathi Lockwood, M.Ed., is an Interfaith Minister, Reiki Master, spiritual optimist, and a children’s book author. She is the founder and CEO of the Heart Self Speaks Collective, a virtual home…
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Revisiting the Origins of Our Movie Review Format and Future Films
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36:36
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In this special episode, we take a nostalgic look back at the early recordings that sparked our popular movie review format. This episode is a fun compilation of guests sharing their favorite school-related movies and TV shows, along with their thoughts on what’s realistic — and what’s not — about those stories. Our guests represent voices from acr…
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David Adams - CEO of The Urban Assembly - Improving the Craft of Teaching with AI - 750
42:04
42:04
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David Adams - CEO of The Urban Assembly - Improving the Craft of Teaching with AI. This is episode 750 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. David is the Chief Executive Officer of The Urban Assembly. He started with the UA in 2014 as the Director of Social-Emotional Learning, where he created the Resilient Scholars Program (RSP), a u…
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'The Incredibles' with Mercedes Johnson, Katie Riley, and Kevin Stoller
55:47
55:47
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What Do The Incredibles and Educators Have in Common? In our latest Better Learning Podcast episode, we dive into The Incredibles (2004) and uncover powerful insights for educators. Just like Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl face lawsuits that restrict their powers, teachers often feel held back by red tape and policies that limit their ability to inn…
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Frank Lad - Just Plain Wrong: The Dalliance of Quantum Theory with the Defiance of Bell's Inequality - 749
59:10
59:10
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Frank Lad is a mathematician, author, and an educator. Perhaps he was destined to have a full career in mathematics and science. His parents met as postdocs at the University of Chicago while working on The Manhattan Project, his mother collaborating with James Franck there. His specialty in mathematical probability took him to France and Italy, wh…
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'Battle Royale' with BrandonToksMovies, Ben Treadway, and Kevin Stoller
57:55
57:55
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What happens when competition goes way too far? In this episode, we dive into Battle Royale—the cult classic that makes The Hunger Games look like a friendly school fundraiser—to uncover any connections to education. Joined by TikTok movie reviewers BrandonToksMovies and Ben Treadway, we break down the film’s themes of competition, authority, and s…
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Toby J. Karten - The ADMIRE Framework for Inclusion: Positive Strategies that Pave the Way for Students of All Abilities - 748
35:23
35:23
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Toby J. Karten - The ADMIRE Framework for Inclusion: Positive Strategies that Pave the Way for Students of All Abilities. This is episode 748 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Toby J. Karten is an experienced educator who has worked in the field of special education since 1976. As an accomplished author and researcher, she has pre…
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Barbara R. Blackburn - Rigor Is Not a Four-Letter Word: Strategies for Success, 4th Ed. - 747
45:37
45:37
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Barbara R. Blackburn - Rigor Is Not a Four-Letter Word: Strategies for Success, 4th Ed. This is episode 747 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Ranked in the Top 20 Global Gurus in Education, Barbara has dedicated her life to raising the level of rigor and motivation for professional educators and students alike. What differentiates…
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'Summer School' with Mark Greenberg, Eric Stoller, and Kevin Stoller
1:19:39
1:19:39
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It’s 1987. The surf’s up, the sun’s out, and high school teacher Freddy Shoop is about to have the summer of his life… until he’s roped into teaching remedial English to a group of students who would rather be anywhere else. In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, Kevin, Eric, and Mark crack open Summer School, the cult classic that blends …
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Jasmine K. Kullar - Training Teacher Leaders in a PLC at Work: A Guide to Cultivating Shared Leadership - 746
37:46
37:46
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Jasmine K. Kullar - Training Teacher Leaders in a PLC at Work: A Guide to Cultivating Shared Leadership. This is episode 746 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Jasmine K. Kullar, EdD, is a chief school leadership officer overseeing over 100 schools in a large metropolitan school district in Georgia. She is also a faculty member in …
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Jonathan G. Vander Els & Joshua Ray - The Foundation for Change: Focusing on the Four Pillars of a PLC at Work - 745
58:59
58:59
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Jonathan G. Vander Els specializes in supporting teachers and administrators in schools and districts across the country in developing, sustaining, and enhancing structures to support all learners. As a practitioner, Jonathan is able to blend his experience and expertise to meet educators where they are and assist them in developing practical next …
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'October Sky' with Michael Duncan, Carla Cummins, and Kevin Stoller
47:23
47:23
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Can one teacher change the course of a student’s life? Can curiosity survive in a system that prioritizes conformity? October Sky is more than just a heartwarming story about a boy and his rockets—it’s a powerful look at the impact of education, ambition, and the struggle between dreams and expectations. But how accurately does it reflect today’s s…
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Barbara J. Smith - Urgent Care for Educators: Situating Responsibility as a Way to Transform School Cultures - 744
51:31
51:31
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Barbara J. Smith - Urgent Care for Educators: Situating Responsibility as a Way to Transform School Cultures. This is episode 744 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Barbara Smith is a passionate educator who challenges the boundaries of "sameness" in schools. Smith's background includes over forty years in public, charter, independ…
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NL Holmes - Flowers of Evil: Hani's Daughter Mystery Series Book 1 - 743
31:23
31:23
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NL Holmes - Flowers of Evil: Hani's Daughter Mystery Series Book 1. This is episode 743 of Teaching Learning Leading K12. N.L. Holmes is an award-winning novelist embarking on another significant career phase. Prior to taking up the power of writing and using this pen name, she was an accomplished archaeologist and teacher for 25 years. Early in he…
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'Radio' with Meredith Watassek, Carla Cummins, and Kevin Stoller
59:28
59:28
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Radio is a powerful example of why being different doesn’t mean being wrong—and how society often struggles with that distinction. Based on a true story, the film follows the relationship between high school football coach Harold Jones (played by Ed Harris) and a young man with an intellectual disability, James Robert “Radio” Kennedy (played by Cub…
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