Podcast: Teachers in America

2024 Illinois State Teach of the Year Briana Morales shares how she uses healing-centered engagement and storytelling to empower her students. Plus she shares writing activities to engage students in identity work and how to start a classroom dignity closet to help students in need.

HMH Teacher Ambassador Abbey Behnke shares instructional strategies and activities to engage students in vocabulary learning. Plus, she discusses how vocabulary is a catalyst for building reading comprehension skills.

In honor of 2024 Teacher Appreciation Week, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona joins HMH CEO Jack Lynch to discuss pressing issues in education, such as integrating AI in the classroom, tackling teacher burnout, and building respect for the teaching profession.

Third grade teacher and HMH Teacher Ambassador Latonia Grant discusses how data has been a valuable tool in her planning and instruction. Plus she shares data-driven planning tips, like how to lead data talks with students and how to collaboratively plan with peers.

Broward County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Dr. Claudia Singkornrat gives insight on her school’s 4-day schedule and how it impacts student learning.

Kindergarten teacher Melissa Hawkins joins us from Hawai'i to discuss student engagement, literacy instruction, and connecting with families.

Middle school math intervention teacher Melody Jacklin shares strategies on creating relevant and meaningful math lessons, incorporating STEM challenges in math instruction, and getting students comfortable with productive struggle.

Reading intervention teacher Jennie Mau reflects on her 35-year career in education and shares her favorite reading instructional strategies and tools that have helped her students thrive.

When Sherrye Scott realized her daughter needed additional help in school, she transitioned from a career in computer information systems to education. Now a math intervention teacher in Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in Texas, Sherrye shares how she incorporates social-emotional strategies into math instruction and how she motivates students to learn and succeed.

Oneida Nation High School principal and cultural leader Dr. Artley Skenandore shares how he encourages students to stay connected to their Oneida history, culture, and language. Plus he provides strategies on how to honor Native American heritage in the month of November and all year long.

Assistant principal Randolph Hull and reading intervention teacher Joshua Bzovi from the South Redford District in Michigan share how they’ve teamed up to support their middle school students in reading.

Adapted physical education teacher Eric Cavalli from Manor, Texas shares strategies to create an accessible learning environment for students.

Burrillville School District literacy fellow and HMH Teacher Ambassador Kayla Dyer discusses writing teaching strategies to successfully guide students through the writing process.

Texas dual language kindergarten teacher Blanca Hernandez shares how she builds a bilingual classroom culture that fosters a growth mindset in English and Spanish.

Third-grade Texas teacher Russell Souders shares tips on how he sparks students’ interest in reading, including how he uses programs like HMH Into Reading to engage students in literacy instruction.

Past NSTA President and HMH Into Science Texas author Dr. Karen Ostlund joins us to discuss the ins-and-outs of NGSS standards, technology's impact on student agency, and more.

30-year seasoned teacher and HMH Teacher Contributor Teresa Meredith shares her expertise on creating a classroom community space and establishing expectations in the first weeks of school.

In this 13-minute minisode, North Carolina State Teacher of the Year Leah Carper joins us again and talks about social and emotional learning strategies that have been successful with her Gen Z students.

Fourth-grade teacher and HMH ambassador Toney Jackson returns and shares tips to start off the school year as a Teacher MC, including how to empower students by sharing the stage and how to find your teaching crew.

Utah elementary literacy coordinator and education podcaster Dr. Jake Downs talks about best practices for literacy instruction, the science of reading, and data-based decision-making to help struggling readers.

Ohio teacher, David Staton, shares how he personalizes writing instruction and keeps students engaged in the last days of school.

Colorado teacher, Amber Reyes, shares strategies to engage students in fun phonics instruction, as well as resources to build fundamental reading skills.

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona shares his 2023 Teacher Appreciation Week message and details the Department of Education's "Raise the Bar: Lead the World" effort.

Interventionist Becky Walker discusses how she leverages technology to differentiate instruction for her diverse student population.

Thirty-year seasoned teacher Teresa Meredith shares best practices to build positive relationships with fellow educators on and offline. 

Education leaders Rachael Cunningham and Sarah Fox dispel common misconceptions about dyslexia and share best practices and programs to support dyslexic learners.

2023 North Carolina State Teacher of the Year Leah Carper shares how she's learned to leverage technology in her classroom.

2022 National Teacher of the Year finalist Autumn Rivera shares her journey as a middle school science teacher—from supporting social and emotional learning to making the great outdoors her classroom.

New Jersey teacher MC and poet Toney Jackson shares how he uses rhymes and raps to differentiate instruction to help meet the needs of all his students.

2022 DoDEA Teacher of the Year, Rachel Guilfoyle joins us from South Korea to discuss how she creates an inclusive classroom for her military-connected students.

Mother-daughter duo, Darla Moyers and Renae Kuhn from WV and VA, share a passion for education. In this episode of Teachers in America, they discuss their teaching journeys and touch on everything from student agency to blended learning.

Velnetta Runyon’s goal is to show students not to be afraid of math. She ensures that her middle schoolers are believed in and are pushed to their fullest potential. In this episode, see how she teaches perseverance from the first day of school.

Teacher and author of "I Wish My Teacher Knew", Kyle Schwartz, discusses how she helps students feel empowered to make a difference.

When customs broker Stacy Salter took on teaching elementary as a second career, she had to learn the ins and outs of classroom management to build student relationships.

Educator couple Rachel Lamb and Steven Lamb join us for a special episode on EdTech and Virtual Team Teaching.

Between their raised planters, vertical gardens, and hydroponic learning lab, Melissa Tracy and her high school students grow enough leafy greens to help feed the local community.

Hawai’i State Teacher of the Year Whitney Aragaki joins us for a discussion on place-based learning, her student-led science curriculum, and teacher mentoring.

Special guest U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona explains why now is the most impactful time to become a teacher.

From a museum to a bakery to a carnival, Autumn Dvorak's classroom transformations use hands-on projects and games to get her students excited about learning.

Pennsylvania educator Samuel Gonzalez has been teaching for just two years, and all while studying for his doctorate and serving in the National Guard.

We're kicking off season 4 with Chicago Public Schools teacher Misty Richmond, who discusses how she gets her students invested in STEM careers.

Elementary teacher Kitty Donohoe joins us for a discussion on reading, looping with her class, and her debut children’s novel, How to Ride a Dragonfly.

Meet fourth grade teacher Hannah French, who has moved many of her classes into the woods nearby. There, students engage in location-specific challenges, journaling, and free play.

Meet Qorsho Hassan, a second grade teacher and the 2020 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. On this episode we discuss the importance of independent reading, identity, and representation for our students.

Meet Perry Hollins, a fourth grade teacher and former DJ who has spent the past 11 years infusing an African-centered pedagogy into the curriculum. Perry utilizes his education to create a culturally responsive, project-based learning environment for independent, flexible thinkers.

Meet Owen Bondono, a high school ELA teacher and the first known transgender Michigan Teacher of the Year. He uses his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ student spaces and anti-racist teaching practices.

Meet Angelica Moreno, a Spanish kindergarten teacher at the Dual Language Academy at Dr. Sue Shook Elementary in El Paso, Texas. This week's discussion includes dual language learnering, the El Paso Walmart shooting, and the school's reaction to losing one of their own to COVID-19.

From the Teachers in America podcast archives, we bring you one of our favorite episodes--an interview with Juliana Urtubey, the upcoming 2024 Model Schools Conference closing keynote speaker and former National Teacher of the Year.

Meet Anthony Swann, a fifth grade teacher in Rocky Mount, Virginia. An advocate for hope and empathy when it comes to students contending with trauma, Anthony was named the 2021 Virginia Teacher of the Year.

Meet CJ Reynolds, a high school teacher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By creating the teacher YouTube channel Real Rap with Reynolds, he has discovered that what might be ordinary for his classroom, may be someone else's extraordinary.

Meet LaNesha Tabb, a kindergarten teacher at the Metropolitan School District in Lawrence Township in Indianapolis, Indiana. After starting a blog called Education with an Apron, LaNesha turned her sights on writing a book about the importance of teaching social studies.

Meet Danielle Riha, a middle school teacher at the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School in Anchorage. She is passionate about equity, indigenous languages, and culturally relevant lessons. She was the Alaska Teacher of the Year and one of four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year Award in 2019.

Meet Karen Johnston, an elementary school teacher at Harriet Tubman Montessori in New Orleans, Louisiana. Karen helps build a comfortable and open learning environment for her students by utilizing student-directed activities in mixed grade level classes.

Meet Karl Grubaugh, a former AP economics teacher and advanced journalism advisor at Granite Bay High School in California. A journalist and editor himself, Karl advised for the award-winning student newspaper The Granite Bay Gazette, and retired in 2020 after almost 40 years as an educator.

Meet Margarita Lezama, an ESL and ESOL teacher at Brownsville Middle School in Miami, Florida. Originally from Nicaragua, Margarita now teaches a large immigrant population and relates with her students on topics like coping with culture shock, learning English, and facing discrimination.

Sharon Biava joins us once again to discuss virtual learning during COVID-19, and how she adapted to her new digital classroom with the help of her students. A 4th grade math teacher at Silver Lakes Elementary in Florida, Sharon is passionate about literacy, civics, and equity for all students.

Meet Sharon Biava, a 4th grade math teacher at Silver Lakes Elementary in Miramar, Florida. A proud single mother of twins, Sharon has been an educator for 18 years and is a coach for both speech and debate and the chess team. She is passionate about literacy, civics, and equity for all students.

Meet Dr. Chris Emdin, an Associate Professor of Science Education at Columbia University in New York, NY. He is the founder of Science Genius and HipHopEd, and the author of of White Folks Who Teach In the Hood and the Rest of Ya’ll Too. Chris works to support diverse students and educators in their STEM learning through an understanding of race and culture.

Priyank Bhatt, a lead math teacher at West Side High School in Newark, New Jersey, joins us for a follow-up episode to discuss his experiences with virtual learning as an urban educator, and the social-emotional learning required in the age of COVID-19.

Priyank Bhatt, a lead math teacher at West Side High School in Newark, New Jersey, discusses his personal and professional journey, which began in India. From learning English with the help of a dedicated ELA teacher—and American cartoons—to excelling in math class and eventually tutoring his friends, Priyank forged a path rooted in education.

Meet Kelly Harper, a third-grade teacher at Mary Bethune Elementary in Atlanta, Georgia. After winning the 2019 District of Columbia Teacher of the Year Award and being named one of four finalists for the 2019 National Teacher of the Year, Kelly moved to Atlanta, where she employs social-emotional learning to work toward dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline.

Meet Sarah Lerner, an advisor for the award-winning yearbook Aerie and an English and journalism teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Sarah is passionate about mental health and advocating for gun reform and oversaw the publication of the student written anthology Parkland Speaks.

Meet Bianca Cole, a middle school special education and language arts teacher from Washington. From the effects of COVID-19 on Seattle to the Black Lives Matter protests that have taken place across America, 2020 has already presented Bianca with ample teaching moments outside of her classroom.

Meet Debra Liese, who met with Noelle to discuss Homeschooling during COVID-19. Like many parents, Debra has been working remotely full-time while helping to teach her children whose public schools have been shuttered during the COVID-19 crisis.

Meet Chris Dier, a teacher of World History and AP Human Geography at Chalmette High School in St. Bernard’s Parish, Louisiana, who is the 2020 Louisiana Teacher of the Year. Chris’s focus is to provide an equitable and multicultural education for all.

Get to know veteran educator, the original READ 180 teacher, and host of our Teachers in America podcast: Noelle Morris.

Meet Ms. Debra Reynolds, a world history teacher at Wicomico Middle School. She talks about building relationships with her students from day one, and how she finds time for her hobbies (like skydiving and antiquing)!

Meet Julia Allan, a Kindergarten teacher in Howard County Public Schools. She talks about equity in education, social-emotional learning, the tooth fairy, bus stresses, and the joys of seeing her students grow together.

Meet LaQuisha Hall, 2018 Baltimore City Teacher of the Year, as she talks about teaching in the community of Baltimore, using social media as a teacher, and being a survivor of sexual abuse and a former ward of the state.

Rodney Robinson, 2019 National Teacher of the Year, talks about the school-to-prison pipeline, teaching social studies and civics education to incarcerated students in a juvenile detention center, and other major education issues.

On Teachers in America, Tracy Childers, a science teacher at a STEM magnet middle school, talks about project-based learning, looping with his students, and considering retirement.

On Teachers in America, Monica Fitzgerald, a reading teacher and literacy coordinator, talks about growing up in a military family and as the child of an immigrant—and how she connects her experiences to her teaching practice.

Garrett Jackson, a special education teacher in Saipan, CNMI, talks about teaching in isolation, supporting students after a natural disaster, and using edtech in occupational therapy.

On the Teachers in America podcast, Georgette McClain, a life sciences teacher in Blanchester, Ohio, talks about school safety, teacher salaries, and state testing.

On the Teachers in America podcast, Alexa Tegtmeier, a 3rd grade teacher in Boston, talks about serving a large population of English Learners and the differences in access between districts.

This episode of Teachers in America features Donna Gradel, 2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year and a finalist for National Teacher of the Year.

On Teachers in America, Brittany Mamphey—a teacher in Cincinnati—talks about classroom management, teacher retention, and student empowerment.

On the Teachers in America podcast, Amanda Rack—a teacher in Southern California—opens up about the struggles of being a teacher mom.

On the Teachers in America podcast series, Rachel Swartz—a teacher in the Bronx, New York—talks bullying, SEL, and inspiring teachers