Category Archives: Podcast Episodes

265: Effective Classroom Routines: A Strong Start


What if the first five minutes of class could set the tone for everything that follows? Those opening moments are easy to overlook, but they can be some of the most powerful minutes of our lesson. Instead of letting them disappear into routines and interruptions, what if we used them intentionally to build proficiency, establish expectations, and get students communicating from the moment they walk in? In this episode, we’ll look at simple routines that help you start strong—and make every minute count. 

Topics in this Episode: 

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

264: Concrete Ways to Engage, Challenge and Motivate Your Students


Have you ever wondered why some lessons seem to spark deeper engagement and learning than others? In this episode, we’re exploring the TRU Framework—Teaching for Robust Understanding—and what it looks like in the world language classroom. We’ll unpack five key dimensions: Content, Ownership and Agency, Cognitive Demand, Equitable Access, and Formative Assessment. You’ll discover how these ideas align with proficiency-based teaching and help create learning experiences where students feel valued, challenged, engaged, and motivated to communicate with confidence.

Topics in this Episode: 

  • The TRU Framework (Teaching for Robust Understanding)
  • A framework that shifts our focus away from simply covering material and toward creating learning experiences where students think deeply, participate meaningfully, and develop confidence as language users
  • Students feel confident, motivated, and valued; are engaged and learning is purposeful; see learning as relevant to their lives.
  • 5 dimensions of the TRU Framework: 
    • Content
    • Ownership and Agency
    • Cognitive Demand
    • Equitable Access
    • Formative Assessment
  • My “5 Dimensions of Engaging and Purposeful Classrooms

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

 

263: Revisit Writing in the Language Classroom


This is episode 8 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning next week on August 31st, you will have new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at writing in the language classroom in episodes 239 and 240.

Topics in this Episode: 

262: Revisit Assessment and Feedback


This is episode 7 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at Assessment and Feedback in episodes 216, 249 and 252.

Topics in this Episode: 

261: Revisit Teaching Culture With Purpose


This is episode 6 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at teaching culture with purpose in episodes 241, 245 and 247.

Topics in this Episode: 

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

260: Revisit Classroom Routines


This is episode 5 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at Classroom Routines in episodes 224 and 233.

Topics in this Episode: 

259: Revisit CI Activities


This is episode 4 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at CI Activities in episodes 218, 222, 228, 231 and 232.

Topics in this Episode: 

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

258: Revisit ACTFL 2025


This is episode 3 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at ACTFL 2025 in episode 225.

Topics in this Episode: 

257: Revisit Sustainable Teaching


This is episode 2 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at Sustainable Teaching in episodes 230 and 250.

Topics in this Episode: 

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

256: Revisit Student Motivation


This is episode 1 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at Student Motivation in episodes 235 and 237.

Topics in this Episode: 

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.