Beyond My Years – Details, episodes & analysis

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Beyond My Years

Beyond My Years

Amplify Education

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/20d. Total Eps: 34

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Host Ana Torres knows firsthand how hard it is to be a teacher. That's why on Beyond My Years, she seeks out the people who have thrived over decades in the classroom: seasoned educators.  You'll hear stories that make you cry, make you laugh... and may change the way you think.

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Strategies for new teachers to overcome disillusionment, starring Tina Boogren, Ph.D.

Season 2 · Episode 5

mercredi 12 novembre 2025 • Duration 39:58

Tina Boogren, Ph.D., joins Ana Torres, not only to discuss how it’s completely normal for first-year teachers (and even some veterans) to experience disillusionment, but also to offer tactics for overcoming those feelings. Tina and Ana kick off this episode by explaining Ellen Moir's “The Phases of First-Year Teaching," which outlines the emotional stages new teachers move through. They discuss how teachers have to name their feelings to tame their feelings, the difference between stress and burnout, and the importance of giving ourselves grace and avoiding comparison with others. Tina also details her three research-backed strategies for self-care: gratitude, altruism, and laughter. Finally, Classroom Insider Eric Cross joins Ana to share takeaways from the interview, including how and why to ask for help, even if it’s just so you can take a small break.

Show notes: 

Quotes:

“It's teeny tiny little things. When you combine those together, you are tapping into that brain research that's giving our brain a different assignment and looking for the positive. And we will find it.” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D. 

“I always say it's an ‘and’; it's not an ‘or.’ It's not instruction or self-care.” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D. 

 ”It's those small wins that we look over. If we're not looking for them, we can miss them, and we just keep thinking, ‘I'm not as good as that person.’” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D. 

“It's vulnerable but it's necessary to be able to honor yourself and say, ‘I need help. I need support.’” —Ana Torres

“Sometimes your day is just teaching someone a life skill…and hopefully that's going to get them to learning.” —Eric Cross 

“ Whatever I'm feeling is not just impacting me, even though I want to think it is, or that I’m masking it. I know that if I'm not at my A game, it's impacting my students.” —Eric Cross

Phone policies and the science of self-control, starring Angela Duckworth, Ph.D.

Season 2 · Episode 4

mercredi 29 octobre 2025 • Duration 45:41

Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., the New York Times bestselling author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, joins Ana Torres to discuss school phone policies and what the science of self-control can tell us works. In this episode, Angela highlights the many complexities surrounding student cell phone use in schools and why there is a need to conduct research, such as her “Phones in Focus” study, to look at which phone policies are actually yielding the best outcomes. She also outlines the limitations of “growth mindset” and "simply trying hard," and instead suggests four ingredients that set young people up to reach their goals. Finally, Ana and Classroom Insider Eric Cross reflect on Angela’s insights, and Eric shares the strategies he plans to implement to provide mentors to his students.

Show notes:

Quotes:

“It is not just trying hard that makes you successful. You need to be set up in a situation that helps you like an ally, as opposed to fighting you like an enemy.” —Angela Duckworth, Ph.D.

“Aside from parents, there's nobody more important than teachers in the life of a kid. They are looking to you as a role model.” —Angela Duckworth, Ph.D.

“The strategy for regulating yourself that is the most successful for people of any age tends to be situation modification. That is not relying on willpower, but deliberately placing things either farther or closer, depending on whether you want to do them more or do them less.” —Angela Duckworth, Ph.D.

“There is nothing more beautiful than a person who is fulfilling their potential. When people are doing what they love and doing it with all of their heart, it is like music. It is like poetry.” —Angela Duckworth, Ph.D.

“That science of self-control—we have to actually teach that to our students. That is not something they come out of the womb knowing how to do.” —Ana Torres

Your starter pack to mentorship, starring Serena Klosa

Season 1 · Episode 10

mercredi 8 janvier 2025 • Duration 49:28

Today on Beyond My Years, host Ana Torres gets wisdom from Serena Klosa, an educator with 37 years of experience as a teacher, principal, and now deputy chief of schools. Serena discusses what it takes to be a good mentor and to be mentored by others—stressing the humility it requires and the strength it creates. She also shares stories of the “Queens of the Third Floor” and their no-nonsense approach to mentoring, and opens up about the lessons she won’t let herself forget. Taking all those lessons back to the classroom, Ana and Classroom Insider Eric Cross discuss maintaining positive routines with students, staying humble, and valuing every role in the school.

Show notes:

Quotes:
“Every kick in the butt is a boost up.” —Serena Klosa

“My teaching is not something I do. It's who I am.” —Serena Klosa

“Asking for mentoring is not a sign of weakness. It's saying, ‘I want to be better and I want to grow.’ And  sometimes, if you don't ask, they're not going to do it.” —Serena Klosa


The best of Beyond My Years (so far!)

jeudi 19 décembre 2024 • Duration 03:25

To close out the year, we’re revisiting some of our favorite moments from the first nine episodes of the Beyond My Years podcast – and looking ahead at some of what’s to come in 2025! 

Listen to Beyond My Years: 

Advancing together as educators, starring LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.

Season 1 · Episode 9

mercredi 4 décembre 2024 • Duration 46:56

On this episode of Beyond My Years, Ana Torres picks up every nugget of wisdom she can learn from LaTonya M. Goffney, Ed.D., superintendent of schools for the Aldine Independent School District in Texas. LaTonya shares her journey through many different roles in education before she ended up in an educational leadership role. She stresses the importance of building a teaching community, including finding teacher mentorship, having people advocating for you, and valuing the work you do. LaTonya notes that if it weren't for those that believed in her and encouraged her to strive for more, she never would have ventured to apply for the opportunities she did. She goes on to share one of her most valuable lessons: As you grow in education, you need to make sure you're looking behind you and pulling other people up. She concludes with tips for connecting with other educators, learning from each other constantly, and continuing to grow. Taking all those opportunities back to the classroom, Eric and Ana discuss pursuing professional growth opportunities, embracing your power as an educator, and focusing on excellence where you're at.

Show notes:


Quotes:
"When you have passion for people and you have a purpose for making a difference, and if you're open to learning, anything is possible. And that's what my life has demonstrated in education." —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.

"The best way to get the next job is to do a good job where you are." —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.

"Public education is the profession that makes all other professions possible." —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D.

"We can't be siloed. We can't just go to our classrooms, close the door, and not be helpers to one another." —LaTonya Goffney, Ed.D

Teaching takes trust, starring Luz Selenia Muñoz

Season 1 · Episode 8

mercredi 20 novembre 2024 • Duration 49:47

Today on Beyond My Years, host Ana Torres walks alongside Luz Selenia Muñoz as she retraces the path that led her from planning to become a psychologist in Puerto Rico to living in Chicago as a veteran bilingual teacher with 20 years under her belt. Luz shares how finding her happy place in second grade took time, describing how she quickly learned that teaching upper elementary was not for her. She also dives into how immigrating from Puerto Rico to the United States taught her how to persevere through the struggles of a new environment, and how she learned to balance her independence with reliance on and trust in her fellow educators for support. Luz stresses some of the most important lessons she has learned along the way, including teaching a culture rather than just a language, staying focused on your target language, making connections with students, trying something different instead of giving up, and understanding that tomorrow will get better.

Show notes:

Quotes:
“I'm here to teach this language. And it's not just the language; it's the culture that comes with the language.” —Luz S. Muñoz

“Sometimes people say, ‘Oh, teaching is not for me. I tried for one year and it didn't work.’ Maybe you were in the wrong place. Maybe that's not the grade level for you. Just try something different before quitting. Try something different.” —Luz S. Muñoz

“You need a lot of love for your students. Doesn't matter where you are. You need love for your students and understanding that tomorrow is going to get better.” —Luz S. Muñoz


Para enseñar se necesita confianza, con Luz Selenia Muñoz

mercredi 20 novembre 2024 • Duration 14:10

En este episodio especial de Beyond My Years, Ana tiene el placer de hablar con Luz Selenia Muñoz en español, su idioma de origen. Luz ha sido maestra por 20 años, en dos países diferentes y en dos idiomas distintos. Con toda esa experiencia, Luz comparte las lecciones que le han parecido trascendentes para todos los estudiantes y todas las escuelas, como la importancia de crear conexiones significativas con los estudiantes, ser paciente con sus estudiantes y consigo misma, así como encontrar colegas que hablen su idioma de origen. Luz también entrega a los oyentes una estrategia fácil y factible que pueden intentar hoy mismo para involucrar a los estudiantes mediante la escucha activa cuando da las instrucciones.

In this special bonus episode of Beyond My Years, Ana has the joy of speaking with Luz Selenia Muñoz in her native language of Spanish. Luz has been a teacher for 20 years, in two different countries and in two different languages. With all that experience, Luz shares the lessons that stand out as transcendent across all students and all schools like the importance of making meaningful student connections, being patient with your students and with yourself, and finding fellow teachers that speak your native language. She also gives listeners an easy, actionable strategy they can try out today to engage students in active listening when teachers are giving instructions.

Show notes:


Quotes:
Yo creo que le diría que tenga paciencia. Paciencia. Que respire. Que las cosas van a mejorar cada día."–Luz Selenia Muñoz

"Yo diría que algo que se ha quedado grabado es hacer conexiones. Hacer conexiones con los estudiantes, conocer quiénes son, de dónde vienen, qué les gusta. Y al hacer eso haces tu vida como maestro más fácil y más sencilla."–Luz Selenia Muñoz

Teaching takes joy, starring Rebecka Peterson

Season 1 · Episode 7

mercredi 6 novembre 2024 • Duration 49:56

Today on Beyond My Years, host Ana Torres delves into the wisdom offered by Rebecka Peterson, an educator whose journey began much like Ana’s: as a young immigrant to the United States. Rebecka shares all that she has come to love and appreciate about the K–12 environment after a tough transition from teaching college-level courses. She also reveals her most important lesson learned: Teach humans over content. Rebecka talks about her “One Good Thing” blog, where she documented daily positives in her classroom that transformed her perspective on teaching. She shares personal experiences of feeling like an outsider and how those experiences drive her to create an environment of belonging for her students. Rebecca stresses the significance of building authentic relationships with students as well as the impact of mentors in education. Taking all those lessons back to the classroom, Eric and Ana discuss strategies like “rebellious joy” that are essential to sustaining a long career in education.

Show notes:

Quotes:
“That's how we build our joy, how we build our resiliency—when we do the work together.” —Rebecka Peterson

“I thought…I had to earn my seat at the table. I don't want any kid to ever think they have to earn their spot. I want them to know they are in, exactly as they are. There is no need to perform. They are loved on their good days, their hard days, whether they make the 'A' or not—they are in. And more than that,  they are celebrated.” —Rebecka Peterson

“It takes a lot of courage to stand in the present. It is mindfulness. It is joy.” —Rebecka Peterson

“This was like training my brain to become a good noticer and to take delight in my students’ quirks, and their genius, and their goofiness, as well as their beauty.” —Rebecka Peterson


Teaching is advocacy, starring Missy Testerman

Season 1 · Episode 6

mercredi 23 octobre 2024 • Duration 48:09

Today on Beyond My Years, host Ana Torres learns from the best, sitting down with 2024’s National Teacher of the Year, Missy Testerman. Missy talks about always being open to new ideas and perspectives, offers tips on building relationships with families, and discusses the importance of slowing down. She also shares the story of being the “bossy” kid in the classroom, because she wanted to help her classmates learn.Today, she feels that being a dedicated teacher means advocating for her students, because she believes that showing up means creating a vital safe place. Missy does not shy away from tough topics, such as knowing when it’s time to step away from teaching, and managing the “who knows best” struggle between administrators and teachers, parents and teachers, etc. Taking all those lessons back to the classroom, Ana and her Classroom Insider Eric Cross discuss understanding your community, being more flexible and present in your lessons, and seeking mentorship and continuous growth.

Show notes:

Quotes:
“The reality is that the journey toward wisdom in any career, especially in education, has to be slow and steady.” –Missy Testerman

“I want them to be proud of where they came from, always, because that's part of their story. It's always going to be an important part of their story.” –Missy Testerman

“I had a mentor who said, ‘Sometimes you have to slow down teaching to speed up learning.’ Slowing down, allowing those spontaneous moments to happen, allowing it to interrupt your plan, and then going there and diving into that, because you got the engagement. You have these natural phenomena. You have this natural curiosity. And that's true learning. And that's what's memorable.” –Missy Testerman

Teaching is listening, starring Patti and Rod Lloyd

Season 1 · Episode 5

mercredi 9 octobre 2024 • Duration 47:07

Today on Beyond My Years, host Ana Torres takes you to the northernmost region of Alaska to sit down with Patti and Rod Lloyd. Patti and Rod are longtime educators in a rural school district where caribou outnumber people, the village is only accessible by plane, and the indigenous culture of the Iñupiat people goes back 10,000 years. They teach Ana about how they make the content matter by connecting it to student life outside of the classroom, the honor of teaching where children are the most valuable part of the community, the importance of listening more than you speak, and they offer advice for teaching responsibly as an outsider. They also share stories of how the first week of every school year is spent connecting to the land and having the village elders teach about their culture, emphasizing the joy to be found when you open yourself up to what your students have to teach you. Throughout the conversation, it is clear that despite teaching in a unique landscape, the lessons that Patti and Rod have learned are applicable to teaching any student anywhere. Taking all those lessons back to the classroom, Eric and Ana discuss the benefits of building genuine community relationships, making learning culturally relevant, and the importance of focusing on effective teaching methods.

Show notes:

Quotes:
“I wish I could go back and tell myself, ‘Don't be so concerned with what you're teaching but how you're teaching it.’ Really get into the community.” —Rod Lloyd 

“We’ve just got to be quiet enough, long enough to hear what our students are saying—or not saying.” —Patti Llloyd 

“I know teaching now is a very high-pressure situation. There is so much pressure on us and so much to do, but we can't forget to take that time and enjoy it because if you enjoy it, your kids will enjoy it.” —Rod Lloyd




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