Explore every episode of the podcast Brave New Teaching: A Podcast for High School and Middle School Teachers
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine, We Can Game-ify Reading (But No Gimmicks!) - BNT Team Meeting [Episode 275] | 20 Nov 2025 | 00:29:01 | |
Consider this your official invite to our Brave New Teaching team meeting! We’re catching you up on life, sharing what’s happening in our classrooms and libraries, and digging into why fun and whimsy are essential for bringing joy back to reading. We talk about the real challenges of getting students excited about books, our evolving thoughts on “gamifying” reading, and the gimmicks (or whimsy!) that actually work. Resources:
Related Episodes:
SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode275 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| TEACHING DYSTOPIA: Our NEW Favorite Stories & Protagonists [Ep 274] | 23 Oct 2025 | 00:29:24 | |
Think you’ve seen all the dystopia books out there? Think again! In part three of our “Teaching Dystopia” series, we share hidden gems, fresh picks, and classics, from middle grade survival stories to YA novels exploring climate change and government control. We highlight favorites like Alone and Station Eleven, plus TV and movie options like The Simpsons and Fringe to spark discussion and critical thinking. Want more on this topic? Join us in Happy Hour, where we’ll keep the conversation going! Check out the show notes for the full list of books we mentioned in this episode: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode274 Resources: "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| BREAK FOR THE 4TH: Amanda’s Road Trip Advice for Teacher Parents [Ep 265] | 03 Jul 2025 | 00:53:47 | |
It’s Amanda here, and if you’ve ever hit the road with a car full of kids (or just your teacher brain trying to stay five steps ahead) you know that summer travel takes some serious strategy. In this solo episode, I’m sharing all my favorite tips for stress-free, memory-filled road trips. From how I set up my car to the genius packing system that saves me from digging through suitcases at midnight, I’ve got you covered. I’m also diving into the nerdy (but fun!) extras that make our trips even better—like our go-to museum memberships that get us into spots across the country for free or at a discount. Plus, I’m sharing my must-have travel apps, kid entertainment hacks, snack solutions, and everything else that’s helped us stay sane on the road. If you’re road-tripping this summer, this one’s for you! Resources: SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode265 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 180. THE ONE PAGER QUIZ: A FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT WALKTHROUGH | 30 Nov 2023 | 00:13:43 | |
We understand the importance (and challenge) of finding engaging and effective ways to assess student learning. That’s why we created a F-R–E-E masterclass that walks you through three formative assessments that will change the way you teach reading.
SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode180 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 179. HAPPY THANKSGIVING: THANKFUL FOR SESAME STREET (RE-RUN) | 23 Nov 2023 | 00:26:55 | |
Happy Thanksgiving, friends! We are so very thankful for YOU and all that you do to support this podcast. We wanted to do something fun for today's episode, and if you know us then it probably comes as no surprise that fun sometimes comes in the form of formative assessments! Specifically, a Sesame Street Quiz. That's right, we've got a Thanksgiving themed Sesame Street Quiz on today's show. We hope you enjoy this re-run. If you have questions about how to create engaging assessments that assess more than just student recall, head over to our FREE "Down With the Reading Quiz" Masterclass: shop.bravenewteaching.com/masterclass SHOW NOTES: "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 178. UNIT MAKEOVER: RHETORICAL ANALYSIS | 16 Nov 2023 | 00:36:21 | |
We’re excited to share another installment of our unit makeover series. This time we’re delving into teaching rhetoric analysis in the classroom. We’ve noticed a pattern in the feedback we receive from you, our listeners, and we’ve decided to structure this episode as a mini-professional development session for teaching rhetoric. You’ll hear our two main approaches to teaching rhetoric: a focus on text or a focus on skills. A text-centered approach involves using a central text and supplementing it with other texts to teach the skills of rhetorical analysis. On the other hand, a skills-centered approach involves teaching students how to deconstruct arguments and analyze rhetoric without a specific central text. We share plenty of examples for both approaches, which we hope will give you lots of ideas to take back to your students! Is this topic something that you would like to see a live training or workshop on? Let us know by sending us a message on Instagram @bravenewteaching! Resources:
Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode178 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 177. THE ULTIMATE TEACHER-GROWTH PROGRAM: MODERN CLASSROOMS PROJECT | 09 Nov 2023 | 00:47:45 | |
Teaching and learning is not a one-size-fits-all, which is why we need to redesign our classrooms in order to meet the needs of all our students. Today’s guest will give you a dose of inspiration to help you thrive in today’s teaching climate. MORE RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode177 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 176. LESSON PLAN RESCUE: LITERARY TERMS | 02 Nov 2023 | 00:33:39 | |
Let’s paint a picture of a scenario that most of us have likely been in at one point or another. You have a list of literary terms that you want your students to learn. You’re teaching them over and over (and over) again. You’ve given them the lists. You’ve played Kahoot and Jeopardy. You’ve done all the things, and yet, your students still can’t analyze literacy terms. Sound familiar? Well, have you tried caring less and letting them cheat? We know it sounds crazy, but hear us out! It actually makes more sense than you think. In this episode, we’re here with a lesson plan rescue that will share several solutions for you to try in your classroom. Resources:
Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode176 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 175. The Best Medicine: What Teachers Need Right Now (an Interview with Gaspare Randazzo) | 26 Oct 2023 | 00:49:12 | |
Brave New Teaching friends, you are in for a treat (and lots of laughs) today! We have Gaspare Randazzo on the show. Gaspare is a history teacher and comedian who you may know from TikTok or Instagram. Gaspare shares his journey that led to teaching high schoolers, the importance of connecting with your students, and how his teaching experience has prepared him for stand-up comedy. Without a doubt, Gaspare will bring lots of laughter to your day, and at the same time, you’ll see his unwavering commitment to his students and the world of education. You can catch an extended episode with Gaspara over on Happy Hour! Resources:
Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode175 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 174. SYNTHESIS ESSAY LIVE COACHING | 19 Oct 2023 | 00:27:39 | |
We recently hosted a live training session with members of the Brave New Teaching community and let’s just say, it was pretty awesome! During this training, we focused on teaching and guiding students through the process of synthesis writing. So today in this podcast episode, we’re bringing you part of that live session. You’ll hear us talking through writing a prompt, using essential questions, and other things to keep in mind when you are crafting a prompt for a synthesis writing assignment. Plus, we give a couple of different options for outlining. After listening, if you want to hear more, you can access the full training where we walk through some real-life examples of writing, sentence frames, helping our students understand how to synthesize, and more. Grab the full coaching session here! Resources:
Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode174 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 173. PICTURE BOOK LESSON WALKTHROUGH (RE-RUN) | 12 Oct 2023 | 00:31:14 | |
Using picture books is one of our favorite strategies for opening up a unit or individual lesson. Without fail, it always sparks interest and gets students excited to learn about the topic at hand! Tune in to hear us walk through a lesson plan using one of our favorite picture books to introduce a unit in Dystopia.
Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode62 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 172. 3 SECRETS TO TEACHING DYSTOPIA | 05 Oct 2023 | 00:29:16 | |
What time is it? Dystopia time! We all know how important it is to engage our students with relevant and thought-provoking content, and dystopia is the perfect genre to do just that. Today we’re sharing three secrets to teaching dystopia that will help you get the most out of your units. It’s not just about reading dystopian novels. Dystopia is a great opportunity for our students to dig deep, think critically, and connect with characters. We’ll discuss strategies such as how to contextualize current events and legislation alongside these texts, allowing our students to bridge the gap between themselves, history, and different parts of the world. Resources:
Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode172 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 171. NEW DYSTOPIAN TEXTS & SUPPLEMENTS FOR YOUR ELA CLASSROOM | 28 Sep 2023 | 00:38:05 | |
Many of you have been eagerly waiting for us to dive back into the dystopian genre. You don’t have to ask us twice! We love any excuse to geek out over dystopian literature and that’s exactly what we’re doing today.
Resources:
SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode171 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| AARON H. ACEVES: A Conversation about This is Why They Hate Us [Ep 264] | 26 Jun 2025 | 00:44:36 | |
This episode lit us up in the best way. Amanda sat down with Aaron H. Aceves, author of This Is Why They Hate Us, for a heartfelt conversation about identity and the power of honest storytelling. Aaron’s openness about his own journey challenged us to reflect on how we, as educators, can lead with vulnerability and create space for students to do the same. His protagonist, Enrique, is messy, hilarious, and deeply real—and that kind of representation matters more than ever in our classrooms. Aaron reminded us that books like his are more than stories—they're lifelines for students who need to see themselves in the pages they read. This conversation is a love letter to teachers everywhere, doing the work to bring authentic, diverse voices into their classrooms. We hope it leaves you feeling as inspired as it left us. Resources: Connect with Aaron: More Camp BNT 2025 Episodes:
SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode264 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 170. LESSON PLAN RESCUE: CLOSE READING SOLUTIONS | 21 Sep 2023 | 00:25:01 | |
A few months ago, we sent out a listener survey to get a feel for what you wanted to hear more of on the Brave New Teaching podcast. The overwhelming consensus was that you wanted detailed lesson advice. We hear you and we’re ready to deliver with our new “lesson plan rescue” series! Resources:
Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode170 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 169. SUMMER READING DEBRIEF & FALL BOOKS FOR OUR TBR | 14 Sep 2023 | 00:37:01 | |
It’s time for another reading update! We’re sharing what we read (and loved) this summer, and what we plan to read this fall. These updates seem to help us keep up with our reading and we hope it does the same for you. We have a variety of recommendations today from historical fiction, YA, and fantasy, to plays and musicals. You can see our recommendations below or shop our full lists here and here. Resources:
Let us know what you think! Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode169 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 168. MISTAKES WE'VE MADE: BACK TO SCHOOL | 07 Sep 2023 | 00:37:27 | |
Whether you’re a first year teacher or a teacher with 20+ years of experience, we all make mistakes throughout the school year. These mistakes ultimately teach us how to pivot and do things differently in the future. We’ve made our fair share of mistakes, and today we’re sharing four that made specifically during the back to school season. From comparing student rosters to giving too much information on the first day of school, we hope you can avoid these mistakes as you kick off the year! Plus, you’ll hear a new podcast segment, Read-Alouds with Amanda. Amanda reads a passage from Bear Town, by Fredrik Backman. If you’re interested in reading Bear Town or other titles, grab your free 30-day trial of Audible here. Resources:
Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode168 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 167. UNPOPULAR OPINIONS: BACK TO SCHOOL | 31 Aug 2023 | 00:41:42 | |
Happy back to school season, brave new teachers! This episode is kicking off season six of the podcast, and we’re introducing a new episode format. We’re diving into one of our favorite types of episodes to record…unpopular opinions! This time it’s hot takes about the back to school season. You may or may not agree with these opinions, but we will have explanations to back them up! Plus, today’s new segment includes “Teachers Ask”, where we take questions from teacher listeners and share our thoughts on them. Today we’re responding to this question: “I'm struggling to come up with ways to make reading longer articles in class less boring. How can I keep students engaged when the reading is longer than a close read, but shorter than a chapter?” Resources:
Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode167 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 166. LESSON PLAN INSPIRATION WITH ELIZABETH ACEVEDO: AN INTERVIEW DEBRIEF | 24 Aug 2023 | 00:34:41 | |
It’s sad, but true. Camp BNT is coming to a close with this episode (at least for this year!). We’re wrapping things up with a debrief from our interview with Elizabeth Acevedo, author of Family Lore. If you haven’t already heard that episode, run and listen to it now! You’ll hear us think through ideas in real time of how to use Elizabeth’s novels in your classroom. With a range of students, including those in AP Lit, general education, and special education, we understand the importance of catering to different learning needs. We delve into the challenge of finding literature that possesses both literary merit and accessibility, questioning the subjective nature of determining such merit. Whether you choose to explore Elizabeth Acevedo's recommended books, resurrect a forgotten author's works, or embark on an author study, we invite you to push the boundaries and create a brave new teaching experience for your student!
Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode166 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 165. FAMILY LORE & OTHER STORIES WE LOVE: AN INTERVIEW WITH ELIZABETH ACEVEDO | 17 Aug 2023 | 00:57:29 | |
When we started this podcast at the beginning of 2020, it stemmed from a desire to create a space for like-minded teachers. We wanted to have the conversations that you craved, but might not be getting at your schools. It’s turned into something bigger than we ever could have imagined. We appreciate you doing things to support this show like listening every week and leaving your reviews on Apple Podcasts. RESOURCES MENTIONED:
SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode165 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 164. FIND YOUR JOY: INTERVIEW DEBRIEF & BOOK PREVIEW | 10 Aug 2023 | 00:29:00 | |
Camp BNT is still going strong! If you’re new to this summer series, we have interviewed several authors to uncover highlights, takeaways, and reflections to help us have a more intentional approach to creating culturally responsive and equitable classrooms.
"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 163. JOYFUL TEACHING & LEARNING: AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. DEONNA SMITH | 03 Aug 2023 | 00:47:05 | |
This summer, we’ve been having a blast at Camp BNT, where we’ve been hard at work looking at different ways to approach our classrooms in a way that honors culturally responsive teaching. Our series of interviews with authors have helped us to understand how we can serve our students and communities in ways differently than we’ve done before. Today we’re joined by another incredible author, Dr. Deonna Smith. Dr. Smith is a repeat guest (check her out in episode 113!) and works tirelessly to bring awareness to issues of equity in education. She’s just recently written her first book, Rooted in Joy: Creating a Classroom Culture of Equity, Belonging, and Care, and is here to tell you about it today. As Dr. Deonna Smith says in the interview, she “sees this as a book that seeks to reimagine what classrooms and education can look like”. Dr. Smith shares her insights on the transformative power of joy in education, the importance of reflection in classroom management, and her new book that challenges traditional approaches to behavior management. Rooted in Joy: Creating a Classroom Culture of Equity, Belonging, and Care, by Dr. Deonna Smith "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 162. STRATEGY RECALL - HEXAGONAL THINKING WITH BETSY POTASH | 27 Jul 2023 | 00:26:59 | |
This week we're bringing you a rerun from very early in the podcast to help refresh our minds on some strategy. Amanda had the pleasure of interviewing Betsy Potash from Spark Creativity. Their conversation centers on hexagonal thinking, and you'll want a pen and notepad handy for this one - so many good ideas!! Enjoy! "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 161. A SUMMER READING UPDATE: BEST READS OF 2023 SO FAR | 20 Jul 2023 | 00:34:17 | |
This summer we’ve been busy running the best summer camp around…Camp BNT! We’ve had the opportunity to host several authors on the podcast during this series, followed by a debrief episode with our takeaways and actionable ways that you can use each text specifically. It’s all part of our mission to support you in your culturally responsive and equitable teaching practices. "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| AIMEE PHAN: A Conversation about The Lost Queen Part 2 [Ep 263] | 19 Jun 2025 | 00:21:35 | |
We’re so excited to share part two of our conversation with Aimee Phan, author of The Lost Queen! If you caught part one, you already know how rich and thoughtful this discussion is. In this episode, we dive deeper into how retellings like The Lost Queen can help students see that stories aren’t set in stone—and that they have the freedom to make stories their own. Aimee shares how the creative process can empower young writers to take risks, explore identity, and find their voice. We also talk about the evolution of Vietnamese American literature, how to pair The Lost Queen with other powerful texts, and the deep impact that simple words of encouragement can have on a student’s life. If you’re looking for book recs, classroom inspiration, or just a reminder of the power of storytelling, this episode is for you. Resources: SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode263 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 160. INDIGENOUS PEDAGOGIES: BOOK PREVIEW & ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS | 13 Jul 2023 | 00:24:16 | |
Inside episode 159, we interviewed author and educator, Jo Chrona. This week, in true Camp BNT fashion, we are sitting down for a formal debrief of that conversation. We spent time talking to Jo about her why, her background, and her book, Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies – An Act for Reconciliation and Anti-Racist Education 2022. It’s a must read for non-Indigenous educators who are new to the conversation or want to deepen their learning. This book will explore topics such as how indigengeous knowledge systems inform our teaching practices and enhance education, and how to create an education system that embodies an anti-racist approach. We think that bringing a PD book such as this one into your school can spark incredible important conversations with both your staff and students. If you are going planning to utilize Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies in your school, be sure to let us know over on Instagram @bravenewteaching. Resources:
Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode160 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 159. INDIGENOUS EDUCATION ISN'T MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION: AN INTERVIEW WITH JO CHRONA | 06 Jul 2023 | 00:51:22 | |
Did you know that British Columbia is home to the largest number of First Nations in the entire country? There are more indigenous languages spoken there than in the rest of Canada combined. We learned this and so much more from our interview with Jo Chrona. Jo is an educator, author, and advocate for indigenous education and is here to share her wealth of knowledge and experience with us. Throughout the interview, Jo emphasizes the importance of creating environments that respond to the whole person and the need to model a commitment to lifelong learning for our students. Plus, she highlights the powerful impact of the First Peoples Principles of Learning in Canada This episode is a valuable resource for any educator looking to deepen their understanding of anti-racist and indigenous education and take actionable steps toward meaningful change in their practice. One way that you can take the next step in your learning journey as an educator is by reading Jo’s book, Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies – An Act for Reconciliation and Anti-Racist Education 2022, which was written for non-indigenous educators. This book asks a lot of great questions for you to reflect on, while also being an accessible read. Don’t forget to sign up for Camp BNT, where you can share your takeaways from this conversation in our private Facebook group filled with like-minded teachers!
Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode159 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 158. MODERN FOLKTALES: A DEBRIEF & UNIT OVERVIEW | 29 Jun 2023 | 00:39:30 | |
Have you listened to episode 157 yet? If not, go check that out before listening to this one! Inside that episode, we interview middle grades author, Diana López. During our conversation with Diana, we discussed her career as a former middle school teacher, how she became an author, and how her stories were born from her own experiences growing up in Corpus Christi, Texas. We also got to hear the details of Diana’s latest book, Felice and the Wailing Woman. During this follow-up episode, we unpack our takeaways from the interview and share our ideas on how to use Felice and the Wailing Woman in your classroom. It’s a debrief, it’s a brain dump, it’s a…unit makeover! While Diana wrote Felice and the Wailing Woman with middle-grade readers in mind, we are sharing how we can see this book also fitting into high school. We’ll walk through our usual unit makeover process of vision boarding, crafting essential questions, and thinking through assessments. Resources:
Show Notes: https://www. "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 157. MODERN FOLKTALES AND MONSTERS: AN INTERVIEW WITH DIANA LÓPEZ | 22 Jun 2023 | 00:57:14 | |
We’re knee-deep in our summer series, Camp BNT, where we interview authors and highlight ways to use their texts in your classrooms. Today’s interview is with Diana López who writes books specifically for middle school grades (which is most definitely not our specialty!). Diana is a former teacher like other authors we have connected with this summer. She shares in our mission of getting books into the hands of kids that are going to provide them with new experiences and perspectives. During our conversation with Diana, we’re focusing on her newest book, Felice and the Wailing Woman, where the twelve-year-old daughter of La Llorona vows to free her mother and reverse the curses that have plagued the magical town of Tres Leches. It’s an incredible book, and we know that you’ll enjoy hearing Diana’s perspective of the story and how it came to be. Check out the next episode for a debrief with our takeaways and how we envision using Felice and the Wailing Woman in the classroom. And don’t forget to sign up for Camp BNT, where you can join in on the conversations going on in our private Facebook group filled with like-minded teachers!
Let us know what you think! Leave a review on Apple Podcasts "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 156. POWERFUL FEMALE VOICES: DEBRIEF & UNIT BRAINSTORM | 15 Jun 2023 | 00:40:04 | |
It’s time for a debrief of our incredible conversation with author, Yamile Saied Méndez. Didn’t hear the interview yet? You can catch up inside episode 155! During Yamile’s interview, we focused on her young adult novel, Furia, a powerful coming-of-age story. Today we’re sharing our thoughts on the interview, details of Furia, and ways that you can teach it in your classroom. Specifically, we’re zoning in on how you can makeover a unit for 9th or 12th graders that is centered around Furia. If you want more support with unit planning, be sure to join us inside Curruclum Rehab, which teaches our entire planning process in depth!
SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode156 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 155. POWERFUL FEMALE VOICE in YA LIT: AN INTERVIEW WITH YAMILE SAIED MÈNDEZ | 08 Jun 2023 | 00:53:58 | |
We are back with a new Camp BNT interview with the author of Furia, Yamile Saied Méndez. Yamile discusses the importance of representation in literature and why she created a strong female protagonist who defies expectations in her book. We found it so inspiring to hear about Yamile's journey to becoming an author and how she draws from her personal history to create compelling stories that resonate with her young readers. "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| Unit Makeover feat. Ruta Sepetys: Historical Fiction, Research, and Storytelling | 01 Jun 2023 | 00:39:52 | |
Did you catch our two part interview series with New York Times Bestselling Author, Ruta Sepetys? If not, you can check out part one in episode 152 and part two in episode 153. (Quick update: I, Amanda, have since met Ruta in real life on her book tour!) Now that the interview is over, we are dedicating this episode to two main things - a full debrief and to strategize how you can practically integrate her texts into your curriculum. We’ll share what our big takeaways were from our conversation with Ruta. Then, we’ll dig into how you can makeover one of your units specifically using her latest novel, I Must Betray You or Between Shades of Gray. However, these ideas can really be used with all of her historical fiction novels. "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 153. Giving a Voice to the Voiceless: An Interview with Ruta Sepetys - Part 2/2 {Camp BNT '23} | 25 May 2023 | 00:33:17 | |
Have you ever wondered how authors research and organize their ideas before writing a book? In part two of our conversation with Ruta Sepetys, we’re getting a glimpse into her writing process and so much more. If you missed part one, you can catch it here! Ruta shares how she gets her inspiration, how much time she spends researching, and even admits that her rough drafts are exactly that…rough! You’ll also hear recommendations straight from Ruta on how her books can be used in your classroom. There’s even more to this conversation that you can hear inside Brave New Teaching Happy Hour! Sign up here to gain immediate access. "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| 152. Giving a Voice to the Voiceless: An Interview with Ruta Sepetys - Part 1/2 {Camp BNT '23} | 18 May 2023 | 00:38:09 | |
We cannot even begin to contain the excitement we have to share this episode with you. We had the pleasure of interviewing author Ruta Sepetys about her journey as a writer and her latest novel, I Must Betray You. The interview begins with Ruta reading an excerpt from I Must Betray You. This is the perfect clip to play for your students if you practice “First Chapter Friday”! We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did. If you do, please share with a teacher friend! Don’t forget to tune into episode 153 for part two of this conversation. "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| Our Summer Mission: Culturally Responsive & Equitable Teaching {An Overview of Camp BNT} | 11 May 2023 | 00:30:33 | |
Cheers to everyone who has made it to the end, or almost the end, of this school year! We’re celebrating you and giddy with excitement for what’s to come this summer at Brave New Teaching. In case you haven’t heard, we’ll be hosting Camp BNT, which is essentially a Nerdy English teacher book club. But here’s the best part - we’re actually interviewing the authors right here on the Brave New Teaching podcast! We can’t believe that we’ll have the chance to host these interviews and take you along for the ride. In today’s episode, we’re sharing the lineup of authors for this series and the books that we’ll be focusing on. This series will highlight our mission of looking at culturally responsive and equitable teaching practices from both the pedagogical side and the curriculum side. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join Camp BNT for free and be a part of the conversations. Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode151 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| AIMEE PHAN: A Conversation about The Lost Queen Part 1 [Ep 262] | 12 Jun 2025 | 00:32:29 | |
What if the legendary queens of Vietnamese history were reborn as modern-day teens in California? In this episode, we chat with author and educator Aimee Phan about her brand new YA fantasy novel, The Lost Queen. Aimee shares how her experience growing up as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees—and the absence of Vietnamese stories in the books she read—inspired her to create stories that center Vietnamese culture, history, and identity. From dragons and time travel to reimagined mythology, Aimee takes us behind the scenes of a novel that’s as empowering as it is imaginative. We also dive into how The Lost Queen can open up powerful classroom conversations. Aimee reflects on why her students connect so deeply with YA and how fantasy can be a tool for exploring identity, agency, and belonging. If you’re looking to bring more diverse and empowering stories into your teaching, this episode (and this book!) is a must. Resources: SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode262 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| EPISODE 150: CELEBRATING DIVERSE VOICES - AAPI AUTHORS | 04 May 2023 | 00:38:52 | |
We love sharing and celebrating diverse voices here at Brave New Teaching, and today is no exception. With May being AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) month, what better time to highlight some of our fan favorites written by AAPI authors. The texts that we’re sharing today are loved by both us and our students. We literally can’t keep them on our classroom shelves! From memoirs to dystopia to YA romance, we’ve got a bit of everything. Get your library cards or credit cards ready, because you’re going to want them all! We’re going to have extended episodes of this conversation, plus resources, inside BNT Happy Hour. You can join us inside Happy Hour for only $5 per month! Sign up here. Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode150 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| EPISODE 149: POETRY AND RHETORIC: ARGUMENTS AND VERSE | 27 Apr 2023 | 00:39:00 | |
Are you ready to nerd out with us today on argument and rhetoric? I hope so, because we are really digging in! As teachers, poets are uniquely positioned for us in the context of history in a different way than authors are. With that, comes a lot of really great opportunities. So today, we really are discussing the potential for looking at poetry as an argument and looking at poetry through the lens of rhetorical analysis. We want to help you see poetry from a different angle, and consider where you can incorporate this into your units. "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| EPISODE 148: POETRY UNITS: STAND ALONE OR YEAR LONG? | 20 Apr 2023 | 00:30:45 | |
Do you prefer to teach poetry as a standalone unit or sprinkled in throughout the school year? We think both options are valid, and in this episode we’re considering the merits of each! One thing is for sure. It’s important to be intentional about when and where poetry is taught in the curriculum. When you can take a step back and look at the bigger picture, you can create meaningful and impactful experiences for your students. You’ll hear us discuss the different options for incorporating poetry into a curriculum, the challenges that come with teaching poetry, skills that are specific to poetry, and more. We hope it inspires you to enhance what you’re already doing with poetry, and feel empowered to make the decisions that are best for you and your students! Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode147 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| EPISODE 147: THE MAGIC OF THE POETIC TURN - AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. MICHAEL THEUNE | 13 Apr 2023 | 00:42:41 | |
Brave New Teaching friends, it’s Amanda here, and I’m so incredibly excited to share today’s guest episode with you! It features Dr. Michael Theune, who was one of my professors during undergrad. This conversation highlights two topics that are, in my experience, unequivocally the areas where students often feel lost, and that is poetry and creative writing. We’re here to dispel the myth that poetry has to be difficult and empower you to feel comfortable, confident, and excited to teach it. One key element to focus on when teaching poetry is the poetic turn. Dr. Theune shares about what the poetic turn is, examples of how to teach different types of poetic turns, his process for writing a turn, and so much more. You’ll want to get out your paper and pen for this one! Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode147 Join BNT Happy Hour: https://www.curriculumrehab.com/happyhour "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| EPISODE 146: THE BEST POEM I EVER TAUGHT | 06 Apr 2023 | 00:29:30 | |
We love to share our favorite resources and activities that we’ve used in our classrooms here with you on the podcast. We’ve done a series on “The Best Thing I Ever Taught” in the past, and we’re bringing it back today. This time we’re getting into the best poems we’ve ever taught. Now, we have a lot of favorite poems, so let’s just say that we had a really difficult time choosing only one. But we reflected on how specific poems were received by our students and were able to narrow it down. Push play to hear us divulge the details about each of our choices! Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode146 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| EPISODE 145: TEACHING POETRY WITH THE BIG SIX (RE-RUN) | 30 Mar 2023 | 00:48:53 | |
We’re giving you a re-run of a two part series we did on poetry at the very beginning of the podcast! "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| EPISODE 144: TEACHER SPRING CLEANING: CURRICULUM & ACTIVITIES | 23 Mar 2023 | 00:31:02 | |
We’ve been fully embracing spring over here at Brave New Teaching and today marks the third and final episode in our Teacher Spring Cleaning series. So far we’ve talked about spring cleaning our texts and topics and instructional strategies and practices. Today, we’re spring cleaning our curriculum and activities that we’re doing with our students during this time of year. This is all about refreshing and revamping some of the old stuff you already have - not creating a bunch of new activities that will suck up your time! We want you to tune into low-energy, high-impact activities that can engage your students, practice skills, and have a little fun. If you love the ideas inside this conversation, then come join us in Happy Hour! You’ll gain access to the extended episode where we’ll share activities you can use to end a unit. Click here to join Happy Hour! Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode144 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| EPISODE 143: TEACHER SPRING CLEANING: TEXTS AND TOPICS | 16 Mar 2023 | 00:23:40 | |
Last week, inside episode 142, we talked about spring cleaning our instructional practices and strategies. This week, the spring cleaning continues! This time, we’re moving on to texts and topics. Specifically, we’re looking at what we’re planning to purge and what we’re going to give new life to. If you are thinking of some texts and topics that you’d like to purge or refresh, leave us a voice message. We’d love to hear from you! Leave your message here. Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode143 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| EPISODE 142: TEACHER SPRING CLEANING - INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES & STRATEGIES | 09 Mar 2023 | 00:25:39 | |
With spring right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to revitalize your classroom, especially if everything is starting to feel a bit stale and overdone. It’s not quite time to throw in the towel yet, so let’s slap a fresh coat of paint on our strategies and bring things back to life! Today’s episode marks the first in a three-part series on teacher spring cleaning. To kick things off, we’re talking about spring cleaning our instructional practices and strategies. In the episodes to come, we’ll look at spring cleaning our texts and topics, and then spring cleaning curriculum and activities. These conversations are meant to breathe a little fresh air into your classrooms that will benefit both you and your students. If you try one of these strategies or have a favorite spring strategy, we’d love for you to share it with us. You can leave a voice message that we can feature on the podcast for other teachers around the world to hear. Don’t be shy! Click here to leave your message! Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode142 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| EPISODE 141: BNT READING UPDATES: GREAT READS AND NEW TBRS | 02 Mar 2023 | 00:40:38 | |
What type of reader have you been lately? Are you moving through books like crazy or barely getting through a chapter a week? Either way, we get it. Just because we’re ELA teachers, that doesn’t mean we always have the time or energy to read outside work hours. Back in episode 131, we shared our list of books we couldn’t wait to read in 2023, and well, let’s just say we haven’t gotten to them all! That’s why this week we’re sharing our reviews on what we have read recently, and what’s on our current TBR list for the upcoming months. Plus, you’ll hear some life updates - like the fact that Amanda finally got a new library card! Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode141 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| SAMIRA AHMED: A Conversation About Internment, Part 2 [Ep 261] | 05 Jun 2025 | 00:44:23 | |
In part two of our conversation with author Samira Ahmed, we deep dive into the genre of Internment—is it dystopian, speculative, or realistic fiction?—and why that label matters in the classroom. What starts as a conversation about shelving quickly becomes an exploration of how genre influences student thinking, how we can break down subject silos in education, and why teaching through inquiry is more critical than ever. Samira shares insights on the emotional toll of teaching today, the urgency of connecting past and present injustices, and her belief that “teaching is a revolutionary act.” This episode is a reminder of the impact educators have and the power of stories to spark resistance, reflection, and change. Resources: Related Episodes:
SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode261 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| EPISODE 140: INDEPENDENT READING SERIES (INTERVIEW WITH ABBY GROSS) | 23 Feb 2023 | 01:06:20 | |
Did you catch episode 139 with Dr. Jenna Copper? We talked all about independent reading and student choice at the high school level. Today we’re continuing our independent reading series with our friend, Abby Gross. This one is for all of our middle school teacher friends! Abby was a high school teacher who recently moved to middle school. This transition is what gave her the chance to wake up to a whole new set of possibilities for what independent reading could look like in her classroom. We have a feeling that this conversation with Abby will reinstate your love of independent reading and spark so many new ideas that you can take straight to your classroom. You’ll hear about the functionality of independent reading, ways to get your students curious and excited about different kinds of books, and we’re even addressing the big question of, how do you create accountability between you and your students with independent reading? Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode140 "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| EPISODE 139: INDEPENDENT READING SERIES (INTERVIEW W/ DR. JENNA COPPER) | 16 Feb 2023 | 00:49:39 | |
When we decided to do a series on independent reading, the first name that came to mind was our friend, Dr. Jenna Copper. Jenna has just as much passion and excitement for independent reading and student choice as we do. Plus, she shares Marie’s love of YA fantasy books, which is just the icing on top! "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||
| EPISODE 138: CHOICE READING 101 (RE-RUN) | 09 Feb 2023 | 00:30:21 | |
Does giving your students choice come easily to you? For some teachers it does, but for others it can be extremely difficult to release that control! Incorporating choice requires a major mindset shift as you learn how to navigate your students all doing something different. In this listener favorite rerun, we’re showing you how you can allow students to have choice without letting go of having a central focus and common skill that the whole class is learning. Show Notes: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode63 Join BNT Happy Hour: https://www.curriculumrehab.com/happyhour Mentioned in this episode: Get more Brave New Teaching each week: "Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!" Head to bravenewteaching.com/waitlist to become a beta tester for BNT University! 📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩💻 | |||