Teachers Aid – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Teachers Aid

BAM Radio Network

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/30d. Total Eps: 31

Teachers Aid with Jon Harper. We've refocused the show on meeting some of the biggest unmet needs every educator has. If you are an educator who gives teaching your all, but still feel that you're not doing enough, this show is for you. Tune in to get social and emotional support for the very personal challenges teachers face. We promise you that you won't hear educators talking like this every day.

Read moreCollapse

Site

RSS

Apple

Data updated on 04/07/2026

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/003172171109300313.
1 share

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 59%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

Mini-White Boards: Where They Maximize Student Learning, Where They Don’t

Sunday, March 1, 2026 • Duration 21:25

This conversation delves into the use of mini whiteboards in educational settings, exploring their benefits, challenges, and the cognitive science behind their effectiveness. Educators share their experiences and insights on implementing mini whiteboards to enhance student engagement and understanding, while also addressing potential pitfalls and the importance of routines in their use.

Follow on Twitter: @AmberBHaven | @AndrewWatsonTTB | @bamradionetwork | @jonHarper70bd

Related Resources: White Board Tips | I Was Wrong About Whiteboards | More tools and Tips

Amber Haven is a STEM educator, speaker, and advocate for evidence-informed teaching with over 15 years of classroom experience. She is dedicated to refining her own practice while translating and showcasing evidence-informed strategies in authentic classroom settings.

Dylan Kane is a 7th grade math teacher at a rural public school in Colorado. He writes a Substack called Five Twelve Thirteen about the intersection of evidence-informed practice and the realities of classroom teaching.

Andrew Watson has been teaching since 1988, studying brains since 2008, and combining those fields since 2012. As a consultant and conference speaker, he works with students and teachers to make learning easier and teaching more effective. Author of three books, he writes frequently on memory, attention, motivation, and skepticism."

Brett Benson teaches 7th grade World Studies at a middle school in Omaha, Nebraska. He serves as our social studies department head. Last year he started the “CogSci PLC” at his school to help study the science of learning and evidence-based practices and strategies with teachers throughout the building . Last year the PLC focused on retrieval practice and working this year on Rosenshine’s principles of instruction. He has been teaching for 18 years.

Keywords

mini whiteboards, education, teaching strategies, classroom engagement, cognitive science, instructional choices, formative assessment, student participation, teaching tools, learning support

Takeaways

Mini whiteboards can quickly gauge student understanding.
They support various instructional strategies across subjects.
Effective use requires clear routines and expectations.
Overuse can lead to distractions and disengagement.
They provide immediate feedback for teachers.
Cognitive load management is crucial when using them.
Not the only tool for checking understanding; variety is key.
Engagement is enhanced when students feel safe to share.
Assessment for learning is more effective than assessment of learning.
Intentional questioning is vital for maximizing their benefits.

Quotables

"How can teachers use whiteboards effectively?"
"Routines make mini whiteboards effective."
"Be intentional about what you're looking for."

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Mini Whiteboards in Education
06:51Practical Applications and Benefits
13:33 Challenges and Limitations of Mini Whiteboards
19:53 Cognitive Science Perspectives on Whiteboards
25:53 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Read moreCollapse

Cognitive Load Theory, Working Memory and What Teachers Can Control

Monday, February 2, 2026 • Duration 25:21

In this conversation, Jon and Dylan Wiliam delve into cognitive load theory, exploring its implications for teaching and learning. They discuss the distinction between biologically primary and secondary knowledge, the importance of understanding cognitive load in the classroom, and effective teaching strategies that can enhance student learning. Dylan emphasizes the need for teachers to be aware of their own cognitive load and how it affects their students, advocating for instructional methods that support all learners, particularly those with lower working memory capacity. The discussion highlights the scientific basis of cognitive load theory and its practical applications in education, encouraging teachers to adopt strategies that facilitate deeper learning and retention.

Follow on Twitter: @DylanWiliam | @bamradionetwork | @jonHarper70bd

Dylan Wiliam is Emeritus Professor of Educational Assessment at University College London. After a first degree in mathematics and physics, and one year teaching in a private school, he taught in inner-city schools in London for seven years. In 1984 he joined Chelsea College, University of London, which later merged with King’s College London. From 1996 to 2001 he was the Dean of the School of Education at King’s, and from 2001 to 2003, Assistant Principal of the College. In 2003 he moved to the USA, as Senior Research Director at the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, NJ. From 2006 to 2010 he was Deputy Director of the Institute of Education, University of London. Over the last 15 years, his academic work has focused on the use of assessment to support learning (sometimes called formative assessment). He now works with groups of teachers all over the world on developing formative assessment practices.

Read moreCollapse

Mic Drop 2025: Looking Back At How Educators Effectively Managed A Wildly Chaotic Year

Friday, January 9, 2026 • Duration 10:33

This 2025 year-end review of the Teachers’ Aid podcast highlights the conversations that helped educators rise to meet multiple challenges and find new ways to support students during one of the most chaotic and destabilizing years many of us have ever experienced. It captures the thinking behind another year of educators’ remarkable commitment, resilience, and perseverance under pressure. Mic Drop is a pilot project from BRN’s Gen AI Podcast Labs. We look forward to improving the channel as the technology evolves. See an error or have a suggestion? Leave your comments below.

Related Channel: Listen to Teachers’ Aid

Listen to all 2025 Mic Drop Episodes

Follow on Twitter: @bamradionetwork | @jonHarper70bd

Read moreCollapse

Unlocking Learning: How to Use Retrieval Practice To Improve Understanding for All Students

Sunday, December 28, 2025 • Duration 18:56

In this conversation, our guests discuss how retrieval practice can help all students learn, including those with ADHD and autism. For many teachers, this may challenge the assumption that retrieval practice only works for some learners. Instead, the discussion shows how, when used thoughtfully, retrieval practice can support diverse learning needs and help students build confidence, understanding, and long-term retention.

Follow on TwitteR: | @smorrisey | @effortfuleduktr | @bamradionetwork | @jonHarper70bd @SciInTheMaking

Blogs: Brain – Book – Buddy Reverse Engineering the Multiple Choice Question 5 Reasons I Begin My Class With Retrieval Practice Most Days Retrieval Is Communication.

Blake Harvard is an AP Psychology teacher at a public high school in Alabama. He is in his 20th year of teaching. He is very interested in reading research and applying findings from cognitive psychology in the classroom to improve instruction and learning.
Blake is the author of a new book: Do I have Your Attention: Understanding Memory Constraints and Maximizing Learning
He is also the author of The Effortful Educator. A popular blog with over one million hits.

Sean Morrisey is a 5th-grade teacher at Pinehurst Elementary School, located just outside of Buffalo, NY. He brings over 25 years of experience as an educator. Before becoming a classroom teacher, Sean worked as a school psychologist, a role that shaped his understanding of how children learn. For the past 18 years, he has taught 1st, 4th, and 5th grade, focusing on building strong foundations in literacy and language.
Sean’s work in vocabulary instruction has been highlighted on numerous literacy podcasts and featured in science of reading resources, including The Literacy 50 and Know Better, Do Better: Comprehension. His passion lies in integrating vocabulary seamlessly across the school day, helping students connect words to meaning in authentic and engaging ways. Sean is currently writing his own curriculum called the Word Mapping Project: Linking Sound, Spelling, and Meaning for Word Mastery.

Marcie Samayoa is a 10th-year high school chemistry teacher that shares evidence-informed teaching strategies through her blog, Scientists in the Making. She connects cognitive science principles to classroom practices, inspiring both educators and students to deepen their understanding of science. Blog: www.scientistsinthemaking.com Substack: scientistsinthemaking.substack.com

Teaching Practices That Make Learning Stick

Sunday, December 28, 2025 • Duration 22:59

The conversation explores cognitive load theory and why it matters for classroom learning, while also widening the focus to include practical teaching moves that help students learn more effectively. We talk about how working memory limits can affect what students remember, why some lessons don’t stick, and how teachers can design instruction that feels less complex and less overwhelming. Alongside cognitive load theory, the discussion touches on everyday strategies that support clearer, more manageable teaching and help more students experience real learning.

Related Resources: Cognitive-load-theory-pt-1. Laura Stam

Dylan William‘s bedding formative assessment pack for schools and colleges to run their own two-year professional development programme on formative assessment is now available worldwide. In Europe, this can be ordered through SSAT, in Australasia through Hawker-Brownlow, and in North America from Learning Sciences International.

Zach Groshell, PhD is a highly distinguished teacher, instructional coach, and education consultant. Zach is based in Seattle, WA and works with schools nationwide and internationally to develop high quality instruction based on the science of how kids learn. Zach is the author of the book Just Tell Them, hosts the podcast, Progressively Incorrect, and is active on Twitter (@mrzachg).

Laura Stam is a 3rd-grade teacher in Thermopolis, Wyoming. She is a 2024-2025 Goyen Fellow and a founding board member of The Reading League Wyoming.

Laura Patranella is a 12th-year teacher with experience primarily in upper elementary and middle school literacy as both a dyslexia interventionist and classroom teacher. She currently teaches 5th grade and is passionate about maximizing outcomes for all students through research-based teaching methods.

Unlocking Math Success: Building Basic Fact Fluency and Foundational Skills

Sunday, September 28, 2025 • Duration 24:05

This conversation examines the crucial importance of math fact fluency in education, exploring effective teaching strategies, the role of parents, and the challenges faced by educators. The panel shares success stories from their classrooms, emphasizing the importance of consistent practice and engagement in fostering student success in mathematics. They also address misconceptions about math instruction and the significance of building foundational skills for future learning.

Brian Poncy Facts on Fire | math fact fluency| Podcast

Follow on Twitter: @brian_poncy @rastokke @StamStam193 @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork

Kristin Ryan is a first-grade teacher in a rural, K-4 school in Wyoming. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in K-8 Elementary Education and K-12 Special Education, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a focus on K-12 Reading Specialist, all from the University of South Dakota. She also holds a Principal Certificate from the University of Wyoming. She has worked in education for the past 16 years.

Dr. Brian Poncy is a Professor of School Psychology at Oklahoma State University. His research focuses on academic interventions and behavioral principles of learning, specifically in the area of mathematics. Dr. Poncy created the Measures & Interventions for Numeracy Development (M.I.N.D.), a set of free materials to support teachers in the assessment and implementation of empirically-validated interventions to increase early numeracy and computation skills (www.factsonfire.com).

Laura Stam is a 3rd-grade teacher in Thermopolis, Wyoming. She is a 2024-2025 Goyen Fellow and a founding board member of The Reading League Wyoming.

Dr. Anna Stokke is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Winnipeg.. She is co-founder and President of the non-profit organization Archimedes Math Schools, which delivers after-school math classes for children. She hosts the popular math education podcast Chalk & Talk, where she discusses evidence-informed math teaching with leading education experts.

Why These Teachers Are Taking A Second Look At Direct Instruction and the Science Behind It

Monday, August 25, 2025 • Duration 28:55

In this introductory episode, Jon discusses the concept of direct instruction with four experienced educators. They explore the definition of direct instruction, its effectiveness, common misconceptions, and actionable tips for teachers looking to implement these strategies in their classrooms. The conversation emphasizes the importance of clarity, engagement, and the role of the teacher as a content expert in facilitating student learning.

Follow on Twitter: @MmeLockhartLDS @beanie0597 @StamStam193 @mrzachg @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork

Beanie Geoghegan is the Manager of Solutions and a Co-Founder of Freedom in Education. She works closely with educators to develop and implement solutions that align with the organization’s mission to restore excellence in K–12 education. With over two decades of experience as a teacher, parent, volunteer, and advocate, Beanie brings a deep understanding of classroom dynamics and instructional effectiveness.

Laura Stam is a 3rd-grade teacher in Thermopolis, Wyoming. She is a 2024-2025 Goyen Fellow and a founding board member of The Reading League Wyoming.

Kim Lockhart is an elementary classroom teacher and Special Education Teacher, with a passion for helping students with reading and writing difficulties through science-based instruction. Following the completion of her Master of Education, Kim worked for the Ontario Ministry of Education to revise the Langauge curriculum document to align with the reading research and then began working, part-time, as a course instructor at Vancouver Island University where she teaches the evidence-based strategies she wishes she’d been taught in Teachers College. Kim lives by the words “prevention before intervention” and aims to ensure as many teachers as possible graduate from their Teacher training program with the knowledge they need to be knowledgeable, confident and successful classroom teachers.

The Myths We Need to Shatter Quickly to Set Realistic Expectations for Teaching In 2025

Wednesday, June 25, 2025 • Duration 20:10

This conversation delves into the pressing issue of teacher shortages across the United States, exploring the underlying causes, the impact on teacher well-being, and strategies for recruitment and retention. The panel of educators and experts discusses the importance of understanding the context of the teacher shortage, the need for systemic change, and the significance of fostering supportive relationships among teachers. They emphasize that teachers are ordinary individuals facing extraordinary challenges, and advocate for a more realistic portrayal of the teaching profession.

BlueSky: @amirtaron.bsky.social

Paul Bruno is an assistant professor of education policy, organization and leadership in the College of Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He studies school staff labor markets, resource allocation in schools, and school personnel administration. He holds a Ph.D. in urban education policy and an MA in economics from the University of Southern California, as well as an MA in science and math education and a BA in philosophy and molecular and cell biology from the University of California, Berkeley. He previously taught middle school science in California.

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth, JD, is an edtech consultant, presenter, attorney, author, and Spanish and STEAM: Emerging Technology teacher. Rachelle has a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law and a Doctorate in Instructional Technology. Rachelle specializes in Artificial Intelligence, AI and the Law, AI and the Environment, Cybersecurity, and STEM.

She is the author of ten books, including her most recent book, What the Tech?: An Educator’s Guide to AI, AR/VR, the Metaverse and More! and “How to Teach AI: Weaving Strategies and Activities Into Any Content Area.” She is also a frequent blogger for multiple publications. Contact Rachelle: bit.ly/thriveineduPD

Annette Ponnock, PhD is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Yale Center Emotional Intelligence. Dr. Ponnock’s research focuses on teacher motivation and well-being, with an emphasis on urban schools. She received her PhD in Educational Psychology from Temple University and her MA in Psychology from the University of Santa Monica.

Teaching History With Fidelity in an Uncertain, Politicized Climate

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 • Duration 21:06

This conversation explores educators’ challenges and strategies in teaching history amidst changing state guidelines and societal expectations. The panel discusses the importance of balancing required content with diverse perspectives, the role of storytelling in engaging students, and the necessity of fostering critical thinking skills. Each educator shares insights on how to navigate these complexities while preparing students for active citizenship.

Follow our PLN on Twitter: @swanversations @aspaglayan @Eduflack @rpondiscio @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd

Andrew Swan is a devoted middle-school teacher who has worked at Bigelow Middle School in Newton, Massachusetts for over 20 years — currently as an 8th grade Civics teacher. He keeps striving for the ‘perfect’ lesson and the secret sauce that works for every student. Andrew is the author of many books on pedagogy that remain rattling around his head (for now).

Agustina S. Paglayan is a political science and public policy professor at the University of California, San Diego, and a nonresident fellow at the Center for Global Development. She is an expert in the interplay between politics and education. Her research has received numerous awards from the American Political Science Association for deepening our understanding of democracy, autocracy, political economy, political history, public policy, and labor politics. Her findings have been featured in The Economist, NPR, the Washington Post, and other media. She has consulted for the United Nations, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank.

In her new book Raised to Obey: The Rise and Spread of Mass Education (Princeton University Press, 2024), Paglayan shows that education systems in the West emerged not from democratic ideals or industrialization needs but from governments’ desire to control citizens.

Tyler Bonin is the Civics Education Specialist at the Goldwater Institute’s Van Sittert Center for Constitutional Advocacy. Prior to joining the Institute, Tyler managed marketing efforts at State Policy Network and the Classic Learning Test (CLT). While at CLT, Tyler created and produced the Anchored podcast, a top-ranked program focused on conversations at the nexus of education and culture, with such guests as Cornel West, Robert P. George, Heather Mac Donald, Glenn Loury, and more.

What Do I Say, What Can I Do? How Educators Are Supporting Students As the Nation’s Immigration Policies Shift

Saturday, April 19, 2025 • Duration 13:25

This conversation explores the profound impact of recent immigration policy changes on teachers and students, focusing on the emotional and practical challenges faced in educational settings. Panelists discuss the anxiety and fear stemming from the potential presence of immigration agents in schools, the importance of clear communication and support systems, and strategies for creating safe spaces for students. The discussion highlights the importance of collaboration among educators, community organizations, and school leadership in effectively navigating these challenges.

Jehan Hakim is a mother and Houston-based educational consultant with over a decade of experience in empowering educators and organizational leaders through culturally responsive pedagogy and professional development.

Jen Schwanke, Ed.D., has been an educator for almost three decades, teaching or leading at all levels. She is the author of four books published by ASCD, including The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management, and has published hundreds of articles in various education publications. In addition to providing professional development to districts in the areas of school climate, personnel, and instructional leadership, Schwanke presents at conferences for ASCD, NAESP, NASSP, AASA, and various state and local education organizations. She is the co-host of the popular “Principal Matters” podcast and an instructor in educational administration at The Ohio State University and Miami University of Ohio. Dr. Schwanke currently serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio.–

Kenya Bustos Diaz is a freshman ENL Teacher From Veracruz, Mexico, DACA recipient. Social Justice Mentor for Future Teachers of Color at Butler University Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from Butler University.

Dara Laws Savage is a 26-year educator from the great state of Delaware. She has served on numerous local, regional, and state committees, and has been Teacher of the Year in two different districts. She is an Emeritus national faculty member of PBLWorks, and is presently the English 9 teacher and Instructional Coach at the Early College High School at Delaware State University while working on her doctorate. Dara is a proud Board of Education member for the Seaford School District (alumna) and she is the owner of Savage Educational Consulting.

Teachers Aid – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Teachers Aid – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

SAGE Publishing1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

SAGE Publishing1

Apple Podcasts

Spotify