Amidon Planet

Amidon Planet

Amidon Planet is all about learning how to teach better. Each episode, Joel Amidon, PhD, will explore ideas from books, interviews, movies, other podcasts, etc. and apply those ideas to teaching better. The ultimate goal being to lead people to love others through teaching.

Episodes

October 16, 2025 38 mins

Learning to teach better as I consider book, Excellence Wins: A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming the Best in a World of Compromise by Horst Shulze, cofounder and former president of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company. Plus, some mailbag responses and the Album of the Episode, Guns and Roses’s Appetite for Destruction.

Show notes can be found at https://amidonplanet.com/episode133/

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Learning to teach better as Joel shares an extended, uncut version of his University of Wisconsin Rugby Club Hall of Fame reflections. From rucks and scrums to the classroom, Joel explores how the lessons from great coaches and a great game continue to shape the way he teaches and learns.

Show notes for the episode can be found at amidonplanet.com/episode132


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Learning to teach better with Dr. Leah Tiisler as she shares her dissertation research on how board and card games can help kindergarten students build math confidence and prevent early struggles with learning. Plus the Album of the Episode, Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen.

Show notes for the episode can be found at amidonplanet.com/episode131

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Learning to teach better with Dr. Nicole Roberson, Instructor in Secondary Science Education and Director of the AP STEM Access Program at the University of Mississippi, as we discuss her journey from research to real-world impact. Nicole’s dissertation, Exploring the Relationship Between Mentoring by Subject Matter Experts and Teacher Self-Efficacy, grew out of her desire to solve a real problem—how to bring Advanced Placement cou...

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Learning to teach better with Dr. Eva Thanheiser, Professor and Chair of the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Portland State University, and Dr. Courtney Koestler, Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Ohio University, as we discuss the book they edited, Building Community to Center Equity and Justice in Mathematics Teacher Education, the newest volume in the Association of Mathema...

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Learning to teach better with Dr. Jen Wolfe, Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Arizona and co‑host of the Teaching Math Teaching podcast.

In this episode — part one of a two‑part series — we talk about two chapters we co‑authored for the newest AMTE Professional Book Series, Building Community to Center Equity and Justice in Mathematics Teacher Education, edited by Dr. Eva Thanheiser and Dr. Courtney Koestler.

W...

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Learning to teach better with Dr. Jenay Willis at the University of Mississippi School of Education, as we talk about her award-winning dissertation, We Gotta Think About Our Community as a Collective”: A Youth Participatory Action Research Study to Address Rural Black Students’ College-Going Culture Experiences. Plus, the Album of the Episode, Hard Love by NEEDTOBREATHE.

Show notes for the episode can be found at amidonplanet.com/e...

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Learning to teach better with Dr. Claire Fearn, who recently defended her dissertation, Working with Parents/Guardians to Provide Support and Knowledge for Structured Literacy Spelling Instruction at Home. In the episode we discuss the origin of her study, share what she did using Improvement Science, what she found, and why it matters to promote kids learning to read through spelling and families supporting that effort. Plus the a...

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Learning to teach better with journalist, market research analyst, and author, Ross Benes, as we discuss Insane Clown Posse, Beanie Babies, wrestling, reality television, and other topics in his book, 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times. Plus, the Album of the Episode, Passage du Desir by Johnny Blue Skies.

Show notes for the episode can be found at https://amidonplanet.com/episode125/

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Learning to teach better with Dr. Jeff Rozelle, President and CEO of the Knowles Teacher Initiative, and Dr. Jen Mossgrove, Director of the Teaching Fellows Program. In this episode, we discuss the thoughtful redesign of the Knowles Teaching Fellows Program and the insights gained through this process. Listen as we discuss what it means to truly support early career mathematics and science teachers for both the teachers and those w...

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Listen in as Joel Amidon and Dr. John Staley reflect on four years of collaborative work aimed at transforming students' mathematical experiences during the transition years. Hear the behind-the-scenes story of how professional organizations came together to amplify voices, build a lasting network, and create real change. From grassroots conversations to state-level influence, John emphasizes the importance of shared leadership, ac...

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Learning to teach better with Dr. Josh Hertel, Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, as we discuss teaching as a lifestyle and, specifically, personal finance for educators. Plus, some table top game recommendations and the Album of the Episode, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan.

Show notes for the episode can be found at https://amidonplanet.com/episode123/


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Learning to teach better with Allison DiLiberto as we discuss our common read, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport. Plus, mailbag responses and the Album of the Episode, Let it Bleed by The Rolling Stones.


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Learning to teach better through reflection and catching up with Lisa Hennessey, former high school mathematics teacher, past - president of the Wisconsin Math Council, currently teaching faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Candidate for the Board of Directors for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Plus the Album of the Episode, Thickfreakness by The Black Keys.

Show notes can be found at amidonplanet.co...

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Learning to teach better with Dr. Jen Wolfe as we talk about our approach to getting the most out of attending a conference. Plus the albums of the episode by Kendrick Lamar and Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors.

Show notes for the episode can be found athttps://amidonplanet.com/episode120/

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Sharing a countdown of suggestions for the listeners of Amidon Planet to close out 2024. Plus a gift for listeners of the podcast!

Show notes (and the countdown) can be found at https://amidonplanet.com/episode119/

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Learning to teach better with Dr. Ayanna Perry, Director, Outreach and Dissemination for the Knowles Teacher Initiative, and Fred Dillon, national mathematics curriculum and learning consultant, as we discuss their book, Five to Thrive Answers to your Biggest Questions about Teaching Secondary Math. Plus, the Album of the Episode, The Wildest! by the Louis Prima.

Show notes for this episode can be found at amidonplanet.com/episode1...

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Joe Jackson, Instructional Assistant Professor of Musical Theater Dance at the University of Mississippi, stops by and provides perspective on teaching rooted in his experience in the theater and learning and teaching dance and choreography. Plus, the Album of the Episode, Californication by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Show notes for the episode can be found at amidonplanet.com/episode117

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A rebroadcast of E061 of the podcast on how to love your neighbor with Burhanettin Keskin. Just because...


Show notes for this episode can be found at https://amidonplanet.com/episode61/

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Learning to teach better with Dr. Ty McNamee, Assistant Professor of Higher Education at the University of Mississippi School of Education, as we talk about his dissertation work that was awarded the 2023-2024 Dissertation of the Year by the American Educational Research Association, Division J. The work is titled, The Cultural Transition Into and Navigation of Higher Education for Rural Students from Poor and Working-class Backgro...

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