Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

How much effort is enough—for you and your students?

In this episode, I’m weaving together three listener questions about navigating effort, expectations, and balance. We’ll explore how to recognize whether you lean more toward Type A (overextending) or Type B (holding back) tendencies, and how to make small, mindful adjustments so you’re not burning out—or stagnating.

You’ll hear practical advice for:

• Reworking your expectati...

SCHEDULE CHANGE! I’m partnering with Rocket PD to offer a live-virtual cohort called Unlocking Teacher Productivity starting in late January.

(Originally when this announcement was released, I mentioned October, but we've pushed things back to accomodate a major release in federal funding that won't reach schools until later this fall.)

Unlocking Teacher Productivity isn’t a self-paced course ...

Engagement is not the same as "fun." It's the foundation for meaningful and lasting learning.

Join me as I talk with Katie Powell, author of Boredom Busters: Transform Worksheets, Lectures, and Grading into Engaging, Meaningful Learning Experiences. Katie shares simple yet powerful strategies that help teachers transform their classrooms into spaces where students thrive. Whether you’re trying to bring more fun into your lessons, a...

Time blocking sounds simple… but if you’ve ever sat down during your prep period with a plan and still ended the day feeling behind, you know it’s not always that straightforward.

In this episode, I’m walking you through a flexible, teacher-centered approach to scheduling your time. This isn’t about squeezing more into the day—it’s about protecting time for what matters and letting go of the guilt about what doesn’t.

I’ll share how...

How can you meet the needs of every learner in your classroom while keeping your workload manageable? In this episode, Robert Barnett shares how self-paced learning can transform your teaching and create a more personalized, effective, and sustainable experience for both you and your students.

We dive into the Modern Classrooms approach, breaking it down into actionable steps that any teacher can take—whether you’re ready to fully...

One of the most exhausting parts of teaching is the constant decision-making. You’re answering questions like:

Where do I turn this in?

Can I go to the bathroom?

What do I do when I’m done?

My pencil broke—what now?

Over and over. All day long.

You’re managing behavior, passing out materials, troubleshooting tech, resetting the room, redirecting energy, keeping everything afloat.

And underneath all of that is the belief—often unspo...

We often assume students should already know how to stay organized, manage their time, and start tasks independently—but these are skills that need to be taught, modeled, and practiced. 
In this episode, I’m talking with Mitch Weathers, a former high school teacher and creator of Organized Binder, about how a consistent daily routine anchored by a physical binder can help students build the habits they need to succeed.

You’ll learn...

In this summer reflection episode, I’m sharing a small story—just a quiet moment at an airport breakfast counter—that brought me back to the kind of person I want to be. It’s a simple action, one that no one asked for or expected. But it reminded me that our small choices matter… especially now.

Because let’s be honest: it’s not always clear what the “right” choice is anymore.
Social norms are shifting fast. Families have vastly d...

“We have overprotected kids in the real world and underprotected them online.”

Jonathan Haidt believes we have bubble-wrapped childhood: cut back on recess, banned kids from walking to school alone, and filled every spare moment with structured, adult-led activities.

But at the same time, we gave kids 24/7 access to social media, smartphones, and one-to-one devices—with very little guidance or boundaries.

And now, we’re seeing the...

I’m pulling back the curtain on how I use AI in my work with teachers as an instructional coach. I’ll show you how I collaborate with AI to brainstorm ideas, reflect on lesson design, and help teachers build scaffolds and supports that truly meet students where they are.

This is an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how educators are already partnering with AI in powerful and practical ways, as well as the limitations of these tools...

Self-advocacy can feel like a challenge, especially if you’re conflict-avoidant, culturally conditioned to prioritize group harmony, or simply unsure how to speak up without fear of being labeled “difficult.” In this episode, we’ll explore how to advocate for yourself effectively while balancing cultural expectations, professional norms, and personal boundaries.

Neelu Kaur brings her unique expertise to the discussion. With a busin...

Just popping in with a special update to catch you up on everything that’s happening behind the scenes. 

If you’ve been thinking about ways to streamline your work, learn new strategies, or just reconnect with your sense of purpose this summer and fall, I’ve got a lot of different options for you.

Listen in to hear:

• Insights f...

PD is supposed to help teachers grow, but so often, it feels like a missed opportunity. In this episode of Truth for Teachers, I’m sharing five things teachers wish PD presenters understood—straight from your thoughtful comments and the experiences I've had attending and delivering professional development over the past 25 years.

If you’ve ever been frustrated by PD sessions that feel irrelevant, condescending, or like a waste of t...

What if school was designed around student agency, real-world learning, and deep relationships—instead of compliance and test scores? In this episode, I take you inside Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School, a Big Picture Learning school in the South Bronx that is reimagining what education can be.

I spent two days observing classes, talking with students and teachers, and experiencing firsthand how this school operates within the c...

We’re tackling one of the biggest challenges educators face today: keeping students engaged in a world full of distractions. 

AJ Juliani joins me to explore how to create meaningful and relevant learning experiences that resonate with today’s learners, even in the age of TikTok, smartphones, and endless notifications.

He’s an educator, author, and speaker who serves as an instructor for the University of Pennsylvania Graduate Scho...

Are you considering stepping into a leadership role in education but feeling unsure of where to start? In this episode, I sit down with Starr Sackstein, an experienced educator, consultant, and author, to talk about the journey from teacher to leader. Starr shares her personal story of leaving the classroom, the challenges she faced in leadership, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

We dive into practical steps for prepari...

Feeling blah these days? You’re not alone. Let’s dive into what it really means to keep going when motivation feels out of reach. 

Spoiler: it’s not about forcing yourself to feel happy or productive right away. 
Instead, we’ll explore how to sit with your emotions, honor what your body and mind need, and take small, manageable steps forward—even when you don’t feel like it.

I’ll share why motivation isn’t always the answer, how “...

How can teachers embrace creativity in their classrooms when faced with rigid curriculums, standardized testing, and limited time? That’s the question I’m exploring today with Trevor Muir, an educator, author, and advocate for creative teaching. Trevor’s taught at the middle, high school, and college level, and applies that experience to his numerous books, courses, and in-person PD sessions.

In this episode, Trevor shares persona...

AI tools are transforming the way teachers plan lessons, but how do you use them without losing the personal touch that makes your teaching unique? In this episode of Truth for Teachers, I’m showing you how to use AI as a time-saving tool while still keeping your lessons authentic, creative, and tailored to your students.

Here’s what you’ll learn :

• How to choose the right AI tools, like ChatGPT, Curipod, and Canva Magic Write,...