AMPed for Teaching Podcast

Join Steph and Josh Sukow as they dive into the heart of student engagement and how to leverage student engagement to support students in the classroom and beyond. During this podcast, they will talk about student engagement and how it allows them to build relationships with students.

They'll talk about gamification and how engagement strategies can improve students' confidence to share ideas and speak in the classroom. Steph will ...

Steph and Josh end the year with a new podcast name and an exploration of recalibration—both personal and professional. We’ll share insights on adapting, growing, and learning from experience while staying connected to our core mission of amplifying student voices and empowering creativity.

Join us as we define recalibration and talk about what it looks like in the classroom and beyond. We will also discuss how we’ve worked to m...

In episode 12, we discuss embracing failure as a valuable learning experience. As painful as it can be, failure can be a gift to us and our students. We can only learn if we make big mistakes and embrace the learning opportunities.

Remember, when we are growing and learning, it is important that we take people with us on the journey. Students (and all people) need to use failure as a learning process both in the classroom and in o...

Welcome to the Teach Speech Podcast. In Episode 11, we are talking all about our values. By kicking off our college speech class with a values search, we have seen the power of encouraging reflection and sharing semester after semester. During this episode, we also talk about the power of choice and voice in creating space for our students. Autonomy is empowering and allows students to take charge of their own learning in an Englis...

Welcome to episode 10 of the Teach Speech Podcast. In this episode, we discuss the transformative potential of routines in our everyday lives. Routines are necessary to help teams work and to help us unlock our full potential as educators, parents, and people. In Josh’s SEL corner, we will talk about the power of storytelling, especially when we find ourselves out of our routine and amidst life changes. 

In the classroom, we will a...

Welcome to epsiode 09 of the Teach Speech Podcast. In this episode, we talk about the art of asking reflective questions and embracing mindful practices. Josh will talk about his first week as a college instructor, and Steph will shed some light on her first week with students and teachers back in the building.

Questions can elicit great responses from our students and the people we interact with daily. Whether we are talking in t...

In Episode 08 of the Teach Speech Podcast, we delve into the concept of "Making a Mantra." From the start of the school year to an end of a season, mantras are critical in motivating and uniting people under one goal.

We'll discuss how mantras can be integrated into the classroom, encompassing elements like classroom design, setting the tone, employing the WOOP goal-setting technique, establishing norms, guiding grou...

Hey there! In Episode 07, we talk about "Finding Your Voice." We're excited to explore how finding our voices in various roles can make us better leaders and positively impact others. We all juggle multiple hats, whether it's in the classroom, as school leaders, or within our families, and being confident in our identity and beliefs allows us to lead more effectively and inspire others to do the same.

As part of o...

Hey there! In Ep 06 of the Teach Speech Podcast, we discuss systems. From organizational documents to a more organized pantry, we will address how establishing systems or routines can help make life more efficient and even more FLEXIBLE.

Systems help us create a roadmap for a semester-long course, organize how we communicate with students, and even lead to stronger and more relevant SMART goal-setting. So as you tune into this week...

In this episode five, we discuss the importance of finding your cheering section in the classroom and in life. We explore how building connections and rapport can lead to fostering that cheering section within our classrooms and social groups. Being a cheering section for others also helps create a supportive environment.

We’ll share some personal learning experiences, including the value of asking transformative questions and th...

Welcome back to the Teach Speech Podcast! In this episode, we’ll address starting a school year off by building rapport and fostering relationships. We’ll talk about strategies to make icebreakers more meaningful and effective for all participants. We’ve all been in a meeting or classroom in which icebreakers fell flat.

Listen for tips to take the dread out of icebreakers and make the experience more engaging for all. Remember, ra...

In episode 03, we explore the idea of work-life balance. We discuss the challenges of juggling commitments and consider ways to find harmony in life. Tune in as we unpack the true meaning of work-life balance and its application in classrooms and personal lives.

So how do we find balance, and more importantly, how do we help our students find more harmony themselves? We will discuss the importance of establishing boundaries, using ...

Welcome back to the Teach Speech Podcast! In this episode, we take on the exciting topic of planning for a new course. Steph shares her upcoming transition to a new job and her role as the Humanities Division leader, while Josh reflects on the emotions that come with starting a new job.

We'll discuss preparing for a new semester. In this episode, we'll discuss the importance of setting expectations and time management in th...

In the first episode of the Teach Speech Podcast, we delve into the topic of interviewing. Drawing from their personal experiences, we'll discuss the emotional impact of interviews on relationships and other facets of life. We will talk about what interviewing skills look like in the classroom and in our daily lives.

We'll unpack our own recent interview experiences, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the stress and emo...