A New Year with BNT: Books, Teaching Strategies, EdTech and More!

We’re back in a whole new year with new perspectives to share on everything that BNT listeners care about. Join us for this series in four acts to set your vision for the year ahead and make it the best one your classroom has ever seen!

Act One: New Year, New Books

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In this episode of the "Brave New Teaching" podcast, hosts Marie and Amanda delve into their reading goals and aspirations for the year 2025. As high school and former English teachers, respectively, Marie and Amanda bring a wealth of experience and passion to their discussion, making it a must-listen for anyone in the field of education.

The Importance of Reading for Educators

Marie and Amanda kick off the episode by reflecting on the changes in education since 2020 and their excitement about evolving their podcast to keep pace with these shifts. They liken their approach to cleaning out a cluttered closet (Amanda’s post-Covid ADHD closet to be precise 😆), introducing new ideas while revitalizing old ones with fresh perspectives. This metaphor sets the stage for their discussion on reading, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the teaching profession.

Key Takeaways:

  • Reading as Personal Nourishment: Amanda shares her ambitious goal of reading 80 books in 2025, emphasizing the importance of filling her time with enriching literature instead of mindless scrolling on her phone. This goal is not about boasting but about using "dead time"—like waiting in line or doing chores—to engage with books that nourish her mind.

  • Reading for Professional Development: Marie and Amanda both express excitement about the wealth of literature available for young readers, particularly in the young adult and middle-grade categories. They highlight the importance of staying updated with new books and authors to better connect with their students and enhance their teaching practices.

Setting Reading Goals and Plans

Marie and Amanda share their individual reading goals and plans for the year, offering valuable insights and recommendations for listeners.

OUR Reading Goals:

  • Book Club Initiatives: Amanda has started a new book club where each member picks a book and a related challenge for the month. For January, she has chosen "A Wrinkle in Time" and encourages others to revisit a childhood favorite. This initiative fosters a sense of community and shared reading experiences.

  • Exploring Different Genres: Amanda expresses her desire to read more poetry and shorter books, particularly as she works with elementary school students. This goal reflects her commitment to diversifying her reading and finding literature that resonates with her students.

  • Nonfiction Focus: Marie plans to tackle two nonfiction books: "Financial Feminist" by Tori Dunlap, which aims to empower women in managing their finances, and "This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained" by Karen Anderson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, which addresses the challenges of puberty for kids aged eight to eighteen. These books are particularly relevant to her life as a parent and educator.

  • Family Book Club: Marie expresses interest in starting a family book club with her children, especially as her daughter is making strides in her reading abilities. This initiative highlights the joy of sharing reading experiences with family and fostering a love of literature in children.

Episode Takeaways & Action Steps

Actionable Tips for ALL OF US:

  • Set Specific Reading Goals: Whether it's a number of books or exploring new genres, setting specific reading goals can help you stay motivated and engaged.

  • Join or Start a Book Club: Sharing reading experiences with others can enhance your understanding and enjoyment of books. Consider joining an existing book club or starting one with colleagues, friends, or family.

  • Utilize "Dead Time": Make the most of waiting periods or mundane tasks by listening to audiobooks or carrying a book with you. This can help you incorporate more reading into your daily routine.

  • Diversify Your Reading: Explore different genres and authors to broaden your perspective and find new sources of inspiration for your teaching.

  • Engage with the Reading Community: Join online communities or local groups to connect with other readers, share recommendations, and find support in your reading journey.

We can’t wait to support you in the best ways possible in the upcoming months by giving you more of what you need to make your jobs easier and less “stuff” that feels overwhelming. We would love to have you join us in Happy Hour, our teacher work club. Cheers to all the good things coming your way in the new year!

Act Two: New Year, New Tech

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We're two weeks into 2025, and as part of our New Year's series, we're diving into the world of tech. But before we get started, if you missed last week’s episode on new books, be sure to check it out—we left you with a bit of a cliffhanger that we’ll resolve at the beginning of this episode!

Technology is constantly evolving and is everywhere around us, so if it feels overwhelming to keep up, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Remember, tech should make your life easier, not harder. That’s why we recommend sticking with the platforms you already know and love (hello, Google Docs!👋). Many of these tools have received helpful updates and are more powerful than ever.

In this episode, we’ll discuss how to make the most of familiar tools, approach AI intentionally, and streamline your tech organization for better planning. Plus, we’ll share some new tech tools you should check out this year!

If you’d like more support, this month in Happy Hour, we’re going deep into teacher digital planning and organization - and even sharing Trello templates! Join us here!

Tools Mentioned:

Topics discussed:

  • The real purpose of technology in the classroom and our personal lives

  • Opportunities to teach collaborative tech

  • Being more intentional with tech tools

  • Sticking with platforms that have been around for awhile

  • Determining how you want to handle AI in your classroom (and our suggestions!)

  • Digital tools that will help teachers with productivity

Act Three: New Strategies for Teachers

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A new year brings new opportunities to refresh and refocus in the classroom! In this episode, we’re sharing strategies to help you simplify your teaching and make a big impact, from encouraging critical thinking to refining routines that work.

Let’s start with critical thinking—it’s the foundation for preparing students to navigate today’s fast-paced, information-packed world. We’re talking about moving beyond content delivery and creating spaces where students ask questions, explore ideas, and think for themselves.

We also dig into the power of reliable routines and consistency. These simple but essential practices keep your classroom running smoothly and stress-free. Plus, sticking with what works saves you time and helps your students feel secure and supported.

If you’re ready to approach 2025 with clarity and purpose, this episode has everything you need to get started!

Topics discussed:

  • Taking the opportunity to focus on critical thinking (and letting it be hard!)

  • Answering questions with leading questions

  • Centering problems and looking for solutions with literature 

  • Reteaching and redefining systems and routines in your classrooms

  • Being consistent with what works

  • Staying grounded with all the changes in education

Act Four: New Perspectives on Teaching and Education

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Starting a new year in education means facing fresh challenges (and opportunities!) with a renewed mindset. In this episode, we’re diving into how ELA teachers can thrive amid changing expectations and pressures.

From prioritizing self-care to balancing the demands of teaching, we’re sharing practical strategies to help you navigate today’s complex classroom dynamics. We’re also unpacking how setting boundaries and fostering strong professional relationships are KEY for self-preservation in the teaching profession.

We’ve got tips for you on making timeless texts more accessible and relevant, like focusing on universal themes and providing modern supplements! Plus, we’re discussing the importance of proactive parent communication - because keeping families in the loop can prevent misunderstandings and build strong partnerships!

Want to dig deeper into how to implement these new perspectives? Join us in our Happy Hour community! 

Topics discussed:

  • Taking better care of our physical health

  • Three things we can do as the texts we teach become more limiting 

  • Using new approaches when students are having trouble with classics and textbooks

  • New perspectives on parents and communication

More Resources:

check out other bnt episodes:

More about Brave New Teaching:

Join hosts Amanda Cardenas (Mud & Ink Teaching) and Marie Morris (The Caffeinated Classroom) in discussions about being brave, trying new things, and all things teaching! As seasoned classroom teachers, Amanda and Marie bring their experience, insight, energy, and oh, so many opinions and ideas... It's time for all teachers to take their classroom and teaching practice into their own hands!

Tune in on your favorite podcast apps like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

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