Teach Me, Teacher

#404 Who's to Blame for the State of Education? with Dr. Anindya Kundu (pt.1)

I am thrilled to welcome back sociologist and education thought-leader Dr. Anindya Kundu for a powerful conversation about what it truly takes to lead schools and communities toward meaningful change. You may remember Anindya from our earlier discussions on systemic inequality and student agency [https://teachmeteacherpodcast.com/2020/06/15/168-systematic-inequality-with-dr-anindya-kundu-pt-1/]. In this return visit, we go deeper into why traditional models of leadership no longer serve our schools — and how we must evolve our approaches to meet the challenges of today's educational landscape. Anindya's new book, Transforming Educational Leadership: Non-Traditional Narratives to Promote Equity in Uncertain Times [https://www.amazon.com/Transforming-Educational-Leadership-Non-Traditional-Narratives/dp/0197750559/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZWY3CHGVC2ON&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TO0UQBZmPQgu-OUyOF8Qw2U_5F-DL3TSkRpaG6IcQeDGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.lpxxWXVoFN4kA6Hf4kbY3yUEIXg8ilNdorMY9iUCtNY&dib_tag=se&keywords=anindya+kundu&qid=1768846857&sprefix=anindya+kundu%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1], offers a compelling roadmap for rethinking leadership in education by elevating the voices and experiences of students, educators, families, and leaders who are leading in new ways. Drawing from narrative research and sociological insight, he challenges the idea that leadership is something done to people and reframes it as a collective practice. In this conversation, we explore: * Why educational leadership must move beyond managerial efficiency * How stories from multiple stakeholders help us understand what real leadership looks like in unsettled times * How we got to where we are today with the lack of trust in public education Whether you're an educator, administrator, parent, or advocate, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership and inspire you to engage in the higher-order work of transforming systems, not just coping with them.

#403 The Digital Delusion with Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath (pt.2)

On this week's Teach Me, Teacher we sit down with Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath — neuroscientist, educator, and author — to dive deep into one of the most urgent debates in education today: the role of technology in schools. All of the discussion items in this episode are inspired by and directed by Jared's latest book: The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids' Learning — And How To Help Them Thrive Again — check it out here. [https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Delusion-Classroom-Technology-Learning/dp/B0G5622DQQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YJJ9RBSQOHMY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wFXgHCeHkGgT_CIbXlGvy9n1NIhsEx_rwt_i99X1xf3lsde7FUhu1xn2Gq6pUWDKxttmgycgxl2TaxMMI1l3toLM_d5w6m8qubz4zpg2EKPiOES3PtMBofKhlgjgyGIMJZRDDaH3ys-lDCPbhzzpDa5kzP7fZLCVu2ssZpZVYHJcKKRmdimlCUj182ULjebrb7HbRUT7582zjw3-yBbqAPiVeESSnVgBo7w7LD7VyFk.1oDthzBWA-e1PjgyYNo4NDMU7feTnoc_sBdt6VIK2Qs&dib_tag=se&keywords=jared+horvath&qid=1767581002&sprefix=jared+horvath%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-1] In this powerful conversation, Jared breaks down the myth of educational technology. His new book takes a rigorous, research-grounded view of why digital tools — once hailed as revolutionary — often fail to deliver on their promises and can actually hinder real learning. Jared and I explore how technology went from a supplemental tool to a central feature of classrooms. Fueled by optimism, investment, and the idea that digital tools automatically mean innovation, schools adopted laptops, tablets, apps, and AI — often without deep evidence that these tools improve learning. Drawing on decades of cognitive research, Jared explains how digital distraction — from multitasking to constant notifications — can disrupt memory, attention, and deep thinking. These are the very processes that real learningdepends on. Rather than simply adding more tech, we talked about what happens when schools put teachers, relationships, and focused engagement back at the center of learning. Jared makes the case that most student-facing screens should be phased out — not because technology is inherently bad, but because its dominant role undermines learning outcomes and critical thinking skills We also cover what better education actually looks like: classrooms where print media, discussion, reflection, and deep practice take priority — and where technology serves only highly specific, evidence-based purposes rather than driving instruction. As schools grapple with stagnant achievement, reduced attention spans, and rising concerns about student well-being, this episode challenges the assumption that more technology equals better learning. It's time for educators, parents, and policy makers to rethink the role of ed tech — and that starts with honest conversations like this one. Check out our previous discussion on the podcast here. [https://teachmeteacherpodcast.com/2019/06/03/115-brain-science-to-make-your-message-stick-with-jared-horvath-pt-1/]

#402 How Ed Tech is Harming Our Kids with Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath (pt.1)

On this week's Teach Me, Teacher we sit down with Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath — neuroscientist, educator, and author — to dive deep into one of the most urgent debates in education today: the role of technology in schools. All of the discussion items in this episode are inspired by and directed by Jared's latest book: The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids' Learning — And How To Help Them Thrive Again — check it out here. [https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Delusion-Classroom-Technology-Learning/dp/B0G5622DQQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YJJ9RBSQOHMY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wFXgHCeHkGgT_CIbXlGvy9n1NIhsEx_rwt_i99X1xf3lsde7FUhu1xn2Gq6pUWDKxttmgycgxl2TaxMMI1l3toLM_d5w6m8qubz4zpg2EKPiOES3PtMBofKhlgjgyGIMJZRDDaH3ys-lDCPbhzzpDa5kzP7fZLCVu2ssZpZVYHJcKKRmdimlCUj182ULjebrb7HbRUT7582zjw3-yBbqAPiVeESSnVgBo7w7LD7VyFk.1oDthzBWA-e1PjgyYNo4NDMU7feTnoc_sBdt6VIK2Qs&dib_tag=se&keywords=jared+horvath&qid=1767581002&sprefix=jared+horvath%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-1] In this powerful conversation, Jared breaks down the myth of educational technology. His new book takes a rigorous, research-grounded view of why digital tools — once hailed as revolutionary — often fail to deliver on their promises and can actually hinder real learning. Jared and I explore how technology went from a supplemental tool to a central feature of classrooms. Fueled by optimism, investment, and the idea that digital tools automatically mean innovation, schools adopted laptops, tablets, apps, and AI — often without deep evidence that these tools improve learning. Drawing on decades of cognitive research, Jared explains how digital distraction — from multitasking to constant notifications — can disrupt memory, attention, and deep thinking. These are the very processes that real learning depends on. Rather than simply adding more tech, we talked about what happens when schools put teachers, relationships, and focused engagement back at the center of learning. Jared makes the case that most student-facing screens should be phased out — not because technology is inherently bad, but because its dominant role undermines learning outcomes and critical thinking skills We also cover what better education actually looks like: classrooms where print media, discussion, reflection, and deep practice take priority — and where technology serves only highly specific, evidence-based purposes rather than driving instruction. As schools grapple with stagnant achievement, reduced attention spans, and rising concerns about student well-being, this episode challenges the assumption that more technology equals better learning. It's time for educators, parents, and policy makers to rethink the role of ed tech — and that starts with honest conversations like this one. Check out our previous discussion on the podcast here. [https://teachmeteacherpodcast.com/2019/06/03/115-brain-science-to-make-your-message-stick-with-jared-horvath-pt-1/]

#401 Resolutions for Teachers in 2026

Hello everyone! In this episode of the podcast, we go over what resolutions teachers should embrace this coming year. The last several years have been difficult in the profession and for Jacob Chastain personally, but times change, we grow and we move on. The resolutions featured here are inspired by both personal and professional needs and hopefully provide a focus for the coming year. Resolutions in this episode include: 1. Show people the true nature of what we do 2. Advocate for yourself and your teams 3. Change it up and experiment 4. Be the teacher you needed as a kid If you have missed previous resolution episodes, they can be found below. 2020 Resolutions [https://teachmeteacherpodcast.com/2019/12/30/144-new-years-resolutions-for-teachers/] 2021 Resolutions [https://teachmeteacherpodcast.com/2021/01/01/190-2021-resolutions-for-teachers/] 2022 Resolutions [https://teachmeteacherpodcast.com/2022/01/03/244-2022-resolutions-for-teachers/] 2023 Resolutions [https://teachmeteacherpodcast.com/2023/01/02/292-new-year-resolutions-for-teachers-in-2023/] 2024 was a recap of the previous years and 2025 is here [https://teachmeteacherpodcast.com/2025/01/13/374-a-new-year-resolution-for-teachers/]

The Tool to Finally Engage Students in Writing (Redux)

Hello everyone! Writefully Empowered is HERE! It's my second book, all about creating a writing workshop that empowers young people to be their best and write pieces they care about. In this episode, I talk with my co-host of Craft & Draft [https://craftanddraftworkshop.com/] (my paused second podcast) about her experience with reading the book, what her takeaways are, and what other educators might find useful in it too. This episode previously aired when the book was released. You can get the book here [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1956306137/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&ref_=tmm_pap_swatch_0&sr=].