The Edu20/20 Podcast

Episode 22: State Testing Stories That Shouldn’t Be Real | The Edu20/20 Podcast

Welcome to the Edu20/20 After Hours Podcast… and yes, we’re ending the season with state testing. Because what better way to wrap things up than revisiting one of the most stressful and chaotic times of the school year? In this episode, we’re sharing real stories from state testing--the kind that sound made up until you’ve actually lived through it. We’re talking: • The rules, the pressure, and the “did I sign in blood?” meetings • What classrooms actually look like during testing week • The moments where everything goes sideways (and you can’t do anything about it) • And how teachers somehow survive it every single year If you’ve ever made it through testing season, you already know. And if you haven’t… buckle up. Source moments pulled straight from real classroom experiences. Chapters: 0:00 Why state testing deserves its own episode 2:22 The rules, the pressure, and the setup 4:20 What testing week actually feels like 6:38 When things go wrong (and you’re stuck) 9:32 The story we will never forget 12:01 How teachers survive testing days 14:00 The moments you can’t control 15:34 Ending the year (and season) with perspective https://www.edutwentytwenty.com

Episode 21: What to Do After Testing (When Everyone Is Checked Out) | The Edu20/20 Podcast

Welcome back to the Edu20/20 Podcast… and yes, this is the season finale. We’re talking about that very specific time of year. Testing? Done. Kids? Done. Teachers? Definitely DONE. And somehow, you still have weeks left. This episode is all about what to do with that time-- keeping things meaningful without making it harder on yourself. We’re sharing what we’ve tried, what worked, what didn’t, and how to use this stretch of the year in a way that still feels worth it. There’s a mix of ideas in here: • Trying new strategies without the pressure • Giving students more ownership and voice • Creative ways to revisit content without it feeling repetitive • Projects, reflection, and actually building humans (not just finishing standards) Chapters: 0:00 Last episode energy (and why this time of year is weird) 2:23 What to do after testing ends 3:42 Using this time to try new strategies 5:42 Creative projects that still connect to content 7:30 Letting students give feedback (and actually listening) 10:34 Making review meaningful instead of busywork 13:46 Prioritizing what actually matters 15:07 Ending the year on a high note https://www.edutwentytwenty.com

Episode 20: What We Did Before Teaching (And Why It Actually Matters) | The Edu20/20 Podcast

Welcome to the Edu20/20 After Hours Podcast… where we’re nearing the end of the season by going all the way back to the beginning. In this episode, we’re talking about who we were before education-- the random jobs, weird experiences, and moments that somehow shaped how we show up in classrooms today. From running errands for executives (yes, including private jets) to Walmart snack bars, call centers, and first-year teaching chaos, this one is a mix of “how did that happen?” and “okay wait, that actually tracks.” It’s not deep or structured, but it does explain a lot. Chapters: 0:00 Why we’re going back before teaching 1:24 Favorite teaching years (and why they mattered) 5:37 The jobs that came before the classroom 9:22 The most random job stories (private jets included) 12:46 First-year teaching chaos (and quick exits 😅) 16:44 Jobs we would never do again #TeacherLife #Education #TeacherOriginStories https://www.edutwentytwenty.com

Episode 19: Study Guides Aren’t Working (Here’s What Actually Does) | The Edu20/20 Podcast

Welcome back to the Edu20/20 Podcast… where we take the things we’ve all done in classrooms and actually look at whether they’re working. This episode is all about study guides. We’ve all used them. We’ve all handed them out before a test. We’re talking through what’s actually happening when students “study” and why a lot of it doesn’t last. This conversation gets into: • What we’ve done (and seen) with study guides over time • Why some approaches feel helpful in the moment but don’t stick • What retrieval and repetition actually look like in real classrooms • Simple ways to build stronger memory without adding more to your plate Chapters: 0:00 Why we keep coming back to study guides 2:06 What we’ve seen (and done) in classrooms 4:32 What the research says about studying 6:29 A different way to approach review 9:27 Why students forget so quickly 11:25 Practical ways to build memory over time 13:12 What to watch for during review 15:31 A simple shift you can try https://www.edutwentytwenty.com

Episode 18: Teacher Life Hacks You'll Actually Use | The Edu20/20 Podcast

Welcome to the Edu20/20 After Hours Podcast, where we’re not solving education today, we’re just trying to survive it. This episode is all about teacher life hacks. We’re talking about: • The tiny changes that save your sanity during the week • How to create routines that work for your brain • Why your people at work matter more than anything • Systems, boundaries, and protecting your time • And the things you do outside of school that keep you going Chapters: 0:00 Why we’re talking survival, not strategy 1:41 The small habits that set your week up right 3:13 Managing stress (without losing your mind) 5:25 Finding your people (your real support system) 10:03 Systems that actually save you time 13:24 Boundaries, routines, and protecting your energy 15:03 Why perspective (and getting out) matters https://www.edutwentytwenty.com