by Amanda | Apr 18, 2026 | ADHD, Autism, Neurodiversity, New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast
What is neurodiversity — and why should teachers care? In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Warner — a certified meditation teacher, 16-year classroom veteran, and AuDHD educator — breaks down the neurodiversity movement in plain language...
by Amanda | Apr 18, 2026 | ADHD, Autism, Neurodiversity, New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast
On the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner shares that she pursued an autism diagnosis at 43 after years of researching autism following her child’s 2021 diagnosis. During this time she was also diagnosed with ADHD, identifying as AuDHD. She describes...
by Amanda | Apr 18, 2026 | ADHD, Autism, Neurodiversity, New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast
Host Amanda Werner shares why she is discussing her family’s diagnostic journey, describing years of feeling overwhelmed and not understanding why daily life felt so hard for her and her child. She explains pursuing evaluations through medical providers and insurance,...
by Amanda | Apr 11, 2026 | Management, New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast, Student Motivation
Host Amanda Werner discusses how schools often misinterpret student “defiance” as willful disobedience when it may reflect nervous system distress, trauma responses, autism, or ADHD. She shares her experience as a former teacher and as an autistic parent of an...
by Amanda | Apr 2, 2026 | Discussion, Mini Lessons, New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner dives into the essential skill of collaborative problem solving. This episode is part of a broader series focusing on the critical skills needed for students’ futures. Amanda provides...
by Amanda | Apr 2, 2026 | ADHD, Autism, Neurodiversity, New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast
Amanda Werner hosts an off-the-cuff episode of the Empower Students Now podcast about what led her to suspect she was autistic and eventually seek a formal adult autism diagnosis. She explains that her suspicion began after her child was diagnosed with autism in 2021...
by Amanda | Feb 14, 2026 | ADHD, Autism, Management, Mindfulness, Mini Lessons, Neurodiversity, New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast
Amanda continues her Empower Students Now series with short classroom slideshow lessons available via email sign-up here by focusing on emotional regulation. She defines it as noticing emotions and body sensations, understanding triggers, using strategies to reduce...
by Amanda | Feb 14, 2026 | Management, Mindfulness, Mini Lessons, New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda dives into the critical skill of conflict resolution. Amanda shares personal experiences and highlights the lack of formal education on resolving conflicts. Offering a range of practical steps and...
by Amanda | Jan 25, 2026 | Elementary Teachers, Mindfulness, New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast, Secondary Teachers, Social Justice
In this urgent and heartfelt episode, recorded on Sunday, January 25th, Amanda offers raw and real advice for teachers dealing with a recent tragedy involving the death of ICU nurse Alex Preti by federal agents. Acknowledging the emotional burden and chaos, Amanda...
by Amanda | Jan 18, 2026 | Discussion, Mindfulness, Mini Lessons, New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast, Other
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner discusses the importance and challenges of teaching active listening to students. She provides an overview of essential skills like self-advocacy, ethical reasoning, and critical thinking,...
by Amanda | Jan 10, 2026 | ADHD, Autism, Neurodiversity, New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast
Join Amanda Werner and her good friend Jessica Martin in this insightful episode as they dive deep into navigating life with autism and other neurodivergent conditions in adulthood. Jess shares personal experiences about her sensory sensitivities and struggles with...
by Amanda | Jan 10, 2026 | ADHD, Autism, Neurodiversity, New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast
In this special New Year’s episode Amanda shares some big news, that she’s Autistic! To help Amanda reveal this difficult and amazing truth to the world Amanda brings on her co-host, Jessica Martin from Two Wacky Teacherpreneurs Tell All podcast. They...
by Amanda | Dec 10, 2025 | New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast, Technology
Share Tweet Pin It In this new series about preparing students for an unknown future, Amanda Werner delves into the essential skill of self-knowledge. The episode explores how self-knowledge can help students navigate an uncertain future influenced by...
by Amanda | Nov 25, 2025 | New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast, Technology
Share Tweet Pin It In this final episode in a four part series, Amanda Werner talks with Adrian Martinca about the critical pivot period we are in because of AI technology. The conversation outlines three phases: the enchantment phase of initial...
by Amanda | Nov 20, 2025 | New Style Blog Post, New Style Podcast, Technology
Share Tweet Pin It Host, Amanda Werner, continues her interview with Adrian Martinca in this episode. Adrian is a technologist and activist working tirelessly on behalf of children. Adrian invites us to imagine a future where AI has replaced the...