The High Cost of Becoming a Teacher
In this podcast episode, Amanda and co-host Trina discuss the challenges and expenses involved in becoming a teacher. Trina highlights the financial, time, and...
A Discussion with a New Teacher Who Chose to Leave the Profession
In this podcast episode, the host introduces Kelvin Mak, a recently resigned high school English teacher, who shares his experiences and frustrations with the education...
Teacher Pay Scales are Outdated and Oppressive, Here’s How to Fix Teacher Pay
In this podcast episode, Amanda, the host of the Empower Students Now podcast, introduces Trina English as a special guest and co-host for a series of episodes on the...
I Found Out I Have ADHD at Age 40
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner shares her personal journey of discovering that she has ADHD and the importance of teachers...
Essential Takeaways from Reading Reconsidered by Doug Lemov
Do you want to teach your students how to read more effectively and prepare them for college and life? In this podcast episode, Amanda discusses the book "Reading...
Essential Takeaways from The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop by Felicia Rose Chavez
Are you an English teacher looking to create an anti-racist writing workshop that prioritizes student voices and celebrates diversity? Look no further than "The...
Essential Takeaways from Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda shares her summer plans and introduces a series of episodes where she provides overviews of eight books...
How to Increase Student Engagement with Equitable Teaching Practices
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda introduces her new course, The Empowered English Classroom, which aims to increase student engagement...
We Need to Stop Shaming Kids (and Ourselves) for Screen Use, Here’s Why…
In this podcast episode, Amanda discusses the negative impact of shaming kids and ourselves for screen use. She argues that screens can have benefits for...
A New Way to Think about Apathetic, Unmotivated, and Defiant Students
In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda discusses how to handle apathetic and defiant students in the classroom. She shares her personal experience...
Dropping the Suitcases of Regret and Worry: A Guided Meditation for Teachers at the End of a School Year
Transcript: Welcome back. I am thrilled to tell you that I am enrolled currently in a two year mindfulness and meditation teacher program. And the teachers are...
Easy to Plan End of Year Writing Projects Your Students Will Love
Are you looking for fun and engaging writing projects for your students at the end of the school year? Look no further! In this episode, I share five writing projects...
8 Highly Engaging (and Controversial) Argumentative Mentor Texts for Middle and High School
This podcast and website cost money to maintain. I enjoy providing free support for as many teachers as I can but I also have to pay the bills. The best way you can...
Are You Blindly Following Rules?
Transcript: Every child grows up following rules. They follow the rules of their parents, they follow the rules of their teachers, They follow their friends, and...
The Absolute Best Way to Start an Argumentative Writing Unit
Over the years I've learned that the first lesson of an argumentative writing unit is key to the success of the entire unit. The first lesson needs to accomplish a lot,...