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Traveling the Road to Better Teaching with Greg Parker, Graduate Student in Counseling and former secondary English teacher, as we talk about a moment helping students plan for learning after high school. This conversation explores how caring for students beyond the content can open the door to opportunities never considered—and how relationships, information, and guidance can shape the trajectory of a student’s learning . Links from the episode: Alfie Kohn - Unconditional Parenting Designing Groupwork: Strategies for the Heterogeneous Classroom by Elizabeth Cohen Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program at the University of Mississippi University of Mississippi M.Ed. in Counseling Amidon Planet E089: Talking to my Mentor (Joe Dye) about Talking to Strangers (Malcom Gladwell’s Book) Amidon Planet Podcast E042: A Recorded Teaching Celebration with Joe Dye

Traveling the Road to Better Teaching with Bryanna Hall as we talk about a moment that might seem small at first: helping a Kindergarten student learn to write her name. But this wasn’t about handwriting practice or checking off a skill. It was about going above and beyond—slowing down, paying attention, and meeting a student exactly where she was. Through that work, something bigger began to happen. Confidence grew. Engagement changed. And a student who once struggled began to see herself as capable. This conversation explores how small, intentional acts of teaching can open the door to something much larger—and how relationships and responsiveness can shape the trajectory of a student’s learning. Links from the episode: Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) University of Mississippi Teacher Education, Ph.D. Capturing Kids' Hearts The Most Important Year: Pre-Kindergarten and the Future of Our Children by Susan Bouffard

Traveling the road to better teaching as we talk with Katy Pocreva, current University of Mississippi School of Education graduate student, who saw clear evidence of her elementary students’ understanding of parallel and perpendicular lines and angles—not just on their assessments, but in the designs they created. After learning about these geometric ideas, students were challenged to design a park that used parallel and perpendicular lines and specific angle relationships. What emerged was more than correct answers; it was visible thinking, creativity, and meaningful application of what they had learned. This conversation explores what counts as evidence of learning, how tasks can move beyond worksheets, and what becomes possible when students are asked to use mathematics in purposeful ways. Links in the episode Road to Better Teaching Episode E001 Ann Monroe: Zike's Fantastic Foldables Amidon Planet E009 Teaching with Problems Road to Better Teaching is supported by Amidon Planet.

Traveling the road to better teaching as we consider what happens when a teacher stops teaching the pacing guide and starts teaching the students in front of them? In this episode, we hear from Emily Reese, Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program Fellow, former high school English Language Arts teacher, and current University of Mississippi School of Education graduate student, who, working with a remedial class, chose to step away from prescribed standards and focus on helping students become stronger readers and writers. The result: deeper engagement, growing confidence, and students who began to thrive. This is a conversation about trust, responsiveness, and the courage it takes to do what students actually need. Links from the episode Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program Practice Driven PD - Super Wrong, Kinda Right (see https://amidonplanet.com/episode135/) What Great Teachers Do Differently by Todd Whitaker More from Amidon Planet - Good Talk. Real Learning. Better Teaching.

Traveling the road to better education leadership with Cassandra Poulin, University of Mississippi Principal Corps administrative intern and former middle school mathematics teacher. Listen as Cassandra shares lessons from an innovative professional development experience that shaped her as an educator. Links from the episode Principal Corps Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol DweckMathematical Mindsets by Jo Boaler Keeping the Wonder by Jenna Copper, Ashley Bible, Abby Gross, and Staci Lamb Center for Mathematics and Science Education Mathematical Concept Progression Guide

Traveling the road to better teaching with Virge Cornelius, mathematics teacher at Lafayette High School (MS), as she shares insights from her decades of experience in the classroom and beyond, from serving as an AP Calculus Reader to creating the popular Calculus Circuits. Virge offers thoughtful advice for teaching mathematics and makes a compelling case for why doing all the problems matters. Links from the episode: Virge's website: Math, Teaching, and Teaching Math Become an Advanced Placement Reader Virge Cornelius Calculus Circuit Training TPT site Mathematical Mindset by Jo Boaler Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics Liping Ma Math Medic EFFL Post Everyday Mathematics National Council of Teachers of Mathematics - Mathematics Education Trust Grants

Traveling the road to better teaching with Dr. Brandi De La Cruz, Mathematics Teacher at Collierville High School and graduate of the University of Mississippi, Department of Teacher Education, PhD program, as we discuss her journey from managing a Finish Line in Arkansas to being the 2025-2026 Tennessee Teacher of the Year. Links from the episode PhD program in the Department of Teacher Education at the University of Mississippi Rita Pierson - Every kid needs a chamption (TED Talk) Virge Cornelius' Mathematical Circuit Training Amidon Planet E118: Answering Big Questions about Teaching Math with Ayanna Perry and Fred Dillon Amidon Planet Podcast E043: Joyful Learning with Dr. Alice Udvari-Solner Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students' Potential through Creative Mathematics, Inspiring Messages and Innovative Teaching by Jo Boaler Good Tasks for Good Math

Traveling the road to better teaching with Kelsey Dodson, Graduate Student in the University of Mississippi Principal Corps, as we discuss her experience taking on the role of an educational leader, given her experience as a teacher and a counselor. Links from the episode Mississippi Principal Corps

Traveling the road to better teaching with Dr. Joseph Sweeney, Associate Clinical Professor and Director of the Mississippi Teacher Corps at the ⁠⁠University of Mississippi School of Education⁠⁠, as we discuss his experience teaching conversational English in Japan to students aged 3 to 75. Links from the episode Mississippi Teacher Corps Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Online Program Wikipedia article on the Letter People, and more information. A link to the Tenjin Festival. A good entry-level article on restorative practices. Rosenberg, M. B., & Chopra, D. (2015). Nonviolent communication: A language of life: Life-changing tools for healthy relationships. PuddleDancer Press. Hart, S., & Hodson, V. K. (2004). The compassionate classroom: Relationship based teaching and learning. PuddleDancer Press. Kagan Cooperative Learning Structures Cultivating Mathematical Hearts: Culturally Responsive Mathematics Teaching in Elementary Classrooms By: Maria del Rosario Zavala,  Julia Maria Aguirre Love and Logic Amidon Planet Podcast E032: Not Light, But Fire with Shimikqua Ellis Designing Groupwork: Strategies for the Heterogeneous Classroom

Traveling the road to better teaching with Lauren Biando, elementary education M.Ed graduate student at the ⁠University of Mississippi School of Education⁠, as we discuss an experience from her teaching 1st grade. Links in the episode Amidon Planet Podcast E043: Joyful Learning with Dr. Alice Udvari-Solner Teaching Vocabulary: 50 Creative Strategies, Grades K-12 by Gail E. Tompkins (Editor), Cathy L. Blanchfield (Editor) Duolingo - Language Learning For more on portfolio development (for documenting moments of professional growth) at the University of Mississippi School of Education, check out ⁠Portfolio School⁠. The Road to Better Teaching is an ⁠Amidon Planet⁠ production. ⁠Have an event or opportunity to share with Dr. Joel Amidon? Fill out the Request a Call form at Amidon Planet.

Traveling the road to better teaching with Madelyne Pruitt, elementary education teacher candidate at the University of Mississippi School of Education, as we discuss her experience teaching a 1st grade science lesson. For more on portfolio development (for documenting moments of professional growth) at the University of Mississippi School of Education, check out Portfolio School. Reinhart, S. C. (2000). Never say anything a kid can say!. Mathematics teaching in the middle school, 5(8), 478-483. The Road to Better Teaching is an Amidon Planet production. Have an event or opportunity to share with Dr. Joel Amidon? Fill out the Request a Call form at Amidon Planet.

Traveling the road to better teaching with Kelsey Vosters, Mathematics Teacher at Middleton High School in Middleton, Wi, as we discuss her experience in a book study facilitated by the Wisconsin Mathematics Council. The Road to Better Teaching is an Amidon Planet production. For more on portfolio development at the University of Mississippi School of Education, check out Portfolio School. Links from the episode Flippity Wisconsin Mathematics Council Building Thinking Classrooms Special Guest: Kelsey Vosters.

Traveling the road to better teaching with Margaret Slaton as we discuss the day when she unexpectedly took over class as a student teacher. The Road to Better Teaching is an Amidon Planet production. For more on portfolio development at the University of Mississippi School of Education, check out Portfolio School. Links from the Episode THE First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher by Wong and Wong Success from the Start: Your First Years Teaching Secondary Mathematics by Wieman and Arbaugh Success from the Start: Your First Years Teaching Elementary Mathematics by Ernst and Ryan Teaching Problems and the Problems of Teaching by Lampert Teach Like a Champion 3.0: 63 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College by Lemov The Measure of Our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours by Marian Wright Edelman Teachers Off Duty podcast Gerry Brooks Special Guest: Margaret Slaton.

Traveling the road to better teaching with Dr. Ellen Shelton, Director of Pre-College Programs for the Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, Lecturer in the Department of Writing and Rhetoric, and Interim Writing Center Director- Oxford Campus, as we discuss how a shoulder tap from a mentor-teacher led her down a path of developing writers across a variety of educational contexts. Links from the episode UM Writing Project UM Department of Writing and Rhetoric UM Writing Center UM Division of Outreach and Continuing Education In the Middle: A Lifetime of Learning About Writing, Reading, and Adolescents by Nancie Atwell The Road to Better Teaching is an Amidon Planet production. For more on portfolio development at the University of Mississippi School of Education, check out Portfolio School. Special Guest: Ellen Shelton.

Traveling the road to better teaching with Dr. Morris Stocks as we discuss his 31 years at the University of Mississippi and even more as a teacher of accountancy. Dr. Stocks is the 1998 recipient of the University of Mississippi's most prized teaching honor, the Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award. The Road to Better Teaching is an Amidon Planet production. For more on portfolio development at the University of Mississippi School of Education, check out Portfolio School. Links from the episode Elise M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award The Courage to Teach by Parker Palmer Good to Great by Jim Collins Invitations: Changing as Teachers and Learners K-12 by Regie Routman Music by Slip.stream - "Farmers Market" - https://slip.stream/tracks/e71db9fe-d06e-433b-87f2-3aff5d772a2a Special Guest: Morris Stocks.