Advertise on podcast: Suck Less Tomorrow: A Podcast for Teachers

Can a simple shift in your classroom layout completely transform your student's behavior? In this episode I sit down with Jonathan Treiber, CEO of Skillcare USA, to tackle student anxiety, classroom wellness, and the science of sensory regulation. The old-school "timeout corner" is officially on its way out. Today, educators are finding massive success by creating proactive sensory regulation corners right in their classrooms. Jonathan shares how frontline teacher feedback helped develop silent learning aids—like the famous Crash Pad and weighted gel lap pads—to keep restless kids focused without distracting the rest of the room. What you’ll learn in this episode: Proactive vs. Reactive Teaching: How to read early warning signals and preempt behavioral issues before an outburst happens.Beyond Fidget Spinners: The actual science of weighted therapy and silent gel tools in mainstream classrooms.The School-to-Home Connection: Why parents are successfully adopting these same sensory tools for homework routines.A Stitch in Time: One vital piece of daily advice to protect your own mental health and make your teaching day suck less tomorrow. If you want your students to feel safe, seen, and supported so they are truly ready to learn, this conversation is a must-listen.🔗 Connect with our guest:Explore Skillcare's sensory regulation tools and learning aids directly on the Skillcare USA Website. If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ TikTok @SuckLessTomorrow Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow. #Student anxiety #sensory regulation #classroom wellness #behavioral issues #sensory tools #learning aids #school #SEL

What are public schools getting wrong—and what are people getting wrong about public schools? In this episode of Suck Less Tomorrow, I sit down with Brad Stukesberry, better known as the Public School Apologist. Brad is a longtime educator, former administrator, and special education professional who has gained an online following by challenging common assumptions about public education. Brad and I discuss student behavior and discipline, school attendance, consequences for students, COVID’s impact on education, school funding, the U.S. Department of Education, special education, intervention and remediation, graduation exams, standardized testing, academic tracking, and teacher professionalism. We also dig into a question that sits at the heart of Brad’s work: What should public educators stop apologizing for? Brad argues that teachers shouldn't apologize for protecting their planning time, advocating for themselves, or expecting to be treated as professionals. We also explore the complicated systems and layers of decision-making that shape what happens in schools long before a student walks into a classroom. If you're a teacher, school administrator, education leader, special educator, or someone interested in public education, this conversation offers an honest look at the challenges facing schools—and why some of the loudest criticisms of education deserve a closer look. Topics include: public schools, teachers, education policy, student discipline, school behavior, chronic absenteeism, school funding, special education, Department of Education, standardized testing, graduation requirements, academic tracking, teacher advocacy, and public education myths. If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ TikTok @SuckLessTomorrow Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

Do teachers really need to create a brand-new, engaging lesson every day? Josie Wozniak, a veteran middle school English and history teacher, theater director, and education creator, says no. In this episode of Suck Less Tomorrow, I talk with Josie about using consistent lesson structures and instructional frameworks to reduce cognitive load, save teachers planning time, and help students become more independent learners. Josie shares her experience using EduProtocols such as Iron Chef, Fast and Curious, Hexagonal Thinking, and other repeatable lesson frameworks. She also explains how formative assessment can help teachers decide what students actually need to practice, rather than simply giving every student the same activity. We also discuss educational technology, AI in the classroom, feedback and revision, student agency, teacher collaboration, ISTE, and the challenge of balancing technology with traditional paper-and-pencil instruction. Finally, Josie shares advice for new teachers, including why you shouldn't be afraid to try things, make mistakes, reset your classroom, and give yourself some grace. Topics covered: classroom management, lesson planning, teacher burnout, cognitive load, EduProtocols, formative assessment, educational technology, AI in education, student agency, teacher collaboration, feedback, middle school teaching, and advice for new teachers. About Josie Wozniak: Josie is a middle school English and history teacher, theater director, and education creator who shares practical teaching ideas online as @Jwoz_Teaches and here linktree here. If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ TikTok @SuckLessTomorrow Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

How can neuroscience improve classroom management? In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow Podcast, I sit down with chemistry teacher, educational consultant, and content creator Chris Mukiibi to discuss practical, research-informed strategies that help teachers build calmer, more cooperative classrooms. Chris shares his journey from engineering student to educator and explains how neuroscience and psychology changed the way he approaches student behavior. We explore why so many teachers struggle with classroom management, why behavior systems matter, and how small changes in language and expectations can dramatically reduce conflict while strengthening relationships with students. We also discuss: Classroom management strategies for new teachers How to reduce power struggles with students Why "the expectation is..." works better than "I need you to..." Building sustainable teaching systems that prevent burnout Grading, feedback, and creating efficient classroom routines Helping students regulate emotions and make better choices The difference between solving symptoms and diagnosing the real problem Whether you're in your first year of teaching or you've been in the classroom for decades, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can use immediately. Connect with Chris Mukiibi:Instagram: @mrmukiibi If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another educator. It helps more teachers discover the show. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ TikTok @SuckLessTomorrow Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow. #Education #Teaching #ClassroomManagement #TeacherTips #NewTeachers #TeacherBurnout #StudentBehavior #EducationPodcast #TeachingStrategies #ProfessionalDevelopment

What does 31 years of teaching teach you? In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow Podcast, I down with veteran educator Patrick "Buck" Buckhalter on his final day with students before retirement. Buck shares how he accidentally became a teacher, why relationships matter more than perfect lessons, coaching philosophy, classroom management, teacher burnout, mentoring new educators, and the advice that shaped his entire career: Be a teacher who coaches, not a coach who teaches. Whether you're a first-year teacher, veteran educator, instructional coach, or school leader, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, funny stories, and reminders about why we do this work. Topics covered: Teacher retirement and reflectionBuilding relationships with studentsTeacher burnoutCoaching vs. teachingMarketing educationNew teacher adviceTeaching strategies If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ TikTok @SuckLessTomorrow Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

After more than three decades in the classroom, Larry Keilman has seen just about everything. In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow Podcast, we talk about classroom management, student behavior, special education, teacher growth, and what experience teaches you about working with young people. Larry shares stories from his career, including lessons that went off the rails, how he learned to respond without taking student behavior personally, and why building relationships is still the most effective classroom management strategy. We also discuss inclusion, AI in education, technology in schools, and why great teaching starts with meeting students where they are. Whether you're a first-year teacher or a veteran educator, this conversation is full of practical advice, honest stories, and reminders that none of us ever stop learning. Topics include: Classroom managementStudent behaviorBuilding relationships with studentsSpecial education and inclusionTeacher growthAI in educationTechnology in the classroomVeteran teacher advice If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, subscribe, and share the podcast. Visit We Suck Less Tomorrow for more podcast episodes, blog posts, and resources. Follow along: TikTok: @sucklesstomorrow Instagram: @sucklesstomorrow Because the goal isn't perfection. The goal is to suck less tomorrow.

WARNING: Explicit Language In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Dan Weintraub, a 40-year veteran educator who has taught in public schools, private schools, middle schools, and high schools across the United States. Throughout his career, Dan has taught history, English, economics, math, and worked as a math interventionist. We discuss what has changed in education over the past four decades, the realities of teacher burnout, school leadership, classroom management, grading practices, and why so many teachers leave the profession. Dan shares honest reflections on his early mistakes, the lessons he learned from administrators and students, and the survival strategies that helped him build a long career in education. Topics include: Teacher burnout and educator wellnessClassroom managementSchool leadership and administrationGrading and grade inflationTeacher retentionEducational philosophyBuilding authentic relationships with studentsFinding your teaching styleSurviving difficult school yearsLessons from 40 years in educationOne of the most powerful messages from this conversation is that you don't have to be a perfect teacher every day. Sometimes the goal is simply to find sustainable ways to do the job, connect with students, and keep showing up. Whether you're a first-year teacher or a veteran educator, this episode offers practical wisdom, honest reflection, and a refreshing perspective on what it means to build a lasting career in education. If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ TikTok @SuckLessTomorrow Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Gabriel Hannans, known online as @the_indomitable_blackman, a special educator, behavior specialist, parenting coach, and foster parent with more than a decade of experience working with children. We discuss student behavior, classroom management, parenting, self-regulation, special education, and why children's behavior is often a form of communication rather than simple defiance. Gabriel shares insights from working with students with ADHD, autism, emotional and behavioral disorders, and other unique learning needs. Topics include: Classroom management and student behaviorParenting and child developmentSelf-regulation and emotional regulationSpecial education and behavior supportsADHD, autism, and sensory processingFoster parentingWhy punishment often fails to change behaviorBuilding relationships with studentsSupporting children through challenging behaviorsPractical strategies for teachers and parentsWhether you're a teacher, parent, administrator, or someone who works with children, this conversation offers practical advice and a fresh perspective on behavior, discipline, and helping kids succeed. Find out more from Gabriel at https://shiftparenting.com/ If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ TikTok @SuckLessTomorrow Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Ben Boruff, a veteran English teacher from Indiana—and a former student of mine. Ben and I first met when I was student teaching during the 2008 election cycle. Years later, Ben became an educator himself, and we reconnect to discuss teaching, critical thinking, classroom discussions, and what it takes to create an environment where students feel comfortable sharing their ideas. We explore how teachers navigate political conversations in the classroom, the role of bias in education, and why fostering critical thinking is more important than ever. Ben also shares strategies for facilitating meaningful discussions, encouraging student participation, and helping students engage with complex ideas. Along the way, we talk about Dungeons & Dragons clubs, student leadership, civic engagement, and the lessons both of us have learned throughout our careers in education. Topics include: Critical thinking in the classroom Teacher bias and instructional choices Classroom discussions and Socratic seminars Civic education and government classes Student engagement strategies Dungeons & Dragons and extracurricular clubs Creating safe spaces for student voice Building classroom culture and trust Teaching controversial topics effectively Whether you're a new teacher, veteran educator, or someone interested in how schools can help students think more deeply, this episode is packed with practical ideas and thoughtful conversation. If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ TikTok @SuckLessTomorrow Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down in person with Colette Cassinelli, a veteran educator, library and instructional technology teacher, and instructional coach who is retiring after 40 years in education. Colette shares the story of her career journey from elementary classroom teacher to technology educator, certified librarian, and instructional technology specialist in the Beaverton School District. We talk about how education has changed over four decades, the evolution of technology in schools, and why collaboration between teachers, librarians, and instructional coaches matters more than ever. This conversation dives deep into research skills, project-based learning, interdisciplinary teaching, student engagement, and the growing challenges schools face when trying to build meaningful learning experiences at scale. We also discuss: The decline of student reading and research skills Why schools still need librarians Technology integration and 1:1 Chromebook programs Canvas and digital learning environments Instructional coaching and teacher collaboration Project-based learning and “signature projects” Socratic seminars and inquiry-based learning Vertical alignment and curriculum planning What has changed most in education over 40 years Colette also reflects on retirement, the changing priorities in public education, and what she hopes schools continue to focus on moving forward. If you’re a teacher, librarian, instructional coach, administrator, or anyone interested in the future of education, this is a conversation worth hearing. If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ TikTok @SuckLessTomorrow Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

Note: This episode contains explicit language and is intended for a mature audience. In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Nicole Parks, known online as TeachWithMrs.Parks, for a deep dive into one of the biggest challenges facing educators today: classroom management and student behavior. Nicole brings her experience as a behavior intervention specialist, Dean of Students, and educator to an honest conversation about what actually works when students struggle with behavior, why traditional discipline often falls short, and how teachers can build classrooms that balance accountability with relationships. We discuss behavior management strategies, restorative practices, teacher mindset, student accountability, and the realities of working with challenging behaviors in today's schools. This is not a surface-level conversation—we get into the messy, complicated parts of teaching that most professional development sessions avoid. Whether you're a new teacher trying to establish classroom expectations or a veteran educator looking for fresh perspectives on student behavior, there's something in this episode for you. Topics include: Classroom management strategiesStudent behavior and accountabilityRestorative practicesBuilding relationships with studentsTeacher burnout and behavior challengesSchool culture and disciplineSupporting students while maintaining expectationsReal-world behavior intervention techniquesLearn more about Nicole's work at @TeachWithMrs.Parks and explore her behavior management resources and training materials found at her website: https://www.teachwithmrsparks.com/ If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Erica Reynolds, an American educator who has been living and teaching in Japan for several years through the JET Program. We talk about her journey from learning Japanese in high school to eventually moving abroad to teach, and what it’s really like navigating life and education in a completely different cultural and school system. Erica shares insights into the JET Program experience, cultural differences between the U.S. and Japan, and how teaching abroad has shaped her perspective as an educator and as a person. Whether you're interested in teaching abroad, international education, language learning, or the JET Program, this episode offers a firsthand look at life and teaching in Japan. Topics include: The JET Program experienceTeaching English in JapanCultural differences in educationLearning Japanese and language immersionLiving and working abroad as a teacherInternational school systemsIf you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I’m joined by veteran Indiana school administrator Robert Blumenthal for an honest conversation about leadership, teaching, and what really matters in education. Rob currently works at the same school we both graduated from — and now supervises teachers who once taught him. We talk about the realities of school administration, what principals and admins are actually worried about, how teachers can give themselves more grace, and the mindset shifts that make the biggest difference in education. Whether you're a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, or just passionate about education, this episode dives into teacher burnout, school culture, educator relationships, and the human side of leading schools. Topics include: School leadership and administration Giving yourself grace as an educator What administrators really look for Education mindset and growth Teaching, coaching, and leadershipIf you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit We Suck Less Tomorrow for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Follow along on: TikTok @sucklesstomorrow Instagram @sucklesstomorrow Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

Ever looked at your school board and thought, “What do they even do?” Well, I had the same thought. So I brought school board member and college buddy Derek Morgan on the podcast. In this episode, we dig into what school boards actually do, why decisions can feel slow (or totally invisible), and why it sometimes feels like nothing is happening in public education. We talk teacher frustrations, education policy, and what’s really going on behind the scenes in school leadership. If you enjoy conversations about education, teaching strategies, classroom culture, and educator growth, make sure to follow, share, and leave a review. Visit ⁠We Suck Less Tomorrow⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years Follow along on: ⁠TikTok @sucklesstomorrow⁠ ⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠ Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.

In this episode of the Suck Less Tomorrow podcast, I sit down with Marlon White, educator and author of So You Want to Be a Teacher: The Part No One Says Out Loud, to talk about what really happens when idealism meets the reality of the classroom. We challenge the common advice teachers are given to “just push through” and unpack why that mindset often leads to burnout instead of growth. This conversation dives into what new teachers are rarely prepared for, why burnout shows up so early in the profession, and what it actually looks like to improve as an educator without running yourself into the ground. We also explore the tension between passion and sustainability in teaching—and what it takes to stay in education long-term. Topics include: What new teachers aren’t prepared forEarly-career teacher burnoutThe gap between expectations and realitySustainable teacher growthClassroom survival vs. thrivingRethinking “just push through” cultureStaying in education long-termListen to the end for a special promo for Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow. If this episode resonates, share it with a teacher who needs to hear it today—and follow the podcast for more honest conversations about education, teaching, and growth. Visit ⁠⁠We'll All Suck Less Tomorrow⁠⁠ for blog posts, podcast episodes, and more from Carlton. Purchase the book ⁠Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in Their First Years⁠ Follow along on: ⁠⁠TikTok @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram @sucklesstomorrow⁠⁠ Subscribe and help spread the message so we can all suck less tomorrow.