The World is on Fire! What Can We Actually Control Right Now? - BNT Team Meeting [Ep 290]

The World is on Fire! What Can We Actually Control Right Now? - BNT Team Meeting [Ep 290]

Author: Marie Morris & Amanda Cardenas, Secondary ELA Teachers March 19, 2026 Duration: 16:40
Some days the classroom feels completely out of your control, and honestly, sometimes it is. In this solo pep talk, I focus on what we can control, from navigating student anxiety during course selection season to unpacking how post-COVID habits are impacting their coping skills. I share real conversations I’m having with students about goals and trade-offs, along with how I’m balancing my own priorities and making tough decisions in my program. This episode is all about small, practical shif...

Marie Morris and Amanda Cardenas are the secondary ELA teachers behind Brave New Teaching, and they’re in your earbuds to talk shop without the usual platitudes. This isn’t about theory from a distant ivory tower; it’s a direct, practical conversation forged in the reality of their own middle and high school classrooms. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair in the teacher’s lounge with two colleagues who aren’t afraid to be honest about what works, what flops, and how to navigate the ever-changing demands of education. You’ll hear them deconstruct lesson plans, debate classroom management strategies, and share the small, brave experiments that can reinvigorate a teaching practice. The core of this podcast is built on the belief that teachers are the best architects of their own classrooms, and Amanda and Marie provide the tools and camaraderie to help you do just that. They blend their distinct voices-Amanda’s work with Mud and Ink Teaching and Marie’s perspective from The Caffeinated Classroom-into a single, energizing resource. Tune in for a mix of actionable advice, reflective dialogue, and the kind of supportive push that encourages you to try something new on Monday morning. It’s a dedicated space for educators ready to reclaim their professional autonomy and find fresh inspiration alongside fellow practitioners.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Brave New Teaching: A Podcast for High School and Middle School Teachers
Podcast Episodes
Reflecting on This Year, Planning for Next - BNT Team Meeting [Ep 297] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:42
If you’ve ever hit May and thought, “Wait... what even happened this school year?” this team meeting is for you. I’m walking you through a simple but powerful reflection process to help you look back on your curriculum,…
Planning the End of the Year in ELA - BNT Team Meeting [Ep 296] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:26
You might want your planner, a highlighter, and maybe your teacher bestie for this one, because we're not limping our way to summer...we’re finishing strong! In this team meeting episode, I’m walking you through exactly…
3 Hills to Die On - BNT Team Meeting [Ep 295] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:54
Feeling a little feisty about classroom norms? Amanda here, flying solo this week to share three teaching hills I’ll gladly die on, from why reading Shakespeare cover to cover needs a rethink, to celebrating meaningful s…
Test Lessons Debrief [Ep 287] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:55
🔗 Grab our FREE 100% Engagement Listening Guide to get even more out of this episode! What if 100% engagement isn’t about doing more, but about choosing differently? After two episodes with the authors of 100% Engagement…