Amidon Planet

What does it mean to become more fully yourself? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Jeremiah Sims about his new book, Finding the Beautiful Path: On Blackness, Multidimensionality, and Radical Becoming . Through personal...

What if puzzles were about more than finding answers? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Jeff Wanko, Dean of the College of Education and Health Sciences at Bradley University, about how puzzles create opportunities for...

Cynicism can feel like protection—especially for educators, leaders, and anyone who has experienced disappointment or burnout. But what if cynicism slowly distances us from the very relationships and possibilities we...

Students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties often struggle with multisyllabic words—but explicit instruction in morphology can make a meaningful difference. In this episode, I talk with Amy Jackson and Kristi...

Many educators and leaders carry powerful ideas, but sharing those ideas clearly and meaningfully can be challenging. In this episode, Dr. Marvin King, Associate Professor of Political Science & African American Studies...

How can mathematics connect meaningfully to the culture and communities students live in? In this episode we are learning to teach better with Dr. Siddhi Soni and Alyssa Harbin as we discuss their article, Barn Quilts...

It’s easy to feel like we have to manage everything - our students, our colleagues, our classrooms, our kids, and sometimes even how others think or respond. But what if some of that weight isn’t actually ours to carry...

What if mathematics education were about more than solving problems or passing tests? What if it were part of helping people live fuller, richer lives? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Francis Su about his book...

AI tools are showing up everywhere in education, but most teachers don’t have the time to experiment with every new platform that promises transformation. In this episode, I talk with Ken Rafanan about his work...

Learning to teach better means rethinking some of the practices we’ve inherited - including grammar instruction. For many of us, grammar carries a reputation for red ink, rigid rules, and student shutdown. But what if...

Learning to teach better with the ProgressED Pathways Team—Sarah DiMaria, Carlee Madis, and Sheila Orr. These math educators and Knowles Senior Fellows share how their collaboration fuels progressive STEM instruction...

Learning to teach better with Dr. Zandra De Araujo (University of Florida), Sam Otten (University of Missouri), and Amber Candela (University of Missouri - St. Louis) as they share their work around incremental change...

Learning to teach better with Dr. JJ Peterson in his return to Amidon Planet to talk about the power of love, joy, and clear communication in leadership and life. In this wide-ranging conversation, JJ reflects on...

Learning to teach better as I consider book, Excellence Wins: A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming the Best in a World of Compromise by Horst Shulze, cofounder and former president of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company. Plus...

Learning to teach better as Joel shares an extended, uncut version of his University of Wisconsin Rugby Club Hall of Fame reflections. From rucks and scrums to the classroom, Joel explores how the lessons from great...