Best Mastery Based Grading Podcasts (2025)

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195. A Simple and Effective Process for Parent Communication With Guest Mandy Farrar 48:08

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2d ago48:08

48:08

Confession time: I’ve been gatekeeping this conversation with Mandy Farrar because it’s that perfect for the start of the school year. Mandy, a high school chemistry and physics teacher, shares her simple yet highly effective system for parent communication, built from her own early struggles and refined into a clear, repeatable process. From start…

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Episode 241: Alabama Teacher of the Year 57:08

3d ago57:08

57:08

TR is joined by Katie Collins, MCP educator and Alabama Teacher of the Year, to talk about how she uses the model to build community in her classroom and develop a growth mindset with her 1st graders Show Notes Alabama Teacher of the Year Cottage Gardens The Anxious Generation, by John Haidt Let Grow Lil' John's meditation videos Connect with Katie…

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Solid 1st month Start for Gen Alpha Rookie Teachers (summer series) 28:56

6d ago28:56

28:56

This episode is a must-listen for educators gearing up for the new school year or looking to strengthen their mid-year resolve. Join David Prof. McDuffie as he wraps up the summer series 'The Place of Value of Teachers.' Explore how to build a solid foundation, S-O-L-I-D, for your teaching journey, inspired by the parable of the two foundations fro…

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194. The Importance of Inquiry-Based Learning - And How to Implement It Practically 31:17

9d ago31:17

31:17

Back-to-school season is the perfect time to breathe new energy into your classroom, and one of the most powerful ways to do that is through inquiry-based learning. In this episode, I’m sharing why inquiry matters, why students often push back against it, and how you can scaffold it to feel less intimidating for everyone. I’ll break down what inqui…

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Shortcast 4: Building Authentic Relationships with Students 11:59

10d ago11:59

11:59

You can hear the full episode here Zach is joined by special guests Michael Carr and Toni Rose Deanon to talk about social emotional learning and how the Modern Classrooms Model helps us cultivate authentic relationships with students, in person and virtually. Show Notes Modern Classrooms resources for building relationships (Includes “Five by Five…

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Unlocking the "Sigma Educator" Within: A Spiritual Guide (summer series) 28:41

13d ago28:41

28:41

In this empowering Male Educator Podcast professional development, host David 'Prof' McDuffie invites all to re-evaluate their teaching paradigms and embrace excellence inspired by biblical wisdom. Discover the journey to becoming a 'Sigma Educator'—a committed individual who not only excels in the classroom but also makes a profound impact on thei…

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FEED DROP: The Exit Interview 50:04

15d ago50:04

50:04

For this feed drop, here's an episode of The Exit Interview, with Dr. Asia Lyons. We hope you enjoy! You can learn more about The Exit Interview and subscribe hereBy The Modern Classrooms Project

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Meet the Teacher: Avoid these Bad 3 (Summer series) 21:25

16d ago21:25

21:25

"Unleash the Power of Your Hidden Talents" Join my teacher spiritual leader David Prof. McDuffie in this empowering episode of The Male Educator Podcast as he delves into the importance of recognizing and utilizing your unique talents as an educator. Drawing inspiration from the biblical tale of the one talent, this PD session emphasizes overcoming…

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193. First Year Teacher Reflections With Cienna Domke 41:19

16d ago41:19

41:19

What if you could hit pause after your first year of teaching and really process what just happened? That’s exactly what we’re doing in this episode with Cienna Domke. Cienna just wrapped up her first year teaching high school biology and chemistry in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and y’all—she brought the honesty, humility, and wisdom that only come…

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Shortcast 53: Unit Zero and a Day in the Life of a Modern Classroom 15:37

18d ago15:37

15:37

Listen to the full episode here Toni Rose is joined by Emily Dia to talk about using a Unit Zero to introduce the model, and they go on to describe a day in the life of a Modern Classroom once students have internalized the routines. Show Notes Toni Rose's Unit 0 Calendar Keeping up with the Modern Classrooms: Episode #1: Unit 0 Marissa’s Classroom…

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100% Student Growth in Gen Alpha classrooms [Navigating Modern K-8 Teaching] 21:46

23d ago21:46

21:46

Welcome to the Male Educated Podcast's summer series, where we delve into the realities and challenges faced by modern educators. This episode, titled "The Place Value of Teachers," explores the concept of applying a sense of zero value to achieve 100% student growth. Listen as we dive into a deep discussion based on the biblical parable of the tal…

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192. Teaching Biology, Managing 6 Preps, and EOC Review with Macee Huseman 36:48

23d ago36:48

36:48

What would you do if you were the entire science department at your school? That’s the reality for my guest, Macee Huseman, a powerhouse high school science teacher from Texas who juggles six preps, engaging labs, and family life with incredible grace. In this episode, Macee shares her best tips for staying organized, keeping students engaged, and …

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Shortcast 42: The Student Experience in a Modern Classroom 15:24

25d ago15:24

15:24

This week, Kareem is joined by one of his former students, Jayme Mims, to talk about the Modern Classrooms model from the student's perspective, how it facilitates learning and responsibility in school, and how it prepares students for success in college and beyond Show Notes Edutopia Video Progress Trackers The Warm Demander Follow us online and l…

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FEED DROP: Under the Hat, with Steve Martinez 49:10

29d ago49:10

49:10

For our fourth feed drop episode, we're happy to share this episode of Steve Martinez' Under the Hat podcast. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did! You can find more info on Under the Hat and subscribe hereBy The Modern Classrooms Project

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191. Engaging Students, Serving ELLs, and Teaching Earth Science With Becca of Science Lessons That Rock 32:08

1M ago32:08

32:08

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to make earth science engaging and hands-on, this episode is for you! I’m joined by Becca from Science Lessons That Rock, a veteran teacher with over 15 years of experience and a passion for turning abstract concepts into meaningful, accessible learning experiences. Becca shares creative ways to teach everythi…

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Shortcast 207: How MCP Impacts the College Experience 14:59

1M ago14:59

14:59

Listen to the full episode here Guest host Avery Balasbas is joined by a panel of his previous students who are now in college to discuss their MCP experience and how it prepared them for learning beyond high school Read a summary of this episode on the Modern Classrooms Project blog. Show Notes Avery's previous MCP Podcast episodes: Episode 139: T…

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Teachers Arrested: Will You be next with Gen Alpha students? (Summer Series) 20:31

1M ago20:31

20:31

In this engaging PD Session, we delve into the complexities faced by modern educators, from the challenges of maintaining authority in the classroom to the alarming trend of teacher arrests. Drawing inspiration from the teachings of the Bible, particularly Romans 5:6-9, listeners are guided on how to maintain their integrity and peace of mind while…

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190. Student Mastery, Switching Schools, and Teaching Chemistry with Heather Bonanno 42:40

1M ago42:40

42:40

Have you ever met a teacher who just gets it—who knows how to challenge students, meet them where they are, and do it all with purpose and empathy? That’s exactly who you’ll hear from in this episode. I chat with Heather Bonanno, a high school chemistry teacher from Pennsylvania who recently returned to the classroom after a five-year break. Heathe…

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Shortcast 183: Student Perspective (HS) 15:47

1M ago15:47

15:47

Listen to the full episode here Toni Rose is joined by Sarahya College, a high school sophomore, who offers incredible insight into the student experience of learning in a modern classroom as well as advice for teachers who are implementing the model Read a summary of this episode on the Modern Classrooms Project blog. Contact us, follow us online,…

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Save Yourself! Teachers have ZERO Value. (Summer series) 19:19

1M ago19:19

19:19

Spit on. Punched. Silenced. Insulted. Lied on. Welcome to the Male Educator Podcast where REAL TEACHERS find REAL SOLUTIONS from a REAL JESUS. This day in July starts a mini-series called “The Place Value of Teachers” Objective: I can & will Save MYSELF as a Teacher. Biblical Base: JOHN 12:24 || Word of the Week: Value Mark 23:37: "And even the rul…

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FEED DROP: The Balance with Catlin Tucker 52:39

1M ago52:39

52:39

For our third feed drop episode, we're happy to share this episode of Catlin Tucker's The Balance podcast. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did! You can find more info on The Balance podcast and subscribe hereBy The Modern Classrooms Project

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189. True Life: I Grade Everything and Because of It, I Have No Life 17:19

2M ago17:19

17:19

If grading has taken over your life, this final episode in the True Life Teacher Confession series is here to help. I’m unpacking the hidden costs of grading everything, challenging the belief that every assignment needs a grade, and sharing mindset shifts and practical strategies to help you reclaim your time. From setting clear grading boundaries…

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Shortcast 60 - Middle School Student Experience 15:53

2M ago15:53

15:53

Listen to the full episode here Toni Rose is joined by two of her former 6th grade students, Lila and Tyler (currently 8th graders) to talk about their experience in Modern Classrooms throughout middle school - in person, in remote learning, and in general Show Notes Edpuzzle (and MCP Tutorial) Kahoot Quizlet Follow us online and learn more: Modern…

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188. True Life: I Teach a Course With a High-Stakes Test and Don’t Care About It 14:51

2M ago14:51

14:51

“Help! I teach a course with a high-stakes test that I do not care about at all, but I need to care about it. How can I make myself care?” If you've ever felt this way, this episode is for you. In this True Life: Teacher Confessions episode, I'm sharing what to do when you're stuck teaching a test-heavy course but feel totally unmotivated by the ex…

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Shortcast 219 - Student Voice (EC) 16:27

2M ago16:27

16:27

Listen to the full episode here Zach is joined by Marlene Tapia Garcia and three of her first grade students, Olivia, Arya, and Ethan, to talk about their experience in a Modern Classroom. Read a summary of this episode on the Modern Classrooms Project blog. Show Notes MCP Podcast episode 138: La Revisión y las Pruebas de Dominio (Marlene's previou…

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FEED DROP - Lifelong Learning Defined with Jorge Valenzuela: Season 3, Episode 19 - From Compton to the World: Building STEM Futures Through Project-Based Learning with Jose González 26:02

2M ago26:02

26:02

For our second feed drop of the summer off-season, we'd love to share an episode of Jorge Valenzuela's Lifelong Learning Defined podcast. This episode is called "From Compton to the World: Building STEM Futures Through Project-Based Learning with Jose González" You can find the Lifelong Learning Defined Podcast here…

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187. True Life: I’m Drowning 18:55

2M ago18:55

18:55

Are you juggling multiple preps across several grade levels, trying to run labs every week, and still show up for your family? Feeling overwhelmed by unrealistic admin expectations and a lack of student accountability? If it all feels like too much, that’s because it is too much. In this "true life" episode, I’m talking about what it really means t…

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Shortcast 213 - Do We Want Students To Be On Pace or Actually Learning? 15:44

2M ago15:44

15:44

Toni Rose is joined by Drea Siford to talk about her approach to teaching 4th grade using the MCP model Show Notes Listen to the full version of this episode here Zearn Eureka Math Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers podcast, and the episode with Kareem: 3 practices to give you more one-on-one time with students Email Drea at [email protected]…

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186. True Life: I Am a Science Teacher Who Hates Labs 21:50

2M ago21:50

21:50

Do you find yourself absolutely dreading lab days? If so, you’re in good company. I’m kicking off a new series of Teacher True Life Confessions, and today’s episode is inspired by several of you who were brave enough to admit that you HATE lab days. I’m sharing why labs feel so overwhelming and practical ways to make them less chaotic and more effe…

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Shortcast 204: Reflections from a Four-Year Implementer 15:17

2M ago15:17

15:17

Listen to the full episode here Toni Rose is joined by Sam Ortiz to talk about her experience implementing the model over four school years, addressing concerns from stakeholders, and engaging with the MCP community Show Notes Screencastify and Screencastify Submit Quizziz MCP Self-Paced Structures resources (including the tracker templates Sam men…

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FEED DROP: Boundaries and Balance: Practical Solutions for Teacher Burnout 1:09:07

2M ago1:09:07

1:09:07

For our first feed drop of the summer, we'd love to share this episode of Teachers Talkin' with you! Teachers Talkin’ is a discussion-based podcast hosted by Dustin Tatroe and Ghazali Abdul-Wahab, focused on elevating conversations in education. Each episode features honest, reflective dialogue with educators from around the world on topics ranging…

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185. When Is Preparation Worth It, and When Is It a Pipe Dream? 29:51

2M ago29:51

29:51

Feeling torn between getting ahead on lesson plans and fully embracing summer break? That’s exactly what we’re diving into in this episode. Inspired by a thoughtful listener question, I’m sharing a realistic and flexible approach to summer planning for teachers that helps you make progress and prioritize rest. You’ll hear tips for setting intention…

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Shortcast 201 - Increasing Student and Teacher Confidence 18:10

2M ago18:10

18:10

TR is joined by Megan Meachum to talk about how the MCP model benefited both herself and her students, and her plans for the coming school year. Read a summary of the original episode on the Modern Classrooms Project blog. Show Notes Listen to the full version of this episode here Remember, you can now listen to this episode (and all episodes) on Y…

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184. End the Year Organized: Your Methods for Management 16:05

3M ago16:05

16:05

In this final episode of the “End Your Year Organized” series, we’re wrapping up by reflecting on the classroom management methods you used this year. I’m walking you through six simple but powerful reflection questions to help you evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and how to set yourself up for a smoother classroom experience next year. We’ll loo…

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From the Archives: Let's Talk About Grading Practices - E130 26:13

3M ago26:13

26:13

This week, we are starting our book study with chapter 1 of Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms by Joe Feldman. Specifically, we will dive into what makes grading so difficult to talk about and even harder to change. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episo…

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Episode 240: Hacking Assessments 44:27

3M ago44:27

44:27

TR is joined by Starr Sackstein to talk about how teachers can authentically innovate and disrupt in the realm of assessment. Read a summary of this episode on the Modern Classrooms Project blog. Show Notes Starr Sackstein Starr's book, Hacking Assessment Starr and Alexandra Laing's new book, Solving School Challenges: The Everything Guide to Trans…

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183. End the Year Organized: Your Classroom 22:47

3M ago22:47

22:47

Feeling buried in classroom clutter? Let’s fix that, before summer break hits! Last week, we talked all about organizing your digital and paper teaching resources so you’re not digging through chaos next school year. This week, we’re shifting the focus to classroom organization at the end of the school year—because let’s be real, your physical spac…

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Episode 239: Wavio 40:10

3M ago40:10

40:10

Guest host Aimee Yocom is joined by Dana Kravchick to talk about the Wavio Pulse tracker, developed specifically for MCP. They discuss how Wavio came to be, how it can be used in the classroom, and what the future holds for the platform. Read a summary of this episode on the Modern Classrooms Project blog. Show Notes Wavio and The Wavio Pulse Track…

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182. End the Year Organized: Your Resources 24:46

3M ago24:46

24:46

Feeling overwhelmed by a mountain of digital files, paper stacks, and half-used lab materials? In this kickoff episode of the “End the Year Organized” series, I’m sharing practical strategies to help you wrap up the school year with intention and clarity. From organizing your digital and paper resources to maintaining your systems and auditing what…

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Episode 238: What About the High Achievers? 51:07

3M ago51:07

51:07

TR is joined by Jocelyn Hieatzman to talk about how high achieving students can learn from discomfort as they thrive in a Modern Classroom. Read a summary of this episode on the Modern Classrooms Project blog. Show Notes MCP Podcast Episode 56: Veteran Teachers (Jocelyn's first appearance on the podcast) Canvas LMS Jocelyn's Unit 2 Lesson 2 exempla…

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181. What to Do When Your Job Feels Stale (And Maybe Even Boring) 27:54

3M ago27:54

27:54

Teaching can feel like driving on autopilot - same route, same scenery, same old routine. So what happens when that journey starts to feel monotonous and uninspiring? In today’s conversation, I dive deep into a feeling that every teacher experiences at some point: boredom. Whether you're an AP Biology teacher counting down to exam day or a Earth Sc…

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Episode 237: 5th Grade Collaboration 56:05

3M ago56:05

56:05

TR is joined by a fifth grade teaching team to talk about how they work together to use the MCP model in their different classes. Read a summary of this episode on the Modern Classrooms Project blog. Show Notes Connect with Abby, Amy, and Madeline by email Abby: [email protected] Amy: [email protected] Madeline: madeline.cole@t…

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180. Unpacking the NGSS With Christina Agurcia of Make Them Think 30:29

4M ago30:29

30:29

Over the past few episodes, we’ve been diving into all things NGSS, and it’s time to wrap up the series with someone who’s not only in the classroom but has been using the NGSS for the last decade! The Next Generation Science Standards are all about helping our students think and act like real scientists, and in this episode, I’m joined by Christin…

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Episode 236: Gifted Education 51:44

4M ago51:44

51:44

TR is joined by Alex Clough to talk about gifted learners and how to help them thrive in a Modern Classroom. Read a summary of this episode on the Modern Classrooms Project blog. Show Notes Differentiation Doesn't Work, by James Delisle Differentiation Does, in Fact, Work, by Carol Tomlinson NAGC and the NAGC Annual Convention SENG: Supporting Emot…

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179. Unpacking the NGSS: Phenomena and Storylines 26:03

4M ago26:03

26:03

Ever feel like your students are just going through the motions - memorizing facts without really connecting to what they're learning? I think we can all agree that we want our students to be able to apply their learning to real world context! That’s why I’m diving into two of my absolute favorite NGSS concepts in this episode: phenomena and storyl…

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Episode 235: Is AI the Solution? 1:03:08

4M ago1:03:08

1:03:08

TR is joined by Carlos Canela to talk about how educators can use AI responsibly and the importance of connection, even in an AI-forward classroom. Read a summary of this episode on the Modern Classrooms Project blog. Show Notes Carlos' Padlet with AI resources for teachers MCP's Instagram Black Male Educators Convening (BMEC) conference Knowlej Pa…

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178. Unpacking the NGSS: SEPs and CCCs 29:03

4M ago29:03

29:03

In part two of our NGSS series, we’re diving into its three-dimensional nature —specifically, SEPs (Science and Engineering Practices) and CCCs (Crosscutting Concepts). You’ll hear my take on what they are and how you can practically teach them. Plus, I’ll share plenty of ideas for assessing them beyond traditional tests! ➡️ Show Notes: https://its…

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Episode 234: Learned Helplessness 1:07:09

4M ago1:07:09

1:07:09

Toni Rose is joined by Ernest Rodriguez to discuss learned helplessness and the importance of SEL and vulnerability in a student-centered classroom. Read a summary of this episode on the Modern Classrooms Project blog. Show Notes Hot Yoga On Purpose, with Jay Shetty Gimkit Connect with Ernest by email at [email protected] Learning Experiences fo…

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177. Unpacking the NGSS: What High School Science Teachers Need to Know 28:09

4M ago28:09

28:09

Navigating the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode, I break down the three pillars of NGSS as I see them. I also share what I love about NGSS, where I think it falls short, and practical strategies to help you implement it in a way that works for you and your students. Whether y…

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Episode 233: Driver Education 1:01:28

4M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

TR is joined by Debbie Fry to talk about how she uses the MCP model in her Driver Education, P.E., and Health classes. Read a summary of this episode on the Modern Classrooms Project blog. Show Notes MCP Podcast Episode 231: Physical Education Connect with Debbie by email at [email protected] Contact us, follow us online, and learn more: Em…