Best Rebecca Joyner Podcasts (2025)

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210. 4 Ways AI Can Support You in Your Secondary Classroom 12:41

Play Pause

41m ago12:41

12:41

AI may be getting better every day, but it’s still not coming for my job anytime soon - because, well…it struggles with science! While it can’t write a reliable test or answer key, it can make day-to-day teaching easier in some surprisingly helpful ways. In this episode, I’m sharing four new strategies for using AI alongside the It’s Not Rocket Sci…

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209. Anatomy Scope and Sequence: How and Why I Teach Anatomy the Way That I Do 24:08

1d ago24:08

24:08

Anatomy holds a special place in my heart, and in this episode, I share how I teach it and why I designed the It’s Not Rocket Science® Anatomy curriculum the way I did. I focus on sparking curiosity, weaving in three big themes, and prioritizing breadth over depth (hot take!). You’ll hear how this hands-on, student-centered curriculum engages learn…

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208. 5 Tips for How to Lesson Plan While Managing Constant Disruptions 24:04

14d ago24:04

24:04

Are constant disruptions messing up your perfectly planned weeks? You’re not alone! When I taught at small schools in particular, it often felt like every week held a new disruption. Between spirit weeks, fire drills, and field trips, I sometimes wondered if I’d ever get a “normal” week with my students! In this episode, I'm sharing five practical …

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207. Dealing With Combative Parents - 6 Tips and 2 Warnings 30:34

3d ago30:34

30:34

No matter how far we are into the school year, those dreaded surprise parent emails can still hit your inbox, often full of big emotions and even bigger accusations. In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most challenging parts of teaching: handling combative parents with confidence and professionalism. I’m sharing six practical strategies (pl…

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206. PRIME TIMES® - Everything You Need to Know 49:56

15d ago49:56

49:56

Today’s the day! I’m finally doing a deep dive into my number one classroom procedure: PRIME TIMES®. I share the origin story, why they’re essential for classroom management and formative assessment, and practical strategies for making them work in any secondary science classroom. You’ll learn how to overcome common challenges like missing papers, …

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205. A Cell Phone Policy for High School Students 25:11

24d ago25:11

25:11

Cell phone policies are one of the most debated topics for secondary teachers, and for good reason! They’re tough to get right. In this episode, I’m sharing my honest experiences with different approaches, what’s worked (and what’s totally failed), and the key factors to consider before setting your own rules. We’ll talk about how your personality,…

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204. Serving English Learners in Your Science Classroom With Risa Woods of Every Teacher 49:21

1M ago49:21

49:21

Once the school year is in full swing, meeting every learner’s needs can feel impossible, especially when it comes to supporting English learners. In this episode, I sit down with Risa Woods from Every Teacher for a conversation that’s equal parts practical and encouraging. Together, we dig into common misconceptions about who English learners are,…

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203. Who Makes up the Deficit? How to Respond When Students Are Behind 34:36

1M ago34:36

34:36

One of the toughest realities for teachers is realizing that your students are already behind before the year even begins. That’s exactly what we’re tackling in this episode. Last week, we talked about how to handle things when students fail a test at the end of a unit, but this week, I’m flipping the script (thanks to another great listener questi…

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202. What to Do When Your Students Fail the Test 22:14

2M ago22:14

22:14

Raise your hand if you've been called “the mean teacher” for holding firm on test policies! In this episode, we dive into what to do when students fail a test, from deciding on retakes or corrections to analyzing trends in student performance and reteaching where needed. You’ll hear practical tips for breaking down assessments by concept, setting u…

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201. AI Literacy for Science Teachers With Guest Amanda Bickerstaff of AI for Education 39:27

2M ago39:27

39:27

AI is everywhere right now, and if you’ve been feeling both curious and overwhelmed, you’re not alone! In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Bickerstaff, a former high school biology teacher and co-founder of AI for Education, for a conversation about AI in the classroom. We explore why AI literacy is becoming a core skill for both teachers and stu…

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200. Ask Me Anything! Going Over Work, NGSS, Labs, and MORE! 41:34

2M ago41:34

41:34

Can you believe it?! We’ve officially hit the 200th episode of Secondary Science Simplified AND crossed over 200,000 listens — what a milestone! I’m so grateful for every teacher who tunes in and makes this community so special. To celebrate, I’m bringing back one of my favorite formats: an “Ask Me Anything” episode where I answer your top question…

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199. How to Not Take Work Home (In Your Head, or in Reality) This School Year 17:16

3M ago17:16

17:16

Work-life balance…it’s the unicorn we’re all chasing, isn’t it? In this episode, I’m sharing the practical strategies and mindset shifts that have helped me finally keep work at work. From being ruthless about what you grade, setting up overflow days, and maximizing your planning period, to outsourcing tasks and shifting classroom culture, you’ll w…

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198. The Most Important Thing You Need to Hear This School Year 20:54

3M ago20:54

20:54

It’s September, which means it’s time for your annual pep talk, teacher friend! In this episode, I’m sharing the one message every secondary science teacher needs to hear as the school year kicks off. We’ll talk about the unique challenges you face, why boundaries and clarity matter, and how to model humanity and humility in your classroom. Plus, I…

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197. Motivating the Unmotivated - 4 Practical Tips to Help Students Care 18:02

3M ago18:02

18:02

August is wild because some of you are squeezing out those last drops of summer, while others are already knee-deep in grading. Wherever you are on that back-to-school spectrum, one thing is for sure: at some point this year, you’ll be staring down an unmotivated student (or ten!). In this episode, I’m sharing four practical tips to boost engagemen…

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196. Grading Game Changers: 6 Ways to Grade Differently This School Year 18:21

3M ago18:21

18:21

Grading doesn’t have to take over your nights and weekends! In this episode, I’m sharing six practical grading game changers that helped me simplify my workload without lowering my standards. You’ll learn how to define your grading philosophy, reduce what you collect, give meaningful feedback faster, and keep students engaged, even when you're not …

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

3M 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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194. The Importance of Inquiry-Based Learning - And How to Implement It Practically 31:17

4M 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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193. First Year Teacher Reflections With Cienna Domke 41:19

4M 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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192. Teaching Biology, Managing 6 Preps, and EOC Review with Macee Huseman 36:48

4M 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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191. Engaging Students, Serving ELLs, and Teaching Earth Science With Becca of Science Lessons That Rock 32:08

4M 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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190. Student Mastery, Switching Schools, and Teaching Chemistry with Heather Bonanno 42:40

5M 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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189. True Life: I Grade Everything and Because of It, I Have No Life 17:19

5M 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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188. True Life: I Teach a Course With a High-Stakes Test and Don’t Care About It 14:51

5M 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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187. True Life: I’m Drowning 18:55

5M 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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186. True Life: I Am a Science Teacher Who Hates Labs 21:50

6M 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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185. When Is Preparation Worth It, and When Is It a Pipe Dream? 29:51

6M 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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184. End the Year Organized: Your Methods for Management 16:05

6M 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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183. End the Year Organized: Your Classroom 22:47

6M 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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182. End the Year Organized: Your Resources 24:46

7M 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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181. What to Do When Your Job Feels Stale (And Maybe Even Boring) 27:54

7M 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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180. Unpacking the NGSS With Christina Agurcia of Make Them Think 30:29

7M 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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179. Unpacking the NGSS: Phenomena and Storylines 26:03

7M 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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178. Unpacking the NGSS: SEPs and CCCs 29:03

7M 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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177. Unpacking the NGSS: What High School Science Teachers Need to Know 28:09

8M 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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176. Teaching AP Biology, Exam Review, FRQ Prep and MORE With Tiffany of AP Bio Penguins 56:28

8M ago56:28

56:28

AP Biology comes with big challenges—pacing, labs, and preparing students for that exam. But today’s guest, Tiffany from AP Bio Penguins, is here to help! Tiffany shares her best strategies for structuring class time, simplifying labs, and making test prep less stressful, all while keeping students engaged. She also reveals her advice for grading s…

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175. How and WHY I Teach Students to Take Notes 21:50

8M ago21:50

21:50

Whether we like it or not, teaching students to take notes is an important part of being a high school teacher! Is that an unpopular opinion? Maybe, but I still stand by it! Beyond just understanding the content, strong note-taking skills set students up for success in life, no matter where their future takes them. When it comes to teaching these s…

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174. 7 Ways to Teach Your Students to Use AI Productively 20:20

8M ago20:20

20:20

Is AI the future of learning or just another way for students to cut corners? In this episode, we’re talking all about how to help students use AI in a way that actually benefits their learning - without letting it do all the thinking for them. Instead of banning AI or ignoring it, we need to teach students how to use it as a tool for things like c…

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173. 9 Quick Ways to Use AI to Simplify Your Life as a Teacher 22:04

9M ago22:04

22:04

Imagine having a virtual assistant to help with lesson plans, assessments, and student feedback. AI can make that a reality! In this episode, I’m sharing nine practical ways to use AI to streamline your workload, from generating transcripts to creating choice boards and assessments. You’ll hear quick examples, plus my favorite tools (including one …

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172. Content-Specific Differentiation Tips 27:19

9M ago27:19

27:19

In the final episode of our differentiation series, I’m sharing practical strategies for implementing content-specific differentiation. Whether you teach biology, chemistry, anatomy, or physical science, you’ll learn how to prioritize key concepts, adjust instruction for CP and honors students, and simplify your approach using built-in supports fro…

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171. Differentiating Within One Class Period (And How to Not Make It Obvious) 37:53

9M ago37:53

37:53

Are you juggling a dozen different learning needs in one class period? You’re not alone! Differentiation can seem daunting, especially when you’re trying to support all students without making it obvious. In the fourth episode in our differentiation series, I’m sharing practical, low-stress strategies to help you meet diverse student needs…without …

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170. Differentiating for Lower Achieving Students (Without Lowering the Bar) 28:21

9M ago28:21

28:21

Struggling to support lower-achieving students without lowering the bar? In this episode, I share nine practical strategies for using scaffolding and intentional support to help all students reach their full potential. These tips aren’t about making things easier but about making learning more accessible and meaningful. By making small, intentional…

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169. Differentiating for Higher Achieving Students (That Isn’t Just Extra Work) 23:25

10M ago23:25

23:25

In last week’s episode, I talked through practical ways to meet your students’ diverse needs without burning out. When it comes to planning, It’s common to put the majority of your energy into on-grade level classes or students who are struggling. But I know you want to serve your high achieving students just as well! In the second episode of our d…

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168. Differentiation in Your Science Classroom - Simple Tips to Decrease Overwhelm 24:43

10M ago24:43

24:43

Differentiation in your science classroom doesn’t have to feel overwhelming! In this episode, I share practical strategies to meet your students’ diverse needs without burning out. By shifting your mindset and focusing on sustainable practices, you can create an inclusive environment that supports all learners, from struggling students to high achi…

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167. Teacher Mental Health With Guest Dr. Hayley Watson 42:40

10M ago42:40

42:40

Teaching comes with relentless demands. Stress levels are high, burnout feels all too familiar, and breaks never seem long enough! These challenges take a serious toll on mental health, making it crucial for educators to learn effective strategies to manage it. That’s where today’s guest, Dr. Hayley Watson, comes in! In this episode, Dr. Watson div…

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166. How to Use Your Students to Work Smarter Rather Than Harder 20:07

10M ago20:07

20:07

Teachers are always balancing a mountain of responsibilities while trying to create more time for themselves and their families. Finding the perfect work/life balance and mastering time management can feel like a never-ending challenge. But what if the key to working smarter, not harder, is already sitting in your classroom? In this episode, I’m sh…

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165. How Naming What Matters Most Can Change the Rest of Your School Year 24:20

11M ago24:20

24:20

If you’ve been wondering where your “new year, new you” pep talk was, well you’re getting it in this episode! I love taking the opportunity to reflect, plan, dream, and set goals all year, but especially at the start of the new year. And while I usually have a list of things you can do to start the year off on the right track, this year I’m sharing…

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164. My Top Tips for Kicking Off a New Semester 29:10

11M ago29:10

29:10

Happy New Year, teacher friends! Can you believe we’re kicking off the FOURTH year of this podcast? Let’s celebrate with a super practical and helpful episode. As the new semester begins, it’s the perfect opportunity to start fresh with a new group of students to make meaningful changes with the same class. In this episode, I’m sharing my top tips …

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163. What I Wish I Knew in My First Year of Teaching High School Science: 5 Simple Tips 19:58

11M ago19:58

19:58

As we wrap up 2024, it’s only fitting to revisit the most popular episode of the year! Both new and experienced teachers are constantly searching for ways to make their classroom routines easier and more effective. I learned so many valuable lessons during my first few years of teaching, so in today’s replay episode, I’m sharing five things I wish …

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162. 5 Essential Teacher Hacks for High School and Middle School Science Teachers 27:31

11M ago27:31

27:31

We all love discovering ways to simplify our lives and make managing our classrooms easier. We’re constantly on the hunt for tips, tricks, and strategies to help everything run smoothly while saving us time and energy. That’s why this episode became the second most listened-to of 2024! In this popular replay, I’m sharing my top five essential teach…

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161. Relief for the Burdened Teacher: How to Deal With Caring More Than Your Students Do 28:22

11M ago28:22

28:22

Teachers everywhere are feeling the weight of their students’ lack of motivation, and it’s no surprise this topic has resonated so strongly—it’s the third most-listened-to episode of 2024! The pressure to carry the burden of student success is exhausting and unsustainable, leaving many educators burned out and questioning their future in the profes…