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Teachers Talkin'

Teachers Talkin'

by Dustin Tatroe

Self-Improvement Mental Health

Season 3

Everything Reading!

Dustin and Ghazali talk with Katie Ludes to discuss reading instruction, the science of reading, and what it means to support readers across K–12. Our guiding question is, “How does the science of reading and learning impact instruction and outcomes across K–12?” Katie Ludes has spent 25 years in education, including work as a teacher, reading interventionist, coach, and EL coordinator. Throughout her career, she has supported students and teachers across grade levels while helping educators better understand what actually moves the needle for students becoming stronger readers. In this conversation, Katie discusses why reading comprehension is the outcome, why content-area teachers play such an important role in literacy, how morphology and academic language impact secondary students, and why reading support matters for student confidence, behavior, and access to learning. We are always looking for passionate members of the education world to join us and talk about tips and strategies to support teachers! You don’t have to be any kind of expert, just someone who is passionate about education and teachers. If that is you, please fill out this form to let us know what you want to discuss and choose a time to record with us: https://forms.gle/vS3VxdevfDC1VJcm6

From Policy to Practice: Making AI Work for Teachers

Dustin and Ghazali talk with Shuayb Abdi, an educator-turned-founder working with international schools across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, to discuss the growing gap between AI policy and what’s actually happening in classrooms—especially in contexts where class sizes are large, resources are limited, and traditional assessment models are strained. Together, they explore why many schools stay stuck in fear-based, reactive approaches (like bans and “catching cheating”), and what it looks like to move toward practical implementation through teacher training, thoughtful guardrails, data privacy, and AI tools that actually support learning and reclaim teacher time. Our guiding question is, ‘How do we move from AI policy to classroom practice in ways that truly support teachers and improve student learning—without sacrificing safety, trust, or equity?’ Shuayb Abdi is an educator-turned-founder who supports international and emerging-market schools in using AI in practical, classroom-ready ways. With experience working across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Shuayb focuses on helping teachers improve outcomes while reducing workload—through stronger AI fluency, better implementation strategies, and tools designed with classroom realities in mind. He also runs a coding bootcamp that has helped hundreds of people learn to code and transition into tech, including many former educators, and he is passionate about helping schools prepare students and teachers for an AI-shaped future. We are always looking for passionate members of the education world to join us and talk about tips and strategies to support teachers! You don't have to be any kind of expert, just someone who is passionate about education and teachers. If that is you, please fill out this form to let us know what you want to discuss and choose a time to record with us: https://forms.gle/CVUTHrwTRuqJo7FY8

Testing Isn't the Finish Line

In this short episode of Teachers Talkin’, Dustin Tatroe explains why the end of testing can’t become the end of learning, especially in early May when students and teachers feel summer approaching and routines start to slip. He argues that tight, consistent systems—do nows, transitions, attention signals, work-time expectations, and follow-through on missing work—matter most at the end of the year because predictability prevents chaos. Dustin also warns against “filler” activities (like showing movies just to pass time) and encourages keeping fun purposeful and rigorous through discussion, analysis, and text-to-film comparisons. He recommends using the final weeks as a bridge to the next grade level by building reading stamina, strengthening evidence-based writing and discussion skills, and reinforcing organization and independent work habits. Finally, he frames reflection as an academic task through goal-setting, presentations, and student feedback to improve teaching. Join my weekly newsletter and get more in depth about this and many other topics: https://app.kit.com/forms/designers/7867483/edit Be a guest: https://forms.gle/PjtY1dyGcQyeetQZ9

Practice with a Partner: How Colleagues Spark Growth

Dustin Tatroe and Ghazali Abdul Wahab welcome Jake Bersin, a health and physical education teacher in Worcester Public Schools and host of MAHPERD’s Voices from the Field, to discuss “practice with a partner” and how colleagues can make growth visible and sustainable. Jake contrasts side-by-side practice with casual advice by emphasizing SMART goals, agendas, accountability, and mentoring aligned to Massachusetts teaching standards while staying non-evaluative. He shares concrete classroom moves like greeting students at the door, starting PE with instant activities, using visuals and video modeling for ELLs, and setting observation focal points. The group explores building trust, co-creating goals and boundaries, using reflective questions, allowing productive struggle, and refining strategies with timelines. Jake closes with a partnership success story using a 12-week martial arts program to support students’ self-control, reflection, and growth. Interested in being a guest? Tell us what you’d like to talk about here: https://forms.gle/RCeUFhmvLxY1nRwU9

Stories That Stick: Using Edutainment to Inspire Learners

Dustin and Ghazali welcome returning guest Ryan Nicolas Leong to explore how educators can make learning fun through GenAI-powered world building. Ryan explains that as AI becomes an equalizer, the key question shifts from whether teachers use AI to how they create immersive, trust-building experiences that spark curiosity and make “dry” topics engaging. He outlines a practical workflow using GenAI to generate images, music, scripts, voices, and characters, then layering human values and clear story structure for consistency. Ryan shares a case study from a national anti-scam education program built with partners, blending a sci-fi narrative with real articles and victim stories, later extending into an interactive mobile game. He also discusses starting small with existing edutainment models, using simple role play, creating reusable “bots” (Gemini Gems/ChatGPT projects), measuring learning through story recall, and turning AI errors into critical-thinking moments. Interested in being a guest? Tell us what you’d like to talk about here: https://forms.gle/RCeUFhmvLxY1nRwU9

Beyond the Poster: Systems That Turn Growth Mindset Into Equity

In this episode, Dustin and Ghazali welcome Marlene Tapia Garcia to talk about what it really takes to move growth mindset beyond classroom posters and into daily practice that creates more equitable learning opportunities. Marlene shares how students’ confidence is shaped by past experiences and why “I can’t” often reflects learned beliefs—not ability. She explains how teachers can build systems that make growth visible and attainable, including self-paced and mastery-based structures, consistent feedback, meaningful revision opportunities, and student leadership roles like peer “teacher assistants.” Marlene also brings in her perspective as an educator from Mexico working in a two-way dual language setting, highlighting how language, belonging, and classroom culture play a powerful role in helping students take academic risks. This conversation is full of real classroom examples and practical moves for educators who want every student to feel supported, capable, and challenged. Interested in being a guest? Tell us what you’d like to talk about here: https://forms.gle/RCeUFhmvLxY1nRwU9

50th Episode Extravaganza: Reflecting on Educator Insights and Raising ALS Awareness

Dustin Tatroe and Ghazali Abdul Wahab celebrate the 50th episode of Teachers Talkin’ with a Podcasthon bonus episode spotlighting the Les Turner ALS Foundation. They reflect on five standout moments: Joe Dale on AI for language learning (and improving podcast sound quality), their boundaries-and-balance episode on avoiding burnout, Connie Rasmussen on outdoor learning, Kip Morales on building classroom relationships through environment, energy, positivity, and student-led structures, and Ryan Nicholas Leon on student wellbeing through creative role-play and channeling student energy. They share honorable mentions featuring Rob Barnett (Modern Classrooms Project), Bobby Canosa- Carr (challenging school power dynamics), Dean Marolla (principal leadership), and Javier Payano (Human Values Collective). Dustin explains his mother’s recent ALS diagnosis and includes an interview with her about ALS, symptoms, support, and Les Turner’s free services, then both hosts connect the message to how schools can support students and staff carrying heavy burdens and encourage donations or sharing the episode. Donate here: https://lesturnerals.org/make-a-donation/ Interested in joining us on the podcast? We’re always looking for passionate educators and school leaders to share their insights—no need to be an “expert.” Tell us what you’d like to talk about here: https://forms.gle/RCeUFhmvLxY1nRwU9

Beyond Traditional Measures: Rethinking Student Evaluations (Part 2)

In this Teachers Talkin’ episode, hosts Dustin Tatroe and Ghazali Abdul Wahab continue their US–Singapore grading conversation by focusing on sustainable grading practices that reduce teacher burnout. Ghazali explains how grading load varies by subject, how large class sizes and detailed rubrics create feedback delays, and how Singapore’s system relies on frequent formative tracking (often numeric, in systems like SLS or spreadsheets) with seasonal spikes during weighted assessments. Dustin contrasts US expectations that “everything counts,” arguing gradebooks should prioritize independent demonstrations of mastery rather than soft skills like homework completion or timeliness, and he shares strategies including limiting graded items, using rubrics, chunking writing feedback during the drafting process, and allowing reassessment within a unit. Ghazali describes using an AI chatbot built on Poe with O-level rubrics and exemplars to provide immediate draft feedback while keeping a human-in-the-loop for final marking, and they also discuss late-work systems, motivation, and giving constructive feedback without discouraging students. Interested in joining us on the podcast? We’re always looking for passionate educators and school leaders to share their insights—no need to be an “expert.” Tell us what you’d like to talk about here: https://forms.gle/RCeUFhmvLxY1nRwU9

Grading: A Global Perspective on Student Assessment (Part 1)

Dustin Tatroe and Ghazali Abdul Wahab launch a two-part conversation on “grades that tell the truth,” focusing in Part 1 on accuracy—what grades should measure, why they often don’t, and how grading practices shape teacher workload and student motivation. They compare contexts in Singapore and the United States: Ghazali outlines Singapore’s high-stakes structure (PSLE with banded scoring, O/N Level exams, removal of midyear exams, and three weighted assessments plus a year-end exam that make up recorded grades), where most day-to-day work is formative and not entered into the gradebook. Dustin contrasts this with common U.S. practices where teachers frequently grade nearly everything, often required to post multiple grades per week, leading to 60+ grades per semester and significant grading volume. They discuss stress and equity issues tied to high-stakes exams and school prestige, including Singapore’s tuition industry and U.S. funding disparities across districts. The conversation emphasizes the value of clear rubrics, shared language, exemplars, and peer marking to reduce subjectivity and improve feedback. Dustin argues against grading homework and other practice behaviors, recommending that practice work receive feedback but not be recorded as grades, and that recorded grades focus on independent demonstrations of mastery. Ghazali reinforces a mindset shift away from believing formative practice must be graded to matter, advocating for feedback that supports learning and risk-taking. Interested in joining us on the podcast? We’re always looking for passionate educators and school leaders to share their insights—no need to be an “expert.” Tell us what you’d like to talk about here: https://forms.gle/RCeUFhmvLxY1nRwU9

Mentorship Matters: Building Support Systems That Keep Teachers Thriving

In this episode, Dustin and Ghazali welcome Jennifer Hartman, an associate principal at Memorial Junior High in Lansing, Illinois, to discuss the critical importance of structured mentoring programs in education. Jennifer shares her unique journey from aspiring dentist to educational leader and her passion for supporting new educators. They dive into the development of effective mentoring strategies that not only improve teacher retention but also create lasting pipelines of leadership in schools. Jennifer highlights the importance of classroom management, personalized mentoring approaches, and the profound impact of mentors in her own career. Whether you're an educator or an administrator, this episode offers insightful and practical advice on fostering a supportive and growth-oriented environment for new teachers. Interested in being a guest? Tell us what you’d like to talk about here: https://forms.gle/RCeUFhmvLxY1nRwU9

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