The Teach Different Podcast

Should we question what we are sure of? Everyone thinks they know something, and we all question some things, but very few people question what they think they know. Socrates declared that he knows he knows nothing.  If this is tying your mind in pretzels, just think about what you value more, confidence or humility. Join Steve and Dan Fouts for an unforgettable conversation about humility using the Teach Different 3-Step Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Wikimedia | Norto Mendez  

Is goal-setting necessary for success? Goal-setting is a skill of highly successful people. Some kids are really good at it. They map out their life events with certain outcomes in mind. Other kids just want to ‘go with the flow’ and goal-setting makes them nervous, unfulfilled, and downright discouraged. Because the value of goal-setting is somewhat unclear, students must decide for themselves how they want to integrate it into their life activities. This will be a life-long challenge. Join Steve and Dan Fouts for an unforgettable conversation about goal-setting using the Teach Different 3-Step Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Wikimedia | Tom@HK

How do we know when we should intervene to solve problems? Students confront problems everyday. Some are small, like how to study for an exam, or get a ride to school, and some large, like how to support their friends who are in unhealthy relationships. All of these problems involve the choice of whether to intervene or do nothing and let the situation play itself out. Each choice is hard and leads to consequences. Join Steve and Dan Fouts for an unforgettable conversation about problem solving using the Teach Different 3-Step Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Flickr | Raed Mansour

How do we know when we should put others ahead of ourselves? An ambitious person is confident and self-motivated, both of which are qualities we want to see in our children. But, ambition sometimes gets us into trouble. It encourages us to compete with others over scarce resources and that causes us to be selfish and uncompromising sometimes. It's important to recognize that there are other people in the world and we have an ethical obligation to think about their needs as well. Join Steve and Dan Fouts for an unforgettable conversation about ambition using the Teach Different 3-Step Method. If you are a teacher, administrator or instructional leader, join our worldwide professional learning community FREE for 30 days to have more conversations and explore our library of inspiring quotes. Not an educator but somebody who loves to discuss big ideas that really matter?  Our community is here to uplift you too. Join Us Image source: Wikimedia

Should we have the freedom to disobey rules? Freedom is a concept near and dear to the hearts of kids. Freedom means they can do what they want, when they want, but there are limits to freedom placed on children by parents, schools, and society. When kids confront these limits they must decide whether or not to disobey the rules or conform to them. This is an inescapable ethical dilemma that stays with them for the rest of their lives. Join Steve and Dan Fouts for an unforgettable conversation about civil disobedience using the Teach Different 3-Step Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Wikipedia | Benjamin D. Maxham

Should we avoid bad people? Kids are in the midst of making so many ethical choices about the types of people they should be hanging out with. There is peer pressure to spend time with friends who may make questionable life choices but whose approval is important for a child's self-esteem. Friendship advice from parents, coaches and other authority figures often go unheard because they conflict with what kids believe inside. Decisions on which company to keep are never easy but they are integral to the healthy moral development of human beings. Join Steve and Dan Fouts for an unforgettable conversation about character using the Teach Different 3-Step Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Wikimedia |  John Trumbull

Is doing the right thing the best way to influence others? School is often the first place where students occupy positions of authority where they are able to direct the efforts of others. Being a good leader and having influence are highly valued. The challenge is figuring out the best way to do it. Some think it's all about having power and expecting others to obey it. Others lead by moral example. Leadership lessons cultivated at young ages carry into adulthood and form the basis for how to treat other people. Join Steve and Dan Fouts for an unforgettable conversation on power using the Teach Different method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Needpix.com |  Creative Commons

What does it take to succeed? Going through hard times is something most everybody has to do. Some people face hardship and turn away. They become discouraged and think that success is unattainable. Others see hardship as an opportunity for self-motivation, goal-setting and a fresh re-evaluation of values. Students must determine whether to see hardship as a barrier or an opportunity, and accept the consequences underlying the choices they make. Join Steve and Dan Fouts for an unforgettable conversation about hardship using the Teach Different 3-Step Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Wikimedia

Do we have control of our future?     The future is hard to predict, even though some people try to do it. Lincoln thought we shouldn't worry about predicting the future.  Our job is to create it and control our own destinies. That may be a challenging thought for someone who has lost hope and is focused on the present. Join Steve and Dan Fouts for an unforgettable conversation about self-determination using the Teach Different 3-Step Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.   Image source: Needpix  | Creative Commons