The Teach Different Podcast

How do you know when you should change your values? Of the many elements of a strong character, none is more important than a person having a strong system of values. A person who has strong values stands for something, has a stable guide for behavior, and prevents him/herself from being taken advantage of. But, if a person is too rigid in their values, then that person becomes resistant to new ideas and opportunities. Developing the appropriate values to meet life's challenges is an enduring pursuit. Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with United States educator, principal and author Naim Sanders, for a compelling conversation about character, enriched by the Teach Different Method. Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com   Image Source:  Library of Congress | Ed Ford | Creative Commons

How do we know when to give up on change? We're always telling children that it's important not to complain about things and that it's always better to be part of the solution, rather than the problem. If you don't like your situation, then change it. We also tell children that it's important to know when you can't change things and to accept the world the way it is. In those situations it is our attitude that needs fixing. Knowledge of when to work towards change and when to accept the status quo is a form of wisdom only gained through experience. Join Steve and Dan Fouts for a conversation about determination using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation 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 | York College ISLGP

What’s the best way to lead a happy life? When kids talk about strategies for living a happy life, they often talk about goals, like getting a great job or becoming famous. If they reach that goal, then that's clear evidence of success and deep satisfaction for having pursued something to completion. But, what about the relationships we build? They also shape our happiness in a meaningful way. Sorting what makes a person truly happy is challenging work. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guest, Emily Pool, third grade teacher from Illinois, for a conversation about happiness using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com Image: Pixabay | Creative Commons

Can we decide to be free? Freedom is an often used yet really complex concept. Many consider freedom something that is granted to them, something they don't have to work for. Others see freedom as something denied, and something that must be fought for. These different conceptions of freedom spring from different life experiences which are in turn shaped by a person's gender, race, and ethnicity. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guest, John Corcoran, an EL middle school teacher, for a conversation about freedom using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation 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: Nationaal Archief | Rob Croes / Anefo

What makes one person more powerful than another? We constantly compare ourselves to others, often concluding that they have it much better than we do. We spend much of life idolizing people, and in the process, give them power over us. Yet, what's lost here is the stark truth that other people have just as many insecurities and problems as we do and we probably would do better to focus on ourselves and to recognize the power we have to make the world better. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guest, Emir Davis, Director of Black Male Engagement at the Center for Black Educator Development, for a conversation about power using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation 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 | Virginia DeBolt | Creative Commons

What is the best way to overcome your enemies? Enemies have a way of bringing out the worst in us. They make us act and think in mean ways. When we mimic the behaviors of our enemies we get revenge on them and feel a fleeting sense of accomplishment. But, maybe resisting anger is a better way to respond. That way we maintain self-control and draw attention to our enemies' negative behavior, and in the process, preserve our integrity. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guest, Anat Hector-Brown, music teacher and songwriter, for a conversation about anger management using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com   Image source: Pixabay

Is fighting the best way to get what you want? Conflict consumes people of all ages. What makes conflict so taxing is the uncertainty in knowing how to deal with it in healthy ways. The simplest way to think about resolving conflict with other people is to choose domination through force and confrontation and, in dramatic cases, violence. That action carries dramatic consequences. Then, there's the softer, kinder, more persuasive approach which has the same goal but often takes longer and requires a wellspring of patience.  Our choices surrounding conflict dictate the health of our relationships and leave indelible marks on our own character. Join Steve and Dan Fouts for a conversation about conflict using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation 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

Do we control our own happiness? Teachers and parents alike espouse the value of focus. With focus, children appreciate the value of the moment and can learn to control their mind. Yet, phones and social media conspire to make focus difficult. The undisciplined mind, split from its foundation, shifts and drifts in different directions leaving tasks undone, leaving students feeling inadequate and powerless. Steve and Dan Fouts are joined by Evan Harrel and Laura Berland from the Center for Compassionate Leadership to explore the power of a disciplined mind and how it can not only foster compassionate leaders, but can also lead us to a peace and contentment we never knew was possible. 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: Flikr | Christopher Michael | Creative Commons

How do you stay happy in a cruel world? When bad things happen, students have to make choices about how they'll protect themselves. Some choose to fight back against the people or events which caused them pain, thinking that they have the power to change the world into something better. Others recoil and focus on changing their internal attitude, hoping that by doing that they can maintain happiness no matter what happens. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guest, Adrienne Borders, a high school social studies teacher, for a conversation about happiness using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation 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 Commons © Marie-Lan Nguyen

Do humble people make good leaders? To most students leadership is about confidence and being in front of the crowd, setting the example, showing the way. The assumption is that to be good leader you have to act the part and maintain that confident edge and undying belief in your own abilities. But another way to secure that edge is to be humble and convince yourself that you haven't succeeded yet and that there is more work to do. That humble attitude can also be the fuel for success. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guests, Stephanie Wager and Nadia Moreno, for a conversation about humility using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation 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: Wikimedia | Creative Commons

Should we worry about our future? It’s no secret that most kids tend to ‘live for the moment’ rather than planning for their futures. Living in the now has its benefits; instant gratification, less anxiety, and a sense of freedom. Worrying about what happens tomorrow ruins the present. But, maybe a little worry over the future is a good thing and makes people carefully consider their options in the moment to make sure the right choices are made and long-term happiness is secured. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guests, Suzy Dean and Shannon Renshaw, for a conversation about goal setting using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation 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

What is the purpose of school? Most teachers agree that skills and content are important components for a quality education. Debate erupts over which is more important. Some argue that teaching a person how to think should be the primary focus. Others argue that teaching content knowledge is more worthwhile. In the middle of this debate are the students who have very passionate ideas of what the purpose of school should be. Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guest, Michael Strong, author and school innovator, for a conversation about education using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com   Image source: Wikipedia Images / Creative Commons