Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

It's the final episode of the 2025 season, and I want to leave you with something meaningful. I'm sharing some personal thoughts as I prepare to step away for my December internet sabbatical. I'm thinking deeply about alignment, presence, and what it means to move forward with clarity and purpose. If you've been feeling the tension between what you have to do and what you're called to do … this episode might resonate. Key highlights: Why I'm shifting directions in 2026 to focus on deeper connections with educators (and serving more than just folks in K-12) How my personal life has come into greater alignment after moving and establishing new daily practices My launch of teacher retreats after years of dreaming and planning (you're invited!) An introduction to Due Season Press, my new website showcasing retreats, retreat/event planning services, editing and publishing support for authors, and more Opportunities for schools and districts to host custom retreat experiences Reflective questions to help you find your own alignment and mission heading into 2026 Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here. This episode is brought to you by MiaTiagoBooks.com. P.S. If you'll miss having new episodes to listen to from now until January, here's a way to work back through the archives without having to scroll endlessly through episode titles. I have a set of recommended Truth for Teachers playlists you can access. They're a careful curation of the episodes I'm most proud of—and that I think will help you most—from my ten years of podcasting. I've organized the playlists around four topics: The Encouragement Playlist, if you need a boost of inspiration and motivation The Productivity Playlist, if you want practical strategies for time management and getting things done The Student Engagement Playlist, if you want tools for building relationships with students and enhancing your lessons The Greatest Hits Playlist, which covers a wide variety of topics that have been really popular over the years but aren't necessarily connected to any larger theme. The Greatest Hits playlist offers a really nice variety of episodes. If you're a longtime listener and accessed one of these playlists a while back, know that I updated them this month so they include newer episodes, too. Go to TruthforTeachers.com/playlists and enter your email address to receive the playlist you want. I'll send you a PDF with a description of each episode, a link to its blog post/transcript, and a link to the MP3 file for listening. It also shares some special bonuses and other related resources I think you might like.

"The adults in the building need healing just as much as the kids do. Self-compassion isn't soft. It's the most radical act of self-preservation an educator can practice." That's a quote from my guest in this episode, Marisol Quevedo Rerucha. She's the author of Beyond the Surface of Restorative Practices and the CEO of Heartset Consulting Group. A former teacher, principal, and district leader, she now supports individuals, communities, and systems in building high-trust, equity-centered spaces. Together, Marisol and I explore what a restorative way of being looks like, how to build a classroom culture rooted in belonging and accountability, and why self-compassion is a foundational part of this work. Marisol also shares her personal story of healing, offers real classroom examples, and closes with an unforgettable metaphor about facing life's hardest moments with courage and community. In this powerful conversation, Marisol Revucha shares why so many educators feel disillusioned with restorative practices and what needs to shift for true transformation to occur. Whether your school is fully immersed in restorative practices or you're just starting to explore what it means, this conversation offers both heart and strategy. You'll walk away with a clearer vision for what's possible—not just for your students, but for yourself. Topics include: Why restorative justice often fails in schools How to build a culture of repair and accountability The role of self-compassion in restorative work Real-time responses when students act out Restorative practices for staff—not just students "Being the buffalo": facing the storm together Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here. This episode is brought to you by MiaTiagoBooks.com.

Metacognition — "thinking about your thinking" — is one of the most powerful skills we can teach students, and it doesn't require adding anything new to your already packed schedule. In this episode, you'll learn four simple, one-minute routines you can weave into your daily classroom flow to help students notice, analyze, and adjust their own thinking. We'll explore: How to use attention checks so students can redirect focus in the moment Why brain break signals teach learners to connect physical energy with mental clarity (and how to manage them without chaos) How mistake moments reframe errors as valuable information A fresh take on end-of-day brain checks that builds awareness of learning strategies, not just content recall Whether you teach kindergarteners or high school seniors, you'll walk away with concrete ideas for creating a classroom culture where students take ownership of their learning process. Plus, I'll share how my Finding Flow Solutions K–12 curriculum can give you ready-made, no-prep lessons to teach these skills — and where to grab your free downloadable sample lesson. Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here. This episide is brought to you by Listenwise and MiaTiagoBooks.com.

"Giving kids, and yourself, language to wrap around the idea that we have an inner leader (our kindest, best self) is transformative." Join me as I talk with Lily Howard Scott, a NYC-based parent, educator, and author, who shares insights from her book The Words That Shape Us: The Science-Based Power of Teacher Language. We're exploring how our internal self-talk shapes our perceptions of students and ourselves, and how intentional language can transform classroom culture. Lily shares practical strategies for helping students of all ages: Notice and separate from their thoughts and feelings ("feelings as visitors") Understand they are always good inside, even when they make a bad choice Access their wisest self to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting automatically Lily also introduces tools like "outer shells and inner swirls" to help students notice assumptions and guide interactions in more mindful, empowering ways. Whether you're looking to improve classroom culture, support student self-reflection, or strengthen your own teacher mindset, this episode offers actionable strategies and inspiring reminders about the words we choose and the impact they have. Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

How much effort is enough—for you and your students? In this episode, I'm weaving together three listener questions about navigating effort, expectations, and balance. We'll explore how to recognize whether you lean more toward Type A (overextending) or Type B (holding back) tendencies, and how to make small, mindful adjustments so you're not burning out—or stagnating. You'll hear practical advice for: Reworking your expectations of yourself during seasons of low energy, burnout, or chronic illness. Knowing when to give yourself permission to do less, and when to gently push yourself to do more. Supporting students who either overextend or under-extend themselves without trying to individualize every message for every learner. Listen in for a simple framework you (and your students) can use to calibrate effort in healthier, more sustainable ways. 🔗 Want to submit a question for a future episode? Share it at truthforteachers.com/podcast. Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here..