In this S5E16 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies conversation, join me with seasoned clinician MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, as she shares the story of a 14-year-old who mooned a bus—and how nine minutes of curious conversation taught him life skills that lasted decades. Discover why curiosity requires discomfort, how to create calm from the inside out, and the simple "notice" practice that even Notre Dame football players started using in their huddles.
In This Episode You'll Discover:
✨Why classroom belonging starts with curiosity, not compliance
✨How to shift from judgment to curiosity to improve classroom behavior and student engagement
✨The "notice" practice that transforms student motivation and attention in class in under 60 seconds
✨Why low engagement often signals adults need to change, not students
✨ Active learning strategies that inspire students through emotional regulation
✨ How student participation increases when teachers practice co-regulation
✨ Instructional strategies that support the whole child approach
Resources Mentioned:
CHAPTER MARKERS
0:00 - Introduction: The Power of "Help Me Understand"
1:00 - Meet MJ Murray Vachon: 50,000+ Therapy Sessions
3:00 - Brené Brown's Research on Curiosity
4:00 - Why You Can't Be Curious and Comfortable
6:00 - The Two-Word Shift: From Judgment to Curiosity
9:00 - The Bus Mooning Story Begins
10:00 - The Four-Minute Wait That Changed Everything
11:00 - Teaching the Do-Over: Life Skills in Action
13:00 - The 9-Minute Conversation vs. A Day of Emails
14:00 - Why Repair Matters More Than Punishment
17:00 - Letting Go: What Education Needs to Release
19:00 - The Teacher Who Got Retooled at 67
21:00 - When "Kids Are Lazy" Is Actually Adult Control
23:00 - Creating Calm from the Inside Out
25:00 - The "Notice" Practice Explained
26:00 - Notre Dame Football Players in the Huddle
28:00 - Co-Regulation: Students Need Us Until 18
30:00 - Teaching Kids to Notice: Slowing Down to Speed Up
33:00 - Lightning Round: Best Advice for Teachers
34:00 - What MJ Believed Then vs. Now
36:00 - The Podcast Origin Story: Students Made Me Do It
38:00 - Your Invitation: Try Notice Tomorrow
39:00 - Outro & Resources
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
