Shows
On the MiddleSELfless SchoolingIn this episode of On The Middle, Thomas and Carl unpack a recent publication from Yale University detailing the clear evidence that social-emotional learning programs foster academic growth in K-12 schools. Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2025-11-1147 minOn the MiddleBoy ProblemsOn this episode of On The Middle, Thomas and Carl discuss the "mis-education" of boys in American Education, which is the topic of a recent NPR "On Point" series.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2025-10-1250 minOn the MiddleSummer Review and Season 2On this episode of On The Middle, the first for the new school year, Thomas and Carl discuss all of the things they did... and didn't do... over summer break.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2025-09-1642 minOn the MiddleExtra, Extra!On this episode on On The Middle, Thomas and Carl talk about winning and losing and what happens when schools allow students to do both.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2025-05-2645 minOn the MiddleDeli DilemmaOn this episode of On The Middle, Thomas and Carl use stories to discuss metacognition and how teachers can share responsibility for helping students learn about their learning.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2025-04-2745 minOn the MiddleRelationgagementOn this episode of On The Middle, Thomas and Carl recap their latest conference experience and discuss the message of relationships and engagement delivered by the keynote speaker, Jonathan Alsheimer.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2025-04-0647 minOn the MiddleSafety SecondIn this episode of On The Middle, Thomas and Carl continue their discussion on school safety, this time focusing less on social-emotional safety and more on how schools are confronted with harsh realities regarding safety.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2025-03-1743 minOn the MiddleSafety FirstIn this episode of On the Middle, Thomas and Carl discuss school safety from an emotional perspective as a means of being proactive, just, and thoughtful.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2025-03-0246 minOn the MiddleAll vs. AlmostIn this episode of On The Middle, Thomas and Carl continue their discussion of advisory programs, focusing on the philosophical aspects of the topic.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2025-02-0242 minOn the MiddleMaslow MagicOn this episode of On The Middle, Thomas and Carl discuss the importance of advisory programs and how they meet the criteria for one of AMLE’s characteristics of successful middle schools: that every student has an adult advocate that supports their academic and personal growth.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2025-01-2144 minOn the MiddleNew Year's Re-Starter PackOn this episode of On The Middle, Thomas and Carl talk about how educators can successfully prepare for a return to school after Winter Break by evaluating their mindset, reflecting on things that went well/not well, and determining what they hope to accomplish the rest of the year.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2024-12-3141 minOn the MiddleMeet Them Where?In this episode of On the Middle, Carl and Thomas discuss what it means to understand and value young adolescents. Part of the AMLE Series, themes include development responsiveness and viewing students as capable and creative members of the classroom.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2024-11-2443 minOn the MiddleThe AMLE Series: This We BelieveIn this episode of On the Middle, Carl and Thomas share about their experience with the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE). The organization's position paper, This We Believe, serves as a philosophical guide for educators of young adolescents. On the Middle is not sponsored by AMLE.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2024-11-1142 minOn the MiddleMonsters, Masks, and MetricsIn this episode of On the Middle, Thomas and Carl discuss one of the more fear-inducing aspects of Spooky Season, the teacher observation. What should an observation in a middle grades classroom look like, and what should teachers, coaches, administrators be looking for?Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2024-10-2738 minOn the MiddleCs Get DegreesOn this episode of On The Middle, Thomas and Carl continue to discuss the dangers of antiquated grading practices like the use of zeros and grading students based on behavior.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2024-10-1141 minOn the MiddleA for Effort, Part 2Hosts Thomas Kelly and Dr. Carl Zoolkoski continue their discussion on outdated, unsound, and unscrupulous grading practices.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2024-09-2339 minOn the MiddleA for EffortHosts Thomas Kelly and Dr. Carl Zoolkoski discuss the pitfalls of traditional grading and how antiquated practices sneak in to haunt us when we don't even realize it.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2024-09-2341 minOn the MiddleThe Honeymoon's OverThomas and Carl review their first month back in the classroom and discuss the changes they've noticed in students now that they've adapted to their new routines and schedules. Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2024-09-0938 min
On the MiddleBack to School: Day 1 PrioritiesHosts Thomas Kelly and Dr. Carl Zoolkoski discuss the importance of classroom management and how management is the core of the educational experience a student has in a classroom.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2024-09-0136 min
On the MiddleBack to School: New BeginningsHosts Thomas Kelly and Dr. Carl Zoolkoski introduce their beliefs about middle grades learners and their vision for this podcast project. This episode begins the Back to School series that runs through October 2024.Send us a textOn the Middle is a production of KZ Education Consulting, LLC.
2024-09-0134 min