Shows
The Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 095: When You Realize Your Students Are Your Work and Other Moments of Realizations in Mental Overload with Christine and TammyTammy and Christine talk about if you have ever caught yourself wishing the students would stay out a bit longer so you can “get real work done”? We unpack that exact moment of misalignment and the quieter signals that follow like missing meetings, mixing up times, and staring down a chaotic classroom you don’t even know you’ll keep. Our goal is simple: trade overwhelm for intent, and turn a crowded day into one you can meet with clarity and care.We dig into the power of separating chunk time from confetti time, protecting deep work for plan...
2026-02-1032 min
The Dave Burgess Show75: Minimalism in Education with Tammy MusiowskyApplying minimalism to our lives as educators and to educational systems is a powerful concept. I chatted with the co-author of The Minimalist Teacher and Your School Leadership Edit, Tammy Musiowsky, about her work and the positive impact it can have for educators and students. Let us know what you think using The #DaveBurgessShow hashtag. Connect with Tammy:Email: Tammy@planzeducation.comInstagram: @planzeducationLinkedIn: Tammy Musiowski
2026-01-2143 min
The Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 092: Strategic Humor For Lighter, Stronger Schools with Christine and TammyWhat if one small shift could make lessons stickier, meetings warmer, and workload feel lighter? We dive into the overlooked power of humor as a strategic tool for teaching and leadership, blending research with lived classroom experience to show how a shared smile can fuel memory, trust, and focus without slipping into cringe or chaos.We unpack why humor boosts dopamine and oxytocin—and why that matters for engagement and recall—then challenge the old belief that “professional” means “serious.” You’ll hear how self-deprecating and affiliative humor can raise credibility and approachability, while sarcasm and punch-down jokes erode ps...
2026-01-2029 min
Easy EdTech Podcast with Monica BurnsFuture-Proofing Classroom Technology: Sustainable Choices with Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman - Bonus Episode with JotformIn this episode, I welcome back Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman, author, professional learning facilitator, and founder of Plan Z Education, to discuss future-proofing classroom technology through minimalist approaches and sustainable practices. You'll also hear practical strategies for evaluating digital tools, establishing healthy tech boundaries for students across grade levels, and avoiding the trap of chasing every shiny new platform or feature. Tune in to work smarter (not harder) by identifying which educational technology truly adds value to your teaching. Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2026/01/09/classroom-technology-bonus/ Sponsored by Jotform: https://jotform.com/enterprise/education/ Follow...
2026-01-0925 min
The Minimalist Educator PodcastBONUS Season Six Preview: A Milestone Season with Christine and TammySeason 6 kicks off with momentum and purpose: a leaner, clearer way to teach and lead, plus a major milestone as we head toward our 100th episode. We map the journey ahead—from a January reset that honors how students grow over the break to a guest lineup that challenges the norms and champions practical change. Every conversation aims at the same target: simplify the work, sharpen the focus, and amplify the impact on student learning.We start by revisiting the midyear reset with Nicole, exploring how to assess what students remember, what’s shifted socially and emotionally, and...
2026-01-0612 min
SEL in EDU084: Leading with Less: The Power of Minimalist Leadership with Tammy Musiowsky and Christine ArnoldLeading a school shouldn’t feel like juggling flaming clipboards. Tammy Musiowsky and Christine Arnold join us to share how minimalist leadership turns a noisy school ecosystem into a coherent one by aligning purpose, editing systems, and removing friction that wastes energy and time. They unpack the Triple P (purpose, priorities, pare down) and the Five Rs (reimagine, remove, repurpose, reinvest, refine) to show how small, smart edits in communication, operations, and culture create outsized gains for teachers and students. We explore why interdependence matters: when leaders are stretched or unclear, stress cascades through the whole community. Ta...
2025-11-1242 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 085: Behind Our New Book with Christine and TammyWhat if your greatest leadership move is not to add, but to edit? We share the thinking behind our new book, Your School Leadership Edit, and walk through a practical framework that helps you simplify systems, protect your time, and raise instructional impact without burning out your team.We break down the Five Rs—reimagining, removing, repurposing, reinvesting, and refining—and show how they apply to the big structures that shape daily school life: communication, expectations, teacher support, time use, and family participation. You will hear why “edit” is our guiding metaphor, how to subtract redundant work with con...
2025-11-1131 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 080: The Path to Deeper Learning with John SpencerThere's a powerful moment in our conversation with John Spencer when he captures what so many educators are feeling: "It's like you're designing for depth while the system keeps dragging everything to the surface." This sentiment strikes at the heart of teaching today – fighting against a culture of distraction to create meaningful learning experiences.Spencer, whose journey from middle school teacher to professor and influential education content creator began with his own transformative project-based learning experience as a student, offers a refreshingly honest perspective on student engagement. Moving beyond simplistic advice to "make class more engaging" or "re...
2025-10-0726 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 079: How Film Industry Productivity Secrets Apply to Education with Steven PuriHollywood meets education in this eye-opening conversation with Steven Puri, founder and CEO of the Sukha Company. Drawing from his fascinating career journey—from digital visual effects on Academy Award-winning films to executive roles at major studios like DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox, Puri shares productivity strategies that work across industries.What makes this episode particularly valuable is how Puri translates high-stakes film production techniques into practical tools for educators. He reveals how elite screenwriters create optimal environments for creativity and focus, explaining how our brains form powerful associations between specific places and types of work. Rather th...
2025-09-3034 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 078: The Hidden Crisis in Education with Dr. Helen KellyDr. Helen Kelly shares her journey from workplace safety lawyer to international school principal, and how her personal experience with burnout led to her current work researching educator wellbeing. She offers evidence-based insights about preventing burnout and creating school cultures that support teacher and leader wellbeing.• Understanding burnout as a continuum that everyone moves along, with engagement at one end and burnout at the other• Emotional workload and lack of community connection are stronger contributors to burnout than quantitative workload• Teacher wellbeing directly impacts student outcomes including academic performance, sense of belonging, and non-cognitive skills•...
2025-09-2330 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 077: "Ish"...The Power of Good Enough with Tammy and ChristineWhat if "good enough" really was good enough? Perfectionism has become an invisible burden in education, driving burnout and diminishing joy for both teachers and students. In this enlightening conversation, we explore the revolutionary concept of embracing an "ish" mindset—an approach that celebrates progress over perfection and creates space for genuine growth.Drawing inspiration from Peter H. Reynolds' picture book "Ish" and Jo Bowler's "Math-ish," we unpack how this transformative thinking applies to classroom practice. When we step back from rigid expectations and all-or-nothing thinking, we discover the freedom to analyze what's working, learn from what is...
2025-09-1627 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 076: Cutting Through Initiative Clutter with Tammy & ChristineFeeling overwhelmed by the constant barrage of new programs and initiatives hitting your school? You're not alone. In this thought-provoking conversation, Christine and Tammy tackle the challenge of "initiative clutter" that plagues schools everywhere.The hard truth is that we've created an unsustainable cycle in education. Research clearly shows meaningful change requires 3-5 years for proper implementation, yet schools typically cycle through initiatives every two years. This creates not just fatigue, but genuine frustration as educators invest time mastering approaches only to abandon them before seeing results. As one host points out, "You haven't really had enough...
2025-09-0929 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastBONUS Season 5 Preview: Conversations That Transform TeachingChristine and Tammy celebrate the launch of Season 5 of The Minimalist Educator podcast by previewing their engaging lineup of education experts and thought leaders who share insights on streamlining work and preserving wellbeing!• Ming Shelby returns to discuss the transformative power of positivity in difficult conversations• Dr. Monica Burns returns to explores ethical AI use as an assistant rather than replacement for teachers• Craig Randal introduces his trust-based observation framework that simplifies teacher evaluations• Steven Puri shares productivity techniques from his Hollywood experience that help educators find flow• John Spencer offers practical approaches to increas...
2025-09-0215 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 075: Season 4 Highlights!We've compiled the best "pare down pointers" from our incredible Season 4 guests into one special highlights episode, offering powerful insights and reminders about minimizing complexity in education.• Craig Rudolph emphasizes being available, responding promptly to inquiries, and genuinely listening to what people need• Jill Cross shares how color-coding systems help both students and teachers with organization• Dr. Michele Ogden reminds us "just because you can doesn't mean you should" when making career decisions• Fred Ende recommends stepping away for 24 hours when facing complex problems• Lisa Fort discusses classroom organization strategies that save time and reduce...
2025-05-2715 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 074: Letters to Our September Selves with Christine and TammyHave you ever wished you could send a message back in time to your beginning-of-year self? That's exactly what we explore in this reflective episode as another school year draws to a close.The transition between academic years often happens at breakneck speed, with little time to acknowledge how much we've grown and changed. Tammy and I share the letters we would write to our September selves, capturing the wisdom gained through challenges, surprises, and victories along the way.Through honest conversation, we unpack key lessons that emerged this year. Tammy reflects on her coaching...
2025-05-2032 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 073: Revisiting Our Book, The Minimalist Teacher with Tammy and ChristineTammy and Christine revisit their 2021 book "The Minimalist Teacher," reflecting on which concepts remain relevant in today's educational landscape and the ongoing conversations they're having with educators about minimalist approaches.• The Triple P funnel (Purpose, Priorities, Paring Down) helps teachers declutter instructional practices and assessment strategies• Teachers often feel overwhelmed by excessive resources and materials that weren't designed with their specific students in mind• Creating boundaries around when to check emails and limiting digital clutter can reduce cognitive overwhelm• The concept of "teaching with fidelity" must be balanced with responsiveness to student needs• Creating a...
2025-05-1333 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 072: Finding Joy Again - A School Leader's Journey Back to the Classroom with Dr. Michele OgdenDr. Michele Ogden shares her journey from elementary principal back to the classroom, highlighting the importance of aligning career choices with personal strengths and sources of joy. Her story challenges traditional career progression narratives, demonstrating how finding the right fit can enhance wellbeing and professional satisfaction.• Former elementary principal who returned to teaching second and third grade• Experienced burnout during COVID with high blood pressure, insomnia and anxiety from administrative demands• Found greater purpose and joy working directly with students all day• Brought valuable leadership skills from administration into classroom teaching• Creates consistent routines...
2025-05-0624 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 071: Integrating SEL Without Adding More with Dr. Krista LehDr. Krista Leh returns to discuss how educators can effectively integrate social emotional learning into their teaching without adding to their workload, emphasizing the importance of recognizing SEL skills already present in their practices.• Teachers continue to struggle with balancing personal lives and professional obligations while facing constant addition of new initiatives• SEL is more than just building relationships—it's a set of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills that teachers are often already incorporating• Research shows students only need one caring, consistent adult to make a difference in their lives• Middle school leadership programs can effectivel...
2025-04-2926 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 070: Rethinking Professional Development in K-12 Education with Fred EndeIn this episode of the Minimalist Educator Podcast, we connect with Fred Ende, the Director of Curriculum and Instructional Services at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES. Fred shares his journey from a middle school science teacher to an educational leader, highlighting the importance of professional development tailored to meet the needs of teachers and students alike. Our conversation explores how minimalism can be a powerful tool in the classroom, addressing common challenges in K-12 education today and the importance of inclusivity and adaptability in teaching practices.Fred emphasizes the need to prioritize listening and reflection, advocating for a...
2025-04-2229 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 069: Leading with Love: Putting People First in Education with Laurie NameyLaurie Namey shares how prioritizing people first in educational leadership leads to transformative school cultures and student achievement. Her leadership philosophy centers on a minimalist principle, proving that when people are valued first, everything else falls into place.• Prioritize people by day, paperwork by night• The physical environment communicates value – students deserve clean, well-maintained spaces• Create non-negotiable routines that center on student interactions• Personalized communication matters – handwritten notes have profound impact• Allow space for vulnerability in leadership when facing challenges• In crisis moments, focus solely on what's best for students• Core values and clear p...
2025-04-1527 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 068: From Classroom to Corporate with Lindsay DurkinLindsay Durkin shares her transformative transition from a passionate first-grade teacher to a corporate training manager, reflecting on the challenges of feeling unfulfilled in teaching and the valuable skills she carries into her new role. The episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's value beyond the classroom and the potential for finding fulfillment in a different professional environment. • Exploration of Lindsay’s journey from teacher to corporate trainer • Discussion on feelings of unfulfillment and burnout in teaching • Insights into the transition to corporate training and adult learning • Highlighting transferable skills from teaching to corporate settings ...
2025-04-0826 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 067: The Power of Personalized Tutoring with Craig RudolphDiscover how personalized tutoring reshapes lives and builds pathways to success in this engaging episode of the Minimalist Educator Podcast, featuring Craig Rudolph, owner of School is Easy Tutoring in Edmonton. With a background in banking and a passion for education, Craig transitioned to tutoring, highlighting the critical human touch in learning experiences. In a world increasingly reliant on digital interactions, Craig underscores the importance of face-to-face guidance that fosters rapport and engagement.This episode delves into the motivating factors behind parents seeking tutoring services and reveals insights into the tutoring process—ranging from academic support for st...
2025-04-0126 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 066: The Twin Sins of Planning with Tammy and ChristineCan activity-packed lessons actually hinder true learning? Join Tammy and Christine on the Minimalist Educator Podcast as we unravel the "twin sins of planning," a thought-provoking concept brought to light by McTighe and Willis. We promise you'll walk away with a deeper understanding of how the focus on fun, activity-oriented lessons and an obsession with content coverage can unintentionally overshadow genuine student engagement and understanding. Sharing insights from personal journeys and the brilliant Minimalist Teacher book, we explore strategies to ensure that lessons are not only engaging but also meaningful and centered around the students' needs.Facing th...
2025-03-2524 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 065: The Double Whammy Strategy with Christine and TammyUnlock the secrets of effective teaching by mastering the "double whammy" strategy with us on this week's Minimalist Educator Podcast. We'll guide you through the art of teaching content and learning behaviors simultaneously, a transformative approach pioneered by Guy Claxton. Discover how adopting this dual focus can reshape your classroom, ensuring that students not only absorb academic knowledge but also develop crucial learning behaviors that lead to long-term success. Through our personal stories and insights, you'll learn how subtle cues from educators can significantly influence students' approach to learning and achievement.Join us as we highlight the...
2025-03-1820 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 064: Focusing on One Teaching Point with Tammy and ChristineThis episode emphasizes the value of focusing on one teaching point to enhance clarity and learning outcomes in the classroom. Through practical strategies, real-life examples, and discussions on cognitive load, the hosts provide insights into effective teaching practices that can improve student success while promoting a minimalist approach to education.• Exploring the definition and significance of one teaching point • Discussing the cognitive load and its relation to lesson planning • Sharing real-life examples of complex versus focused lessons • Presenting strategies for maintaining a singular focus during lessons • Emphasizing the importance of lesson closure and periodic c...
2025-03-1122 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 063: Mastering Curriculum Development with Jill CrossJoin us for a compelling journey into the art of curriculum development with our brilliant guest, Jill Cross, a National Board Certified Teacher and seasoned curriculum director. Jill shares her diverse experiences across various educational settings, from small Catholic schools to innovative museum schools, and her current role at an independent Jewish day school in Memphis, Tennessee. Learn how she deftly balances teachers' passions with the ever-evolving needs of students and standards, and discover invaluable strategies for effective curriculum changes. Through Jill's stories, we highlight the power of building strong relationships and fostering open communication with faculty to drive...
2025-03-0426 minThe Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 062: Unlocking Empathy in Educational Leadership with Dr. Tom HoerrDiscover the transformative power of empathy in education with Dr. Tom Hoerr, a distinguished educator and author whose 37-year journey in educational leadership is nothing short of inspiring. As we discuss his insightful book, "The Principal as Chief Empathy Officer," Tom explains why empathy is not just a buzzword but a crucial element for nurturing growth among students and staff. Reflecting on our first encounter at a conference in Dubai, we unravel the profound impact of his "Formative Five" approach, which champions character and emotional intelligence over mere academic accolades. This episode promises to enlighten listeners on how fostering...
2025-02-2529 min