Shows
Have a Life TeachingTom Hierck, Jonathan Ferris, and Kirk Savage: How to Bring the Joy Back When Teaching Numbers Sense (K-8)Our kids are drowning in math failure — and it starts shockingly early. By grade 3, too many students already believe: “I’m just not a math person.”The culprit?Timed tests that reward speed over thinking, worksheets that kill curiosity, and assessments that feel like traps, not opportunities. We’re creating a generation terrified of math.The SNAP Solution flips the script:- Math becomes a puzzle full of wonder- Students show thinking i...
2025-08-2640 min
Time for Teachership215. Build These 4 Positive Mindsets with Tom Hierck & Dr. Chris WeberIn today's episode with special guests Tom Hierck and Dr. Chris Weber, Lindsay discusses the 4 different positive mindsets that every educator should build for themselves and their students. Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share! Get In Touch With Tom Hierck: Website: tomhierck.com X(Twitter): @thierck Instagram: @Tom Hierck Facebook: Tom Hierck Get In Touch With Dr. Chris Weber: Email: chris@chriswebereducation.com Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/215 Lindsay's Links: LinkedIn: @lindsaybethlyons Instagram: @lindsaybethlyons Facebook Group: Time for Teachership
2025-06-1737 min
Principal Center RadioTom Hierck & Jonathan Ferris—The SNAP Solution: An Innovative Math Assessment Tool for Grades K–8 (A step-by-step framework for implementing the SNAP)
Get the book, The SNAP Solution: An Innovative Math Assessment Tool for Grades K–8
Listen to John Mighton on Principal Center Radio
About The Authors
Jonathan Ferris has over thirty-four years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, principal, and educational consultant. Jonathan currently serves as a field experience coordinator at the University of the Fraser Valley, where he oversees practicum placements for teacher candidates, supervises faculty mentors, and teaches courses on classroom management, professionalism, ethics, and teacher presence.
Tom Hierck has been an educator since 1983 in a career that has spanne...
2025-04-2928 min
The Authority Podcast — Expert Insights and Fresh Ideas for Education LeadersYou're a Teacher Now! What's Next? with Alex Kajitani and Tom HierckToday I welcome Alex Kajitani and Tom Hierck to the show. Alex and Tom are both award-winning educators and bestselling authors, and together they’ve written their latest title You’re a Teacher Now! What’s Next?We talk about:“What have I got myself into?” The question all new teachers ask.Why is this the book for right now?What Alex and Tom would change about the typical experience for new teachersClassroom management, relationship building, effective instruction, self-care — where to start?The different people to build relationships withWhat it takes to feel and be effec...
2025-03-1850 min
Teaching Learning Leading K-12Tom Hierck & Chris Weber - Positive Behaviors Start with Positive Mindsets: Twenty-Eight Actions to Motivate Students and Boost Achievement - 735
Tom Hierck & Chris Weber - Positive Behaviors Start with Positive Mindsets: Twenty-Eight Actions to Motivate Students and Boost Achievement. This is episode 735 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.
Tom Hierck has been an educator since 1983 in a career that has spanned all grade levels and roles in public education. His experiences as a teacher, administrator, district leader, department of education project leader, and executive director have provided a unique context for his education philosophy.
Chris Weber, EdD is the principal of Oak Creek Elementary School in Irvine U...
2025-01-1744 min
Aspire to Lead313. You’re A Teacher Now! What’s Next?: Featuring Alex Kajitani and Tom HierckIn this week’s episode, I sit down with Alex Kajitani and Tom Hierck, authors of the insightful book You're A Teacher Now! What's Next?. Together, we tackle essential topics for educators at any stage of their career, including the differences between classroom management and behavior management, strategies for building healthy relationships with students, and tools for creating engaging lessons that keep learners motivated.
We also dive into the importance of mental health strategies for teachers, sharing practical tips to maintain balance and resilience in such a demanding profession. Finally, we discuss how educators can determine their long-term ca...
2024-11-1630 minPrincipal Center RadioTom Hierck & Alex Kajitani—You're A Teacher Now! What's Next?
Get the book, You're A Teacher Now! What's Next?
Visit Alex' Website, www.AlexKajitani.com
Visit Tom's Website, www.TomHierck.com
About The Author
Tom Hierck has been an educator since 1983 in a career that has spanned all grade levels and many roles in public education, including teacher, administrator, district leader, department of education project leader, and executive director. A prolific author and consultant, his expertise in RTI, MTSS, intervention, assessment, and other topics make him a highly sought-after speaker. He is the author of more than 20 books.
Alex Ka...
2024-10-1427 min
edWebcastsThriving as a New or Guest Teacher Part 1: You’re a Teacher Now! What’s Next?This edWeb podcast is sponsored by Solution Tree.The webinar recording can be accessed here.If you’re a new teacher (or about to be), or you support new teachers, then this edWeb podcast is for you! Join acclaimed educators Tom Hierck and Alex Kajitani for an engaging and insightful look at exactly how you can set yourself up for success this school year and avoid some of the biggest mistakes new teachers make—all while caring for yourself. Regardless of how you have arrived at this teaching job, you leave with real tools and strategies that...
2024-08-051h 01
Have a Life TeachingTom Hierck and Alex Kajitani: How Knowing Our Students’ DNA Can Help Us Succeed as EducatorsNew teachers coming into the profession often struggle inknowing what to do/learn first. Indeed, as my next guests say, for most new teachers, the goal is simply surviving day to day and to make it into their second yearof teaching. Join me and my guests, Tom Hierck and Alex Kajitani – book authors and Solution Tree education consultants – as we discuss their new book – You’rea Teacher Now! What’s Next? We discussthe importance of forming relationships with both students and colleagues, as the key to survival, and knowing our students’ DNA – Dreams, Needs, andAbilities. We also discuss how admi...
2024-05-2134 min
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat TeacherHow to Make Every Student Feel ValuedI hope today's show will provoke thought and thinking about what it means to relate to our students. Relationships may not be easily measurable but have a significant impact on student achievement. Today, for Though Leader Thursday, we are talking to Tom Hierck, 41-year educator, and author of 25 books. Tom shares how a sense of belonging is crucial for students' success and self-actualization. He gives suggestions for schools that help them frame school behavior and understand students' dreams, needs and abilities in a way we can put into our classroom practice. Tom also emphasizes the...
2024-03-0714 min
A Conversation With BrianTom Hierck - Global Guru Top 10 World's Top 30 Education Professionals for 2022On this Season 1, Episode 7, Brian Speaks with one of the most influential educators of our time, Tom Hierck. Tom was ranked #10 in the World's Top 30 Education Professionals for 2022 by Global Gurus...https://globalgurus.org/education-gurus-top-30/Tom Hierck has been an educator since 1983 in a career that has spanned all grade levels and roles in public education.Tom’s new book, “Trauma-Sensitive Instruction” co-authored with John Eller, was written to assist educators with adopting a trauma-sensitive approach to their classroom and school. Read about how to create safe classrooms where students are empowered to build resilience, cope w...
2023-01-2747 min
The School Leadership ShowS5 E2: Trauma-Sensitive LeadershipIn this episode, Jenn David-Lang of The Main Idea flies solo to interview John Heller and Tom Hierck the authors of Trauma-Sensitive Leadership: Creating a Safe and Predictable School Environment. It was a great conversation, and I'm sad to have missed it live, but Jenn did a great job. Jenn has done a Main Idea summary of the book, and If you would like a copy, you can email her at Jenn@TheMainIdea.net. As always, send your comments, questions, and show ideas to mike@schoolleadershipshow.com. Consider rating the podcast in iTunes and leaving a c...
2022-10-1138 minPrincipal Center RadioTom Hierck & Chris Weber—MTSS Roadmap
Visit Tom's Website, TomHierck.com
Visit Chris's Website, ChrisWeberEducation.com
Follow Tom on Twitter @THierck
Follow Chris on Twitter @webereducation
About the Authors
Tom Hierck is one of our profession's leading authors and consultants, with 39 years of experience in education. He's author of more than 20 books.
Chris Weber, EdD, is an expert in behavior, mathematics, and response to intervention who presents internationally to audiences on important topics in education.
2022-05-0932 min
Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. ParkerPMP292: The Profile of a School Leader with Dr. Garth LarsonGarth Larson, Ed.D is the Co-Founder and CEO of FIRST Educational Resources. Garth has previously worked as the Director of Learning for the Winneconne Community School District in northeast Wisconsin, was an elementary principal in two separate buildings and started his career in education as a high school speech and English teacher.
In 2011, Garth formed Wisconsin Educational Resources (now FIRST) with a focus on improving student achievement across the United States. Since 2011, over 2000 school districts throughout the globe have become partnership districts with his company. Garth currently consults with school districts around the world and provides...
2022-05-0435 min
Teach Better TalkA DNA Challenge, Student Trauma, & Lifetime Connections here on #DailyDropIn with Rae Hughart & Tom HierckCatch us every morning, 5 days a week, for our Daily Drop-In live series at 7:00am Eeastern. Join us for interviews with educators from all around the world, valuable resources, motivation, inspiration, and a whole lot of fun! For more visit www.teachbetter.com
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2022-03-0349 minPrincipal Center RadioTom Hierck—Trauma-Sensitive Instruction: Creating a Safe and Predictable Classroom Environment
Get the book, Trauma-Sensitive Instruction: Creating a Safe and Predictable Classroom Environment
Visit Tom's website, TomHierck.com
Follow Tom on Twitter @thierck
About the Author
Tom Hierck is one of our profession's leading authors and consultants, with 39 years of experience in education. He's author of more than 20 books, including Trauma-Sensitive Instruction: Creating a Safe and Predictable Classroom Environment.
2022-01-2126 min
SYS Presents: Adventures in Online EducationS02 EP12 - Leadership and Labels with Ken WilliamsGuest Bio - Kenneth C. Williams shares his experience and expertise as a nationally recognized trainer, speaker, coach, and consultant in leadership and education. He is the Chief Visionary Officer of Unfold the Soul, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping schools live their posters. Skilled in joining the why of the work to the how of the work, Ken is known for his powerful and engaging combinations of “heart, humor, and hammer.” He is an expert at helping schools build capacity in the collective commitments required of learning for all cultures. Ken is a distinguished teacher, mentor, public sp...
2021-11-0541 min
ConnectionsHow Ken Williams Went from Teacher to SpeakerKenneth C. Williams shares his experience and expertise as a recognized trainer, speaker, coach, and consultant in education and leadership. He is the chief visionary officer of Unfold the Soul, a company dedicated to helping schools both live their posters, and engage in practices that make equity actionable. A leading authority in the areas of collaboration, leadership, school culture, equity, and peak performance, Ken is skilled in joining the why of our work to the how of our work. Known for his provocative and engaging combination of ‘heart, humor, and hammer,’ Ken is an expert at helping schools build capa...
2021-06-1523 min
The Tom Schimmer PodcastRehumanize Each Other | Tom Hierck | Grading: Verb or Noun?In Don't @ Me (2:35), in the wake of the events in Washington, DC on January 6, Tom makes the case for why we need to rehumanize our human connections. Then, in the interview (15:42), Tom is joined by Canadian author, speaker, and consultant Tom Hierck to discuss student behavior and school culture. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:01:39), Tom addresses a question about eliminating "grading" and why it's so important to be clear on whether we mean "grading the verb" or "grading the noun."Follow Tom Hierck on Twitter: @thierckFollow Tom Hierck on LinkedIn: Tom HierckWebsite: www.tomhierck.com Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.comFollow t...
2021-01-111h 15
The Innovator's Mindset PodcastDreams, Needs, & Abilities - A Convo With Laurie McIntosh - The #InnovatorsMindset Podcast S1 Ep 453 Main Points:
Finding and recognizing the dreams, needs, and abilities of all learners.
How do we cheer people on and step out of our world to show gratitude and love to make the world better?
Give credit, give compliments, give praise to people too early as opposed to too late.
Laurie McIntosh and George Couros have an energetic and inspiring conversation about education, "dreams, needs, and abilities" as described by Tom Hierck and reflected on by Laurie in this podcast, and the impact of consistent kindness. The two also talk about Laurie's upcoming book, Teachers These Days which she co-writes...
2020-12-0642 min
Get ConnectEDConnecting with Students-Building positive Relationships Thankfully the teacher’s role has evolved from the days of standing before a class who were all facing the front in precisely placed desks & rows. The teacher & text books were the main provider of knowledge and each child was expected to absorb and practise their skills because practise made perfect. It was mostly a one size fits all approach. You did your work, you did as you were told, you did well.One of the great changes to come from the evolution in education is the transformation of the teacher’s role...
2019-08-1314 min
Classroom MattersEpisode #2: Living Out Your Posters with Kenneth WilliamsKenneth Williams talks about how schools and educators can “live their posters” and truly achieve learning for all. We also get a chance to talk about his newest book Starting a Movement; Building Culture from the Inside Out with Professional Learning Communities that he cowrote with Tom Hierck.As founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Unfold the Soul, Kenneth Williams is living proof that educators CAN and should “live their posters” and shares with us how to truly achieve learning for all. Unfold the Soul trains entrepreneurs, educators, and motivated individuals how to accelerate the achievement of their pers...
2019-07-1134 minPrincipal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. ParkerPMP:143 Learning for ALL with Dr. Garth LarsonWhen Garth Larson was asked to move from secondary administration to become an elementary principal, he was curious if he could be an effective leader at that level.
Photo by Patrick Fore – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@patrickian4?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
But his work in early-education combined with his years in secondary education gave him a unique perspective of the K-12 experience. Later, when he moved into a district leadership position, he and his teachers began asking lots of questions about their own K-12 grading practices:
We...
2019-02-2730 min
Transformative PrincipalTransformative Principal Top 10 Things I have Implemented from 2017Schedule a call with Jethro As a review for a year that has included a lot of changes for me professionally, I wanted to list some of the greatest events from the podcasts that I released this year. You can check out my current Top 10 podcasts here, but this list is going to talk about the top 10 things I implemented this year as a result of interviewing some amazing guests. Improving the school scheduling nightmare with Adam Pisoni Transformative Principal 185 The most downloaded podcast released this year is my interview with Adam Pisoni, where we talked...
2017-12-1337 min
Transformative PrincipalDon’t Try to Change People, Change Behavior with Tom Hierck Transformative Principal 188We make time for what we really believe. Good collaboration takes time, but bad collaboration takes even more time. Tom Hierck can be found at his web site. superintendent department of ed, 34 years in education. Great educators all over the place. Seven Keys to a Positive Learning Environment in Your Classroom I have yet to meet a kid who is connected who disappoints. If you build them, they will learn. Learn every kid’s DNA, Dreams, Needs, Abilities Start with something simple. ...
2017-08-2023 min
Transformative PrincipalRules turn students into classroom lawyers with Tom Hierck Transformative Principal 187Don’t try to change people, try to change behavior. Tom Hierck can be found at his web site. superintendent department of ed, 34 years in education. Great educators all over the place. Seven Keys to a Positive Learning Environment in Your Classroom I have yet to meet a kid who is connected who disappoints. If you build them, they will learn. Learn every kid’s DNA, Dreams, Needs, Abilities Start with something simple. Every kid wants adult time and we sh...
2017-08-1322 min
Transformative PrincipalTom Hierck Transformative Leadership Summit Teaser Transformative Principal 1036The Transformative Leadership Summit is going to be amazing this year. I hope you enjoy this short teaser. Please sign up here: Click Here to Learn More
Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks and IXL:We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are acro...
2017-07-0508 minEducators Lead128: Tom Hierck | How To Win Over Cynical Teachers | 7 Keys To A Positive Learning Environment | Celebrating Victories Validates The Value Of The Accomplishment And The Sacrifice It Took To Get There | Every Student Is A Success Story Waiting To Be ToldTom Hierck has been an educator since 1983 in a career that has spanned all grade levels and roles in public education. His experiences as a teacher, administrator, district leader, department of education project leader, and executive director have provided a unique context for his education philosophy.
The post 128: Tom Hierck | How To Win Over Cynical Teachers | 7 Keys To A Positive Learning Environment | Celebrating Victories Validates The Value Of The Accomplishment And The Sacrifice It Took To Get There | Every Student Is A Success Story Waiting To Be Told appeared first on Educators Lead.
2017-06-1200 min
Educators Lead with Jay Willis128: Tom Hierck | How To Win Over Cynical Teachers | 7 Keys To A Positive Learning Environment | Celebrating Victories Validates The Value Of The Accomplishment And The Sacrifice It Took To Get There | Every Student Is A Success Story Waiting To Be ToldTom Hierck has been an educator since 1983 in a career that has spanned all grade levels and roles in public education. His experiences as a teacher, administrator, district leader, department of education project leader, and executive director have provided a unique context for his education philosophy. Tom is a compelling presenter and author, infusing his message of hope with strategies culled from the real world. He understands that educators face unprecedented challenges and knows which strategies will best serve learning communities. Tom has presented to schools and districts across North America with a message of celebration...
2017-06-121h 10