We're two weeks into 2025, and as part of our New Year's series, we're diving into the world of tech. But before we get started, if you missed last week’s episode on new books, be sure to check it out—we left you with a bit of a cliffhanger that we’ll resolve at the beginning of this episode!

Technology is constantly evolving and is everywhere around us, so if it feels overwhelming to keep up, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Remember, tech should make your life easier, not harder. That’s why we recommend sticking with the platforms you already know and love (hello, Google Docs!). Many of these tools have received helpful updates and are more powerful than ever.

In this episode, we’ll discuss how to make the most of familiar tools, approach AI intentionally, and streamline your tech organization for better planning. Plus, we’ll share some new tech tools you should check out this year!

If you’d like more support, this month in Happy Hour, we’re going deep into teacher digital planning and organization (and sharing Trello templates!). Join us here!

Tools Mentioned:

• Google Docs
• Google Slides
• Padlet
• Edpuzzle
• CommonLit
• Pictory
• Milanote
• Google Tasks
• Trello

SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode239

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Purchase your copy of Role Call here and then be sure to claim your free bonus here!

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

• Join Happy Hour!
• Curriculum Rehab
• Down with the Reading Quiz
• Shop the BNT Resource Library
• Connect with us on Instagram @bravenewteaching
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Happy New Year, Brave New Teachers! 🎉

In this episode of the "Brave New Teaching" podcast, hosts Marie and Amanda chat about their reading goals for 2025, highlighting how literature can really boost both personal and professional growth. They toss around some great book recommendations like "The Poppy War" by R.F. Kuang, and they’re super excited about discovering new authors and upcoming book releases. They also explore the fun idea of starting family book clubs and the joy of sharing reading adventures with kids.

Marie's Books:

• Financial Feminist
• This is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained
• Onyx Storm

Amanda's Books:

• The Goddess of Warsaw
• Sandwich
• The Poppy War

Check Amanda's reading lists on Amazon or Bookshop.org

Check Marie's reading lists on Amazon or Bookshop.org

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Purchase your copy of Role Call here and then be sure to claim your free bonus here!

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

• Join Happy Hour!
• Curriculum Rehab
• Down with the Reading Quiz
• Shop the BNT Resource Library
• Connect with us on Instagram @bravenewteaching
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Teachers, it’s the home stretch to winter break and we hope you’re hanging in there! It’s hard to believe, but this is the LAST Brave New Teaching episode of 2024. It’s been quite a year, and we want to take a moment to reflect on the challenges and triumphs from the year.

You’ll hear about our favorite podcast highlights and personal highlights from 2024, including interviewing incredible authors, featuring our kids on the podcast, and traveling to schools to offer PD to teachers. Plus, we’re sharing three big changes regarding this podcast and Happy Hour that will start in 2025.

We can’t wait to support you in the best ways possible in the upcoming months by giving you more of what you need to make your jobs easier and less “stuff” that feels overwhelming. We would love you to join us in Happy Hour, our teacher work club. Cheers to all the good things coming your way in the new year! 🥂

Related Episodes:

• Episode 236, The BNT Books of 2024
• Episode 227, Code Breaking and Critical Thinking: An Interview with Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
• Episode 223, The Sherlock Society: An Interview with Author James Ponti
• Episode 208, Living with ADHD: Amanda’s Journey to Diagnosis

SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode238

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Purchase your copy of Role Call here and then be sure to claim your free bonus here!

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

• Join Happy Hour!
• Curriculum Rehab
• Down with the Reading Quiz
• Shop the BNT Resource Library
• Connect with us on Instagram @bravenewteaching
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Grab our Sub Plan FREEBIE here!

We’ve all had those days. The days when something happens and you just can’t go to work. You caught the stomach bug, your child is sick, or you have an emergency. Whatever the reason, the only thing worse is knowing that you have to scramble to put sub plans together!

You don’t want your students to have a waste of a day, but you also don’t have the time to whip something together that fits into the unit you’re currently working on. Well friends, we’ve been there and today we have not just one, but several solutions for you!

We’ve collaborated with some of our favorite ELA educators to provide you with a collection of simple, effective, and FREE emergency sub plans designed specifically for middle and high school English classrooms. With these ideas, your class can run smoothly even in your absence. So CHILL, because your ELA sub plans are ready and waiting!

Head to this blog post to download ALL of the sub plans mentioned in this episode for FREE!

Sub Plan Ideas:
[09:39] - Literacy Day Choice Board | Natayle Brown
[12:18] - Any Article Literature Circles | Dr. Jenna Copper
[14:01] - Play a Podcast | Ashley Bible
[16:48] - Winter Arc Trend Debate | Abby Gross
[20:47] - Core Skill Spiral Review | Melissa Kruse
[23:55] - Silent Discussion | Betsy Potash
[26:35] - High-Interest Close Reads | Martina Cahill
[29:44] - Literacy Analysis Activities for Any Text | Danielle Hicks
[32:56] - Reflective Reading Journal | Daina Petronis

SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode237

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Purchase your copy of Role Call here and then be sure to claim your free bonus here!

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

• Join Happy Hour!
• Curriculum Rehab
• Down with the Reading Quiz
• Shop the BNT Resource Library
• Connect with us on Instagram @bravenewteaching
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Subscriber-only episode

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Purchase your copy of Role Call here and then be sure to claim your free bonus here!

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

• Join Happy Hour!
• Curriculum Rehab
• Down with the Reading Quiz
• Shop the BNT Resource Library
• Connect with us on Instagram @bravenewteaching
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

As we approach the end of 2024, it’s the perfect time for an updated book recommendation episode. At the time of this recording, one of us is in a bit of a reading rut and the other is absolutely killing it! Whether you’re struggling to pick up a book in this season or can’t get through them fast enough, you’re in the right place.

Today we’re sharing our favorite books of 2024 - and there’s something for everyone. We have picks in all the genres from fantasy to historical fiction to YA and more. All the titles we talk about in the episode are listed below and you can shop the BNT books of 2024 on Bookshop.org (Amanda’s List | Marie’s List) or on Amazon.

Plus, we’re discussing a new favorite reading app, Fable! If you aren’t already on Fable, download it and let’s be friends! And if you have other book suggestions, send them our way on Instagram @bravenewteaching. Here’s to rounding out 2024 with some good reads and adding ideas to your 2025 TBR list!

Books Mentioned:

• A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon, by Sarah Hawley
• A Kiss of Iron, by Claire Sager
• The House at Watch Hill, by Karen Marie Moning
• First Lie Wins, by Ashley Elston
• Beach Read, by Emily Henry
• Funny Story, by Emily Henry
• Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver
• Stone Blind, by Natalie Haynes
• Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, by Juno Dawson
• Butcher and Blackbird, by Brynne Weaver
• House of the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune
• Serpent & Dove, by Shelby Mahurin
• Blood and Honey, by Shelby Mahurin
• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, by Sangu Mandanna
• Throne of Glass, by Sarah J. Maas
• The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown
• Safiyyah’s War, by Hiba Noor Khan
• The Night War, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
• Other Words for Home, by Jasmine Warga

More Resources:

• App: Fable (Find Amanda Cardenas!)
• Once Upon a Book Club

SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode236

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Purchase your copy of Role Call here and then be sure to claim your free bonus here!

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

• Join Happy Hour!
• Curriculum Rehab
• Down with the Reading Quiz
• Shop the BNT Resource Library
• Connect with us on Instagram @bravenewteaching
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Subscriber-only episode

November has been a doozy of a month, and we're here to catch you up on everything from Turkey mugs to teacher-mom struggles that are a getting REAL.

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

• Join Happy Hour!
• Curriculum Rehab
• Down with the Reading Quiz
• Shop the BNT Resource Library
• Connect with us on Instagram @bravenewteaching
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Join us for a quick minisode as we chat about harnessing our gratitude even when the semester at school has been challenging. We're here for you and thankful for you -- always!

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Purchase your copy of Role Call here and then be sure to claim your free bonus here!

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

• Join Happy Hour!
• Curriculum Rehab
• Down with the Reading Quiz
• Shop the BNT Resource Library
• Connect with us on Instagram @bravenewteaching
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel