Teach Different
By Teach Different
teachdifferent.com
Teach DifferentFeb 18, 2020
"Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done, because they want to do it." Teach Different with Dwight D. Eisenhower - Leadership
How do you know what type of leadership style to use in any given situation?
Leadership is hard work, due in large part to the fact that people are often resistant to doing work and following the lead of others. As Eisenhower himself must have known as a commander in World War II, sometimes people must be convinced to follow orders whether they like it or not. But leadership also entails artful persuasion of individuals to do what they want done, out of their own self-interest and genuine desire. Knowing just the right strategy to use in different situations holds the key to a leader's success.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with Fonda Held and Molly Naylor, school leaders from the Denver and Aurora, Colorado area - as they discuss the delicate art of leadership, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com
Image source: Dwight D. Eisenhower official photo portrait. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eisenhower_official.jpg Public Domain
"Home is not where you live but where they understand you." - Teach Different with Christian Morgenstern - Identity
What does it mean to be “at home”?
The concept of home is more nuanced than it appears. On the one hand, we can think of home as a physical place of comfort and safety where needs for protection are met. But we can also think about home as a place where we feel listened to and where our humanity is acknowledged. Our unique definition of 'home' may change throughout our lives depending on who we meet and what experiences we have.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with Ari Gerzon-Kessler - author, consultant and family partnerships coordinator for Boulder Valley School District in Boulder, Colorado, as they discuss the meaning and importance of home, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com
Image source: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/deed.no ; Public Domain.
“Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master.” Teach Different with Christian Lous Lange - Technology
Join our community and attend our podcasts live. You can participate or just listen!
How do we prevent technology from controlling our lives?
Today, Steve and Dan Fouts tackle an engaging quote about technology from Norwegian educator and Nobel Peace Prize winner Christian Lous Lange. Through connections to World War I, artificial intelligence, social media, and more, we contemplate the proper role technology should play in shaping our existence.
Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com
Image source: Store norske leksikon | Av Historia/REX/NTB. | Public Domain
"When somebody shows you who they are, believe them the first time." - Teach Different with Maya Angelou - Self Respect
How do we know when to give people a second chance?
Join seasoned educators Steve and Dan Fouts as they delve into the profound wisdom of Maya Angelou's quote, "When somebody shows you who they are, believe them the first time." In this thought-provoking discussion, they explore the application of Angelou's thoughts on personal relationships and the difficult decisions teachers must make in the classroom. Steve recounts the captivating tale of Jarvis, the very inspiration that sparked the creation of Teach Different!
Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com
Image Source: Flickr | Website | York College ISLG
"Loyalty to the country always, loyalty to the government when it deserves it." - Teach Different with Mark Twain - Loyalty
How do I know when to be loyal to my government?
Today, Steve and Dan Fouts confront a thought-provoking quote from Mark Twain that explores the philosophical theme of loyalty. Join them as they discuss the delicate interplay between unconditional national allegiance to country and conditional loyalty to government. This conversation introduces a host of timely issues that relate directly to our roles students, family members and citizens.
Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com Image source: Wikimedia | The Guardian Newspaper | Public Domain
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Teach Different with Evelyn Beatrice Hall - Freedom of Expression
Should there be limits to free speech?
Steve and Dan Fouts, founders of Teach Different and seasoned educators with over 50 years of experience, tackle the tension between free speech and social responsibility using a compelling quote from English writer Evelyn Beatrice Hall (referring to the French philosopher Voltaire): "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Join them for a thought-provoking conversation that navigates the complexities of personal expression and justice in the context of free speech.
Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com
Image source: 1896 Alfred-Pierre Agache | The Sword | Public Domain
"The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression." Teach Different with W.E.B. Dubois - Self Expression
How should a society balance individual freedom with the need for stability and control?
Tune in with Steve and Dan Fouts, the innovators behind Teach Different, as they delve into the complexities of liberties and rights, inspired by W.E.B. Du Bois's poignant statement: "The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression." In this insightful episode, they navigate the equilibrium between fostering a society that respects diverse rights, while at the same time, preserving order and maintaining social cohesion. With over 50 years of combined teaching expertise, the Fouts brothers use the Teach Different Method to create a lens to view issues like defamation, book banning, protests and basic civility required to function in a democracy.
Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com
Image: Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
"It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody." Teach Different with Maya Angelou - Forgiveness
When is forgiving somebody the right thing to do?
True forgiveness can pave paths to healing and liberate us from hate. But what about the need for justice and accountability of unjust actions? Steve and Dan Fouts, founders of Teach Different and seasoned educators with over 50 years of experience, use the Teach Different Method to explore the delicate balance between forgiving and demanding accountability, shedding some light on its relevance in both current domestic and international events. Join them in this critical discussion that examines the real challenges of balancing love and hate.
Teach Different serves educational institutions, families, corporate entities, and mental health communities. If you think the TD method could be effective in your setting, we'd love to hear from you! support@teachdifferent.com
Image source: Flickr | York College ISLGP
"Power concedes nothing without a demand." Teach Different with Frederick Douglass
What is the best way to persuade those in power to make concessions?
Sometimes progress only happens when people demand change. Unless those in power are pressured to act in equitable ways, they will take advantage of their authority and pursue selfish ends. Sometimes, though, internal self-reflection of those who hold power can also drive transformative change. Progress often hinges on the dual forces of external demand and internal self-reflection.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with Donna Limper- middle school special education teacher and Issues & Advocacy Director of the League of Women Voters of Roselle-Bloomingdale, to discuss the importance of self-advocacy, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Image Source: Matthew Brady Public Domain
"To lose patience is to lose the battle." -- Teach Different with Mahatma Gandhi - Patience
How do I know when to be patient?
Patience, often overlooked, is a virtue of immense importance. It plays a pivotal role in our quest for achievement and success. When we forfeit patience, we grant others the power to provoke frustration, leaving us feeling powerless. However, there are instances where impatience serves us well, such as during emergencies when swift action is imperative. The ongoing challenge in life lies in discerning when to exercise patience and when to act swiftly to attain our desires.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with 2023 Nebraska Teacher of the Year Renee Jones, to discuss the importance of patience, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Image source: Pixabay
"When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you." —Teach Different with Lao Tzu - Respect
What is the best way to get respect?
We find contentment in being our authentic selves when we stop comparing or competing with others. It gives us a sense of inner harmony. Though respect is not solely dependent on self-acceptance and non-comparison but also on achievements, social status, or power. People who excel in life tend to command more respect in society. Ultimately, the quest for respect is an interplay between embracing our authentic selves, fostering inner harmony, and acknowledging the importance of achievements, social status, and power.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with Illinois State Representative Michelle Mussman, to discuss the importance of respect, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are." Teach Different with Kurt Cobain
Everybody has unique talents, though it's hard to see them sometimes. We are often blinded by doubt, lack of confidence and a fear that we might embarrass ourselves. So, we turn away from ourselves, copy others, and bury our own potential. Yet, learning from others is essential for our own success and so we must embrace others' influence in a way that doesn't compromise our sense of self.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with Max Roach, Founder of JonAyves Learning Club, a forward-thinking tutoring service that teaches children through individualized instruction, to discuss the power of self-expression, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Image source: Creative commons
"The true measure of life is memory." Teach Different with Walter Benjamin - Perspective
We find meaning and value through our memories. They offer reminders of our mistakes, heartaches and enduring accomplishments. They are like building blocks for our personal identity. Yet, meaning is also to be found in our future. When we look ahead, we embrace hope, and that confidence in the future brings us value of a different sort. And what about living in the moment without concern for the past or future? That requires courage, and confers to us a special sort of enjoyment and satisfaction.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with Scott Petri, middle and high school social studies educator and recipient of the 2021 Outstanding California Social Studies Teacher of the Year award, for a conversation on perspective, enriched by the Teach Different Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
“It’s better to have less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand.” Teach Different with Apache Proverb - Self-Expression
How do we know when our actions will speak louder than our words?
"Talk is cheap," as the saying goes. Talking about doing something is easy, but actually doing it is much harder. Doing things requires risk-taking, embracing uncertainty, and the knowledge that you just might be making mistakes along the way. Yet, depending on the person doing it, speaking also requires proactive risk, especially if your ideas aren't welcome or your voice has been marginalized in the past. Summoning the courage to speak up and setting priorities on when to act are difficult tasks, no matter what our age.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with Lindsey Wander- Founder of WorldWise Tutoring and the non-profit organization Educate. Radiate. Elevate., for a conversation on self-expression, enriched by the Teach Different Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image Credit: Smithsonian Institution
"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars." Teach Different with Kahlil Gibran - Suffering
What is the most beautiful way to reshape yourself through suffering?
When we endure suffering, our character changes. Sometimes we grow weaker, less confident, and more resigned that life has it out for us. At other times, our character is strengthened. Suffering makes us resilient. It expands our capacity to persevere. We become empathetic, vulnerable. It crowds out our fears and opens our heart and mind. The unique way each of us navigates suffering determines the limits and possibilities of our personal fulfillment.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with Marisa Diaz-Waian- Founder and Director of Merlin CCC- a public philosophy non-profit in Helena, Montana, to discuss the role of suffering in shaping our character, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Al-Funoon Author Unknown - Public Domain
“Do not judge me by my successes; judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” Teach Different with Nelson Mandela - Resiliency
How should I be judged by other people?
We all know the feeling of being judged. Many times others look to our accomplishments to judge whether or not we are living a worthwhile life. Our accomplishments are supposed to signify our success and happiness and worthiness for praise, but that often leaves us with an empty feeling, because it sidesteps an appreciation for the hardships we had to endure to achieve success. We want people to know how many times we failed and never gave up. That makes us feel truly understood.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with United States educator Dale Lasky, to discuss the power of resiliency, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Picryl | Maureen Keating - Public Domain
"It's better to be alone than in bad company." Teach Different with George Washington attribution - Character
How do we know if somebody is good or bad?
Kids are in the midst of making so many ethical choices about the types of people they should be hanging out with. There is peer pressure to spend time with friends who may make questionable life choices but whose approval is important for a child’s self-esteem. Friendship advice from parents, coaches and other authority figures often go unheard because they conflict with what kids believe inside. Decisions on which company to keep are never easy but they are integral to the healthy moral development of human beings.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts - founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience - along with Mirna Madi, International Baccalaureate English language and literature teacher at the Bahrain Bayan School - for an unforgettable conversation about character using the Teach Different 3-Step Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Regarding the attribution of this quote to George Washington, he is not the original author. The quote comes from a collection of "Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation" regularly used by 16th century French school children. The Library of Congress writes, "Sometime before the age of 16, George Washington transcribed 110 'Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation' into his school copybook."
Image source: Wikimedia | John Trumbull
“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action." Teach Different with Herbert Spencer - Education
What is the purpose of education?
Our society has always struggled to agree on the purpose of education. Some say the purpose is for students to acquire factual knowledge of subjects. Others argue that the real purpose should be to motivate action. In that sense the debate really comes down to a definition of what it means to be an informed citizen, and whether citizenship goes beyond just acquiring knowledge into what obligations we have to act on that understanding.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with guest State Senator Laura Murphy for a compelling conversation about education, enriched by the Teach Different Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Teach Different with James Clear - Success
How do we create systems so that individuals can be successful?
Success comes from a confluence of forces. Sometimes, it is the sheer will of the individual who, when faced with difficulty and challenge, rises to meet the moment. Riding alongside individual will is the system in which that individual operates. But no individual effort can overcome a dysfunctional system. The challenge here is to build healthy systems where the individual finds guaranteed success.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with TaRael Kee, Assistant Principal at Collinsville High School and the Past-President of the Illinois School Counselor Association, for a compelling conversation about success, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: James Clear Website
“Leadership is a choice. It is not a rank.” Teach Different with Simon Sinek - Leadership
What makes a great leader?
Great leadership is about having influence. To get that influence, leaders use whatever tools they have. For some leaders, it's the moral choices they make which have the most enduring impact on followers. For others, it's their positional authority that commands people'srespect. Great leaders must find a creative way to use both of these tools to maximize their effectiveness.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with Daman Harris Ph.D., a co-director of the Building Our Network of Diversity (BOND) Project, for a compelling conversation about leadership, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
"If you are going through hell, keep going." Teach Different with Unknown Author - Determination
What is the best way to respond to hard times?
Tough times greet all of us in varying degrees. The challenge is how to figure out exactly how we should behave when those tough times arrive. One plan is to push through the difficulties and emerge stronger at the other end. That way, our pain can be short-lived. We can also stop the pain and change direction so that we can avoid the hardship and discover joy on the other side.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with Donnell Mclean, school administrator and special education teacher, for a compelling conversation about determination, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
“The goal is not to be perfect by the end. The goal is to be better tomorrow.” Teach Different with Simon Sinek - Perfection
What is perfection?
Motivation looks different to different people. For some, striving towards perfection is the greatest motivator for excellence. For others, who take a more incremental approach, just getting better in little chunks and seeing improvement provide enough incentive to move forward. To live well, we must all strike that middle ground-- have aspirational big-picture goals but also be okay with enjoying the little successes along the way.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with guest Darren Rainey, a military veteran who has worked in secondary and postsecondary education, for a compelling conversation about perfection, enriched by the Teach Different Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced." Teach Different with Soren Kierkegaard - Mindfulness
Which problems are worth solving?
We are often told to be mindful of each other, our surroundings and ourselves. Implicit in this concept of mindfulness is the imperative to accept life as it is and try to the best of our abilities to enjoy our experiences and not spend time trying to fix things. The other way of seeing life is to think of our limited time on earth as an opportunity to solve problems. It's not just about experience; it's about getting stuff done. It's a challenge to balance these two competing worldviews.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with guest Tawana Akins, high school Assistant Principal for the Miami Dade County Public School System, for a compelling conversation about interdependence, enriched by the Teach Different Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Picryl
“People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.” Teach Different with John Maxwell - Leadership
Is it possible to get buy in to a vision if there isn’t buy in to the leader?
There's a familiar saying "You can't teach kids until you reach kids." The idea here is that you have to develop a rapport with the people you lead; otherwise, they won't buy into your vision. It's all about the personal relationship. Yet, it is also true that if a leader doesn't communicate the 'why' behind their ideas, then they won't inspire any followers, no matter how charismatic and persuasive they are. This is true in classrooms and governments alike. Great leaders know how to blend the emotional and rational appeal to maximize effectiveness.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with guest Dr. Debbie Badawi, Head of School at Manarah Islamic Academy in Lehigh Valley, PA, for a compelling conversation about leadership, enriched by the Teach Different Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Flickr | Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes Guatemala
"Try to be a rainbow in somebody's cloud." Teach Different with Maya Angelou - Happiness
How do we support others without instilling a sense of dependency?
Everybody has bad days. At those times what we all need is to have somebody pay a little attention to us and pick up our spirits so we can gain strength to move forward. Being a good teacher, friend and partner means supporting them in times of need. Help too much, though, and we instill feelings of dependency on others, which ends up hurting their capacities to solve their own problems. We must discover the right balance in giving and receiving help.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with guest Tinisa Huff, Principal at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Forest Park, IL, for a compelling conversation about interdependence, enriched by the Teach Different Method. Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Flickr | York College ISLGP
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Teach Different with Ralph Waldo Emerson - Mindfulness
How do we recognize our power to live in the moment?
Living in the moment is hard. There are forces acting against us. There’s the past which weighs us down and often causes depression and fear. And then there’s the future, which leads to anxiety and a different sort of fear - of the unknown. Living in the moment requires acceptance of what is and the courage to act based on our best knowledge of who we really are.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts with guest, Jeremy Gregory, teacher and advocate for Humane Education, for a conversation about living in the moment using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. Be sure to visit teachdifferent.com to learn more, and to sign up for our FREE 30-day trial. You'll gain access to the Teach Different library of conversation plans, social/emotional conversation curriculum map, ideas for your lesson plans, handouts, videos and more! Remember to teach different with conversations and make a difference every day.
Image source: Library of Congress
"I am because you are." Teach Different with Ubuntu Philosophy - Interdependence
We are all individuals, yet we are all also part of families, schools, teams and peer groups. Our identities are shaped by what we think of ourselves and the groups we are a part of. The value of interdependence is hard to appreciate because we often want to focus on our own accomplishments and struggle to give others credit for helping us get them. Yet acknowledging the role others play in our success is very important.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with guests James Ogude, Director at the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria, South Africa, and United States high school social studies teacher Gwynne Ryan for a compelling conversation about interdependence, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Piqsels
“Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.” Teach Different with William Shakespeare - Communication
How do you know when to speak up?
We're always telling kids to listen and to speak their mind. What we rarely do is help them discern when it is appropriate to listen and when it makes more sense to speak. Some suggest that listening to everyone is always a better way to go, because you learn more that way. Others say speaking your mind is the more courageous action, because then people know where you stand and others can learn from you.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with guest Laura Wright, PYP/IPC/MYP Educator & Pedagogical Learning Lead and Apple Distinguished Educator from The Hauge, Netherlands, for a compelling conversation about communication, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Pixabay
"The first duty of society is justice." Teach Different with Wendell Phillips - Duty
Justice is often defined as a sense of fairness and equality which society has a natural obligation to bring about. Seen in this way, justice is a first priority that when met will yield all other benefits to citizens. Others may argue that there are other, more pressing responsibilities like public safety or peace which are more important duties. Different views on society's duties makes it hard for citizens to unite under a common purpose.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with educators from the United States Joe Schmidt and Nichelle Pinkney, for a conversation about duty enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Wikimedia | Southworth & Hawes, Albert Southworth, Josiah Johnson Hawes
"You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep." Teach Different with Navajo saying - Education
Can you motivate people who are reluctant to learn?
Motivating people to do things is exhausting, and many times futile. It happens in the classroom with students who are reluctant to do work. Sometimes the reluctance comes from the fact that they don't have the skills to succeed. Other times, the students have the skills, but are creating the impression that they don't care. Teachers must figure out the correct cause of the lack of motivation and implement the right approach to turn things around.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with United States educator Scott Steward (Big Stew), professor of business and founder of the Genius Lab, Inc, for a compelling conversation about education, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Look and Learn | Edward S. Curtis
"To handle yourself, use your head, to handle others, use your heart." Teach Different with Eleanor Roosevelt - Social Awareness
When should you have empathy for others?
Sometimes it's important to follow rational thinking to solve problems. In those cases, turning off our own emotions helps lead to a solution. When dealing with others, however, the opposite is often true. We need to turn off rational thinking so we can listen and empathize. It's also the case that acting on one's feelings helps us make better decisions, and using a cold, rational approach with others is exactly what's needed to help them. Throughout our lives we have to figure out when to follow our head or follow our heart.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – for a compelling conversation about social awareness, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Wikimedia
"If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else." Teach Different with Booker T. Washington - Self-development
When should you put others' needs above your own?
When we come to the aid of others, we also become happy ourselves by virtue of doing the right thing. It makes us feel worthwhile when we serve others. But happiness can come to us through a different path, where we focus just on ourselves and what we really want. Helping other people often drains us of our life energy and prevents us from becoming who we really are. It's hard to know when putting other people's needs above our own will lead to our own fulfillment.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with guests from the United States Robert Spicer, principal consultant for Restorative Strategies and Loyola University education student Jenna Daube, for a compelling conversation about self-development, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Library of Congress | Photograph possibly by Schumacher.
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” Teach Different with Elbert Hubbard - Decision Making
Should you fear mistakes?
We all know what it feels like to be afraid of doing something. We hesitate, delay and ultimately choose to do nothing and then devise elaborate justifications for our inaction. Fear overcomes our courage. Yet, we also know the feeling of making quick decisions that lead to embarrassing mistakes. In those cases, a little fear would have encouraged us to slow down and make better choices.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with United States educator Adina Goldstein from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a compelling conversation about cooperation, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Library of Congress
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Teach Different with an African Proverb - Cooperation
How do we know when cooperation is the best strategy for success?
Working with other people is hard if you like to work fast. You have to slow down, compromise and wait for people to catch up to your pace. On class projects this can be a brutal experience. Going alone is so much faster and you're judged by your own efforts, not the efforts of others. Yet, cooperating with others brings a measure of success that is much grander than what could have ever been created alone.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with United States educator Adina Goldstein from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a compelling conversation about cooperation, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Pixabay
"Conscience doth make cowards of us all." Teach Different with William Shakespeare - Decision Making
Is it brave to do the right thing?
Thinking about the right way to act requires patient and careful thought. Acting from a good conscience in this way conveys strength and confidence. But our conscience also makes us feel weak; oftentimes we don't know what the right choices are and so we are plagued by indecision and fear. Doing the right thing becomes a burden too great to bear and we turn to our instincts to bail us out. Morality requires bravery.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – along with adjunct professor Cindy Zucker and education student Jenna Daube from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois, for a compelling conversation about decision-making, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Pixabay
“It isn’t where you come from; it’s where you’re going that counts.” Teach Different with Ella Fitzgerald - Goal Setting
Should we look to the future or past for guidance?
Finding our purpose in life is a confusing journey with competing forces acting against us. On the one hand, there's the force of our family background and history telling us who we should be. And then there's our hopes and dreams which force us to look ahead and consider new opportunities. It's hard to know where to look for guidance.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers with over 50 years of teaching experience – for a compelling conversation on goal-setting, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Pixabay
"Each person must live their life as a model for others." Teach Different with Rosa Parks - Self-Awareness
Should we be a role model for others?
When we are being watched by others, we are compelled to do the right thing and that benefits the world. Being a role model has inherent value, but it is a difficult job that comes with significant sacrifice. It means that sometimes we can't be ourselves and do what we really want. We must forgo our own needs to make other people happy. It's hard to know when being a role model is worth it.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts – founders of Teach Different and twin brothers from the United States with over 50 years of teaching experience – for a compelling conversation about self-awareness, enriched by the Teach Different Method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Wikimedia
"To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders." Teach Different with Lau Tzu - Self-Discipline
Should you always try to get what you want?
We tell our minds to speed up, make decisions, satisfy our desires and create quick solutions to our problems. An active mind gets us places but sometimes leads to hasty choices and long-term unhappiness. If we discipline our mind to slow down, we can think more clearly and make smarter decisions. By resisting the impulse to control the universe, we can take advantage of the possibilities the universe reveals for us. True self-discipline requires the wisdom of knowing when to speed up or slow down our mind to get what we want.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Wikimedia | Tom@HK
"Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Teach Different with Martin Luther King, Jr. - Love
Is love more powerful than hate?
Love is a powerful force in the universe. That much is true. What's unclear is just how powerful love is and whether it can and should be used as a tool to combat hate. Some say hate must be met with more of the same and that confrontation is the onlly reliable strategy to change human behavior for the better. Others take the kinder, softer approach and let love do the job.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Library of Congress
“A bend in the road is not the end of the road… Unless you fail to make the turn." Teach Different with Helen Keller - Goal Setting
How do you know when to adapt your goals?
Rarely to we achieve our goals by following the exact path we set at the beginning. Instead, we experience twists and turns that we must learn to adapt along the way. These unexpected events inspire us to refocus and change our goals. Other times, however, we push through and continue along the path with the original goal firmly fixed in our mind. We maintain focus in the midst of uncertainty.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Picryl
"If you're going through hell, keep going." Teach Different - Determination
What is the best way to respond to hard times?
Tough times greet all of us in varying degrees. The challenge is how to figure out exactly how we should behave when those tough times arrive. One plan is to push through the difficulties and emerge stronger at the other end. That way, our pain can be short-lived. We can also stop the pain and change direction so that we can avoid the hardship and discover joy on the other side.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
"If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." Teach Different with Shirley Chisholm - Acceptance
How hard should we try to be accepted by others?
Being excluded for unpopular opinions hurts. Being excluded because of race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation is devastating. Exclusion devalues our humanity, which can make us bitter, resentful and angry. At these unpleasant moments we face crucial moral decisions. We can walk away and create space to preserve our dignity or we can stubbornly assert ourselves to gain acceptance and respect. Each decision carries consequences felt throughout our lives.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Wikipedia
"Begin with the end in mind." Teach Different with Stephen Covey - Goal Setting
How do we know if we should change our goals?
Setting goals forces us to picture success before it happens. If we are able to create a picture of what success looks like, then we are more likely to achieve it. Seeing the end motivates the beginning of the journey. But it is often the case that journeys take unexpected turns and force us to redirect our plans towards goals different than what we had at the start. The challenge then becomes how to best change our goals along the way and pursue the proper end that reveals itself over time. Living life this way demands less clarity and more patience.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts for a conversation about goal setting using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Flickr | ABRAS
"Curiosity is deviant" Teach Different with Ian Leslie - Education
What's the best way to use questions?
Not all questions are the same. Some challenge authority, break rules and send people down new pathways of thinking. Other questions take the safer road and are designed to gather new information. Regardless of how they are used, questions are the heart of student engagement. The more questions our students ask, the bettter critical thinkers they become.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts for a conversation about education using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Ian Leslie | With permission from Ian Leslie
"Good leaders must first become good servants." Teach Different with Robert Greenleaf - Leadership
What does it take to be a good leader?
Sometimes leadership means control and enforcement of rules. The leader must demand compliance from followers. At other times leaders must empower their people to be the best at what they do. In this way, leaders become helpers who put their own needs behind their followers for the betterment of the organization. Knowing when to embrace each of these roles at the right times is a challenge.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts for a conversation about leadership using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Robert Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." Teach Different with Aristotle - Critical Thinking
What is the mark of an educated mind?
When we hear a new idea, our first instinct is to accept the idea without question, either because we have intuition that it is true or we simply trust the messenger. Accepting truth in this way is comforting for it requires very little work and gives us permission to stop thinking. It's also dangerous. Sometimes new ideas must be met with delay and smart suspicion. Delaying acceptance affords us time to evaluate the true worth of ideas and compels us to reject the bad ones.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts for a conversation about critical thinking using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Wikimedia | Tilemahos Efthimiadis
"No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth." Teach Different with Plato - Honesty
Should we tell the truth?
Everybody hates to be lied to. When that happens, we feel anger and dissapointment. There is a sense of betrayal, a loss of trust, and enemies are created. But, there is another kind of hate we feel when somebody tells us the truth, especially when it is a truth that we don't want to hear. It's that feeling we get when a teacher calls us out for not trying our best, or when a parent catches us breaking the rules. In those cases, we don't want to hear the truth and we take our anger out on the messenger.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts for a conversation with David Olson, Director of Education at Retro Report, about honesty using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Look and Learn | Rijksmuseum
"Reject the tyranny of being picked. Pick yourself." Teach Different with Seth Godin - Self-Reliance
Do we have control over our own success?
There are few things more frustrating than having to wait for other people to decide your future, whether it be waiting for college admission, that lead role in the play, or making the baseball team. In all of these cases, somebody else has control over your future. Rather than live a life of waiting for the approval of others (which may never come), rely on yourself. Be different and chart your own path for success. However, relying on others and "playing the game" are also necessary for success, because they show you know how to be a good follower.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts and best-selling author Dave Burgess for a conversation about self-reliance using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Flickr | Jared Goralnick
"Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others." Teach Different with Robert Louis Stevenson - Leadership
How should you show confidence?
The only thing worse than being afraid is for others to see you that way. Fear diminishes a person's ability to lead others. It causes hesitantcy, doubt, and an inability to make decisions when they matter most. Courage, on the other hand, inspires the opposite - faith, hope and an unbreakable will to overcome setbacks. But, maybe revealing our fears and being vulnerable shows a different kind of strength which gives us self-confidence and influence over others.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts with Terry Daniels, a high school principal in Northern California, for a conversation about leadership using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Picryl
"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value." Teach Different with Albert Einstein - Success
Should we strive for success?
We often think of success in life as being tied up with the external rewards we get like money, fame or power. Life is viewed as a race to achieve these rewards. But, maybe we are running the wrong race. Maybe we should pursue more internal rewards, like being a good person and doing the right thing. Aligning our life to the pursuit of moral values may not give us riches and fame, but they will bring great value to the world.
Join Steve and Dan Fouts with Steph Sukow, a high school instructional coach and English teacher in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, for a conversation about success and value using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method.
Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.
Image source: Pixabay