The Scaffolding Effect
Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →
Professional Learning · Bimonthly
Powerful professional learning for teachers, anywhere and anytime.
Vrain Waves seeks to provide teachers powerful professional learning anywhere, and anytime. Hosted by Suzannah Evans and Dr. Shane Saeed, the show features interviews with educational giants, successful professionals, and sought-after consultants to help teachers feel more informed, inspired, and connected.
Host
Professional learning specialists & podcast co-hosts
📍 St. Vrain Valley, Colorado
Suzannah Evans and Dr. Shane Saeed are professional learning specialists in St. Vrain Valley Schools. Together they create a podcast that makes powerful PD accessible to educators everywhere, featuring classroom practitioners, researchers, and thought leaders who shape the future of teaching and learning.
Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Education journalist & author (The Knowledge Gap, The Writing Revolution)
📍 Washington, D.C., USA
Natalie Wexler is an education journalist and author of The Knowledge Gap and The Writing Revolution. Her work explores the connection between background knowledge, writing instruction, and equity in American education — including the risks of over-reliance on generative AI.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Full profile coming soon.
View full profile →Wrapping up Season 8 with three outstanding St. Vrain educators who continually seek to refine their practice. We don't need to redo everything every year! Small, intentional shifts in language, error-analysis protocols, and reflection…
We can't say enough about the collective efficacy that contributed to this incredible book, Smart Teaching Stronger Learning, but more importantly, the collective efficacy that is built when we incorporate science of learning practices.…
We are highlighting our incredible St. Vrain Valley AI team in this episode, and their work over the last three years has resulted in an Ethical, Transparent, Human-centered, Opportunity-focused, and Safe AI framework. Keeping people, not…
Tune in for one of our most important episodes with educator, author, and speaker Matt Miller. Facing an ever-changing educational system requires putting on our "Tomorrow Glasses", along with a healthy dose of optimism and skepticism.…
Tune into one of our favorite conversations ever with master teacher Wendy Schuller, who grounds her scaffolding principles in empathy for her students. What would I need as a 5th-grader in this moment?, How am I using my data to determine…
Bringing 2025 to a close with one of our most important conversations! Tune in as we chat with educator-authors, Rachel Ball and Alex Fairlamb, on why we need to be hunters in our classrooms, searching for student understanding, instead of…
The perfect follow-up to our episode last month with Dr. Catlin Tucker, three rockstar St. Vrain Valley educators give us a peek into how they're using AI as an enhancement tool, as inspiration and a thought-partner for students, a coach…
Welcome back to Season 8! Dr. Catlin Tucker is back on the show, talking with us about how we can leverage AI to be a thought partner. How can we thoughtfully design learning pathways, lean into AI for the pieces that have traditionally…
We're wrapping up Season 7 with two master St. Vrain teachers, Joylynn Boardman and Brian Huey, who continue to refine their practice, create relevant learning experiences, and champion their students! No matter how long we've been in…
Tune in as we chat with Professor Dan Willingham about his flow chart for independence, mastery in education, and building up the self-image of our students. Check out his book, Outsmart Your Brain, for strategies to combat learned…
It's time to connect the Physical and the Education in the classroom. Nothing is in a silo in our world. We are teaching the whole student, so connecting mind and body in our instruction benefits everyone. Incorporating movement in our…
Welcome to 2025! The month of January is famous for starting new physical activity routines and we can't emphasize enough how important it is to move in the classroom too! "Movement snacks" as @DrJulianReed describes them are not only…
Looking to build agency and standards mastery in your classroom? Then look no further than learning progressions! Tune in as we say goodbye to 2024 and chat with our very own @BennerBrainiacs. She motivates her students to self-assess on…
Inspiring students to self-assess and start working independently doesn't have to be complicated! Not only are students becoming aware of what they need and advocating for themselves, but also engaging in some beautiful metacognition.…
Happy October to our Vrain Waves listeners! The perfect follow-up to our first episode with Brandon Slade is our conversation with these two rockstar St. Vrain educators, secondary special education teacher, Sarah Patton, and elementary…
Welcome to Season 7 of Vrain Waves! We are kicking off with what we all need at the start of the year. Setting up for success means explicitly unpacking directions and expectations for all students, especially those with executive…
Wrapping up Season 6 with two rockstar teachers who show us what it looks like to reframe Assessment in the classroom. The key to engaging students is not tricky; it's building intrinsic motivation through authentic assessment and grading…
What are some ways we can reframe assessment? How can we shift toward seeing assessment as evidence of success rather than a "gotcha"? Tune in as Hacking Student Motivation author Tyler Rablin speaks to creating multiple opportunities for…
March Madness and the solar eclipse might be over but the excitement of Spring continues! Tune in to hear from our very own @missluker as she speaks to shifting the epicenter of learning, replicating yourself, and creating more powerful…
Tune in for our conversation with Dr. Scott McLeod about his 4 Shifts Protocol and how these shifts can help teachers engage in reflection, apply deeper learning principles, and build student agency in their classrooms. As we learn and…
If the instructional door you chose to open isn't working, find a different door! We can hold high expectations for our students AND meet them where they are at the same time! Tune in as our second married teaching couple, Ken and Kendra…
Gifting our listeners with all things Geoff Krall! Author of one of our favorite books, Necessary Conditions: Teaching Secondary Math with Academic Safety, Quality Tasks, and Effective Facilitation, Geoff speaks to creating academic…
Think that the Science of Learning practices are only for older students? Not true! The learning party invitation can and should be extended to all grades, Kindergarten through 12th. Tune in to our first mini-wave episode of Season 6 to…
Why did we all become teachers? Chances are, it's because we love to learn. How can we create and inspire that same love for learning in our students? By magic? No, not with magic at all, but with science. The science of learning allows…
Feedback is too important to only talk about once! We return to one of our favorite topics with two of our own St. Vrain Valley teachers, @HeatherLea303 and @Janis Vogelsberg, to hear how they model feedback in their classrooms, give…
"Feedback is not a luxury, it's a necessity; not a means to an end, but an end in itself. It's the purpose of why we teach." If these aren't mic-drop quotes for you, we need to talk! Or you need to for sure read this duo's latest work,…
Our first mini-wave goes straight to the source...2 classroom teachers right here in St. Vrain! Join us as Altona Middle School's Cleveland Smith and Westview Middle School's Danny Hernandez talk classroom connections, relationships, and…
We Love It Here! Yep, we sure do! Shane and I are loving being behind the mic with Vrain Waves and in this episode, we chat with Clint Pulver, the Undercover Millennial, whose book, I Love It Here, is a must-read for anyone in the business…
The mic has officially been passed to us from Ben Kalb! With the re-launch of the podcast, we are celebrating all things NEW; new year, new students, and new teachers! Our goal is to create inspiration and empowerment for educators, so…
Episode 060: Grading for Equity with Joe Feldman Connect with Joe Feldman Website: https://crescendoedgroup.org/ | Twitter: @JoeCFeldman Connect with Vrain Waves Website: vrainwaves.com | Twitter: @VrainWaves | Lindsay Laporte Twitter:…
Episode 059: Principal Kafele on Transformative Change Connect with Principal Kafele Website: https://principalkafele.com/| Twitter: @principalkafele| YouTube: School Leadership Thoughts Connect with Vrain Waves Website: vrainwaves.com |…
Episode 058: John Spencer and the Sporky Food Truck Connect with John Spencer Website: http://www.spencerauthor.com | Twitter: @spencerideas| YouTube: Spencer Videos Connect with Vrain Waves Website: vrainwaves.com | Twitter: @VrainWaves |…
Katie Martin is a best selling author, an acclaimed keynote speaker, and a highly sought after educational consultant! Whether you are teaching completely in person, totally virtually, or in a hybrid environment, in this episode we discuss…
Connect with Zaretta Hammond Twitter: @Ready4Rigor | Website: crtandthebrain.com | Book: Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain Connect with Vrain Waves Website: vrainwaves.com | Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters |…
Connect with Kate Murphy Website: https://www.nytimes.com/by/kate-murphy | Book: You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters Connect with Vrain Waves Website: vrainwaves.com | Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter:…
Episode 054: Coping with Covid, with Catlin Tucker As we all try to wrap our heads around the implications the pandemic will have on our students, our communities, our families, and ourselves, we hope to provide some comforting guidance…
Episode 053: Ending Average with Todd Rose Connect with Todd Rose Website: https://toddrose.com | Twitter: @ltoddrose | Most Recent Book: Dark Horse Connect with Vrain Waves Website: vrainwaves.com | Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter:…
Aligning Words and Intentions with Mike Anderson Connect with Mike Anderson Website: https://www.leadinggreatlearning.com/| Twitter: @balancedteacher | Most Recent Book: What We Say and How We Say it Matter Connect with Vrain Waves…
Connect with Jimmy Casas Website: https://jimmycasas.com/ | Twitter: @casas_jimmy | Most Recent Book: Culturize Connect with Vrain Waves Website: vrainwaves.com | Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters | Ben Twitter: @mrkalb…
Connect with Thomas Friedman Website: www.thomaslfriedman.com | Twitter: @tomfriedman | Most Recent Book: Thank you for Being Late Connect with Vrain Waves Website: vrainwaves.com | Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters | Ben…
Connect with Manoush Zomorodi Website: www.manoushz.com | Twitter: @manoushz | Book: Bored and Brilliant Connect with Vrain Waves Website: vrainwaves.com | Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters | Ben Twitter: @mrkalb…
Episode 048: Knowledge Party with Natalie Wexler Today on Vrain Waves we have an exciting and somewhat earth shaking interview from Natalie Wexler, education journalist and author of The Knowledge Gap. She walks us through the contributing…
Teaching & Advertising (01:30) Episode 5 w/ Pirate Dave Rosie the Riveter / Uncle Sam This Girl Can (02:28) Sport England Missy Elliot, Get Ur Freak On Authenticity over perfection (05:05) Dove Real Beauty campaign Commercial with sketch…
Episode 048: The Power of Joyful Teaching I know, I know - clips episodes seem overdone, but bear with us… in this show, we went through our interviews to this point and used Dr. Martin Seligman’s PERMA model for happiness to think through…
Episode 047: Dr. Jim Afremow - The Champion’s Mind Sports psychologist Dr. Jim Afremow joins Vrain Waves to share the importance of cultivating a champion’s mindset in everything you do. There are plenty of parallels between sports and…
Episode 046: Dr. John Medina - Brain Rules We’ve been waiting for years now for the chance to interview Dr. John Medina: Developmental Molecular Biologist, Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and…
Episode 045: Dr. Tom Nichols, Expertise in Education Five-time Jeopardy! Champion, professor, and author Dr. Tom Nichols joins us on Vrain Waves to discuss the implications of his work on K12 education. We chat with Dr. Nichols about the…
Connect with Chase Mielke Website: https://affectiveliving.com/ | Twitter: @chasemielke | Newest Book: The Burnout Cure: Learning to Love Teaching Again, ASCD Connect with Vrain Waves Website: vrainwaves.com | Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky…
Episode 041: PLC Plus with Nancy Frey & Doug Fisher Join us for this discussion with the potent pair Doug Fisher & Nancy Frey! We learn about their new book, PLC+ and the five questions that get to the heart of what collaboration time…
Episode 040: Welcome to the 2019-2020 School Year!!! A quick intro episode after our summer break. Listen for some inspiration, activities, and free resources to help get your year started off right!! Please consider sharing with a friend,…
Episode 041: Making the Most of Your Summer A compilation episode highlighting advice on how to make the most of your summer, courtesy of the interviews from some of our amazing guests. Don’t let decision fatigue get you down! And share…
Episode 038: Doris Kearns Goodwin & Michael Goodwin, Learning from History Connect with Doris Kearns Goodwin Website: https://doriskearnsgoodwin.com/ | Twitter: @DorisKGoodwin Connect with Michael Goodwin Website:…
Dr. Robyn Jackson, School Leadership Reimagined Connect with Dr. Jackson Website: mindstepsinc.com | schoolleadershipreimagined.com | Twitter: @robyn_mindsteps Connect with Vrain Waves Website: vrainwaves.com | Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky…
Episode 038: Dr. Dan Willingham, Cognitive Scientist Connect with Dr. Willingham Website: http://www.danielwillingham.com/ | Twitter: @DTwillingham Connect with Vrain Waves Website: vrainwaves.com | Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter:…
Episode 037: Jennifer Gonzalez, Cult of Pedagogy It’s not a real cult. It’s a mindset, a family, a ton of free resources, a podcast, great blog posts, relevant topics, and, frankly, a security blanket for busy teachers. Many times it’s…
** Cal Newport, Digital Minimalism** Join us to learn from best-selling author & Computer Science professor Cal Newport as we talk to him about exploring the world of digital abundance, using technology with intention, and walking through…
Connect with Alyssa Gallagher & Kami Thordarson Website: www.inprogress-consulting.com/ | Twitter: @am_gallagher; @kami_thor Connect with Vrain Waves Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters | Ben Twitter: @mrkalb
Connect with the Dream Team Websites: learningpersonalized.com, habitsofmindinstitute.org, nuatc.org | Twitter: @allison_zmuda, @benakallick Connect with Vrain Waves Website: vrainwaves.com | Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter:…
Episode 035: Dwayne Reed, Welcome to the 4th Grade :) In the first of our mini-series highlighting the conversations at the ASCD Empower 2019 Conference (#Empower19 for more on social media as well…), we sit down with inspirational teacher…
Connect with Cornelius Minor Website: kassandcorn.com | Twitter: @MisterMinor | Book: We Got This Connect with Vrain Waves Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters | Ben Twitter: @mrkalb Links & Show Notes Cornelius’…
Episode 032: Sylvia Acevedo, Girl Scouts & STEM In this episode, Girl Scout CEO Sylvia Acevedo shares so much wisdom and insight into how to reach learners at every level, especially girls. Her stories, both from her own life and from…
Episode 031: Design Thinking for School Leaders Co-authors Alyssa Gallagher and Kami Thordarson stop by Vrain Waves to share the 5 elements of design-inspired leadership. Alyssa & Kami “believe that educators can solve the challenges that…
Educated By Design with The Tech Rabbi In his new book, Educated by Design, The Tech Rabbi Michael Cohen shares his journey to education through design, while providing useful tools and resources for the reader to help expand students’…
Episode 029, Dr. Robert Dillon: The Space We’ve covered what we teach, and how we teach, and why we teach… but we have never really talked about WHERE we teach. So today, enjoy the insights and inspirations of Dr. Robert Dillon. In this…
Episode 028, Into the Classroom For our first show of 2019, we decided to outsource for more tangible tips and creative ideas for your classroom to kick off second semester. We asked Vrain Waves listeners to give us a 2-3 minute voice clip…
Number 5: Episode 5 with Dave Burgess: “Mediocrity doesn’t motivate.” Episode 11 with Dan Meyer: “Never assume anyone even cares.” / “Teach math as if it were an elective.” Episode 9 with Daniel Pink: “Time plays a much bigger role than we…
Connect with Vrain Waves Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters | Ben Twitter: @mrkalb Connect with Start with Why Website: https://startwithwhy.com/ | Twitter: @steveshed, @simonsinek | Stephen's recent Discovery Ed Webinar…
Episode 025, John Couch: Rewiring Education In this episode, we speak with a former executive of one of the most influential companies on the planet! In addition to being a personal friend of Steve Jobs, John Couch was the Vice President…
Episode 024: Dr. Megan Sumeracki & Dr. Yana Weinstein - The Learning Scientists The Learning Scientists are cognitive psychologists who spend their time sharing research-backed study methods via their podcast, their blog, and their new…
Connect with Dan Heath Website: heathbrothers.com **Connect with Vrain Waves Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters | Ben Twitter: @mrkalb Links & Show Notes Dan’s intro to Power of Moments (3:01) UPC scanner Bush surprise…
Connect with Allison Zmuda Twitter: @allison_zmuda | Website: allisonzmuda.com, learningpersonalized.com Connect with Vrain Waves Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters | Ben Twitter: @mrkalb Links & Show Notes To skip ahead…
Connect with Catlin Tucker Twitter: @catlin_tucker | Website: catlintucker.com Connect with Vrain Waves Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters | Ben Twitter: @mrkalb Links & Show Notes Out of Our Heads and Into the Classroom:…
Episode 020: George Couros, https://georgecouros.ca/blog/ When it comes to innovation in the classroom, George Couros is simultaneously the man, the myth and the legend! He stops by Vrain Waves to discuss mindsets, guinea pigs, and what…
Episode 019: Denise Pope, ChallengeSuccess.org Dr. Pope joins us on Vrain Waves to talk about the role that stress plays in our students lives, how we can work to decrease that cognitive takeover, and some digestible research we can both…
Episode 018: John Hattie, Visible Learning We are so excited to share with you the conversation we were lucky enough to have with Dr. John Hattie - educational researcher, professor, Director of the Melbourne Educational Research…
** How to Rock the First Week of School** And we’re back!! Thanks for tuning in for Season 2 of Vrain Waves! In this episode Ben and Becky discuss and share activities to make this first week in your classroom the best one ever! Please…
End-of-Season Call to Action This time around, instead of standing on the shoulders of more giants, Ben & Becky reflect on the season with their simple next steps for action and invite you to do the same. #MakeSomeVrainWaves with us this…
Episode 014: Dr. Brent Duckor & Dr. Carrie Holmberg, Mastering Formative Assessment Moves In the foreword for this book, Dr. John Hattie describes the work of Dr. Duckor and Dr. Holmberg as “[bringing to life] how to think of one’s self on…
Connect with Vrain Waves Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters | Ben Twitter: @mrkalb Connect with AJ Juliani Twitter: @ajjuliani | Website: http://ajjuliani.com/ | Books: AJ Juliani on Amazon Links & Show Notes Skip to…
Connect with Vrain Waves Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters | Ben Twitter: @mrkalb Connect with Dr. Heitner Twitter: @DevorahHeitner | Website: https://www.raisingdigitalnatives.com/ | Book: ScreenWise: Helping Kids Thrive…
Episode 011: Dan Meyer, Desmos Dan Meyer has been revolutionizing math instruction for years, and in this episode he shares with us the importance of mentors in his life, a few of his favorite teaching mantras, mathematics as storytelling,…
Connect with Vrain Waves Twitter: @VrainWaves | Becky Twitter: @BeckyEPeters | Ben Twitter: @mrkalb Connect with Jennie Magiera Twitter: @MsMagiera | Website: teachinglikeits2999.com | Book: Courageous Edventures Links & Show Notes…
Connect with Daniel Pink Twitter: @danielpink | Website: www.danpink.com | Book: When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing Links & Show Notes Daniel Pink Intro (00:46) ..* Drive (01:19) - Autonomy, Mastery, & Purpose Prime your brain…
Episode 008: Glenn Whitman, NeuroTeach Today we talk with one of the authors of NeuroTeach: Brain Science and the Future of Education, Mr. Glenn Whitman. His dedication to understanding neuroscience and learning in order to effect change…
Connect with Katie Martin Twitter: @katiemartinedu | Website: katielmartin.com | Book: Learner-Centered Innovation Links & Show Notes Marigolds & Walnut Trees / companion planting - an analogy from The Cult of Pedagogy (02:05) ..* Check…
Connect with Dan Ryder Twitter: @wickeddecent or @intentionbook / #dtk12chat | Website: danryder207.com | Book: Intention: Critical Creativity in the Classroom ** Links & Show Notes** Out of Our Heads and Into the Classroom (02:30)…
Get ready to sail the seven seas with this week’s guest, Mr. Dave Burgess. Using magic, humor, and a trademark level of enthusiasm to augment his already stellar content, Dave is a sought after speaker, well-known author, and high-quality…
Links & Show Notes (please note, some language bleeped using a horse sound) Out of our heads and into the classroom: Feedback hacks from Ben & Becky (2:01) Errors & Misconception videos (3:15) Adaptive assessments with google forms (5:20)…
Join us as we learn from Chalkbeat founder, journalist, and teacher advocate, Elizabeth Green. She talks with us about developing educational infrastructure and supporting teachers across the country.
Don’t miss this incredible interview with Dr. Tony Wagner - widely respected author, educator, and speaker, helping us all reframe our thinking in order to transform education.
In this episode, we talk hack learning and Results-Only Learning Environments with the original ed hacker - Mark Barnes. Mark challenges us to rethink some of our most fundamental systems - grading, feedback, peer observation - and…
Becky Bio (1:04) Ben Bio (1:58) Purpose & goals of the podcast (2:55) How to contact us (7:25) Twitter: @VrainWaves Blog: www.vrainwaves.com Email: becky@vrainwaves.com; ben@vrainwaves.com