New Year Teacher Trends for 2026: Goals, Books, and Real Talk - BNT Team Meeting [S7 EP. 280]

Listen to the full episode below:

New year, new team meeting…and I (Amanda here!) have a lot on my mind as we kick off 2026 together!

In this episode, I’m sitting down for our first team meeting of the year to talk through a few trends that always seem to pop up in January and share what’s been shifting for me lately, both personally and professionally. I give an update on my move into an elementary school library role, what it’s been like seeing education through a totally different lens, and why librarians are such an underused resource in our schools.

I also dig into my word of the year (curated), why it feels more honest than setting a bunch of rigid goals, and how it’s influencing everything from my home to my business. We talk reading goals, reading numbers, audiobooks, and how my feelings about all of it have completely changed over time. I wrap things up by circling back to a big idea about the future of teaching, and leave you with one question I think every department should be asking as we plan for what’s next.

topics discussed:

  • A quick update on my spontaneous move to elementary librarianship

  • The “one word for the year” activity (and why I chose the one I did)

  • The struggle with clutter, impulse buys, and creating a vibe that actually feels like you

  • Setting lofty reading goals (like 85 books!) and the highs and lows of reading as a hobby

  • Honest thoughts on sharing reading numbers and adapting your reading life to keep it joyful

  • Why the conversations we’re having with students matter more than ever, and how to anchor your team around big, essential ideas

resources:

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More about Brave New Teaching:

Join hosts Amanda Cardenas (Mud & Ink Teaching) and Marie Morris (The Caffeinated Classroom) in discussions about being brave, trying new things, and all things teaching! As seasoned classroom teachers, Amanda and Marie bring their experience, insight, energy, and oh, so many opinions and ideas... It's time for all teachers to take their classroom and teaching practice into their own hands!

Tune in on your favorite podcast apps like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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