The World is on Fire! What Can We Actually Control Right Now? - BNT Team Meeting [S7 EP. 290]

Listen to the full episode below:

Some days it feels like everything in the classroom is out of your control, and honestly, sometimes it is. In this episode, I’m taking a solo prep-period pep talk straight to you. I wanted to focus on what we can control, even when everything else feels chaotic. 

From student anxieties about course selections to the ripple effects of COVID-era learning, I dig into the things we can actually influence and how to make those small wins matter. I share what I’ve noticed about our students, the patterns that keep repeating, and the ways we can help them (and ourselves) navigate a world that doesn’t slow down.

I talk about balancing priorities, making hard choices about what we focus on in the classroom, and finding the little deposits we can make in our “bank account” of energy, time, and emotional health. I also share some real conversations I’ve had with students about goals, trade-offs, and perspective. This episode is part reflection, part strategy session, and all about finding your footing when the world is a bit messy!

topics discussed:

  • How course selection season ramps up student stress and anxiety

  • The impact of post-COVID “grace” and redo culture on kids' coping skills

  • Real talk with students: framing high school choices as budgeting for the future

  • The challenge of sustaining electives and balancing teaching loads

  • Practical ways to focus on what you can actively control (not just “think positive” platitudes)

resources:

check out other bnt episodes:

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.

Amanda Cardenasbook recommendations