Have a Life Teaching

In this podcast, we will engage in conversation with educators providing insight on best-in-class K-12 curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices.

Have a Life Teaching is a education podcast hosted by John Schembari, with 145 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

John Schembari hosts Have a Life Teaching, a education show with 145 episodes published.

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  Episode #2

  Elena Aguilar: How to Regulate Yourself as a Coach

  Aug 18, 202643 minS4

  What happens when a coaching relationship leaves the coach feeling frustrated, ineffective, or demoralized? In this episode of Have a Life Teaching , I talk with Elena Aguilar , founder and CEO of Bright Morning and author of How to Coach Resistance: Turning Pushback into Positivity . Rather than focusing only on why teachers resist coaching, we turn the lens back on coaches and school leaders responsible for adult learning. Elena challenges us to rethink resistance itself: what we experience as resistance is often fear, and our own reactions can unintentionally create the opposing force that makes it stronger. We discuss: Why transformational coaching begins with examining ourselves How fear, defensiveness, and our need to feel competent affect coaching Elena's GAPS framework for diagnosing what may actually be getting in the way How new—and experienced—coaches can continue developing their craft What meaningful coaching impact can realistically look like When coaches should set boundaries or even walk away How to balance coaching confidentiality with accountability to school leaders Why curiosity, connection, and self-awareness can make coaching more sustainable A conversation for instructional coaches, teacher leaders, administrators, and anyone responsible for supporting adult learning. Elena Aguilar LinkedIn Page Bright Morning Webpage How to Coach Resistance Book

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  Episode #1

  Minila Shah: How Dance Helps Students Find Culture, Confidence, and Connection

  Aug 11, 202632 minS4

  What can students learn through dance that they may not learn sitting at a desk? In this episode of Have a Life Teaching , John Schembari talks with Minila Shah, founder of Ajna Dance Company , about the role dance and the performing arts can play in helping young people experience culture, develop confidence, express themselves, and connect with others. Minila shares her own journey from learning Bharatanatyam as a child growing up in Canada to eventually founding Ajna Dance Company in New York. Today, Ajna brings South Asian dance into schools, libraries, museums, community organizations, and other spaces throughout the New York metropolitan area and beyond. John and Minila explore why Indian dance isn't a monolith , looking at the enormous diversity of classical, folk, and Bollywood-influenced traditions across India. They also discuss how dance can give students an accessible entry point into cultures that may initially be unfamiliar to them. The conversation goes beyond cultural learning. Minila explains how dance can help students develop confidence, teamwork, creativity, physical awareness, social-emotional expression, and the ability to be fully present —particularly important at a time when young people spend so much of their lives looking at screens. They also discuss: Why movement and music may be fundamental forms of human expression How Ajna makes South Asian dance accessible to students of different ages, abilities, and backgrounds The growing recognition of Diwali and Holi in American schools Differences among classical Indian dance, regional folk traditions, and Bollywood dance How dance can become a form of storytelling The role of live music and powerful rhythms How Ajna's multi-week school residencies culminate in student performances Ways dance instruction changes from elementary school through high school Exploring social justice, migration, and the South Asian diaspora through movement Why arts education can help students see cultural differences as something to explore rather than fear What Minila has learned from building a culturally focused arts organization Ultimately, the conversation raises a larger question for educators: If education is supposed to prepare students for a meaningful life, shouldn't we make room for the experiences that help make life meaningful? As Minila argues, art can create a human connection across cultures by helping young people discover that beneath our different traditions, languages, music, and movements, we have much more in common than we sometimes realize. Learn more about Minila Shah and Ajna Dance Company: Ajna Dance Company

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  Episode #45

  Derek Crager: How to Use AI to Support Neurodivergent Students

  Jul 14, 202641 minS3

  In this episode of Have a Life Teaching , John Schembari speaks with Derek Crager , CEO of Practical AI, about one of the most promising—and often overlooked—applications of artificial intelligence in education: supporting neurodivergent learners. Drawing on his own experience of being diagnosed later in life with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, Derek explains how AI can serve as a thinking partner that helps students organize ideas, communicate more clearly, reduce cognitive overload, and build greater independence. Rather than replacing teachers, AI can strengthen relationships by helping educators better understand how neurodivergent students think and learn. Why AI can function as a "thinking partner" for neurodivergent learners How students with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia can use AI to organize their thinking How AI can translate ideas while preserving a student's authentic voice Why voice-based AI may be especially valuable for many neurodivergent learners How AI can help students prepare for employment through interview practice, resume development, and communication coaching Why prompt engineering isn't just for AI—it can improve communication with people, too Whether you're new to AI or already experimenting in your classroom, this conversation offers practical ideas for making learning more accessible, personalized, and empowering for every student. Derel Crager LinkedIn Page Practical AI Webpage Music by Aylex

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  Episode #44

  Shane Leaning: How School Leaders Create Change That Actually Lasts

  Jul 7, 202640 minS3

  Why do so many school change initiatives disappear after a year or two? In this episode of Have a Life Teaching , John Schembari talks with Shane Leaning, leadership consultant, author of Change Starts Here , and host of Education Leaders with Shane Leaning , about why traditional approaches to change often fail and how schools can build change that lasts. Shane challenges the idea that leaders should identify solutions and then seek staff “buy-in.” Instead, meaningful change begins by involving the school community in understanding the challenge itself. John and Shane explore resonant change : change that lasts over time, becomes embedded in school structures and practices, and is meaningful to the people involved. They discuss why the problem leaders initially identify is often not the real problem, how cross-role “slice teams” can broaden participation, and why trust, psychological safety, effective meetings, and collaborative decision-making are essential to sustainable improvement. The conversation also examines the difference between urgent and strategic change, the importance of readiness for change, and why schools should build internal capacity rather than automatically look outside for solutions. In this episode: • Why “getting buy-in” may be the wrong starting point • How to investigate challenges before jumping to solutions • What makes change resonant and sustainable • How “slice teams” can support collaborative decision-making • The role of trust and psychological safety • Why internal capacity matters • How small successes can prepare communities for larger change A conversation for principals, district leaders, instructional coaches, teacher leaders, and anyone working to make school improvement last. Shane Leaning LinkedIn Page Efraim Lerner LinkedIn Page Shane Leaning Webpage Change Starts Here Book Music by Aylex

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  Episode #43

  Cinde Lock: How to Move Beyond Tests - Building Authentic Learning Through Connections, Assessment, and Purpose

  Jun 30, 202642 minS3

  This week I'm joined by Dr. Cinde Lock , Head of School at Pickering College and author of Connections, Academics & Purpose , to explore why traditional testing isn't enough and what schools can do instead. We discuss: Why students often forget what they memorize for tests The difference between authentic assessment and "doing a fun project" How community partnerships create meaningful evidence of learning Why alternative assessment can improve—not replace—academic rigor How AI makes personalized, competency-based learning more realistic than ever Practical ways school leaders can begin implementing authentic assessment one project at a time If you're interested in project-based learning, competency-based education, or preparing students for an AI-enabled future, this episode offers both a compelling vision and practical next steps. Dr. Cinde Lock LinkedIn Page Webpage Connections, Assessment, and Purpose - Book

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