BONUS: How One Picture Book is Teaching 105,000 Kids Empathy
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
09/12/25
•13m
About
Comments
Transcript
Featured In
This S5E2 BONUS Schoolutions Teaching Strategies conversation explores the sinking feeling of not knowing what to say when someone you care about is hurting. The video highlights how one picture book is teaching empathy to over 105,000 kids, providing tools for how to support others. Silence can feel like abandonment, but even small acts of communication can make a big difference for cancer patients.
Empathy isn't taught—it's caught. I reflect on my transformative conversation with Brett Fox (@Hopecam) and Suzanne Stone (@Livestrong) about their picture book "My Brave Friend" and reveal how we can proactively prepare children for emotional emergencies.
Discover three game-changing revelations: how 105,000 students learned empathy through real experience, why we need proactive versus reactive approaches to crisis support, and how isolation affects entire families—not just patients.
This episode will shift your perspective on classroom management, student engagement, and creating inclusive classrooms where every child learns to approach learning with courage. Make sure to watch the original S5E2 @schoolutionspodcast interview with Brett and Suzanne, including linked show notes.
Perfect for teachers, education coaches, school administrators, caregivers, homeschoolers, and anyone committed to raising compassionate humans.
Learn practical teaching tips for building empathy, effective teaching strategies for emotional preparedness, and how to create a supportive school culture through challenging times.
Don't wait for crisis to strike—get "My Brave Friend" for your classroom or home library today and start these critical conversations now.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction: When We Freeze in Crisis
1:00 - The Power of Connection: 105,000 More Empathetic Humans
2:00 - Welcome & Episode Overview
3:00 - Revelation #1: Teaching Empathy Without Knowing It
5:00 - Revelation #2: Proactive vs Reactive Mindset Shift
7:00 - Revelation #3: Isolation Affects Entire Families
9:00 - Three Action Steps You Can Take Right Now
11:00 - Final Thoughts: Courage & Showing Up
12:00 - Call to Action & Closing
Join our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child.
📧 Connect: schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com
🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl
Don't forget to 👍LIKE this video if it helped you, 🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE with fellow educators! https://www.youtube.com/@schoolutionspodcast/
#Hopecam #Livestrong #MyBraveFriend #Schoolutions #SchoolutionsTeachingStrategies #EmpathyEducation #ClassroomManagement #StudentEngagement #InclusiveTeaching #TeacherSupport #WholeChild #EducationStrategies #ParentCommunication #SchoolCulture #TeacherCoaching #StudentMotivation #ProfessionalDevelopment #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #AntiBiasTeaching #ProKidMindset #StudentSuccess #ThrivingStudents #EmpoweredEducators #InspiredTeaching #EducationTransformation #TeacherImpact #SchoolImprovement #FamilyPartnerships #HomeschoolSupport #EffectiveTeaching #InnovativeTeaching #CaregiverSupport #EducationAtHome #InstructionalStrategies
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Previous Episode
How One Picture Book Is Saving Kids From Cancer Isolation
September 8, 2025
•35m
In this S5E2 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies conversation, you'll hear from Brett Fox ( Hopecam) and Suzanne Stone (Livestrong), who discovered a shocking gap in resources for teachers and parents dealing with childhood cancer. When a child in your classroom or community is diagnosed with cancer, do you know what to say?
Their collaboration resulted in My Brave Friend: Emma and Noah Face Cancer Together - the first picture book specifically designed to help K-2 students understand cancer in an age-appropriate, non-scary way.
You'll discover:
➡️Why 1 in 285 kids will face cancer and how it affects entire school communities
➡️The exact language to use when talking to young children about cancer
➡️How isolation impacts not just the child, but entire families
➡️Free resources available to teachers and parents right now
➡️The simple action that helps kids feel empowered to help their friends
This isn't just about cancer - it's about building empathy, community, and giving children tools to navigate difficult situations with courage and kindness.
Episode Mentions:
- Livestrong
- Livestrong at School
- Hopecam
- My Brave Friend: Emma and Noah Face Cancer Together
- September Initiatives (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month)
- Living with Scanxiety: Cancer Podcast - Hosted by Rosaria Kozar
Chapters:
- 0:00 - Introduction to Brett Fox and Suzanne Stone
- 2:00 - Community-Based Research Approach
- 4:30 - Discovering the Resource Gap
- 7:00 - Real Stories from the Classroom
- 12:00 - The Impact of Isolation on Families
- 17:00 - Age-Appropriate Cancer Education
- 22:00 - Taking Action: How Kids Can Help
- 26:00 - Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Initiatives
Weekly Episode Release Schedule:
🔥 Guest Episodes: Every Monday
⭐ Highlight Reels: Every Wednesday
💡 Bonus Reflections: Every Friday
Join our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child.
📧 Connect: schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com
🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl
Don't forget to 👍LIKE this video if it helped you, 🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE with fellow educators!
#ChildhoodCancer #MyBraveFriend #Hopecam #Livestrong #ChildrensBooks #TeacherResources #CancerAwareness #ElementaryEducation #ParentingAdvice #CommunitySupport #SocialEmotionalLearning #BackToSchool #CancerEducation
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
Next Episode
The BEST Professional Learning Transforms Teaching (& Learning)
September 15, 2025
•35m
This S5E3 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies conversation with 30-year education veteran, Sandy Halpin, reveals the game-changing approach to professional learning that's revolutionizing teacher support and driving real student success.
Starting as a new teacher can be tough, even with formal teaching qualifications. Many educators feel unprepared, highlighting the need for effective professional learning in school life. This video shares a story about this common challenge and emphasizes the need for better teaching strategies that benefit both the student and the educator.
🎯 What You'll Discover:
💫The "evidence-required" model that transforms teaching tips into measurable classroom impact
💫Why most teacher coaching programs fail and how to fix them
💫The research-backed approach with a massive effect size on student engagement
💫How to support new teachers beyond traditional mentoring
💫Revolutionary strategies for instructional coaching that actually stick
📚 Perfect for: Teachers, education coaches, school administrators, instructional leaders, teacher mentors, school counselors, and anyone passionate about education transformation.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
✅ Professional learning should mirror effective teaching strategies
✅ Collective efficacy has the highest impact on student achievement
✅ Classroom management starts with a collaborative school culture
✅ Evidence-based instructional strategies require ongoing support
✅ Teacher impact multiplies when educators work together, not in isolation
Episode Mentions:
➡️John Hattie - Meta-analysis researcher focused on student learning impact
➡️Jenn David Lang - The Main Idea platform creator for educational book recommendations
➡️The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast
Join me and Sandy as we explore how to create professional learning that moves beyond checkbox compliance to genuine teacher growth and student empowerment. Learn the "marigold teacher" concept, discover why lesson planning alone isn't enough, and get actionable strategies you can implement immediately.
And join our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating inclusive classrooms with a pro-kid mindset focused on the whole child.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction: The Professional Learning Crisis
1:00 Meet Sandy Halpin: 30 Years of Education Excellence
4:00 The Role of Teacher Centers in Professional Development
7:00 What New Teachers Need Most: Beyond Theory to Practice
11:00 Evidence-Required Professional Learning Model
15:00 How to Ensure Professional Learning Reaches Students
18:00 Curating Responsive Professional Development
20:00 When Professional Learning Goes Wrong: Lessons Learned
23:00 Magic Wand Question: Solving Education's Biggest Challenge
26:00 Critical Skills Teachers Need in the Next 5 Years
28:00 Collective Efficacy: The Highest Impact Strategy
30:00 Advice for New Teachers: Find the Marigolds
32:00 Professional Learning Myths Debunked
33:00 Closing Thoughts and Next Steps
📧 Connect: schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com
🎵 Music: Benjamin Wahl
#EducationPodcast #TeacherTips #InstructionalStrategies #SchoolLeadership #NewTeachers #EducationReform #TeacherGrowth #EffectiveTeaching #EducationStrategy #TeacherImpact #Schoolutions #schoolutionsteachingstrategies
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.
If you like this episode you’ll love
Promoted