Find Your Inner Calm in the Classroom
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
12/15/25
•40m
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Featured In
In this S5E16 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies conversation, join me with seasoned clinician MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW, as she shares the story of a 14-year-old who mooned a bus—and how nine minutes of curious conversation taught him life skills that lasted decades. Discover why curiosity requires discomfort, how to create calm from the inside out, and the simple "notice" practice that even Notre Dame football players started using in their huddles.
In This Episode You'll Discover:
✨Why classroom belonging starts with curiosity, not compliance
✨How to shift from judgment to curiosity to improve classroom behavior and student engagement
✨The "notice" practice that transforms student motivation and attention in class in under 60 seconds
✨Why low engagement often signals adults need to change, not students
✨ Active learning strategies that inspire students through emotional regulation
✨ How student participation increases when teachers practice co-regulation
✨ Instructional strategies that support the whole child approach
Resources Mentioned:
- Brené Brown's research on curiosity and vulnerability
- Inner Challenge Mental Wellness Program
- Creating Midlife Calm Podcast:
- Ep. 130: 1 Simple Coping Skill To Stop Stress & Anxiety From Spiraling Out Of Control & Derailing Midlife Calm
- Ep. 131: 5 Simple Words That Will Transform Stress, Anxiety & Chaos Into Calm, To Make Better Midlife Decisions
- Ep. 91: Use These 2 Mindfulness Practices To Instantly Increase Focus, Calm & Joy To Ease Stress & Anxiety
- Ep. 1: What Is Mental Wellness & One-Pager
CHAPTER MARKERS
0:00 - Introduction: The Power of "Help Me Understand"
1:00 - Meet MJ Murray Vachon: 50,000+ Therapy Sessions
3:00 - Brené Brown's Research on Curiosity
4:00 - Why You Can't Be Curious and Comfortable
6:00 - The Two-Word Shift: From Judgment to Curiosity
9:00 - The Bus Mooning Story Begins
10:00 - The Four-Minute Wait That Changed Everything
11:00 - Teaching the Do-Over: Life Skills in Action
13:00 - The 9-Minute Conversation vs. A Day of Emails
14:00 - Why Repair Matters More Than Punishment
17:00 - Letting Go: What Education Needs to Release
19:00 - The Teacher Who Got Retooled at 67
21:00 - When "Kids Are Lazy" Is Actually Adult Control
23:00 - Creating Calm from the Inside Out
25:00 - The "Notice" Practice Explained
26:00 - Notre Dame Football Players in the Huddle
28:00 - Co-Regulation: Students Need Us Until 18
30:00 - Teaching Kids to Notice: Slowing Down to Speed Up
33:00 - Lightning Round: Best Advice for Teachers
34:00 - What MJ Believed Then vs. Now
36:00 - The Podcast Origin Story: Students Made Me Do It
38:00 - Your Invitation: Try Notice Tomorrow
39:00 - Outro & Resources
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
BONUS: What Happens When You Break Teaching Traditions?
December 12, 2025
•16m
In this S5E15 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies BONUS, I unpack the question: What if the teaching traditions we follow aren't actually required? This week's bonus episode explores the revolutionary concept of "stepping aside" in education—not stepping away, but repositioning yourself so students can drive their own learning.
In this reflection on Sarah Zerwin's groundbreaking work, we examine phantom policies (those teaching traditions we follow even though we're not required to), explore why we often work harder than our students, and discover practical strategies for student-driven learning that actually work.
Key Topics Covered:
💫Phantom policies in teaching and why we follow them
💫The OTA (Original Thought Annotation) strategy for student engagement
💫The driving course metaphor for effective teaching and instructional strategies
💫Learning progressions and student self-evaluation
💫How to increase student participation and active learning
💫Practical teaching tips for inspiring students and boosting student motivation
This episode is perfect for teachers, education coaches, instructional leaders, school administrators, teacher mentors, new teachers, and anyone committed to education transformation and student success.
Featured Concepts:
✓ Student-driven learning frameworks
✓ Culturally responsive teaching approaches
✓ Inclusive teaching strategies
✓ Whole child education
✓ Professional development insights
✓ Instructional coaching techniques
✓ Teacher support and mentor teachers guidance
Whether you're dealing with low engagement, seeking innovative teaching methods, or looking to improve classroom behavior and classroom belonging, this episode offers actionable education strategies you can implement tomorrow.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Introduction: The Challenge of Stepping Aside
1:00 - What Are Phantom Policies in Teaching?
3:00 - Common Phantom Policies We All Follow
4:00 - The OT (Original Thought) Annotation Strategy
6:00 - Building Student Thinking: The Three-Step Process
7:00 - The Driving Course Metaphor for Teaching
9:00 - Student-Driven Learning vs. Teacher-Centered Learning
10:00 - The Elephant in the Room: Grades & Evaluation
12:00 - Learning Progressions & Student Self-Evaluation
13:00 - Book Recommendations & Final Reflections
14:00 - Your Challenge: Find One Place to Step Aside
15:00 - Closing Thoughts on Student Agency
🚀📚 Watch the full S5E15 interview here (https://youtu.be/bsiNQiIn5DQ)
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 &🔔SUBSCRIBE for more teaching tips, and 💬SHARE with fellow educators!
#StepAside #Schoolutions #SchoolutionsTeachingStrategies #ForeverGettingBetter #TeachingStrategies #StudentEngagement #EducationPodcast #TeacherTips #InstructionalCoaching #StudentMotivation #ActiveLearning #EducationLeadership #TeacherSupport #ProfessionalDevelopment #InclusiveTeaching #StudentSuccess #InnovativeTeaching #ClassroomStrategies #EducationTransformation #WholeChild #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #TeacherCoaching #LessonPlanning #InspiredTeaching #EmpoweredEducators #SchoolLeadership #StudentDrivenLearning #EducationReform
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
BONUS: Mindful Waiting: A Secret to Better Student Engagement
December 19, 2025
•12m
In this S5E16 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies BONUS, I break down MJ Murray Vachon, LCSW's powerful teaching strategies that seem almost too simple to work—but they do. Listen to learn how you can transform your classroom with 3 simple practices that unlock genuine curiosity and calm. In this bonus episode,
Discover why saying "I don't know you" every morning can revolutionize student engagement, how 4 minutes of silence reached a defiant teen, and the 60-second "notice" practice that students actually beg to use.
What You'll Learn:
✅ The "I Don't Know You" mindset shift for deeper student connections
✅ Why waiting 2-4 minutes transforms classroom behavior and student participation
✅ The 60-second "Notice" breathing technique for attention in class
✅ How to move from judgment to curiosity with every student
✅ Practical teaching tips you can implement tomorrow
Perfect for teachers, education coaches, school administrators, parents, homeschoolers, teacher mentors, instructional leaders, and school counselors looking for effective teaching strategies that create inclusive classrooms and support the whole child.
Chapters
0:00 - Introduction: 3 Practices That Transform Teaching
1:00 - The "I Don't Know You" Mindset Shift
3:04 - Small Shift #1: Practice Curiosity Over Knowing
4:00 - The Power of Waiting: The Bus Mooning Story
6:00 - Small Shift #2: Wait 2 Minutes Before Speaking
7:00 - The "Notice" Practice: 60 Seconds to Presence
9:00 - Small Shift #3: Start Class with Notice
10:00 - Taking It Into Your Classroom
11:00 - Closing: Curiosity Requires Discomfort
💫Check out linked episode mentions here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1890886/episodes/18380877
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. 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.
📧 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!
#TeachingTips #ClassroomManagement #StudentEngagement #EducationStrategies #TeacherCoaching #InstructionalCoaching #MindfulTeaching #InclusiveClassroom #StudentMotivation #TeacherSupport #ProfessionalDevelopment #WholeChild #EducationPodcast #TeacherLife #InspiredTeaching #schoolutionsteachingstrategies #Schoolutions
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.
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