Launching Students into High-Level Work They Care About
Schoolutions: Curious Educators. Evidence-Based Strategies. Classrooms Where Every Child Thrives.
12/08/25
•45m
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In this S5E15 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies conversation, join me with teacher and author Sarah M. Zerwin as she shares strategies from her book Step Aside: Strategies for Student-Driven Learning with Secondary Readers and Writers (Illustrated by Jane Zerwin).
🚗 The Driving Course Metaphor: Student-driven learning isn't about abandoning students—it's like teaching someone to drive. You don't toss them the keys; you sit beside them, teach the rules, create a safe course, and strategically step back while staying present.
📝 The Power of the Humble Post-it Note: Discover how Original Thought Annotations (OTAs) using simple sticky notes can revolutionize student engagement, classroom belonging, and student motivation. Students write "I noticed... I think..." and build complex thinking from small observations.
🎯 The Three Step Meaning Making Process:
1️⃣Start Small (notice details through OTAs)
2️⃣Seek Connections (through rambling writing and discussion)
3️⃣Take Action (apply thinking to authentic work)
Resources:
- Pointless by Sarah Zerwin
- The Courage to Teach by Parker Palmer
- Reading With Presence by Marilyn Pryle
- A Novel Approach by Kate Roberts
- The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop by Felicia Rose Chavez
- The Quickwrite Handbook by Linda Rief
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction: Working Harder Than Your Students?
1:00 Meet Sarah Zerwin and Step Aside
3:00 Parker Palmer & The Third Thing
5:00 The Driving Course Metaphor
8:00 Phantom Policies We Don't Need
12:00 Collaborating with Jane
15:00 The Humble Post-it Note Revolution
17:00 Original Thought Annotations (OTAs)
20:00 Building Thinking from Small Observations
23:00 The 3-Step Meaning-Making Process
26:00 Start Small: What Students Notice
28:00 Seek Connections: Rambling & Discussion
32:00 Take Action: Thinking into Learning
34:00 Evolution from Pointless
36:00 Learning Progressions
38:00 Student-Generated Goals Using AI
42:00 Lightning Round
44:00 Misconceptions About Student-Driven Learning
46:00 Where Can You Step Aside?
48:00 Final Invitation
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: One Skill Art Teachers Say Matters More Than Technique
December 5, 2025
•14m
In this S5E14 @schoolutionspodcast BONUS, I unpack @katedriscoll931 's revolutionary approach to education that prioritizes observation over analysis, pride over perfection, and joy over data. Whether you're teaching art, math, or anything in between, Kate's strategies for classroom belonging, student engagement, and inspiring students will transform how you think about effective teaching.
What if the most important thing we could teach students isn't in any curriculum guide? Art teacher Kate Driscoll, whose video reached 80 million people, believes the answer is simple: teach them to notice.
What You'll Learn:
• Why teaching observation before interpretation changes everything for student participation and attention in class
• How to create conditions for authentic pride (not participation trophies) that boost student motivation
• Kate's assessment philosophy that starts with "What do you like about your work?" – a game-changer for low engagement
• The power of using contemporary, local artists to increase student engagement and create meaningful home-school connection
• 5 concrete strategies you can implement Monday morning for active learning across any subject
Kate sees 400 students for just one hour each week, yet every child leaves her classroom carrying pride and creative confidence. This approach to inclusive teaching and culturally responsive teaching works because it honors the whole child while building student success through real autonomy and choice.
Perfect for teachers, education coaches, school administrators, parents, homeschoolers, teacher mentors, instructional leaders, and anyone committed to education transformation and empowered educators.
Referenced Episode: Season 5, Episode 14 - "Why This Art Teacher is Making Kids Love Creating" with Kate Driscoll
5 Try-It-Tomorrow Strategies:
1. Practice noticing – really seeing without devices
2. Create conditions for pride through real challenges with autonomy
3. Find contemporary, relevant connections to your curriculum
4. Ask "What do you like about your work?" before offering feedback
5. Remember the joy you bring
Weekend Challenge: Take a noticing walk with your students. Count colors in a leaf, observe shadow patterns, really see your environment. Email your observations to schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com.
Chapters
0:00 - Introduction: The 80 Million View Video
1:00 - The Power of Teaching Students to Notice
3:00 - Observation Before Analysis: What Students Are Missing
4:30 - The Radical Skill of Paying Attention
5:30 - Creating Conditions for Pride (Not Trophies)
6:45 - Contemporary Artists: Making Curriculum Relevant
8:00 - Assessment That Starts With Self-Reflection
9:30 - Remember the Joy You Bring
10:30 - 5 Try-It-Tomorrow Strategies
12:00 - Weekend Challenge: Take a Noticing Walk
13:00 - Final Thoughts: Teaching the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
🚀📚 Watch the full S5E14 @schoolutionspodcast interview here (https://youtu.be/wWpZsQCFHvI)
Join our community of educators committed to cultivating student success, inspired teaching, and creating i
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: 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.
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