Beyond My Years

Host Ana Torres and Classroom Insider Eric Cross recently recorded a video with their six takeaways from Season 2 of the Beyond My Years podcast. Listen right here, or watch the takeaways video on our new YouTube channels, linked below.Watch: Beyond My Years season two wrap-upCatch videos of host Ana Torres and Classroom Insider Eric Cross on our new YouTube Channels:@AdviceForTheMathClassroom@AdviceForTheLiteracyClassroom

In this special episode, we're bringing you an inspiring conversation from a recent edWebinar that will transform how you approach literacy across every subject area. Join Ana Torres, Beyond My Years podcast host, Eric Cross, our Classroom Insider, and Susan Lambert, host of our sister podcast, Science of Reading: The Podcast as they share how literacy fits into every subject area, why this is such an important topic, and what it looks like in practice. In this episode, you'll:- Discover strategies to weave literacy seamlessly into your classroom.- Learn strategies and tactics for supporting multilingual learners.- Get strategies for developing academic language across all subjects.- Explore what literacy instruction looks like in an adolescent classroom. Show notes:Watch the Beyond My Years season two wrap-upCatch videos of host Ana Torres and Classroom Insider Eric Cross on our new YouTube Channels:@AdviceForTheMathClassroom@AdviceForTheLiteracyClassroomWatch the edWebinar video and earn CE creditsSubscribe to Beyond My YearsSubscribe to Science of Reading: The Podcast

To celebrate this second season of Beyond My Years, Ana is joined by Mike Flynn, nationally recognized expert in mathematics education and online learning. He explains how "disorienting dilemmas" can bolster our productive beliefs and lead to transformative change in our teaching. Mike and Ana also discuss the importance of teacher advocacy, the power of collective voice, and ways to overcome barriers to change. Our favorite Classroom Insider, Eric Cross, joins Ana to discuss how important it is to challenge our assumptions as we continue to grow and change.Show notes:Connect with Mike Flynn on LinkedIn Learn more about Flynn Education: https://flynneducation.com/ Subscribe to Advice for the Math Classroom on Amplify’s YouTube channel: amplify.com/mathclassroomadvice Subscribe to Advice for the Literacy Classroom on Amplify’s YouTube channel: amplify.com/literacyclassroomadviceFollow us on InstagramSubscribe to Beyond My Year.Connect with Ana TorresConnect with Eric CrossQuotes:"Leadership comes in a lot of different formats, but anyone interested in influencing change can orchestrate experiences to disrupt unproductive beliefs." —Mike Flynn"Don't be afraid of your own teacher voice and exercising that. Advocacy is one of the best things you can do." —Mike Flynn"Sometimes it gets really hard before it gets better. It just always reminds me to remember the long game." —Mike Flynn"As a learner, you have to have humility. Otherwise you won't grow." —Eric Cross"Change really behinds when you look at the unintended consequences of our practice." —Eric Cross

In this engaging discussion, Daniela Anello, CEO of DC Bilingual Public Charter School and a passionate advocate for bilingual education, shares her journey to embodying her values as an educator. She emphasizes the importance of creating environments where teachers can be their authentic selves and explores strategies for infusing cultural awareness into literacy instruction. With insights on goal setting and community engagement, Daniela inspires educators to reflect on their identities and create impactful learning experiences for their students.

Host Ana Torres is joined by nationally recognized educational consultant and thought leader Mitchell Brookins, Ph.D., to discuss what critical thinkng is and how to help students develop it. In addition to explaining why critical thinking is crucial for long-term academic success, Mitchell also gives educators four clear steps that they can implement to effectively develop critical thinking skills in their classrooms. Ana is then joined by Classroom Insider extraordinaire Eric Cross, who discusses how he encourages his students to hone their critical thinking skills in his classroom.Show notes:Visit Mitchell Brookins' website: https://brookinsconsulting.org/Connect with Mitchell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-brookins-ph-d-6a7259274Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amplify.education/Subscribe to Beyond My Years: https://amplify.com/beyond-my-yearsConnect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/Quotes:"When you're a school administrator, you can't be confusd as to what your identity is. People expect you to step in with voice, with passion, with vision, and direct the path," —Mitchell Brookins, Ph.D."[Critical thinking] is actually cognitive support. It's a mental act of process in which you acquire knowledge and understanding." —Mitchell Brookins, Ph.D."When I see questioning that probes, that's how I know I'm in a classroom where a teacher honors students' thinking. It is an honor to hear what children have to think." —Mitchell Brookins, Ph.D."That's how you know your in a classroom with critical thinking: We're not rushing the conversation. We're enjoying it." —Mitchell Brookins, Ph.D."There's an art and a science to teaching, and I think that they're two different things." —Eric Cross"The importance of modeling can't be overstated." —Ana Torres

As we wrap up another incredible year together, Ana revisits her Season 1 conversation with the director of STEM Initiatives at Amplify, Fawn Nguyen. Ana is joined by Classroom Insider Eric Cross to pull out some brand-new takeaways and actionable tips that educators can use right away to create a classroom environment that sets students up for success. They also look ahead and give a sneak peek of what's coming up on Beyond My Years in 2026. Before the episode's end, Fawn gives new advice for avoiding burn out in the second half of the school year by "doing less, but doing it better."Show notes:Connect with Fawn Nguyen: https://fawnnguyen.substack.com/ Subscribe to Beyond My Years https://amplify.com/beyond-my-yearsFollow us on Instagram @amplify.education Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/ Connect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/Quotes:“In my next lifetime, I would still teach, I would go back to teaching. That's how much I love it.” —Fawn Nguyen"If I could give one piece of advice to young teachers, it would be to hold high expectations of their students." —Fawn Nguyen"We can have high expectations of [students] and still be very compassionate and be their biggest cheerleaders." —Fawn Nguyen“It has to be an exchange. We can't be just receiving, asking kids to be [themselves], and yet we ourselves are not.” —Fawn Nguyen"One of the things I always believed as an educator was when we make children believe they can, they do." —Ana Torres"Be willing to change your practice even when it challenges tradition." —Eric Cross

Alabama K–2 educator, national presenter, and curriculum author Keri Brown discusses strategies for supporting students in the math classroom. While Keri focuses on math in the episode, many of her takeaways can be applied to all subjects. Keri breaks down the power of small-group instruction, the value of multisensory hands-on manipulatives, and the role of intervention. She also explains how to help students who may already be struggling feel comfortable and confident talking about math. Classroom Insider Eric Cross then joins Ana to reinforce the importance of implementing a routine in the classroom.Show notes:Instagram: @enchantedkindergardenWebsite: www.enchantedkindergarden.comRead Keri's blogFollow us on InstagramSubscribe to Beyond My YearsConnect with Ana TorresConnect with Eric CrossQuotes:"When you see the light bulb come on in a kid and I'm like, Ah this is why [I teach]." —Keri Brown"Sometimes it is hard. You're like, 'Why do I do this? The kids are this, the parents are this.' But then, you get that sweet note." —Keri Brown"We start small with just talking to them, helping them figure out how to have a conversation about math. They can talk about everything else, but we have to teach them how to talk about math. We have to give them the words, give them the tools." —Keri Brown"Predictable routines really help students feel safe because they know what's going to happen." —Eric Cross"It's impactful to spend that little extra time saying, 'Let me build some relationships and show these babies how to be students in my classroom.'" —Ana Torres

Neysa Olivares-Torres, a Program Specialist for English Language Arts, shares her journey in education and her 'firm-but-fair' teaching approach. She highlights how building relationships outside the classroom enhances student engagement and reduces behavior issues. Neysa emphasizes the importance of evolving as an educator and adapting personal teaching styles. She also discusses the power of high expectations and encourages new teachers to embrace their unique strengths. Eric Cross joins later, offering insights into authenticity in teaching.

Tina Boogren, Ph.D., joins Ana Torres, not only to discuss how it’s completely normal for first-year teachers (and even some veterans) to experience disillusionment, but also to offer tactics for overcoming those feelings. Tina and Ana kick off this episode by explaining Ellen Moir's “The Phases of First-Year Teaching," which outlines the emotional stages new teachers move through. They discuss how teachers have to name their feelings to tame their feelings, the difference between stress and burnout, and the importance of giving ourselves grace and avoiding comparison with others. Tina also details her three research-backed strategies for self-care: gratitude, altruism, and laughter. Finally, Classroom Insider Eric Cross joins Ana to share takeaways from the interview, including how and why to ask for help, even if it’s just so you can take a small break.Show notes: Connect with Tina Boogren:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tina-boogrenBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thboogren.bsky.socialX: https://x.com/thboogrenFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfcareforeducators/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thboogrenWebsite: https://www.solutiontree.com/tina-h-boogren.htmlPodcast: https://www.selfcareforeducators.com/Resources:Read The New Teacher Center’s “Phases of First-Year Teaching.” Read The Maslach Burnout Inventory.Subscribe to Beyond My Years Follow us on Instagram @amplify.education Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/ Connect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/Quotes:“It's teeny tiny little things. When you combine those together, you are tapping into that brain research that's giving our brain a different assignment and looking for the positive. And we will find it.” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D. “I always say it's an ‘and’; it's not an ‘or.’ It's not instruction or self-care.” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D.  ”It's those small wins that we look over. If we're not looking for them, we can miss them, and we just keep thinking, ‘I'm not as good as that person.’” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D. “It's vulnerable but it's necessary to be able to honor yourself and say, ‘I need help. I need support.’” —Ana Torres“Sometimes your day is just teaching someone a life skill…and hopefully that's going to get them to learning.” —Eric Cross “ Whatever I'm feeling is not just impacting me, even though I want to think it is, or that I’m masking it. I know that if I'm not at my A game, it's impacting my students.” —Eric Cross

Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., a renowned psychologist and author of Grit, dives into the complexities of school phone policies with Ana Torres. She discusses how environment influences self-control rather than relying solely on willpower. Her Phones in Focus study reveals the impact of physical distance from phones on academic performance and suggests that stricter policies lead to happier teachers and increased student socialization. Duckworth also shares four essential ingredients for young people to achieve their goals and emphasizes the importance of mentors in their success.