Dustin and Ghazali get real about parent communication in Hard Conversations, Strong Partnerships—a practical episode on preventing most tense meetings before they ever happen. Their guiding question: How can teachers head off 80% of “hard” parent conferences—and turn the rest into collaborative problem-solving?

They share concrete moves for the first weeks of school (positive check-ins, asking families’ contact preferences, and steady transparency around grades/expectations), plus systems that keep everyone aligned: student-led bi-weekly update emails, inviting parents into LMS/grade portals, work portfolios to make progress visible, and simple co-created trackers (from blue-book notes to assignment checklists) to reduce repeat issues. When emotions run high, they model de-escalation—listen fully, name what you hear, avoid blame, and pivot to “what we can do” language—then repair the relationship so the focus returns to the child’s success.

You’ll walk away with ready-to-use scripts, documentation ideas, and a calmer approach to tough moments that builds trust—with families and with colleagues.

Interested in joining us on the podcast? We’re always looking for passionate educators and school leaders to share their insights—no need to be an “expert.” Tell us what you’d like to talk about here: https://forms.gle/RCeUFhmvLxY1nRwU9

Dustin and Ghazali flip roles in this episode as Ghazali joins as the guest to talk about a question he’s been helping educators tackle around the world: How can we harness AI to enhance instruction while protecting the human connection that makes great teaching possible?

Drawing on two years of classroom work in Singapore, Ghazali shares concrete examples of AI’s real impact on students—from custom chatbots that helped his class prepare for high-stakes interviews and resumes, to a writing process where students plan and draft first, then use AI mind maps and feedback to refine their thinking instead of letting the tool do the work for them. Along the way, he surfaces a central idea: used well, AI can actually deepen relationships, because it frees time and creates more success moments for students.

They also unpack teacher-facing AI—tools that speed up planning, feedback, and resource creation—alongside the risks of over-reliance, security concerns, and students starting to “sound like ChatGPT.” Rather than mastering everything, Ghazali argues for a mindset shift: start small, learn one tool well, and let AI act as a multiplier while you stay firmly in charge of the pedagogy.

Interested in joining us on the podcast? We’re always looking for passionate educators and school leaders to share their insights—no need to be an “expert.” Tell us what you’d like to talk about here: https://forms.gle/RCeUFhmvLxY1nRwU9

Dustin and Ghazali are joined by Mirriam Chintu to explore how something as simple as “try again” can transform how students see themselves as learners. Their guiding question: How can positive reinforcement reshape the way students experience learning and behavior in school?

Drawing on more than 20 years of teaching experience from grades 3–7 and now junior secondary English in Zambia, Mirriam shares how students’ home lives, histories, and daily struggles show up in the classroom—and why that context matters when they make mistakes. She reflects on the damage caused by shame, harsh responses, and labeling, and contrasts that with classrooms grounded in encouragement, patience, and belief. Through stories of wrong answers turned into growth moments, she shows how simple shifts in language and tone can build confidence instead of fear.

The conversation also turns toward teacher growth and school culture. Mirriam talks about how her own mindset has changed over time, how positive reinforcement has reshaped her identity as an educator, and what it would mean for entire schools—leaders included—to operate from a place of trust and care rather than punishment. As a teacher, school planner, and recent graduate with a master’s in education administration and management, she brings both classroom wisdom and a systems lens to what real encouragement can do.

Interested in joining us on the podcast? We’re always looking for passionate educators and school leaders to share their insights—no need to be an “expert.” Tell us what you’d like to talk about here: https://forms.gle/RCeUFhmvLxY1nRwU9