Amidon Planet

What does it mean to become more fully yourself?In this episode, I talk with Dr. Jeremiah Sims about his new book, Finding the Beautiful Path: On Blackness, Multidimensionality, and Radical Becoming. Through personal reflection, scholarship, and storytelling, Jeremiah invites readers to consider identity not as something fixed, but as something continually unfolding.Our conversation explores the power of multidimensionality, the limitations of reducing people to a single story, and the ways Blackness offers insight into broader questions of humanity, belonging, and growth. We also discuss the idea of radical becoming—the ongoing process of imagining and moving toward new possibilities for ourselves and our communities.If you've ever wrestled with questions of identity, purpose, or what it means to grow beyond expectations, this conversation offers both challenge and hope. Plus, the Physical Media of the Episode, The Greatest Showman soundtrack on vinyl!Show notes can be found at amidonplanet.com/episode146/

What if puzzles were about more than finding answers?In this episode, I talk with Dr. Jeff Wanko, Dean of the College of Education and Health Sciences at Bradley University, about how puzzles create opportunities for both community and reasoning. While puzzles are often viewed as individual challenges, Jeff shares how they can become powerful experiences that bring people together around curiosity, conversation, and shared problem solving.We explore how puzzles encourage learners to explain their thinking, test ideas, listen to others, and make sense of complex situations. Along the way, we discuss why productive struggle can strengthen both understanding and relationships, and how puzzles help create spaces where everyone has an opportunity to contribute.Whether you're a teacher, leader, or simply someone who enjoys a good challenge, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what happens when people think together. Plus, the Physical Media of the Episode, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King.Show notes can be found at amidonplanet.com/episode145.

Learning to teach better with Dr. Leah Tiisler as she shares her dissertation research on how board and card games can help kindergarten students build math confidence and prevent early struggles with learning. Plus the Album of the Episode, Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen.Show notes for the episode can be found at amidonplanet.com/episode131

Learning to teach better with Dr. Jen Wolfe, Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Arizona and co‑host of the Teaching Math Teaching podcast.In this episode — part one of a two‑part series — we talk about two chapters we co‑authored for the newest AMTE Professional Book Series, Building Community to Center Equity and Justice in Mathematics Teacher Education, edited by Dr. Eva Thanheiser and Dr. Courtney Koestler.We dig into our chapters:Centering Community Care & Love in the Preparation of Prospective Secondary Teachers: A Collective Responsibility Approach to Mathematics Teaching and LearningEstablishing the “We” with Prospective Elementary Teachers: Conversation Grids as Teaching Mathematics Methods as AgapeWe also reflect on how our professional journey shows up in this work.Show notes for this episode can be found at amidonplanet.com/episode128

Learning to teach better with Dr. Claire Fearn, who recently defended her dissertation, Working with Parents/Guardians to Provide Support and Knowledge for Structured Literacy Spelling Instruction at Home. In the episode we discuss the origin of her study, share what she did using Improvement Science, what she found, and why it matters to promote kids learning to read through spelling and families supporting that effort. Plus the album of the episode, folklore by Taylor Swift.Show notes can be found at https://amidonplanet.com/episode126/

Learning to teach better with Dr. Jeff Rozelle, President and CEO of the Knowles Teacher Initiative, and Dr. Jen Mossgrove, Director of the Teaching Fellows Program. In this episode, we discuss the thoughtful redesign of the Knowles Teaching Fellows Program and the insights gained through this process. Listen as we discuss what it means to truly support early career mathematics and science teachers for both the teachers and those who support them. Plus, the Album of the Episode, In Pieces by Garth Brooks.

Learning to teach better with Dr. Josh Hertel, Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, as we discuss teaching as a lifestyle and, specifically, personal finance for educators. Plus, some table top game recommendations and the Album of the Episode, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan.Show notes for the episode can be found at https://amidonplanet.com/episode123/