About this episode

David and Sissy discuss classroom capability with educators Wheat Teller and Dan Carpenter, emphasizing the importance of struggle and independence in learning.

David and Sissy talk with two beloved educators, kindergarten teacher Wheat Teller and high school history teacher Dan Carpenter, about what capability looks like in the classroom from the earliest years through high school. Together, they discuss the importance of letting kids struggle in age-appropriate ways, resist the urge to rescue, build emotional regulation, develop independence, and learn through challenge and even failure. Wheat and Dan also talk about the effects of busyness and screens, the need for reading, family dinners, focused study time, and slowing down enough for kids to experience the joy of learning. . . . . . .  Sign up to receive the⁠ bi-⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠monthly newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to keep up to date with where David and Sissy are speaking, where they are taco'ing, PLUS conversation starters for you and your family to share! Order our new book, Capable, here!! See our speaking dates, purchase books and check out our courses here.. . . . . .  If you would like to partner with Raising Boys and Girls as a podcast sponsor, fill out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form. QUINCE: Go to ⁠Quince.com/rbg⁠ for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five…

People in this episode

Hosts: David, Sissy

Guests: Wheat Teller, Dan Carpenter

Topics covered

• education
• child development
• emotional regulation
• independence
• learning through failure
• family dynamics
• screen time

Keywords

• classroom capability
• educators
• emotional regulation
• independence
• learning challenges
• family dinners
• screen effects

Sponsors

Quince, Boll & Branch, Adventure Bible

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: That Sounds Fun Network

Products: Capable, Adventure Bible

More episodes of Raising Boys & Girls

• Episode 394: Capable Connections: Siblings with David and Sissy · July 21, 2026 · 42 min
• Episode 392: Capable Connections: Teachers and Coaches with David and Sissy · July 14, 2026 · 34 min
• Episode 391: Family Dinners and the One Question Grandparents Need to Ask with Babs Costello · July 9, 2026 · 31 min
• Episode 390: The Power of Family Through Generations with Carole and John Ferguson, Julie Trapp, Ashley Waltemath, & Amy Pipes · July 7, 2026 · 1h 6m
• Episode 389: Capable Connections: Grandparents with David and Sissy · July 2, 2026 · 30 min
• Episode 388: Raising Capable and Mighty Kids in Today's Cultural Landscape with Sharon McMahon · June 30, 2026 · 36 min

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