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Brave New Teaching: A Podcast for High School and Middle School Teachers

LIBBA BRAY: A Conversation about Under the Same Stars [Ep 267]

Thu, 17 Jul 2025

Some conversations leave a mark, and this one with author Libba Bray is exactly that. From the first few minutes, we found ourselves completely pulled in by her honesty, humor, and the kind of insight that makes you pause and say, “Yes, that’s it.” What started as a chat about books quickly turned into a rich, winding conversation about creativity, teaching, storytelling, and the way young people show up in the world with fierce hope and resilience. 

We dive into Libba’s newest novel, Under the Same Stars—a multigenerational story inspired by a real-life matchmaking tree—exploring how she weaves together history, structure, and emotion to spark meaningful reflection and classroom connection.

Resources:

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SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode267

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KATIE BAYERL: A Conversation about What Comes After [Ep 266]

Thu, 10 Jul 2025

If you've ever daydreamed about writing a novel between grading essays, this one’s for you. In this episode, we chat with former English teacher turned YA author Katie Bayerl about her newest book, What Comes After—a laugh-out-loud, heart-tugging story about grief, identity, and the afterlife. Katie shares her journey from the classroom to the writing world, her process for weaving humor into heavy themes, and how her novel can spark deep, inquiry-based conversations in your classroom. Plus, we’ve got ideas for book pairings and plenty of student writing tips!

Resources:

More Camp BNT Episodes:

SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode266

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Get your FREE Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs gateway lesson: shop.bravenewteaching.com/cloudy
Check out Curriculum Rehab here!

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

BREAK FOR THE 4TH: Amanda’s Road Trip Advice for Teacher Parents [Ep 265]

Thu, 03 Jul 2025

It’s Amanda here, and if you’ve ever hit the road with a car full of kids (or just your teacher brain trying to stay five steps ahead) you know that summer travel takes some serious strategy. In this solo episode, I’m sharing all my favorite tips for stress-free, memory-filled road trips. From how I set up my car to the genius packing system that saves me from digging through suitcases at midnight, I’ve got you covered.

I’m also diving into the nerdy (but fun!) extras that make our trips even better—like our go-to museum memberships that get us into spots across the country for free or at a discount. Plus, I’m sharing my must-have travel apps, kid entertainment hacks, snack solutions, and everything else that’s helped us stay sane on the road. If you’re road-tripping this summer, this one’s for you!

Resources:

SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode265

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Get your FREE Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs gateway lesson: shop.bravenewteaching.com/cloudy
Check out Curriculum Rehab here!

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📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

AARON H. ACEVES: A Conversation about This is Why They Hate Us [Ep 264]

Thu, 26 Jun 2025

This episode lit us up in the best way. Amanda sat down with Aaron H. Aceves, author of This Is Why They Hate Us, for a heartfelt conversation about identity and the power of honest storytelling. Aaron’s openness about his own journey challenged us to reflect on how we, as educators, can lead with vulnerability and create space for students to do the same. His protagonist, Enrique, is messy, hilarious, and deeply real—and that kind of representation matters more than ever in our classrooms.

Aaron reminded us that books like his are more than stories—they're lifelines for students who need to see themselves in the pages they read. This conversation is a love letter to teachers everywhere, doing the work to bring authentic, diverse voices into their classrooms. We hope it leaves you feeling as inspired as it left us.

Resources:

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More Camp BNT 2025 Episodes:

SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode264

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Get your FREE Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs gateway lesson: shop.bravenewteaching.com/cloudy
Check out Curriculum Rehab here!

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📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

AIMEE PHAN: A Conversation about The Lost Queen Part 2 [Ep 263]

Thu, 19 Jun 2025

We’re so excited to share part two of our conversation with Aimee Phan, author of The Lost Queen! If you caught part one, you already know how rich and thoughtful this discussion is. In this episode, we dive deeper into how retellings like The Lost Queen can help students see that stories aren’t set in stone—and that they have the freedom to make stories their own. Aimee shares how the creative process can empower young writers to take risks, explore identity, and find their voice.

We also talk about the evolution of Vietnamese American literature, how to pair The Lost Queen with other powerful texts, and the deep impact that simple words of encouragement can have on a student’s life. If you’re looking for book recs, classroom inspiration, or just a reminder of the power of storytelling, this episode is for you.

Resources:

SHOW NOTES: https://www.bravenewteaching.com/home/episode263

"Send us a message - please include your contact information so we can chat soon!"

Get your FREE Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs gateway lesson: shop.bravenewteaching.com/cloudy
Check out Curriculum Rehab here!

Support the show

📚 BNT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES 👩‍💻

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