Interventions and Detentions

Something shifts in schools every spring—and it’s not just academic. In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, we take a real look at what educators are experiencing right now: shorter attention spans, increased behavior challenges, lower motivation, and overall fatigue from both students and staff. This isn’t about the “summer slide.” It’s about the very real spring slide in behavior, energy, and stamina—and why it happens every year. From routine fatigue and testing pressure to the “almost there” mindset, we break down what’s really driving the shift you’re seeing in classrooms right now. More importantly, we focus on what actually works. That includes resetting expectations instead of constantly correcting, shortening instructional “wins” to keep students engaged, strengthening relationships when capacity is low, and making small changes that can have a big impact. We also talk about why this is the time to double down on strong Tier 1 practices rather than just adding more interventions. The key takeaway: this isn’t a failure point—it’s a predictable point. And when we recognize it for what it is, we can respond in ways that better support both students and staff through the final stretch of the school year.

In Episode 2:28 of Interventions and Detentions, we take a deep dive into one of the most overlooked—but most impactful—factors in student success: attendance. While it may seem like a simple daily routine, consistent attendance is directly tied to academic achievement, social development, and long-term outcomes for students. Missing just a few days each month can create gaps that are difficult to overcome. In this episode, we explore Indiana’s attendance laws and guidelines, how schools are working to support students and families, and the growing role attendance plays in school accountability. We also unpack current research on chronic absenteeism, discuss practical strategies schools are using to improve attendance, and highlight the importance of building a culture where students feel connected and motivated to show up every day. Whether you’re an educator, school leader, or parent, this episode offers insight into why attendance truly matters—and how we can all play a role in making sure every student has the opportunity to succeed. Because at the end of the day, every day counts.

Remember the excitement of field trip day? The permission slip. The yellow bus. The snacks packed in your backpack. But field trips today look a lot different than they did when most of us were in school. In the newest episode of Interventions and Detentions with Brad, we take a deep dive into the evolution of the school field trip. We talk about: • Where field trips originally came from • Why schools started tying them to academic standards • How schools actually pay for them • The rise of virtual field trips • And what the future of experiential learning might look like If you work in education, you’ll definitely relate to this one.

Episode 2:26 – Why Some Classrooms Run Smoothly… and Others Don’t Why can two classrooms in the same school, with the same students, feel completely different? One classroom runs smoothly. Expectations are clear, students stay engaged, and learning happens. Just down the hallway, another classroom can feel like a constant struggle to keep things on track. In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, Brad takes a deep dive into the realities of classroom management. What actually works? What systems help teachers create consistent learning environments? And what are some of the common mistakes that make classroom management harder than it needs to be? This conversation explores the role of routines, relationships, schoolwide systems, teacher autonomy, and why parent support can play a critical role in how classrooms function. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or someone interested in the realities of modern education, this episode offers practical insight into one of the most important parts of effective teaching.

From paddles labeled “The Board of Education” to restorative circles and progressive discipline systems, school consequences have changed dramatically over the last 100–150 years. But have we truly evolved… or simply swung the pendulum? In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, Brad takes a deep dive into the history of school discipline — from one-room schoolhouses and zero tolerance policies to PBIS frameworks and trauma-informed approaches. He breaks down what progressive discipline actually means, how consequences should develop from kindergarten through high school, and why leadership consistency matters more than ever. Drawing on research, developmental psychology, and real-world leadership experience, this episode explores: • Why exclusion alone doesn’t always change behavior • The difference between reaction and response • How brain development impacts student decision-making • The growing tension teachers feel around repeated behaviors • What it takes to build a discipline system rooted in accountability and growth This conversation isn’t about being soft. It isn’t about being harsh. It’s about being intentional. Because discipline isn’t about detentions. It’s about development.

rushed to put a screen in every child’s hands. It made sense in 2020. But in 2026… does it still? In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, Brad asks the uncomfortable question many educators are thinking but not saying out loud: Have we gone too far with devices in elementary classrooms? Students in some grades are spending close to two hours a day on school-issued screens. Research shows comprehension can drop when reading digitally. Attention spans are shifting. Social development looks different. And some districts across the country are quietly scaling technology back in K–5 while keeping it strong in secondary settings. So what does the research actually say? What trends are emerging? And what should a balanced K–12 approach really look like? This isn’t anti-technology. High school students absolutely need digital fluency. But are we asking kindergarteners to function like mini knowledge workers? If you’re a school leader, teacher, or parent wrestling with screen time, instructional quality, and long-term impact — this episode is an honest, data-informed conversation about where we may need to recalibrate.

Episode 2:23 – Recess Matters More Than You Think When was the last time we really stopped to think about recess? In this episode of Interventions & Detentions, Brad takes a deep dive into the history of recess in American schools, how it has evolved over time, and why it may be one of the most misunderstood parts of the school day. From the impact of high-stakes testing to the debate over recess before or after lunch, this conversation explores how scheduling decisions shape student behavior, regulation, and learning. Brad also unpacks the social power of recess — where leadership emerges, conflict is navigated, and resilience is built. Most importantly, this episode challenges us to reconsider play not as a break from learning, but as a foundational part of it. Unstructured play isn’t fluff. It’s developmental. It’s neurological. And it may be more protective than we realize. If you’re an educator, school leader, or parent who cares about the whole child, this episode will give you practical insights and perspective shifts you can apply immediately. Because sometimes the most important learning happens outside.

Making Learning Visible — A Conversation on Visible Grading with Dave Nagel What if grading didn’t signal the end of learning, but instead helped students see where they are, where they’re going, and how to get there? In this episode, Brad is joined by Dave Nagel, educational consultant, coach, and co-author of Grading Visible Learners: Learning With Fluidity, Not Finality, for a thoughtful conversation on Visible Grading and its connection to student learning. Dave unpacks how traditional grading practices can unintentionally shut learning down—and how visible grading shifts the focus from point accumulation to clarity, feedback, and growth. Drawing from research connected to Visible Learning, Dave shares practical ways educators can make grading more transparent, meaningful, and supportive for students and teachers alike. In this episode, you’ll hear: • What “visible grading” really means in classrooms • How grading can support learning rather than finalize it • Why clarity and feedback matter more than points • What convinces skeptical educators to rethink grading practices • Practical shifts teachers and leaders can make without overhauling everything Whether you’re a classroom teacher, instructional coach, or school leader, this conversation will challenge how you think about grades—and how they impact learning.

Season 2, Episode 21 The Code We Don’t Talk About: Ethics, Teaching, & the Lines We Cross We see posts about teacher ethics all the time. We like them. We share them. We agree with them. But we rarely slow down and talk about what ethics actually look like on our hardest days. In this episode, Brad takes a post he came across while scrolling Facebook on The Teachers Community and turns it into a real, honest conversation about ethics in education—beyond posters, policies, and sound bites. This is not an episode about calling teachers out. It’s about calling ourselves back in. We unpack what it means to: • Stay committed to students when they challenge us • Practice integrity when no one is watching • Protect the dignity of the profession during burnout • Navigate relationships with colleagues, parents, and community • Use authority and discipline in ways that build rather than break Ethics aren’t tested when teaching is easy. They’re tested when we’re tired, frustrated, and stretched thin. If you’ve ever questioned whether your actions still match your values—this conversation is for you.

Classroom management hasn’t changed — but the culture around it has. In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, we examine how enforcing expectations now happens in a climate where authority is questioned, limits are challenged, and support for educators is inconsistent. This isn’t about better strategies or stricter rules. It’s about what happens when the shared understanding that adults deserve dignity while doing their job breaks down. If you’ve ever felt blamed for holding the line everyone claims to want held, this episode puts words to that reality.

In Episode 2:19 of Interventions and Detentions, Brad sits down with Stuart Smith, a veteran educator who recently made the jump from the 5th grade classroom to the assistant principal’s office. With over 27 years in education, Stuart shares honest insights on leading former peers, navigating the realities of administration, and keeping a teacher’s heart while stepping into leadership. This episode is a must-listen for educators curious about leadership and administrators who remember what those first days in the office really felt like.

In this episode of Interventions and Detentions with Brad, we take a realistic look at when peer mediation works, when it doesn’t, and why power dynamics matter. We also clarify how peer-led programs like Sources of Strength support school culture without replacing mediation. Grounded in real middle school leadership experience, this conversation focuses on student safety, appropriate interventions, and practical decision-making in high-needs schools.

2025 was a year that asked a lot of educators. In this reflective solo episode of Interventions and Detentions, I pause to look back on the wins, the wounds, and the work that defined the year in schools. I unpack the major themes that surfaced across classrooms and leadership offices—instruction coming back to the center, behavior as a signal rather than a problem, leadership fatigue, and the growing parent-school divide. I also reflect on the conversations that shaped this podcast in 2025 and the quiet victories that too often go unnoticed. This episode isn’t about trends or quick fixes. It’s about naming what was real, honoring the people who carried the work, and clarifying what matters as we move forward. If you made it through 2025 in education, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Interventions & Detentions, Brad sits down with Andrew Barrand, first-year principal at Lakeland Intermediate School, to explore the powerful connection between high-quality instruction and student behavior. Together, they discuss how engaging teaching practices, proactive classroom strategies, and Conscious Discipline can reduce behavior issues before they begin. Andrew also reflects on lessons learned in his first year as a building leader, the shift from classroom teacher to principal, and advice for educators aspiring to lead—all while keeping teaching and learning at the center of school leadership.

In this episode, Brad digs into The Parent Divide—the growing gap between what some parents expect from schools and what educators can realistically provide. From communication challenges to shifting responsibilities, Brad breaks down the tensions, the misunderstandings, and the real stories happening inside today’s classrooms. Listen as he offers honest reflections, practical insights, and a grounded perspective from inside the principal’s office. New episodes drop every Friday at 8 a.m. Listen on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.

In this Thanksgiving mini-episode, Brad shares two simple but meaningful ways he practiced gratitude and generosity in his school this week—from writing personalized notes to every staff member to teaming up with the counselor to give teachers an extra thirty minutes of breathing room. With real stories from kindergarten and first grade life, this quick episode is a reminder that small, intentional gestures can transform a school’s culture. Interventions and Detentions…Where the Real Learning Begins.