
Modern Classrooms Project Podcast
Your hosts discuss the model and its implications for the future of education, along with guests including MCP implementors such as mentors, teachers, and administrators.
Latest episodes

Apr 13, 2025 • 1h 7min
Episode 234: Learned Helplessness
Toni Rose is joined by Ernest Rodriguez to discuss learned helplessness and the importance of SEL and vulnerability in a student-centered classroom
Show Notes
Hot Yoga
On Purpose, with Jay Shetty
Gimkit
Connect with Ernest by email at mr.rod2425@gmail.com
Learning Experiences for the Upcoming Week
Toni Rose Deanon and Lauren Kimlinger, MCP implementers and DMCE, are presenting on Inside Out: A Joyful Journey of Learning and Growth at Oregon Early Learning Conference from April 16-18 in Portland, OR. If you’re attending, make sure to check them out and say hi!
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Listen to this podcast on Youtube
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to TeachSpecial Guest: Ernest Rodriguez.

Apr 6, 2025 • 1h 1min
Episode 233: Driver Education
TR is joined by Debbie Fry to talk about how she uses the MCP model in her Driver Education, P.E., and Health classes
Show Notes
MCP Podcast Episode 231: Physical Education
Connect with Debbie by email at deborah.fry@cpschools.com
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Listen to this podcast on Youtube
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to TeachSpecial Guest: Debbie Fry.

Mar 30, 2025 • 56min
Episode 232: Workforce Readiness Training
TR is joined by Sam Meisenburg, co-founder of Study Snacks, to talk about the importance of, and methodologies for, teaching cybersecurity and AI concepts to high schoolers
Show Notes
Study Snacks
Transparent bird feeder
Brave Browser
Onion Router and the Tor Project
Duck Duck Go (alternative search engine, more private than Google)
Connect with Sam on LinkedIn. You can also email him at hello@studysnacks.net
Learning Experiences for the Upcoming Week
Want to start building your own Modern Classroom? Sign up for our summer Virtual Mentorship Program! From either May 19th - June 22nd or June 23rd - July 27th, work with one of our expert educators to build materials for your own classroom. We have scholarships all over the country so you can enroll for free in places such as NYC, LA, Oakland, Chicago, Minnesota, Alabama, and more. Check out modernclassrooms.org/apply-now to see if there’s an opportunity for you!
We have a book club! We are reading Rob Barnett’s Meet Every Learner’s Needs together as a community and our last session is an Author Q&A with Rob Barnett on Wednesday, April 2 at 7:00pm ET. Join us in sharing ideas, questions, and resources. Register here
Eileen Ng, Nichole Freeman, and Carmen Welton, MCP implementers and DMCE, are presenting at NEASC Educator Showcase 2025 on April 3, in Nashua, NH. If you’re attending, make sure to check them out and say hi!
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Listen to this podcast on Youtube
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to TeachSpecial Guest: Sam Meisenburg.

Mar 23, 2025 • 58min
Episode 231: Physical Education
TR is joined by Jake Bersin to talk about the unique considerations of teaching health and PE and the ways he thinks MCP may benefit health and PE teachers.
Show Notes
TGFU Model of PE teaching
Jake's Padlet "Advocacy and Education Beyond the Classroom Walls"
MAHPERD (Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Inc.)
Insta~lesson, by Rob Barnett
Connect with Jake using his Padlet (linked above), on Bluesky, or at his website Next Level Physical Education
Learning Experiences for the Upcoming Week
Want to connect with other educators of color who are creating a more student-centered learning environment? Join our monthly Shades of Excellence meetup on Monday, March 24, 7pm ET. Register here.
Join educators Monte Woodard, Alison Stone, and Suma Paidi for a live webinar where they'll share their expertise in transforming your science classroom into a dynamic, personalized learning environment on Tuesday, March 25 at 7pm ET. Register here
We have four educators presenting at Personalized Competency-Based Learning (PCBL) Summit in Layton, UT on March 26, 2025. Dr. Cindi Dunford and Stephanie Quilan are presenting on Creating a Culture of Competency in the Middle School Math Classroom and Cammie Moore and Elizabeth van Patten are presenting on Modernizing Instruction in CTE with MCP. If you’re attending, make sure to stop by and say hi!
Alison Stone is presenting at NSTA 2025 in Philadelphia, PA from March 26-29 on Using a self-aced, mastery-based, blended model in the high school science classroom. If you’re attending, make sure to stop by and say hi!
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Listen to this podcast on Youtube
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to TeachSpecial Guest: Jake Bersin.

Mar 16, 2025 • 1h 6min
Episode 230: HS Credit Recovery Team
TR is joined by Amy Steele, Kara Cisco, Renee Swanson, and Sierra Burris to talk about their work incorporating MCP into the credit recovery program in St. Paul Public Schools
Show Notes
Alternative Education in St. Paul
MCP University (link to come)
Canva, and Kara's video on using it
ChatGPT
Sierra's class layout
You can contact Amy, Kara, Renee, and Sierra by email:
amy.steele@spps.org
kara.cisco@spps.org
renee.swanson@spps.org
sierra.burris@spps.org
Learning Experiences for the Upcoming Week
We have a book club! We are reading Rob Barnett’s Meet Every Learner’s Needs together as a community and our third session is on Redesigning Instruction sponsored by Screencastify on Wednesday, March 19 at 7:00pm ET. Join us in sharing ideas, questions, and resources. Register here
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Listen to this podcast on Youtube
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to TeachSpecial Guests: Amy Steele, Kara Cisco, Renee Swanson, and Sierra Burris.

Mar 9, 2025 • 59min
Episode 229: Family and Consumer Science
TR is joined by Mauranda Comley to talk about using the MCP model in a middle school Family and Consumer Sciences classroom
Show Notes
Family and Consumer Science
Mauranda's article in NGLC, "Benefits of Self-Pacing in Skills-Based, Hands-On Classes"
Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development
Mauranda's Reflection Form and Exploring Career's Choice Board tes
Mauranda's business, "My Wholesome Table"
Connect with Mauranda on her website, or by email at mauranda.comley@modernclassrooms.org
Learning Experiences for the Upcoming Week
Our co-founder, Rob Barnett, will be at the Summit for Transformative Learning presenting on How Modern Classrooms Meet Every Learner’s Needs in Atlanta, GA from March 10-11.
Looking for virtual connection? Join our implementer meetup on Wednesday, March 12, at 7 pm EST to connect with other Modern Classroom educators! Register here
Toni Rose Deanon and Avery Balasbas will be at the 2025 Good Teaching Conference - South presenting on Cultivating Community in Your Classroom and Teaching Critical Pedagogy through Fil-Am Lit in Garden Grove, CA from March 14-16. If you’re attending, make sure to stop by and say hi!
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Listen to this podcast on Youtube
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to TeachSpecial Guest: Mauranda Comley.

Mar 2, 2025 • 47min
Episode 228: iReady
TR is joined by Teri McNulty to talk about how she uses MCP in conjunction with iReady to plan and teach units in her 5th grade class
Show Notes
Disney Castle Lego set
iReady
Teri's pacing tracker
Connect with Teri in the MCP Facebook group here, and linked below the show notes for each episode (scroll down!), every week. Come join us!
Learning Experiences for the Upcoming Week
Join educators Carol Madruga, Rob Barnett, Leah Frederick, and Jessica Bille for a live webinar where they'll share their expertise in transforming your math classroom into a dynamic, personalized learning environment on Tuesday, March 4 at 7pm ET
We are reading Rob Barnett’s Meet Every Learner’s Needs together as a community and our second session is on Redesigning Courses sponsored by ScreenPal on Wednesday, March 5 at 7:00pm ET. Register and join us in sharing ideas, questions, and resources
Join parent and MCP co-founder and Chief Product Officer Robert Barnett, parent and MCP Chief Growth Officer Aubrey White, and parent and Modern Classroom Expert Mentor Laura Domingo, to learn what you can do to support student-centered teaching and learning in your own community on Thursday, March 6 at 1pm ET.
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Listen to this podcast on Youtube
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to TeachSpecial Guest: Teri McNulty.

Feb 23, 2025 • 1h 5min
Episode 227: From Content- to Skills-Based Teaching With MCP
Zach is joined by Carson Hickox to talk about how MCP transformed his middle school social studies classroom and his approach to teaching in general.
Show Notes
Captain Underpants
Proficiency-based grading
Cult of Pedagogy Podcast on Mastery Based Grading with MCP
Richard DuFour (The PLC at Work Process)
"Focus: Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning," by Mike Schmoker
"The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America's Broken Education System - And How to Fix It," by Natalie Wexler
You can email Carson at carson.hickox@modernclassrooms.org
Learning Experiences for the Upcoming Week
Want to connect with other educators of color who are creating a more student-centered learning environment? Join our monthly Shades of Excellence meetup on Monday, February 24, 7pm ET. Register here.
Do the students in your community have different needs? In a diverse world, that’s inevitable, and it can feel impossible for a teacher or school to meet every learner’s needs at once. But there are evidence-based ways to help every student achieve their potential. In this edLeader Panel, you will discover classroom-tested techniques that your teachers can use right away to keep each of their students appropriately challenged—and appropriately supported—every day. Join us on February 25, at 5 pm ET.
We are reading Rob Barnett’s Meet Every Learner’s Needs together as a community and our second session is on Redesigning Courses sponsored by ScreenPal on Wednesday, March 5 9 at 7:00pm ET. Register and join us in sharing ideas, questions, and resources.**
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Listen to this podcast on Youtube
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to TeachSpecial Guest: Carson Hickox.

Feb 16, 2025 • 58min
Episode 226: I Want Students To Be Proud
TR is joined by Jamie Nutter to talk about her approach to using and sharing MCP as an instructional coach
Show Notes
Connect with Jamie by email at jnutter@hoover.k12.al.us
Learning Experiences for the Upcoming Week
Join Arpan Choski, Katie Fatiga, and Lindsey Anderson, distinguished Modern Classroom Educators, for a live webinar on Tuesday, February 18 at 6pm ET, where they'll share their expertise in transforming your Social Studies classroom into a dynamic, personalized learning environment.
For school and district leaders, join Modern Classrooms Project (MCP) co-founder and Chief Product Officer Robert Barnett, City Year co-founder Michael Brown, former district superintendent and state education commissioner Deborah Gist, and Brian Pick of Schusterman Family Philanthropies, to learn: why traditional methods of instruction fail to meet so many learners’ needs, how teachers around the world are using research-backed teaching practices to keep each of their students appropriately challenged - and appropriately supported - every day, and what you can do to support student-centered teaching and learning in your own work on Wednesday, February 19 at 3pm ET.
Our Fall Book Club was so popular that we’re bringing it back this spring! We are reading Rob Barnett’s Meet Every Learner’s Needs together as a community and our first session is on Redesigning Lessons on Wednesday, February 19 at 7:00pm ET. We are partnering with Kami, ScreenPal, Screencastify, and Edpuzzle. We’d love to have you!
We have a booth at the Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services (NKCES) Resource Fair on Feb. 21. If you’re attending, make sure to check us out!
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Listen to this podcast on Youtube
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to TeachSpecial Guest: Jamie Nutter.

Feb 9, 2025 • 55min
Episode 225: History + MCP
TR is joined by Frank Hernandez to talk about his approach to teaching social studies using MCP
Show Notes
Document-Based Questions (DBQs)
"Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two," by Joseph Bruchac
Quizziz
Eduphoria
Snorkl
Connect with Frank by email at frank.hernandez@modernclassrooms.org
Learning Experiences for the Upcoming Week
Looking for virtual connection? Join our implementer meetup on Wednesday, Feb, 12, at 7 pm EST to connect with other Modern Classroom educators!
Alison Stone and Evin Jarett, MCP implementers and DMCE, are presenting at Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference (PETE&C) on Feb. 10-12 at Hershey Lodge, PA. Our co-founder, Kareem Farah, will also be there as a keynote speaker. If you’re attending, make sure to check them out and say hi!
Melissa Stagg, DMCE and MCP implementer, is presenting at Innovative Schools Summit in New York on Feb. 13-15. If you’re attending, make sure to check them out and say hi!
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Listen to this podcast on Youtube
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to TeachSpecial Guest: Frank Hernandez.
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