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Podcast: Everything But The Lesson Plan
Episode: What Students Are Asking for Without Saying It: Teaching in 2026
Description: Teaching has changed—and our students are telling us what they need, whether we’re ready or not.In this host-only episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan, Franchesca Thompson unpacks what teaching in 2026 really looks like beyond standards, pacing guides, and test scores. From the pandemic's lasting impact and rising student anxiety to misinformation on social media, shifting career pathways, and the growing need for emotional regulation, this episode highlights the work educators quietly carry every day.This conversation is about regulation before rigor, relationships before results, and preparing students for real life—not just t...