Shows / The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
Trevor Muir shares ideas, stories, and inspiration for educators to create and lead a more memorable and transformational classroom.
Episodes
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
Why I Scrapped My AI-Generated Book Cover
I spent two years writing my new book, Portrait of a Graduate, and just a couple of hours creating its cover with AI. It looked great, but something about it…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
Are We Crowding Joy Out of the Curriculum?
What if one of the most important things education can do is give students more opportunities to experience joy in life? In this episode, Trevor explores why…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
When PBL Goes Beyond the Classroom
What if a project students made in science class actually ended up being used by people on the other side of the world? In this episode, I talk with educator…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
The Lasting Impact of Teachers
In this episode, Trevor reflects on the teachers who shaped his life, from losing a spelling bee in middle school to seeing a former teacher waiting in the…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirSupport Dogs and Why Your School Needs One
What if a dog could change the feel of a school? After the pandemic, Laura Schuler saw students struggling in ways she hadn’t before. Instead of waiting for a…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
The Problem-Solving Gap
Most employers today aren’t asking, “What do you know?” They’re asking, “What can you do?” Problem solving has become one of the most valuable skills in the…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
Why the Future of Work Is Project-Based
From freelancers and engineers to designers, city planners, and researchers, millions of people earn a living by solving problems through project work. Yet in…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
Why You Don’t Have to Love Every Part of Teaching
This week we explore the 20% rule and why you don’t need to love every part of work. Learn how finding and protecting the parts you enjoy can help you avoid…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
Twin Cities Teachers Speak: What It’s Like to Teach During ICE Raids
Over the past month, schools in the Twin Cities have been operating in the shadow of ongoing ICE raids and heightened immigration enforcement. The impact has…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
Finding Good News in a Broken World
In a world dominated by bad news, this episode explores why teaching students to notice and share real good news matters more than ever. Get The Good News…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
My Students' Favorite Unit Ever
In this episode, I’m sharing one of the most impactful projects I ever did with my students, and it all came down to one thing: their work mattered. My class…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirWhy Students (and Adults) Need Boredom
A look at how boredom fuels creativity for students and professionals, and simple classroom strategies to build quiet, low-stimulation moments that spark…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
The Day My Lesson Got Shut Down and What It Taught Me
In this episode I share a winter lesson that almost got shut down after a single complaint and how my principal’s unexpected pivot changed the entire day. What…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
Teach the Ask: Helping Students Communicate What They Need
In this episode, I talk about the importance of knowing how to ask for what you want and need, along with what I’ve learned about helping students develop the…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
Making Space for One-on-One Teaching
A story about the power of one-on-one teaching, why it matters, and how teachers can make space for it, even in a busy classroom. Email Trevor at…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
The Secret to Getting Students Interested in What They're Learning
In this episode we talk about strategies to spark student curiosity and excitement in the classroom. Learn how passion, relevance, and student choice can turn…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
Why Note-Taking Still Matters in the Age of AI
With AI tools able to record, transcribe, and even generate polished notes in seconds, it is easy to wonder: do students still need to take notes at all? In…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirThe Myth of the Shrinking Attention Span
If your students seem distracted, this episode explains why it’s not a decline in attention span but a lack of purpose — and what you can do to fix it…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirTeaching in the Wake of Tragedy
In the days after the shooting that killed Charlie Kirk and yet another school shooting, many teachers are wondering how to respond to students who are…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirBrains, Calculators, and the Purpose of School
When calculators first appeared in classrooms, many schools banned them. Decades later, we’re asking the same kinds of questions about AI and other…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirGrading for Growth and Mastery
In this episode, we unpack why traditional grading often fails to reflect student growth—and how competency-based grading offers a more accurate, equitable…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
How to Trick Kids Into Loving Learning (Without Them Noticing)
What if the key to student engagement isn’t about attention spans, but about giving kids a reason to care? In this episode, I sit down with Jerry…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
Do We Still Need Teachers?
Watch the Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3HLzzrwYSw If we have artificial intelligence, do we still need school? Will it replace traditional…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
Y is For Yet- Growth Mindset with Shannon Anderson
In this episode, I had an incredible conversation with Shannon Anderson about growth mindset and helping students develop one. Shannon is an award-winning…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
The Long Game of Teaching
The impact of teachers stretches far beyond the physical time with students in the classroom. But the extent of the long reach of teachers is hard to remember…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
The Power of Yet
Today we talk about math class, slapping the word YET onto the end of certain sentences, a 99 year-old skydiver, and why teaching a growth mindset is one of…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
A Feast for Connection: Building Community in School
In this episode, I share a tradition from my first school: hosting a Thanksgiving feast for the entire school. More than just a meal, it was a way to build a…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirTeaching Collaborative Problem Solving
Creative struggle is difficult, but it's also important. In this technology age, students have become so used to instant gratification, accessing the…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirTeaching in This Charged Political Climate
There is a measurable uptick in mean and divisive behavior in schools right now, almost as if children are mirroring the current political climate. Let's talk…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirThe AI Dilemma in Classrooms: Ban or Adapt?
Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on Spotify. Listen on Youtube. In this episode, we dive into the growing concern among educators about the impact of AI tools…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirThe Power of Outdoor Learning
From exposure to vitamin D and its positive effects on our well-being, to the cognitive benefits that come with fresh air, to the innate joy and freedom of…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirThe Impact of Teachers
Some of our most impact childhood memories happen in school. Teachers and other educators have a massive influence on their students' identities, memories, and…
- The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir
Helping Students See the Bigger Picture
We all—educators and students— worker harder and smarter when we can identify the bigger picture of our work. That's what we dive into in this episode.
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirHolding High Expectations for Students
Let's talk about the importance of holding high expectations for students and some strategies to do it well. Pre-order the New Teacher Mindset…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirHarnessing Parent Power
Why caregivers can be an invaluable resource to your classroom.
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirStarting Class With Good Things
"Good Things" is a calculated way for students to get the most out of every class period. Like many teaching approaches, while not always obvious, there is a…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirLet Kids Move: Why kids need opportunities to move and play in school
I live here in Michigan, And we've had a whole string of snow days lately. And for my kids it's been like an endless recess. sledding and snow forts and…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirBecoming "Highly Effective" in the New Year
When I was a new teacher, I cared so much about earning the label of "Highly Effective" following my teacher evaluation. I've since learned the joy of labels…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirThe Value of a Fun and Joyful Class
Is the school week before the Holiday Break a big waste of time? Holiday parties, watching Christmas movies, not doing a lot of academic work—well, from the…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirWhy Some Kids Hate Christmas
For many students, the holidays are a time of joy and anticipation. However, that often isn't the case for every student. The reality is, for some students, no…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirWhen a Student Hates Their Teacher
We've all been there. You pour your heart and soul into your work, only to have a student declare dislike- maybe even hate- for you as their teacher. That's…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirWhat GPA Really Means
I graduated from college with a 2.75 GPA. Not great. Then I received a 4.0 in my masters program. Did I all of a sudden become smarter in those two years? Did…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirWhat Epic Classroom Really Means
You might see the word 'epic' and think BIG, EXCITING, or, FUN. But that's not what I mean when I use that word as it relates to the classroom. It means…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor MuirCreating a Positive & Engaging Classroom Climate
Let's talk about creating a classroom climate that helps make students feel safe, secure, and ready to engage in this year.
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir36: There Are No Perfect Teachers
You don’t have to be perfect to get to know your students and build relationships with them. Perfection isn't required to make your class memorable and even…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir35: The Community and Your Classroom
In this episode, we explore the critical role of educators in building meaningful connections with parents and community members to support student learning…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir34: What's Fun Got to Do With It?
Kids like to have fun. Grown-ups like to have fun. We all like to have fun. And it turns out, we often learn better when we're having fun. In the episode, we…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir33: The Hardest Part About Teaching
I tried everything under the sun to connect with this student. I gave up my lunch hours to work with him on assignments. I let him come in before school and…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir32: From Problems to Projects
Coming up with engaging project and unit ideas takes a little creativity, but it's worth it to give students authentic and purposeful learning experiences…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir31: Teaching How to Give and Receive Critical Feedback
Giving critical feedback can be a very difficult task for anyone, especially students who are working with their peers. It is the job of the teacher to model…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir30: What's the Point of Grades?
Are grades meant to reflect how much a student has learned; a snapshot of their knowledge and skills at a specific moment in time? Or are they a measure of…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir29: Using Service Learning to Boost Student Engagement
What if the primary motivation for learning wasn't grades or pressure from parents or teachers? Research shows that when students are engaged in service…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir28: How to Get Your Students’ Attention (Without losing your cool)
Most teachers have been through this exact scenario: You try to start class with a line like, “Okay everyone, we’re going to get started.” And a couple…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir27: Developing the Ideal Graduate
When we see young people struggling in the workforce, or data that shows that the top reason people are fired from their jobs is because they don’t have soft…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir26: Why Artificial Technology Won't Cancel English Class
Last week some Artificial Intelligence technology called ChatGPT was introduced, and it’s got a lot of people freaking out. The Atlantic had a headline that…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir25: Wisdom From a 50-Year Teacher
This might be my favorite episode yet. I sat down with Dr. Sheri Steelman, a teacher of 50 years, published author, inspiring human, AND my mentor teacher…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir24: Teaching Students How to Ask Good Questions
Asking questions is an essential skill. It's how we express our curiosity, solve problems, engage in public discourse, and gain deeper understanding of what we…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir23: Ditching Teaching Practices That Don't Work
Educators are so often given new ideas and strategies to get better at what we do, but we don’t have space for them. There’s got to be room to grow, and…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir22: When Learning is Fun
What might come across as chaos might actually be a carefully planned and executed project, one that is fun on purpose. When learning is fun, it is likely…
The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir21: Let's Talk About Boredom and Cell Phones in Classrooms
Our culture has a problem with boredom, and yet boredom is the birthplace of creativity. It's where the best ideas come from, solutions to problems, and the…