Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
@mrfishersays.bsky.social
HS German and Spanish Teacher / Blog at MrFisherSays.com / Co-host of SLAyyy at https://slayyypod.com / NEA Foundation Teacher of Excellence 2024 / PNCFL Teacher of the Year 2023 / WAFLT Teacher of the Year 2022 / he/him
I was just talking to my student teacher about how there's no pressure for us to be entertainers, or be funny. Kids are so funny if you listen to them. Like we were talking about tourist attractions and a kid said "the Space Noodle!" and like. Everytime I think about it I chuckle.
January 21, 2026 at 4:58 PM
I was just talking to my student teacher about how there's no pressure for us to be entertainers, or be funny. Kids are so funny if you listen to them. Like we were talking about tourist attractions and a kid said "the Space Noodle!" and like. Everytime I think about it I chuckle.
This episode was great - loved having Jon to talk! (He is an expert in so much more than just classroom management!)
We're back with our 4th season/semester! In this episode, we talked to Jon Cowart about a strategy he LOVES, and I think he convinced both of us of its importance and utility: Total Physical Response (TPR)!
rss.com/podcasts/sla...
rss.com/podcasts/sla...
Ep. 31 SLAyyy Total Physical Response with Jon Cowart | Podcast Episode on RSS.com
Artists:Ben Fisher-Rodriguez, Bill LangleyMain PointsSLAyyy: Second Language Acquisition for Everyone WebsiteGaslightWhere’s the consistency?How to Deal with Reluctant or Resistant StudentsHesitate! ...
rss.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:04 PM
This episode was great - loved having Jon to talk! (He is an expert in so much more than just classroom management!)
Having a hard time conjuring up little tweets to share here because the state of the world is so hard, but I did want to let y'all know that I fixed the copy machine thrice this week, to the raucous applause of myself
January 9, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Having a hard time conjuring up little tweets to share here because the state of the world is so hard, but I did want to let y'all know that I fixed the copy machine thrice this week, to the raucous applause of myself
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
2025 learning + 2026 reminder for teachers/educators:
We need to tell the good stories, too, about what is happening in our classrooms and schools. To tell them frequently and loudly and meaningfully.
(Because we know no one else is going to at this point.)
We need to tell the good stories, too, about what is happening in our classrooms and schools. To tell them frequently and loudly and meaningfully.
(Because we know no one else is going to at this point.)
December 31, 2025 at 2:31 PM
2025 learning + 2026 reminder for teachers/educators:
We need to tell the good stories, too, about what is happening in our classrooms and schools. To tell them frequently and loudly and meaningfully.
(Because we know no one else is going to at this point.)
We need to tell the good stories, too, about what is happening in our classrooms and schools. To tell them frequently and loudly and meaningfully.
(Because we know no one else is going to at this point.)
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
Respecting people’s pronouns literally saves lies.
Misgendering people is literally killing them.
Misgendering people is literally killing them.
Student Success | New Research Finds Pronoun Respect Linked to Lower Youth Suicide Risk
A survey by The Trevor Project shows that trans and nonbinary youth who feel their pronouns are respected are far less likely to report a suicide attempt. https://bit.ly/4sfwlV5
#EDUSky #HigherEd #AcademicSky
A survey by The Trevor Project shows that trans and nonbinary youth who feel their pronouns are respected are far less likely to report a suicide attempt. https://bit.ly/4sfwlV5
#EDUSky #HigherEd #AcademicSky
December 16, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Respecting people’s pronouns literally saves lies.
Misgendering people is literally killing them.
Misgendering people is literally killing them.
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
As a person who has been studying extreme far right ideologies for the last decade (and did a PhD on immigration) I find the entrance of “remigration” into the mainstream American political lexicon so profoundly disturbing
December 16, 2025 at 1:03 PM
As a person who has been studying extreme far right ideologies for the last decade (and did a PhD on immigration) I find the entrance of “remigration” into the mainstream American political lexicon so profoundly disturbing
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
It really can be this easy btw.
December 15, 2025 at 12:17 PM
It really can be this easy btw.
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
If you’ve never thought about whether you’d use your body in an attempt to protect children who aren’t yours,
now’s a good time to stop talking and listen.
now’s a good time to stop talking and listen.
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 AM
If you’ve never thought about whether you’d use your body in an attempt to protect children who aren’t yours,
now’s a good time to stop talking and listen.
now’s a good time to stop talking and listen.
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
December 15, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
Two victims of previous school shootings — Mia Tretta, who was shot in the stomach in 2019 at Saugus High School, and Zoe Weissman, who survived the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — are now at Brown. Gun violence is out of control in this country.
December 14, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Two victims of previous school shootings — Mia Tretta, who was shot in the stomach in 2019 at Saugus High School, and Zoe Weissman, who survived the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — are now at Brown. Gun violence is out of control in this country.
Sky as I left my classroom yesterday afternoon 🤩
December 13, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Sky as I left my classroom yesterday afternoon 🤩
Just 6 school days left - last day on December 19th before we head into Winter Break - and brains are melting. We did a dictation in my level 2 classes today, and it was just the ticket: focused, quiet, hands-on work. Kids noticed good stuff about spelling and punctuation that I take for granted!
December 12, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Just 6 school days left - last day on December 19th before we head into Winter Break - and brains are melting. We did a dictation in my level 2 classes today, and it was just the ticket: focused, quiet, hands-on work. Kids noticed good stuff about spelling and punctuation that I take for granted!
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
a brief story from today in the classroom:
December 11, 2025 at 1:16 AM
a brief story from today in the classroom:
Received an email from a colleague’s student that, given the podcast and my online presence generally, made me LOL
December 10, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Received an email from a colleague’s student that, given the podcast and my online presence generally, made me LOL
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
“Reading became a means to a standardized (and fundable) end, not the magical mana that makes us more fully human.”
When you read something on Monday and realize it’s going to be the best thing you read all week.
adrianneibauer.substack.com/p/the-sancti...
When you read something on Monday and realize it’s going to be the best thing you read all week.
adrianneibauer.substack.com/p/the-sancti...
The Sanctity of Literacy
Reading is a magical, communal experience
adrianneibauer.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:02 PM
“Reading became a means to a standardized (and fundable) end, not the magical mana that makes us more fully human.”
When you read something on Monday and realize it’s going to be the best thing you read all week.
adrianneibauer.substack.com/p/the-sancti...
When you read something on Monday and realize it’s going to be the best thing you read all week.
adrianneibauer.substack.com/p/the-sancti...
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
"Partner A is the person who can twiddle their thumbs fastest without the thumbs contacting each other. GO!"
"Partner A is the person who can count backwards from 17 to 1 fastest. GO!"
"Partner A is the person who can guess closest to the square root of 6,767. GO!"
(You're welcome.)
"Partner A is the person who can count backwards from 17 to 1 fastest. GO!"
"Partner A is the person who can guess closest to the square root of 6,767. GO!"
(You're welcome.)
December 5, 2025 at 1:25 AM
"Partner A is the person who can twiddle their thumbs fastest without the thumbs contacting each other. GO!"
"Partner A is the person who can count backwards from 17 to 1 fastest. GO!"
"Partner A is the person who can guess closest to the square root of 6,767. GO!"
(You're welcome.)
"Partner A is the person who can count backwards from 17 to 1 fastest. GO!"
"Partner A is the person who can guess closest to the square root of 6,767. GO!"
(You're welcome.)
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
Annual story time! #EduSky
6 years ago, my friend Tom tweeted this. Because I’m a holiday LOVER who had a classroom tree and array of holiday assignments,
I paused and decided to poll my students to gauge their feelings.
+
6 years ago, my friend Tom tweeted this. Because I’m a holiday LOVER who had a classroom tree and array of holiday assignments,
I paused and decided to poll my students to gauge their feelings.
+
December 3, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Annual story time! #EduSky
6 years ago, my friend Tom tweeted this. Because I’m a holiday LOVER who had a classroom tree and array of holiday assignments,
I paused and decided to poll my students to gauge their feelings.
+
6 years ago, my friend Tom tweeted this. Because I’m a holiday LOVER who had a classroom tree and array of holiday assignments,
I paused and decided to poll my students to gauge their feelings.
+
It is such a blessing to be in community with teachers who share high-interest cultural materials so generously. Currently really enjoying the Wettbewerb der Weihnachtswerbung with my classes as a springboard to talk about how Christmas is celebrated in Germany.
casdk12.my.canva.site/weihnachtswe...
casdk12.my.canva.site/weihnachtswe...
Wettbewerb der Weihnachtswerbung Website
This is the official site of the Wettbewerb der Weihnachtswerbung (Battle of the German Christmas Commercials).
casdk12.my.canva.site
December 3, 2025 at 9:39 PM
It is such a blessing to be in community with teachers who share high-interest cultural materials so generously. Currently really enjoying the Wettbewerb der Weihnachtswerbung with my classes as a springboard to talk about how Christmas is celebrated in Germany.
casdk12.my.canva.site/weihnachtswe...
casdk12.my.canva.site/weihnachtswe...
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
In our final episode of the semester, we chat about what has worked, what hasn’t, and what we’ve learned so far this school year!
rss.com/podcasts/sla...
rss.com/podcasts/sla...
Ep. 30: SLAyyy First Semester Wrap-Up | Podcast Episode on RSS.com
GaslightThe Class That Just Won’t TalkPlanning and Grading Struggle BusAccountable ReadingExplicitly Talking About Why We Do What We DoGatekeep Book Study TakeawaysSynonym StackingPronunciation FunGir...
rss.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:15 PM
In our final episode of the semester, we chat about what has worked, what hasn’t, and what we’ve learned so far this school year!
rss.com/podcasts/sla...
rss.com/podcasts/sla...
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
These same people supposedly concerned about fairness in sports also celebrate the biological advantages of cis men like Michael Phelps as “the perfect swimmer’s body”
www.biography.com/athletes/mic...
www.biography.com/athletes/mic...
December 2, 2025 at 1:06 PM
These same people supposedly concerned about fairness in sports also celebrate the biological advantages of cis men like Michael Phelps as “the perfect swimmer’s body”
www.biography.com/athletes/mic...
www.biography.com/athletes/mic...
Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
It was delightful to meet listeners at #ACTFL25! We'll have a semester wrap up episode next week that doesn't touch on ACTFL (we had to record it early, holidays, ya know), and then we'll be looking forward to new episodes in the new year.
What topics would you like to learn more about and discuss?
What topics would you like to learn more about and discuss?
November 25, 2025 at 12:12 AM
It was delightful to meet listeners at #ACTFL25! We'll have a semester wrap up episode next week that doesn't touch on ACTFL (we had to record it early, holidays, ya know), and then we'll be looking forward to new episodes in the new year.
What topics would you like to learn more about and discuss?
What topics would you like to learn more about and discuss?
It often feels like our podcasts are in conversation with one another, enriching the conversation - what a pleasure to see Reed and Diane at #ACTFL25!
Look! Our podcast buddies from “Conversations About Language Teaching”!
conversationsaboutlanguage.buzzsprout.com
conversationsaboutlanguage.buzzsprout.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:12 AM
It often feels like our podcasts are in conversation with one another, enriching the conversation - what a pleasure to see Reed and Diane at #ACTFL25!