It's time to hear the top episode of 2025, and it’s easy to see why this was a crowd favorite! I’m joined by high school chemistry and physics teacher Amanda Farrar, who shares her system for parent communication. She uses an intentional, data-driven approach that builds trust, lowers stress, and keeps the focus on student growth. From practical email scripts and real classroom stories to handling tough parent moments and using AI to save time, this episode is full of ideas you can try right away to make parent communication a whole lot easier!

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode215

Resources Mentioned:

• Take the 2026 SSS Podcast Survey!
• Be a guest in 2026 on the SSS podcast.
• Secondary Science Simplified virtual PD course
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
• Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.

Related Episodes and Blog Posts:

• Episode 70, It Isn’t an Attack on You: Dealing with Difficult Parents with Guest Zach Matson
• Episode 90, Classroom Management Philosophy for Secondary Science Teachers
• Episode 91, My Top 5 Classroom Management Routines and Procedures for High School Science Teachers
• Episode 93, Simple Strategies for Classroom Management

Our second most-listened-to episode of 2025 dives into inquiry-based teaching and why it’s essential, even when students push back. I break inquiry down into practical, classroom-ready strategies, explain why students struggle if they’ve only experienced passive “sit and get” learning, and share ways to make inquiry part of your classroom culture. Plus, I give my thoughts on the 5E model, three simple steps to get started immediately, and a big THANK YOU for being part of this community as we head into a new year!

Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode214

Resources Mentioned:

• 2026 SSS Podcast Survey
• Be a guest in 2026 on the SSS podcast!
• INRS First Biology Unit
• INRS First Anatomy Unit
• INRS First Chemistry Unit
• INRS First Physical Science Unit
• ALL INRS Complete Units
• FREE: What is Life? Inquiry Activity
• Where to find POGILs
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
• Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.

Related Episodes and Blog Posts:

• Episode 47, 2 Ways That Learning Happens and How to Create a Classroom Culture That Fosters It
• Episode 64, How to Re-Engage Apathetic Students (And Manage Your Own Apathy!)
• Episode 123, What to Do When You Care More Than Your Students Do
• Episode 141, First Day of School Tips + What I Cover in My First Units of the Year
• Episode 145, How to Build Resilience in Students Post-Pandemic
• Episode 155, How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science Classroom

As we continue our end-of-year countdown, week three highlights one of 2025’s top episodes featuring Tiffany of AP Bio Penguins, an AP Biology teacher with 13 years of experience and a passion for creating free, high-impact review resources. In this conversation, Tiffany shares how her popular account began, her commitment to equity and access in AP prep, and practical strategies for simplifying labs, FRQs, grading, and student motivation. From managing double-block content to keeping assignments authentic in the age of AI, she offers encouraging tips for teachers feeling stretched thin!

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode213

Resources Mentioned:

• Take the 2026 SSS Podcast Survey
• Be a guest in 2026 on the SSS podcast!
• AP Bio Penguins
• 396 Page Review Guide
• AP Bio CED
• AP Bio Penguins Instagram
• AP Bio Penguins YouTube
• Become an AP Reader
• AP Review Notebook
• Blank Files for Review Notebook
• National AP Bio FB Group
• BioInteractive
• Learn.Genetics
• Never Work Harder Than Your Students and Other Principles of Great Teaching, by Robyn R. Jackson
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
• Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.

Related Episodes:

• Episode 125, Teaching AP Biology with Guest Beth Hines
• Episode 98, 5 Tips for Teaching Biochemical Reactions in Your Biology Class
• Episode 34, Teaching Biology – 4 Things NOT to Do
• Episode 15, Teaching Seniors, AP Biology, and MORE with Diana Price
• Mistakes Teachers Make When Teaching Biology