As we wrap up another incredible year together, Ana revisits her Season 1 conversation with the director of STEM Initiatives at Amplify, Fawn Nguyen. Ana is joined by Classroom Insider Eric Cross to pull out some brand-new takeaways and actionable tips that educators can use right away to create a classroom environment that sets students up for success. They also look ahead and give a sneak peek of what's coming up on Beyond My Years in 2026. Before the episode's end, Fawn gives new advice for avoiding burn out in the second half of the school year by "doing less, but doing it better."

Show notes:

• Connect with Fawn Nguyen: https://fawnnguyen.substack.com/ 
• Subscribe to Beyond My Years https://amplify.com/beyond-my-years
• Follow us on Instagram @amplify.education 
• Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/ 
• Connect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/

Quotes:

“In my next lifetime, I would still teach, I would go back to teaching. That's how much I love it.” —Fawn Nguyen

"If I could give one piece of advice to young teachers, it would be to hold high expectations of their students." —Fawn Nguyen

"We can have high expectations of [students] and still be very compassionate and be their biggest cheerleaders." —Fawn Nguyen

“It has to be an exchange. We can't be just receiving, asking kids to be [themselves], and yet we ourselves are not.” —Fawn Nguyen

"One of the things I always believed as an educator was when we make children believe they can, they do." —Ana Torres

"Be willing to change your practice even when it challenges tradition." —Eric Cross