How Do You Get Teenagers Excited to Write? with Stephanie Clinise

Ninth graders asking to write? Tisha and Rick press play with Stephanie Clinise, a ninth grade English teacher in Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania community lead for We Will Write, whose students keep asking, "Are we playing that writing game again this week?" Stephanie shares how she gets teenagers past the fear of being wrong (because, as she puts it, writing is "just screaming into the abyss") and how timed visual prompts, Fun Day Fridays, and hearing their own words read aloud turn writing into something students actually look forward to. The conversation covers why building a routine is the lightest lift for classroom community, how she accommodates different learners when spelling isn't the point, why audiobooks, graphic novels and manga all count as reading, and why showing up authentically is where it all starts. Plus: Tisha's ADHD tips for getting going in the morning, a pants-versus-trousers detour, and a Juice Box Confessional full of first Gmail addresses, No Doubt and the Backstreet Boys. Playful, practical, and a reminder that school doesn't have to be boring, for students or teachers. 00:00 Navigating Productivity and ADHD Challenges 03:00 The Miracle Morning: A New Approach to Daily Routines 06:04 Introducing Stephanie Clinise: A Creative Voice in Education 08:59 The Language of Learning: Bridging Cultural Gaps 12:01 Engaging Ninth Graders: The Art of Writing 14:57 Gamifying Writing: Making Learning Fun and Interactive 21:30 The Power of Student Writing 23:09 Engaging Students with Technology 23:58 Understanding Neurodivergent Learning 27:00 Building Community in the Classroom 29:54 Creating a Supportive Learning Environment 35:02 Accommodating Diverse Learning Needs 39:07 The Importance of Authenticity in Teaching 44:00 Fun and Creativity in Education 49:05 The Impact of Teachers on Creativity 52:58 Neurodivergence and Personal Connections 55:16 Nostalgia and Early Email Experiences 59:57 Teenage Anthems and Identity 1:06:31 The Blessing of No Social Media in Youth 1:08:40 Connecting with the Community About Stephanie Clinise Stephanie is a high school English teacher with over a decade of experience designing engaging, student-centered learning approaches that blend literacy, technology, and purposeful instructional practices. She is passionate about helping educators create classrooms where curiosity, critical thinking, and authentic learning take precedence over compliance and completion. Follow Stephanie Clinise on: TikTok:   / mrsclinise   Instagram:   / mrsclinise   YouTube:    / @mrsclinise   LinkedIn:   / stephanie-clinise   Website: https://mrsclinise.com Join the newsletter: https://played3.com/?newsletter=1 📢 Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform: Spotify | Apple Podcast | Amazon Music | YouTube 📱Follow Play Ed3 Podcast on: Instagram:   / played3podcast   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/played3podcast YouTube:    / @played3podcast   🙋‍♀️Follow Tisha on: Instagram:   / tishaponcio   X (Twitter): https://x.com/tishaponcio TikTok:   / tishaponcio   🙋‍♂️Follow Rick on: Instagram:   / rickbutterworth   X (Twitter): https://x.com/r1ck11 TikTok:   / rickbutterworth   Want to be a guest?: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA... 🧠 Let's learn, grow and play together