Is Friday the 13th really a harbinger of doom? Let’s dive into this and remember the lessons of the past by talking about winning the War. Plus, who’s going to win at the Academy Awards this weekend.
Watch now and discover: → Today marks six years since the world changed with the pandemic → Friday the 13th symbolizes the unpredictability of life → Rich recalls one of the most challenging days of his teaching career → The uncertainty during wartime can affect individuals and economies → Academy Awards finally acknowledge casting directors in shaping the film industry.
Rich Tola shares insights on health, humor, and human oddities, highlighting the importance of challenging bright students and understanding fascinating body facts.
Watch now and discover: → The importance of challenging bright students like Rose. → Why we need 2 teachers in every Public School class. → The role of education and leadership in student development. → ‘Interesting facts about the human body and health. → Top 10 oddities of the human body that you may not know.
In this engaging conversation, Rich Tola discusses various topics including the significance of Presidents’ Day, the remarkable educational reforms in Mississippi that have led to rising literacy rates, and intriguing facts about the human body. He emphasizes the importance of personal health and wellness, while also encouraging listeners to connect with others and understand different perspectives. The conversation concludes with key takeaways that reinforce the importance of self-care and interpersonal relationships.
Watch now and discover: → Mississippi has made impressive strides in education reform. → Literacy rates in Mississippi have risen significantly over the years. → Phonics and early intervention are key to improving literacy. → Respect your ABCs: workout, sleep, and diet are essential. → Understanding different viewpoints is crucial for personal growth.
In this episode of Tola Talks, metaphorically speaking and with the utmost compassion, Rich Tola gives his Top 10 Reasons why we’re going To Hell in a Hand Basket. From World Peace to American Peace – or lack thereof – Tola touches upon obesity rates, reading and math proficiency scores of today’s tweens and teens, the U.S. Federal budget deficit reaching astronomical levels, the cost of living in the U.S. of more than $6500 per household, as well as the recent Gallup poll with Ethics rating of U.S. professions at record lows. Rich also gives a Movie Review of the new blockbuster by James Cameron, Avatar: Fire and Ash. He also recounts personal tragedies plus his beliefs on how immigrants today can and should become U.S. citizens.
Watch now and discover: → World Peace and American Peace has been a challenge for all earth’s citizens. → The average of a new hire in the United States is 42 years old. → The latest Gallup poll says Ethics ratings for U.S. professionals are at record lows. → Movie review of the new James Cameron blockbuster, Avatar: Fire and Ash → Why immigrants have made the U.S. should become citizens after 5 years.
In this conversation, Rich Tola discusses the importance of setting resolutions for the new year, focusing on health, fitness, and family. He shares his personal resolutions, emphasizes the significance of supportive family structures, and highlights the role of love in education. Tola also provides life lessons and insights on personal growth, encouraging listeners to embrace their uniqueness and strive for improvement.
Watch now and discover: → Start the year with clear resolutions and focus on health: eat better, sleep well, workout daily. → Family stability leads to happier homes and healthier lives. → Teaching requires love and support for effective learning. → Embrace failures as learning opportunities. → Personal growth involves being true to oneself, and always make sure to be kind, curious, and courageous in life.
In this conversation, Rich Tola reflects on the past year, discusses the importance of reading and education, and shares insights on upcoming movies for 2026. He emphasizes the warrior mindset and life lessons drawn from films like ‘Peaceful Warrior’ and ‘Lost in Translation’, as well as gives his review of the new Timothee Chalamet film, ‘Marty Supreme’. Tola also encourages listeners to make good choices as they enter the new year.
Watch now and discover: → It’s time to refocus, recenter and wipe the slate clean for the New Year. → Reading books is crucial for child development – children with access to books complete 3 more years education than those who don’t (have access to books). → The warrior mindset is about peaceful positivity and accountability for your actions. → Make good choices and make it about the journey, not the destination → Movies can provide valuable life lessons, while 2026 is set to be a great year for movies!
🎧 Subscribe for more inspiring conversations:→ @tolatalks
On today’s Tola Talks, Rich gives shout-outs to his new subscribers and viewers plus his two favorite women’s volleyball teams: Nebraska Cornhuskers and Purdue Boliermakers…and hopes they meet in the NCAA championship final on December 21st. He also shares his insights on various topics including Marjorie Taylor Greene and reasons why she’s NOT running for the Presidency, political commentary, America’s troubled education system, plus trivia about the Top 10 Intelligent Animals second to humans.
The conversation begins with the shoutouts and transitions into Marjorie Taylor Greene with a discussion about the need for term limits in politics. Rich also emphasizes the challenges faced by America’s educational system, particularly regarding declining teacher salaries and unfavorable student learning outcomes, e.g., low Math & Reading scores. This episode also explores the intelligence of various animals, highlighting their unique abilities. Finally, Rich shares some fitness motivation plus his upcoming content for listeners.
Watch now and discover: → The Nebraska Women’s volleyball team is predicted to win the national championship. → Term limits for politicians could bring fresh ideas and accountability. → America’s education system is facing significant challenges with stagnant teacher salaries. → Dolphins are considered one of the most intelligent animals, while Pigs have cognitive abilities comparable to a four-year-old child. → Rats exhibit empathy and problem-solving skills, Orcas are super clever and have complex social structures, and Ants demonstrate remarkable collective intelligence.
On today’s Tola Talks, Rich interviews best selling author, teacher and Founder of Smart Classroom Management, Michael Linsin. The conversation delves into the challenges teachers face in managing classroom behavior, emphasizing the need for a cohesive approach to classroom management strategies. It also highlights how disparate methods can lead to confusion and exacerbate misbehavior, advocating for a unified methodology for effective teaching. Most importantly is for teachers with bad apple students experiencing challenging – and sometimes overwhelming – classrooms, to not despair: knowledge is the key.
So get informed and create your Dream class today!
Watch now and discover: → Why teachers often struggle with bad classroom behaviors and how to change them. → Understanding student behavior is the key to effective classroom management. → Effective classroom management requires consistency in strategies. → Misbehavior can worsen with conflicting approaches to classroom management. → Professional development – and knowledge – can support teachers in this area.
Hey everyone! If you’re concerned about everything that’s wrong with our inner-city public schools – as you should be – then check-out my latest book, The Sub: Tales of an Inner-City Teacher. (click to view on Amazon)
Based upon my real life experiences as a K-12 substitute teacher, The Sub gives you an outsider’s view inside America’s troubled educational system.
An historical fiction novel that’s based upon true encounters, The Sub shines a much-needed light on the challenges facing our beleaguered (and burnt out) inner-city educators. There’s everything from lockdowns and school shootings, to Autistic children with a penchant for changing lives, to fighting 5th graders and discourteous kids dropping F-bombs, to Middle School girls with their own school-specific gang. Not to mention a sweet and sexy romance that’s fit for a Hallmark movie! Most of all, is our insightful protagonist’s (Eddie Cruz) ability to address all the brokenness with concrete solutions to fix them.
A must read for all High School students and K-12 educators everywhere!
Excited to announce the Chinese edition of my new motivational book, How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth: 30 Steps to Everlasting Youth, is now available in eBook format in modern-day Mandarin. Email us for more information: info@richtola.com
Have an awesome day everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R
How to Drink from the Fountain of Youth: 30 Steps to Everlasting Youth
