Episodes

  • 28. Teaching the TikTok Generation: Bite-Sized Note Taking That Actually Works
    Oct 20 2025

    Episode 28 of The Art of Teaching Business podcast!

    In this episode, I share my approach to note taking has evolved over the years and why I no longer ask students to write while I’m teaching. I introduce the Snip Note System—small, visual graphic organizers that help students listen first, then record what matters in a meaningful and memorable way. If you're looking for a more student-centered, brain-friendly way to support retention and engagement, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on how note taking can become a true learning tool rather than a classroom interruption.


    Here is the Snip Notes YouTube video mentioned in the podcast.


    Resources mentioned in (or related to) this podcast:

    Accounting Snip Notes™

    Personal Finance Snip Notes™

    Career Class Snip Notes™

    Business Essential Snip Notes™

    Business Law Snip Notes™

    Marketing Class Snip Notes™

    Business Plan Snip Notes™


    If you liked this episode, throw me a like and leave a comment!

    Visit my website at ⁠http://www.business-ed.com⁠.

    THANKS FOR LISTENING!

    -Denise Leigh


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    15 mins
  • 27. 5 Creative Ways to Motivate Unmotivated Students (That Actually Work)
    Sep 24 2025

    Episode 27 of The Art of Teaching Business podcast!

    In this episode, I share my experiences and practical strategies for motivating unmotivated students in the classroom. I outline five key approaches: triggering curiosity (through storytelling and Google Earth), using pop culture, gamifying lessons, incorporating props and hands-on activities, and letting students help create class mission, vision, and code of ethics. I also share some heartfelt stories of former students to remind teachers that sometimes, true impact emerges long after students leave the classroom.

    Resources mentioned in (or related to) this podcast:

    1️⃣⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Taylor Swift Marketing Lessons

    2️⃣⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Pumpkin Spice Seasonal Marketing Class & Economics Case Study Activity Lesson

    3️⃣ ⁠Google Earth - Computer Applications

    4️⃣ Personal Finance Quest Fun Learning Activity

    5️⃣ Business Quest Activity

    6️⃣ ⁠'Map Your Taxes' - Personal Finance Class Lesson

    7️⃣⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Business Ethics Unit


    If you liked this episode, throw me a like and leave a comment!

    Visit my website at ⁠http://www.business-ed.com⁠.

    THANKS FOR LISTENING!

    -Denise Leigh


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    35 mins
  • 26. How Project-Based Learning Is Transforming Business Education
    Sep 5 2025

    Welcome to Season 4 - Episode 26 of The Art of Teaching Business podcast! In this exciting episode, I have my first guest ever! I interview Norman, a veteran business educator with over 35 years of experience at Keene High School's Cheshire Career Center in Keene, New Hampshire. Discover how Norman transformed Business classes and skyrocketed enrollment by implementing the City Collaborative™—a hands-on, immersive, project-based learning approach to teaching business concepts. Norman shares his journey, classroom strategies, and real stories of student engagement, collaboration, and creativity, especially after the challenges of remote learning and COVID-19.

    Resource mentioned in the podcast:

    1️⃣⁠ ⁠⁠City Collaborative™ Business Education Project


    If you liked this episode, throw me a like and leave a comment!

    Visit my blog at http://www.business-ed.com.

    THANKS FOR LISTENING!

    -Denise Leigh


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    30 mins
  • 25: Teacher Appreciation in May: Finding Grace Amid End-of-Year Burnout
    May 7 2025

    Welcome to Season 3, the 25th episode of 'The Art ofTeaching Business' Podcast, where we explore the world of teaching business education classes. I'm your host, Denise Leigh, a veteran business education teacher with 28 years in the classroom.

    In Episode 25 of The Art of Teaching Business Podcast, I get real about what May feels like for teachers—the chaos, the burnout, and the overlooked need for true appreciation. I share stories about my own experiences with Teacher Appreciation Week (or lack thereof!), creative end-of-year projects, and why it’s so important to give ourselves grace. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone! Tune in as I reflect on the importance of self-care, celebrate the impact we make, and remind you to enjoy the journey—even in the wildest month of the school year.


    My TpT Store is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Education with Denise Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    My blog is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.business-ed.com⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Subscribe to my ⁠⁠podcast to be notified when new episodes drop!

    If you like this episode, please throw me a like and leave areview!

    Thanks for listening!

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    14 mins
  • 24: Why I Ditched the Year-End Test
    Apr 23 2025

    Welcome to Season 3, the 24th episode of 'The Art ofTeaching Business' Podcast, where we explore the world of teaching business education classes. I'm your host, Denise Leigh, a veteran business education teacher with 28 years in the classroom.

    In Episode 24 of The Art of Teaching Business Podcast, I dive into how I totally flipped my approach to end-of-year assessments. Back in the day, it was all about textbook tests, but now I’m all in on project-based learning and creative capstones—think food trucks, events, and hands-on business challenges. I’ll chat about why these projects actually boost student confidence and make learning stick, plus share some of my favorite ideas and tips. If you want to finish the school year strong and ditch boring tests, you’re in the right place!


    Resources mentioned in this podcast:

    1️⃣⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Food Truck Final Capstone Project for Entrepreneurship and Intro to Business class

    2️⃣⁠ Accounting Class Capstone Project

    3️⃣ Marketing Capstone Project

    4️⃣ Social Media Marketing Capstone Project

    5️⃣ Food Truck Project for Computer Applications Class

    6️⃣ Paper Airplane Final Assessment Project

    7️⃣⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Business Communications Course⁠⁠⁠

    My TpT Store is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Education with Denise Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    My blog is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.business-ed.com⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Subscribe to my ⁠⁠podcast to be notified whennew episodes drop!

    If you like this episode, please throw me a like and leave areview!

    Thanks for listening!

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    31 mins
  • 23: Enhancing Student Engagement: Teaching Active Listening in Your Classroom
    Feb 5 2025

    Welcome to Season 3, the 23rd episode of 'The Art of Teaching Business' Podcast, where we explore the world of teaching business education classes. I'm your host, Denise Leigh, a veteran business education teacher with 28 years in the classroom, a finalist for the 2022 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year award, and a nationally known speaker at business education conferences.


    In Episode 23 of The Art of Teaching Business Podcast, I discuss the importance of active listening as a secret weapon in the classroom. As a veteran teacher, I've discovered that many educators aren't teaching this crucial skill. I explained how I made active listening a fundamental part of my business communications course and shared its key components: maintaining eye contact, asking questions, reflecting on what we hear, being patient, and listening without judgment. I've found that emphasizing active listening transforms classroom culture and gives students a valuable life skill for their future careers. It's not just about hearing, but understanding and being fully present in conversations.


    Resources mentioned in this podcast:

    1️⃣⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Business Communications Course

    2️⃣ Active Listening Unit

    My TpT Store is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Education with Denise Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    My blog is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.business-ed.com⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Subscribe to my ⁠⁠podcast to be notified when new episodes drop!

    If you like this episode, please throw me a like and leave a review!

    Thanks for listening…hopefully actively! :-)

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    10 mins
  • 22: 5 Tips to Promote Your Business Education Program and Recruit New Students
    Jan 10 2025

    Welcome to Season 3, the 22nd episode of 'The Art of Teaching Business' Podcast, where we explore the world of teaching business education classes. I'm your host, Denise Leigh, a veteran business education teacher with 28 years in the classroom and a finalist for the 2022 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year award.

    In Episode 22 of The Art of Teaching Business Podcast, host Denise Leigh delves into effective strategies for promoting business education programs during the peak scheduling season in January and February. Denise shares five actionable tips, from creating eye-catching displays at elective fairs to utilizing bulletin boards and project-based learning to showcase student work. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other departments and the value of student engagement. Packed with practical advice and personal anecdotes, this episode offers valuable insights for educators looking to attract more students to their business classes. Tune in for expert tips on fostering classroom community and ensuring job security.

    Timestamped Overview:

    00:00 Budgeting time crucial for program promotion.

    04:37 Preparing for January program with student volunteers.

    07:16 Engage 8th graders: fun teacher, food projects.

    13:19 Engaging bulletin boards inspire student interaction.

    17:12 Artifacts displayed engage students in city projects.

    20:06 Collaborations attract students, promote program interest.

    22:11 Promote business education for student success.


    Resources mentioned in this podcast:

    1️⃣⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Ticket to Success Bulletin Board

    2️⃣ ⁠⁠Bulletin Boards and Classroom Décor Category

    3️⃣ ⁠⁠City Collaborative™ Business Education Project - Revolutionary Entrepreneurship Project-Based Learning (PBL) Activity


    My TpT Store is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Education with Denise Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    My blog is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.business-ed.com⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Subscribe to my ⁠⁠podcast to be notified when new episodes drop!

    If you liked this episode, throw me a like and leave a review!

    Thanks for listening!

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    23 mins
  • 21: Instructional Strategies for Teaching Computer Applications
    Jan 2 2025
    Welcome to Season 3, the 21st episode of 'The Art of Teaching Business' Podcast, where we explore the world of teaching business education classes. I'm your host, Denise Leigh, a veteran business education teacher with 28 years in the classroom and a finalist for the 2022 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year award. This podcast is the final podcast of a 3-part series about instructional strategies for your Computer Applications class. Show rundown and timestamps: Instructional Strategies Overview [00:00:49] Discussion of instructional strategies and techniques for teaching computer applications. Introduction of the main focus: guided instruction, application, technology playground, brain breaks. Guided Instruction [00:01:39] Definition and importance of guided instruction. Classroom setup and management techniques. Examples of guided instruction for teaching new concepts like spreadsheets. Application [00:07:24] Explanation of application as an instructional strategy. Importance of setting clear expectations and deadlines. Examples of application tasks like formatting in MS Word or Google Slides. Technology Playground [00:09:24] Importance of giving students time to explore and play with technology. Examples include Google Earth activities and creative assignments. Recommended frequency and timing for technology playground sessions. Brain Breaks [00:13:37] Description of brain breaks to provide creative opportunities. Examples of engaging activities like Google Earth scavenger hunts and creating digital kiosks. Importance of switching instructional strategies to keep students engaged. Google Sites Project [00:21:48] Detailed explanation of a Google Sites project as an example of mixing strategies. Guided instruction for interface familiarization. Application tasks with daily expectations and creativity. Final Thoughts and Teaching Philosophy [00:24:58] Emphasis on the importance of varying instructional strategies. Encouragement to make lessons engaging and avoid predictability. Conclusion. Resources mentioned in this podcast: 1️⃣⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Google Sites 2️⃣ ⁠Keyboarding/Typing Fun Files Bundle3️⃣ ⁠Computer Applications - Google Full Course Bundle⁠ 4️⃣ ⁠Microsoft Applications Course Bundle 5️⃣ Hot Cocoa Stand - Google Slides 6️⃣ Holiday Living Room - Google Slides Here is a link to the entire ⁠Computer Applications Lessons⁠ category in my store. My TpT Store is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Education with Denise Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. My blog is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.business-ed.com⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to my ⁠⁠podcast to be notified when new episodes drop! If you liked this episode, throw me a like and leave a review! Thanks for listening!
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    26 mins