Welcome to Teach Different
Create a Lasting Impact, One Conversation at a Time.
The Teach Different Framework opens up opportunities for you to unlock the power of impactful conversations in your classroom. Learn how to take your current classroom plans and create engaging conversations with your students.
Picture this: your students asking questions, showing respect and experiencing transformative learning moments. Teach Different helps you build a routine that gets students thinking critically and talking about things that matter. You’ll wish your principal came in more often.
Join our exclusive online Community of Practice to revolutionize your classroom and provide your students with topics which help to facilitate engaging, daily conversations.
Meet your Education Experts: Dan & Steve Fouts
With over 50 years of combined teaching experience, Dan & Dr. Steve Fouts co-founded Teach Different with one thing in mind - provide classroom leaders with a framework to easily spark and create engaging conversations with their students. Both of these brothers bring a different perspective to the framework that keeps it relatable and easy to implement into any lesson plan.
Dan Fouts: With 31 years as a high school social studies teacher, Dan not only shapes classrooms but also serves on the national academic advisory board of PLATO - The Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization. He has presented extensively at the state and national level on questioning and conversation techniques since 2002.
Dr. Steve Fouts: A 20-year veteran educator from Chicago, Steve brings teaching experience from middle, high school and undergraduate level in social studies, philosophy, mathematics. Dr. Fouts received his doctorate in Higher Education and Organizational Change at Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois in 2010 and has published several op-ed pieces on social and educational issues in the Chicago Sun Times and the Chicago Tribune.
Why Choose the Teach Different Framework?
Make Unforgettable Conversations Routine with the Teach Different Framework (TDF)
1. Engage Students: Bring your lessons to life by sparking impactful conversations, encouraging students to discuss meaningful topics in an engaging way.
2. Navigate Safe Discussions: Access weekly, ready-made lesson plans for responsive and equitable discussions on thought provoking and engaging topics.
3. Master a Valuable Skill: Make great conversations a classroom routine with a simple, step by step adaptable method.
4. Empower Your Class: Transform your teaching style from traditional to transformative. Inspire and empower your students to take an active role in their own learning journey, fostering a sense of ownership and enthusiasm for knowledge.
5. Save Time: Streamline lesson preparation, maximizing the value of discussions within your existing curriculum plan.
6. Connect with a Global Network: Join a dynamic and unique community of educators to collaborate, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights together.
7. Influence Minds and Shape Your Future: Acquire the most important skill needed to develop and lead other teachers, how to effortlessly adapt teaching strategies to engage students.
8. Attend Live Events: Free tickets to monthly events hosted by education experts.
Join Us!
Is the Teach Different Framework right for you?
Our approach works for teachers who are:
Looking for a routine to deepen engagement with their students
New to teaching and eager to make an immediate impact
Seeking something simple and powerful that aligns with their District’s priorities (SEL, Culturally Responsive Instruction, Equity, Critical Thinking, Inquiry and more…)
Already serving or aspiring to transition into a leadership role
Exploring ways to master their craft and grow their career
Retired and looking for ways to extend their impact with youth
Premium Membership Features:
Weekly Conversation Topics with ready-made lesson plans
Classroom tested ideas to blend conversation topics with any social studies, ELA or humanities lesson
Live monthly conversation podcast hosted by Steve and Dan
Live Monthly Professional Development Trainings
Opportunities to earn extra income to help others master the art and science of conversations as a TDF Certified Trainer
Monthly “Ask Anything” sessions with Steve & Dan to get answers to your specific questions and guidance where you need it.
