Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with educational leader Pablo Munoz to explore the heart of effective teaching and leadership. Pablo emphasizes that loving children is the foundation of successful teaching, sharing how genuine care and connection pave the way for impactful learning. He dives into what true educational leadership looks like—leading with purpose, integrity, and a deep belief in student potential. Throughout the conversation, Pablo reflects on how great teaching isn't just about strategy, but about showing up with compassion, commitment, and the drive to help every child thrive. Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned leader, this episode offers powerful reminders of why we teach and how love and leadership go hand-in-hand for lasting success. Quotables **All quotes are from the interviewee** "You really have to be intentional when you start moving up to get into schools." "Task predicts performance." "The most important part about a leader is that your actions actually match your written and spoken words." About Pablo Munoz Pablo Muñoz is the managing director of Muñoz & Company, an educational and leadership consulting organization. He is a leadership coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker with the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team; the author of The Leader's Algorithm; and the host and producer of Latino Leaders podcast. Pablo has 30 years of public education experience as a teacher and administrator, including 16 years as a superintendent of schools. He was recognized as the 2008 Union County School Superintendent of the Year by the Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce in New Jersey and named as one of the George Lucas Educational Foundation's 2008 Daring Dozen – a prestigious group of twelve educators “who are reshaping the future of education.” Pablo graduated from Yale University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and Ivy League pitching honors. A lifelong athlete and sports fan, he has coached baseball at all levels from little league to professional, having been a minor league pitching coach with the Chicago Cubs. After Yale, Pablo continued his education at Teachers College, Columbia University where he earned a Master of Arts in educational administration in 1996. Resources from this episode: https://www.themunozcompany.com/ linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1 https://www.themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm https://www.themunozcompany.com/latino-leaders-podcast Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join 

Let's celebrate together as Always a Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast turns 10! Tune in on this live recording in celebration of all things over the past ten years. Throughout the episode, Gretchen talks past and present about the experience, the fun, and the amazing educators she's been able to meet along the way. Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Step into the world of STEM when you listen to this weeks episode! Learn all about the benefits, different tips to take back to your own classroom, and how you can get involved yourself. Quotables ** All quotes are by the interviewee ** “A setback is when you learn from the mistake and you continue on.” “Find role models and mentors.” “We need to be more collaborative together as teaching teams.” About Nichole Austion Nichole Austion, MBA, has over 20 years of marketing success and has served as VP of public affairs for the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) since 2022. She leads government affairs, fostering relationships with federal and state entities. Nichole holds a B.S. in computer science and engineering from Howard University and an MBA from Texas McCombs (1995). An active member of the National Black MBA Association, she was named Innovator of the Year by the Women's Empowerment Ministry in 2024. A passionate STEM advocate, she published Miles and the Math Monsters in 2024, a children's book designed to make math fun and accessible. Resources from the Episode www.nms.org www.linkedin.com/in/nichole-austion/ www.nicholeaustionbooks.com/ National Math and Science Initiative website: nms.org Nichole's email: naustion@nms.org Nichole's author website: Nicholeaustionbooks.com Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: 

Often times teachers want to do what is comfortable for them, but what if the best way to help your students was to step out of your comfort zone and teach differently? Listen in as Robert Barnett tells his story about how he shifted his teaching style and stepped out of the norm for his students. Quotables ** All quotes are by the interviewee ** "Learning should feel good. Students should build self esteem to build confidence when they learn something new." "Every child deserves an excellent education no matter who they are or what their background is. " “The more I got away from this sort of one lesson at a time approach, the more I just appreciated the incredible diversity of talent, interest, and potential that students bring to class. ” About Robert Barnett Robert Barnett co-founded the Modern Classrooms Project, which has empowered 80,000+ educators in 180+ countries to meet every learner's needs. Before that he taught math, computer science, English, social studies, and law, from the middle-school to university levels, at public and private schools in the U.S. and abroad. He is the author of Meet Every Learner's Needs: Redesigning Instruction So All Learners Can Succeed and he hopes his children will learn in Modern Classrooms someday! Resources from this episode: 1.meeteverylearnersneeds.org 2. https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-s-barnett/ 3. book 4. Book giveaway : https://meln-form.paperform.co/?podcast=aal

Have you ever needed more clarity? Have you ever wondered what more clarity looked like in schools? Listen in as Casey Watts speaks on exactly that and gives insider tips on how to make your school successful in this practice. Quotables ** All quotes are by the interviewee ** "Show up for yourself the way you want to show up." "Pause, listen, question, and avoid making assumptions." "Clarity precedes capacity every single time." About Casey Watts Casey Watts has spent 20 years in education—teaching, coaching, and leading—watching talented educators get stuck in silos, overwhelmed by initiatives, and frustrated by collaboration that felt more like chaos than progress. She knows the real problem isn't a lack of effort or expertise. It's a lack of clarity. Through her Clarity Cycle Framework, Casey helps instructional leaders cut through the noise, align their teams, and turn collaboration into something that actually works. Because without clarity, even the best teams stay stuck. Now, as the founder of Casey Watts Coaching & Consulting, and host of The Catching Up with Casey Podcast, she's on a mission to help school leaders stop spinning their wheels and start leading with purpose. Whether speaking, coaching, or leading workshops, Casey equips leaders with the tools to create the kind of teams that don't just function—they thrive. Resources from this episode: https://www.catchingupwithcasey.com/ Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What

Peer collaboration in education is so important and can bring so much growth to you as a professional. Listen in to this weeks episode as Gretchen dives deep into how peer collaboration can be beneficial, rewarding, and valuable. Quotables "It really builds a culture of collaboration when you can go watch a peer and build them up. " "You don't know what someone can bring to the table, so don't assume. " “Peer collaboration is a give and take among peers.” Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send' Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL

Are you a mentor? Are you a beginning teacher? Listen in as Gretchen speaks on the importance of a successful mentor and mentee partnership. This partnership is highly important for beginning teachers as they navigate the profession. Throughout this episode, Gretchen shares a story and gives quality tips to help things run smoothly. Quotables "When we can name what makes something successful, we can repeat it. " "We want to grow the mindset and the skill set of educators." “Implement the feedback you're given. ” Resources from this Episode: Blog Posts: §  https://alwaysalesson.com/characteristics-of-an-effective-teacher-mentor/ §  https://alwaysalesson.com/5-mistakes-a-teacher-mentor-makes/ §  https://alwaysalesson.com/tips-for-making-the-most-out-of-teacher-mentorship/ §  https://alwaysalesson.com/the-power-of-mentorship/ §  https://alwaysalesson.com/fire-your-mentor-hire-your-idol/ § 

School partnerships between parents, teachers, and administration are so important. Listen in as Christina Hidek tells her story about leading the PTO in her district, and how it turned her passion of helping others into the work she does today. Quotables *All quotes are from the interviewee* "Happy teachers make for happy kids which makes happy parents." "It's a funny little thing when your passion lines up with what you can do to help others." "If it doesn't work one time, that's not an excuse to not try again." About Christina Hidek Christina Hidek is a recovering attorney turned Professional Organizer and certified PTO volunteer nerd. She founded PTO Answers 7 years ago to boost family engagement in schools and empower parents to improve their child's educational experience and school community through PTA/PTO involvement. She's been an active PTO leader for the past 14 years and hosts the vibrant 8000 plus member Super Star PTO Leaders Facebook Group. When she's not volunteering, you can find her in her garden, listening to the latest Katherine Center audiobook or walking the family dogs. Connect with Christina Hidek Website: https://ptoanswers.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptoanswers PTO Super Star Leaders Facebook Group: https://ptoanswers.com/community Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ptoanswers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ptoanswers Freebie: PTO Family Engagement Opportunity Assessment: https://ptoanswers.com/principal/ Join the...

Coaching can be seen differently depending on your school and district, but it doesn't haven't to be negative. By working side by side, the coach and the teacher can turn into a successful partnership where growth happens all around. Listen in as Gretchen explains different steps, tips, and tricks to make an instructional coaching partnership in your own school. Quotables "We create the vision with where we're wanting to go, so that all the behavior that follows matches that. " "The coaching partnership is a tremendous support tool when implemented as it is intended. " “The role of a coach is originally designed to support the growth of a teacher.” Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send' Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL

Have you ever wondered if something should be celebrated or not? Join in as Gretchen speaks about the importance of celebrations based on personal tangible performance, and tells personal stories from her own experiences. Quotables "We have to take that [best performance] into consideration and not just have a generic bar that everyone has to meet ." “That [best performance] looks different for everyone.” "We want to reward work ethic, but we also want to personalize what is considered best performance." Links from today's episode: Red Plate Link Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send' Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL

You never know when chaos will strike, but it's always good to have a system in place. Listen in as Gretchen talks about her experience with chaos during holiday break and how she is prepared and ready when it strikes again. Quotables: "Things are going to happen. Chaos is going to come and sometimes it's for the better." "Recalibrate often and assess needs." "When you don't overuse your connections, people will move mountains." Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send' Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL

Join Gretchen as she speaks about the Crisis Response in Education and what you can do to make it better. Throughout the episode, Gretchen gives you resources and tangible action steps to make your school more prepared in a crisis situation. Quotables "We can't just prepare for crisis itself. We have to prepare for what happens after the crisis." "You don't have to be a leader in the school to have a game plan and bring it to the table. " "Develop plans that are thorough enough to handle a lot of things." Resources 332: Clear Communication: Effective com w/ Ss and Ps 207: From Crisis to Calm https://alwaysalesson.com/episodes/207-from-crisis-to-calm/ Office for victims of crime: https://ovc.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh226/files/publications/bulletins/schoolcrisis/pg3.html Office for victims of crime 2:  https://www.schoolcrisiscenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/School-Crisis-Response-Initiative.pdf PBIS:   https://www.pbis.org/crisis-recovery NEA:   https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/2020-07/NEA%20School%20Crisis%20Guide%202018.pdf Office of State Superintendent of Education: https://osse.dc.gov/page/responding-school-crisis Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: 

Join us as we listen in to Miriam Plotinsky and all about her teaching perspective. Throughout this episode you will here how Miriam Plotinsky has used he knowledge in and out of the classroom in order to develop tips and tricks for teachers. Quotables *All quotes are from interviewee* " The collective expertise that we all share for whatever our advantage point is what can get us the result that we want if we just learned to embrace that." "If you hold yourself to this impossible standard you're never going to be able to last in teaching." "Anything you do with consistency will work you just have to keep doing it." All about Miriam Plotinsky Miriam Plotinsky is an instructional specialist with Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland and the author of several education books: Teach More, Hover Less: How to Stop Micromanaging Your Secondary Classroom, Lead Like a Teacher: How to Elevate Expertise in Your School and Writing Their Future Selves: Instructional Strategies to Affirm Student Identity (W.W. Norton), as well as the forthcoming Small but Mighty: How Everyday Habits Add Up to More Manageable and Confident Teaching (ASCD). She is also a National Board-certified teacher with additional certification in administration and supervision. Connect with Miriam Plotinsky @MirPloMCPS https://miriamplotinsky.com/ Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my

Join in on the conversation about Cultivating Critical Thinking Skills where Gretchen gives you a story, a lesson, and tangible next steps. In today's episode Gretchen speaks on how our world has changed with modern technology and how important it is to prepare our students to think critically for their future in the workplace. Quotables: "Stay above the robotic curve by developing high level thinking skills." "Staying relevant and flexible in your thinking is your superpower." "Make critical thinking part of your culture." Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send' Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL

There's so much teachers can learn from one another. From how to engage students to how to enhance lessons, teachers can grow in their craft every day. Listen in as Gretchen tells a story and provides tips and tricks on the importance of collaboration among colleagues. Quotables "How well teachers collaborate has a direct impact on how well they teach and on how well students learn." "When teachers collaborate and support each other, it can create a positive and encouraging school culture." "We've got to grow our own skills." Links for Today's Episode Time Management Episodes 328: Manage Your Time with Time Blocking 329: Manage Time By Streamlining Administrative Tasks 331: Collaborative Planning and Resource Sharing Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Communication with students and parents are key in a classroom setting. It is what helps builds trust between the teacher, parents, and students to make the school year that much smoother. Join us as Gretchen tells a story and provides tips and tricks in order to keep effective communication for students and parents. Quotables "Make space in your calendar for ongoing communication." "Communication builds trust which leads to support and understanding." "When you're available and you're transparent, relationships pave the way for best results." Links from today's episode 12 apps for better P-T communication https://www.teachthought.com/technology/teacher-parent-communication/ Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

There's so much that goes into a good lesson. Collaborative planning and resource sharing is a must to make sure students are engaged and learning in the best ways possible. Listen in as Gretchen speaks on the topic of collaboration with colleagues, and explains the best practices to make those planning sessions successful for everyone in the room. Quotables "When we come together and brainstorm, hash it out and come prepared everyone having done their research first, now everyone is ready to actually teach the concept rather than dividing it up." "Personalize, differentiate, add your own flare on top of what's been planned so that when you deliver it to students, it makes sense for who is in the room." Build on each others ideas." Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Connections are so important in education. They are what brings us together and allows us learn from one another. Join us as we listen in on the importance of making connections outside of our comfort zone, and how much those connections can help us through our work. With Ariella Racco's new program CoLab, it allows collaboration to be that much easier! Quotables *All quotes are from the interviewee. "It's okay to not know what you're doing. Ask for help and put yourself into spaces that are really unfamiliar." "Make connections to the world around you." "Put yourself in rooms and spaces with other passionate people and don't limit yourself to just other educators." About Ariella Racco Ariella Racco has been a middle school teacher in Canada and Spain for the past 6 years. After experiencing and seeing the challenges teachers face each day, as well as just how critical the issue of teacher burnout, retention and engagement have become, she set out to build a solution for teachers. CoLab is a collaboration platform just for teachers with tools that boost productivity, foster community, and democratize access to high-quality resources. Ariella Racco is dedicated to not only improving individual teacher experiences; but transforming the entire education ecosystem. By empowering educators in their role, she believes they are positively impacting student outcomes on a global scale. Connect with Ariella Racco https://www.colab.education/ https://www.instagram.com/colab.ed/ www.linkedin.com/in/ariella-racco/ Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a...

Join Gretchen as she shares her experiences with time management and streamlining administrative tasks. She gives practical tangible next steps that can help you achieve your goals in getting things done. Quotables "Developing systems and then refining them, overtime, is gonna put time back on the clock and that allows you to focus on what matters most." “Start small.” “Plan ahead. Prioritize well, and protect your time for what matters most.” Episode Links David Allen's Getting Things Done: 5 Steps to a more productive life (https://gettingthingsdone.com/) https://www.thetogethergroup.com/ The Together Teacher book The Together Leader book Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'...

Have you ever heard of time blocking? Listen in as Gretchen explains what it is, how she uses it, and the tips and tricks that may work for you. Quotables "You don't want to overbook yourself because even though we're planning every minute of every day you don't want to tire yourself out." "Over estimate your pacing so you end up with extra time instead of rushing to finish or getting stressed out." “Time blocking is your key to freedom." Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Are you in need of more self-care? Listen in as Gretchen talks about her self-care routines, tips, and tricks that might be able to help with just that. Quotables "Don't wait (to use self-care tactics) until you're facing burnout." "It's okay to take a break and fill your time with something unrelated to your role." "No matter how you decide to engage in self-care, it's an activity that disengages us from the stress of the job." Previous Work-Life Balance Series Episodes 324: Reality of Work-Life Balance 326: Supportive School Culture Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Are you wondering how to make your school culture better? This episode is for you! Tune in as Gretchen shares a practical story about her experience with a supportive school culture, and the tips and tricks she uses to make it that much better. Quotables "We as the educators had the choice for how we worked, and where. Just the flexibility made all the difference in finding enjoyment and slowing, or avoiding, the burnout that was coming." "The lesson here is the school environment plays a major role in the work-life balance of the people working within its walls." "The leader sets the expectation and the tone for how to navigate the ins and out of teaching so that we aren't just a great teacher for a single year, but for many years." Work Life Balance Series Previous Episodes Episode 324: Reality of a Work-Life Balance Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Join us as we dive into the important of building trust and relationships with students, and how much of a difference small conversations can make. With Ashley Bendiksen's expertise in supporting at-risk youth, she has touched many lives of students and adults. Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee "Foster every opportunity for conversation for dialogue remind them that you're there and hopefully they will turn to you. Should they ever need support." “School staff plays such a unique and powerful role in the lives of students because of their proximity." "Foster every opportunity for conversation for dialogue remind them that you're there and hopefully they will turn to you. Should they ever need support." About Ashley Bendiksen Ashley Bendiksen is an acclaimed speaker, Top Youth Speaker, award-winning activist, and survivor turned subject matter expert in domestic and sexual violence, child and family abuse, adolescent mental health, and supporting at-risk youth. Year-round, Ashley specializes in reaching both students and the adults who serve them. Ashley is also the founder of the Blue Hearts Project, a global storytelling platform for survivors, as well as co-founder of Island Youth Coaching which provides support to at-risk youth as well as consulting and training for youth-serving organizations. Earning her degree in Administration of Justice from Salve Regina University, Ashley graduated, remarkably, as Valedictorian seven years after dropping out with a failing GPA due to abuse. Connect with Ashley Bendiksen www.ashleybendiksen.com  www.linkedin.com/in/ashleybendiksen www.twitter.com/ashleybendiksen www.instagram.com/ashleybendiksen Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: 

Have you ever felt like your work-life balance just isn't enough? This episode is for you! Tune in as Gretchen shares a practical story about the reality of her work-life balance, and the tips and tricks she uses to make it that much easier. Quotables "Balance means we're doing enough of work, and enough of life that we actually feel both sides receive time spent equally." "Prevention is EVERYTHING!" "Sometimes the pendulum swings on one side a bit, but the good news it's not gonna stay that way forever so stay focused on that end goal, and push through when you're out of balance and then recoup as necessary after." Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Join us as we dive into the importance of understanding student language and how beneficial it can be in the classroom with Michael Grande. With his expertise in coaching, he has touched the lives of many educators across the world. Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee "I finally found someone who taught me how I wanted to be taught and found my learning language which is what interested me. If we could do that with our students, we'd have a whole new universe." "I work with them [students]. I talk to them, not at them." "Every single time something comes to me, I never say no. I think about it and say where is the opportunity? Not the obstacle. Where is the opportunity?" About Michael Grande After spending time in Rwanda teaching music Teachers how to become Coaches, Michael quickly learned that Coaching is not cultural, rather it is universal. After the Minister of Education of Rwanda agreed to incorporate Michael's Coaching techniques and strategies, he felt it was time to share his methods of Coaching with others. In September 2023 Michael released his self-published book; From Teacher to Coach (And why you would NEVER want to be a Teacher). Connect with Michael Grande http://TheGrandeMan.com Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Join us as we go all in with Dr. Jim Van Allen, President of The Energy Bus for Schools. With experience in creating a positive school culture using his framework, Dr. Van Allen's insights have impacted the lives of leaders and educators across the nation.   Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee "All in is what comes to mind...That's what I've seen that inspires me... The ability for these schools to go all in and truly commit to being a positive campus." You can love people by communicating effectively with them...by doing more one on one meetings." "I believe in that...I believe in putting in the work to make sure it's [PD] specific and relevant to the people sitting there because if it's not, they will not listen or they will not get a lot out of it." About Dr. Jim: Dr. Jim Van Allan is President of The Energy Bus for Schools. He runs The Energy Bus for Schools program which gives schools the blueprint and framework to create a positive school culture. He coaches school leaders and superintendents on mindset, teamwork, communication, and culture-building. Additionally, Jim speaks to schools and districts across the country with keynotes, trainings, workshops, and student assemblies. He is the co-author of the book, The Energy Bus for Schools, with Jon Gordon. Jim is also a Professor of Communication Studies and Lead Speech Instructor with Keiser University, which is based in Florida. He teaches Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, and Business Communication. Jim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida and a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Florida Atlantic University. He also earned his Ph.D in Education Leadership from Keiser University. Jim studied the impact of an early version of The Energy Bus for Schools program on a model school in Ohio. Much of his research centered around the impact of sustainable professional development for schools. He lives in Palm City, Florida, with his wife and three children, Brady, Brenden, and Brinley. Connect with Dr. Jim:  Follow him on all social media @JimVanAllan Email him: Jim@JonGordon.com The Energy Bus for Schools Book The Energy Bus for Schools Program

Join us as we immerse in Vicki Davis's journey as an educator, author, and host. With over 20+ years of experience in education, specializing in technology, Vicki has touched the life of many students and educators throughout her career. Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee "I would never say every single teacher has to embrace technology, but we have to embrace children. We have to embrace the nobility of teaching and we do have to embrace learning." "All that our kids are going to know is massive change...So we need to educate ourselves about how we can learn." "You have to relate to educate." About Vicki: Vicki Davis is a classroom teacher, book publisher, mom, author of the Cool Cat Teacher Blog, and host of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast. With over 20+ years in education, Vicki has received many acknowledgments which include top education influencer awards, and a feature in USA Today. However, the award closest to her heart is being named STAR Teacher at her school and district this past school year. Over the years her blog has grown into a vibrant community of over 6000 posts, and her podcast has been recognized as a top podcast in education. Each post and episode is a fresh chapter in her shared adventure in education and technology. When the school bell rings, you can find Vicki juggling roles as an IT Director, Computer Science and Digital Technology teacher. Her classroom more than just a space; it's a dynamic, fun learning community that extends beyond school walls, as they share and engage with the world. Vicki's family includes her husband, three unique children, two of whom learn differently, (she never says the word “disability”), two dogs, and yes – Cheeto! Vicki's varied educational journeys of her children ignite her drive to inspire every learner, celebrating their individuality. Vicki enjoys celebrating Cool Classrooms, explore Cool Apps and Technology, and share Cool Teaching Tips. When she is not immersed in a film project, assisting teachers, or fending off gnats in my hometown of Camilla, Georgia, she loves to spread her wings. Over the years, Vicki has conducted over 100 workshops, keynotes, and spotlight sessions globally, often with her students in tow! Connect with Vicki: Fb: https://www.facebook.com/coolcatteacher IG: https://www.instagram.com/coolcatteacher/ Website: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/ Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek...

Join us as we untangle the inspirational journey of Matthew Ebert, a powerhouse in education and expert in school leadership. With over twenty years of education experience, Matthew's transformational insights have touched the lives of millions of educators worldwide. Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee "People are not robots. The investment in the adults... the operationalizing of this idea of care pays off in the long run even if it's messy." It's [winning] laughter. It's joy. It's people being happy to come to work, and kids being happy going to school. "Winning [in education] is a long term strategy that comes from taking care of each other." About Matthew: Matthew Ebert is a human-centered leader with 20+ years of experience in education, primarily focused on school leadership in urban settings. Matthew's consulting is grounded in his experiences as a teacher, director of academic innovation, academy leader, and a decade of successful leadership as a public charter school principal. Throughout his leadership tenure, Matthew has developed teams that exceed expectations, consistently achieving strong results. He is committed to cultivating healthy work and learning environments in which individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. In addition to helping team members consistently attain their personal and professional goals, Matthew has facilitated dramatic and consistent growth in student achievement in both Baltimore and Boston, in metrics focused on academic achievement and school climate. Matthew's leadership is based in the idea that we are all here to take care of one another. Connect with Matthew: www.linkedin.com/in/matthewebert1982 https://www.linkedin.com/company/ebert-educational-consulting IG: eberteducationalconsulting X: eberteducation Published Works: EdWeek Creating A Culture Of Care Telling An Excellent Teacher It's Time To Leave

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Empowering Educators! In this episode, we delve into proven teacher support strategies that can significantly enhance student learning outcomes. Discover how to help educators improve their skills and foster a more effective learning environment! Quotables: "Every classroom deserves a teacher who is growing in capacity so that students have the opportunity to become an even better version of themselves. " "It's no longer enough to have a conversation about goals and dreams or to only check in on a colleague randomly when you have time. You've got to execute a support strategy consistently and with urgency." "When things are working, we diagnose that magic so we can replicate it. " Join the Teacher Leader Mastermind Enroll in the current cohort here Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Ryan Pelkey is an educator/speaker/writer and advocate of teacher mental health. With 25 years in education he has seen most, done most and been a part of some amazing schools and taught over 10,000 students. As a current administrator, he is active in restorative practices, instructional leadership and bringing the best out of his teachers, students and other stakeholders. Listen to Episode 280 which is when we first interviewed Ryan in 2022! Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee  "I want other people to know that it's okay to want more out of your career, or want more out of your life...and to be able to step up and step out is what it's all about..." "A lot of times the focus is on the kids. The focus is on our students, and it should be...but if you treat your teachers well, you're gonna create those environments where the kids are gonna want to be there..." "...I know my staff. I know my community and I know my kids and I've really adapted and grown as a leader and a person because of the people I'm surrounded with..." About Ryan Pelkey Ryan is writing a new book called "...Just- The Dirtiest 4 letter word in a Growth Mindset" which is soon to be published on Amazon. His previous book The Boy Who Lost His Ears was a best seller on Amazon for students in grades 3-5. This SEL story shows the importance of listening skills and do we really need ears to hear/listen? Feel free to zoom him into your classrooms as a Pop Up Author! He has spoken at educational conferences from Virginia to Australia and Malaysia, hoping to make connections to help people anyway, anyhow and anywhere. Teachers need to be first in schools! He lives in Northern Virginia with his family and 2 amazing dogs. A big Yankee Fan, Eagles Fan and Carolina Basketball Fan. Find him on X and Instagram @mr_pelkey View Ryan's LinkedIn profile, too! Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other...

Dive into insightful conversations with Michael and Nita Creekmore, seasoned educators with over 35 years of combined experience. Join them as they explore the importance of relationships in education, drawing from Michael's counseling background and Nita's instructional coaching expertise. Get practical tips, personal anecdotes, and wisdom from their book, Every Connection Matters.Tune in for actionable strategies, balancing career and family life, and fostering meaningful connections in and out of the classroom.Quotables*All quotables are from the interviewee “When you're building relationships, you have to build trust, and the more you build trust, the more you can...get into [the] why. What is the root behind this?”"...compartmentalize! That's one of the necessary tools to avoid burnout..."”That's one of the by-products of having the biggest hearts...we take a lot of stuff home.”About Michael & NitaMichael and NIta Creekmore are a married couple both with more than 35 years combined in the field of children and education. Micheal has been in the field of professional counseling for about 16+ years and in school counseling for 5+ years. Nita has been in education for 19+ years. She has been an Instructional Coach for 5+ years and facilitates learning experiences with other educators. Nita and Michael have 4 children and a pup. Together they have Creekmore Conversations in which they facilitate learning experiences around the importance building, maintaining and restoring relationships in education. Together they wrote, Every Connection Matters: Building, Maintaining and Restoring Relationships Inside the Classroom and Out. They have very productive life inside and outside of education. They love what they do. They love having a large family. And, they also believe that having a healthy balance of it all is so important.Listen to Episode 218 which is when we first interviewed Nita in 2020!Join the Always A Lesson NewsletterJoin here and grab a freebie!Connect with GretchenEmail: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comBlog: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in CollegeGretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review:This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Empowering Educators! In this episode, we discuss how to enhance student learning. Discover how to help educators improve their skills and foster a more effective learning environment! Quotables: "Each district and school operates so differently and especially as to how they use a teacher leader, aim for, and their name for the role..." "I teach the Triple A Method: aim, action, and achieve..." "Most important is the evidence...how do you know that you're moving forward?" "If you support the growth of teachers, you are a teacher leader and you can participate!" Join the Teacher Leader Mastermind Enroll in the current cohort here Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Join us as we unravel the remarkable journey of Angela Watson, a powerhouse in education and expert in the incorporation of AI in the classroom. With over a decade of classroom experience, Angela's transformational insights have touched the lives of millions of educators worldwide.Quotables*All quotables are from the interviewee [When we think about AI, we ask] “How is this going to help me streamline my workload? It's not going to do everything, but how can I make it really useful and how can I do it in an ethical manner?”"The trick to getting really good results from AI is to know how to give it good prompts."”Productivity is something we all have to experiment with!”About Angela:Angela Watson is a National Board Certified Teacher with a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has 11 years of classroom experience and over a decade of experience as an instructional coach.Angela created this website as a young teacher in 2003 to share practical classroom ideas and help other educators build a positive mindset so they can truly enjoy their work. It was originally called “Ms. Powell's Management Ideas for Teachers” until 2008, when it was renamed “The Cornerstone for Teachers” after her first book.Rebranded in November 2021 to Truth for Teachers, the site now impacts over 8 million educators annually.Angela's ideas have been featured in thousands of magazine articles, newsletters, and internet resources, and utilized in teacher preparation and support programs throughout the nation. She has authored numerous printable curriculum resources, online courses, and six books. Her newest book is the second edition of “Awakened: Change Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching,” which was released in November 2022.She is perhaps best known for her free Truth for Teachers podcast, which provides bi-weekly encouragement for educators and consistently ranks in the top K-12 podcasts in the world.Angela's professional development on productivity is being used in over 45,000 schools through the 40 Hour Workweek program. First designed for teachers and then expanded to instructional coaches and administrators, 40 Hour helps educators become more intentional with their personal, contractual, and instructional time so they can focus on what really matters.Angela's mission is to help teachers live a more purposeful and conscious life. Through her mentorship, countless teachers have learned to take charge of their time and energy so they can prevent burnout and stay in the profession they love for years to come.Listen to Episode 155 which is when we first interviewed Angela in 2018!Join the Always A Lesson NewsletterJoin here and grab a freebie!Connect with GretchenEmail: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comBlog: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A...

Don't miss this enlightening episode with Gretchen as she delves into the realm of tech integration in education. Discover invaluable tips for effectively assessing the level of student engagement versus mere compliance when utilizing tech tools in the classroom.In this episode, Gretchen shares practical planning strategies and essential considerations to enhance your instructional practices and ensure that lessons are accessible to all students, regardless of their learning styles or abilities.Unlock the power of technology to foster genuine student engagement and facilitate meaningful learning experiences. Tune in now for expert insights that will revolutionize your teaching approach and empower you to create inclusive and impactful lessons!As highlighted in this episode, Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Dive into this invaluable resource for a wealth of additional insights on increasing student engagement and fostering academic success!Quotables“We couldn't finish the Engagement Series without touching on technology, because a lot of what folks think engagement is includes some sort of tech activity or game...”"...really it's less about check the box, I used tech today, and more about when I use tech it makes all the difference in student understanding."”We can't assume that every tool is going to produce the same high levels of engagement.”Join the Always A Lesson NewsletterJoin here and grab a freebie!Connect with GretchenEmail: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comBlog: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in CollegePre-Order: Always a LessonLeave a Rating and Review:This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.'Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.”Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in infoLeave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcastClick ‘Send'

Join us for an inspiring episode featuring Naomi Hall, also known as The Recovering Educator, as she shares invaluable insights on navigating the challenges of being an educator. Naomi reminds us that while the teaching profession can be stressful, there are numerous factors within our control that can positively impact our well-being.In this episode, Naomi offers practical strategies for managing stress and reclaiming control over various aspects of our professional and personal lives. Discover how to effectively address the stressors inherent in education and cultivate a healthier, more balanced approach to teaching.Tune in to empower yourself with tools and techniques to navigate the demands of the teaching profession with resilience and grace. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Naomi's expertise and embark on a journey towards greater well-being and fulfillment in your career!Quotables*All quotables are from the interviewee It's that recognition of; there are external stressors and there are internal stressors...and I have to work on the internal stressors and mindsets that contributed to my burnout.I'm not the only educator struggling with burnout. I'm not alone in this.”I don't know who I am without students, lessons...without a classroom.”About NaomiNaomi has spent years learning how to manage stress, prevent burnout, and make a comeback from burnout...and now she's teaching others. She offers realistic stress management techniques that are important to your effectiveness and happiness in your classroom. She works to help educators be their best and provide the support you need. Learn more about Naomi atMy goal has never been to leave education. It has been to help educators be their best and provide the support school districts forget to give you.Learn more about her at https://www.therecoveringeducator.com/Connect with Naomi:Instagram and Facebook: naomihallfiteducatorEmail: therecoveringeducator@gmail.comYouTube: The Recovering EducatorJoin the Always A Lesson NewsletterJoin here and grab a freebie!Connect with GretchenEmail: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comBlog: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in CollegeGretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review:This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.

Join us for a transformative episode as Gretchen delves into the strategies for leveraging student engagement through the incorporation of student voice. Discover practical tips and simple techniques that can be implemented right away to enhance classroom dynamics and empower your students.In this episode, Gretchen shares a compelling story that underscores the importance of student involvement in the learning process. Learn how to amplify student voices effectively and create an inclusive classroom environment where every student feels heard and valued.As highlighted in this discussion, Gretchen's latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Dive into this invaluable resource for a wealth of additional insights on increasing student engagement and fostering academic success!Don't miss out on this enlightening episode that promises to revolutionize your teaching approach and inspire meaningful connections with your students. Tune in now and embark on a journey towards greater student empowerment!QuotablesIf we don't nail engagement, then we've really let students down...we've really minimized their future success because we're limiting the amount of knowledge and skills they can acquire.Student voice is gonna look different for each of your students, depending on what their needs are.There were so many tiny ways throughout the day that students could exercise their voices.Join the Always A Lesson NewsletterJoin here and grab a freebie!Connect with GretchenEmail: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comBlog: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in CollegePre-Order: Always a LessonLeave a Rating and Review:This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.'Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.”Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in infoLeave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcastClick ‘Send'

Tune in and be empowered! Gretchen will discuss how to differentiate and personalize learning to build student engagement. She will share how to eliminate time wasting techniques and get to the core of what works for learners! Listen in to find out exactly what "Swiss Cheese Understanding" is. This episode will truly help you restructure the way you plan!Quotables*All quotables are from the interviewee Every level of what I'm gonna call "The House of Learning" is build with the support necessary so that new learning above it can actually stick.It's not that kids can't understand on their grade level. They need to work with the material long enough to make sense of it....the point is...they understand where they're going and why they need to have these skills..."Join the Always A Lesson NewsletterJoin here and grab a freebie!Connect with GretchenEmail: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comBlog: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in CollegePre-Order: Always a LessonLeave a Rating and Review:This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.'Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.”Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in infoLeave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcastClick ‘Send'

Investigate the power of positivity in the classroom and its impact on student engagement through this episode! From fostering inclusivity to promoting collaboration, uncover practical strategies for creating a supportive learning environment that empowers students to thrive and participate actively in their education journey. You'll walk away with 10 ideas for easy and immediate implementation! Quotables:Explicitly teach the why behind the what....before we can start tweaking instruction, we have to nail the environment...Stressed brains can't learn.Access the Thrive Framework by Ed Connective referenced in this episode, here!Gretchen Has a New Book Coming Soon!Pre-order Gretchen's NEW book HEREJoin the Always A Lesson NewsletterJoin here and grab a freebie!Connect with GretchenEmail: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comBlog: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.'Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.”Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in infoLeave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcastClick ‘Send'

Tune in and be empowered by our listeners as they share innovative teaching strategies for student engagement. Explore cutting-edge teaching methods to captivate students' attention and foster deeper learning. From gamification to interactive technology, discover strategies that ignite curiosity and enhance engagement in the classroom.In this episode, Gretchen reminds us as educators that "...we don't always need the physical work sample--sometimes listening to the words they're using and the level of complexity of the topic they're able to talk about will determine how much knowledge has been consumed..."Join the Always A Lesson NewsletterJoin here and grab a freebie!Connect with GretchenEmail: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comBlog: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.'Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.”Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in infoLeave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcastClick ‘Send'

Tune in and be empowered by Rebekah Shoaf. Rebekah shares all about her experiences in education and the valuable lessons she has learned along the way. Rebekah shares about burnout, the different types of burnout and the best way to avoid it. This episode will truly reignite your passion so be sure to tune in today! Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee  Having a burn out is really a sense of having lost your purpose, your power, and your passion. Every teacher has the potential to be a leader.  As an educator, stay connected to who you are as a learner and find the things that excite you and drive you and keep you connected to what you teach.  About Rebekah Rebekah Shoaf is an author, educational consultant, and social entrepreneur. In addition to being the founder and CEO of the Bronx-based bookstore-without-walls Boogie Down Books and What If Schools, Rebekah's first book, Educating with Passion and Purpose: Keep the Fire Going without Burning Out, was published in 2023 by Jossey-Bass. Rebekah has been an educator for more than two decades as a high school English teacher, founding faculty member, teacher leader, university instructor, and instructional and teacher leadership coach with the New York City Department of Education. She currently works with schools, districts, and other organizations across the country to promote transformative, innovative, learner-centered practices that advance educational justice. A Miami native, Rebekah graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College and is a culinary school alum, a marathon runner, the owner of a pink Vespa, and everyone's favorite aunt. Learn more about her at rebekahshoaf.com. Resources Mentioned by Alissa: Book by Rebekah: Educating with Passion and Purpose: Keep the Fire Going without Burning Out  Website: www.rebekahshoaf.com Connect with Alissa: IG @whatifschools and @boogiedownbooks Email rebekah@whatifschools.com Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order...

Have you ever ran into a problem that you just can't seem to hack? This episode is for you! Tune in as Gretchen shares a practical story about a problem she had trouble hacking and how she overcame it. You'll walk away with tangible steps to hack your own problems and you'll leave this episode feeling empowered to take it on! Quotables Some problems aren't meant to be solved by you. Say to yourself, “I'm not dumb. I'm not lazy. I've just run out of tools and that's okay.” Trust that hindsight is 20/20. It will make sense later. Gretchen Has a New Book Coming Soon! Pre-order Gretchen's NEW book HERE Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

It's a new year! Tune into this special episode of the Empowering Educators Podcast as Gretchen shares three ways to grow your potential in the upcoming year. You'll walk away from this podcast with a list of three tangible things you can do to level up your teaching whether you are working with students or coaching teachers. Quotables The only way we are going to become better is if we shift our behaviors into better behaviors. We want application. That is the only thing that is going to change us and allow us to transform into something better.  If some of the foundational stuff has cracks in it, it's just going to fall flat.  Links Mentioned: Episode 256: Habits over Resolutions Simply Coaching Summit Teacher Leader Mastermind Gretchen Has a New Book Coming Soon! Pre-order Gretchen's NEW book HERE Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

It's the last podcast of the year! In this special episode, Gretchen reflects over the behind the scenes work of the podcast. She talks about who she intended the podcast for: new teachers, teachers in a slump and teacher leaders and how it has evolved over time. Gretchen shares how she has used the head, heart, hands strategy to plan every episode- a strategy that will serve you well in planning for professional developments that you may lead. Be sure to tune into this fun episode of the Empowering Educators Podcast. Quotables It's important that you hear from other people what's working.  Am I being true to what I originally intended? If you revisit your mission statement and your core values, that might light that fire back up.  Podcasts Mentioned: Melissa Emler Episode 20 Melissa Emler Episode 210 Gretchen Has a New Book Coming Soon! Pre-order Gretchen's NEW book HERE Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Do you have credibility with the teachers that you lead? It may just be the secret sauce that you are missing. In this episode of the Empowering Educators Podcast, Gretchen talks all about credibility and what that looks like. Lacking in the credibility area? No worries! Gretchen shares tips and tricks on how you can gain credibility with teachers. Quotables Credibility sets the tone. You can be successful and imperfect. Be caring and invested in other people. Gretchen Has a New Book Coming Soon! Pre-order Gretchen's NEW book HERE Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Meet and be empowered by Alissa Crabtree in this special interview episode of the Empowering Educators Podcast. Alissa shares great, tactile advice about how to effectively work with teachers as an instructional coach. She also discusses the importance of the instructional coach/administrator relationship and how that relationship can be a powerhouse for change within a district. Get your pen and paper out and hit play! Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee  As coaches and administrators, we are in the business of fostering motivation in adult learners. Sit down one on one with the people you lead and understand them as a person. When I slowed down, it sped my kids up. About Alissa Alissa is an advocate for educators everywhere! As a 16+ year veteran, she has been exposed to numerous instructional strategies, district and campus initiatives, and professional learning opportunities. Through her experiences, she has recognized what has a lasting impact and who truly benefits. Alissa believes in the power of growing teacher and student efficacy. She has spent the last eight years of her career coaching teachers, administrators, and district leaders so that both teachers and students harness their power and abilities. Her approach to coaching is simple: it is a collaboration, not a one-and-done experience. Alissa works alongside leaders, teachers, and stakeholders to analyze areas for growth, establish clear and attainable goals, facilitate learning, track student and teacher development, and pivot when necessary. Change occurs from the top down, so she meets with leaders to ensure goal understanding and support before coaching teachers and professional learning communities. Her coaching style is collaborative, and to make the most impact, everyone involved must have a clear picture of coaching. Resources Mentioned by Alissa: Online Course: Launch Your Instructional Coaching Style Email List: Crabtree Coaching Collaborative Newsletter Website: crabtreecoachingcollaborative.org Connect with Alissa: IG @crabtree_coaching_collab Twitter @alissa_crabtree Facebook Crabtree Coaching Collaborative Linked-In: Crabtree Coaching Collaborative Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek...

When hardship arrives, it can be used as an opportunity to propel you forward. Tune into this episode of the Empowering Educators Podcast as Gretchen shares a personal story about hardship and then gives you practical steps that you can apply to your own hardships in order to use them as a stepping stone to move forward. You're not going to want to miss this one! Listen in and get ready to be empowered. Quotables When we are clear on what we want or need… it's easier to brainstorm a solution.  How can I use this situation in my favor? Hardship is a an opportunity to showcase great leadership and critical thinking skills. Gretchen Has a New Book Coming Soon! Pre-order Gretchen's NEW book HERE Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Accountability partners! Do you have one? In this episode of the Empowering Educators Podcast, Gretchen shares the importance of having an accountability partner. She shares why an accountability partner just might be the secret sauce to level up your success! Gretchen also shares 8 practical tips on how to be an effective accountability partner. Tune in today and learn how an accountability partner just might be the solution you need to add to your growth strategy! Quotables Accountability is the secret sauce of dreamers and planners to actual achievers. An accountability partner is just the solution you need to add to your growth strategy. Your goals are only as great as your follow through. Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Pre-order Gretchen's NEW book HERE Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

Comparing yourself to others takes all the joy out of growth. Tune into this episode of the Empowering Educators Podcast and listen as Gretchen shares her experience of comparing herself to others and the lessons she learned along the way. Listen until the end as Gretchen shares 4 tips to help you out of the comparison trap. Quotables It's unfair to look at your colleagues and compare yourself. I was taking the joy out of the growth because I was too busy looking at the wrong people and comparing myself.  The only data point that makes sense is comparing yourself to you in the same situation.  Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Pre-order Gretchen's NEW book HERE Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

In this episode of the Empowering Educators Podcast, Gretchen lays out the four key bricks, in the order needed, so that instruction can be improved. She provides practical tips in order to make sure you are laying each brick securely before moving onto the next brick. Tune in today and leave empowered to improve teacher instruction. Quotables Sometimes we find solutions by just doing the dang thing.  Classroom Management. This is prevention over being reactive. You gain so much time for instruction and learning because of how you set up your physical space and how you and your students operate within it.  Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Pre-order Gretchen's NEW book HERE Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'

The Science of Reading has replaced Guided Reading. Switching to something new can feel hard and frustrating. Tune into this episode and become encouraged and empowered by Linda Rhyne. She talks about what Science of Reading is, why it's replaced Guided Reading and how you can implement it. Tune in now! Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee  In order to become a proficient reader, children need and require direct, explicit, and systematic instruction.  Educators know, understand and feel to their core a deep understanding of the impact that they have or could have.  I can use what I'm learning now to propel myself forward.  About Linda Linda Rhyne is the owner of Linda Rhyne Consulting, a company focused on helping teachers and leaders connect research to practice in a safe & supportive environment. Linda is an award-winning and National Board Certified educator with 15 years of experience in education with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, one of the nation's 20 largest urban school districts located in Charlotte, NC. She served in multiple positions in CMS: classroom teacher, literacy facilitator, new teacher support coordinator, and Southeast Learning Community coordinator, with 10 years of experience as an instructional coach. In her free time, you can find her playing with her two boys, hanging with her husband, reading, and working out. Resources Mentioned by Linda: The Reading League- The Science of Reading Connect with Linda: IG @lindarhyneconsulting Twitter @lindaschultzie FB LindaRhyneConsulting Website: http://lindarhyneconsulting.com Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.

In this episode of the Empowering Educators Podcast, Gretchen talks about the importance of critical thinking. She shares relatable stories, a lesson and then four keys to building critical thinking that lasts. Tune into this episode and leave empowered to support critical thinking skills within yourself and your students. Quotables Critical thinking is the biggest clue of what's to come. Everyone is going to have a problem or an obstacle. It's not about how big that thing is but how you react to it. We have to teach kids and adults how to think. Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.' Under ‘Customer Reviews,' click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send'