We discuss how empowering students to take ownership not only builds independence and confidence, but also strengthens collaboration, problem-solving, and accountability within the classroom community.

Quotables

• "Administrative tasks take up a lot of teaching time."
• "Start small and be strategic."
• "Consistency creates freedom."

Links from this Episode

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Dr. Swift shares why engaging the whole body in the learning process can transform literacy development, increase student engagement, and support deeper understanding—especially for young learners. From movement-based strategies to rethinking traditional classroom expectations, this episode challenges the idea that effective learning only happens when students sit quietly at a desk.

If you’ve ever wondered how movement, multisensory strategies, and intentional instruction can unlock learning potential, this conversation will leave you inspired and ready to try something new in your classroom.

Quotables

• "Success breeds success."
• "Who wants to show up to something boring?"
• "The idea that writing starts with being still is not quite where we need to go."

About Dr. Lundy Swift

Connect with Dr. Lundy Swift

• https://www.lwtears.com/,
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-lundy-swift/

Resources from this episode:

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• "Know when to take yourself out of the game before your team suffers."
• "Some part of finding your balance and happiness is just changing up the scenery."
• "Every time I switched it up, I grew something I didn't know I needed or wanted."

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Quotables

• "Focus on growth without shame."
• "Change happens when people feel empowered, not managed."
• "You're not behind, you just need the right lense."

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• "You gotta make a connection."
• "When curriculum is inclusive and representative, it deepens understanding."
• "When students feel seen, heard, and valued, they are more likely to take academic risks, collaborate with their peers, and develop a strong sense of belonging in the classroom—and that’s the point."

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Quotables

• "Leadership isn’t the loudest voice in the room, it’s the clearest one."
• "Leadership isn’t about having it all figured out from day one.”
• "Leadership isn’t a single leap. It’s a series of steps.“

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Resources from this Episode:

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From lesson design to classroom culture, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what really moves the needle for student engagement and teacher confidence. It’s an honest, reflective look at why being “obsessed” with instruction isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention, impact, and growth.

Quotables

Resources from this Episode:

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Quotables

• "It takes focus on one thing to really really grow. "
• "Choice matters so much."
• “We have to model what we want with kids.“

Resources from the Episode:

• Episode 240: Trust Based Observations with Craig Randall
• Trust Based Observations Book:https://amzn.to/4oXEoTz
• Website:https://trustbased.com/
• Email:craig@trustbased.com

Quotables

• "Let student’s present. However you go about, let them present what they know."
• "Don’t forget to communicate and celebrate."
• “Kids really want to talk, and kids really want to move—so use it to your benefit.”

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• "Great questions don't just test students knowledge. They actually ignite them to want to know more or go deeper."
• "Think time is powerful."
• "Let the dang kids talk. That’s the message."

Resources from this Episode:

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Join us as we explore how intentional planning can transform your lessons from “just another class” into experiences that matter to your students.

Quotables

• “Personal growth over grades. ”
• "That classroom environment has to be a place where they want to take risks."
• "When students feel known, they feel respected, and their more likely to find meaning in what their working on. "

Resources from this Episode:

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Quotables

• "Everywhere you go, there is something to be learned."
• "Finding the ability to be open and receptive to what others can offer you is the biggest lesson. "
• “It’s okay to be where you are.”

About Jennifer Burns

Jennifer is a literacy trainer, consultant and author working with schools and districts to help teachers and leaders make reading joyful to teach and learn from the earliest of ages. As teachers, we go through observe, reflect and create cycles in teaching. This applies to daily lesson planning and teacher professional growth. We are learning to observe and take notes better. We are learning to reflect on what our notes mean. And we are learning how to create impactful lessons. That is what Jennifer has created in the book Building Readers From The Playground to Print for the youngest of readers and what she work with schools to do with all readers.

Resources from this Episode:

• "Everyone had ownership in the space, and their option mattered."
• "When they [students] reflect, it really opens up that door for that ownership to come later."
• "It [routines] allows you to do what matters, and it allows them to run the classroom."

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• "Life is going to get hard, so get yourself in action to prepare for the hard."
• "Boundaries and self-care are interconnected."
• “We are not meant to do life alone.”

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Quotables

• "When your providing feedback, we want it to be timely so that they can do something with it, but we also want it to be specific enough they know what to do differently going forward."
• "When students actively participate in setting their own goals, they feel a sense of ownership."
• "Acknowledge that things are stressful."

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• "The one thing that made me a really strong teacher, wasn't that I knew how to build culture, it was that I knew how to sustain culture."
• "Prioritize routines, procedures, and expectations that are the most important."
• "Be comfortable with the reset."

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We discuss what it means to truly serve “different students with different needs,” how curriculum must adapt to be more inclusive and relevant, and why having educators and materials that reflect the identities of all students matters more than ever. Dr. Brown brings real-world examples, deep wisdom, and a clear call to action for educators, leaders, and communities alike.

Whether you're a teacher, parent, or school leader, this episode will challenge you to rethink what equitable and responsive education should look like in today’s world.

Quotables

• "If you want to have systemic change at district level you need to really think about coherence and how all the systems work together."
• "I believe in the child or student sitting in front of me and I believe they can do this hard thing."
• “Representation matters.”

About Dr. LaKimbre Brown

Connect with Dr. LaKimbre Brown

• http://www.leadingeducators.org

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Music from #Uppbeat:

• "I think connecting with kids... It does feel different, but in some ways you still do the same things we want to have genuine connections with them, actively listen... I think theres a lot to hear in their lived experience."
• "The foundations haven't really changed that much, but the way we engaged with them might be a little different."
• "There's a lot of benefit in having those virtual communities where you can be a sounding board and provide those resources."

About Kay Kelly

Contact Kay Kelly:

• "I really want the world to be a better place for children and young adults to be able to be comfortable learning to read and write."
• "Reading a story to a child isn’t just something you do on the side...It’s actually something that can be central to who I am as an educator. "
• "Reading is breathing in and writing is breathing out."

About Pam Allyn

Pam Allyn is the founder and CEO of Dewey, a groundbreaking learning platform designed to support the wellbeing of families and caregivers at the powerful intersection of home, work, and learning.

A lifelong educator, curriculum developer, and literacy advocate — and a proud grandparent — Pam has dedicated her career to helping young children learn to read and develop a lasting love for reading and writing. Through Dewey, she’s on a mission to make learning joyful and accessible by introducing playful, engaging tools that ease the fear and anxiety often associated with school. Since its launch, Dewey has positively impacted over 100,000 children, offering a wide range of educational products for parents, caregivers, and educators in both English and Spanish, with more languages on the way.

Connect with Pam Allyn

• https://www.deweycommunity.com
• https://pamallyn.com/
• https://medium.com/@pam_90412
• https://www.instagram.com/deweycommunity/

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Music from #Uppbeat:

Dr. Kelly dives into the importance of strong, uplifting relationships—connecting with the right people who challenge and support you—as a foundation for authentic leadership. She also shares how her system not only supports teachers and leaders, but also empowers students to rise and thrive.

Whether you're in education or leadership in any form, this conversation will leave you with practical tools, heartfelt encouragement, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Quotables

• "We need community and we need to lift each other up."
• "My mission is just to help those leaders and educators create systems that support thriving communities rooted in my system of H.O.P.E."
• "Change starts from the inside out."

About Dr. Brandi Kelly

Resources from this Episode

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Music from #Uppbeat:

• "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

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

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Music from #Uppbeat:

• “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

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

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Quotables

About Robert Barnett

Resources from this episode:

Quotables

• "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

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• "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:

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• "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

Connect with Christina Hidek

• Quotables
• "We create the vision with where we’re wanting to go, so that all the behavior that follows matches that. "
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• "The coaching partnership is a tremendous support tool when implemented as it is intended. "
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• “The role of a coach is originally designed to support the growth of a teacher.”
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• Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
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Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.

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• Quotables
• "We have to take that [best performance] into consideration and not just have a generic bar that everyone has to meet ."
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• “That [best performance] looks different for everyone.”
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• "We want to reward work ethic, but we also want to personalize what is considered best performance."
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• Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
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• Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
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• Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
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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.

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• "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."

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Music from #Uppbeat:

• "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

1. 332: Clear Communication: Effective com w/ Ss and Ps
2. 207: From Crisis to Calm https://alwaysalesson.com/episodes/207-from-crisis-to-calm/
3. Office for victims of crime: https://ovc.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh226/files/publications/bulletins/schoolcrisis/pg3.html
4. Office for victims of crime 2:  https://www.schoolcrisiscenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/School-Crisis-Response-Initiative.pdf
5. PBIS:   https://www.pbis.org/crisis-recovery
6. NEA:   https://www.nea.org/sites/default/files/2020-07/NEA%20School%20Crisis%20Guide%202018.pdf
7. Office of State Superintendent of Education: https://osse.dc.gov/page/responding-school-crisis

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Music from #Uppbeat:

• " 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

Connect with Miriam Plotinsky

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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."

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Music from #Uppbeat:

• "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
  
  

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• "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

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• "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."

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• "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

Connect with Ariella Racco

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• "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

1. David Allen’s Getting Things Done: 5 Steps to a more productive life (https://gettingthingsdone.com/)
2. https://www.thetogethergroup.com/
3. The Together Teacher book
4. The Together Leader book

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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

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• "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."

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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

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• "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

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• 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

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• "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

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• 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

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• "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.

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• "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."

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• 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

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• "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

Connect with Michael Grande

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
• The Energy Bus for Schools on You Tube

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• "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:

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• 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

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*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:

Connect with Matthew:

• www.linkedin.com/in/matthewebert1982
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/ebert-educational-consulting
• IG: eberteducationalconsulting
• X: eberteducation

• Creating A Culture Of Care
• Telling An Excellent Teacher It's Time To Leave
• A Good Principal Knows When It's Time To Leave

• Using Slack In Schools (Internal Communications)
• One on One Meetings
• Ted Talk: 3 Strategies to Address the Teacher Shortage Crisis

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• Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com
• Blog: Always A Lesson
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• Twitter: @gschultek
• Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
• Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
• Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College

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• "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

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• 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

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• "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..."

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• 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:

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• “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 & Nita

Listen to Episode 218 which is when we first interviewed Nita in 2020!

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• Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com
• Blog: Always A Lesson
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• Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
• Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
• Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College

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• "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

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• 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

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• [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:

Listen to Episode 155 which is when we first interviewed Angela in 2018!

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• Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com
• Blog: Always A Lesson
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• Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
• Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
• Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College

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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.”

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• Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com
• Blog: Always A Lesson
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• Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
• Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
• Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
• Pre-Order: Always a Lesson

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.
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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 Naomi

Naomi 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 at

My 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: naomihallfiteducator
• Email: therecoveringeducator@gmail.com
• YouTube: The Recovering Educator

Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter

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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)
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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!

Quotables

• If 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.

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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
• Pre-Order: Always a Lesson

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.”
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In this episode, Gretchen unveils the concept of "Swiss Cheese Understanding" and its profound implications for educational planning. Tune in to gain valuable insights that will revolutionize the way you structure your teaching methods!

Don't miss out on this transformative episode that promises to enhance your teaching toolkit and empower your students. Tune in now and embark on a journey towards more effective and impactful teaching strategies!

Quotables

• 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 Newsletter

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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
• Pre-Order: Always a Lesson