Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

We often overly consume and under-implement. I call this practice “knowledge hoarding” and it isn’t helpful in getting us to reach our goals or potential. We need to implement what we are learning instead of overloading our brains with knowledge time and time again. Tune in to hear 5 tips to making sense of our knowledge hoarding in our mind and in our physical spaces so that we can take action plus gain 3 tips to develop new habit cycles to avoid knowledge hoarding. Quotables We have created a new problem where you have all the knowledge and zero application, making the time suck for getting that knowledge an absolute waste You’re not as great as you should be for someone who has all of that knowledge at their fingertips [Knowledge] hoarding is unhealthy and counterproductive You are not on vacation with time to waste. You are a person on a mission. You are bettering yourself so that you can better serve your students. Don’t let a single thing derail you on your mission. We are serious about upping our game so that we have a longer lasting impact on generations of kids that will become our future leaders. We take care of [our students] because one day they will take care of us. Participate in the 200th Episode Fun Option 1: If you have enjoyed the podcast, leave me a quick audio comment telling me what your favorite thing about the Empowering Educators podcast is. Don’t forget to say your name and where you’re from so I can give you the proper shout out. You can use Voxer (my handle is gschultek). You can also use a voice recorder app on your phone and email it to me: [email protected] Option 2: If you have a favorite Empowering Educators episode, email me at [email protected] to cast your vote! Enter the Amazon GC contest: All you have to do is leave a rating and review on iTunes, screenshot it, and email that to me at [email protected]. I’ll be picking a winner in September! Join the New(er) Teacher Mentorship Program https://alwaysalesson.teachable.com/p/new-er-teacher-mentorship-program/ Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter http://eepurl.com/lJKNn Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203 Shop AAL Swag https://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/ Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: 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 in 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’  

No matter how much experience we have as educators, there are moments in our career where we have no answers. Our heads are banging against the wall and our brains are overworked trying to figure out solutions to the obstacles we are facing without any relief in sight. Luckily, our experiences help us recognize these obstacles faster in the future and overtime we figure out a system for working through hard times to find answers. Tune in to hear a 4 part system that continues to work for me to find clarity in my edu-situations.QuotablesSometimes I feel like I can’t help anyone if I’m trying to help everyone.My past experiences told me that when I am in the weeds, if I look at the facts, it becomes clear.Data doesn’t lie.I admire mentors who roll up their sleeves and help someone else do their work.Like most life lessons, you come out on the other side a better person.Don’t underestimate little solutions you uncover.Not every problem is solved with a magic wand and immediate relief.Expect moments of pause.Participate in the 200th Episode FunOption 1: If you have enjoyed the podcast, leave me a quick audio comment telling me what your favorite thing about the Empowering Educators podcast is. Don’t forget to say your name and where you’re from so I can give you the proper shout out. You can use Voxer (my handle is gschultek). You can also use a voice recorder app on your phone and email it to me: [email protected] 2: If you have a favorite Empowering Educators episode, email me at [email protected] to cast your vote!Enter the Amazon GC contest: All you have to do is leave a rating and review on iTunes, screenshot it, and email that to me at [email protected]. I’ll be picking a winner in September!Join the New(er) Teacher Mentorship Programhttps://alwaysalesson.teachable.com/p/new-er-teacher-mentorship-program/Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Shop AAL Swaghttps://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’ 

New teachers struggle to hone in on the most important factors to ensure a strong start and finish to their very first school year due to all the distractions of shiny objects on social media. Tune in to hear 5 secrets to success that help any new teacher achieve veteran status in no time. You’ll unlock the strategies to lay a strong foundation while upping your technique and finesse game.QuotablesIts simple. But it is also simply overlooked.That is what makes teachers great… they get past the barriers kids put up, and they use that in as a way to convey expectations encouragement and content.Getting clear on what you envision your space to look, feel and sound like well before that first day will help you make it a reality.Boundaries are a way of letting kids know that you are willing to give some rope but they don’t get to be in control of the lasso.[Kids] might not outwardly thank you for setting boundaries but it lets them know you love and care for them bc you are making their learning space safe and their learning opportunities fair and fun.That trust and relationship cannot grow if you do not water it with follow through.You will give them healthy boundaries that allow them to stretch but never to fall.How you start and how you guide throughout the year will have a huge impact on how far kids get under your tutelage.Participate in the 200th Episode FunOption 1: If you have enjoyed the podcast, leave me a quick audio comment telling me what your favorite thing about the Empowering Educators podcast is. Don’t forget to say your name and where you’re from so I can give you the proper shout out. You can use Voxer (my handle is gschultek). You can also use a voice recorder app on your phone and email it to me: [email protected] 2: If you have a favorite Empowering Educators episode, email me at [email protected] to cast your vote!Enter the Amazon GC contest: All you have to do is leave a rating and review on iTunes, screenshot it, and email that to me at [email protected]. I’ll be picking a winner in September!Join the New(er) Teacher Mentorship Programhttps://alwaysalesson.teachable.com/p/new-er-teacher-mentorship-program/Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Shop AAL Swaghttps://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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 is no question whether or not teachers want to make an impact in their classrooms. But oftentimes there are two factors that come into play that could make or break that very first day of school for both teachers and students. Tune in to hear what those are and how to prepare so that day 1 is a winner for everyone! Quotables [bctt tweet="A lot of teachers and students are excited to head back to school, but for some it brings anxiety and overwhelm. Step back and meet them where they are." username="gschultek"] [bctt tweet="Students just want you to know their name, love and support them unconditionally and pull out their best qualities and gifts so they can begin to see their future." username="gschultek"] [bctt tweet="How you start day 1 limits or enhances your impact." username="gschultek"] [bctt tweet="Protect your students from experiencing adult stressors." username="gschultek"] [bctt tweet="Stay present and positive in what you see for yourself and that will become what students see for themselves." username="gschultek"] [bctt tweet="The more we equip others with the tools that helped us overcome, the better off we all will be down the road." username="gschultek"] [bctt tweet="You cannot have an impact if you aren’t present." username="gschultek"] [bctt tweet="If you push kids to be their best, you must back that up with twice as much support, kindness and encouragement to sustain them." username="gschultek"] [bctt tweet="No one works hard for someone that dogs them hard and leaves them on their own." username="gschultek"] [bctt tweet="We have to make sure we pair every push with a path." username="gschultek"] [bctt tweet="The outside world is tough enough. The inside world doesn’t have to be." username="gschultek"] Participate in the 200th Episode Fun Option 1: If you have enjoyed the podcast, leave me a quick audio comment telling me what your favorite thing about the Empowering Educators podcast is. Don’t forget to say your name and where you’re from so I can give you the proper shout out. You can use Voxer (my handle is gschultek). You can also use a voice recorder app on your phone and email it to me: [email protected] Option 2: If you have a favorite Empowering Educators episode, email me at [email protected] to cast your vote! Enter the Amazon GC contest: All you have to do is leave a rating and review on iTunes, screenshot it, and email that to me at [email protected]. I’ll be picking a winner in September! Join the New(er) Teacher Mentorship Program https://alwaysalesson.teachable.com/p/new-er-teacher-mentorship-program/ Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter http://eepurl.com/lJKNn Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203 Shop AAL Swag https://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/ Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’  

Jahkari “JT” Taylor was born to be a Purpose Pusher. His life’s work demonstrates his passion for cultivating, motivating, and inspiring people from all walks of life. Yet, JT’s life story may not fit the mold of an ideal Purpose Pusher. When he was just a child he went from living in a 1987 Ford Fairmont, to a packed homeless shelter. Then, after his mother applied for Section 8 housing, they soon relocated to a tough neighborhood in the South Norfolk area of Chesapeake, Virginia. He attended Title 1 schools as a struggling student who failed to realize his academic potential. Yet, in spite of the adversities he encountered as a youth, JT emerged out of an impoverished, single-parent upbringing with a desire to push others into their divine purpose in life. JT is now a transformational educator who has three earned degrees (magna cum laude) and he is the 2017 City-wide Teacher of the Year for Chesapeake Public Schools in Virginia. JT is also the founder of Purpose Pushers LLC which is a hybrid educational consulting company that couples research-based professional development with motivational speaking. He has written 5 books and presented at numerous K-12 schools, colleges/universities, and professional conferences across the East coast. Quotables I was present, but not available for learning. Cumulative Effect: I needed to hear the same message multiple different ways from many different people before it began to click. We know that educators wear so many hats, you have to be multi faceted. you have to be organized, analytical, understand curriculum framework and alignment, so many things you need. above everything else I think you need to have the right heart. i think you can learn strategies, techniques, so many things when you go into teacher prep programs but the one thing you cant learn is to be empathetic and have a heart for kids and love kids genuinely, authentically and want to be present to help them. Above all, educators who i consider teacher with a purpose are those who are understanding, empathetic, compassionate, resilient..to me they manifest character traits of good decent people opposed to those who we would consider book smart or have a good handle on curriculum and instruction. Teachers want to feel supported and have a sense of encouragement. Always be mindful of the reason why you entered the field of education. You need to approach every day like you’re on assignment. What’s not scheduled will not get accomplished. Their success is my success. It’s the teacher that creates the bridge to help [students] move from disengaged to highly engaged. This pedagogy stuff won’t work if you don’t build a relationship with kids. An uninspired teacher cannot be expected to inspire teachers. JT’s Stamp of Approval Pedro Noguera (equity leader) Baruti Kafele (motivational principal) Hamish Brewer (inspirational, unconventional leader) “Teaching with Poverty in Mind” by Eric Jensen Connect with JT (Purpose Pushers LLC) Website: www.purposepushers.com Email: [email protected] Mailing Address: PO Box 2832, Chesapeake VA, 23327 Social Media Handles: Twitter – @PurposePushers LinkedIN- JT Taylor Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Shop AAL Swag https://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/ Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter http://eepurl.com/lJKNn Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203 Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Instructional coaching and teacher leadership are essential for moving the needle in student achievement and teacher proficiency. But the way coaches are leading teachers ends up landing flat because they are either pushing too hard or pulling too far. The secret to great teacher leadership is being a guide on the side- not pushing or pulling too much. Tune in to hear 3 steps to ensure you pass the ownership baton to teachers so that the improvement is long term. Quotables When we make decisions under pressure, on a short time frame, we lack the intention and insight necessary for that decision to ever truly become effective. Great Teachers don’t equal great leaders. We gotta stop panicking and jumping on the latest bandwagon. Because growth pain is ordinary and expected and the pain makes the results that much more worth it. It might be faster to push or pull, but it’s never effective. [Teachers] are invested in the process when they know you are invested in them as people. Transparency and being human is what connects us all. Links Mentioned in the Episode: Coaching Summit link: https://bit.ly/2VzcnIR Coaching Links: coaching plan- https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Instructional-Coaching-Developing-a-Coaching-Plan-4237551 coaching duties- https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Instructional-Coaching-Coach-Duties-Pie-Chart-2567708 holding coaches accountable- https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Instructional-Coaching-Coach-Performance-Evaluation-Rubric-2567694 Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter http://eepurl.com/lJKNn Shop AAL Swag https://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/ Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203 Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’    

Overwhelm can get the best of us. In fact, too many teachers are leaving the profession due to their plates being full for far too long. When you learn how to recognize overwhelm before it overcomes you, you can begin to hack away at your schedule so that you conserve energy and happiness for what matters most- teaching. Tune in to hear 5 tips and get access to an amazing opportunity for teachers struggling to beat the overwhelm.QuotablesReflection and evaluation are powerful tools we often overlook because we think we don’t have time.You can only carry so much folks. It doesn’t mean you are less of a person or teacher because you have to dump the non-essentials.Skim the fat and oil the machine.It’s a temporary shut-down to conserve your time and energy.Join the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Clubhttps://40htw.com/join/Type in ‘[email protected]’ as your referralJoin the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnShop AAL Swaghttps://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Sometimes you can be so tuned in that you don’t realize your candle is burning out. For teachers, summer is a great time to unplug by becoming a learner in something new. You have permission to fill your cup in another passion so that you can be great at your main passion as an educator. Tune in to learn how to best utilize your summer break so that you are a lifelong learner but also a well-rested, rejuvenated teacherQuotablesDon’t feel bad about needing a break. Everyone has their limit and it doesn’t mean you’re a bad teacher or that you can’t hack a life-long career as an educator.It is time to switch gears so your body can rest, your mind can declutter and your spirit can get ignited again.Be a better teacher through … a creative outlet to unplug.Experts can do other things… and new teachers are no exception.Become a well-rounded human because that serves your kids best.Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnShop AAL Swaghttps://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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 time we take what is working in our own classrooms and share it with other educators so that they can replicate our success. To truly amplify our impact in our classroom, school buildings, and community we need to figure out where we excel and make it accessible to others so that they can repeat our success. Follow the four-step proven method shared in this episode to amplify your impact by increasing teacher proficiency and student achievement in the classroom.Quotables:Why do we have to contain our impact?If we are able to find success in the classroom, we should be able to take that success and multiply it in a way so that more students can be positively impacted.No child should be at an advantage or disadvantage depending on what teacher they are assigned.If one teacher is doing great, we must dissect that success and replicate it so all students can benefit.When we better ourselves, we better others.If we want to have an impact, we have to think beyond ourselves. To amplify our impact, we have to act beyond ourselves.Educators have each other’s backs.Let’s not waste another moment being a lesser version of ourselves.Sign Up for the Teacher Leader Summithttps://bit.ly/2VzcnlRPrevious Podcast Episode Mentioned:Ep 133: You Don’t Need a Title to Lead Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnShop AAL Swaghttps://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

  Kim is a veteran educator of 17 years, currently a 7th-grade English teacher, Beginning Teacher Mentor, Educational Technology Specialist, and technology and standards-based coach throughout her district. She also has a Leading Edge Blended Learning certificate and is a Level 2 Google Certified Educator. During her career, she’s taught band, choir, AVID, Study Skills, and all levels of English Language Arts (ELA), including special education, English Learners, accelerated, and students with disabilities with a co-teacher. She has a unique set of experiences that allow her to meet her students and teaching mentees where they’re at, illuminate their unique value to the world, and create strong and lasting relationships. Kim says, “I absolutely LOVE teaching 7th grade as well as coaching new teachers. Both groups have needs that are unique to that time in their life. They’re dealing with crazy and overwhelming transitions and their future success greatly depends on the love and support they receive at that time.” Quotables Be introspective and look at what we are doing well Use what you are good at in a positive way Be quick to apologize “How can I help you so that you can be your best?” You can be teaching’s biggest cheerleader, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to make you a successful educator Be self-reflective and have a burning desire to improve and learn for the sake of the kids Be honest with yourself Your life in the classroom is going to be vastly easier and enjoyable if you are a likable teacher who genuinely connects with their students We have to stop making excuses for ourselves Use your time off to reset Kim’s Stamp of Approval Education Podcast Network Chris Nesi from House of EdTech Gary Vaynerchuk Twitter Thought Leaders: David Geurin, George Couros, Alice Keeler, Pernille Ripp, Connect with Kim Blog: https://www.mrslepre.com Podcast: https://teachersneedteachers.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimlepre Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrslepre Facebook Group: Teachers Need Teachers Facebook Page: Lepre’s Learning Log Email: [email protected] Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Shop AAL Swag https://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/ Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter http://eepurl.com/lJKNn Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203 Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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 term “teacher leader” encompasses so many jobs in and around a school building. Learning how to lead others can be tricky and confusing. But when you understand the variety of leadership styles that are out there and you reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, you are able to create your own style of leadership. Tune in to hear four common leadership types as well as the cost and benefits of each so that you can get to work developing your own style to lead others.Quotables:I didn’t differentiate my style based on who I was leading, and I think that held me back from being more effective sooner.That is what is tricky about leadership- it’s not what works for you, it’s what works for them. You are now developing other people, so you need to read your audience.I can’t be left out in the deep ocean figuring out how to swim on my ownNo one ever outgrows a coach because the support changes based on your needs.Be kind to yourself as you are honing your craft because you’re not going to be perfectPrevious Podcast Episode MentionedInterview with Nicole TurnerShop AAL Swaghttps://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Educators experience stress just like all other professions. Sometimes those seasons of stress feel never ending and can even convince you that your life in education will never be any different than the ugly struggle it is right now. The truth is, seasons of stress when your toes are to the fire are moments for growth. Tune in to hear a 3 step system to help you tackle those seasonal stressors while never losing your passion along the way.QuotablesWhether you sink or swim, you learn what to do next time.Stress is an old friend… It will keep coming around, so you might as well get to know it.[Fight] the flame instead of running around screaming about the fire.You don’t want to relive the same stress even if you meet the same fire.My passion started to grow in the same place where it was once stolenShop AAL Swaghttps://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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 is easy this day in age to get distracted. Teachers can easily fall down a rabbit hole full of shiny, sparkly classroom implementations that don’t always lead to student learning or teacher effectiveness. Tune in to hear what the “main thing” is when it comes to teaching and tips to hone your craft in the areas of lesson design and execution.QuotablesCutesy classroom décor.. is the icing on the cake, but it’s not the ingredients to make a cake, let alone a good one.You cannot be great in teaching if you don’t know how or don’t spend time getting better at the main thing.We have to get good at the main thing before we can add the icing.There is no reason to keep writing plans you won’t read or use or that do not help students achieve.Thorough doesn’t mean wordy.When you write your lesson plans just think about putting purpose into that piece of paperWe can’t wait until ¾ of the lesson goes by to get students interacting with their new learningShop AAL Swaghttps://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Being a teacher is more than just teaching content lessons. It is the life-giving work of an educator to develop the people in front of them every day. One way to do that is to provide appropriate challenge and support so that overtime students begin to rely on themselves to overcome hardships. Tune in to hear tips on how to elevate your lesson design process so that it stretches students in a comfortable, rewarding way.QuotablesGive me a sticker and I will do my very best for a few minutes. Give me a warm smile and I will do my very best for a little while. Give me encouragement and I will do my very best for a long while. Give me the experiences that help me believe in myself and I will do my very best forever. (Author Unknown)it is the art of lesson design and student engagement that provides the EXPERIENCE that lasts the lifetime.They are seeing a highlight reel in their head of all the past road blocks and obstacles and remember the feeling hurdling over them without the help of anyone but their inner dialogue and muscle memory.They learn what they are made of and how they are smart enough to think it through and strong enough to make it through.It has to be a continuous process that develops in intricacy over time.The dominos cannot go into motion until you have a plan in place for how to stop teaching content lessons and think bigger into developing people.AAL Swaghttps://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Leanne Stone is a former third grade teacher in Charlotte, NC who taught through Teach for America. Like most new teachers, Leanne found herself overwhelmed by the responsibilities and costs of creating new classroom materials and began to explore online materials to help her prepare for class. Leanne now coaches hundreds of teachers and school administrators through Teachers Pay Teachers, an online hub for teacher-authored resources. She helps schools implement TpT for Schools, the schoolwide version of TpT that allows the school to pay for classroom resources rather than teachers and share those materials campus-wide. With more than two thirds of all teachers in the U.S. using TpT, and more than 2,000 schools using the campus-wide offering, the website has evolved into a “virtual teachers’ lounge,” according to Forbes. Leanne offers first-person insights on how TpT is providing teachers with alternatives and solutions to the obstacles they face in the classroom. Quotables Teacher Must Haves = positivity, relationship building, open to new ideas and tactics Don’t try to do everything Lean in to the people around you who have been in your shoes A growth mindset is inspiring to me Get out of your building and get connected Leanne’s Stamp of Approval Ed Surge PBS Education TpT Conferences Connect with Leanne TpT for Schools Website- schools.teacherspayteachers.com Email- [email protected] TpT for Schools Email- [email protected] Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’    

As teacher leaders, we have many pencils in our lives that need our attention to be sharpened so that their talents come to fruition. But if we do not provide the paper so that these pencils can develop and create their masterpieces, then it’s all for not. Tune in to hear an inspiring analogy from an elite educator plus my quick tips to put things into action!QuotablesPencils, however, become dull over time, losing the ability to put forth life changing work. It isn’t until they are sharpened that they can continue to achieve what they were created to accomplish.Paper is what allows ideas to be remembered, thoughts to be shared, and wisdom to be internalized.Without paper, “pencils” would be useless.They need us to lead the way they need supportPencils are instruments of impact and by refusing to sharpen them we are denying their impact from coming to fruition.We can’t continue being roadblock rocks…. Standing in the way of forward momentum, passion development, skill acquisition, and a sense of community and support.Connect with Chuck PooleTeachonomy Resource Mentioned in this EpisodeMentor-Mentee Discussion Dice GameJoin the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

As leaders, we sometimes think we have to know and be able to do everything. The truth is, were only need to know of people and things to help us along the way. Tune in to hear 3 ways you can leverage your surroundings so that you can maximize your influence in helping teachers.Quotables“If you are on social media, and you are not learning, not laughing, not being inspired or not networking, then you are using it wrong.” Germany Kent . [mentioned by @medahl]You are as good as you use your resources.Use what you got, then go get more.You are a Teacher leader not because of what you bring to the table already, but what you are CAPABLE OF BRINGING TO THE TABLE IN THE FUTURE.I don’t know the answer to that, but I will be glad to find out.You are only as powerful as you allow yourself to be.Podcast Feedback Surveyhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Gb-PQaffZZkCp-6wik8Wgnvt7KCEAbbnLoHaFVveypE/prefillJoin the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

As educators we have a daily duty to help our students develop into their potential, both in life and academia. In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., this episode focuses on how his prolific words ring true in our classroom practices to ensure our students can be kind and do good each and every day.Quotables (in honor of MLK, Jr.)Be Kind“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘what are you doing for others?’”“The surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”“The time is always ripe to do RIGHT.”Do Good“No one has the right to rain on your dreams.”“Whatever your life’s work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.”“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way”“If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”My Co-HostJoin the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Having high expectations isn’t a bad thing, until they no longer are achievable and as a result, debilitate you. Tune in to hear my story of how I dealt with the reality of not being able to live the life I once had and adjusted my mindset and action steps to reach new heights in a more manageable way under those new circumstances.QuotablesI am going to treat myself better and give myself space to be imperfect.I take my worst attribute and do what I can to avoid it coming to the surface and in doing so that behavior becomes my best attribute.High expectations are great but when they don’t match and take into consideration the circumstances of the moment, they are dead expectations.It’s not that I am LESS THAN, I just have a different set of circumstances that alter my expectations.I came into this moment of clarity on a pity party and left on a party bus.I am not incapable of doing what I have done before. I just have to do it differently.The best thing you can do is be real about what you’re facing.I am not a lesser version of me, I am the best version of me in this circumstance.Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Amber Harper is a Google Certified Educator, Trainer, and Innovator, as well as a Seesaw Ambassador. She is also the founder of www.burnedinteacher.com and creator of Burned-In EdTech Consulting and Teacher Coaching where she has joint her two loves in her career: her love of edtech and innovation in the classroom with her obsession for helping educators who are struggling to find their own passions within the education profession. As a former public elementary school teacher, she promotes the use of technology as a tool for transformation in the classroom, and is obsessed with helping teachers take themselves from burned-out to BURNED-IN! She specializes in technology integration in the classroom and in supporting educators who are struggling to decide what their next best step in on their education journey. Quotables The worst anyone can say is “No” All it takes is one small step Teachers are well intentioned about what they do The best teachers I have met … have to be willing to build relationships, get vulnerable and continue to learn and do better Teachers are the best thieves There is no better time than now. If something needs to be changed, there is no sense in holding off It’s unfair to assume that all stories of burnout are the same The best thing you can do as an educator is step away from your job as an educator…have a life outside of teaching I wouldn’t take anything back about my journey, because it has lead me to where I am now Amber’s Stamp of Approval Marco Polo App Google in the Classroom blog post Gerry Brooks , Matt Miller from Ditch that Textbook , Kim Strobel from Strobel Education 3 Ways Teacher Heroes Prevent Their Own Burnout blog post podcasts- Angela Watson of Truth for Teachers, Always A Lesson’s Empowering Educators Podcast, Jennifer Gonzalez of Cult of Pedagogy, Matt Miller & Kasey Bell of Google Teacher Tribe Gretchen’s Stamp of Approval Voxer App The Do’s & Don’ts of Using the Voxer App blog post Twitter Chat How-To blog post and webinar Twitter Chat Schedule How Burn Out Saved My Educator Spirit (Always A Burned-In Teacher Mini Series) blog post Connect with Amber Instagram @burnedinteacher Facebook Page @burnedinteacher Twitter @burnedinteacher LinkedIn @burnedinteacher YouTube Burned-In Teacher Facebook Group The Burned-In Teacher Small Group Coaching Program Google University (register here) Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Facing obstacles is a daily occurrence in the life of a teacher. Oftentimes, we educators rely on our support systems to help us overcome struggles, but it turns out when we allow ourselves to be independent and work through our trials alone, we see just what we are made up of…and we make it out on top every time. A superhero lives within each of us if we would just follow the simple 5 step process shared in this episode.QuotablesI might be a superhero on the inside, but I’m not perfectIf I continue to rely on other things and other people I’ll never see what I can accomplish on my ownYou might be able to flex a new muscle if you just allow yourself to work it outFacing challenges is only scary when you don’t have a strategyJoin the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

A mentor is a great thing to have as a learner; until you sit waiting for them to tell you what to do and when to do it. You will never become all that you are meant to be by waiting on someone else to tell you how to do it. Tune in to hear a 5 step process to help you take charge of your own evolution as an educator, all while being the mentee yourself!QuotablesMentorship means you are learning to go to the next levelI fired my mentorYou never grow when you are not challenged to think or act differentlyLearning all you can as fast as you canJoin the New(er) Teacher Mentorship Programhttps://alwaysalesson.teachable.com/p/new-er-teacher-mentorship-program/ Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

‘Work Life Balance’ seems to be the new craze, but it’s unrealistic to think that work and life can be equally balanced on a scale. Inevitably, one takes over more time and energy than the other. But if we can learn to keep work and life living in harmony with each other, then we might just have found the secret to success. Tune in to hear more about the term ‘Work Life Harmony’ from the great mind of Jeff Bezos with additional inspiration from Simon Sinek.QuotablesIt’s hard to create a strong team when people aren’t connected.I am trying to do too much that doesn’t matter, and I am becoming less because of it.When we think everything has to be equally balanced, we set ourselves up for failureIf you are like me and living an unbalanced out of harmony life you are missing moments that matterGretchen’s Stamp of ApprovalJeff Bezos Forbes magazine article: https://www.businessinsider.com/jeff-bezo-advice-to-amazon-employees-dont-aim-for-work-life-balance-its-a-circle-2018-4Simon Sinek video: https://www.facebook.com/fearlessmotivationofficial/videos/732114443801770/Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Burn out can happen to anyone and teachers are no exception. But, burn out is taking too many great teachers out of the classroom and into other professions. Our nations’ students deserve the best to be in front of them everyday. Tune in to hear 8 ways to acknowledge and prepare for burned out moments so that they do not become catapults relocating teachers to other professions.QuotablesElite educators are going to deal with things head on before they become too big to bear and burned out moments are so much easier to handle when they remain just momentsJust like a candle is meant to burn bright, so is our teaching heartsYou gotta know yourself to help yourselfYou cant advocate for something if you don’t know what it is.Gretchen’s Stamp of ApprovalEp #010 – Always A Burned-In Lesson Series with Gretchen Bridgers: What’s A PLN and How Can You Get One?Ep #011 – Seasons of Burnout: What Are They and How Can We Overcome Them?Ep #012: What Do Heroes Do To Be Heroes?Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Daniel Jones is a middle school social studies and reading/ language arts teacher. He is a Master Flip Educator and has been teaching in the classroom for the past 13 years. Project Based Learning (PBL) has been at the forefront of Dan‘s instruction for the past seven years. When Dan began flipping his class five years ago, he took PBL and combined it with Flipped Learning to create a dynamic learning environment. After seeing such dramatic results, he began presenting about Flipped Learning and Project Based Learning at conferences and has since developed training to help educators transform their classrooms into active learning environments. He is an FLGI International Faculty Member, Master Flip Educator, and author of Flipped 3.0 Project Based Learning: An Insanely Simple Guide. Jones has earned his master’s degree from the American College of Education in the area of Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Digital Teaching and Learning. Quotables I’m not preparing them for High School. I am preparing them for life. I need to prepare them to function as global citizens. A great educator has to be a continuous learner. They have to see themselves in a progress of learning- they can never have arrived. Anyone who has arrived is going to have a rough awakening. If you’re not reading, you’re not learning. It was that ego that buried my passion. Accountability with love Is there a better way to reach my students? The project is not the dessert of the unit…it’s your main course. You don’t want to be preparing tomorrow’s lesson today. There’s a difference between NO PACE and AT YOUR OWN PACE. The answer to every question not asked is a “No.” Dan’s Stamp of Approval Podcast: Flipped Learning Worldwide Flipped Learning Global Initiative Distance Learning via Skype Edutopia Bloom’s Taxonomy Project Based Learning Peer Instruction Play Pause It EdPuzzle PlayPosit Connect with Dan Book: Flipped 3.0 Project Based Learning: An Insanely Simple Guide– “Flipped 3.0 Project Based Learning: An Insanely Simple Guide (FL Global Publishing, June 2018) explains PBL in a way that allows all teachers to have a firm understanding as to what PBL is and how to implement it into their classrooms. Dan makes PBL doable with every unit of study throughout the entire school year. He goes through the process in a step-by-step manner so that educators can see how to plan out PBL units successfully.” Website: www.flippedtrainer.weebly.com Email: [email protected] Twitter: @ideasforteacher Linkedin: Dan Jones Instagram: @ideasforteachers Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Every career choice has a daily grind. Unfortunately, some daily grinds are a lot more difficult than others and the daily grind of a teacher falls into that category. Teacher leaders can partner with teachers to unveil the value in the daily grind so that these tasks not only get completed but the passion for teaching doesn’t get lost in the day-to-day job requirements. Tune in to hear how to help teachers stay in love with teaching.QuotablesThis is why we lose great teachers because although they are talented and passionate, the job of being a teacher comes with so many obstacles it is exhausting to overcome more days than notWe cannot continue to lose our best and brightest because the job is too dang hardMy favorite leaders pushed beyond acknowledgement and rolled up their sleeves to helpAs teacher leaders our job isn’t to always hold hands; our job is to hold hands for as long as needed and then release teachers with the skills and techniques needed to do it themselves.Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Students have the insight into how they learn best. It’s up to the educator to tap into this insight when designing lessons so that potential isn’t wasted in a child. There is always a reason behind a student behavior and when educators know their kids in and out, they can uncover these motivations and preferences prior to a learning experience so that the time is used productively and successfully for all students to hone skill sets. Tune in to hear 3 characteristics you should discover about every student before delivering a lesson. Quotables I was so busy studying the greats and what worked for everyone else I never once considered what would work for my family. I expected my kid to be like everyone else and was upset when she didn’t conform I expected my kid to behave in a way that was new to her under the assumption that she’d suddenly just know what to do Allow your students to lead your decision making so you can reach them best She is ABLE, but I disabled her by having an expectation and a road map not made to her specifications Get to know [your students] and then design your action steps around their abilities and personalities Personalize the learning experience for the ones actually doing in the learning Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter http://eepurl.com/lJKNn Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203 Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Teaching can be a challenge when balance is lacking in the classroom, whether academic or behavior related. By evening out the ingredients of the classroom composition, teachers can sustain balance, sanity and happiness for all. Tune in to hear multiple strategies for problem solving the lack of balance in your classroom. Quotables I grew through pain and built up my game When our life is crazy and we are feeling all sorts of emotions, it’s usually because something is out of whack It’s a trial and error process Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter http://eepurl.com/lJKNn Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203 Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Change is inevitable. It happens to the best of us. But, when change happens to us, it can be challenging to make the most of the opportunity because our emotions get in the way. Tune in to hear 4 tips for how to control the change happening to you so that you can still become your very best. Quotables It’s a blip on the screen; it’s not a forever thing It’s a temporary setback that will lead to a long-term upgrade. Maybe your future role doesn’t have a connecting street to your current role and you have to step BACK in order to step INTO your next chapter Change (especially when it might look very different from what you want for yourself) can almost make you paralyzed How you handle these detours determines how mighty that next chapter is going to be for you You have power over your perspective and your response Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter http://eepurl.com/lJKNn Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203 Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Cole graduated from the University of Houston – Downtown with a bachelor’s degree in Urban Education. She spent the last 7 years teaching Pre-K and Kindergarten in Title 1 schools in Houston, Texas and the last two years teaching in the STEAM lab in an Early Childhood Center. Cole is passionate about giving students hands-on learning experiences and differentiating instruction. When she is not teaching, you can find her chasing around her sweet 1 year old boy, drinking LOTS of coffee, creating products to share with other educators, or catching up on her guilty pleasure – reality TV! Quotables Have a passion and love for kids Show up and do your best for kids every day Be consistent with the quality of lessons you put out Kids thrive in an environment when they know what is expected of them Curveballs are thrown at you all the time…expect the unexpected and roll with the punches Learn as much as you can, but don’t try to implement what you learned all at once Cole’s Stamp of Approval Facebook Group- Individualized Instruction for Students (Differentiation & Small Group) STEAM/STEM centers Best Seller Example- Fairytales and Nursery Rhymes STEM & STEAM Activities Gretchen’s Stamp of Approval Blog Post: The Do’s & Don’ts of Using the Voxer App Connect with Cole Facebook: Teach Glitter Grow Instagram: Teach Glitter Grow TpT: Teach Glitter Grow Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Effective leaders lead people from a place of grace not from an agenda. Everyone faces stressors on the job and being able to acknowledge the timing and size of such stressors in order to lead others towards effective change requires intention and grace. Tune in to hear how to meet your job requirements while leading others towards beneficial change during the Back-to-School mayhem.QuotablesGrace is probably the best tool in your tool belt in helping anyone improveWhen you know better, you do betterWhen you build relationships out of grace, you get additional time put on the clockIt’s better to affect long term change with grace, than lead with an agenda for short term change.Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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 hardest thing to do is become better on your own when no one is watching. Staying motivated and clear on your purpose without the pressure of a deadline or request from a member of influence is harder than imaginable. Tune in to hear how you can make a significant upgrade to your edu-self so that you maximize your potential and student achievement for the upcoming school year.QuotablesWhen I freed myself from the realization that I wasn’t a bad person or a bad teacher but that I had an opportunity to be a better one, I started to find hope and excitement to make changesI couldn’t create this caricature teacher of who I wanted to be or who I thought I was … I had to be who I was raw and imperfectI wanted to be defined by inspiring actions that lead kids to new heights but those landed as ideas in my head instead of outcomes in my classroomRecommended Reading3 Ways to Stop Being a Victim of Circumstance– by Amber Harper of Burned-In TeacherJoin the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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 technological myth in classrooms today is a trifecta: 1) if students aren’t learning on a technological device, then they aren’t learning at all 2) if teachers aren’t incorporating technology into a lesson, then they aren’t effective 3) if schools aren’t outfitted with the latest technology devices then they are behind, broke or operating on an old-school mentality. These assumptions couldn’t be further from the truth. Tune in to hear how to integrate technology the RIGHT way, not just in today’s world but in any classroom, anywhere at any time.QuotablesYou invest in technology because of what it can do for student learningStudents are capable of learning at high levels regardless of tech integrationYour students will be just fine if they do not have access to the latest and greatest tech trends because they will have a fabulous teacher who can design powerful lessonsKids are capable of showing astronomical growth in academics without touching a deviceIs there a tech tool that can teach this better than I can?The presence of tech doesn’t make a school GREAT. It’s how the tech is used that makes a school GREAT.Gretchen’s Stamp of ApprovalInternational Society for Technology in Education- https://www.iste.org/Dave Carty on Twitter (@davecarty) and website https://www.schooledintech.com/Perry Marshall Website: https://www.perrymarshall.comhttps://shakeuplearningbook.com/ by Kasey BellJoin the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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 are moments throughout the day where kids reach out to an adult hoping to make a connection. Oftentimes, these attempts are not recognized by busy adults and in the end opportunities go unnoticed for a child to fulfill their potential. Tune in to hear a powerful story about Les Brown who defied all odds to become his best self all because of a special teacher in his life.QuotablesWe as educators are in such a powerful position to help or hinder a child’s futureIf you open yourself to the possibility that it can happen, do the work so that when the opportunity strikes you are ready, then you will become more than ever imaginedIt’s not going above and beyond your job title, it is your job titleNothing can impact a kid more than a connection with an adultGretchen’s Stamp of ApprovalLes Brown Video: https://www.facebook.com/JayShettyIW/videos/1351105801701127/Need to Balance Your Life Better? Join the 40 Hour Work Week Club!Instructions to Join:http://40htw.com When purchasing, enter your Gretchen Bridgers / [email protected] as the person who referred them.Early bird access = June 5thAccess to all the June club materials (summer planning, home organization, bonus materials, sharing ideas in the Facebook group.)Official open dates = July 1-18Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

  Dr. James Davis has been an educator for the past 17 years, serving as a Professor, Principal, Assistant Principal of Instruction, and classroom teacher. He has his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Urban Education. His areas of expertise include school turn-around, elementary education, middle grades education, increasing student achievement, and teacher effectiveness. Dr. Davis has presented and been published at both the state and national level. As a former Principal of the Year and Teacher of the Year, Dr. Davis works daily in an enthusiastic manner on his personal mission statement, to Love Kids, Support Teachers, Involve Parents, and Pass it on. Quotables All effective leaders will be looking for teammates who can step up and take on challenges To support every stakeholder is easy to say and hard to do Seeking consensus needs to take a back seat to seeking understanding Live it, do it, pour into it Make relationships meaningful and authentic Love kids, support teachers, involve parents, and pass it on We have to know what we believe about relationships, what’s within our control regarding relationships, and we have to be purposeful There is something magical about year 4 or 5 If you always do what you have always done, you’ll always get what you have always gotten Keep showing up There is more value in face-to-face (and authentic) conversations James’ Stamp of Approval NCMLE (North Carolina Association for Middle Level Education) ICUE (International Conference on Urban Education) 7 Steps to School Transformation book Daybook for teachers Mission Board in the office Read, write, speak, or create teaching method Connect with James Email: [email protected] Phone: 704-918-8294 Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

No one arrives at greatness haphazardly. It takes time, dedication, patience and FEEDBACK. But, feedback can be hard to swallow, especially if it points out a weakness. It’s important to remember that even the best of the best receive feedback on a daily basis and because of that they are effective. Without the perspective and honesty of feedback, it is hard to perfect our craft. Tune in to hear 4 steps for how to snag a piece of humble pie and enter into your greatness!QuotablesFeedback [is] the difference between you rising to the top or tanking to the bottomGet it out of your head that being a great educator means you earn the right to wear feedback earmuffsOftentimes, people listen [to feedback] as a passive activityBeing great is work…it’s hard work…it’s daily hard work.the attitude of the receiver determines if the message transforms them into greatness or disasterFeedback doesn’t have to be the dreaded F word in your professional careerGretchen’s Stamp of ApprovalFollow the folks mentioned in this episode:@davidgeurin@simonsinekNeed to Balance Your Life Better? Join the 40 Hour Work Week Club!Instructions to Join:http://40htw.com When purchasing, enter your Gretchen Bridgers / [email protected] as the person who referred them.Early bird access = June 5thAccess to all the June club materials (summer planning, home organization, bonus materials, sharing ideas in the Facebook group.)Official open dates = July 1-18Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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 comes a time in your career when you need a respite in order to keep going, as if you are running a marathon and need a quick water or walk break. Too often the education profession loses great teachers because they do not get the respite they require to continue on in this career. Tune in to hear 4 tips to recharge your batteries so that you can continue using your talent to impact students for many years to come!QuotablesBy giving ourselves permission to be spontaneous we are allowing our bodies to recoup, lessening anxiety and stress, and giving us a boost of energy and happinessThere will come a day where rest just won’t cut it.You are not less of an educator because you need a breakListener FeedbackGretchen’s Stamp of ApprovalFollow the folks mentioned in this episode:@loveteachbless@craiggroeschelPD Conferences:Happy Go TeachGet Your Teach On Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnNeed to Balance Your Life Better? Join the 40 Hour Work Week Club!Instructions to Join:http://40htw.com When purchasing, enter your Gretchen Bridgers / [email protected] as the person who referred them.Early bird access = June 5thAccess to all the June club materials (summer planning, home organization, bonus materials, sharing ideas in the Facebook group.)Official open dates = July 1-18Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Engagement and empowerment not only have different meaning, but they hold different values in the classroom as students become leaders of their own learning. Fine tune your definition of engagement and empowerment by listening to this episode as well as gain tips and tricks to upgrade your teaching efficacy in the classroom.QuotablesThe more I passed the baton to my kids, the better they did in the classroomTeachers just assume if their class is engaging that their kids are empowered to take ownership in their learning but that couldn’t be further from the truthWe as educators have to be intentional about what we are doing and whyIt takes a lot of energy and a lot of effort to build a class where the goal is for students to run itThere’s no reason for you to do something for kids that they can do for themselvesGretchen’s Stamp of ApprovalTwitter (Me = @gschultek / George Couros= @gcouros)George Couros Ted TalkJoin the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnNeed to Balance Your Life Better? Join the 40 Hour Work Week Club!Instructions to Join:http://40htw.com When purchasing, enter your Gretchen Bridgers / [email protected] as the person who referred them.Early bird access = June 5thAccess to all the June club materials (summer planning, home organization, bonus materials, sharing ideas in the Facebook group.)Official open dates = July 1-18Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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 is easy to categorize student’s potential based on their misbehaviors, but we miss opportunities to help students develop critical skills in order to reflect, adjust and become their best selves. Burgess and Houf state, “separate the deed from the doer and work to change the deed.” Tune in for tips on how to do just this!QuotablesKids make mistakes and they shouldn’t be defined by themWe have to be present without being pushyLearning to recover from a misstep is a crucial life lesson every kid should have the pleasure of learning- and the earlier the betterIt’s not hands on or hands off, but hands nearbyThose hard falls are what create great humansBook RecommendationLead Like a Pirate– Shelley Burgess and Beth HoufJoin the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnNeed to Balance Your Life Better? Join the 40 Hour Work Week Club!Instructions to Join:http://40htw.com When purchasing, enter your Gretchen Bridgers / [email protected] as the person who referred them.Early bird access = June 5thAccess to all the June club materials (summer planning, home organization, bonus materials, sharing ideas in the Facebook group.)Official open dates = July 1-18Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Connect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

ANGELA WATSON (formerly Powell) has earned international recognition for her unique contributions to the field of education. A pioneer and trailblazer of modern teacher blogging, she was first known for Ms. Powell’s Management Ideas for Teachers, a website she created in 2003 to share behavior management strategies, teaching techniques, and organizational tips. The site was expanded and renamed TheCornerstoneForTeachers in 2008. Since then, Angela’s ideas have been featured in thousands of magazine articles, newsletters, and internet resources, and are utilized in teacher preparation and support programs throughout the nation. Having earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and National Board Certification as an Early Childhood Generalist, she currently works as an instructional coach and educational consultant based in Brooklyn, New York. Angela has 8 years experience as a K-12 instructional coach and 11 years experience in the PreK-3 classroom. As founder of Due Season Press and Educational Services, she has created printable curriculum resources, online courses, 4 books, the Truth for Teachers podcast, and the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club. Quotables You have a lot of responsibility, but not a lot of autonomy Traditional time management advice doesn’t really apply to teaching Teaching is a complex job If you do not have enough time, that is not your fault What teaching looks like now is completely different from what it looked like 5 years ago Envision a better way Does the amount of hours worked equate with effectiveness? It’s not about how long you are working or how hard you are working, but are you working on the right things? As teachers we are waiting for permission Mind shifts happen over time I am not satisfied with the status quo Small changes add up to big results 40 Hour Teacher Work Week Club Check out this podcast episode (and blog post) related to the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek: What would life look like if you valued your time as much as you value your money? Instructions to Join: http://40htw.com When purchasing, enter your Gretchen Bridgers / [email protected] as the person who referred them. Early bird access = June 5th Access to all the June club materials (summer planning, home organization, bonus materials, sharing ideas in the Facebook group.) Official open dates = July 1-18 Connect with Angela Website: Angela Watson’s The Cornerstone for Teachers Podcast: Truth for Teachers Books: (affiliate links) Unshakeable: 20 Ways to Enjoy Teaching Every Day…No Matter What Awakened: Change Your Mindset to Transform Your Teaching The Awakened Devotional Study Guide for Christian Teachers The Cornerstone: Classroom Management That Makes Teaching More Effective, Efficient & Enjoyable Social Media: Facebook: Angela Watson The Cornerstone for Teachers Twitter: Angela Watson Instagram: @Angela.Watson Pinterest: Angela Watson’s Teaching Ideas Contact: https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/contact/ Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Programs don’t teach kids, teachers do. We have to protect teaching talent by empowering teachers to take the important pieces of a curriculum and spend more time personalizing their lessons with their passion, talent, and creativity so that students can receive a personalized learning experience to become their best. Tune in to hear how teacher leaders can empower teachers so that their talent leads the way in the classroom.QuotablesIt’s the responsibility of the teacher to take a program and bring it to life with their own talent and expertiseWe educators can’t be replaced by robots who just Charlie Brown at the front of the classroomWe have to apply ourselves, every day, just like we ask of our kids. Those are the tools within us utilizing the tools given to us to make an impactWithout us educators, a program is only a program, but with us it becomes learningAs a teacher leader your responsibility is to help teachers get through to students in the most efficient and effective wayBe the guide on the side and exercise patienceWe as teacher leaders have a job to do to empower teachers to remember their innate ability is most important in teaching kidsEach day of learning is a day to save a child. We make them more capable and confident than ever before and that allows them to go out into this world and become whatever it is they are meant to becomeBook recommendationLead Like a PIRATE: Make School Amazing for your Students and Staff by Shelley Burgess and Beth HoufJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnConnect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Teachers are busy people and oftentimes don’t realize that every interaction they have with a child shapes the self-concept of their students. Regardless of intention, what teachers THINK about a child can be expressed as an expectation that can damage or restore a child’s passion and potential. Tune in to hear solutions for how all teachers can ensure every interaction with students communicates sincere adoration and high expectations.QuotablesEvery interaction sends a messageSend the expectation that we are spending our time wiselyIt’s not that the other teacher is better than you, they just figured out how to jive with that kidEvery kid needs to know they have potential, end of storyNo matter what our kids want to be or do, we have to encourage them to chase itYou want kids to leave your classroom thinking, “My teacher always believed in me, even when I dreamed crazy”Book recommendation‘Better than Carrots or Sticks’ by Dominique Smith, Douglas Fisher and Nancy FreyJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnConnect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

If you want to make a true impact on the teaching profession you need to adjust the way you lead others with a confidence that is silent but effective. Tune in to hear 5 tips on how the best teacher leaders personalize the learning experience of others to ensure they grow as professionals during their lifetime career as educators.Quotables:Let the learner do the leading[Leaders] don’t have much to say but in being silent they say so muchThe quietest person in the room is often the most knowledgeableI am here to do this important work WITH you, not tell you how to do it and leave you hangingI want your example to enter the room before your mouthGreat coaches shouldn’t be seenYou are best utilized behind the scenes personalizing the experience for every teacher, not talking about your golden days.Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnConnect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Leading a balanced professional and personal life is key to a long life of success and happiness. Tune in to hear how one unbalanced teacher took control of their life and enhanced all parts of it because of the big decision they were strong enough to make. Hear tips for new teachers, teachers in distress and transition and teacher leaders on how to win in life by being a balanced teacher.QuotablesNothing is foreverI can now step into my life and do it better because I took a time outI’m prepared for this unbalance. I know what I need so that I can perform my best during this hectic time. And I proactively schedule time to recoup.Don’t be afraid to make big movesGive yourself what you need so that you can go out and do betterThere’s no reward without the riskJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnConnect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Beckett Haight is a former student with special needs who went on to become a Special Educator. After getting expelled from 6th grade he had an IEP and special education services stemming from ADHD and Oppositional Defiance Disorder until graduating high school. This led him to becoming a volunteer in Special Needs classrooms in high school, then a Teacher Assistant for four years while in college, and he has been a Special Education teacher for the past 13 years in California, the Dominican Republic, Kuwait, Ethiopia and now Mexico. He is National Board Certified in Exceptional Needs, a Masters of Science in Special Education, and a Masters of Education Technology. He loves all aspects of Special Education, but has a particular passion for behavior support and post-secondary transition. He has been in the education game for 18 years and doesn’t see anything changing for the next 18. Quotables Be willing to take the time [to get to know your students] Give it 4 or 5 years to find your flow There needs to be a home-school connection for a student to be successful Beckett’s Stamp of Approval Tai Lopez on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZGNLDywn8hgzqrC9Mlz_Pw Council for Exceptional Children Connect with Beckett Blog (Collections of a Special Educator): https://becketthaight.com/ Teacher Website: https://sites.google.com/site/collectionsofaspedukator/ Twitter: @BeckettHaight (https://twitter.com/BeckettHaight) Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Teachers have a tremendous opportunity to shape students into their potential so that their future is as bright as possible. A lot of the focus for teaching children is on the curriculum component, when in reality students need even more than that to become their best. Tune in to hear 8 characteristics teachers can employ into their instruction on a daily basis so that students can reach their potential successfully.QuotablesIt’s important kids learn how to dream big enoughIt’s important kids learn how to represent their cause and their school with maturity and confidenceNo matter how hard it is, they have to dig deep and keep goingIn order to reach a goal, you have to manage your timeAccountability in and of itself is super important so students see how their decisions and effort affect their futureIt’s important to stop and review all you have done before setting up new goalsBoosterthon Fun Runhttps://boosterthon.com/“What Do You Think” Classroom Discussion Activityhttps://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/What-Do-You-Think-Group-Discussion-Activity-707604Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnConnect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

New teachers often feel like they have to prove their ability to teach to students, parents, and colleagues. But it couldn’t be further from the truth. Just landing a job means you are qualified and capable. Learning that you don’t have to do it all in the classroom to showcase your control and ability is quite a freeing truth. Tune in to hear tips on how to pull back to gain control, sanity, and respect in the classroom.QuotablesStrong leaders in the classroom are not the ones on stage, running a tight ship and keeping a serious vibeThe most successfully run classrooms do not have a laundry list of rulesYou have to know what you want students to do every second, at every turn, for everythingKeep tasks that require your brilliance for yourself and delegate other tasks to kidsJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnConnect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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 spring season in a school building can cause a lot of anxiety as testing begins and talk about changes for the upcoming school year surface. In order for a teacher to close out the current school year successfully (and with all of their sanity intact), they must avoid the rumor mill. Tune in to this episode to hear 5 tips for how to do just that!QuotablesIt’s a juggling act that ends up being so fluid nothing is ever finalLet the rumors go in one ear and out the otherYour kids don’t need to see you stress about what might or might not happen in the futureGround yourself in the truth about what you yourself can changeStay present – Stay saneReferenced Blog Post5 Mistakes to Avoid When Collaborating with ColleaguesJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnConnect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Leading others can be difficult, but with some guidance, teacher leaders can not only hone their own craft but build capacity in those that they lead. By using a cyclical process of asking questions and listening to the answers, teacher leaders can uncover potential obstacles those they lead are facing before helping a teacher implement a new skill. Tune in for tips and strategies to ask, listen and repeat!QuotablesUse the power of the people to make an impactListen undistractedHelp kiddos get to rigorous levels of understanding by questioning, not telling them how to get thereTo be knowledgeable doesn’t mean you are talkative Teach them to fish; don’t feed them fishA true leader learns alongside their teamThat is strong leadership- a leader leading without taking the reinsDon’t expect perfectionJoin the New Teacher Support Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203Join the Always A Lesson Newsletterhttp://eepurl.com/lJKNnConnect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’

Carmin Adams is an 11 year veteran and currently a third teacher at Belmont Central Elementary in Gaston County Schools right here in North Carolina. She is a graduate of Gaston County Schools and Belmont Abbey College! She is a proud mother of a beautiful sixteen year old and loves traveling!The main factor that influenced Carmin to become a teacher was the opportunity to interact with students and to impact them positively. Prior to teaching in the classroom, she served as a Computer Lab Specialist which provided the opportunity to work with all elementary grade levels, and assist in building technology based lessons for their curriculum. In addition to teaching over 350 students weekly on technology skills; Carmin collaborated and planned with all grade level teachers on how to incorporate and teach integrated technology lessons. She also served as Teacher Assistant of the Year during that time. She has served in several leadership positions, including: Benchmark Writing Team, Curriculum Revision Team for Elementary, MTSS Chair, Lead Teacher for 3rd Grade Summer Reading Program -Summer School, NCDPI Focus Teacher Group for Gaston County, Math Curriculum Revision Team, County Grading Practice Committee, Pinnacle Leader and also currently serves as a member of the Gaston County Teacher Induction Program for Success Committee. This committee serves teacher their first three years in the profession.Carmin is a highly motivated, outgoing and a creative individual who believes in accomplishing goals and objectives. She has learned to manage her time, work as a team and how to face new challenges. She believes in teaching others as well as learning with others. She believes if we give a child information, he may know it for a test. But if we teach a child the joy of learning, he will learn for life! She strives to empower students to take ownership over their learning!Update- Just announced… Carmin received Teacher of the Year for the entire Gaston County School District!! Congrats Carmin QuotablesYou have to be able to handle [feedback]Keep an open mind and adapt to changeTeaching is complicatedEmpathize with your studentsUnderstand your role in your students’ livesSay focused on why you startedA mentor promotes growth to develop you as a teacherCarmin’s Stamp of ApprovalTechnology/Pinnacle ProgramTeacher Induction Program for Success [TIPS]Education Week- This Week in Education Connect with CarminEmail: [email protected]: www.facebook.com/carminadamsConnect with GretchenEmail: [email protected]: Always A LessonFacebook: Always A LessonTwitter: @gschultekInstagram: Always.A.LessonLinkedin: Gretchen Schultek BridgersGoogle+: Gretchen Schultek BridgersBook: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in CollegeLeave a Rating and Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Why?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.How?Search for my show in 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’