Laura Williams

Gretchen interviews Laura Williams in this special Summer Series episode. Laura shares about her journey into the field of education. Laura has a passion for creativity in the classroom and a desire to help teachers empower students to think more deeply. Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee    When you’re a yes person and you’re a go getter and you do things, opportunities just come your way.   Be a motivator.    We’re trying to move the bar and we are going to move it a lot further if we move it together.    About Laura: Laura Williams (MAT, M.ED ELPS) is your resident authentic learning expert, co-facilitates the Iowa Authentic Learning Network for the Iowa AEAs, and is the founder of the Authentic Learning Alliance. She also is a Project Manager on a statewide project board for PK-12 Students across Iowa as part of her AEA role. Her educational background includes: B.A. in Interdepartmental Health Studies: Emphasis on Multidisciplinary Sciences, M.A.T. in Secondary Science Education, and Principal Licensure and M.A. in Ed. Leadership and Policy Studies and is currently a doctoral student. Laura is a certified Scrum Master, Product Owner and Agile Classrooms Trainer. Over the past 10 years, she’s dedicated herself to transforming education through incorporating authentic learning experiences with area partnerships into PK-12 classrooms as an educator, consultant, and 21st Century Learning Specialist. She believes that education can be “the great equalizer” if we can leverage our student’s interests and passions. “We have ~6.5 instructional hours a day and I believe we can be the difference. We just have to dedicate the time, space, and connections to "up the ante" for students. I believe we can help each learner find their superpowers and help them develop 21st Century skills to be successful in living, learning, and working. We can help students develop a mindset that they can be and do whatever they want in order to find their greatest human potential and live in their element.” Resources mentioned:  Agile Classrooms Live Event Sir Ken Robinson  Connect with Laura:  Website: https://www.authenticlearningalliance.org/ Twitter: @mrswilliams21c Email: laura@authenticlearningalliance.org  Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter  Join here and grab a freebie!  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College  Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2  Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ 

Gretchen interviews Laura Williams in this special Summer Series episode. Laura shares about her journey into the field of education. Laura has a passion for creativity in the classroom and a desire to help teachers empower students to think more deeply. <h3><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/EmpoweringEducatorsPodcast-31.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Quotables</h3> <em>*All quotables are from the interviewee </em> <ul> <li> <p>When you’re a yes person and you’re a go getter and you do things, opportunities just come your way.</p> </li> <li> <p>Be a motivator. </p> </li> <li> <p>We’re trying to move the bar and we are going to move it a lot further if we move it together. </p> </li> </ul> <h3>About Laura:</h3> Laura Williams (MAT, M.ED ELPS) is your resident authentic learning expert, co-facilitates the Iowa Authentic Learning Network for the Iowa AEAs, and is the founder of the Authentic Learning Alliance. She also is a Project Manager on a statewide project board for PK-12 Students across Iowa as part of her AEA role. Her educational background includes: B.A. in Interdepartmental Health Studies: Emphasis on Multidisciplinary Sciences, M.A.T. in Secondary Science Education, and Principal Licensure and M.A. in Ed. Leadership and Policy Studies and is currently a doctoral student. Laura is a certified Scrum Master, Product Owner and Agile Classrooms Trainer. Over the past 10 years, she’s dedicated herself to transforming education through incorporating authentic learning experiences with area partnerships into PK-12 classrooms as an educator, consultant, and 21st Century Learning Specialist. She believes that education can be “the great equalizer” if we can leverage our student’s interests and passions. <em>“We have ~6.5 instructional hours a day and I believe we can be the difference. We just have to dedicate the time, space, and connections to "up the ante" for students. I believe we can help each learner find their superpowers and help them develop 21st Century skills to be successful in living, learning, and working. We can help students develop a mindset that they can be and do whatever they want in order to find their greatest human potential and live in their element.”</em> <h3>Resources mentioned:</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://agileclassrooms.com/live/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Agile Classrooms Live Event</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sirkenrobinson.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sir Ken Robinson</a></li> </ul> <h3>Connect with Laura:</h3> <ul> <li>Website: <a href="https://www.authenticlearningalliance.org/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.authenticlearningalliance.org/</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/mrswilliams21c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@mrswilliams21c</a></li> <li>Email: laura@authenticlearningalliance.org</li> </ul> <h3>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h3> <ul> <li>Join <a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and grab a freebie!</li> </ul> <h3>Connect with Gretchen</h3> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/blog/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/gschultek/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/always.a.lesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always.A.Lesson</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/GretchenSchultekBridgers/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/product/elementary-educ-101-what-they-didnt-teach-you-in-college/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a></li> </ul> <h3>Leave a Rating and Review:</h3> 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.  <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a> <ul> <li>Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast</li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

297: Interview with Laura Williams

You'll enjoy this special summer interview series as Jana Lee shares about all the unique hats she's worn in education and how her journey in education has evolved. Get ready to be empowered as Jana shares how everyone has an X-factor and something unique to bring to the world of education. Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee    Teachers have it really hard. It doesn’t have to be like that.    Sometimes we forget that there’s so much out there in the impact we can have as educators.    Never underestimate the power of building relationships.    About Jana: Jana Lee is the proud founder of New Jersey's first all-girls, district, public school, she has spent the last 15 years surrounding herself with forward-thinkers in the educational space. As educator, leader, adjunct instructor, literacy specialist, and Executive Director of Jana Lee Consulting, LLC, Jana has gained valuable insight into the significance of collaboration, strategic teacher-leadership, and data-driven approaches for effecting transformative change within classrooms, schools and districts. Jana, who will complete her Doctor of Philosophy in Reading, Language, and Literacy in winter, 2023, continues to be most impressed by the people who work in and support our schools- the ultimate champions of student learning. Connect with Jana:  Website: janaleeconsulting.com Instagram: @misslee_edconsulting Twitter: @misslee_ed Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/janaclee  Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter  Join here and grab a freebie!  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College  Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2  Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ 

You'll enjoy this special summer interview series as Jana Lee shares about all the unique hats she's worn in education and how her journey in education has evolved. Get ready to be empowered as Jana shares how everyone has an X-factor and something unique to bring to the world of education. <h3><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/EmpoweringEducatorsPodcast-30.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Quotables</h3> <em>*All quotables are from the interviewee </em> <ul> <li> <p>Teachers have it really hard. It doesn’t have to be like that. </p> </li> <li> <p>Sometimes we forget that there’s so much out there in the impact we can have as educators. </p> </li> <li> <p>Never underestimate the power of building relationships. </p> </li> </ul> <h3>About Jana:</h3> Jana Lee is the proud founder of New Jersey's first all-girls, district, public school, she has spent the last 15 years surrounding herself with forward-thinkers in the educational space. As educator, leader, adjunct instructor, literacy specialist, and Executive Director of Jana Lee Consulting, LLC, Jana has gained valuable insight into the significance of collaboration, strategic teacher-leadership, and data-driven approaches for effecting transformative change within classrooms, schools and districts. Jana, who will complete her Doctor of Philosophy in Reading, Language, and Literacy in winter, 2023, continues to be most impressed by the people who work in and support our schools- the ultimate champions of student learning. <h3>Connect with Jana:</h3> <ul> <li>Website: <a href="https://www.janaleeconsulting.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">janaleeconsulting.com</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/misslee_edconsulting/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@misslee_edconsulting</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/misslee_ed" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@misslee_ed</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/janaclee/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">linkedin.com/in/janaclee</a></li> </ul> <h3>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h3> <ul> <li>Join <a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and grab a freebie!</li> </ul> <h3>Connect with Gretchen</h3> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/blog/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/gschultek/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/always.a.lesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always.A.Lesson</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/GretchenSchultekBridgers/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/product/elementary-educ-101-what-they-didnt-teach-you-in-college/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a></li> </ul> <h3>Leave a Rating and Review:</h3> 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.  <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a> <ul> <li>Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast</li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

296: Interview with Jana Lee

In this special bonus episode, Gretchen shares about her journey from classroom teacher to teacher leader and how her mentor helped her along the way. She now  empowers other teacher leaders to impact their school districts positively. Gretchen shares how she can specifically help teacher leaders and gives a special invitation to join her exclusive, Fall Mastermind at the end of the episode. Join the Mastermind here! Quotables  Few actually achieve it [their dreams] because of that piece of knowing how to turn it into a plan.  Everyone dreams. Most people take action but very few achieve.  Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter  Join here and grab a freebie!  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College  Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2  Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ 

In this special bonus episode, Gretchen shares about her journey from classroom teacher to teacher leader and how her mentor helped her along the way. She now  empowers other teacher leaders to impact their school districts positively. Gretchen shares how she can specifically help teacher leaders and gives a special invitation to join her exclusive, Fall Mastermind at the end of the episode. <h2><strong>Join the Mastermind <a href="https://alwaysalesson.teachable.com/courses/teacherleadermastermindfall2023" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>!</strong></h2> <h3><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/EmpoweringEducatorsPodcast-28.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Quotables</h3> <ul> <li>Few actually achieve it [their dreams] because of that piece of knowing how to turn it into a plan.</li> <li> <p>Everyone dreams. Most people take action but very few achieve. </p></li> </ul><h3>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h3> <ul> <li>Join <a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and grab a freebie!</li> </ul> <h3>Connect with Gretchen</h3> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/blog/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/gschultek/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/always.a.lesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always.A.Lesson</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/GretchenSchultekBridgers/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/product/elementary-educ-101-what-they-didnt-teach-you-in-college/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a></li> </ul> <h3>Leave a Rating and Review:</h3> 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.  <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a> <ul> <li>Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast</li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

Bonus: We All Need Something

Heidi Davis

In this special summer interview series on the Empowering Educators podcast, Gretchen interviews Heidi Davis. Heidi brings value and wisdom to the show as she shares about her experience in a variety of different educational roles. Heidi shares her secrets of how she ignites her passion in education so that you can be an empowered and great educator in the upcoming school year. Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee    Be able to go with the flow and be flexible. You never know what the day is going to bring.   Knowing what’s going on in your students’ lives makes a huge impact on the difference your education is going to make.    Don’t take yourself too seriously, it’ll be okay.   About Heidi Heidi Davis has been teaching for 10 years and has taught 6th grade, been a reading interventionist, an instructional coach, and is currently teaching third grade. She is married to her high school sweetheart and she has two kids. Heidi lives in a small town in West Virginia and she loves to spend time outdoors and being with family. Heidi's favorite past time is reading. She is passionate about helping teachers find their way through the difficult times with the help of God and to find their way back to loving teaching again. Connect with Heidi:  IG @heidi_m_davis  Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter  Join here and grab a freebie!  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College  Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2  Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ 

In this special summer interview series on the Empowering Educators podcast, Gretchen interviews Heidi Davis. Heidi brings value and wisdom to the show as she shares about her experience in a variety of different educational roles. Heidi shares her secrets of how she ignites her passion in education so that you can be an empowered and great educator in the upcoming school year. <h3><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/EmpoweringEducatorsPodcast-29.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Quotables</h3> <em>*All quotables are from the interviewee </em> <ul> <li> <p>Be able to go with the flow and be flexible. You never know what the day is going to bring.</p> </li> <li> <p>Knowing what’s going on in your students’ lives makes a huge impact on the difference your education is going to make. </p> </li> <li> <p>Don’t take yourself too seriously, it’ll be okay.</p> </li> </ul> <h3>About Heidi</h3> Heidi Davis has been teaching for 10 years and has taught 6th grade, been a reading interventionist, an instructional coach, and is currently teaching third grade. She is married to her high school sweetheart and she has two kids. Heidi lives in a small town in West Virginia and she loves to spend time outdoors and being with family. Heidi's favorite past time is reading. She is passionate about helping teachers find their way through the difficult times with the help of God and to find their way back to loving teaching again. <h3>Connect with Heidi:</h3> <ul> <li>IG <a href="https://www.instagram.com/heidi_m_davis/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@heidi_m_davis</a></li> </ul> <h3>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h3> <ul> <li>Join <a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and grab a freebie!</li> </ul> <h3>Connect with Gretchen</h3> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/blog/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/gschultek/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/always.a.lesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always.A.Lesson</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/GretchenSchultekBridgers/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/product/elementary-educ-101-what-they-didnt-teach-you-in-college/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a></li> </ul> <h3>Leave a Rating and Review:</h3> 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.  <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a> <ul> <li>Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast</li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

295: Interview with Heidi Davis

Ashley Hubner

Tune in as you listen to this special Summer Series episode on the Empowering Educators Podcast. In this episode, Gretchen interviews Ashley Hubner. You will feel empowered as you hear Ashley's story of being a classroom teacher, instructional coach and curriculum specialist. You'll love her advice on how to reignite your passion, listen today! Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee    In education today, you have to be very flexible and adaptable.   There are so many good educators everywhere in the world. If we were to collaborate a lot more outside of our own little silos, we could make education great.  About Ashley Ashley has been an Instructional Coach and Curriculum Specialist since 2013. Her background contains experience in systematic planning, curriculum design, professional development, and intervention. She provides quality professional development at the campus and district levels to improve classroom instruction within schools. Ashley is dedicated to impacting student growth by building capacity within schools through coaching, mentoring, and professional development. She enjoys working with stakeholders to build instructional effectiveness within classrooms while cultivating a positive school culture. Ashley started ACCESS to impact the success of students. She believes education is an ever-changing world, so as educators, we must be life-long learners. We must be prepared to meet all learners’ needs as education changes. Together, we can find student-centered solutions that will give all students access to a profound learning environment, every day.  Purchase Ashley's book she mentions here: https://coachingaccess.net/sales-landing/ Connect with Ashley:  Facebook @coaching.access IG @coaching_access Twitter @coaching_access Linkedin @accesscoach Website: https://coachingaccess.net/  Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter  Join here and grab a freebie!  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College  Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2  Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ 

Tune in as you listen to this special Summer Series episode on the Empowering Educators Podcast. In this episode, Gretchen interviews Ashley Hubner. You will feel empowered as you hear Ashley's story of being a classroom teacher, instructional coach and curriculum specialist. You'll love her advice on how to reignite your passion, listen today! <h3><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EmpoweringEducatorsPodcast-26.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Quotables</h3> <em>*All quotables are from the interviewee </em> <ul> <li> <p>In education today, you have to be very flexible and adaptable.</p> </li> <li> <p>There are so many good educators everywhere in the world. If we were to collaborate a lot more outside of our own little silos, we could make education great.</p> </li> </ul><h3>About Ashley</h3> Ashley has been an Instructional Coach and Curriculum Specialist since 2013. Her background contains experience in systematic planning, curriculum design, professional development, and intervention. She provides quality professional development at the campus and district levels to improve classroom instruction within schools. Ashley is dedicated to impacting student growth by building capacity within schools through coaching, mentoring, and professional development. She enjoys working with stakeholders to build instructional effectiveness within classrooms while cultivating a positive school culture. Ashley started ACCESS to impact the success of students. She believes education is an ever-changing world, so as educators, we must be life-long learners. We must be prepared to meet all learners’ needs as education changes. Together, we can find student-centered solutions that will give all students access to a profound learning environment, every day.  Purchase Ashley's book she mentions here: <a href="https://coachingaccess.net/sales-landing/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://coachingaccess.net/sales-landing/</a> <h3>Connect with Ashley:</h3> <ul> <li>Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/coaching.access" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@coaching.access</a></li> <li>IG <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coaching_access/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@coaching_access</a></li> <li>Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/coaching_access" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@coaching_access</a></li> <li>Linkedin <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/accesscoach/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@accesscoach</a></li> <li>Website: <a href="https://coachingaccess.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://coachingaccess.net/</a></li> </ul> <h3>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h3> <ul> <li>Join <a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and grab a freebie!</li> </ul> <h3>Connect with Gretchen</h3> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/blog/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/gschultek/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/always.a.lesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always.A.Lesson</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/GretchenSchultekBridgers/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/product/elementary-educ-101-what-they-didnt-teach-you-in-college/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a></li> </ul> <h3>Leave a Rating and Review:</h3> 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.  <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a> <ul> <li>Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast</li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

294: Interview with Ashley Hubner

What is collaboration? What is it not? In this short and sweet episode, Gretchen talks all about collaboration amongst teachers. Stay tuned until the end as Gretchen gives you a special opportunity for collaboration amongst other teacher leaders. Join the Mastermind here! Quotables  We cannot confusing talking with true collaboration.  We have to push each other’s thinking. Tuning people out when it doesn’t apply to you is not a way to be a good collaborator. Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter  Join here and grab a freebie!  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College  Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2  Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ 

What is collaboration? What is it not? In this short and sweet episode, Gretchen talks all about collaboration amongst teachers. Stay tuned until the end as Gretchen gives you a special opportunity for collaboration amongst other teacher leaders. <h2><strong>Join the Mastermind <a href="https://alwaysalesson.teachable.com/courses/teacherleadermastermindfall2023" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>!</strong></h2> <h3><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EmpoweringEducatorsPodcast-27.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Quotables</h3> <ul> <li>We cannot confusing talking with true collaboration. </li> <li>We have to push each other’s thinking.</li> <li>Tuning people out when it doesn’t apply to you is not a way to be a good collaborator.</li> </ul><h3>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h3> <ul> <li>Join <a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and grab a freebie!</li> </ul> <h3>Connect with Gretchen</h3> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/blog/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/gschultek/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/always.a.lesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always.A.Lesson</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/GretchenSchultekBridgers/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/product/elementary-educ-101-what-they-didnt-teach-you-in-college/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a></li> </ul> <h3>Leave a Rating and Review:</h3> 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.  <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a> <ul> <li>Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast</li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

Bonus: The Secret Sauce of Collaboration

In this episode of the Empowering Educators podcast, Gretchen interviews Michelle Ruhe. Michelle shares all about her journey in education. Throughout the interview, Michelle shares wisdom and encouragement to all educators that will empower you to be elite no matter where you are at in your journey. Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee    It’s not about the knowledge. It’s about the people.    The reason you’re here right now, in this situation is because you’re supposed to learn something and think about what that is.    Even though it’s stressful, there’s a tremendous benefit to the lesson you’re going to learn from it once you get through the hard part.    About Michelle Michelle helps teachers and school leaders implement best instructional practices in literacy, as she stays very current in the latest research findings. She's in classrooms every day, working alongside teachers, helping students grow. Michelle keeps things simple, where impactful student learning, not cutesy fluff, is at the forefront. This is the recipe that leads to maximum student success and reduced teacher overwhelm. Her 15 years of classroom experience include: -Kindergarten -First Grade -Second Grade -Fourth Grade -Lead Teacher -Teaching in 4 different states -Opened 2 new buildings -Looped twice and then serving as a literacy interventionist, K-5 for 5 years, and have now been a literacy coach for three years. Additionally, as part of the school's leadership team, she gets to partner with administration to plan and implement next steps forward for greater student achievement in literacy. Connect with Michelle:  IG @coach_fromthecouch Twitter @MichelleRuhe Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-ruhe/ Website: www.coachfromthecouch.com  Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter  Join here and grab a freebie!  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College  Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2  Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ 

In this episode of the Empowering Educators podcast, Gretchen interviews Michelle Ruhe. Michelle shares all about her journey in education. Throughout the interview, Michelle shares wisdom and encouragement to all educators that will empower you to be elite no matter where you are at in your journey. <h3><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/EmpoweringEducatorsPodcast-23.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Quotables</h3> <em>*All quotables are from the interviewee </em> <ul> <li> <p>It’s not about the knowledge. It’s about the people. </p> </li> <li> <p>The reason you’re here right now, in this situation is because you’re supposed to learn something and think about what that is. </p> </li> <li> <p>Even though it’s stressful, there’s a tremendous benefit to the lesson you’re going to learn from it once you get through the hard part. </p> </li> </ul> <h3>About Michelle</h3> Michelle helps teachers and school leaders implement best instructional practices in literacy, as she stays very current in the latest research findings. She's in classrooms every day, working alongside teachers, helping students grow. Michelle keeps things simple, where impactful student learning, not cutesy fluff, is at the forefront. This is the recipe that leads to maximum student success and reduced teacher overwhelm. Her 15 years of classroom experience include: -Kindergarten -First Grade -Second Grade -Fourth Grade -Lead Teacher -Teaching in 4 different states -Opened 2 new buildings -Looped twice and then serving as a literacy interventionist, K-5 for 5 years, and have now been a literacy coach for three years. Additionally, as part of the school's leadership team, she gets to partner with administration to plan and implement next steps forward for greater student achievement in literacy. <h3>Connect with Michelle:</h3> <ul> <li>IG <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coach_fromthecouch/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@coach_fromthecouch</a></li> <li>Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/michelleruhe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@MichelleRuhe</a></li> <li>Linkedin <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-ruhe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-ruhe/</a></li> <li>Website: <a href="https://coachfromthecouch.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.coachfromthecouch.com</a></li> </ul> <h3>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h3> <ul> <li>Join <a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and grab a freebie!</li> </ul> <h3>Connect with Gretchen</h3> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/blog/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/gschultek/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/always.a.lesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always.A.Lesson</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/GretchenSchultekBridgers/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/product/elementary-educ-101-what-they-didnt-teach-you-in-college/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a></li> </ul> <h3>Leave a Rating and Review:</h3> 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.  <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a> <ul> <li>Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast</li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

293: Interview with Michelle Ruhe

Meet Courtney Tate in this special interview episode on the Empowering Educators Podcast. Courtney shares her journey from teacher to teacher leader and everything that helped her along the way. She shares special nuggets of wisdom that will have you leaving empowered so that you can go out and be great! Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee    Step back and think about why you are doing this work.    Be patient but give yourself grace and give your students grace.   You have to be doing well mentally and emotionally to be showing up well for your students and your colleagues. Take care of yourself and take time for yourself.    About Courtney Courtney Tate is from Gastonia. Over the past nine years, Courtney has worked with teachers, facilitators, and school leaders to lead professional development and coaching to address the assessed needs of the school. Her mission is to build the capacity of teachers and leaders to have a positive impact on student achievement one goal at a time. Connect with Courtney:  IG @ctatewrites Facebook: CourtneyTateConsulting Website https://courtneystate.com/  Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter  Join here and grab a freebie!  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College  Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2  Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ 

Meet Courtney Tate in this special interview episode on the Empowering Educators Podcast. Courtney shares her journey from teacher to teacher leader and everything that helped her along the way. She shares special nuggets of wisdom that will have you leaving empowered so that you can go out and be great! <h3><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/EmpoweringEducatorsPodcast-25.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Quotables</h3> <em>*All quotables are from the interviewee </em> <ul> <li> <p>Step back and think about why you are doing this work. </p> </li> <li> <p>Be patient but give yourself grace and give your students grace.</p> </li> <li> <p>You have to be doing well mentally and emotionally to be showing up well for your students and your colleagues. Take care of yourself and take time for yourself. </p> </li> </ul> <h3>About Courtney</h3> Courtney Tate is from Gastonia. Over the past nine years, Courtney has worked with teachers, facilitators, and school leaders to lead professional development and coaching to address the assessed needs of the school. Her mission is to build the capacity of teachers and leaders to have a positive impact on student achievement one goal at a time. <h3>Connect with Courtney:</h3> <ul> <li>IG <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ctatewrites/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@ctatewrites</a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CourtneyTateConsulting" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CourtneyTateConsulting</a></li> <li>Website<a href="https://courtneystate.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://courtneystate.com/</a></li> </ul> <h3>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h3> <ul> <li>Join <a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and grab a freebie!</li> </ul> <h3>Connect with Gretchen</h3> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/blog/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/gschultek/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/always.a.lesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always.A.Lesson</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/GretchenSchultekBridgers/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/product/elementary-educ-101-what-they-didnt-teach-you-in-college/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a></li> </ul> <h3>Leave a Rating and Review:</h3> 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.  <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a> <ul> <li>Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast</li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

292: Interview with Courtney Tate

In this episode of the Empowering Educators Podcast, Gretchen interviews Casey Watts. Casey gives practical and applicable advice that is easy to follow. You'll step away from this interview with powerful nuggets of wisdom that you'll be able to use right away! Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee    If you can hone your resiliency as a classroom teacher and be ready to shape shift it as you move into an instructional leadership role you will have so much more confidence and clarity about what you bring to the table as a leader.    Part of growing into leadership is being the courageous person that owns their current reality but does not accept it for what it is.    When we find passion in what we are doing, even the hard things become easier or manageable.    About Casey Casey Watts is an Impact Coach and Consultant as well as a school-based instructional specialist in East Texas. She received her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Elementary Education and her Master's Degree of Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. Over the past several years, she has focused her research and work on effective collaboration that leads to collective efficacy. In this work, she has recognized the importance of internal and external components that are absolutely necessary for cohesive, vision-driven teams. In her experience, she has realized that this is possible, even when you feel overwhelmed by resistance and roadblocks. Connect with Casey:  IG @catchingupwithcasey Facebook @catchingupwithcasey Website www.catchingupwithcasey.com  Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter  Join here and grab a freebie!  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College  Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2  Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ 

In this episode of the Empowering Educators Podcast, Gretchen interviews Casey Watts. Casey gives practical and applicable advice that is easy to follow. You'll step away from this interview with powerful nuggets of wisdom that you'll be able to use right away! <h3><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/EmpoweringEducatorsPodcast-24.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Quotables</h3> <em>*All quotables are from the interviewee </em> <ul> <li> <p>If you can hone your resiliency as a classroom teacher and be ready to shape shift it as you move into an instructional leadership role you will have so much more confidence and clarity about what you bring to the table as a leader. </p> </li> <li> <p>Part of growing into leadership is being the courageous person that owns their current reality but does not accept it for what it is. </p> </li> <li> <p>When we find passion in what we are doing, even the hard things become easier or manageable. </p> </li> </ul> <h3>About Casey</h3> Casey Watts is an Impact Coach and Consultant as well as a school-based instructional specialist in East Texas. She received her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Elementary Education and her Master's Degree of Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. Over the past several years, she has focused her research and work on effective collaboration that leads to collective efficacy. In this work, she has recognized the importance of internal and external components that are absolutely necessary for cohesive, vision-driven teams. In her experience, she has realized that this is possible, even when you feel overwhelmed by resistance and roadblocks. <h3>Connect with Casey:</h3> <ul> <li>IG <a href="https://www.instagram.com/catchupwithcasey/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@catchingupwithcasey</a></li> <li>Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/catchupwithcasey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@catchingupwithcasey</a></li> <li>Website <a href="https://www.catchingupwithcasey.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.catchingupwithcasey.com</a></li> </ul> <h3>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h3> <ul> <li>Join <a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and grab a freebie!</li> </ul> <h3>Connect with Gretchen</h3> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/blog/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/gschultek/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/always.a.lesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always.A.Lesson</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/GretchenSchultekBridgers/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/product/elementary-educ-101-what-they-didnt-teach-you-in-college/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a></li> </ul> <h3>Leave a Rating and Review:</h3> 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.  <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a> <ul> <li>Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast</li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

291: Interview with Casey Watts

Melissa Morrison

Tune into this episode of the Empowering Educators podcast to hear Gretchen interview Melissa Morrison. Melissa has a passion for quality writing instruction within the classroom. You'll love hearing her story of how she went from a psychology degree, to teacher, to consultant. Hit play and get empowered! Quotables *All quotables are from the interviewee   Change takes time. Regardless of what you teach, you have to honestly and truly care about your students. You have to be willing to continually fine tune your practice.  It’s okay to not be great at something right away.  About Melissa Melissa was an elementary teacher for 10 years. After being in the classroom, she decided to become a consultant and has done so for the past 4 years. Melissa is passionate about bringing high quality literacy (especially writing) instruction to schools and teachers. Links Mentioned: Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom https://amzn.to/3GvD4UT Connect with Melissa:  IG teachingtotransformllc Facebook teachingtotransformllc Website www.teaching-to-transform.com  Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter  Join here and grab a freebie!  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College  Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2  Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ 

Tune into this episode of the Empowering Educators podcast to hear Gretchen interview Melissa Morrison. Melissa has a passion for quality writing instruction within the classroom. You'll love hearing her story of how she went from a psychology degree, to teacher, to consultant. Hit play and get empowered! <h3><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/EmpoweringEducatorsPodcast-13.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Quotables</h3> <em>*All quotables are from the interviewee </em> <ul> <li>Change takes time.</li> <li>Regardless of what you teach, you have to honestly and truly care about your students.</li> <li>You have to be willing to continually fine tune your practice.</li> <li> It’s okay to not be great at something right away.</li> </ul> <h3>About Melissa</h3> Melissa was an elementary teacher for 10 years. After being in the classroom, she decided to become a consultant and has done so for the past 4 years. Melissa is passionate about bringing high quality literacy (especially writing) instruction to schools and teachers. <h3>Links Mentioned:</h3> Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom <a href="https://amzn.to/3GvD4UT" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/3GvD4UT</a> <h3>Connect with Melissa:</h3> <ul> <li>IG <a href="https://www.instagram.com/teachingtotransformllc/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">teachingtotransformllc</a></li> <li>Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teachingtotransformllc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">teachingtotransformllc</a></li> <li>Website <a href="https://www.teaching-to-transform.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.teaching-to-transform.com</a></li> </ul> <h3>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h3> <ul> <li>Join <a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and grab a freebie!</li> </ul> <h3>Connect with Gretchen</h3> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/blog/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/gschultek/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/always.a.lesson/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Always.A.Lesson</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/GretchenSchultekBridgers/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/product/elementary-educ-101-what-they-didnt-teach-you-in-college/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a></li> </ul> <h3>Leave a Rating and Review:</h3> 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.  <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a> <ul> <li>Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast</li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

290: Interview with Melissa Morrison

Educators! Is your passion tank running on empty? Look no further. Gretchen of Always A Lesson has a double dose of just what you need. Come fill yourself up with an Empowering Educators podcast to start your day feeling… EMPOWERED!  Includes empowering messages weekly with new episodes released early Monday morning just in time for your commute. Excellent source of professional development, inspiration, empowerment, as well as techniques and strategies that are best practices. Listeners include new teachers, teachers in distress or transition and teacher leaders. #education

This podcats draws and educates you and always has interesting storylines.

Highly recommended!

Gretchen is a breath of fresh air! Love her podcast.

Pertinent

Educators! Is your passion tank running on empty? Look no further. Gretchen of Always A Lesson has a double dose of just what you need. Come fill yourself up with an Empowering Educators podcast to start your day feeling… EMPOWERED!  <br><br>Includes empowering messages weekly with new episodes released early Monday morning just in time for your commute. Excellent source of professional development, inspiration, empowerment, as well as techniques and strategies that are best practices. Listeners include new teachers, teachers in distress or transition and teacher leaders. #education

Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

Grading is only as good as the effectiveness of instruction leading up to it. A grade on an assessment that doesn’t match the learning leading up to it is worthless, demeaning and dysfunctional. Tune in to hear three steps you can take now to ensure you teach hard enough, long enough and deep enough for students to be successful and prepared on their learning journey. The photo below from my trip to Colorado is discussed in the episode:  Quotables  I don’t give grades, students earn them Objectify learning Put more time into planning than in to execution so that execution is flawless, rigorous, and done with fidelity across the board If its easy, we aren’t pushing ourselves or our students hard enough We cannot allow our peers to lower the bar only for our kids to fail later  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers 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’

<p>Grading is only as good as the effectiveness of instruction leading up to it. A grade on an assessment that doesn’t match the learning leading up to it is worthless, demeaning and dysfunctional. Tune in to hear three steps you can take now to ensure you teach hard enough, long enough and deep enough for students to be successful and prepared on their learning journey.</p> <p>The photo below from my trip to Colorado is discussed in the episode:</p> <p><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/FullSizeRender-4.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <h4>Quotables</h4> <ul> <li>I don’t give grades, students earn them</li> <li>Objectify learning</li> <li>Put more time into planning than in to execution so that execution is flawless, rigorous, and done with fidelity across the board</li> <li>If its easy, we aren’t pushing ourselves or our students hard enough</li> <li>We cannot allow our peers to lower the bar only for our kids to fail later</li> </ul> <h4>Connect with Gretchen</h4> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: Always A Lesson</li> <li>Facebook: Always A Lesson</li> <li>Twitter: @gschultek</li> <li>Instagram: Always.A.Lesson</li> <li>Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li> <li>Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li> <li>Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</li> </ul> <h4>Leave a Rating and Review:</h4> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p> <h4>Why?</h4> <p>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.</p> <h4>How?</h4> <p>Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher.<br/> Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’<br/> Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”<br/> Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info<br/> Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)<br/> Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast<br/> Click ‘Send’</p>

112: The Dysfunction of Grading

James Sturtevant

Description: James Sturtevant first stepped in front of high school students in the late summer of 1985. He predicted he would teach a year or two, before pursuing something grown up: go to law school, get a PhD, or enter the private sector and earn a fortune. But, a funny thing happened on the way to the Forum. James fell in love with his students. Could one really get paid for bonding with young people? The answer was…ABSOLUTELY! And still is, some thirty years and thousands of students later. “Your students seem so relaxed and happy. How’d you create this atmosphere?” was the haunting question a visiting Education professor once asked James after observing his class. Caught off guard, he gave a meager and vague response. After much reflection and research, James is now prepared to answer the question. He teaches at Big Walnut High School in Sunbury, Ohio. He is married to Penny who is a middle school principal. They have 3 children…Jason, David, and Maria, and one grandchild…Kaia. James is also an author of “You’ve Gotta Connect” published in 2014 (see link below) and Professional Development Presenter. He has been featured in numerous publications (listed below).   Quotables:  Your students are mirror images of you. Accept your students exactly where they are. Necessity is the mother of invention.    James’ Stamp of Approval:  Differentiation Rubric Formative and Summative Assessments Think-Pair-Share Self Directed Learning Professional Development communities Creation of Teacher Websites Bring Your Own Technology Flipped Classrooms Essential Questions Project Based Learning   Connect with James:   Email: pjsturtevant@gmail.com Website: Jamesalansturtevant.com Twitter: @jamessturtevant Book: “You’ve Gotta Connect”  http://amzn.to/119pnEL Additional Publications:- Ohio Schools Magazine April, 2015 pp. 9-10.- In July of 2015, my blog post “Bullying Bonding” was picked up by the Huffington Post: http://huff.to/1GZEJbs- The September, 2015 issue of Principal Leadership includes my article “Does Your Staff Bond Well with Students?” pp. 16-17.- In September of 2015, my blog post “A Teacher’s Eureka Moment” was picked up by the Huffington Post: http://huff.to/1G8Vcew- In October of 2015, my blog post ”Samsara…Embrace Change!” was picked up by the Huffington Post: http://huff.to/1LAOtyt- In November of 2015, my blog post ”Does Competition Really Bring out the Best in People?” was picked up by the Huffington Post: http://huff.to/1RdPGQ5    Join elite educators everywhere in snagging tips, tricks and freebies right to your inbox every month! Become #empowered with the Always A Lesson newsletter: https://alwaysalesson.leadpages.co/newslettersignup/ Connect with Gretchen:  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek 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 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 podcasts Click ‘Send’ 

<h3><strong>Description:</strong></h3> <p>James Sturtevant first stepped in front of high school students in the late summer of 1985. He predicted he would teach a year or two, before pursuing something grown up: go to law school, get a PhD, or enter the private sector and earn a fortune. But, a funny thing happened on the way to the Forum. James fell in love with his students. Could one really get paid for bonding with young people? The answer was…ABSOLUTELY! And still is, some thirty years and thousands of students later. “Your students seem so relaxed and happy. How’d you create this atmosphere?” was the haunting question a visiting Education professor once asked James after observing his class. Caught off guard, he gave a meager and vague response. After much reflection and research, James is now prepared to answer the question.</p> <p>He teaches at Big Walnut High School in Sunbury, Ohio. He is married to Penny who is a middle school principal. They have 3 children…Jason, David, and Maria, and one grandchild…Kaia. James is also an author of “You’ve Gotta Connect” published in 2014 (see link below) and Professional Development Presenter. He has been featured in numerous publications (listed below).</p> <p> </p> <h3><strong>Quotables:</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Your students are mirror images of you.</li> <li>Accept your students exactly where they are.</li> <li>Necessity is the mother of invention.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <h3><strong>James’ Stamp of Approval</strong>:</h3> <ul> <li>Differentiation</li> <li>Rubric</li> <li>Formative and Summative Assessments</li> <li>Think-Pair-Share</li> <li>Self Directed Learning</li> <li>Professional Development communities</li> <li>Creation of Teacher Websites</li> <li>Bring Your Own Technology</li> <li>Flipped Classrooms</li> <li>Essential Questions</li> <li>Project Based Learning</li> </ul> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Connect with James:<br/> </strong></h3> <ul> <li>Email: pjsturtevant@gmail.com</li> <li>Website: <a href="http://Jamesalansturtevant.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jamesalansturtevant.com</a></li> <li>Twitter: @jamessturtevant</li> <li>Book: “You’ve Gotta Connect”  <a href="http://amzn.to/119pnEL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/119pnEL</a></li> <li>Additional Publications:- Ohio Schools Magazine April, 2015 pp. 9-10.- In July of 2015, my blog post “Bullying Bonding” was picked up by the Huffington Post: <a href="http://huff.to/1GZEJbs-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://huff.to/1GZEJbs-</a> The September, 2015 issue of Principal Leadership includes my article “Does Your Staff Bond Well with Students?” pp. 16-17.- In September of 2015, my blog post “A Teacher’s Eureka Moment” was picked up by the Huffington Post: <a href="http://huff.to/1G8Vcew-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://huff.to/1G8Vcew-</a> In October of 2015, my blog post ”Samsara…Embrace Change!” was picked up by the Huffington Post: <a href="http://huff.to/1LAOtyt-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://huff.to/1LAOtyt-</a> In November of 2015, my blog post ”Does Competition Really Bring out the Best in People?” was picked up by the Huffington Post: <a href="http://huff.to/1RdPGQ5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://huff.to/1RdPGQ5</a></li> </ul> <p> </p> <h5>Join elite educators everywhere in snagging tips, tricks and freebies right to your inbox every month!</h5> <h5>Become #empowered with the Always A Lesson newsletter: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.leadpages.co/newslettersignup/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://alwaysalesson.leadpages.co/newslettersignup/</a></h5> <h3><strong>Connect with Gretchen:</strong></h3> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/GSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenschultekbridgers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Google+: <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GretchenSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Educ-101-Didnt-College/dp/1478711868/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1412203865&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=education+101+what+they+didn%27t+teach+you+in+college" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a></li> </ul> <h3></h3> <h3><strong><em><a href="http://getpodcast.reviews/id/1006433135" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leave a Rating and Review</a></em></strong></h3> <p><strong>Why?<br/> </strong>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.</p> <p><strong>How?</strong></p> <ul> <li>Search for my show in <a href="mailto:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135%3Fmt=2">iTunes</a> or <a href="mailto:http://www.stitcher.com/s%3Ffid=69879%26refid=stpr">Stitcher</a>.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcasts</li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

25: Bonus Edition- Interview with James Sturtevant

The Lesson Plan Vortex can be crippling as a teacher. A lesson plan is a foundation for a strong lesson, but there’s more to teaching than that piece of paper. Learn the three keys to designing quality lessons while still adhering to strict lesson plan requirements.    Quotables  You cant be a great teacher without a plan. You can’t create engaging learning opportunities without preparation. The vortex = so stuck in the requirements that you lose your vision to impact student learning. The vortex makes you boring, unmotivated and basic. Don’t be a vanilla teacher, be a spicy teacher. Your students gain NOTHING if you don’t design and experience that allows them to take accountability of their learning, take ownership in the experience, and because of that feel empowered as a learner and person.  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek 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’ 

<p>The Lesson Plan Vortex can be crippling as a teacher. A lesson plan is a foundation for a strong lesson, but there’s more to teaching than that piece of paper. Learn the three keys to designing quality lessons while still adhering to strict lesson plan requirements.</p> <p><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/13770258_1029374340512422_2782981174081593739_n.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></p> <p> </p> <h3>Quotables</h3> <ul> <li>You cant be a great teacher without a plan. You can’t create engaging learning opportunities without preparation.</li> <li>The vortex = so stuck in the requirements that you lose your vision to impact student learning.</li> <li>The vortex makes you boring, unmotivated and basic. Don’t be a vanilla teacher, be a spicy teacher.</li> <li>Your students gain NOTHING if you don’t design and experience that allows them to take accountability of their learning, take ownership in the experience, and because of that feel empowered as a learner and person.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Connect with Gretchen</strong></p> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson </a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a> </li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/GSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenschultekbridgers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a> </li> <li>Google+: <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GretchenSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Educ-101-Didnt-College/dp/1478711868/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1412203865&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=education+101+what+they+didn%27t+teach+you+in+college" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a> </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><em>Leave a Rating and Review</em></p> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p> <p><strong>Why?</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>How?</strong></p> <ul> <li>Search for my show in <a href="mailto:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135%3Fmt=2">iTunes</a> or <a href="mailto:http://www.stitcher.com/s%3Ffid=69879%26refid=stpr">Stitcher</a>.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast </li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

59: The Lesson Plan Vortex

Teaching is a calling, a career choice made by many. However, many teachers are getting discouraged quickly and exiting the profession without living out their passion. Tune in to hear how to answer the call without getting distracted by all the extraneous noise that comes along with the teaching territory. Inspiring Quote: “It doesn’t matter if the public doesn’t support you. It doesn’t matter if the policy makers don’t support you. What really matters is that you were called to teach. Your classroom is your second home and your students are a big part of your heart.” -TheWriteStuff_TpT Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers 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’

<p>Teaching is a calling, a career choice made by many. However, many teachers are getting discouraged quickly and exiting the profession without living out their passion. Tune in to hear how to answer the call without getting distracted by all the extraneous noise that comes along with the teaching territory.</p> <h4>Inspiring Quote:</h4> <p>“It doesn’t matter if the public doesn’t support you. It doesn’t matter if the policy makers don’t support you. What really matters is that you were called to teach. Your classroom is your second home and your students are a big part of your heart.” -TheWriteStuff_TpT</p> <h4>Connect with Gretchen</h4> <p>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com<br/> Blog: Always A Lesson<br/> Facebook: Always A Lesson<br/> Twitter: @gschultek<br/> Instagram: Always.A.Lesson<br/> Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers<br/> Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers<br/> Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</p> <h4>Leave a Rating and Review:</h4> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p> <h4>Why?</h4> <p>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.</p> <h4>How?</h4> <p>Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher.<br/> Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’<br/> Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”<br/> Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info<br/> Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)<br/> Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast<br/> Click ‘Send’</p>

98: Answer the Call

It’s not all rainbows and butterflies in a classroom or school building. Sometimes the negativity can spread like wild fire and deteriorate a class or school culture. Tune in to hear how to initiate a positive culture, rebuild a culture when it’s broken, and turn around a negative culture. Not only will teachers learn tips for the classroom and teacher leaders for the school, but a secret trick is shared for how to maintain a positive culture once it is established.QuotablesA positive culture is something that can feel like takes FOREVER to establish and can go away almost immediatelyEstablishing a positive culture is a long game strategy, not a quick fixYou aren’t above them, you are them.Students don’t expect perfection in the classroom, but they expect you to have their backs and to never give up on them.You are leaders in your classroom and school building for a reason, but it doesn’t mean you don’t have room to growParticipate 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: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comOption 2: Take less than 10 seconds to fill out this google form to cast your vote for favorite episode and favorite aspect of the show!Grab a Slot on my CalendarLet’s chat about your currents and develop a plan. Click below:https://square.site/book/FE6G600ZF0PPD/always-a-lessonJoin 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: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comBlog: 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:This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future.https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2Search for my show 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 infoLeave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcastClick ‘Send’

<p>It’s not all rainbows and butterflies in a classroom or school building. Sometimes the negativity can spread like wild fire and deteriorate a class or school culture. Tune in to hear how to initiate a positive culture, rebuild a culture when it’s broken, and turn around a negative culture. Not only will teachers learn tips for the classroom and teacher leaders for the school, but a secret trick is shared for how to maintain a positive culture once it is established.</p><h4>Quotables</h4><ul><li>A positive culture is something that can feel like takes FOREVER to establish and can go away almost immediately</li><li>Establishing a positive culture is a long game strategy, not a quick fix</li><li>You aren’t above them, you are them.</li><li>Students don’t expect perfection in the classroom, but they expect you to have their backs and to never give up on them.</li><li>You are leaders in your classroom and school building for a reason, but it doesn’t mean you don’t have room to grow</li></ul><h4>Participate in the 200th Episode Fun</h4><ul><li>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: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li><li>Option 2: Take less than 10 seconds to fill out this <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelAEYoTlvGm8LXJZ71g0MeKmp6pz6CbABzk6Eixmb74rz2wQ/viewform?usp=sf_link" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">google form</a> to cast your vote for favorite episode and favorite aspect of the show!</li></ul><h4>Grab a Slot on my Calendar</h4><p>Let’s chat about your currents and develop a plan. Click below:</p><ul><li><a href="https://square.site/book/FE6G600ZF0PPD/always-a-lesson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://square.site/book/FE6G600ZF0PPD/always-a-lesson</a></li></ul><h4>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h4><ul><li><a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/lJKNn</a></li></ul><h4>Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group</h4><ul><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203</a></li></ul><h4>Shop AAL Swag</h4><ul><li><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/</a></li></ul><h4>Connect with Gretchen</h4><ul><li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li><li>Blog: Always A Lesson</li><li>Facebook: Always A Lesson</li><li>Twitter: @gschultek</li><li>Instagram: Always.A.Lesson</li><li>Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li><li>Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li><li>Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</li></ul><h4>Leave a Rating and Review:</h4><p>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.</p><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p><ul><li>Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher.</li><li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li><li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li><li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li><li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li><li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast</li><li>Click ‘Send’</li></ul>

198: Establishing a Positive Culture

There are times during the school year where every teacher struggles to make it through the school day due to numerous factors that create insurmountable stress and frustration. Tune in to hear about 6 strategies I used as a teacher to make it through my worst day. Quotables  No drastic measures Don’t give up or give in Your mindset will determine your experience [Students] need to know that you are all in for them 100% of the time 100% of the day People can really heal you if you open yourself up to let their magic work Put yourself first so you can be your best for your kids  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek 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’ 

<p>There are times during the school year where every teacher struggles to make it through the school day due to numerous factors that create insurmountable stress and frustration. Tune in to hear about 6 strategies I used as a teacher to make it through my worst day.</p> <h3><strong>Quotables</strong></h3> <ul> <li>No drastic measures</li> <li>Don’t give up or give in</li> <li>Your mindset will determine your experience</li> <li>[Students] need to know that you are all in for them 100% of the time 100% of the day</li> <li>People can really heal you if you open yourself up to let their magic work</li> <li>Put yourself first so you can be your best for your kids</li> </ul> <p><strong>Connect with Gretchen</strong></p> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson </a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a> </li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/GSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenschultekbridgers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a> </li> <li>Google+: <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GretchenSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Educ-101-Didnt-College/dp/1478711868/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1412203865&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=education+101+what+they+didn%27t+teach+you+in+college" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a> </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><em>Leave a Rating and Review</em></p> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p> <p><strong>Why?</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>How?</strong></p> <ul> <li>Search for my show in <a href="mailto:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135%3Fmt=2">iTunes</a> or <a href="mailto:http://www.stitcher.com/s%3Ffid=69879%26refid=stpr">Stitcher</a>.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast </li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

69: 6 Strategies to Survive Your Worst Day

LEAD

Effective leaders balance being in control and being a friend to those they lead. Teachers can struggle with managing their classrooms and helping students reach academic success. Tune in to learn how effective teachers lead from the side so that they can build relationships that last with their kids but also maintain order in the classroom. Quotables  We gotta learn our own version of leading from the side Relationships are everything in education You can always tone things down but its almost impossible to stiffen up down the road Don’t be a dictator and don’t be a friend Leadership takes time to develop  Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers 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’

<p>Effective leaders balance being in control and being a friend to those they lead. Teachers can struggle with managing their classrooms and helping students reach academic success. Tune in to learn how effective teachers lead from the side so that they can build relationships that last with their kids but also maintain order in the classroom.</p> <h4>Quotables</h4> <ul> <li>We gotta learn our own version of leading from the side</li> <li>Relationships are everything in education</li> <li>You can always tone things down but its almost impossible to stiffen up down the road</li> <li>Don’t be a dictator and don’t be a friend</li> <li>Leadership takes time to develop</li> </ul> <h4>Connect with Gretchen</h4> <p>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com<br/> Blog: Always A Lesson<br/> Facebook: Always A Lesson<br/> Twitter: @gschultek<br/> Instagram: Always.A.Lesson<br/> Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers<br/> Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers<br/> Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</p> <h4>Leave a Rating and Review:</h4> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p> <h4>Why?</h4> <p>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.</p> <h4>How?</h4> <p>Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher.<br/> Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’<br/> Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”<br/> Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info<br/> Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)<br/> Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast<br/> Click ‘Send’</p>

96: Lead from the Side

There are times when we are faced with a decision to show up to work or show up for our family. Learn how to put the guilt aside, prioritize family moments, and be your best at work and home without ever having to choose between the two. Tune in to this episode to hear just how to do that. Quotables  No shame in taking a break to rejuvenate There’s a fine line between pushing yourself to be better and overdoing it Its important to check your MO Your kids don’t need the worst of you and you don’t need to drag your potential and effectiveness below empty Family is forever Prioritize the moments when you might it appropriate to step off the job and only commit to those few times It’s a sign of integrity to have your priorities in order as long as you don’t abuse the opportunities  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek 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’ 

<p>There are times when we are faced with a decision to show up to work or show up for our family. Learn how to put the guilt aside, prioritize family moments, and be your best at work and home without ever having to choose between the two. Tune in to this episode to hear just how to do that.</p> <p><strong>Quotables</strong></p> <ul> <li>No shame in taking a break to rejuvenate</li> <li>There’s a fine line between pushing yourself to be better and overdoing it</li> <li>Its important to check your MO</li> <li>Your kids don’t need the worst of you and you don’t need to drag your potential and effectiveness below empty</li> <li>Family is forever</li> <li>Prioritize the moments when you might it appropriate to step off the job and only commit to those few times</li> <li>It’s a sign of integrity to have your priorities in order as long as you don’t abuse the opportunities</li> </ul> <p><strong>Connect with Gretchen</strong></p> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson </a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a> </li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/GSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenschultekbridgers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a> </li> <li>Google+: <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GretchenSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Educ-101-Didnt-College/dp/1478711868/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1412203865&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=education+101+what+they+didn%27t+teach+you+in+college" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a> </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><em>Leave a Rating and Review</em></p> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p> <p><strong>Why?</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>How?</strong></p> <ul> <li>Search for my show in <a href="mailto:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135%3Fmt=2">iTunes</a> or <a href="mailto:http://www.stitcher.com/s%3Ffid=69879%26refid=stpr">Stitcher</a>.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast </li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

73: Family First

Sometimes we are in a career where something is missing. We aren’t quite sure what that something is or what to do about it. This episode will walk you through 5 passion statements to get you moving in the right direction so that your talent will be best showcased and utilized to bless others! Grab your freebie here: Quotables  Nothing beats work ethic Just because you are great doesn’t mean you don’t need help We all make choices daily and those choices can right the ship with the right support One of the legs on your stool is loose and you better fix it before it falls off  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers 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’

<p>Sometimes we are in a career where something is missing. We aren’t quite sure what that something is or what to do about it. This episode will walk you through 5 passion statements to get you moving in the right direction so that your talent will be best showcased and utilized to bless others! Grab your freebie <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzyXwwVKx265OTVDN2wzQktVbDg/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>:</p> <h4>Quotables</h4> <ul> <li>Nothing beats work ethic</li> <li>Just because you are great doesn’t mean you don’t need help</li> <li>We all make choices daily and those choices can right the ship with the right support</li> <li>One of the legs on your stool is loose and you better fix it before it falls off</li> </ul> <h4>Connect with Gretchen</h4> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: Always A Lesson</li> <li>Facebook: Always A Lesson</li> <li>Twitter: @gschultek</li> <li>Instagram: Always.A.Lesson</li> <li>Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li> <li>Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li> <li>Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</li> </ul> <h4>Leave a Rating and Review:</h4> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p> <h4>Why?</h4> <p>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.</p> <h4>How?</h4> <p>Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher.<br/> Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’<br/> Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”<br/> Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info<br/> Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)<br/> Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast<br/> Click ‘Send’</p>

118: Let Your Passion Lead the Way

Classroom management can be tricky when we react to student behavior instead of setting up procedures. Oftentimes, we let the heat of the moment control our brain and we end up making decisions that hinder student learning. Tune in to hear two scenarios of classroom management struggles where tips are shared so that the problem and solution go together like a delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Quotables  One of the major reasons why teachers struggle with classroom management has little to do with their content knowledge or their passion to teach. It all comes down to clarity. Quiet is not the same as silent Your wording choice has a huge impact on the result of your classroom behaviors It’s not about winning a war of who’s right and who’s most responsible. It’s about helping kids. All day every day. If your solution is hindering learning, you are the problem Every decision we make impacts kids We have to design our learning space and vibe so it encourages students to show up and apply themselves Students need to love learning but more importantly they need to BE ABLE to love learning  Gretchen’s Stamp of Approval  “What to Do” Technique by Doug Lemov featured in Teach Like a Champion  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers 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’

<p>Classroom management can be tricky when we react to student behavior instead of setting up procedures. Oftentimes, we let the heat of the moment control our brain and we end up making decisions that hinder student learning. Tune in to hear two scenarios of classroom management struggles where tips are shared so that the problem and solution go together like a delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich!</p> <h4>Quotables</h4> <ul> <li>One of the major reasons why teachers struggle with classroom management has little to do with their content knowledge or their passion to teach. It all comes down to clarity.</li> <li>Quiet is not the same as silent</li> <li>Your wording choice has a huge impact on the result of your classroom behaviors</li> <li>It’s not about winning a war of who’s right and who’s most responsible. It’s about helping kids. All day every day.</li> <li>If your solution is hindering learning, you are the problem</li> <li>Every decision we make impacts kids</li> <li>We have to design our learning space and vibe so it encourages students to show up and apply themselves</li> <li>Students need to love learning but more importantly they need to BE ABLE to love learning</li> </ul> <h4>Gretchen’s Stamp of Approval</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://teachlikeachampion.com/blog/video-day-recipe-getting-kids-asked/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“What to Do” Technique</a> by Doug Lemov featured in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Teach-Like-Champion-2-0-Techniques/dp/1118901851/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1510954047&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=teach+like+a+champion" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Teach Like a Champion</a></li> </ul> <h4>Connect with Gretchen</h4> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: Always A Lesson</li> <li>Facebook: Always A Lesson</li> <li>Twitter: @gschultek</li> <li>Instagram: Always.A.Lesson</li> <li>Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li> <li>Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li> <li>Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</li> </ul> <h4>Leave a Rating and Review:</h4> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p> <h4>Why?</h4> <p>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.</p> <h4>How?</h4> <p>Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher.<br/> Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’<br/> Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”<br/> Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info<br/> Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)<br/> Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast<br/> Click ‘Send’</p>

127: Classroom Management like PB & J

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 / gretchen@alwaysalesson.com 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: gretchen@alwaysalesson.comBlog: 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’

<p>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.</p><h4>Quotables</h4><ul><li>We as educators are in such a powerful position to help or hinder a child’s future</li><li>If 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 imagined</li><li>It’s not going above and beyond your job title, it is your job title</li><li>Nothing can impact a kid more than a connection with an adult</li></ul><h4>Gretchen’s Stamp of Approval</h4><ul><li>Les Brown Video: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JayShettyIW/videos/1351105801701127/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/JayShettyIW/videos/1351105801701127/</a></li></ul><h4>Need to Balance Your Life Better? Join the 40 Hour Work Week Club!</h4><ul><li>Instructions to Join:</li><li><a href="https://t.co/l2YQq2ZvOX" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://40htw.com </a></li><li>When purchasing, enter your Gretchen Bridgers / gretchen@alwaysalesson.com as the person who referred them.</li><li>Early bird access = June 5th</li><li>Access to all the June club materials (summer planning, home organization, bonus materials, sharing ideas in the Facebook group.)</li><li>Official open dates = July 1-18</li></ul><h4>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h4><ul><li><a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/lJKNn</a></li></ul><h4>Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group</h4><ul><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203</a></li></ul><h4>Connect with Gretchen</h4><ul><li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li><li>Blog: Always A Lesson</li><li>Facebook: Always A Lesson</li><li>Twitter: @gschultek</li><li>Instagram: Always.A.Lesson</li><li>Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li><li>Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li><li>Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</li></ul><h4>Leave a Rating and Review:</h4><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p><ul><li>Why?</li></ul><p>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.</p><ul><li>How?</li></ul><p>Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher.</p><p> Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</p><p> Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</p><p> Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</p><p> Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</p><p> Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast</p><p> Click ‘Send’</p>

161: Finding Magic in Every Kid, Every Day

Differentiation is the latest buzz in education, but the reality of what it looks like in the classroom has yet to be solidified. Many new teachers struggle with providing personalized learning experiences to their students not because they do not understand what differentiation is, rather it’s the logistical, organizational part of differentiation that leaves them stuck. Tune in to hear what you can do today to begin differentiating instruction for your students! Quotables  Write everything in pencil Differentiation really just means whatever you are doing to help students learn, make sure it’s applicable to where they are as a learner Differentiation isn’t something we do for a short period throughout the day; it’s a mindset we have in reaching our kids. It’s personalizing the experience so that kids can be successful Learning is messy and a constant problem to be solved  Gretchen’s Tip  Content- WHAT you teach the kids Process- HOW you teach the kids Product- HOW the kids demonstrate their learning  Join the Facebook Group  Elementary New Teacher Group (Group 1872455209751203)  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers 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’

<p>Differentiation is the latest buzz in education, but the reality of what it looks like in the classroom has yet to be solidified. Many new teachers struggle with providing personalized learning experiences to their students not because they do not understand what differentiation is, rather it’s the logistical, organizational part of differentiation that leaves them stuck. Tune in to hear what you can do today to begin differentiating instruction for your students!</p> <h4>Quotables</h4> <ul> <li>Write everything in pencil</li> <li>Differentiation really just means whatever you are doing to help students learn, make sure it’s applicable to where they are as a learner</li> <li>Differentiation isn’t something we do for a short period throughout the day; it’s a mindset we have in reaching our kids.</li> <li>It’s personalizing the experience so that kids can be successful</li> <li>Learning is messy and a constant problem to be solved</li> </ul> <h4>Gretchen’s Tip</h4> <ol> <li>Content- WHAT you teach the kids</li> <li>Process- HOW you teach the kids</li> <li>Product- HOW the kids demonstrate their learning</li> </ol> <h4>Join the Facebook Group</h4> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203/?ref=bookmarks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary New Teacher Group</a> (Group 1872455209751203)</li> </ul> <h4>Connect with Gretchen</h4> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: Always A Lesson</li> <li>Facebook: Always A Lesson</li> <li>Twitter: @gschultek</li> <li>Instagram: Always.A.Lesson</li> <li>Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li> <li>Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li> <li>Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</li> </ul> <h4>Leave a Rating and Review:</h4> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p> <h4>Why?</h4> <p>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.</p> <h4>How?</h4> <p>Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher.<br/> Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’<br/> Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”<br/> Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info<br/> Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)<br/> Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast<br/> Click ‘Send’</p>

131: Slaying the Myth of Differentiation

Being successful is not easy. It often requires a lot of hard work behind the scenes and the journey tends to not be a straight line. The frustration felt while trying to become successful can seem insurmountable. Tune in to hear two things you can do today to ensure success as an educator! Quotables  Prep… it isn’t sexy, but it’s necessary “Don’t expect the class to look like the calling” #commit2urpost “You perform based on the level of your preparation, not based on the level of your potential” #owntheoutcome “Are you stuck or did you stop?”  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  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’ 

<p>Being successful is not easy. It often requires a lot of hard work behind the scenes and the journey tends to not be a straight line. The frustration felt while trying to become successful can seem insurmountable. Tune in to hear two things you can do today to ensure success as an educator!</p> <p><strong>Quotables</strong></p> <ul> <li>Prep… it isn’t sexy, but it’s necessary</li> <li>“Don’t expect the class to look like the calling”</li> <li>#commit2urpost</li> <li>“You perform based on the level of your preparation, not based on the level of your potential”</li> <li>#owntheoutcome</li> <li>“Are you stuck or did you stop?”</li> </ul> <p><strong>Connect with Gretchen</strong></p> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson </a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a> </li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/GSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/always.a.lesson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always.A.Lesson</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenschultekbridgers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a> </li> <li>Google+: <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GretchenSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Educ-101-Didnt-College/dp/1478711868/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1412203865&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=education+101+what+they+didn%27t+teach+you+in+college" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a> </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><em>Leave a Rating and Review</em></p> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p> <p><strong>Why?</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>How?</strong></p> <ul> <li>Search for my show in <a href="mailto:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135%3Fmt=2">iTunes</a> or <a href="mailto:http://www.stitcher.com/s%3Ffid=69879%26refid=stpr">Stitcher</a>.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast </li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

87: The Magic Ingredient to Success

Teaching tiny humans is more than lesson plans with standards and objectives. Teaching is a way to help guide a young person along their learning path so that they discover their inner skills and talents, use their school knowledge to propel those gifts, and then go out into the world to leave their mark. As educators, how are we helping students discover how they want to inspire the world? Tune in to hear my teaching confession and action tips you can implement right now to do better for every kid in front of you. Quotables  If you aren’t living your DREAM, how can you help kids discover and live out their own? The best thing we can do is model for our kids what we want them to do. It’s your job to help them discover what fire burns within them and help guide them to get a job that can help them leave their imprint on this world. I promise to do better so every kid knows it’s okay to not fit the mold, that the skills you learn in school can and will help you hone that craft, to support friends or foes who dream differently, and to go after your heart’s desires with gusto! It wasn’t until I started coaching other teachers that I noticed holes in my own practice But beyond that belief we have to act this out Being a teacher is more than the obvious…It’s helping kids realize what makes them special and helping them bring it to fruition.  Topics Mentioned in the Episode:  “Tiny Human Whisperer” T-Shirt Connect with Nick Tokman- https://nicktokman.com  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: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Option 2: If you have a favorite Empowering Educators episode, email me at gretchen@alwaysalesson.com 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 gretchen@alwaysalesson.com. 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: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com 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’ 

<p><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Slide179.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Teaching tiny humans is more than lesson plans with standards and objectives. Teaching is a way to help guide a young person along their learning path so that they discover their inner skills and talents, use their school knowledge to propel those gifts, and then go out into the world to leave their mark. As educators, how are we helping students discover how they want to inspire the world? Tune in to hear my teaching confession and action tips you can implement right now to do better for every kid in front of you.</p> <p><strong>Quotables</strong></p> <ul> <li>If you aren’t living your DREAM, how can you help kids discover and live out their own?</li> <li>The best thing we can do is model for our kids what we want them to do.</li> <li>It’s your job to help them discover what fire burns within them and help guide them to get a job that can help them leave their imprint on this world.</li> <li>I promise to do better so every kid knows it’s okay to not fit the mold, that the skills you learn in school can and will help you hone that craft, to support friends or foes who dream differently, and to go after your heart’s desires with gusto!</li> <li>It wasn’t until I started coaching other teachers that I noticed holes in my own practice</li> <li>But beyond that belief we have to act this out</li> <li>Being a teacher is more than the obvious…It’s helping kids realize what makes them special and helping them bring it to fruition.</li> </ul> <h4>Topics Mentioned in the Episode:</h4> <ul> <li>“<a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/product/short-sleeve-unisex-t-shirt/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tiny Human Whisperer</a>” T-Shirt</li> <li>Connect with Nick Tokman- <a href="https://nicktokman.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://nicktokman.com</a></li> </ul> <h4>Participate in the 200th Episode Fun</h4> <ul> <li>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: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Option 2: If you have a favorite Empowering Educators episode, email me at <a href="mailto:gretchen@alwaysalesson.com">gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</a> to cast your vote!</li> <li>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 <a href="mailto:gretchen@alwaysalesson.com">gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</a>. I’ll be picking a winner in September!</li> </ul> <h4>Join the New(er) Teacher Mentorship Program</h4> <ul> <li><a href="https://alwaysalesson.teachable.com/p/new-er-teacher-mentorship-program/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://alwaysalesson.teachable.com/p/new-er-teacher-mentorship-program/</a></li> </ul> <h4>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/lJKNn</a></li> </ul> <h4>Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group</h4> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203</a></li> </ul> <h4>Shop AAL Swag</h4> <ul> <li><a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://alwaysalesson.com/product-category/swag/</a></li> </ul> <h4>Connect with Gretchen</h4> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: Always A Lesson</li> <li>Facebook: Always A Lesson</li> <li>Twitter: @gschultek</li> <li>Instagram: Always.A.Lesson</li> <li>Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li> <li>Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li> <li>Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</li> </ul> <h4>Leave a Rating and Review:</h4> <p>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.</p> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p> <ul> <li>Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast</li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

196: How Do You Want To Be?

Being a teacher can be daunting as there are so many moving parts in one single day. Being overwhelmed is a common complaint of newer teachers. This anxiety turns to hesitancy and oftentimes cements a teacher’s feet in place. As a result, teachers stop improving and succeeding in the classroom because of their fears of failure and lack of clarity on what to focus on first. Tune in to hear how teachers can jump into the deep end even when they are overwhelmed so that they could be successful faster. Quotables  “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar Hesitancy is the enemy of confidence and success. You can’t develop your talent into skill by being hesitant. When you feel like you can’t do something, you either accept it and go do it or you accept it and don’t go do it. Your mindset dictates your behavior. Every tough piece of feedback I have ever gotten catapulted me into a new level of skill. It pushed me to rethink, revamp, and revitalize my approach. The quicker I failed the quicker I got back up to do it better  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek 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’ 

<p>Being a teacher can be daunting as there are so many moving parts in one single day. Being overwhelmed is a common complaint of newer teachers. This anxiety turns to hesitancy and oftentimes cements a teacher’s feet in place. As a result, teachers stop improving and succeeding in the classroom because of their fears of failure and lack of clarity on what to focus on first. Tune in to hear how teachers can jump into the deep end even when they are overwhelmed so that they could be successful faster.</p> <p><strong>Quotables</strong></p> <ul> <li>“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar</li> <li>Hesitancy is the enemy of confidence and success.</li> <li>You can’t develop your talent into skill by being hesitant.</li> <li>When you feel like you can’t do something, you either accept it and go do it or you accept it and don’t go do it.</li> <li>Your mindset dictates your behavior.</li> <li>Every tough piece of feedback I have ever gotten catapulted me into a new level of skill. It pushed me to rethink, revamp, and revitalize my approach.</li> <li>The quicker I failed the quicker I got back up to do it better</li> </ul> <p><strong>Connect with Gretchen</strong></p> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson </a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a> </li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/GSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenschultekbridgers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a> </li> <li>Google+: <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GretchenSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Educ-101-Didnt-College/dp/1478711868/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1412203865&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=education+101+what+they+didn%27t+teach+you+in+college" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a> </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><em>Leave a Rating and Review</em></p> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p> <p><strong>Why?</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>How?</strong></p> <ul> <li>Search for my show in <a href="mailto:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135%3Fmt=2">iTunes</a> or <a href="mailto:http://www.stitcher.com/s%3Ffid=69879%26refid=stpr">Stitcher</a>.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast </li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

66: Jump Into the Deep End

Summer is here and teachers are planning classroom themes and what they are going to do differently the following year. Summer is a great time to reflect, plan ahead, make adjustments. Plus, reflection makes us better! Here’s a list of 5 quick and easy, painless strategies to get better in the classroom. Why wait for one time a year to get better when you can get better now? Get a freebie to help you take notes with this episode! Quotables  Summer is a great time to reflect, plan ahead, make adjustments The key is consistency. Daily actions focused on getting better make HUGE improvements in the long run- it’s all about daily tweaks that add up.  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek 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&amp;ls=1 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’ 

<p>Summer is here and teachers are planning classroom themes and what they are going to do differently the following year. Summer is a great time to reflect, plan ahead, make adjustments. Plus, reflection makes us better! Here’s a list of 5 quick and easy, painless strategies to get better in the classroom. Why wait for one time a year to get better when you can get better now? Get a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Top-5-Strategies-to-Get-Better-in-the-Classroom-Fast-2623849" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">freebie</a> to help you take notes with this episode!</p> <p><strong>Quotables</strong></p> <ul> <li>Summer is a great time to reflect, plan ahead, make adjustments</li> <li>The key is consistency. Daily actions focused on getting better make HUGE improvements in the long run- it’s all about daily tweaks that add up.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Connect with Gretchen</strong></p> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson </a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Always A Lesson</a> </li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/GSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@gschultek</a></li> <li>Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenschultekbridgers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a> </li> <li>Google+: <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GretchenSchultek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a></li> <li>Book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Educ-101-Didnt-College/dp/1478711868/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1412203865&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=education+101+what+they+didn%27t+teach+you+in+college" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</a> </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><em>Leave a Rating and Review</em></p> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a>&amp;ls=1</p> <p><strong>Why?</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How?</strong></p> <ul> <li>Search for my show in <a href="mailto:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135%3Fmt=2">iTunes</a> or <a href="mailto:http://www.stitcher.com/s%3Ffid=69879%26refid=stpr">Stitcher</a>.</li> <li>Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’</li> <li>Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”</li> <li>Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info</li> <li>Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)</li> <li>Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast </li> <li>Click ‘Send’</li> </ul>

56: Top 5 Strategies to Get Better in the Classroom Fast

Engagement can be a tricky aspect of any instructor’s lesson plan delivery. Ensuring students have high engagement with the content being taught requires a dance between student and teacher. Empowering students with ownership and accountability in the classroom is one way to ensure quality engagement in every lesson. Tune in to hear how to get started! Quotables  Now is the time to ramp up the student ownership because they don’t need you as much Don’t waste another minute putting on a show You’re the guide on the side now Start small, but be consistent The more you get them to be in the driver’s seat, the greater the likelihood they will remain the head leader on their learning journey You control the pace, momentum and the flow  TpT Product Mentioned in the Episode  Increasing Student Ownership in the Classroom  Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203  Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter  http://eepurl.com/lJKNn  Connect with Gretchen  Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers 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’

<p>Engagement can be a tricky aspect of any instructor’s lesson plan delivery. Ensuring students have high engagement with the content being taught requires a dance between student and teacher. Empowering students with ownership and accountability in the classroom is one way to ensure quality engagement in every lesson. Tune in to hear how to get started!</p> <h4>Quotables</h4> <ul> <li>Now is the time to ramp up the student ownership because they don’t need you as much</li> <li>Don’t waste another minute putting on a show</li> <li>You’re the guide on the side now</li> <li>Start small, but be consistent</li> <li>The more you get them to be in the driver’s seat, the greater the likelihood they will remain the head leader on their learning journey</li> <li>You control the pace, momentum and the flow</li> </ul> <h4>TpT Product Mentioned in the Episode</h4> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Increasing-Student-Ownership-in-the-Classroom-Professional-Development-Session-1141972" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Increasing Student Ownership in the Classroom</a></li> </ul> <h4>Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group</h4> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/1872455209751203</a></li> </ul> <h4>Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://eepurl.com/lJKNn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eepurl.com/lJKNn</a></li> </ul> <h4>Connect with Gretchen</h4> <ul> <li>Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com</li> <li>Blog: Always A Lesson</li> <li>Facebook: Always A Lesson</li> <li>Twitter: @gschultek</li> <li>Instagram: Always.A.Lesson</li> <li>Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li> <li>Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</li> <li>Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College</li> </ul> <h4>Leave a Rating and Review:</h4> <p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2</a></p> <h4>Why?</h4> <p>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.</p> <h4>How?</h4> <p>Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher.<br/> Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’<br/> Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”<br/> Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info<br/> Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)<br/> Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast<br/> Click ‘Send’</p>

137: Quality Engagement is a Dance

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