Educators Among Us

Most of us want to grow. We want to get better at what we do, lead well, and make a difference. But growth doesn't just show up on its own. It shows up when we're willing to slow down, be honest with ourselves, and take responsibility for the things we can actually control. At the end of the day, real progress starts with one simple question: Am I willing to work on me?  In this episode of Educato...

Every organization, especially schools, has places where problems quietly live. Not because they're invisible, but because addressing them feels uncomfortable, disruptive, or inconvenient. Like bad behavior on the school bus, right? Over time, those known gaps become normalized, and "less than" acceptable behavior is tolerated simply because it's familiar. Just because it's always been that way do...

Teaching is hard work, but it's also deeply human work. Most educators are simply looking for practical support, thoughtful feedback, and tools that help them get a little better at what they do each day. That's where coaching and professional learning can make a real difference when it's done well. That's what we're talking about on this episode of the Educators Among Us Podcast.  This is a speci...

There is a season for everything.  Christmas time can be frenzied, hurried and chaotic.  But it can, and should, be a season of Reflection, Rest and Renewal.  Especially at the end of a year, and at halftime of the school year, we need this season to prepare for what's next, to pause, to breathe, and to take an honest look at where we've been and where we're headed.   In this episode of Educators...

What are we working on?  And what have we left behind?  Plans that stalled, perhaps? Commitments that faded? Goals that started strong and slowly slipped into the background? When we look back, do we see those "Coulda Woulda Shoulda" moments?   Credibility requires us to finish what we started, even if it's not convenient. In this episode of Educators Among Us, host Scott Barron, Chief Reinvention...

If we knew then what we know now.  Wouldn't that be a gift?  But how could we, when we were so young, and thought we knew it all? Sometimes, when a piece of advice finally lands or a familiar face in the mirror reminds us of someone who guided us along the way, we realize, "Oh, now I get it".  These moments or maturity shift how we see our work, our relationships, and the people who helped shape u...

People don't always tell us where their limits are. You step forward with good intentions, trying to help or clarify, or lead, and somehow you still land on a sensitive spot. It's a critical part of leadership. Doing the right thing can still create discomfort, even when it's done with care.  In fact, when done with tact, "Stepping on Toes" doesn't have to hurt so much. In this episode of Educator...

There are days when communication feels harder than it should.  You speak thoughtfully, you reach out with the best intentions, yet the message lands short or gets lost.  If it seems like no one is listening, remember that communication isn't about what we say.  It's about what they trust to be true.  And so the question becomes, "Why should they listen to you?" In this episode of Educators Among...

Not everything deserves a reaction or a response.  Things like the email that stings, the comment in a meeting, the post online that you know is wrong. You can't fight every battle and still have energy left for the work and people that matter most. Learning which issues deserve your voice, and which ones don't, shows wisdom and discernment. In this episode of Educators Among Us, host Scott Barron...

We're better together.  But we can become divided.  When challenges rise and tensions build, the real test of any team isn't how talented they are, it's how united they stay. When people stick together through the messy, complicated parts, they create something stronger than "Us vs Them" can ever achieve. In this episode of Educators Among Us, host Scott Barron, Chef Reinvention Officer with Schoo...

What do you see when you look at the people around you? Sometimes it's easier to notice flaws, frustrations, and failures. But the greatest educators have a different kind of vision. They see potential where others see problems. They treat people as if they already are who they could become.  They get it, and that changes everything. In this episode of Educators Among Us, host Scott Barron, Chef R...

The greatest educators know that learning isn't about delivering information; it's about sparking discovery. When we ask the right questions, we don't just fill minds, we awaken them. In this episode, Scott Barron, Chief Reinvention Officer with School Growth, welcomes longtime friend and education leader David Arrell, Assistant Director with the Ohio Christian Education Network/Center for Christi...

In the life of an educator, heartbreak is inevitable.  Not just for us, but for others. It's important to know that what breaks your heart, matters.  It matters to resist the temptation to become callous, to care even when it doesn't make sense, and to choose integrity even when no one sees.  That is how we can build heartbreak bridges. In this episode of Educators Among Us, Scott Barron, Chef Rei...

Acceptance just might be the most essential ingredient to meaningful education. When educators, students, and leaders alike feel truly seen and valued, the entire environment shifts toward growth and unity. In this episode of Educators Among Us, Scott Barron, Chef Reinvention Officer with School Growth, highlights the power of acceptance and its transformative impact within schools. Drawing from r...

We often hold tightly to what we already believe, even when new information challenges us to think differently. It feels safer to confirm our assumptions than to question them—but that habit can quietly limit our growth. True wisdom begins when we recognize the pull of self-deception and make space for humility, truth, and change. In this episode of Educators Among Us, Scott Barron, Chef Reinventi...

We've all been there—cruising along and suddenly hitting a dip in the road we didn't see coming. It rattles everything. The truth is, life usually gives us warning signs if we're paying attention. Ignore them, and the ride gets a whole lot rougher than it has to be. In this episode of Educators Among Us, Scott Barron, Chef Reinvention Officer with School Growth, shares why those signs matter so mu...

The world often applauds being busy, but underneath the constant motion is a quiet cost. Busyness can crowd out clarity, overshadow joy, and leave little room for our souls to breathe. What if, instead of letting busyness run our lives, we could reclaim the rhythm of purpose and the peace of living out our true priorities? In this episode of Educators Among Us, Scott Barron, Chef Reinvention Offic...

The start of any school year often brings both joy and challenge. The excitement of fresh beginnings can quickly collide with the pressures of conflict, fatigue, and unmet expectations. For educators, the difference between simply showing up and truly committing makes all the difference—not just in their own outlook, but in the culture of an entire school community. In this episode of Educators Am...

Some people walk into a room and light it up. Their energy is contagious, their focus inspiring, and their presence a reminder that intensity and passion are powerful forces for change. In education, those qualities aren't optional—they are essential. When educators bring their best to the classroom, the office, or the bus route, students see that learning matters and that they matter. In this epi...

When life in schools feels messy, unpredictable, or even overwhelming, educators are the ones who hold steady and bring direction. Chaos is inevitable in the classroom, in leadership, and in our personal lives.  What matters is how we respond. Every educator is a leader, and every leader is an educator.  So, we must respond well. In this episode of Educators Among Us, Scott Barron, Chef Reinventio...

Every student deserves a chance to discover purpose and hope, even when life has stacked the odds against them. For those in foster care, incarceration, addiction recovery, or living on the margins of the education system, school can feel disconnected from reality. But with the right culture, teachers, and leadership, education can become the bridge to a new future. In this episode, Scott Barron,...

Some people seem to carry joy like a light inside them, through conflict, through stress, even through burnout. Where does that kind of joy come from, and how do we hold on to it when life pulls at every thread? The truth is, educators are often among the most joy-filled and the most joy-drained people we know, all in the same week. But there's a way to stay anchored. In this episode of Educators...

There's no avoiding the chaos some days bring. Conflicts flare, emotions run high, and the weight of the world settles on your shoulders like a storm cloud that refuses to move. But in the middle of it all, how we respond can make all the difference. Not just for ourselves, but for those around us. The question isn't whether the waters will rise, but whether we'll be the ones who build a bridge. I...

Being an educator can feel like navigating a storm at sea. There are days when the pressure is relentless, the challenges stack up, and the expectations never seem to ease. But even in the chaos, there is a path to peace. It's called the Serenity Prayer In this episode of Educators Among Us, School Growth's Scott and Tammy Barron talk about how the Serenity Prayer can be a steady guide for educato...

What if life had rumble strips—those loud, vibrating warnings that jolt you back on course when you're drifting? In many ways, it does. Feedback comes in all forms, from a gut feeling to a colleague's tough words. The key question is: Are you paying attention? In this episode of the Educators  Among Us Podcast, Scott Barron, Chief Reinvention Officer with School Growth, shares how educators, and a...