Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

2020 has come with a lot of complex adjustments in regards to life and teaching. In order to be our best, we have to get back to the basics of why we love the profession we chose! We have to get excited about the lessons we are teaching and be fully present to make an impact for our students. We all have unique x-factors that make us great in our own individual ways. We need to remember what our x...

James Sturtevant navigated thirty-four years in a public high school classroom. He now teaches Intro to Education and Assessment to future teachers at Muskingum University. He combines fearless experimentation with a willingness to learn from younger tech-savvy students and colleagues. He's authored three additional books that promote student engagement and bonding with kids. James hosts the Hacki...

We have spent a lot of time discussing how teachers should adjust this year. We also have to consider how our students are doing with all the adjustments that they are facing. As leaders in their life, we have to take the time to acknowledge the adjustments they are making. We also have to help them process how these adjustments are effecting their life. Making adjustments might not be in the...

This year is quite different than other years of teaching. If we were using a rubric, this year wouldn't be scoring at the top. Therefore, why are we holding ourselves to the same expectations? It is time for us to recalibrate our expectations and make adjustments based on our new reality. In order to be successful, we have to examine our environment and constantly adjust. Tune in to hear Gretchen...

In March of 2020 our lives were altered and changed. While we thought most of the changes were temporary, we are now living in a different time. Just because change has happened doesn't mean all that comes with COVID-19 is bad. You can choose to see the golden moments that are sprinkled in our new reality without comparison to the past. Tune in to hear Gretchen discuss how to see the best in the w...

The 2020-2021 school year will be one of adjustments just as 2020 has been for the world. Teachers that have a can-do attitude and adjust in the moment will be the most fulfilled. You have the power to choose what adjustments you make and influence those around you this year. Tune in to hear what actionable steps you can take to make adjustments that will be pivotal to your career this year. Quota...

CJ Reynolds teaches high school literature and the history of hip-hop in West Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Rowan University and has been a classroom teacher for 15 years. He is also the author of the upcoming book Teach Your Class Off and the creator of the Real Rap with Reynolds YouTube channel. CJ's YouTube channel and book are aimed at giving viewers an authentic glimpse into the life of a...

In this personal episode, Gretchen gives live updates on Baby Elijah's birth story. Gretchen discusses thoughts on going into labor, having a baby during the Covid-19 era and what it is like transitioning into a family of five. Tune in to hear about the details of Gretchen's third pregnancy and first baby boy! This episode is sponsored by Power School/Schoology’s Time for Teachers initiative. Conn...

Lindsey Howe is currently a first year PreK- 5 Assistant Principal/Instructional Coach for 3 elementary schools in Massachusetts. She previously was a 3rd- 5th grade teacher. She is an avid believer that all students deserve the best and are capable of learning at high levels. She spends the majority of her time pushing the educational envelope by encouraging teachers to learn and understand best...

Nita Creekmore is a wife and mother to four children. She has been in education for 16 years. She was in the classroom for 13 years as an elementary school teacher. She has taught four years in first grade, seven years in second grade, a little in third grade and two years in fifth grade. The bulk of her teaching career was in the state of Virginia and the rest in Georgia, where she now resides. H...

Kelly taught for 6 years in the elementary classroom- 2nd and 3rd grade. During that time she loved teaching and encouraging her kiddos but found that her strength as a teacher really was in the area or organization. In 2016, she started her blog, The Simply Organized Teacher. Shortly after launching that blog, she launched a podcast Simply Teach. In 2018, she left the classroom to move abroad (Ge...

Teach On A Mission is a company Mandy built to help teachers build sustainable classrooms so they can stay there longer. After ten years in the classroom, she's now dedicating her time to helping teachers flip their classrooms so they can confidently get through their calendar and do more than lecture in class. She's supporting AP Psych teachers in her monthly coaching membership, and elevating te...

Building a community is essential for growth. If you have never been part of an empowering community, it is nearly impossible to create one in your classroom or school building. Tune in to hear tips from coaches in the trenches for what aspects meant the most to them in finding an empowering community. Enroll in the Teacher L eader Mastermind Fall 2020 Cohort here .       Connect wi...

Kristin McKeown is a mindfulness teacher, educational consultant, and coach. She helps educators integrate meditation and mindfulness into their daily lives so they can be at their best for their students, colleagues, and families. As founder and CEO of  TeachingBalance , Kristin integrates her experience as a meditation teacher with her 25 years in public education to offer straightforward strate...

Kyle Scott King, is an educator, mentor, four time best-selling author, public speaker, founder and the Chief Executive Officer of The SHINE Institute. Kyle King also is the founder of Blueprint Conferences, a platform for educators to trade the life they have for the one they never knew they wanted. King also serves as the Dean of Students at one of Charlotte’s premier Charter Schools, Queen City...

Erica Terry is a 17 year educator, who currently serves as a professional learning consultant and coach committed to empowering co-teachers to build collaborative relationships  and transform instruction in inclusive classrooms to meet the needs of all students. In addition to her role as a consultant, she also is an edupreneur and host of the Classroom to CEO Podcast , where she equips educators...

Gretchen pulls back the curtain in this bonus episode. You get to hear from the folks that support Gretchen the most as they ask her fun, serious, personal and professional questions. Shout out to bonus episode co-host Adam Bridgers with cameos by Cole ( Teach Glitter Grow ), Kristen ( Nashville Littles ), Amber ( Burned-In Teacher ) and Nikki ( Simply Coaching & Teaching ). Sponsorship This e...

Lisa Johnson has 19+ years of edu experience ranging from teaching HS English & MS Math to international curriculum development, creating and presenting workshops, and even running technology integration camps across the state. She holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum, Instruction, & Tech and currently serves as an Educational Technologist for a 1:1 iPad H.S. in Austin, Texas. Additionall...

Kim Strobel is the owner of Strobel Education, education consultant, and motivational speaker. She’s its driving force. Her wisdom, positivity, and strength inform every aspect—and it shows in the inspiring workshops she presents to teachers who seek to make a difference. She puts herself “in the trenches” with teachers because she was once there herself and knows how important support and encoura...

This episode has an exciting announcement for only loyal podcast listeners. It is a way to go deeper with the content learned on this show and provides a community of support in the implementation process of growing from teacher to an empowered educator. Learn more here: https://alwaysalesson.teachable.com/p/empowering-educators-membership/ Don't forget the time-sensitive code by 5/17/20: FOUNDER...

Missy is the Director of Innovation at a regional service agency in Wisconsin and the Educational Administration Program Coordinator at the University Wisconsin-Platteville. When engaging in conversations with Missy, her energy and enthusiasm for learning are contagious. She is a relentless advocate for school leaders and their learning needs as they maneuver their way through this time of massive...

If you want to truly hone your leadership craft in a way that has a tremendous impact, ask the right people for feedback. You can read all the books, follow all the people, and take all the conferences, but if you do not hear from the ones you lead about how they need and want to be led better, then you’ll never transform into the most impactful leader you can become. Tune in for 3 easy steps on h...

During uncertain times, the overwhelm can be debilitating. By focusing on doing the next right thing, you can strategically move forward, build momentum and gain sanity. Tune in to learn a 3 part system that will help you navigate any new situation you face so that you come out on the other side successful. Quotables You make the best decision you can at the time with the knowledge and skills that...

This podcast episode was previously recorded as a free webinar for teachers after they received the news that schools would be closing for multiple weeks due to the COVID-19 virus precaution. Teachers will be able to: Create a  success plan for e-learning during the Covid-19 precaution period Achieve calm, efficient  work-life balance Develop a  workflow  that maximizes time Re...

We are all learners, honing our craft so we can better serve those we impact. Brian Mendler says, “Every plant has their own requirements in order to grow…and so do people.” We can get caught up in seasons that leave us dying instead of thriving, or pruning instead of moving forward, or growing to greater heights. Whatever the season, we can better understand what requirements we have to grow...