Educator University

Annie chats with  Marcia Familio-Enright  about the journey of founding schools. Marcia shares how she built the Council Oak Montessori School and Reliance College, offering teachers and leaders practical insights. To connect with Marsha, check out her website here:  https://reliancecollege.org/ (00:00) Starting a School: Marsha's Journey (09:06) Montessori Education Explained (17:51) Overcomi...

Annie chats with  Zoe Thompson , high-performance coach and one of Britain’s strongest women, about building resilience, managing stress, and growing stronger—mentally, emotionally, and physically. To connect with Zoe, check out her website here:  https://www.zoethompson.uk (00:00) Introduction: Strength & Resilience (03:19) Staying Calm Under Pressure (07:09) Women in Strength Sports & Me...

Annie chats with  Becca , an experienced educator, about supporting gifted learners. She shares practical strategies to engage students, foster growth, and provide academic and social-emotional support. (00:00) 6 Types of Gifted Students (12:01) The Challenge Gifted Kids Need (19:06) New Teacher? Start Here (25:53) Let Students Take the Lead (31:24) Collaboration Isn’t Always Easy (37:44) Support...

Annie chats with  Danielle Hutchinson , former English teacher and Chief Creative Officer of Authors on a Mission, about how teachers can turn classroom experiences into published books. Danielle shares strategies to overcome self-doubt, tell your story, and leverage your expertise beyond the classroom. To connect with Danielle, check out her website here:  https://authorsonmission.com/ (00:00) Wh...

Annie chats with  Ron Nichols  from the Soil Health Academy about how regenerative farming can teach students lessons that go beyond the classroom. Ron shares practical ways to bring soil health, sustainability, and environmental stewardship into engaging, hands-on lessons. To connect with Ron, check out the Soil Health Academy website:  https://soilhealthacademy.org (00:00) Why Regenerative Farmi...

Annie chats with  Russell Van Brocklin , the “Dyslexia Professor,” about supporting dyslexic learners in the classroom. Russell shares practical strategies, insights into how dyslexic brains learn, and ways technology and AI can enhance learning. To connect with Russell, check out his website here:  https://dyslexiaclasses.com/ (00:00) Dyslexia Overview (02:58) Spotting Signs & Strengths (05:3...

Annie chats with  Laurel Roberts-Meese  about using the Enneagram to improve teaching, collaboration, and teacher well-being. Laurel shares practical insights on the nine types and how understanding personality can prevent burnout and strengthen classroom and staff relationships. To connect with Laurel, check out her website here:  https://www.laureltherapy.net (00:00) Intro: Enneagram for Educato...

Annie chats with  Dr. Travis Schachtner  about recognizing and surviving toxic school environments. He shares strategies for reclaiming professional agency, advocating for yourself, and building healthier workplaces. To connect with Dr. Travis Schachtner, check out his website here:  https://www.ftsleaders.com/ (00:00) Why Toxic Schools Burn Out Teachers (03:14) Spotting Bad Leadership & Takin...

Annie chats with  Joel Bouchard , philosopher and doctoral student, about how ancient philosophy shapes modern teaching. Joel explores the Socratic method, student-centered learning, and strategies for fostering critical thinking and respectful dialogue in the classroom. To connect with Joel, check out his website here:  https://jbouchard.podbean.com (00:00) Why Ancient Philosophy Still Matters (0...

Annie chats with  Jeaneen Tang , an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist, about how teachers can identify and support students with speech and language challenges. Jeaneen shares practical strategies for early intervention, classroom support, and collaboration with SLPs. To connect with Jeaneen, check out her website here:  https://www.playdumbandsabotage.com/ (00:00) What SLPs Do in Schools (0...

Annie chats with  Brittany Cessar , a certified Somatic Activated Healer, about how teachers can reconnect with their bodies, manage stress, and stay grounded throughout the school day. Brittany shares simple, practical tools for both educators and students to regulate their nervous systems. To connect with Brittany, check out her website here:  https://pages.magnetic-mermaid.com/free-SAH-Emotion-...

Annie chats with  Dr. Roxanne Forgave  about building engaging, budget-friendly classroom libraries. She shares practical strategies to help teachers foster a love of reading, even with limited resources. (00:00) Why Classroom Libraries Matter (03:00) Starting Your First Library (10:00) Finding Books: Community & Funding (19:00) Organizing and Maintaining Your Library (30:30) Inspiring Reading...

Annie chats with  Laurel Roberts-Meese , a licensed therapist, about recognizing and preventing teacher burnout. Laurel shares practical strategies for self-care, setting boundaries, and building a sustainable, fulfilling teaching career. To connect with Laurel, check out her website here:  https://www.laureltherapy.net (00:00) Burnout: What It Really Is (04:46) Signs You’re Burning Out (09:45) Re...

Annie chats with  Tom , a computer engineer, to demystify artificial intelligence for educators. Tom shares practical examples, free tools, and strategies for using AI safely and effectively while keeping learning meaningful. (00:00) What is AI, Really? (02:39) How AI Is Changing the Job Market for Students (06:33) The Skills Students Need (17:29) Using AI in the Classroom (25:43) AI Concerns for...

Annie chats with  Joe Matot  about his journey from teaching social studies to launching a woodshop program. Joe shares how he gained community support and confidently built a new elective from the ground up. (00:00) Why He Chose Woodshop (01:41) Convincing Admin to Say Yes (05:54) Transferring Skills Between Subjects (06:58) Biggest Challenges (and What He Learned) (09:19) The Most Rewarding High...