EduCurious Pods

Watch: https://youtu.be/8Q3x7SiIqhI In this episode of The EduCurious Podcast, Dr. Amber Love Johnson sits down with educator, author, and EduProtocols co-founder Jon Corippo to discuss his journey into education and the innovative teaching practices that have transformed classrooms around the world. Jon shares how his experiences as a teacher led him to challenge traditional instruction and devel...

Completing a doctorate can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and at times impossible. In this presentation, Dr. Amber Love Johnson shares the realities of her doctoral journey from dropping out of college early in life to earning her doctorate and becoming a published researcher. Speaking to current Ed. D. students at Florida State University, Dr. Johnson offers practical advice, lessons learned, res...

#FosterCareAdvocate #EduCurious #EveryGirlMatters #FSU #FAMU X’Zaria Bullard: Not Just a Statistic Discover X’Zaria Bullard's extraordinary journey from foster care to pursuing a doctorate. Learn about her challenges, triumphs, and advocacy for foster youth. In today’s world, stories of resilience and determination often inspire us to push beyond our limits. X’Zaria Bullard, a remarkable foste...

Creating a vibrant classroom culture is crucial for student engagement and learning. In this episode of The EduCurious Podcast, Alona Robillard, a fifth-grade math teacher at West Bay Elementary, shares her unique approach to teaching and her dedication to cultivating a positive environment. Alona unpacks her valuable insights into creating a classroom culture that not only supports learning but a...

🔥 This episode is for every woman leading in education who has ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?” 🔥 What happens when one powerhouse educator interviews the very leader who inspired her journey to a doctorate? Watch: https://youtu.be/KY382eQQ2HY Learn: Coming soon…DrChristyLamb.com In this powerful and refreshingly honest conversation, Dr. Amber Love Johnson sits down with Dr. Christy Lamb...

Watch: https://youtu.be/Zz7ku0ZWdbU Learn: https://www.eduprotocols.com/ In this episode of The EduCurious Podcast , Jon Corippo and Julie Huggins discuss how EduProtocols are reshaping classrooms through engaging, student-centered learning. Jon explains how strategies like “Fast and Curious” use repetition, immediate feedback, and game-based tools to build confidence, motivation, and academic gro...

Business Partner and co-owner of Southside Footy indoor training facility in Lakeland, Florida, Alek Cosio-Altamirano, is a first-generation American whose love of soccer translates into helping others achieve their very best. Montessori-style independence, creative thinking, street-style raw training, pain and struggle, develop athletes who can joga bonito (play beautifully). Alek shares how he g...

What does it really take to run a city, and why should educators, students, and community members care? 🌐 Learn More: City of Lake Wales: https://www.lakewalesfl.gov Overview: In this episode of The EduCurious Podcast, Dr. Amber Love Johnson sits down with Stephanie-Grace Bond Lutton, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Lake Wales, to explore how local government, education, and comm...

What does it really mean to be a creative learner? In this episode of the EduCurious Podcast, Dr. Amber Love Johnson sits down with local artist Blair Petersen Updike for a rich conversation about art, learning, curiosity, and community. Blair shares how boredom, self-directed discovery, and meaningful challenge shaped her as a learner and continue to shape the way she teaches and creates today. T...

What does effective school leadership look like in a fast-growing public school district? In this episode of the EduCurious Podcast, Dr. Amber Love Johnson sits down with Superintendent Fred Heid of Polk County Public Schools to discuss educational leadership, accountability, school culture, student assessment, district growth, and the future of AI in education. Fred Heid shares his journey from b...

What does it really mean to live a fulfilled life? In this episode of the EduCurious Podcast, Dr. Amber Love Johnson sits down with community leader and recovery advocate Andy Blair to explore his journey from outward success to inner transformation. After years of chasing achievement and status, Andy shares how a life-changing turning point led him to recovery and ultimately to a purpose centered...

In this episode of the EduCurious Podcast, Dr. Amber Love Johnson sits down with Ruby Nugent, college athlete, coach, and passionate community leader, to explore how sports can transform lives. Watch: https://youtu.be/KQbU5hVW1aw Ruby shares her journey from Lake Wales Little League to earning a full-ride softball scholarship, competing at elite levels, and returning home to give back to the next...

In this EduCurious podcast, Dr. Amber Love Johnson sits down with Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd for a real conversation about school safety, prevention, and the truth behind student behavior. Together, they unpack:The truth behind the “school-to-prison pipeline.”What actually works to redirect studentsEarly warning signs educators should never ignoreThe role of accountability, both for students a...

Watch the full presentation: https://youtu.be/jKWPQBOp3Xg   Join Amber Love Johnson for an engaging, honest, and practical professional development session focused on classroom management, trauma-informed teaching, and building relational resilience. This session blends personal experience, educational research, and real-world classroom observations to support new and developing teachers. Amber sh...

Dr. Lynn Johnson, an accomplished educator and entrepreneur, shares an inspiring story of perseverance and purpose that deeply influences her work in business and education. Johnson’s journey, which began in the Lake Wales projects and culminated in a PhD, is a powerful testament to overcoming adversity. She actively uses her personal background—including being raised by her grandmother—to connect...

This EduCurious episode features Emergency Management Senior Planner Jerri Sackett. She details the crucial collaboration between emergency management (EM) and schools, especially for shelter planning and disaster preparedness. Sackett highlights EM's role as the middleman between local and state governments, emphasizing the need for comprehensive safety plans, volunteer support, and proactive...

Watch: https://youtu.be/8piNimZb_k8   Visit: https://www.orangeblossomrevue.com/   Reid Hardman, co-founder of the Orange Blossom Revue (OBR) and Vice President of the Blossom Charitable Foundation, shares the evolution of a beloved Lake Wales event and its impact on the community, particularly within the educational sphere. Hardman recounts how OBR began as a humble Rotary barbecue fundraiser in...

Watch: https://youtu.be/UHAAJNl6Gno David Price, President and CEO of Bok Tower Gardens, highlights the profound educational mission of this iconic Florida landmark. Price emphasizes that the gardens are far more than a beautiful tourist destination; they are a vibrant "living classroom" fostering experiential education for all ages, from toddlers to seniors. Price explains that Bok Towe...

Katherine Lamar, a dedicated curriculum specialist at Warner University, impacts the educational world through her passion for designing meaningful learning experiences. Lamar views curriculum as the guiding "constellation of stars" that leads students on a purposeful journey, equipping them with essential knowledge and skills rather than letting them wander aimlessly. She champions a &q...

Kristen Albritton, a veteran educator with 25 years of experience, shares her impact and positive outlook on the evolving world of education. Currently a fifth-grade ELA, history, and gifted teacher in Utah, Albritton illuminates key differences from her previous experience in Florida, notably higher teacher pay and a less high-stakes testing environment in Utah, contributing to a more positive ex...

Watch:   https://youtu.be/CZ8zoYGWQxw Justin Sharpless, Agriculture Department Chair and Assistant Professor at Warner University and Polk County School Board District 6 representative, is dedicated to his community and education. A Lake Wales native, Sharpless's commitment to giving back stems from his local roots and mentorship. At Warner University, Sharpless guides students toward careers...

EduCurious welcomes Julie Conrad-Peters, the new Superintendent of Lake Wales Charter Schools, just one workday before her official start on Monday, July 28th. Ms. Conrad brings 33 years of diverse educational experience, a profound passion for the field, and a "family first" philosophy that resonates deeply with the Lake Wales community. Ms. Conrad’s career journey has spanned various r...

Amanda Roecker, a former Navy Aviation Ordinance specialist (Bomb Maker), is making a significant impact as a middle school social studies teacher, bringing a unique and inspiring perspective to education. Roecker's journey highlights her remarkable drive, as she successfully transitioned careers while balancing college and family life. She emphasizes the value of starting as a substitute teacher...

In this conversation, Dave Martelli, founder of GUILD Hall Learning, shares his journey in education, emphasizing the importance of creating supportive learning environments that foster creativity and individual interests. He discusses the role of AI in personalizing education, the need for teacher preparedness in a rapidly changing world, and the significance of navigating discomfort in learning....

LaQuanda Burroughs, Director of Human Resources for the Lake Wales Charter School System, is making a significant positive impact by championing a "people-centered" philosophy. She believes that supporting employees is the key to a thriving educational environment and actively implements this vision through enhanced wellness initiatives and improved access to digital resources. Burroughs...