Joy Over Happiness

In this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, Jon Eckert interviews Dr. Ann Marie Taylor. The discussion covers various aspects of educational leadership and the unique approaches taken at Horse Creek Academy. Ann Marie emphasizes the importance of celebrating and honoring teachers to prevent the profession from declining and shares innovative practices at her school, such as on-site daycare and pr...

In this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, Jon Eckert engages with Ted Cockle, a colleague and educator at Baylor University. Cockle shares insights from his experiences and philosophies on what it means to be human and how to foster meaningful education. The discussion also covers the importance of relationships in student success, emphasizing that students flourish when they have supportive re...

In this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, Jon Eckert engages with Alyssa Gallagher to discuss the intricacies of educational leadership and the importance of creating a culture of feedback. Alyssa highlights the optimism that persists among educational leaders despite high stress levels, noting the concept of "gritty optimism" as a key trait for effective leadership. Jon emphasizes the...

In this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, Jill Anderson and Dr. Jon Eckert engage in conversation about the profound impact of educators and the importance of recognizing their contributions. Jon tells us inspiring anecdotes of teachers who have made a lasting difference in students' lives, reflecting on the transformative power of kindness and support in education. Jon recounts a personal...

In this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, host Jon Eckert interviews Krystle Moos, an award-winning science teacher known for her innovative and engaging teaching methods. The discussion revolves around Krystle's approach to creating a dynamic learning environment that fosters curiosity, belonging, and genuine learning experiences for her students. Krystle emphasizes the importance of addre...

In this podcast episode, host Jon interviews two guests from Australia, Darren Iselin and his daughter Beck, about the concept of wellbeing in schools. Beck, a teacher, discusses the increase in mental health issues among her students, such as anxiety and depression, as well as the rise in neurodivergent behaviors. She also shares her observations about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stude...

In this podcast episode, Jon Eckert interviews Deani Van Pelt, who leads an association of independent Christian schools in Ontario, Canada. They discuss trends in education, including increased parental engagement and the growth of alternative forms of education. They also touch on the work of Cardus, a think tank focused on education for the common good, and the importance of using industry best...

Mitch Weathers, the founder of Organized Binder, discusses his work and the importance of teaching executive functioning skills in schools. He explains that his program, Organized Binder, helps students develop organization and executive functioning skills, which are crucial for academic success. Weathers emphasizes the need for explicit instruction and modeling of these skills, as well as the imp...

I really hope that you will join me for this episode because I had a truly inspiring conversation with John Walker, the superintendent of Central Christian School in Kansas. John shares his nontraditional journey into education, emphasizing the importance of building a supportive community of leaders around him, and we delve into the challenges he faces as a school leader and how he leads with vul...

I am so thrilled to introduce our latest episode featuring the incredible Lauren Houser, who brings seventeen years of experience as an assistant principal. Lauren shares her journey from unexpected twists, like taking a year off after graduation, to finding her true calling in education. We also dive deep into topics like the power of building relationships through looping (did you know Finland d...

Join me for this episode of Just Schools as I have a fascinating conversation with Shaun Brooker, a former rugby player turned school leader from New Zealand! Listen in as we explore Shaun's journey into education, driven by his experiences at youth camps and his love for motivating students to push their limits. Shaun sheds light on his role in developing user-friendly systems for teachers, e...

I'm so thrilled to share today's episode with you. I am joined today by Matt and Eric as we dive deep into well-being, belonging, and the fascinating world of education. Matt and Eric are wonderful educators in Canada and are doing remarkable work in fostering a sense of belonging for international students and enhancing the well-being of every student in their respective schools. In this...

I am so excited to have my best friend Erik Ellefsen on the podcast today to reflect on the highlights of 2023 in education and set our sights on what excites us in 2024! Erik, with his extensive global school experiences, shares insights into the joy he finds in the brilliance of educators and the challenges they overcome. We delve into memorable school visits, from the historic Windsor Castle to...

I hope that you will join me for this episode as I sit down with Anna Surratt, a remarkable educator with nearly two decades of teaching experience in both public and Christian schools. We delve into her expertise in empathy-based leadership and design thinking, exploring how these tools contribute to fostering strong relationships and creating positive change in the education landscape. Anna shar...

Join me this week on the podcast as I delve into a conversation with Colin Roe, a middle school technology and Bible teacher at Faith Christian School. Colin shares insights into the challenges of technology in education and emphasizes the importance of using it to build relationships with students, and he and I explore topics such as digital citizenship, the impact of technology on students'...

I had the honor and privilege to talk with Jami Courson, a dedicated high school teacher in Texas, whose journey in education has been nothing short of transformative. Despite initially aiming for a career in medicine, Jami found her calling in teaching and coaching, and over her 22 years in the profession, she has faced burnout and challenges but discovered renewed purpose through community and f...

Tune into this episode of the show because I am thrilled to introduce you to two extraordinary educators, Gaby Garcia and Kim Poe, from Augustine Prep in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These incredible individuals are transforming communities on the South Side of Milwaukee, where their school is located. What's truly inspiring is how their efforts have significantly impacted the neighborhood; crime rat...

Listen in today as I sit down with Bryan Goodwin, President and CEO of McREL International, and an experienced educator, to explore the intersection of science, art, and the joy found in teaching. We dive into the phases of learning, discussing how curiosity is the key to engaging students, followed by commitment, focus, consolidation, practice, reflection, and finally, extension and application....

In this episode of the Just Schools Podcast, join me (your host Jon Eckert) as I sit down with Sierra Downs and Eli Spector, two remarkable educators from Front Range Christian School in Colorado! We explore the wonder and magic that defines their school environment, fostering academic excellence and student well-being. Through their authentic experiences, we discover the power of relational leade...

It's time to start looking at younger teachers as a place where we can develop leadership. Two young educators, Brittany Griffith and Meredith Frey, join host Jon Eckert. Brittany is a teacher in Frisco and Meredith is a teacher in San Antonio. Today, they discuss what has made them passionate about their education careers and what has pushed them to gain their master's degrees in Educatio...

Traditional schools don't work for every student. Nikki Bell is both a parent and an educator from Oklahoma. When she noticed her son didn't fit into traditional public school, she decided to homeschool. She is now a board member at a classical school. Classical schools focus on truth, beauty and wisdom and how we pursue those things. Today she joins host Jon Eckert to discuss her journey...

Education within the prison system is a challenge. From access to technology to access to books. Bing Parks is an educator who loves her students but never wants to see her students in her classroom again. That's because she works in the Texas Juvenile Department. Her students range in age from 11 to 18 years old. Today she joins host Jon Eckert to discuss how she uses engagement to drive her...

Truly engaging students goes beyond entertainment. Having meaningful two-way discussions is one way to create authentic engagement. Aaron Bond has over two decades of education experience. Over his career, he's employed the Harkness Method to engage his students. Today, he joins host Jon Eckert to candidly discuss what he's learned throughout the year. Their conversation focuses on how thr...

We all need colleagues that are life-giving. Those who help us find joy in what we do. Bill Sterrett is one of those colleagues. Today he joins host Jon Eckert. Bill is the Department Chair and Professor of Educational Leadership at Baylor University’s School of Education. Their conversation focuses on how to build a firm foundation on educators' why to help educators stay motivated through th...

Designing learning spaces with the end users -- teachers, students, custodians -- can make a huge difference in people’s lives. Today Danish Kurani, the founder of Kurani , an architectural firm, joins host Jon Eckert. Kurani specializes in designing education spaces with empathy and prioritizing the end user. Danish discusses an embarrassing moment in kindergarten that later inspired him to begin...