Relate Then Educate Podcast

The RTE Classroom Management Team sits down together to talk all about managing classrooms! Erin and Rick chat with Katie Kinder and Jo Lein. This team of 4 will be leading our Classroom Management Workshops in Tulsa and OKC later this month! In this episode, they share the importance of building relationships, holding students to high standards, being true to who we are as people in our classroom...

A few months ago, Erin and Rick sat down with two lifelong educator heroes- Nancy Davis & Cindi Hemm. These two are legendary! During our recording, we had to cut the episode short with the plan to come back to record part 2 another time. Sadly, we were never able to do that, as Nancy Davis recently passed away. So instead, we finished up this wonderful episode with tributes to the incredible Nanc...

What a wonderful conversation! Erin and Rick got to meet and sit down (in person!) with April Grace who is running for Oklahoma’s State Superintendent. She shares her over 30 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and superintendent with us and shows us why experience really does matter in this important race. April’s passion for the children and teachers in our state is evident and he...

Erin & Rick got to meet in person for a great conversation about Occupational Therapy in schools with Heather Parmley and Mallory Roark. Heather is an OTR/L (Occupational Therapist, Registered, Licensed) and shares her experiences, knowledge, and expertise working with students. Mallory teaches Pre-K and seamlessly implements OT with her little ones each and every day. You’ll learn some great idea...

What a joy to get to meet Melissa Kimberling! You all are going to love her! Erin and Rick sat down with Melissa, a kindergarten teacher in Joplin Public Schools. We talked all things kindergarten! From the sweet precious moments to the nasty grimy ones. Kindergartners are a breed all their own. :) And Melissa shares some fantastic strategies and entertaining stories from her classroom. OUR RECOMM...

Erin and Rick have a delightful and compelling chat about “Research and Data Analysis in the Classroom”. Who woulda thought?! But that’s what you get with Dr. Matthew Courtney! Matthew is an educator, researcher, policy maker, and author. He specializes in using data and research to support schools as they work to improve teaching and learning. His motto is, “I help schools help kids!” Website - h...

Erin and Rick had a conversation with Brantley Turner about globalized education and her 25 years spent overseas teaching and working internationally in China. Brantley has partnered with The Dwight Schools. While in Shanghai, Brantley was the principal of Qibao Dwight, and is currently at Dwight New York. We discuss how being a part of a global network allows students access to incredible opportu...

Erin & Rick have a fun chat with Kyra Carby, a public Montessori teacher to 1st-3rd graders. As a chef, Kyra never ever intended on being a teacher. It was not in the cards… or was it? Because once she felt the call to get in the classroom, she answered it! And her students are so fortunate she did.

Erin & Rick had a wonderful conversation with Charles Williams. Charles is the principal of Plato Learning Academy in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago and a national speaker through CW Consulting Educational Services. Plato Learning Academy has that family feel that only comes with engaged leadership and loving teachers. We discussed how Charles’ equity advocacy is woven into everything he does....

Rick & Erin sat down with Oyate Burnette. Oyate brings her Lakota culture and heritage to her 1st graders on the Rosebud Reservation every day! Oyate teaches in the same community in which she was raised and taught. We talk about teaching culture, teaching culturally, respect, and effects of generational and historical trauma on her students.

Erin chats with one of her dear friends from childhood, Jaime Lee. Jaime is a 9th grade history teacher and loves her students so well. We reflect on some students we’ve had, discouraging moments in the classroom, moments of real connection with our students, and a few “remember whens” from our childhood.

This week, Erin sits down with her husband, Wesley Patton, to discuss his experience of going to college for the first time in his 30’s. Education truly changed his life! We talk about his school experience as a child, what lead him to give college a shot at 30, how school went, and what his life looks like now.

Erin & Rick check in. We go over things we’ve learned and discovered over this last year. We talk about education trends we’re noticing, the future of Relate Then Educate, upcoming opportunities we’re offering, and what we’re looking forward to in the future.

Erin & Rick chat with the very special Katy Mills. Katy is one of Rick’s former students and players and is now a first-year teacher finishing up the year with her first group of 4th graders! We discuss all that comes with being a first-year teacher, such as expectations, preparedness, classroom management, building relationships, internal/emotional struggles, maintaining mental health, victories,...

Erin & Rick sat down (IN PERSON!) with Caitlin Sellers and Leanne Campbell to dig into SEL - Social Emotional Learning. It’s a hot topic right now and we discuss why. We talk about what SEL is, why it is so very important for our students, what it looks like in schools, and we discover tips on ways to implement SEL into your classroom activities and lessons.

Erin and Rick get to chat with Jackie Mancinelli. Jackie is a high school English & SEL teacher in New Jersey. She founded an organization called “Start Healing Together”, which provides information and support to help alleviate the stigmas surrounding pregnancy loss and infertility. We discuss our personal experiences, ways to take care of yourself as you’re grieving, how to support colleagues wh...

Erin & Rick talk to Dr. Casey Jakubowski from rural New York. Casey is an expert in rural education. We discuss the unique and enriching educational opportunities that rural education allows, the challenges rural education can present, and the wonderful communities surrounding these schools.

Erin & Rick connected with Dr. Bryan Duke to discuss the current state of teacher education. Dr. Duke is the interim Dean of the College of Education & Professional Studies @ UCO (University of Central OK in Edmond). We discuss interest in education careers, teacher ed, mentorship, pay, demanding hours, and expectations

Erin & Rick chat with Molly Patterson, a 6th grade English teacher in her third year of teaching. This has been such a hard year for so many and we dig into it. We discuss the many of the joys and struggles that come with being a young teacher, appreciating each and every one of our students, and working our contract hours.

Erin & Rick sit down with 2 truly incredible women, Hanna Al-Jibouri & Nicole Powell, to hear about their experiences in the classroom. Hanna and Nicole identified a problem that they had to do something about. Then, with the support of a wonderful principal, loads of hard work, a perfect partnership, and coworkers cheering them on, these 2 teachers created something pretty remarkable! We discuss:...

Erin, Katie, and Rick all together in the same room?!?! We get to share with you our hearts and why we’re doing this whole Relate, then Educate thing. We. Love. Teachers. We want it to amplify the voices of teachers so that we can empower, support, connect, and encourage current and future educators.

Last week we talked about taking a moment to check in with yourself. This week, we are talking about what you might discover once you take that accurate view of the state of affairs in your heart and mind. We mentioned some self-care resources on our website, here's the link: https://relatetheneducate.com/self-care-resources/

Erin & Rick talk about Self Care - a very common topic being discussed lately, but often can feel like such an empty phrase. We share our personal struggles with prioritizing our health and the importance of checking in. Teachers are valuable and worthy of care.

Erin has the privilege of sitting down with 2 of her dear friends and fellow teachers, Jaime Lee and Stephanie Bauer. We discuss: Our WHY - why we chose this career, and why we show up for our students day after day. Ways we connect and relate to our students Setting up your classroom to reflect you Misunderstandings about teachers and education