Straight Chalk: Podcast for Busy Educators

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 In this episode, we sit down with Technology Support Specialist, Jessica Gutierrez, to explore how professional learning can move with purpose by honoring teacher voice, choice, and real classroom needs. Using Summer Summit as a case study, we examine how one thoughtfully designed, conference-style day can boost t...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 What happens when teachers lead the learning—and actually make it stick? In this episode, we tap into the energy of InnovateEd, our first teacher-led conference, and turn those moments into practical moves you can try right away. From strategies that blend playful rigor with real thinking, to simple protocols that...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 “Sit and get” professional development is easy to schedule and hard to defend. What busy educators actually need is learning that respects their time, connects to their students, and leaves them with something they can use tomorrow. We’re joined by St. Lucie Public Schools instructional specialist Kimberly Wadswor...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 The biggest shifts in learning often happen in the smallest moments—at a back table, over a shared text, with a clear purpose and timely feedback. We sit down with Samantha Lamora, K–5 ELA curriculum specialist, to unpack how intentional small groups can transform reading and writing growth without overwhelming yo...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join me this month as I chat with Zulay Garcia, Science Curriculum Specialist in St. Lucie Public Schools, to unlock the power of sensemaking in your science classroom! In this new episode, we unpack simple, high‑impact ways teachers can help students think deeply, connect ideas, and make meaning. It’s a quick, en...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Giving Teachers the ELL Edge (Special Winter Edition) This episode is all about practical, high‑impact strategies teachers can use right away to support English Language Learners. We’re diving into tools that make instruction more accessible, routines that build language confidence, and classroom moves that help m...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join me as I chat with the inspiring Dr. Trevor Sparacio — Social Studies teacher, department chair, and lifelong learner in St. Lucie Public Schools. In this episode, we explore how teachers can move beyond test scores and spreadsheets to help students become masters of their own data. Trevor shares practical str...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join the conversation with Dr. LeiNitia Robinson and Terrence Platt, dynamic Career Coaches from St. Lucie Public Schools, as they explore how educators are transforming Career and Technical Education (CTE) from a classroom concept into a powerful pathway for student success. In this episode, we dive into the insp...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 In this episode, Behavior Specialist Caroline Redding brings practical wisdom and real-world strategies to help teachers turn their classroom vision into reality. Whether it's building a community of respect, setting clear expectations, or simply trying to get your students to line up without chaos—this episo...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 🎙️ Season Premiere: Level Up Your Professional Learning Welcome to a brand-new season of the podcast where we dive into power moves that elevate your professional learning journey! This season kicks off with a dynamic conversation with instructional specialist Kim Wadsworth exploring how educators can take intenti...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez in the latest episode of the Straight Chalk: Podcast for Busy Educators. In this episode of Math Matters , we dive into the power of mathematics in education with former Curriculum Specialist and now Assistant Principal Courtney Ballantine. From fostering a growth mindset to making...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez in the latest episode of the Straight Chalk: Podcast for Busy Educators. In this episode, I sit down with a dynamic principal, Ebony Jarrett to explore powerful ways school leaders can uplift, inspire, and support teachers in building self-efficacy and flourishing in their professio...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez in the latest episode of the Straight Chalk: Podcast for Busy Educators. Special thanks to Renae in Australia for writing in to suggest the area of focus for this episode. Listen to a compelling conversation with Didi Johnson, Coordinator of Quality Instruction at St. Lucie Public S...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez in the latest episode of StraightChalk podcast for busy educators where she gets to chat with Rylan Jay, 3rd grade teacher & recently awarded Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year in St. Lucie Public Schools. Listen to Rylan share about her experiences as a new teacher &amp...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez in the latest episode of Straight Chalk podcast for busy educators where she gets to chat with Anna Babcock & Renee Hawkins, K-5th grade teachers in St. Lucie Public Schools about Learning Expeditions a brand new differentiated professional learning initiative that promotes auth...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez in the latest episode of StraightChalk: Podcast for Busy Educators where she gets to chat with Mark Dionisio, District Wellness Manager in St. Lucie Public Schools about building resilience and empowering wellness for personal and professional success over the holidays & beyond....

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez inthe latest episode of StraightChalk podcast for busy educators where she gets to chat with Zulay Garcia, District Curriculum Specialist and explore, “Gratitude in action and highlighting community partnerships that inspire.” Being November here in the United States, we come togeth...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez, in the latest episode of the Straight Chalk: Podcast for Busy Educators where she gets to chat with Laurie Boyer, Technology Specialist in St. Lucie Public Schools. Laurie supports both instructional and non-instructional staff to expand their technology knowledge and skills. Don’t...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Welcome to the StraightChalk: Podcast for Busy Educators! I'm Belinda Benner-Ordoñez an instructional specialist in SLPS. In this month's episode, we are focusing on setting the stage for a high-functioning classroom through successful behavior management practices to create the behaviors we seek! And to...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez in the first episode of Season 2 of "Straight Chalk: Podcast for Busy Educators," where she engages in an insightful conversation with Julie Moore, an Instructional Specialist in St. Lucie Public Schools. A former elementary school teacher, Julie specializes in empowering...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez, in the latest episode of the Straight Chalk: Podcast for Busy Educators where she gets to chat with Angelia Thomas, Instructional Specialist in St. Lucie Public Schools. Angelia supports instructional staff in growing their pedagogy knowledge and skills, behavior management practic...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez in the latest episode of the Straight Chalk: Podcast for Busy Educators where she gets to chat with Julia Hilburn,  technology Instructional Specialist in St. Lucie Public Schools.  Julia supports both instructional and non-instructional staff in growing their technology knowledge a...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez, in the latest episode of the Straight Chalk: Podcast for Busy Educators where she gets to continue the conversation with new St. Lucie Public Schools teacher Sandra Tucker. Don’t miss out on the final episode in the “New Teacher Diaries’ series to hear Sandra respond to questions a...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Belinda Benner-Ordoñez, in the latest episode of the Straight Chalk: Podcast for Busy Educators where she gets to continue the conversation with new St. Lucie Public Schools teacher Sandra Tucker. Don’t miss out on the latest in the “New Teacher Diaries’ series to hear Sandra share how she has cultivated her...

Love what you hear, or have a suggestion for a future episode? 💖 Send me a text. 💌 Join Dr. Belinda Benner-Ordoñez, Instructional Specialist in St. Lucie Public Schools as she continues the conversation with new 3rd-grade teacher Sandra Tucker in the latest episode of the 'New Teacher Diaries' special series.  Listen to Sandra share her thoughts about individual, classroom, and school-...