TAUGHT

Send us Fan Mail Respect and collaboration take center stage as we explore what special education teachers truly desire beyond just a paycheck. The stark isolation and lack of collaboration time that these educators face is a silent burden that continues to grow. We'll discuss how systemic issues force special education teachers into roles outside their specialty, leaving students with disabi...

Send us Fan Mail Frustrated by the outdated models and systemic inefficiencies of our education system? You're not alone. Join Kelley and I as we share personal stories of disillusionment and discovery of what education is to us. We invite fellow educators to join this honest dialogue about the challenges we face in the classroom. Driven by her experiences growing up with a brother with Down...

Send us Fan Mail What if the very traits that make you an exceptional teacher are also the ones leading you to burnout? Join burnout recovery expert Amy Schamberg as she explores the complex dynamics between personality traits and burnout in the teaching profession. We reveal the hidden struggles many educators face, discussing how characteristics like agreeableness, perfectionism, and the so-call...

Send us Fan Mail Viewer Discretion is advised for this episode . This episode discusses sensitive topics including child abuse and molestation. If you have experienced trauma or find these subjects upsetting, please exercise caution when listening. This week, Tim and I challenge traditional perspectives and highlight the transformative power of effective communication and soft skills, not just in...

Send us Fan Mail Ageism in education is a topic that doesn't just deserve attention; it demands it. Enter Tim, a veteran educator whose career began at the tender age of 10 and has since flourished to include founding schools in China and tackling international education challenges.  Tim’s story is not just about a career; it’s about resilience, expertise, and the often-overlooked value exper...

Send us Fan Mail What if transforming educational environments could be as simple as asking, "What happened to you?" instead of "What is wrong with you?" Join us on a journey through the evolving landscape of trauma-informed practices in schools. We take a deep dive into the critical need for a comprehensive, multi-year approach that goes beyond traditional training. From gaini...

Send us Fan Mail Lara Merchant's experiences as an early childhood special educator reveal the systemic issues within special education, from unsupportive environments to the undue pressures of implementing inappropriate strategies. We discuss the far-reaching impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on learning and the necessity for specialized training to help educators manage these c...

Send us Fan Mail Ever found yourself stuck in a cycle of venting about work frustrations, only to feel even more overwhelmed? I've been there, and in this episode, I open up about my personal journey navigating burnout in the education field. Together with my guest, the insightful Amy Schamberg, a certified functional medicine health coach, we explore the hidden challenges educators face beyo...

Send us Fan Mail After years of navigating the exhausting terrain of secondary trauma as an educator, I've embarked on a mission to shed light on this invisible burden. In this episode of "Taught," I'm joined by Melissa Anthony, a licensed counselor and trauma expert, who generously shares her wisdom on how compassion fatigue lurks in the lives of teachers everywhere. We comb t...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine a world where the classroom isn't just a place of stress and competition, but a haven for mental well-being and authentic connections. That's exactly what Jackie Scully envisions as she reflects on her personal journey from burnout to recovery. With raw honesty and heartfelt insights, Jackie unpacks the urgent need for mental health prioritization in education. T...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine reaching a breaking point in your career where the daily grind becomes unbearable, and the passion that once fueled you starts to wane. That's the reality many educators face, and it's the very issue we tackle in this episode. Join us on a journey through the heart of educator burnout with the remarkable Jackie Scully, an education reform advocate who brings near...

Send us Fan Mail What if a simple shift in mindset could transform your teaching career and restore peace to your life? Join me, Melissa Lefort, as I unravel the profound impact of self-compassion in tackling educator burnout, a subject close to my heart. On this journey, I’m accompanied by Amy Schamberg, who brings her invaluable experience as a former school psychologist and certified functional...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder why teachers feel more stressed than ever, despite all the resources pouring into education? Join us for Part 2 of Meagan's interview as we continue discussing the barriers (and how we jump them!) around systems and change in education. We also explore feedback and the role of those willing to challenge the status quo, or "boat rockers," in inspiring cha...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine feeling overwhelmed and burnt out to the point where you question your purpose in education. I’ve been there, and it’s what drove me to create a platform for teachers to share their struggles and successes. In this episode, we welcome Megan Gilchrist, executive director and founder of Align ED, who reveals her own transformative journey from special education advocate to a...

Send us Fan Mail Can understanding trauma truly transform how we educate? Join us on “Taught, the Podcast,” where we unravel the complexities of trauma with the insightful Melissa Anthony, a licensed counselor specializing in trauma and grief. Melissa dives into the nuanced differences between big T and little T traumas, offering relatable examples like car crashes and feelings of exclusion. This...

Send us Fan Mail Is teaching truly a long-term career, or a highway to burnout? Hear Michelle's candid reflections on her journey through the educational system, as she grapples with the unrealistic five-year mastery expectation and the crushing weight of chronic stress. She opens up about the pivotal role her school community, family, and faith played in her difficult decision to take a medi...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your passion for teaching turns into overwhelming stress and anxiety? Join me, us on the season two opener of "Taught the Podcast," where we uncover the harsh realities of educator burnout. This episode features Michelle, a first-year special education teacher and former dean of students, who shares her powerful story of battling anxiety and panic attac...

Send us Fan Mail Burnout can feel like a never-ending cycle, but what happens when we shift our perspective and realize we have choices? Join us on "Taught" as I share my own battle with teacher burnout. Alongside Amy, a certified functional medicine health coach, we explore what it truly means to build resilience, not just as a reactive measure but as a proactive approach to well-being....

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered why teacher absenteeism is skyrocketing and how it impacts our education system? Join me, Melissa LaFleur, as I unravel the complex web of reasons behind this issue, from the challenges of professional development and childcare to the lingering scars left by COVID-19. Drawing on my personal journey and frustrations as an educator, I share insights from my st...

Send us Fan Mail Recording lectures on psychedelics—why does it matter? Join us for a candid conversation as we navigate the challenges of teaching controversial subjects in today’s classrooms. I share my firsthand experiences and concerns about the implications of students recording sensitive discussions, and we scrutinize the shifting societal norms that have made open debate increasingly diffic...

Send us Fan Mail Burnout is a buzzword, but what does it really mean for university faculty today? Dr. Lichter reveals the complexities of educator burnout, especially in higher education, sharing his experiences in university classrooms. We discuss the increased stress levels among students, rising anxiety, and the phenomenon of "quiet quitting." Grading systems, student motivation, and...

Send us Fan Mail Can chronic stress really lead to burnout, or are we simply not managing our stress properly? This episode promises to answer that by exploring both the subtle and glaring signs of chronic stress and burnout that often go unnoticed. Through my personal journey as an educator—where frustration and burnout culminated into writing the story "Taught"—we highlight how easy it...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when teachers are stretched so thin that they become stand-ins for parents, mentors, and counselors, all while battling burnout and stress? Together with licensed counselor Melissa Anthony, private practice owner Sarah Monares, and wellness consultant Amy Schamberg, we tackle the hard-hitting issues of bullying within the educational hierarchy. Discover the challenges...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine your child experiencing unexplainable and frightening symptoms, only to be met with a series of misdiagnoses. That's the reality we faced as Tristan's peculiar behaviors were initially mistaken for ADD, generalized anxiety disorder, and even signs of Tourette's syndrome. It was only after a severe incident in fourth grade and relentless advocacy that we bega...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine being passionate about your career, yet feeling completely drained and disillusioned. That's the reality for many educators facing burnout today. In part 1 of a 6 episode series that will come out over the next 6 months, we sit down with Amy Schamberg, a former school psychologist who redefined her life by becoming a certified functional medicine health coach. Amy sha...