The Minimalist Educator Podcast

Welcome to the Minimalist Educator Podcast, where education meets simplicity. Ever find yourself buried under the expectations and chaos of our profession, barely keeping your head above water? If so, we promise you'll find solace and empowerment in our discussion on the power of minimalism in education. My co-host, Tammy, and I explore how a shift in focus can reduce the unnecessary stress f...

Ever wondered how to find your zen in the midst of an overwhelming educational career? Well, you're in luck! This episode is a delightful trip down memory lane as we, Tammy and Christine, co-hosts and co-authors of The Minimalist Teacher book, revisit the highs of our first season and give you a sneak peek into the enlightening conversations lined up for the second one. Relive the joy with us...

Ready to redefine your perspective on productivity and purpose in education? We've curated an enlightening compilation episode that'll leave you feeling motivated and empowered. With insights from Monica Burns on using emojis for organization, to Naomi Church's call for resource selectivity and Dave Burgess's reminder about the importance of outside passions, this episode is a...

Discover a fresh perspective on social emotional learning (SEL) with our esteemed guest, Dr. Krista Leh , founder of Resonance Education . What if we told you that SEL is not just a program, but the essence of who we are and what we do every day? Join us as we peel back the layers of SEL, highlighting the significance of self-awareness and social-awareness, two often overlooked components in the w...

Come on a journey with us on this episode of the Minimalist Educator Podcast as we welcome the creative force behind the Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E.® framework, LaVonna Roth . Bringing a unique perspective, LaVonna guides us through her fascinating journey, revealing how her empowering S.H.I.N.E.®  framework —  Self, Heart, Inspire, Navigate, and Exceptional — can uplift educators and students alike. L...

In today's episode, Tammy and Christine discuss tips, tricks, and reflections for when you're decluttering your physical spaces. Our pare down pointers are around purposeful purchasing as well as finding flexible uses for the objects you already have in your space. Today's episode was brought to you by Plan Z Professional Learning Services- forward thinking educator support. Find ou...

In this episode, Phil talks to us about the parallels between his roles in education and health care, specifically about time use and meeting structures. His pare down pointer is about managing your yes’s and no’s. Phil Echols, former teacher, school counselor, and administrator for the Wake County Public School System, currently serves as an Organizational and Diversity Specialist for WakeMed Hea...

In this episode, we speak with Alys about the union between minimalism and supporting our neurodiverse students. We discuss how to create a calm and supportive physical environment for students in order to leverage engagement. Her pare down pointer is about the importance of making time, especially at the beginning of the year. Alys Baines is a passionate educational needs educator looking to use...

In today’s episode, Nicole speaks with us about the importance of skill development and agency, no matter the age of our students, and how this can help lighten the load of teachers. Her pare down pointer is about the importance of simplifying and being flexible. Nicole Dissinger is a mentor teacher, professional learning facilitator, and curriculum developer. She has experience teaching and leadi...

In today's episode, we focus on how to build routines and habits to serve our priorities. Our pare down pointers are around feedback and remembering to check in with each other.  Today's episode was brought to you by Plan Z Professional Learning Services , Forward Thinking Educator Support. Find out more at www. PlanZPLServices.com . Follow us @PlanZPLS on Twitter and Instagram. Send us...

In this episode, Allison Rodman shares her wisdom about effective systems and the traps we can fall into when we have ineffective systems. Her pare down pointer is a good reminder about scheduling in time for yourself. Allison Rodman is the Founder and Chief Learning Officer of The Learning Loop, an education consulting organization that provides professional learning design, facilitation, and lea...

In this episode, Dave talks about the Teach like a PIRATE framework and how valuable frameworks can be for our busy lives as educators. His pare down pointer is about taking advice and tips from all walks of life to improve our day to day experience. Dave Burgess is an award-winning educator, highly sought after professional development speaker, and the New York Times best-selling author of Teach...

In this episode, Chaunté discusses what needs to be considered when prioritizing your time and attention in leadership positions. Her pare down pointer is a reminder about honoring our true selves. Dr. N. Chaunté Garrett has decades of experience in education serving as chief academic officer, building and district level administrator, teacher and superintendent of a K-12 campus in North Carolina....

In today’s episode, we discuss how reconceptualizing waste can help us declutter our work and our lives. We recognize and discuss different types of waste we need to combat. Today’s pare down pointer is about making sure you are not taking your work home with you! Today's episode sponsor is Professional Learning Partnerships . They empower educators to transform learning, leadership, and cult...

In this episode, we speak to Naomi Church , Chief Learning Officer at Growing Minds Consulting , about how to teachers can pare down decisions they make and how best to use their math block. And she shares her pare down pointer about getting picky! Naomi Church is a speaker, author, experienced educator, and credentialed coach. She served in very large public school districts for almost 20 years a...

In today’s episode, Jim Knight shares his years of wisdom and experience leading the field in instructional coaching. His pare down pointer is a reminder about the power of letting people make the decisions. Jim Knight, Founder and Senior Partner of Instructional Coaching Group (ICG), is also a research associate at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. He has spent more than t...

In this episode, Monica Burns, EdTech Specialist talks about how to choose tools for teaching and for your role. We touched on AI and digital life. Her pare down pointer - don’t discount those little emojis! Dr. Monica Burns is a Curriculum and EdTech Consultant, Apple Distinguished Educator and Founder of ClassTechTips.com. As a classroom teacher in New York City, Monica used digital tools to cre...

In today’s episode, we chat about the Triple P Cycle - the cycle of thinking and acting we go through when working towards minimalism in education. We discuss the different phases of the cycle as well as how important it is to be flexible in our approach to making these changes to our work. Today’s pare down pointer is a timely reminder about reflection! Today's episode is sponsored by Ignite...

In this episode, Christine and Tammy share the intentions and hopes for The Minimalist Educator Podcast . They share topics they will discuss amongst themselves and with the guests they invite to the podcast as they relate to their co-authored book, The Minimalist Teacher .  This episode is sponsored by Resonance Educational Consulting: Consultants who collaborate with educators to support schools...

In this podcast episode, Tammy and Christine discuss their experiences with minimalism and how it has impacted their lives, particularly in the context of their nomadic lifestyles. They delve into the benefits and challenges of adopting minimalism while living international school teacher lifestyles. Tammy and Christine's experiences offer valuable insights into the rewards of decluttering an...

In this episode, Christine and Tammy talk about the Triple Funnel questions that they have included in the chapters of their book. The Triple P's are: Purpose, Priorities, and Pare Down. Thinking about teaching in this way and answering the questions in the funnel framework help educators narrow their focus. Free resource - The Matrix   This episode is sponsored by The Learning Loop . Allison...