The Teacher Leader Podcast

What does it take to build a classroom where every child can bring their whole self?     Dr. Jenna Martin has spent two decades chasing that question—from a paraprofessional job to a Fulbright in South Korea to leadership roles guiding the next generation of teachers. Adopted from South Korea and raised in a monolingual English home, she built her career on seeing students for who they really are....

In this episode of the Teacher Leader Podcast, we welcome Dr. Arianne Rivera — educator, researcher, and lifelong champion of multilingual learners — to discuss her doctoral research on bountiful belonging. Drawing on painful experiences of exclusion in school, Dr. Rivera reframes belonging not as something we seek from others but as something we can actively create and give away. Her research sho...

What if the secret to student engagement isn't a new curriculum — it's simply making space for silence? In this episode of the Teacher Leader Podcast, hosts Jody Tucker, Esther Valdez, and Allison Johnson sit down with Christopher Rivas — actor, playwright, author, educator, and self-described "healthy disruptor" for a wide-ranging conversation about education, identity, and the transformative pow...

In this episode of the Teacher Leader Podcast, Nicole Salinas shares her powerful journey into education—from growing up in a Spanish-speaking immigrant family to becoming a first-generation college graduate and special education teacher. Nicole reflects on the challenges she overcame, the mentors who believed in her, and the experiences that shaped her commitment to advocating for students from m...

In this episode of the Teacher Leader Podcast, veteran educator Lori Ranney shares her inspiring journey from the legal field to the middle school classroom, revealing how true teacher leadership grows from curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to students. Through stories of launching innovative programs, mentoring new teachers, and designing lessons that connect learning to real-world issue...

Educational leader John McCluskey joins the Teacher Leader Podcast to discuss why "we're not making widgets—we're creating human beings." From his early days teaching on the Navajo reservation to leading at Jefferson County's Open School and New Vista High School, John shares how centering student voice and authentic relationships transform school culture. He explores the power of four-year adviso...

In this episode of the Teacher Leader Podcast, we speak with Jackie Doerr, an educator whose career spanned 41 years (1968-2009) and included being one of the first female principals in her district. Jackie's journey from a first-grade teacher to a school leader in a predominantly male environment showcases her innovation and resilience. Motivated by her brother with Down Syndrome, she introduced...

In this episode of the Teacher Leader Podcast, we talk with Aaron Valle, a recent graduate who has just started his teaching career. Aaron shares his journey to becoming an educator and emphasizes the importance of authenticity and meaningful relationships in the classroom. As a Latino male educator, he strives to create inclusive environments, drawing from his own experiences of feeling unwelcome...

In this episode, co-host Allison Johnson welcomes fellow co-hosts, colleagues, and co-authors Jody Tucker and Esther Valdez to discuss their newly released children's book, The Living Tree. Jody and Esther discuss how they first met in the education sector and explain how the book's theme emerged naturally during their creative process. Join them for an in-depth conversation about the heart of the...

In the inaugural episode of the Teacher Leader Podcast, lifelong educators Jody Tucker, Esther Valdez, and Allison Johnson highlight the role of teacher leaders, focusing on impact over titles. They discuss the challenge of teacher retention, noting that many leave within 5 to 7 years. Through personal stories of resilience, they showcase teaching as a journey of growth and creativity, encouraging...