Episode Summary In this episode of the Freedom to Teach series, I reflect on attending the Bare Moon Powwow with the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. The experience reminded me that teaching never exists in isolation. Classrooms are rooted in communities, histories, and traditions that began long before any teacher arrives. Watching my students dance, drum,
Freedom to Teach: Honoring Where You Teach Read More »
Episode Summary In this episode, I take a fresh look at the phrase “remember your why.” Over time, it has become a slogan in education — repeated so often that it can feel dismissive when teachers are overwhelmed. When used carelessly, the phrase can sound like a quick fix for real systemic challenges. Remembering your
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Episode Summary In this episode, I reflect on the quiet moments in classrooms that feel almost magical. Education often moves through routines, transitions, and procedures. But inside those ordinary moments, something unexpected can happen — a burst of insight, laughter, courage, or connection. Magic in teaching rarely announces itself. It arrives quietly inside everyday lessons.
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Episode Summary In this Sunday School for Teachers episode, I reflect on the story of Moses and the burning bush from Exodus 2–4. Moses was not confident or polished when God called him. He was hesitant, insecure, and carrying a complicated past. Through Moses’ objections — “Who am I?” “What if they don’t believe me?”
Sunday School for Teachers: Moses and the Burning Bush – When You Feel Unqualified Read More »
Episode Summary In this Saturday Stories Leadership Kit episode, I introduce the next layer of attitude: sometimes your response does not just affect you — it affects the entire room. Students may not control every circumstance, but they can influence the climate. Through the story “The Morning Shift,” we see how Aaliyah, Jaden, and Sophia
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Episode Summary In this episode, I challenge the quiet narrative in education that exhaustion equals commitment. Martyr culture is subtle. It rewards staying late, saying yes, and absorbing everything. But sacrifice as identity leads to depletion, not sustainability. Longevity asks a different question. Instead of “How much can I give?” it asks, “How long can
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Episode Summary In this episode, I explore how educators can stay soft in a system that often feels hard. Education holds sacred moments of connection and breakthrough, yet it also operates within mandates, deadlines, and compliance structures. Systems are built for efficiency. Humans are built for connection. The tension between the two is real. Softness
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Episode Summary In this episode, I unpack why boundaries are not defensive — they are directional. For years, I viewed boundaries as protection of time and energy. But I have come to understand that boundaries clarify who you are as a leader. Without them, you do not just get tired — you become misaligned. The
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Episode Summary In this episode, I explore the critical distinction between caring and carrying. Teaching attracts people who care deeply — about students, growth, fairness, and outcomes. But over time, caring can quietly shift into carrying, and carrying is heavy. Through real classroom scenarios, I unpack how teachers begin to internalize responsibility for things beyond
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Episode Summary In this episode, I explore why protecting your energy may be one of the most important leadership habits teachers can develop. Educators are trained to give — instruction, attention, emotional support, time. But rarely are we trained to protect our focus, our emotional bandwidth, and our long-term sustainability. Teaching is human work, and
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