Episodes

S2 EP 036 | Mental Health Support & Open Parachutes: a Conversation with Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Hayley Watson In this next episode, a Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist shares how she has dedicated her career to supporting student mental health through innovative programs and resources. Hayley’s journey from globetrotting psychologist to mental health advocate and program developer is a testament to her passion for empowering both students and educators to thrive i...

S2 EP 34 | Challenging the Status Quo of Leadership Practices: a Conversation with Principal & Podcast Host, Tyler Have you ever felt disconnected from your day to day life: in the classroom, at home, or even just “off”? On this next episode of Making the Grade podcast, Georgia & Christine chat with Canadian principal, Tyler, about how his how his journey into the education field led him to becoming a principal, obtaining a doctorate degree in educational leadership, and creating the Elemental E...

S2 EP 33 | Balance Your Teacher Life: a Conversation with Author & Teacher Coach, Grace Stevens Making the Grade Podcast is kicking off the school year with a well-timed conversation with author, Grace Stevens. After 20 years as an elementary school teacher, Grace realized that she needed to take an active role in her mindset, habits & approach to continue to enjoy teaching. Grace combines her signature mantra, "Your energy teaches more than your lesson plans," with two decades of study in behav...

S2 EP 032 | Failure Free Reading: A Conversation with Dr. Joe Lockavitch On the 32nd episode of Making the Grade Podcast, Georgia and Christine connect with Dr. Joe Lockavitch, a former classroom teacher, school psychologist, university professor, special education director, and applied reading researcher who is the author and developer of The Failure Free Reading Program. Failure Free Reading is a nationally recognized, proven non-phonic first reading intervention that accelerates the vocabular...

S2 EP 031 | Slow Living & Productivity: a conversation with Productivity Coach & Consultant, Dr. Kate Henry In Episode 31 of Making the Grade, Georgia & Christine chat with Dr. Kate Henry, a former academic turned independent scholar and productivity coach. A local colleague of Christine’s, Kate shares her account of shifting her career goals once completing her PhD & adjusting to living with chronic illness. She explores how the philosophy of slow living changed her life, highlighting its core...

S2 EP 030 | Student Advocacy & Activism: a Conversation with Advocate & Consultant, Kristen For the 30th episode, a local MA teacher shares how she successfully fulfilled her dream of becoming a business owner. Kristen, a fellow MA teacher, transitioned from special education teacher to building an advocacy and consulting company focusing on student well-being. An avid activist for students with disabilities and education reform, Kristen has worked mostly with middle and high school students sin...

S2 EP 029 | Next Step Education: a Conversation with Former Classroom Teacher & Co-Founder, Meghan On this next episode, a local guest from the Boston podcast scene (thanks Kim!) shares how she successfully founded and scaled her learning center, "Next Step Education”. Meghan’s journey from the classroom to entrepreneurship is a testament to the power of curiosity and passion in shaping the future of learning. Despite her fulfillment in the classroom & having a “dream class”, Meghan’s curiosity...

S2 EP 028 | Encouraging Creativity in Early Childhood Education: a Conversation with Pre-K Teacher, Hannah In this episode of Making the Grade Podcast, Georgia & Christine sit down with Hannah, a passionate PreK teacher from Fort Worth, Texas. With eleven years of experience in both public and private settings, Hannah brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for early childhood education to the table. Hannah shares her journey in education, from her beginnings as a teacher to her current rol...

S2 EP 027 | Beautiful Stuff Project: a conversation with former teacher & founding executive director, Marina On the 27th episode of Making the Grade Podcast, Georgia and Christine connect with Marina, a former teacher & executive director of the Beautiful Stuff Project. The Beautiful Stuff Project increases access to play and the arts through the creative reuse of materials. Marina is passionate about allowing children the space to explore & create, and this is possible through the organic root...

MAKING THE GRADE S2 EP 026 | Teacher Career Transition Academy: a Coversation with Co-Founder, Lisa With teacher burnout being a buzzword in the news lately, it’s nothing new that teachers are considering new careers after many struggles in the classroom. What would it be like for teachers if they had a playbook of how to handle the stress & a way to figure out their next chapter? With 15 years of experience as a tech CEO, Lisa shares her story about what drove her to create Teacher Career Trans...

S2 EP 025 | Motivating Minds: a Conversation with Educational Consultant & Author, Ivana In this next episode of Making the Grade, Georgia & Christine talk with Ivana, the founder of Motivating Minds & Achievement Solutions. Formerly of Georgia & currently in DC, Ivana didn’t always know that she wanted to become a teacher. Prior to consulting, she was teaching at the high school level. Additionally, Ivana is the author of “It’s Time to Get Your $#!@ Together”, a book to empower young adults to...

In this next episode of Making the Grade, Christine & Georgia are joined by Josh, the Training and Development Specialist for the Teach Better Team and manager of the Teach Better Podcast Network. Prior to Joshua's current position, he was a middle school Administrator, classroom art educator, and coach. Joshua is the author of Aspire to Lead, podcaster, leadership coach, and education presenter. Josh opens up about his experiences as a student, and his reason for returning to the classroom is ...

S2 EP 022 | Chat GPTeacher - Exploring AI: a Coversation with 7th Grade History Teacher, Jack With AI being the buzz over the last year in all industries, have you wondered about how this could translate (in a positive way) to education? Florida 7th grade history teacher & AI enthusiast, Jack, shares the unique moment when he knew he wanted to be a teacher & the research he is doing to explore educators implementing AI in schools. With 7 years of experience as a middle school teacher, Jack share...

S2 EP 021 | Starting Before You’re Ready: a Conversation with Sandy Making the Grade podcast is back for Season 2 with the 1st episode of 2024 coming at you from sunny San Diego with the lovely Sandy Patterson! After 14 years as an elementary school teacher, Sandy realized that she was in need of some guidance and sought out a life coach. And little did she know how the student would become the teacher. Sandy evaluated her current situation & realized that her values had shifted - so she became...