Episodes

In this conversation, Leroy Slanzi discusses the importance of emotional intelligence in education, sharing insights from his 25 years of experience in various educational roles. He emphasizes the need for early emotional education, the impact of technology on students' emotional development, and practical strategies for teachers to foster emotional intelligence in their classrooms. Slanzi advocates for a holistic approach that includes parents and highlights the significance of teaching childre...

In this conversation, Christine Miles emphasizes the critical importance of listening in education and personal interactions. She shares her journey from psychology to education, highlighting how listening has been a foundational skill in her life. The discussion covers various aspects of listening, including its role in classroom settings, strategies for improving listening skills among students, and the significance of comprehension in effective communication. Christine also provides practical...

In this episode of the Powered Up Podcast, Dr. DeKeon Graham, a music educator and former Florida Teacher of the Year, shares his journey through the education system, discussing the complexities of parental choice in education, the evolution of school choice in Florida, and the importance of advocacy for teachers. He emphasizes the need to understand the education system from various perspectives and the role of student leadership in fostering independent citizens. In this engaging conversation...

In this conversation, Dr. Rachael Mahmood, the 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year, shares her insights on the importance of elementary education, building relationships with parents, and innovative teaching methods. She emphasizes the significance of creating a supportive learning environment and the role of project-based learning in engaging students. Dr. Mahmood discusses her strategies for effective communication with parents and the value of student-led conferences, highlighting the need for ...

In this conversation, Bryan Kerns shares his unique journey from being a math teacher to becoming the 2025 Tennessee Teacher of the Year and a fire science educator. He discusses the importance of building relationships with students, innovative teaching methods, and the challenges faced by students in his community. Kerns emphasizes the need for a supportive environment and the impact of education on breaking the cycle of poverty. He also provides insights into his engaging fire science curricu...

In this episode of the Powered Up Podcast, host Ken Ehrmann speaks with Heather Smith, the 2024 Burroughs Welcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year. They discuss the importance of building relationships with students, innovative teaching strategies, and the role of community in education. Heather shares her passion for math and STEM education, emphasizing the need for empathy and real-life connections in teaching. The conversation also touches on the challenges teachers face and the import...

In this episode of the Powered Up Podcast, Ken Ehrmann speaks with De'Shawn Washington, the 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, about the importance of executive functioning skills in education. They discuss De'Shawn's journey into teaching, the strategies he employs to teach organization and time management, and the significance of feedback and peer review in the writing process. The conversation also touches on the challenges of grading writing, the need for reflection in learning, and inn...

In this episode of the Powered Up Podcast, Lee Perez returns to discuss effective strategies for supporting English Language Learners (ELLs) in the classroom. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the differences between social and academic language, the need for patience, and the value of viewing students from an asset perspective. Lee shares his experiences and insights on instructional strategies, the silent phase of language acquisition, and creating a welcoming environment for ESL s...

In this episode of the Powered Up Podcast, hosts Ken Ehrmann and Jessica Saum engage with educators Paul Garcia and Leana Malinowsky to explore the intricacies of co-teaching. They discuss the importance of building strong relationships between co-teachers, the need for flexibility in teaching styles, and the effective use of technology to enhance collaboration. The conversation highlights personal experiences, challenges, and strategies for creating a successful co-teaching environment that ben...

Chelsea Tompkins, a school-based occupational therapist, shares her experience working with students and teachers to support their educational needs. She discusses the importance of real-time interventions and the challenges of generalizing skills. Chelsea emphasizes the need for accommodations and modifications to address executive functioning skills, such as organization and planning. She also highlights the impact of sensory issues on behavior and the importance of understanding and addressin...

In this episode of the Powered Up Podcast, hosts Ken Ehrmann, Rob Dunlop, and Suzanne Dailey discuss their experiences in education, focusing on the challenges and triumphs of returning to the classroom, the importance of teacher energy, and the role of happiness in teaching. They explore the complexities of supporting new teachers, the expectations for professional growth, and the significance of building relationships in the classroom. The conversation emphasizes the need for grace and optimis...

Alhassan Susso, an educator, shares his experience of teaching a personal development course to high school students in the South Bronx. The course aims to prepare students for life after high school, focusing on mindset, vision, communication, leadership, and financial management. Alhassan emphasizes the importance of community-building, trust, and relationship-building activities in the classroom. He shares success stories and data to support the impact of the course on student outcomes. The c...

In this episode, Ken Ehrmann reintroduces the Powered Up Podcast after a brief hiatus, sharing personal reflections on balancing family life with professional commitments. He emphasizes the importance of relationships in education and how they impact both students and teachers. Ken discusses the significance of finding joy in work and the need for educators to engage in tasks that feel fulfilling. He also outlines exciting changes for the podcast, including a new guest lineup and a shift to bi-w...

Shelley Jeoffroy, a 5th-grade teacher from Irving, Texas, shares her experiences in education and the importance of embracing diversity in the classroom. She discusses how her travels and teaching overseas have opened her perspective and inspired her to bring innovation and creativity into her teaching. Shelley emphasizes the need to have authentic relationships with students and create a welcoming and respectful classroom environment. She also highlights the value of making connections between ...

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Missy Testerman, the 2024 National Teacher of the Year, shares her insights on building relationships with students and their families, and the importance of getting children's literacy right from the beginning. She discusses her approach to teaching English language learners and the challenges of communication with families who speak different languages. Missy emphasizes the need for high expectations for students and the importance of creating a supportive and rigorous classroom environment. S...

Kimberly Jones, the 2023 Burrows Welcome Fund North Carolina State Teacher of the Year, discusses her career in education and her focus on teaching world literature and Holocaust and human rights education. She emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and authentic classroom environment where students feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves. Jones also shares her approach to teaching difficult topics, such as the Holocaust, by contextualizing the events and highlighting the resilien...

Tara Cocanower, the 2023 Indiana Teacher of the Year, shares her passion for teaching and the importance of empathy in the classroom. She emphasizes the value of connecting with students and helping them develop their worldviews. Tara discusses the use of primary and secondary sources, AI technology, and hands-on activities to engage students in learning. She also highlights the need for flexibility and adaptability in education, as well as the importance of teacher autonomy and voice in driving...

Summary Diana Fannon, a director of special education, discusses her career journey from being a classroom teacher to a school psychologist and administrator. She emphasizes the importance of inclusive education and the need for teachers to be familiar with special education accommodations and modifications. Diana also highlights the significance of universal design for learning and creating a welcoming and accessible learning environment for all students. The conversation touches on the challen...

Andrea Haas, an experienced educator, discusses the importance of building relationships in teaching and the role of trust in mentoring and coaching. She shares strategies for creating a positive classroom culture and fostering meaningful conversations through turn and talk activities. Andrea also highlights the need for improved teacher preparation programs and the challenges of implementing scripted programs. She emphasizes the importance of integrating content areas for deeper learning and th...

John Foster, the founder of Middle School MBA, discusses the value of teaching business and economics in schools. He explains how Middle School MBA integrates business, economics, and entrepreneurship into the curriculum, providing students with real-world skills and knowledge. Foster emphasizes the importance of cross-curricular learning and the role of teachers in facilitating authentic learning experiences. He also shares insights into the learning curve for teachers and offers advice for inc...

In this conversation, Jeffrey Benson discusses his extensive experience working with challenging students and the importance of creating a safe and inclusive classroom environment. He emphasizes the need for repetition and progress in student growth and highlights the role of teachers in supporting and advocating for their students. Benson also addresses the limitations of standardized testing and the importance of prioritizing life skills and the implicit curriculum. He concludes by emphasizing...

In this conversation, Sarah Painter discusses the challenges teachers face before and during the pandemic. She emphasizes the importance of reflecting on teaching practices and finding ways to simplify and prioritize tasks. Sarah also highlights the need for self-care and the importance of setting boundaries that work for each individual. She encourages teachers to know themselves and their priorities and to involve others in the reflection process. Sarah shares insights on MTSS and the role of ...