Episodes

This week I have a very special guest. I’m joined by Livia Chan. She is a Head Teacher, writer, presenter, and a member of the Teach Better Team. She is deeply passionate about community, leading with heart and positivity, and daily lifelong learning. In this conversation listen as Liv talks about the power of connections and building relationships. Listen as she talks about ATOMIC interactions, and how we can use these interactions to intentionally uplift others through our love, kindness, and ...

This episode is a reminder about the difference that can be made by doing the little things. It was inspired by a blog post from Mel Hawkins and is about a gentleman that worked in a school and transformed everyone around him by doing the little things. His story is a reminder to all of us about the difference we can make by the energy that we give off to those around us. Thank you to Mel Hawkins for the inspiration. Be sure to check out her blog at: https://melhawkinsandassociates.com/blog/

Today’s conversation was an extra special one because it was with someone that I have known for a very long time. Someone who we started our teacher careers very close to one another in the same school. And this conversatioin is just such a great reminder that there are people that all of us work with that are doing amazing things. And if we’re curious, if we take time to listen and ask questions, we can learn so much! This week’s conversation is with Cari Matejka. She is a fifth grade teacher a...

One of the most important things that we can do for our students is to create a sense of belonging. They need to feel seen, heard, and valued within their classroom community. Our students deserve to feel as if they belong! This mini episode is all about creating belonging within the classroom.

In this episode Professor Dan Garrity shares wisdom on being a great listener, developing durable skills, investing in students, open ended challenges, finding people who excel in their field, and so much more. 1. Embrace humor 2. Have a legitimate love and care to hear someone else’s story 3. Become a good storyteller and understand the language that your audience speaks 4. Excite, put it into terms students understand, and then challenge them 5. Ask ourselves how do our students speak, ho...

Winter break is quickly approaching and while there is much excitement over the break there is one gift that you need to give your students before having that time off. This gift will fill them with joy and help build their confidence. Take a listen to hear what that gift is.

This episode is a reflection of learning that I experienced this week. We speak to our students about being a life long learner so it is up to us to model what that means. In this episode I share some teachings from the amazing thought leader John Maxwell on how we can enhance learning. Also, the role of hype teams and what it means to build community within our schools is discussed. John Maxwell Podcast https://johnmaxwellleadershippodcast.com Are you interested in writing a book. Connect wit...

Making a difference can be easy. Sometimes we think it has to be a grand gesture or a heroic act. Making a difference can be as easy as making those around you feel seen. This episode talks about the importance of making our peers feel seen.

In this episode award winning author, national speaker, and former educator of 25 years shares wisdom on creating a growth mindset with our students, different strategies that we can use to help our students become more resilient, ways to create a classroom full of thriving writers and so much more. Topics covered: 1. Empower students with the knowledge that our brain is growing as we learn the things that we want to know. 2. Let students know they might not know or be good at something becaus...

There are an endless amount of things that we should be teaching our students. However, one of the most important skills that we should be teaching them that often gets neglected is how to be more confident. Having confidence in oneself and their abilities is vital in all that we do. In this episode I discuss one specific skill that I've learned from a major league baseball sports psychologist. This skill is taught to pro athletes and is something that we should be talking about with students of...

This episode dives into ways that you can bring more joy, fulfillment, and create stronger connections in the classroom. I share 5 lessons that I've learned from recent guests on the show to tap into all of these. You will walk away from this episode with five simple reminders that will be guaranteed to give you a better day and will also make those around you have a better day as well!

Every day is filled with awe and wonder. However, when we experience something over and over again it loses some of its magic. This episode is a small reminder that a friend gave me to always take time to see the awe and wonder that is around you! Lainie Rowell: Evolving with Gratitude https://www.amazon.com/Evolving-Gratitude-Practices-Communities-Difference-ebook/dp/B0B2KQ88GV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=237A4RUV8FBQ0&keywords=evolving+with+gratitude&qid=1669163779&sprefix=evolving+with+gratitude%2Caps%2...

In this episode I am joined by an Olympic gold medalist Gwen Jorgensen and her mother and sister, Nancy and Liz Jorgensen. In this episode we discuss Gwen’s amazing journey to Olympic Gold and lessons learned that we can share with our students. Some of the topics discussed: 1. Find the right group of people that can help you. 2. People that believe in you. 3. Stick with it and learn lessons along the way 4. Give students permission to find what they love to do 5. Provide balance 6. Consistency...

This episode gives you a key to unlocking a better school day.

In this episode I am joined by Pamela Hall. She is an award winning teacher, a blogger, and an author. During this conversation we cover topics such as engagement, intentionality, the power of listening, and many more topics from her book Be Their Warrior. A few topics covered: To help students become more excited and engaged about learning become a great LISTENER Match the students interests to the learning standards you have to teach Be that role model and talk and explain behaviors, actio...

This episode talks about a lesson that I learned from a Hall of Fame basketball coach that I had the honor of coaching with. In his last seconds of his coaching career he did something that I will never forget!

In this episode educator, international consultant, podcaster, TEDx speaker, and author Lainie Rowell shares some unbelievable takeaways on gratitude and how it can change our lives. Some of the things that we will discuss are: 1. Being present, intentional and authentic. 2. The power of praise and the 6:1 ratio. 3. Bring more gratitude into your life by noticing, thinking, feeling, and doing. 4. Keeping an eye out for the students who go unseen. 5. Best partnerships focus more on the good than...

This episode is about a quote taken from the hit show Ted Lasso. It is a timely reminder for the moments when things don't go as expected and if you work in a school you fully understand how every day presents unique and interesting challenges. So heed Ted Lasso's advice.

In this conversation Laura Williams shares the importance of connecting with others, agile classrooms, and the Authentic Learning Alliance. Some of the other topics that we discuss. Emersion is important in figuring out what you want to do Ask yourself: Are learners connecting to experts to further their learning in an experience or project? Are you producing or creating something for someone beyond the classroom? Are students using or engaging in a real process that helps them develop skills ...

There are students that you have extremely strong connections with and there are students where there is a lack in connection. This episode dives into one of the most impactful lessons I have ever learned about making connections with students. The lesson comes from Dr. Darrin Peppard and was from his book The Road to Awesome. It centers around two questions that transformed Dr. Pepppard career and may just do the same for you. Road to Awesome by Dr. Darrin Peppard https://www.amazon.com/Road-A...

On this episode of the Teaching Champions Podcast I am joined by Josh Tovar. He is a principal and one of the hosts of Unlock the Middle Podcast. In this episode we discuss: 1. Your past doesn’t define you. 2. Come from the side of connection and love. 3. Be vulnerable, open your armor, and show your holes. 4. Be around others who have the same love, passion, and vision for students success. 5. Establish patterns of positive behavior. 6. Coach others up in a positive way. 7. If you connect...

Educators are intentional with a lot of things. We are intentional with the set up of our classroom, the flow of our school day, and the designs of our lessons. Sometimes though we are not as intentional with the things that we notice. The small things that are happening all around that could lift us up. This episode is all about finding those moments and embracing them.

In this interview I have a conversation with best selling children's author Dennis Mathew. He shares with us the world through the eye of a creative and someone who it looking to uplift and promote social emotional wholeness, critical thinking, character development, and conflict resolution within others. In this conversation we dive into ways we can help our students embrace their creativity, keeping a healthy perspective, communication, and building strong relationships. Dennis Mathew's Bio: ...

This mini episode is from an experience that I had with a student recently. Through a single moment this young lady reminded me of the magic that we have in our days. The school day is filled with stress and there's always going to be an endless amount of things that need to be done, but this student reminded me that it's important to be present and embrace the special things that the day holds for us.