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In this episode, which comes just as teachers finish up what has proven to be one of the MOST difficult years in their careers, we present this opportunity to rekindle their SPARK in teaching. Meet Mary, a teacher and visionary who, like most teachers, still has a big heart in

In this episode, we journey through the career and lessons of a very wise role model in education. Her name is Jana, and she shares with us how she “never” wanted to be a teacher like her mom. Well, the first lesson she learned was to “never say never” because

In this episode, Nilda, an inspiring teacher in Puerto Rico, is a great example of what the Spirit of Teaching is all about. Listen to her story and her powerful metaphors that capture the true heart of teaching and the real value of teachers to our society and to the

In this episode, we get to know Hannah, a multi-faceted and multi-talented educator and mental health professional. Hannah explains how she is a “third culture kid” as well as a product of a military family upbringing. She tells us how these experiences helped her to become highly sensitive and tune

In this episode, we meet Diane, an educator and speech therapist who transitioned from the classroom to start her own company of consultants that has become a champion for children and inclusive education. CMDI – Consulting that Makes a Difference, “focuses on providing professional development that celebrates diversity, promotes the

In this episode, I chat with my longtime friend and colleague, Pam. As teachers, we establish and develop deep connections and friendships with colleagues that last a lifetime. We learn from each other; we support each other; we share experiences and emotions; we cheer each other on; we lift each

In this very special episode, which I have saved for the magic number three (in double digits!) as well as for the beginning of a new year, you will hear the story of a former student of mine, Ethan, who has woven a red thread of loving and lasting memories

In this episode, Linda, a teacher from Puerto Rico, shares her wholehearted journey to become the most honest, authentic and supportive teacher she can be for the happiness and well-being of her students. As an “equity champion” in her school district, she talks to teachers about how to respect every

In this episode, Tracy shares his story and journey as a Black man from the projects of Atlanta who is the Kentucky World Language Teacher of the Year. He tells us that all teachers are like “griots” or storytellers from the West African culture. He explains how our personal stories,

In this episode, Bonnie, a teacher who immigrated from China, helps us gain valuable insight and heart connections to the culture shock and linguistic challenges that she experienced both as an immigrant student and as a teacher. Bonnie first came from China to study at an American university in Oregon.

In this episode, we hear the powerful story of Brandon, a Special Education teacher, who says his purpose as a teacher is to help empower his students to self-advocate, self-regulate their emotions and to communicate their needs effectively to others. Brandon explains many of the misconceptions that the regular classroom

In this episode, we have a super powerful and insightful conversation with Jessica, a former college professor now teaching in a high school in the Midwest. Jessica says that it was destiny that she made that change because she feels like, with high school students, she gets to “teach with

In this episode, we have the great pleasure and honor of meeting Dr. Malik Boykin, the first Black professor in the Department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Science at Brown University. Dr. Boykin studies discrimination and the psychological impact of it. He also teaches a popular course on stigma and

In this episode, you will find hope, inspiration, support and direction from Kim, the founder of Free the Mind Co.  Education Week released a study that shows that teachers are more vulnerable to anxiety and depression than any other profession. Another survey shows that over 50% of teachers are burned

In this episode, we have the privilege and pleasure to travel halfway around the world to meet Maryam, an Indian heritage, British born teacher who is teaching in an International School in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. Through her own struggles with anxiety and mental health challenges, losing loved

In this episode, we meet Jennifer, a Middle School English Language Arts teacher who was featured in a Reuters article about mental health in our schools. Jennifer teaches in the Parkland School District in Allentown, PA and speaks about all of the great initiatives that her school and her district

In this episode, our guest, Tamara, takes us down technology memory lane and reminds us how teaching is more than a textbook and a chalkboard. This especially came to light during the pandemic as teachers struggled to find a way to reach and teach their students. She highlights how technology

In this episode, we cross oceans, continents, language barriers and stereotypes to gain wise, profound and personal insights from Alaa, a young man born in Palestine, and who taught English there for 11 years. But then, life carried him on a journey to the “land of opportunity” where he would

In this episode, Adrienne, a black female educator in Georgia, takes us on a journey through the “seasons” of her teaching career…the ups, the downs, the ins, the outs. She explains how through the changing of these teaching seasons, she has had many personal and professional awakenings that have led

In this episode, we meet Andrea, a teacher whose journey has taken her across the country from the sandy beaches of California to the space coast of Florida. Andrea has taught at the elementary, middle and high school levels as well as college. As her journey progressed, so did her