Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

352: The September Slump

The school year starts off strong — students are excited, routines are fresh, and momentum is high. But as September rolls on, many classrooms experience what we call the September Slump. In this episode, we talk about why student engagement can dip during this time, why it’s important to address it early, and practical tips for keeping your classroom energized and focused. Quotables "When your providing feedback, we want it to be timely so that they can do something with it, but we also want it to be specific enough they know what to do differently going forward." "When students actively participate in setting their own goals, they feel a sense of ownership." "Acknowledge that things are stressful." Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL

351: Classroom Culture Reset

In this episode, we dive into how educators can intentionally reset their classroom culture at the start of the school year. Whether you’re teaching brand-new students or welcoming back familiar faces, the first weeks are the perfect time to establish the norms, routines, and relationships that will shape the months ahead. We’ll discuss practical strategies to create a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment where every student feels seen and supported. Quotables "The one thing that made me a really strong teacher, wasn't that I knew how to build culture, it was that I knew how to sustain culture." "Prioritize routines, procedures, and expectations that are the most important." "Be comfortable with the reset." Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL

350: Evolving Classrooms with Dr. LaKimbre Brown

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. LaKimbre Brown, an experienced educational leader and advocate for equity in schools, to explore the ever-changing landscape of education. Dr. Brown shares her insights on how schools are evolving to meet the diverse needs of today’s students, from shifting curriculums to addressing representation in both classrooms and leadership. We discuss what it means to truly serve “different students with different needs,” how curriculum must adapt to be more inclusive and relevant, and why having educators and materials that reflect the identities of all students matters more than ever. Dr. Brown brings real-world examples, deep wisdom, and a clear call to action for educators, leaders, and communities alike. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or school leader, this episode will challenge you to rethink what equitable and responsive education should look like in today’s world. Quotables ** Quotes are from the interviewee ** "If you want to have systemic change at district level you need to really think about coherence and how all the systems work together." "I believe in the child or student sitting in front of me and I believe they can do this hard thing." “Representation matters.” About Dr. LaKimbre Brown Dr. LaKimbre Brown is Chief Program Officer at Leading Educators and has more than 22 years of experience as an educator. As Chief of Schools for Lorain City Schools, she led 12 of 15 schools to state assessment gains and tripled access to high-quality Pre-K. Previously, she coached principals at dual-language campuses as Instructional Superintendent at DC Public Schools. Connect with Dr. LaKimbre Brown http://www.leadingeducators.org Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL

349: Driving Change with Kay Kelly

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with school psychologist Kay Kelly to explore her unique journey within the educational system and how she’s thinking outside the box to create real-world opportunities for students. Kay shares stories from her experiences in various school settings and how those shaped her passion for integrating mental health support with practical, hands-on learning. This episode is a powerful look at the intersection of mental health, education, and innovation, and how one educator is helping schools create opportunities that last far beyond the classroom. Quotables **All quotes are from the interviewee** "I think connecting with kids... It does feel different, but in some ways you still do the same things we want to have genuine connections with them, actively listen... I think theres a lot to hear in their lived experience." "The foundations haven't really changed that much, but the way we engaged with them might be a little different." "There's a lot of benefit in having those virtual communities where you can be a sounding board and provide those resources." About Kay Kelly Kay Kelly is a dedicated and experienced School Psychologist with a proven track record in educational settings. Her expertise spans diagnostic assessment, counseling, intervention, and advocacy, and she is passionate about supporting students across all levels and settings. She is skilled in crisis response, collaborating within multi-disciplinary teams, and ensuring compliance with educational regulations to improve student outcomes. As a life-long learner, Kay Kelly emphasizes a solution-focused approach, working within a problem-solving framework to support students’ emotional and academic development. Over the years, she's had the opportunity to lead and contribute to several impactful initiatives, including collaborating with the University of Kansas to help develop Multi-Tier Systems of Support and securing grants for innovative programs, such as a self-sustaining, student-run car detailing service at the high school where she worked. This program provided students in the life skills program with hands-on, real-world experience. Kay Kelly remains committed to creating positive, lasting impacts on students, families, and educators through her current position with eLuma, a tele school-based company that provides access to high quality mental health providers. Contact Kay Kelly: kkelly@elumatherapy.com Kay Kelly-www.linkedin.com/in/kay-kelly-3261279b https://eluma.com/ Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’

348: Opening Worlds Through Words with Pam Allyn

In this inspiring episode, we dive into the heart of literacy and its life-changing impact with renowned literacy advocate, educator, and CEO Pam Allyn. Pam shares powerful insights into why reading is not just a fundamental skill, but a gateway to equity, empowerment, and lifelong success. Quotables ** All quotes are from the interviewee ** "I really want the world to be a better place for children and young adults to be able to be comfortable learning to read and write." "Reading a story to a child isn’t just something you do on the side...It’s actually something that can be central to who I am as an educator. " "Reading is breathing in and writing is breathing out." About Pam Allyn Pam Allyn is the founder and CEO of Dewey, a groundbreaking learning platform designed to support the wellbeing of families and caregivers at the powerful intersection of home, work, and learning. A lifelong educator, curriculum developer, and literacy advocate — and a proud grandparent — Pam has dedicated her career to helping young children learn to read and develop a lasting love for reading and writing. Through Dewey, she’s on a mission to make learning joyful and accessible by introducing playful, engaging tools that ease the fear and anxiety often associated with school. Since its launch, Dewey has positively impacted over 100,000 children, offering a wide range of educational products for parents, caregivers, and educators in both English and Spanish, with more languages on the way. Connect with Pam Allyn https://www.deweycommunity.com https://pamallyn.com/ https://medium.com/@pam_90412 https://www.instagram.com/deweycommunity/ Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter Join here and grab a freebie! Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon. Leave a Rating and Review: This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast Click ‘Send’ Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL