Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

Kitty Boitnott, Ph.D., NBCT is a former educator turned Career Transition and Job Search Coach. She is an expert on teacher burnout, teacher stress, and general stress management techniques for those who are experiencing the pain and heartache of teacher burnout—a specific form of burnout that differs to some degree from the job burnout of other professionals. Kitty provides one-on-one and group coaching specifically for teachers who are ready to break free of the stifling confines of today’s classroom. With her assistance, her clients explore their career alternatives, learn effective job search strategies, and ultimately change their career path for a new, more satisfying direction. One of Kitty’s strengths is that she understands teachers and their burnout first-hand. From 2008-2012, after a 33-year career as a teacher and elementary school library media specialist, Kitty served as President of the Virginia Education Association, Virginia’s largest teacher association, serving over 55,000 members across the Commonwealth. During the time she served in that role, she traveled all over the state and she talked with hundreds of teachers about the teaching conditions they were facing. Since leaving the VEA and starting her coaching enterprise, she has talked with dozens of individuals who are seeking to make a change in their career because of their own burnout, boredom, or disillusionment. As an expert on teacher burnout, Kitty also offers workshops for teacher groups and school divisions on stress management techniques that teachers can use in an effort to ward off symptoms of burnout. Quotables * A burnt out teacher isn't having any fun and neither are their students. * There is a shortage of people who WANT to teach. * If teachers can manage their stress they can delay the sense of burnout and perhaps stay in the profession. * It takes a toll on the students to have a new teacher every year. * We do a disservice to students when we don't allow them to share their gifts. * Get in touch with your true gift- work you were born to do! * Don't cry over water over the dam! * If I were to give up any one of my degrees, I would give up everything but my National Boards * When you continue to raise the bar and make it impossible for people to be successful, it ensures burnout will occur....teachers have been set up to fail Kitty's Stamp of Approval * National Association of Education [NEA] * Diane Ravitch * Mary Hatwood Futrell * Nancy Flanagan of Education Week * Mary Tedrow  Connect with Kitty * Email: kittyboitnott@gmail.com * Phone: (804) 404-5475 * Teachers in Transition: http://teachersintransition.com * Teachers in Distress (Blog): http://teachersindistress.wordpress.com * LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/kittyboitnott * Facebook: http://facebook.com/boitnottcoachingllc * Twitter: http://Twitter.com/kittyboitnott Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson * Facebook: Always A Lesson

Kitty Boitnott, Ph.D., NBCT is a former educator turned Career Transition and Job Search Coach. She is an expert on teacher burnout, teacher stress, and general stress management techniques for those who are experiencing the pain and heartache of teacher burnout—a specific form of burnout that differs to some degree from the job burnout of other professionals. Kitty provides one-on-one and group coaching specifically for teachers who are ready to break free of the stifling confines of today’s classroom. With her assistance, her clients explore their career alternatives, learn effective job search strategies, and ultimately change their career path for a new, more satisfying direction. One of Kitty’s strengths is that she understands teachers and their burnout first-hand. From 2008-2012, after a 33-year career as a teacher and elementary school library media specialist, Kitty served as President of the Virginia Education Association, Virginia’s largest teacher association, serving over 55,000 members across the Commonwealth. During the time she served in that role, she traveled all over the state and she talked with hundreds of teachers about the teaching conditions they were facing. Since leaving the VEA and starting her coaching enterprise, she has talked with dozens of individuals who are seeking to make a change in their career because of their own burnout, boredom, or disillusionment. As an expert on teacher burnout, Kitty also offers workshops for teacher groups and school divisions on stress management techniques that teachers can use in an effort to ward off symptoms of burnout. Quotables A burnt out teacher isn't having any fun and neither are their students. There is a shortage of people who WANT to teach. If teachers can manage their stress they can delay the sense of burnout and perhaps stay in the profession. It takes a toll on the students to have a new teacher every year. We do a disservice to students when we don't allow them to share their gifts. Get in touch with your true gift- work you were born to do! Don't cry over water over the dam! If I were to give up any one of my degrees, I would give up everything but my National Boards When you continue to raise the bar and make it impossible for people to be successful, it ensures burnout will occur....teachers have been set up to fail Kitty's Stamp of Approval National Association of Education [NEA] Diane Ravitch Mary Hatwood Futrell Nancy Flanagan of Education Week Mary Tedrow  Connect with Kitty Email: kittyboitnott@gmail.com Phone: (804) 404-5475 Teachers in Transition: http://teachersintransition.com Teachers in Distress (Blog): http://teachersindistress.wordpress.com LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/kittyboitnott Facebook: http://facebook.com/boitnottcoachingllc Twitter: http://Twitter.com/kittyboitnott 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 Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”

As a teacher leader it’s so easy to just make decisions without thinking through the ramifications. Long-run leadership describes someone who is forward thinking and makes sacrifices for the good of the group so that down the line everyone benefits. Tune in to hear how you can become a long-run leader in no time! Quotables * Don’t be that person who puts your own needs before others * When you take your extra energy and pour it back into the group you serve you are elevating the success of everyone * Take your eyes off your feet and start looking in the distance * In those singular moments you are establishing your leadership style, but more importantly you are establishing your leadership strength * You are here to help people not to advance yourself * Hold out for the long term benefit 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 * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

As a teacher leader it’s so easy to just make decisions without thinking through the ramifications. Long-run leadership describes someone who is forward thinking and makes sacrifices for the good of the group so that down the line everyone benefits. Tune in to hear how you can become a long-run leader in no time! Quotables Don’t be that person who puts your own needs before others When you take your extra energy and pour it back into the group you serve you are elevating the success of everyone Take your eyes off your feet and start looking in the distance In those singular moments you are establishing your leadership style, but more importantly you are establishing your leadership strength You are here to help people not to advance yourself Hold out for the long term benefit 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 Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Sometimes we are in a career where something is missing. We aren’t quite sure what that something is or what to do about it. This episode will walk you through 5 passion statements to get you moving in the right direction so that your talent will be best showcased and utilized to bless others! Grab your freebie here: Quotables Nothing beats work ethic Just because you are great doesn’t mean you don’t need help We all make choices daily and those choices can right the ship with the right support One of the legs on your stool is loose and you better fix it before it falls off 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 Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Sometimes we are in a career where something is missing. We aren’t quite sure what that something is or what to do about it. This episode will walk you through 5 passion statements to get you moving in the right direction so that your talent will be best showcased and utilized to bless others! Grab your freebie here: Quotables * Nothing beats work ethic * Just because you are great doesn’t mean you don’t need help * We all make choices daily and those choices can right the ship with the right support * One of the legs on your stool is loose and you better fix it before it falls off 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 * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Quotables Social media glamorizes education Do the basics extremely well “Big things often have small beginnings.” - Unknown Practice the little things The more you hurry, the longer it will take Require yourself to be consistent It's not a forever point, it's a starting point 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 Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Quotables * Social media glamorizes education * Do the basics extremely well * “Big things often have small beginnings.” - Unknown * Practice the little things * The more you hurry, the longer it will take * Require yourself to be consistent * It's not a forever point, it's a starting point 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 * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

As teacher leaders we need to create the culture in the school where balance is acceptable and encouraged. Without a healthy teacher, a classroom can never reach its fully potential. Tune in to hear two steps teacher leaders can take today to ensure teachers and students are physically, mentally and emotionally safe. You are ‘The Safe Keeper!" Quotables Find you a tribe at school where you can truly be yourself The great thing about educators is our relationships are not bound by location If it’s known, appreciated and available, teachers will start healing a little more each day because of the support within the school We need to treat the whole teacher, making sure their essential needs are met so they can do their #1 job…teach Those relationships those spaces will catapult their mental health so that they can be physically healthy for kids 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 Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

As teacher leaders we need to create the culture in the school where balance is acceptable and encouraged. Without a healthy teacher, a classroom can never reach its fully potential. Tune in to hear two steps teacher leaders can take today to ensure teachers and students are physically, mentally and emotionally safe. You are ‘The Safe Keeper!" Quotables * Find you a tribe at school where you can truly be yourself * The great thing about educators is our relationships are not bound by location * If it’s known, appreciated and available, teachers will start healing a little more each day because of the support within the school * We need to treat the whole teacher, making sure their essential needs are met so they can do their #1 job…teach * Those relationships those spaces will catapult their mental health so that they can be physically healthy for kids 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 * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Dede Faltot Rittman graduated from Edinboro University in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary English and attended the University of Pittsburgh for post-graduate credits. After two years at Penn Hills, she began teaching English and Theater in the North Allegheny School District, a position she held for thirty-five years. For thirty-two of those years, Dede worked with underachieving students and those with special needs. Known as “the Bunny Teacher,” Dede affectionately called her students her “bunnies,” and one year for her birthday, two of her English classes bought her a real rabbit, Binky Rittman. Dede used bunny stamps and stickers for rewards and incentives, and when students were at home sick and requested homework, Dede wrote each one a personal note, adding a bunny stamp and a lollipop! An avid golfer, Dede coached both Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys Golf at North Allegheny. Dede always thought she would teach for forty years, but when her husband and best friend, Scott, was diagnosed with stage-four colon cancer in December 2009, she retired to care for him in the final stages of his illness. Scott died in 2012. After retiring, Dede began her own company, Rittman Publishing, LLC, which places an emphasis on teaching the three C’s: Confidence, Communication, and Creativity, whether working with student teachers, special needs students in theater, or those who need one-on-one tutoring. She authored 'Student Teaching- The Inside Scoop from a Master Teacher' and  'Grady Gets Glasses,' her first children's book. Quotables The best thing that ever happened was inclusion. Teachers set the example. Empathy can be taught. Devotion is really important. Sometimes we don't want to face what's going on in our lives and we blame it on our jobs. The more I gave of myself, the more rewards I received. Teacher leaders, your attitude will set the tone for the school climate. No one was ever late to my class because they felt safe and loved. Connect with Dede Website- dederittman.com  Blog- http://bunnyteacher.blogspot.com Email - dederittman@gmail.com Publications Book for Teachers- https://www.wordassociation.com/selfhelp%20book%20page/studentteaching.html Book for Children- gradygetsglasses.com Social Media Facebook: www.facebook.com/rittmanrules Twitter: @dederittman Linkedin: Dede Faltot Rittman Instagram: dede_rittman Google+: Dede Rittman Tumblr: The Bunny Teacher Dede's Stamp of Approval Field Trip Zoom Forest of the Rain Productions 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 Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Dede Faltot Rittman graduated from Edinboro University in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary English and attended the University of Pittsburgh for post-graduate credits. After two years at Penn Hills, she began teaching English and Theater in the North Allegheny School District, a position she held for thirty-five years. For thirty-two of those years, Dede worked with underachieving students and those with special needs. Known as “the Bunny Teacher,” Dede affectionately called her students her “bunnies,” and one year for her birthday, two of her English classes bought her a real rabbit, Binky Rittman. Dede used bunny stamps and stickers for rewards and incentives, and when students were at home sick and requested homework, Dede wrote each one a personal note, adding a bunny stamp and a lollipop! An avid golfer, Dede coached both Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys Golf at North Allegheny. Dede always thought she would teach for forty years, but when her husband and best friend, Scott, was diagnosed with stage-four colon cancer in December 2009, she retired to care for him in the final stages of his illness. Scott died in 2012. After retiring, Dede began her own company, Rittman Publishing, LLC, which places an emphasis on teaching the three C’s: Confidence, Communication, and Creativity, whether working with student teachers, special needs students in theater, or those who need one-on-one tutoring. She authored 'Student Teaching- The Inside Scoop from a Master Teacher' and  'Grady Gets Glasses,' her first children's book. Quotables * The best thing that ever happened was inclusion. * Teachers set the example. * Empathy can be taught. * Devotion is really important. * Sometimes we don't want to face what's going on in our lives and we blame it on our jobs. * The more I gave of myself, the more rewards I received. * Teacher leaders, your attitude will set the tone for the school climate. * No one was ever late to my class because they felt safe and loved. Connect with Dede * Website- dederittman.com  * Blog- http://bunnyteacher.blogspot.com * Email - dederittman@gmail.com Publications * Book for Teachers- https://www.wordassociation.com/selfhelp%20book%20page/studentteaching.html * Book for Children- gradygetsglasses.com Social Media * Facebook: www.facebook.com/rittmanrules * Twitter: @dederittman * Linkedin: Dede Faltot Rittman * Instagram: dede_rittman * Google+: Dede Rittman * Tumblr: The Bunny Teacher Dede's Stamp of Approval * Field Trip Zoom * Forest of the Rain Productions Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson * Facebook: Always A Lesson * Twitter: @gschultek * Instagram:

Sometimes we feel as though we need to be the expert in everything and start pretending we have the knowledge and skills required to do it all. The fact is, it’s a sham. We are pretending and the ones who get hurt the most are the children. Tune in to hear how to stop being a pretender and empower yourself to be better without fear, embarrassment or worse, losing your job. Quotables [Teachers’] daily choices affect kids the most Every moment is precious and we cant waste time thinking we will figure it out Own your cards The culture is so that we educators embrace what we don’t know energetically as we connect on a mission with other educators who are experts in those areas We as educators have to do what we ask of our kids and keep seeking knowledge where we can If your ego gets in the way your own learning suffers 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 Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

Sometimes we feel as though we need to be the expert in everything and start pretending we have the knowledge and skills required to do it all. The fact is, it’s a sham. We are pretending and the ones who get hurt the most are the children. Tune in to hear how to stop being a pretender and empower yourself to be better without fear, embarrassment or worse, losing your job. Quotables * [Teachers’] daily choices affect kids the most * Every moment is precious and we cant waste time thinking we will figure it out * Own your cards * The culture is so that we educators embrace what we don’t know energetically as we connect on a mission with other educators who are experts in those areas * We as educators have to do what we ask of our kids and keep seeking knowledge where we can * If your ego gets in the way your own learning suffers 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 * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’

“What do you want to accomplish this year and how can I help you get there?” is a powerful question from a teacher leader to someone that they lead. Act like Publisher’s Clearing House and go knock on your colleagues’ doors during this back to school season and make their dreams come true. Tune in to hear how you can do just that! Quotables Step one of relating to people is being in physical proximity to them We are only as strong as our weakest link If I am going to lead you, I need to know you I had to be willing to start it. From there, the team had to be willing to receive it. And then we all had to be willing to continue it. When they are motivated, focused and feel supported, they’ll move mountains. 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 Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College Leave a Rating and Review: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? 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. How? Search for my show in 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’