Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

“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’

Grading is only as good as the effectiveness of instruction leading up to it. A grade on an assessment that doesn’t match the learning leading up to it is worthless, demeaning and dysfunctional. Tune in to hear three steps you can take now to ensure you teach hard enough, long enough and deep enough for students to be successful and prepared on their learning journey. The photo below from my trip to Colorado is discussed in the episode: Quotables I don’t give grades, students earn them Objectify learning Put more time into planning than in to execution so that execution is flawless, rigorous, and done with fidelity across the board If its easy, we aren’t pushing ourselves or our students hard enough We cannot allow our peers to lower the bar only for our kids to fail later 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’

Grading is only as good as the effectiveness of instruction leading up to it. A grade on an assessment that doesn’t match the learning leading up to it is worthless, demeaning and dysfunctional. Tune in to hear three steps you can take now to ensure you teach hard enough, long enough and deep enough for students to be successful and prepared on their learning journey. The photo below from my trip to Colorado is discussed in the episode: Quotables * I don’t give grades, students earn them * Objectify learning * Put more time into planning than in to execution so that execution is flawless, rigorous, and done with fidelity across the board * If its easy, we aren’t pushing ourselves or our students hard enough * We cannot allow our peers to lower the bar only for our kids to fail later 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’

If you are in education, you are in the people business. In order to have a successful school year, students and teachers need to feel supported. By building capacity, you are investing in people, and that has a high return on investment. Tune in to hear how teacher leaders can empower classroom teachers to attain their own dreams while also meeting school requirements. Quotables Teachers focus on kids. Leaders focus on teachers who focus on kids You may not be in an administrative role but that doesn’t mean your influence has a ceiling You propel change and build momentum from within You are on the same team Teacher leaders know their teachers on the deepest of levels because your ear is so close to the street Make people your #1 goal When its close to your heart, you’ll take care of it 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’

If you are in education, you are in the people business. In order to have a successful school year, students and teachers need to feel supported. By building capacity, you are investing in people, and that has a high return on investment. Tune in to hear how teacher leaders can empower classroom teachers to attain their own dreams while also meeting school requirements. Quotables * Teachers focus on kids. Leaders focus on teachers who focus on kids * You may not be in an administrative role but that doesn’t mean your influence has a ceiling * You propel change and build momentum from within * You are on the same team * Teacher leaders know their teachers on the deepest of levels because your ear is so close to the street * Make people your #1 goal * When its close to your heart, you’ll take care of it 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’

Phyl Macomber is an award-winning national speaker, author, inclusion specialist, and curriculum strategist. As President of Make A Difference, Inc., Phyl has consulted with and trained thousands of teaching staff. She’s been a guest on several radio shows to discuss simplifying instruction for students of all abilities. Her partnership with Leave No Girl Behind International is training young people in key leadership principles globally. Phyl has created a 4-step simple system called the PACT for how to teach anything to anyone – in a way that students of any ability learn faster and deeper – and, teachers succeed in reaching and teaching ALL students while meeting the standards. Phyl’s first book, The Power of T.H.E. P.A.C.T., is being referred to as “the simple, evidence-based solution for differentiated instruction and meaningful inclusion.” Quotables * Focus on sameness * In everyone's hearts, all means all * Inclusion has become hidden curriculum * Remember your "why" * Move from thinking about performance to an understanding of it * In order to solve real problems, you need to spend a significant amount of time in the environment that the problems exist * Trust your gut * Responsibility is a gift * Focus on solutions to get through life * Work smarter not harder * Make the biggest impact Phyl's Stamp of Approval * 3-3 Exercise : 3 things I feel I did well to make a difference/ 3 things to tweak or shape the next time to better serve * iPACT App * Twitter Networking * Mastermind Groups for "Vital 3" Connect with Phyl * Website: https://aboutthepact.com/ * Twitter: @AllAboutTHEPACT 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’  

Phyl Macomber is an award-winning national speaker, author, inclusion specialist, and curriculum strategist. As President of Make A Difference, Inc., Phyl has consulted with and trained thousands of teaching staff. She’s been a guest on several radio shows to discuss simplifying instruction for students of all abilities. Her partnership with Leave No Girl Behind International is training young people in key leadership principles globally. Phyl has created a 4-step simple system called the PACT for how to teach anything to anyone – in a way that students of any ability learn faster and deeper – and, teachers succeed in reaching and teaching ALL students while meeting the standards. Phyl’s first book, The Power of T.H.E. P.A.C.T., is being referred to as “the simple, evidence-based solution for differentiated instruction and meaningful inclusion.” Quotables Focus on sameness In everyone's hearts, all means all Inclusion has become hidden curriculum Remember your "why" Move from thinking about performance to an understanding of it In order to solve real problems, you need to spend a significant amount of time in the environment that the problems exist Trust your gut Responsibility is a gift Focus on solutions to get through life Work smarter not harder Make the biggest impact Phyl's Stamp of Approval 3-3 Exercise : 3 things I feel I did well to make a difference/ 3 things to tweak or shape the next time to better serve iPACT App Twitter Networking Mastermind Groups for "Vital 3" Connect with Phyl Website: https://aboutthepact.com/ Twitter: @AllAboutTHEPACT 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’  

The summer is upon us and teachers are busy relaxing… nope, teachers are busy preparing for a successful school year. This busyness is translating into going overboard in their preparation- especially due to Pinterest/Instagram photos of classroom set ups and inner workings in other classrooms around the world. Tune in to hear how to deal with the pressure of keeping up and making decisions that solely have an impact on student achievement. Quotables * “I feel badly for new teachers coming into this career thinking that everybody needs to do this.” – Original Poster * “Just because you have a pretty room doesn’t mean kids are learning.” – Laura * “My kids need me and to know I care about them.” - Caitlin * “I am anti teachers feeling inadequate because of the cute posts and perfect pics and causing themselves sleepless nights and empty pockets trying to keep up.” – Celeste * ‘We somehow begin to feel inadequate if our room isn’t picture perfect.” – Dawn * “Everything within reason is my life motto.” - Gretchen 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’

The summer is upon us and teachers are busy relaxing… nope, teachers are busy preparing for a successful school year. This busyness is translating into going overboard in their preparation- especially due to Pinterest/Instagram photos of classroom set ups and inner workings in other classrooms around the world. Tune in to hear how to deal with the pressure of keeping up and making decisions that solely have an impact on student achievement. Quotables “I feel badly for new teachers coming into this career thinking that everybody needs to do this.” – Original Poster “Just because you have a pretty room doesn’t mean kids are learning.” – Laura “My kids need me and to know I care about them.” - Caitlin “I am anti teachers feeling inadequate because of the cute posts and perfect pics and causing themselves sleepless nights and empty pockets trying to keep up.” – Celeste ‘We somehow begin to feel inadequate if our room isn’t picture perfect.” – Dawn “Everything within reason is my life motto.” - Gretchen 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’

Teachers enjoy decorating their classroom, but making over a classroom with stuff does not improve student achievement or instructional effectiveness. Tune in to hear about 3 characteristics that make over a classroom – and one of them is not classroom décor! Quotables * Making your classroom an effective, enjoyable space without the investment of classroom décor is the number one transformative decision you can make during your career * First you dream it up and then you enforce it * What you let slide, they get away with * It’s not personal, just protocol * A leader is not someone who tells others what to do, but someone who helps others do what needs to be done * You are as effective as what you plan * Rationales go a long way * Your intentionality in environment and leadership carries into instruction 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’

Teachers enjoy decorating their classroom, but making over a classroom with stuff does not improve student achievement or instructional effectiveness. Tune in to hear about 3 characteristics that make over a classroom – and one of them is not classroom décor! Quotables Making your classroom an effective, enjoyable space without the investment of classroom décor is the number one transformative decision you can make during your career First you dream it up and then you enforce it What you let slide, they get away with It’s not personal, just protocol A leader is not someone who tells others what to do, but someone who helps others do what needs to be done You are as effective as what you plan Rationales go a long way Your intentionality in environment and leadership carries into instruction 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’

Summer break is upon us. Educators spend this time away from the classroom in a variety of ways, and no one way is better than the other. However, we are often quick to share advice on how someone should spend their time and this isn’t often what is best for that particular individual. Tune in to hear how to listen to your summer intuition (regardless of what others are saying) so that you can be your best for your kids in the fall. Quotables * Wait until they invite you into the dialogue (keep your mouth shut) * For the sake of the relationship, its out of respect for one another to watch for the cues * It’s about what your mind and body need 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’

Summer break is upon us. Educators spend this time away from the classroom in a variety of ways, and no one way is better than the other. However, we are often quick to share advice on how someone should spend their time and this isn’t often what is best for that particular individual. Tune in to hear how to listen to your summer intuition (regardless of what others are saying) so that you can be your best for your kids in the fall. Quotables Wait until they invite you into the dialogue (keep your mouth shut) For the sake of the relationship, its out of respect for one another to watch for the cues It’s about what your mind and body need 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’

Students come to us in their roughest state. Its up to us educators to cultivate a mindset and environment that polishes students into their potential. Tune in to hear three action steps to ensure every student reaches their best self under your leadership in the classroom. Quotables * As educators we are the tools to chip away the immaturity and insecurity and shape students to become responsible citizens. * Every moment you think positivity and possibilities, you create the foundation for such things to take place in your presence * Every kid you come into contact with is part of who you become and you are part of who they become. * I hope your roster is full of kids that need you and kids that you need. * Every kid needs you, they just need you differently. 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’

Students come to us in their roughest state. Its up to us educators to cultivate a mindset and environment that polishes students into their potential. Tune in to hear three action steps to ensure every student reaches their best self under your leadership in the classroom. Quotables As educators we are the tools to chip away the immaturity and insecurity and shape students to become responsible citizens. Every moment you think positivity and possibilities, you create the foundation for such things to take place in your presence Every kid you come into contact with is part of who you become and you are part of who they become. I hope your roster is full of kids that need you and kids that you need. Every kid needs you, they just need you differently. 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’