Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

Justin Ashley is an award-winning teacher, motivational speaker, author, and public education advocate from Charlotte, North Carolina, where he began teaching in 2007. He is also a highly sought-after speaker for professional development. He has been an inspirational keynote presenter for thousands of current and future teachers, creating an atmosphere that bounces back and forth between rapt silence and raucous laughter. In 2013, he became the only teacher ever to win both North Carolina History Teacher of the Year and North Carolina Social Studies Teacher of the Year in the same year. He currently is pushing to the forefront of the conversation of work-life balance and low teacher retention: While he was winning as a teacher, the rest of his life careened out of his control, ultimately landing him in rehab for an addiction to pain killers. His self-discovery process and road to recovery led him to research ways to combat burnout and reignite his passion for teaching, a journey he shares with readers in his book The Balanced Teacher Path. Quotables * Don't give up on a really good lesson that was executed in a bad way * Your happiness is not singular, its plural * Being passionate as a teacher is a reflection of being passionate as a person * Don't step on the same land mine * Fail forward * If I don't own the problem, then I can't own the decision * Reignite your passion outside the classroom and you'll reignite your passion inside the classroom Justin's Stamp of Approval * Symbaloo - social bookmarking system Connect with Justin * Book: The Balanced Teacher Path * Twitter: @justinfashley * News Article: Charlotte Observer 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’

Justin Ashley is an award-winning teacher, motivational speaker, author, and public education advocate from Charlotte, North Carolina, where he began teaching in 2007. He is also a highly sought-after speaker for professional development. He has been an inspirational keynote presenter for thousands of current and future teachers, creating an atmosphere that bounces back and forth between rapt silence and raucous laughter. In 2013, he became the only teacher ever to win both North Carolina History Teacher of the Year and North Carolina Social Studies Teacher of the Year in the same year. He currently is pushing to the forefront of the conversation of work-life balance and low teacher retention: While he was winning as a teacher, the rest of his life careened out of his control, ultimately landing him in rehab for an addiction to pain killers. His self-discovery process and road to recovery led him to research ways to combat burnout and reignite his passion for teaching, a journey he shares with readers in his book The Balanced Teacher Path. Quotables Don't give up on a really good lesson that was executed in a bad way Your happiness is not singular, its plural Being passionate as a teacher is a reflection of being passionate as a person Don't step on the same land mine Fail forward If I don't own the problem, then I can't own the decision Reignite your passion outside the classroom and you'll reignite your passion inside the classroom Justin's Stamp of Approval Symbaloo - social bookmarking system Connect with Justin Book: The Balanced Teacher Path Twitter: @justinfashley News Article: Charlotte Observer 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’

It’s easy to slow down when you get close to the end. But, elite educators don’t slow down, they ramp it up. Tune in to hear how to keep your energy tank on full throttle so that you can provide engaging, rigorous instruction up until the last minute of the school year. Quotables * You can’t be amazing ¾ of the way. * Kids deserve a quality education and not just on Tuesdays or in September or at 8 am. They deserve engaging, top notch instruction on Fridays at 3 pm in June. * Its called character and work ethic. * We gotta do better and be better. * Forget the busy work, get to work. 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’

It’s easy to slow down when you get close to the end. But, elite educators don’t slow down, they ramp it up. Tune in to hear how to keep your energy tank on full throttle so that you can provide engaging, rigorous instruction up until the last minute of the school year. Quotables You can’t be amazing ¾ of the way. Kids deserve a quality education and not just on Tuesdays or in September or at 8 am. They deserve engaging, top notch instruction on Fridays at 3 pm in June. Its called character and work ethic. We gotta do better and be better. Forget the busy work, get to work. 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 environment that we work in can help or hinder us. In fact, we have more to do with our environment than we may initially think. Tune in to hear how you might contribute or contaminate your own working environment and how you can correct yourself when you go off course! Quotables Contributors are magnets Just because it wasn’t helpful or exciting for me didn’t mean it wasn’t exactly what they needed and that would ultimately benefit our team in the end Action Steps Tip 1- Take a mental note Tip 2- Put up bumpers Tip 3- Prevent the triggers 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 environment that we work in can help or hinder us. In fact, we have more to do with our environment than we may initially think. Tune in to hear how you might contribute or contaminate your own working environment and how you can correct yourself when you go off course! Quotables * Contributors are magnets * Just because it wasn’t helpful or exciting for me didn’t mean it wasn’t exactly what they needed and that would ultimately benefit our team in the end Action Steps * Tip 1- Take a mental note * Tip 2- Put up bumpers * Tip 3- Prevent the triggers 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’

Oftentimes educators bring emotional baggage to work that doesn’t belong and isn’t healthy for teacher effectiveness and student achievement. It’s important to check that baggage and then unpack it so that all negative emotions are dealt with, leaving space for happiness and contentment in teaching. Tune in to hear the simple four step solution to unpacking your baggage so that you can become your best for your kids! Quotables Whether our emotional baggage is work related or not it comes with us to work You cant outrun your own baggage-It goes with you EVERYWHERE. Suggested Method STEP 1: Take stock of what’s in the bags STEP 2: Unload the heaviest items first STEP 3: See it for what it is STEP 4: Hang it up or put it away 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’

Oftentimes educators bring emotional baggage to work that doesn’t belong and isn’t healthy for teacher effectiveness and student achievement. It’s important to check that baggage and then unpack it so that all negative emotions are dealt with, leaving space for happiness and contentment in teaching. Tune in to hear the simple four step solution to unpacking your baggage so that you can become your best for your kids! Quotables * Whether our emotional baggage is work related or not it comes with us to work * You cant outrun your own baggage-It goes with you EVERYWHERE. Suggested Method * STEP 1: Take stock of what’s in the bags * STEP 2: Unload the heaviest items first * STEP 3: See it for what it is * STEP 4: Hang it up or put it away 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’

It's easy to miss out on the amazing developments in our life and career when our eyes are pressed forward to the horizon rather than keeping our feet in the boat. Tune in to hear how you can still set long term goals but enjoy the journey along the way! Quotables There’s no point in holding out until the destination before stopping to smell the roses. Please don’t keep setting goals and setting goals and setting goals without ever really enjoying life Miserable accomplished people are boring and unrealistic. No one wants a friend who is amazing at their job but sucks at real life. Don’t become so obsessed with getting better that you stop living You can’t be a great you tomorrow, if you aren’t a great you today 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’

It's easy to miss out on the amazing developments in our life and career when our eyes are pressed forward to the horizon rather than keeping our feet in the boat. Tune in to hear how you can still set long term goals but enjoy the journey along the way! Quotables * There’s no point in holding out until the destination before stopping to smell the roses. * Please don’t keep setting goals and setting goals and setting goals without ever really enjoying life * Miserable accomplished people are boring and unrealistic. No one wants a friend who is amazing at their job but sucks at real life. * Don’t become so obsessed with getting better that you stop living * You can’t be a great you tomorrow, if you aren’t a great you today 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’

Dr. Fredericks is an educator and international business professional with more than 30 years of management experience and academic achievements in the United States, Europe and China.  His professional education career began as an elementary school teacher in the Fort Apache section of the South Bronx, New York. In addition to his teaching duties during regular school hours, he also created and ran all of the after school programs. In addition to his work during the day, he attended the Graduate School of the New School for Social Research where he received a Master’s Degree in Political Science. He was then recruited to help run an urban education graduate program at Indiana University where he also pursued and received a doctorate in Education. Dr. Fredericks then joined the Graduate Faculty of the Bank Street College of Education where he was the Chairman of the History, Principles and Philosophy Department and Professor of Ethics and Educational Philosophy. During his tenure at Bank Street, he also consulted with the government of Venezuela in creating the curriculum for the state run universities. During this phase of his career, Dr. Fredericks enrolled in an MBA program at New York University and received an MBA in Finance, at which time he was recruited by IBM, where he began a long and varied career in business, eventually spanning industries ranging from technology to Hollywood film making to internet start-ups to advertising. Of note, he worked in Paris as the head of Financial Planning and Analysis for IBM Headquarters responsible for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Additionally, after IBM, he helped start and operate Digital Domain which became the largest digital visual effects studio in the world and received Oscar awards, Grammy awards and nominations   for work on movies including Titanic, music videos and television commercials. He then proceeded to lead a variety of companies as the Chief Executive Officer and was an Adjunct Professor of Entertainment Finance at New York University at which point he was recruited to, in a sense, return to his roots in the field of Education by the Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation. Dr. Fredericks has been particularly effective in engaging financial, technical, and marketing organizations to conceptualize and achieve complex business parameters both strategically and tactically. He has delivered speeches and made presentations around the world on a variety of topics including an invitation by the Chinese Ministry of Trade to address business and educational leaders on the potential for the Chinese film making industry to both train and eventually compete on a world class basis. This presentation resulted in Dr. Fredericks being named to the Board of the Center for Creative Media at the City University of Hong Kong. He also, during his tenure as CEO at TNS Media Intelligence, authored a book titled, StraDegy, Advertising in the Digital Age which was extremely well received as it argued that unless industries engaged in, and adapted to, emerging digital technologies, they would find themselves falling further and further behind their new competitors who wholly embraced the digital age. The Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation (SASF) has, under Dr. Fredericks’ direction as Executive Director, become the largest provider of after school activities spanning sports, arts and academics in the United States. It provides these activities in the schools, Kindergarten through High School, to over 25,000 students annually. Dr. Fredericks was asked to join SASF in order to professionalize and grow the organization. He very successfully achieved this and it currently employs over 4000 paid staff annually and has revenue of over $40M. In addition to his duties at SASF, he also serves on the Board of Advisors of the School of Education at Indiana University and has consulted with educators and academic researchers at Indiana University,

Dr. Fredericks is an educator and international business professional with more than 30 years of management experience and academic achievements in the United States, Europe and China.  His professional education career began as an elementary school teacher in the Fort Apache section of the South Bronx, New York. In addition to his teaching duties during regular school hours, he also created and ran all of the after school programs. In addition to his work during the day, he attended the Graduate School of the New School for Social Research where he received a Master’s Degree in Political Science. He was then recruited to help run an urban education graduate program at Indiana University where he also pursued and received a doctorate in Education. Dr. Fredericks then joined the Graduate Faculty of the Bank Street College of Education where he was the Chairman of the History, Principles and Philosophy Department and Professor of Ethics and Educational Philosophy. During his tenure at Bank Street, he also consulted with the government of Venezuela in creating the curriculum for the state run universities. During this phase of his career, Dr. Fredericks enrolled in an MBA program at New York University and received an MBA in Finance, at which time he was recruited by IBM, where he began a long and varied career in business, eventually spanning industries ranging from technology to Hollywood film making to internet start-ups to advertising. Of note, he worked in Paris as the head of Financial Planning and Analysis for IBM Headquarters responsible for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Additionally, after IBM, he helped start and operate Digital Domain which became the largest digital visual effects studio in the world and received Oscar awards, Grammy awards and nominations   for work on movies including Titanic, music videos and television commercials. He then proceeded to lead a variety of companies as the Chief Executive Officer and was an Adjunct Professor of Entertainment Finance at New York University at which point he was recruited to, in a sense, return to his roots in the field of Education by the Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation. Dr. Fredericks has been particularly effective in engaging financial, technical, and marketing organizations to conceptualize and achieve complex business parameters both strategically and tactically. He has delivered speeches and made presentations around the world on a variety of topics including an invitation by the Chinese Ministry of Trade to address business and educational leaders on the potential for the Chinese film making industry to both train and eventually compete on a world class basis. This presentation resulted in Dr. Fredericks being named to the Board of the Center for Creative Media at the City University of Hong Kong. He also, during his tenure as CEO at TNS Media Intelligence, authored a book titled, StraDegy, Advertising in the Digital Age which was extremely well received as it argued that unless industries engaged in, and adapted to, emerging digital technologies, they would find themselves falling further and further behind their new competitors who wholly embraced the digital age. The Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation (SASF) has, under Dr. Fredericks’ direction as Executive Director, become the largest provider of after school activities spanning sports, arts and academics in the United States. It provides these activities in the schools, Kindergarten through High School, to over 25,000 students annually. Dr. Fredericks was asked to join SASF in order to professionalize and grow the organization. He very successfully achieved this and it currently employs over 4000 paid staff annually and has revenue of over $40M. In addition to his duties at SASF, he also serves on the Board of Advisors of the School of Education at In...

Good teachers know there is always room for improvement in their practice. But, choosing the right areas to improve can be more difficult than expected. Tune in to hear how to make small tweaks with a large impact in your classroom and beyond! Quotables Its unrealistic for me to expect myself to change so many things about my instructional practice and still remain effective It has to be the RIGHT pebble Catapult student learning in one easy tweak Simplicity is best We need to work smarter Techniques Mentioned Ask 3 Before Me No Opt Out (Teach Like a Champion) 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’

Good teachers know there is always room for improvement in their practice. But, choosing the right areas to improve can be more difficult than expected. Tune in to hear how to make small tweaks with a large impact in your classroom and beyond! Quotables * Its unrealistic for me to expect myself to change so many things about my instructional practice and still remain effective * It has to be the RIGHT pebble * Catapult student learning in one easy tweak * Simplicity is best * We need to work smarter Techniques Mentioned * Ask 3 Before Me * No Opt Out (Teach Like a Champion) 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’

Teaching is a calling, a career choice made by many. However, many teachers are getting discouraged quickly and exiting the profession without living out their passion. Tune in to hear how to answer the call without getting distracted by all the extraneous noise that comes along with the teaching territory. Inspiring Quote: “It doesn’t matter if the public doesn’t support you. It doesn’t matter if the policy makers don’t support you. What really matters is that you were called to teach. Your classroom is your second home and your students are a big part of your heart.” -TheWriteStuff_TpT 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’