Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

We can’t be our amazing educator selves when we are thinking about too many things. We need to simplify our thoughts by clearing our mental cache. Tune in to hear 5 tips that help me remain present and working full throttle to be my best edu-self! Quotables * Fix your focus * Be present in teaching as every moment counts * My negative thoughts became negative emotions * I can't be great working on a dying battery * Close the filing cabinet * The power in being simple * Chunk your focus 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’

When change needs to happen in our world, do you stand under the current system or do you stand out and make the change? We can no longer expect things to change by being frustrated and making noise… we have to take action- BIG action. Tune in to hear what you can do right now to make your situation and our world better. Go make history! Quotables Standing under in compliance never changes your predicament; it just prolongs your predicament. Standing under is a waste of everyone’s time and just ensures problems remain problems. You have to dare to dream and you have to be willing to do the 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’

When change needs to happen in our world, do you stand under the current system or do you stand out and make the change? We can no longer expect things to change by being frustrated and making noise… we have to take action- BIG action. Tune in to hear what you can do right now to make your situation and our world better. Go make history! Quotables * Standing under in compliance never changes your predicament; it just prolongs your predicament. * Standing under is a waste of everyone’s time and just ensures problems remain problems. * You have to dare to dream and you have to be willing to do the 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’

How do you go about helping a student or another teacher when you aren’t sure where to start or which aspect of instruction to hone in on? When you learn how to dig deep enough and focus solely on THE MAIN THING, you are sure to be successful. Tune in to hear how to go back to base camp in order to get a clear head and perspective before jumping to action! Quotables * “Is this in my job description?” or “does this fall in line with my job duties purpose?” * We want quick solutions and we pull our talent to take care of the bleeding wound when the bigger picture is far more important. * Is this the MAIN THING? * You have to take a moment, back away from the mayhem and ensure you’re headed in the right direction. Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * 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’

How do you go about helping a student or another teacher when you aren’t sure where to start or which aspect of instruction to hone in on? When you learn how to dig deep enough and focus solely on THE MAIN THING, you are sure to be successful. Tune in to hear how to go back to base camp in order to get a clear head and perspective before jumping to action! Quotables “Is this in my job description?” or “does this fall in line with my job duties purpose?” We want quick solutions and we pull our talent to take care of the bleeding wound when the bigger picture is far more important. Is this the MAIN THING? You have to take a moment, back away from the mayhem and ensure you’re headed in the right direction. Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   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’

Nicole is a strong educator from Indianapolis who has overcome obstacles only a crowd of people combined would encounter. You’ll learn that you can be a great teacher even if you didn’t originally major in education or you aren’t able to create a Pinterest worthy classroom environment due to financial constraints. Nicole embodies perseverance. Tune in as she shares her rollercoaster journey to education and how she continued to push through hard time such as: a house break in, being a single mom through broken relationships, holding down multiple jobs, failing certification exams, losing teaching jobs due to budget cuts and staying strong while caring for an ailing parent. But, with a little bit of luck and blessings, life experience in the Military, beauty school, and management at McDonald’s, teaching became her passion and truest talent. Nicole will empower you beyond measure. Want to see her blog post about this episode? Click here! Quotables * I was running away from being a teacher * Being a teacher is more than teaching the subject area, we teach social skills and values in which every single parent wants instilled in their children. * If I didn’t have those obstacles I couldn’t be the person I am today- I am a stronger educator * I stepped out in faith and went for the gusto * Find your niche and place in a building * Things can turn in your personal life and you still have to perform in your professional life * The children need you. You are putting your all into them. Its not an instant gratification piece. * Find out who you are as an educator so you can better serve children * What do I want my obituary to say about me? * My goal is to be MORE than effective Connect with Nicole * Websites: * www.coachingcaravan.com * www.teacherscaravan.com * TpT and Instagram: Coaching Caravan * eBook: 10 Things I need to be Successful [for instructional coaches] Coming June 2017 + interactive journal/planner * Email: * teacherscaravan@gmail.com * coachingcaravan16@gmail.com Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * 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.

Nicole is a strong educator from Indianapolis who has overcome obstacles only a crowd of people combined would encounter. You’ll learn that you can be a great teacher even if you didn’t originally major in education or you aren’t able to create a Pinterest worthy classroom environment due to financial constraints. Nicole embodies perseverance. Tune in as she shares her rollercoaster journey to education and how she continued to push through hard time such as: a house break in, being a single mom through broken relationships, holding down multiple jobs, failing certification exams, losing teaching jobs due to budget cuts and staying strong while caring for an ailing parent. But, with a little bit of luck and blessings, life experience in the Military, beauty school, and management at McDonald’s, teaching became her passion and truest talent. Nicole will empower you beyond measure. Want to see her blog post about this episode? Click here! Quotables I was running away from being a teacher Being a teacher is more than teaching the subject area, we teach social skills and values in which every single parent wants instilled in their children. If I didn’t have those obstacles I couldn’t be the person I am today- I am a stronger educator I stepped out in faith and went for the gusto Find your niche and place in a building Things can turn in your personal life and you still have to perform in your professional life The children need you. You are putting your all into them. Its not an instant gratification piece. Find out who you are as an educator so you can better serve children What do I want my obituary to say about me? My goal is to be MORE than effective Connect with Nicole Websites: www.coachingcaravan.com www.teacherscaravan.com TpT and Instagram: Coaching Caravan eBook: 10 Things I need to be Successful [for instructional coaches] Coming June 2017 + interactive journal/planner Email: teacherscaravan@gmail.com coachingcaravan16@gmail.com Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   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’

Being a teacher is about inspiring students to be their best by equipping them with the skills necessary to do so instead of buying stuff for them or a lesson that has little to no educational impact. The pressure to have a “pinterest-worthy” classroom and “Instagram- worthy” exciting lesson is taking our focus away from what we are supposed to be doing in the classroom each and every day. Tune in to hear how to still be a fun teacher and have a stunning classroom without going broke doing it. Quotables * That [behavior] sends a message that “stuff” is more important than learning and its not * Keep our focus on kids instead of falling victim to our wallet * If you spend all of your time buying stuff you are missing out on the whole point of your job * You have experience working with kids so use that to your advantage to be the best at your job instead of leading the educational experience with THINGS. * Keep it simple and make the thinking in the lesson extraordinary * The more our kids get used to stuff the more they think they need it * Moderation moderation moderation Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * 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’

Being a teacher is about inspiring students to be their best by equipping them with the skills necessary to do so instead of buying stuff for them or a lesson that has little to no educational impact. The pressure to have a “pinterest-worthy” classroom and “Instagram- worthy” exciting lesson is taking our focus away from what we are supposed to be doing in the classroom each and every day. Tune in to hear how to still be a fun teacher and have a stunning classroom without going broke doing it. Quotables That [behavior] sends a message that “stuff” is more important than learning and its not Keep our focus on kids instead of falling victim to our wallet If you spend all of your time buying stuff you are missing out on the whole point of your job You have experience working with kids so use that to your advantage to be the best at your job instead of leading the educational experience with THINGS. Keep it simple and make the thinking in the lesson extraordinary The more our kids get used to stuff the more they think they need it Moderation moderation moderation Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   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 we aren’t willing to expose our weaknesses to others, we can never strengthen them. It takes being vulnerable around others in order to breed productivity and success. Tune in to hear just how to orchestrate this opportunity for growth in your current situation. Quotables * What would this look like in education? * Feedback Rich Environment * Feedback Sandwich * Feedback Triangle * Think about how much could change in our schools if we were truly a team? * We don’t have to be perfect but we have to be comfortable approaching one another with feedback and we have to be confident enough in our talent to take the feedback with an attitude of gratitude and implement immediately Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * 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 we aren’t willing to expose our weaknesses to others, we can never strengthen them. It takes being vulnerable around others in order to breed productivity and success. Tune in to hear just how to orchestrate this opportunity for growth in your current situation. Quotables What would this look like in education? Feedback Rich Environment Feedback Sandwich Feedback Triangle Think about how much could change in our schools if we were truly a team? We don’t have to be perfect but we have to be comfortable approaching one another with feedback and we have to be confident enough in our talent to take the feedback with an attitude of gratitude and implement immediately Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   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’

When you feel at the end of your rope, its time to implement steps to prevent a breakdown. Fast away the distractions so that you can repurpose that energy and make it through a stressful season in your life. Tune in to hear practical tips to thrive under stress by fasting away distractions. Quotables The very first thing we should do instead of break down is eliminate Our devices are the source of a lot of hub bub that is noise we don’t have time for during that particular time/season What in your life right now eats up your bandwidth? Which thing can you put on pause so that can you use that energy and focus on what matters most right now? This is a turning point in your personal and professional life Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   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’

When you feel at the end of your rope, its time to implement steps to prevent a breakdown. Fast away the distractions so that you can repurpose that energy and make it through a stressful season in your life. Tune in to hear practical tips to thrive under stress by fasting away distractions. Quotables * The very first thing we should do instead of break down is eliminate * Our devices are the source of a lot of hub bub that is noise we don’t have time for during that particular time/season * What in your life right now eats up your bandwidth? * Which thing can you put on pause so that can you use that energy and focus on what matters most right now? * This is a turning point in your personal and professional life Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * 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’

There are kids who love to come to school because its fun and then there are kids who love to come to school to learn. Become the teacher that hooks kids on learning the right way. Tune in to hear 3 ways to do just that! Quotables Don’t get caught in the trap Stop trying to control behavior, rather set up environments where students choose to engage appropriately Change student behavior proactively by pouring more time and attention into the lesson To truly leave your mark on this world you need to prepare kids for their future Our goal is to get kids hooked on learning, not things Listener Stamp of Approval Allison is part of a summer book study group reading about student centered coaching practices and had this to share about this episode to her group: Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   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’

There are kids who love to come to school because its fun and then there are kids who love to come to school to learn. Become the teacher that hooks kids on learning the right way. Tune in to hear 3 ways to do just that! Quotables * Don’t get caught in the trap * Stop trying to control behavior, rather set up environments where students choose to engage appropriately * Change student behavior proactively by pouring more time and attention into the lesson * To truly leave your mark on this world you need to prepare kids for their future * Our goal is to get kids hooked on learning, not things Listener Stamp of Approval Allison is part of a summer book study group reading about student centered coaching practices and had this to share about this episode to her group: Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * 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’