Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

By Gretchen Bridgers | Education Podcast NetworkEducation

Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast episodes

June 08371: Empathetic Leadership with Joshua Stamper
What does it really mean to lead with empathy in today’s schools? In this episode, we sit down with Joshua Stamper to explore how empathetic leadership can transform school culture, strengthen relationships, and create environments where both educators and students thrive.
Joshua shares practical strategies for building trust, supporting teacher wellness, and leading with authenticity—even during challenging times. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, instructional coach, or school administrator, this conversation offers valuable insights on creating a more compassionate and connected educational community.
Quotables
**All quotes are from the interviewee**
"We can’t define them [students] based on the actions that we see."
"There’s always something behind the behavior.”
"There are going to be times you need to work more, and there are going to be times you need to be with your family more.”
About Joshua Stamper
Joshua Stamper is an educator, speaker, and creator of the Aspire to Lead podcast. A former middle school administrator and author of The Language of Behavior, he equips educators with trauma-responsive strategies to create supportive learning environments and drive student success through empathetic leadership.
Links From This Episode:
“Transform Your Mental Health: Joshua Stamper's Email Strategy to Prioritize Balance”: https://youtu.be/cht3g1trmlE?si=DQoWQqrYLVtUJIsQ
Book: Aspire to Lead
Book: Language of Behavior
Connect with Joshua Stamper:
Website:www.joshstamper.com
Twitter (X):@Joshua__Stamper(@Joshua__Stamper)
Instagram:@Joshua__Stamper(@Joshua__Stamper)
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-stamper/
Blue Sky:@joshuaStamper
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Connect with Gretchen
Email: [email protected]
Blog: Always A Lesson
Facebook: Always A Lesson
Twitter: @gschultek
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Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.
Leave a Rating and Review:
This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2
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41 min
May 25370: Building a Foundation with Adina Medina
In this episode, we sit down with educator Adina Medina to explore what it truly means to build a strong foundation in education—for students, teachers, and school communities.
Quotables
**All quotes are from the interviewee**
"Teachers who hang on the idea that we’re always learning and we can always do better are the teachers that develop into leaders."
"Being reflective in every moment has been really helpful."
"It’s important to help foster the teachers."
About Adina Medina
Adina Medina was born and raised in the Bronx, NY, when she became a lifelong learner. The teachers and administrators at St. John Chrysostom loved on her and pushed her to excel academically even when her outside life became unstable. After living in New Jersey for a few years and graduating from High School in Queens, NY, Adina attended SUNY New Paltz, where she majored in English with a minor in Black Studies. After graduating with her BA, she started her career as a Magazine Editor in the Dental Field and shifted focus to education when her first child, Melanie, was born. Adina served as a High School English teacher at a small Christian school in her first year and STUNK IT UP. With no mentor in place, it was really the hardest year ever, and she was ready (and told!) to give up. Instead of giving up, she landed in a small all-girl's Catholic High School in Hoboken, NJ, and it was there that her administrators suggested she attend Seton Hall's EPICS (Educational Partners in Catholic Schools) program. Adina earned her Master's in Education, with a focus on Curriculum Development while raising her toddler, and that program launched her passion and drive for fostering rigorous, engaging academics first within her classroom and then schoolwide. Adina served as a High School English teacher in Elizabeth NJ for ten years and, after having observed that her students who struggled least with the rigors of AP level content were those who came into high school with a strong foundation, she decided to shift her focus to Middle School ELA. Adina joined the Hoboken Dual Language Charter School (HoLa) in 2013 and served as a founding 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade English teacher for five years. The school was only in its third year of operation and Adina was able to play a major role in developing the Dual Language Curriculum that is currently used today. In 2017, Adina attended Relay's National Principal Academy Fellowship and began her training as an Educational Coach. After serving as a coach for two years, Adina shifted into the Instructional Lead position and then into a full Principalship while earning her certification at Rutgers University. She is currently the Middle School Principal at HoLa, where she is beyond privileged to guide her students in becoming bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural individuals with a firm academic foundation who are going to make this world a better, more inclusive place one step at a time.
Resources from this Episode
www.holahoboken.org
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Connect with Gretchen
Email: [email protected]
Blog: Always A Lesson
Facebook: Always A Lesson
Twitter: @gschultek
Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.
Leave a Rating and Review:
This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2
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44 min
May 11369: Data Symplifyed with Jessica Lane & Jenelle McClenahen
Data can feel overwhelming in education—assessment scores, progress monitoring, intervention tracking, attendance trends, and classroom performance. In this episode, we’re joined by Jessica Lane and Jenelle McClenahen from Data Symplifyed to talk about how educators can make data more manageable, meaningful, and useful in their daily work.
Quotables
**All quotes are from the interviewees**
"The point is to test something and see if it's really making an impact."
"It [collecting data] doesn't have to be fancy."
"If you don't have the consistency and routine, then you don't have anything."
About Jessica Lane & Jenelle McClenahen
Jessica Lane is an educator and former school leader with a career rooted in supporting teachers and students through practical, meaningful systems. She is the founder of Data-Informed Impact and serves as the Tech Cofounder of Symplifyed, where she helps design human-centered data tools that support real classroom and school-level work. She is the author of the forthcoming book Data-Informed, People-Driven, which focuses on using data to strengthen culture, align goals, and drive sustainable improvement in schools. Jessica believes data should serve people first and lead to clear, actionable, and lasting change.
Jenelle McClenahen is the CEO and Founder of Symplifyed, delivering decision infrastructure for every K–5 classroom. Symplifyed turns fragmented classroom data into real-time guidance that supports diverse learners and unlocks capacity for the entire classroom. A former inclusion educator with a Master’s in Education from Santa Clara University and training in Universal Design for Learning, Jenelle combines systems design, educator training, and mindset shifts to strengthen how schools collect and use data. Her work is deeply informed by both her classroom experience and her journey as a parent of a neurodivergent child, reinforcing her commitment to building data practices that are clear, affirming, and truly supportive of all learners.
Resources from this Episode
symplifyed.com
Vanessa Vakharia, known as@TheMathGuruon X
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Connect with Gretchen
Email: [email protected]
Blog: Always A Lesson
Facebook: Always A Lesson
Twitter: @gschultek
Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.
Leave a Rating and Review:
This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2
Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.
Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’
Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”
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45 min
April 27368: Finish Strong, Not Burned Out
As the school year winds down, the pressure can feel overwhelming—testing, deadlines, student behaviors, and sheer exhaustion. In this episode, we dive into practical, realistic strategies to help educators finish the year with intention, not burnout. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most.
Quotables
"Teachers often move on before they even acknowledge their own impact."
"The closure isn't about complexity, it's about connection."
"Now's the time to set the game plan."
Resources from this Episode
Innovative Assessment Link
Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter
Join here and grab a freebie!
Connect with Gretchen
Email: [email protected]
Blog: Always A Lesson
Facebook: Always A Lesson
Twitter: @gschultek
Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.
Leave a Rating and Review:
This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2
Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.
Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’
Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”
Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info
Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)
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Music from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way
License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL
17 min
April 13367: Innovative Assessment Strategies
What if assessment wasn’t something students feared—but something that actually fueled learning? In this episode, we explore innovative assessment strategies that go beyond traditional tests and quizzes. From performance-based tasks to student-led reflections, we’re diving into ways educators can measure understanding more authentically, creatively, and effectively. Whether you're looking to increase engagement, better capture student growth, or align assessments with real-world skills, this episode will give you practical ideas you can start using right away.
Quotables
"Innovative assessment isn’t just being creative but it’s about being intentional."
"If we want students to really become people who think solve problems, and collaborate, then our assessments should reflect that."
"Self assessment and reflection are game changers."
Links from this Episode
Dr. Swift Episode
Stop Doing What Students Can Do
Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter
Join here and grab a freebie!
Connect with Gretchen
Email: [email protected]
Blog: Always A Lesson
Facebook: Always A Lesson
Twitter: @gschultek
Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.
Leave a Rating and Review:
This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2
Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.
Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’
Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”
Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info
Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)
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Music from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way
License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL
26 min
March 30366: Stop Doing What Students Can Do
What happens when students take the lead in the classroom? In this episode, we explore the concept of a student-run classroom and how shifting ownership of learning to students can transform engagement, responsibility, and classroom culture. Instead of the teacher doing all the directing, students help manage routines, lead discussions, take on leadership roles, and become active participants in their own learning journey.
We discuss how empowering students to take ownership not only builds independence and confidence, but also strengthens collaboration, problem-solving, and accountability within the classroom community.
Quotables
"Administrative tasks take up a lot of teaching time."
"Start small and be strategic."
"Consistency creates freedom."
Links from this Episode
Dr. Lundy Swift Podcast Episode
Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter
Join here and grab a freebie!
Connect with Gretchen
Email: [email protected]
Blog: Always A Lesson
Facebook: Always A Lesson
Twitter: @gschultek
Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.
Leave a Rating and Review:
This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2
Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.
Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’
Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”
Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info
Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)
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Click ‘Send’
Music from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way
License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL
17 min
March 16365: Whole-Body Learning with Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift
Dr. Swift brings decades of experience across public education, higher education, and educational organizations to a conversation centered on one powerful idea: learning isn’t meant to be still.
Dr. Swift shares why engaging the whole body in the learning process can transform literacy development, increase student engagement, and support deeper understanding—especially for young learners. From movement-based strategies to rethinking traditional classroom expectations, this episode challenges the idea that effective learning only happens when students sit quietly at a desk.
If you’ve ever wondered how movement, multisensory strategies, and intentional instruction can unlock learning potential, this conversation will leave you inspired and ready to try something new in your classroom.
Quotables
All quotes are from the interviewee
"Success breeds success."
"Who wants to show up to something boring?"
"The idea that writing starts with being still is not quite where we need to go."
About Dr. Lundy Swift
Dr. Cheryl Lundy Swift is the Professional Learner Director at Learning Without Tears and the Host of the Literacy Matters Podcast. She has worked in leadership and executive roles for various educational organizations including public schools, post-secondary institutions and education companies including several leading tutoring and supplemental education service companies. Dr. Swift is also the founder and CEO of EduPower, an education consulting firm that empowers school and business leaders, teachers, parents and students to reach their fullest potential through professional development, coaching and curriculum.
Connect with Dr. Lundy Swift
https://www.lwtears.com/,
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-lundy-swift/
Resources from this episode:
Hidden Potential- The Science of Achieving Greater Things
Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter
Join here and grab a freebie!
Connect with Gretchen
Email: [email protected]
Blog: Always A Lesson
Facebook: Always A Lesson
Twitter: @gschultek
Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.
Leave a Rating and Review:
This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2
Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.
Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’
Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”
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Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)
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Music from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way
License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL
52 min
March 02364: Teacher Retention – Strategies for Staying & Thriving
Teaching is more than a profession — it’s a calling. But in today’s educational climate, staying in the classroom requires intention, boundaries, and support. In this episode, we’re talking honestly about teacher retention: why educators leave, why some stay, and how we can create conditions where teachers don’t just survive — they thrive.
Quotables
"Know when to take yourself out of the game before your team suffers."
"Some part of finding your balance and happiness is just changing up the scenery."
"Every time I switched it up, I grew something I didn't know I needed or wanted."
Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter
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Connect with Gretchen
Email: [email protected]
Blog: Always A Lesson
Facebook: Always A Lesson
Twitter: @gschultek
Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.
Leave a Rating and Review:
This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2
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Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’
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Music from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way
License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL
31 min
March 02Bonus: ChatGPT & Me
In this episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest tools transforming education right now: ChatGPT. We're switching it up where Gretchen asks ChatGPT questions about herself and the future of education.
Quotables
"Focus on growth without shame."
"Change happens when people feel empowered, not managed."
"You're not behind, you just need the right lense."
Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter
Join here and grab a freebie!
Connect with Gretchen
Email: [email protected]
Blog: Always A Lesson
Facebook: Always A Lesson
Twitter: @gschultek
Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.
Leave a Rating and Review:
This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2
Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.
Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’
Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”
Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info
Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)
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Music from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way
License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL
18 min
February 16363: Culturally Responsive Teaching – Meeting Diverse Student Needs
In this episode, we dive into the heart of culturally responsive teaching and what it really means to meet the diverse needs of today’s students. From honoring students’ backgrounds and lived experiences to creating inclusive, engaging classroom environments, this conversation is all about teaching with intention, empathy, and impact. Whether you’re new to culturally responsive practices or looking to deepen your approach, this episode offers practical strategies you can use right away.
Quotables
"You gotta make a connection."
"When curriculum is inclusive and representative, it deepens understanding."
"When students feel seen, heard, and valued, they are more likely to take academic risks, collaborate with their peers, and develop a strong sense of belonging in the classroom—and that’s the point."
Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter
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Connect with Gretchen
Email: [email protected]
Blog: Always A Lesson
Facebook: Always A Lesson
Twitter: @gschultek
Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.
Leave a Rating and Review:
This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long-lasting effect on our future.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2
Search for my show on iTunes or Stitcher.
Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’
Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”
Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info
Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)
Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast
Click ‘Send’
Music from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way
License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL
21 min

About Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Educators, this podcast will leave you feeling empowered with actionable steps to implement into your role immediately. Gretchen shares stories, lessons learned and practical tips. Buckle up for a transformation unlike no other!