Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

By Gretchen Bridgers | Education Podcast NetworkEducation

Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast episodes

February 02362: Pathways to Leadership – Advancing Your Teaching Career
What does leadership look like beyond the classroom—and how do educators take the next step without leaving teaching behind? In this episode, we explore the many pathways educators can take to grow their influence, expand their impact, and step into leadership roles that align with their strengths and values. From instructional coaching to administration and teacher-leader roles, this conversation unpacks what it really means to advance your teaching career. Whether you’re early in your career, feeling ready for a change, or quietly wondering “what’s next?”, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and practical next steps.
Quotables
"Leadership isn’t the loudest voice in the room, it’s the clearest one."
"Leadership isn’t about having it all figured out from day one.”
"Leadership isn’t a single leap. It’s a series of steps.“
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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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License code: QD3TG5UIS0LHILEL
31 min
January 19361: Ignite the Room – Strategies that Make Students Lean In
In this energizing episode, we dive into what it really takes to ignite a classroom—where students are curious, teachers are confident, and learning feels alive. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your students lean in instead of zone out, this is the episode for you.
Quotables
"Kids love to talk. Why aren’t we doing more of it?"
"Learning is a process. Put time into the process."
“Fun is not a substitute for rigor.”
Resources from this Episode:
Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success: https://amzn.to/409AUCt
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
34 min
January 12Bonus: Obsessed with High Quality Instruction
In this special role-reversal episode, the mic is flipped—and the interviewer becomes the interviewee. Known for asking powerful questions, today’s guest steps into the hot seat to share a deep-rooted passion for high-quality instruction and why it’s the foundation of meaningful learning.
From lesson design to classroom culture, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what really moves the needle for student engagement and teacher confidence. It’s an honest, reflective look at why being “obsessed” with instruction isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention, impact, and growth.
Quotables
"Good teachers can become great. Great teachers can become greater. "
"Small changes have big results."
“It takes a lot of prep.“
Resources from this Episode:
Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success: https://amzn.to/409AUCt
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)
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
41 min
January 05360: Behind the Teaching Scenes with Craig Randall
What really happens behind the scenes of great teaching? In this episode, we pull back the curtain with educator Craig Randall to talk about the realities of the classroom that don’t always make it into lesson plans or professional development sessions. From the behind-the-scenes decisions teachers make every day to the mindset shifts that help sustain energy and passion, Craig shares honest insights, practical wisdom, and relatable moments that every educator will recognize.
Quotables
*All quotes are from the interviewee*
"It takes focus on one thing to really really grow. "
"Choice matters so much."
“We have to model what we want with kids.“
Resources from the Episode:
Episode 240: Trust Based Observations with Craig Randall
Trust Based Observations Book:https://amzn.to/4oXEoTz
Website:https://trustbased.com/
Email:[email protected]
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
43 min
December 22, 2025359: New Year New Energy – Setting Yourself Up for a Fresh Start
In this energizing New Year episode, we dive into how teachers can hit reset, refocus their mindset, and walk into the classroom feeling refreshed and ready. Whether the first semester felt chaotic, inspiring, exhausting, or all of the above, this episode offers practical strategies for creating a smoother, more intentional second half of the school year.
Quotables
"Model, practice, praise."
"Reflect before you restart."
"Choose learning that feeds your strengths."
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)
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
30 min
December 08, 2025358: Mid Year Reflection – How to Finish the Year Strong
We’ve hit the midpoint of the school year—congratulations! In this episode, we’re taking a breath and reflecting on what’s working, what’s not, and how to finish the year strong without burning out. From classroom engagement hacks to managing mid-year chaos, we’ll unpack practical ways to keep your students motivated and protect your own energy.
Quotables
"Let student’s present. However you go about, let them present what they know."
"Don’t forget to communicate and celebrate."
“Kids really want to talk, and kids really want to move—so use it to your benefit.”
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)
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
33 min
November 24, 2025357: Classroom Conversations That Matter – The Secret to High Impact Discussions
In this episode, we dive into what makes classroom conversations truly meaningful and how to move beyond surface-level participation to create powerful, high-impact discussions. From establishing a safe classroom culture to teaching students how to listen actively and respond thoughtfully, we unpack practical ways to elevate dialogue and deepen learning.
Quotables
"Great questions don't just test students knowledge. They actually ignite them to want to know more or go deeper."
"Think time is powerful."
"Let the dang kids talk. That’s the message."
Resources from this Episode:
Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success: https://amzn.to/409AUCt
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)
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
22 min
November 10, 2025356: Beyond the Lesson Plan & How to Get Students to Care
In this episode we dive into one of the biggest challenges teachers face—getting students to actually care about what they’re learning. Great lesson planning isn’t just about standards and objectives—it’s about connection, relevance, and engagement.
Join us as we explore how intentional planning can transform your lessons from “just another class” into experiences that matter to your students.
Quotables
“Personal growth over grades. ”
"That classroom environment has to be a place where they want to take risks."
"When students feel known, they feel respected, and their more likely to find meaning in what their working on. "
Resources from this Episode:
Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success: https://amzn.to/409AUCt
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)
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
24 min
October 27, 2025355: Open to Learning with Jennifer Burns
Listen in as Jennifer Burns tells about the importance of being open to learning, and reflecting on the craft of teaching for all students. Having experience in a variety of different avenues in the teaching profession, Jennifer brings a perspective and a tool in this episode that will help teachers in their upcoming lessons.
Quotables
*All quotes are from the interviewee*
"Everywhere you go, there is something to be learned."

"Finding the ability to be open and receptive to what others can offer you is the biggest lesson. "

“It’s okay to be where you are.”

About Jennifer Burns
Jennifer is a literacy trainer, consultant and author working with schools and districts to help teachers and leaders make reading joyful to teach and learn from the earliest of ages. As teachers, we go through observe, reflect and create cycles in teaching. This applies to daily lesson planning and teacher professional growth. We are learning to observe and take notes better. We are learning to reflect on what our notes mean. And we are learning how to create impactful lessons. That is what Jennifer has created in the book Building Readers From The Playground to Print for the youngest of readers and what she work with schools to do with all readers.
Resources from this Episode:
www.buildingareader.com
Building Readers book:https://amzn.to/4kZQuKR
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)

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
30 min
October 13, 2025354: Routines That Run Themselves
In this weeks episode, we're diving into the power of consistency in the classroom. Routines don't just happen overnight -- they're built overtime with patience, practice, and persistence. Gretchen will talk about how setting clear expectations and sticking to them helps create a classroom flow that feels natural and structured for students. Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned pro looking to refine your classroom management strategies, this episode will leave you with practical takeaways for building routines that practically run themselves.
Quotables
"Everyone had ownership in the space, and their option mattered."
"When they [students] reflect, it really opens up that door for that ownership to come later."
"It [routines] allows you to do what matters, and it allows them to run the classroom."
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)
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
34 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!