In this special episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Dr. Natalie Fallert brings you a heartwarming celebration of educators everywhere. With all the appreciation days that fill the month of May, we decided to join in the celebration by reflecting on the moments and mentors that inspired us, the most meaningful gestures we’ve received, and the powerful ways we can show appreciation to others.

This episode isn’t your typical two-guest format—instead, Natalie invites friends and fellow educators to share their stories, shout-outs, and small but mighty moments of gratitude. Whether it’s the reason they entered the profession or the best “thank you” they ever received, each story is a reminder of the magic in education.

So take a deep breath, enjoy the journey down memory lane, and let this episode refill your cup as the school year winds down. Because even on the toughest days, your presence matters—and that alone is a gift.

In Episode 80 of the Compass PD Podcast, Dr. Stephanie Brenner and Dr. Sherri Lorton take you inside the often overwhelming world of end-of-year data. But this isn’t just about spreadsheets and scores — it’s about telling the real story behind the numbers.

Together, they explore common pitfalls, share expert strategies for making sense of math and literacy data, and explain how to craft a meaningful data story that drives instructional growth. You’ll walk away with practical tips on how to reflect, celebrate progress, and plan smarter for next year. Whether you’re a teacher, coach, or leader, this episode will help you move from data chaos to clarity.

In this powerful episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Michelle Kearns—educator and mother to her son Gehrig, who is on the autism spectrum—joins Dr. Natalie Fallert to build upon her touching blog More Than Words: An Autism Journey. Michelle shares what she wishes every educator, parent, and student knew about autism, and how we can all do better to cultivate true belonging in our schools.

From leading through compassion to making space for students’ interests, Michelle offers heartfelt stories and practical advice from both her professional and personal experiences. She encourages teachers to view autism as a difference, not a deficit, and reminds us all that every student’s needs and gifts are unique.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, leader, or parent, this episode will inspire you to create a more inclusive, understanding, and joyful learning environment. (And yes, we know the audio gets a little wonky—but we promise, this conversation is worth it!)

In this uplifting episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Dr. Carrie Hepburn is joined by Dr. Declan Fitzpatrick and Dr. Elizabeth Malloy—two leaders passionate about keeping instruction at the forefront of their work. With honesty and heart, they share what it looks like to lead learning while navigating the realities of school leadership. From 30-second feedback loops to shared calendars and grace-filled mindsets, this episode is full of encouragement and real-world strategies. Whether you’re just stepping into leadership or are a seasoned admin, this conversation will reignite your commitment to instructional leadership and remind you—you’re making a difference every single day.

In this solo episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Dr. Natalie Fallert invites educators to try something both brave and rewarding—student-led book clubs. As testing season wraps up and attention spans wane, spring is the perfect time to launch a flexible, choice-driven reading experience that fosters deep conversations, authentic learning, and student ownership.

Natalie breaks down what book clubs really are (hint: not lit circles with packets), why they’re worth trying—even if it’s messy—and how you can get started right now, using the books you already have. Whether you're a classroom teacher testing the waters or an instructional leader looking to spark student engagement, this episode is your friendly nudge to let go, lean in, and trust your readers.

In this episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Dr. Natalie Fallert and Dr. Stephanie Brenner explore the world of test prep—and not the kind that makes kids (and teachers) cringe. From everyday instruction that builds confidence to last-minute strategies that matter most, this episode unpacks practical, mindset-shifting approaches for elementary and secondary classrooms.

You’ll hear realistic strategies and powerful reminders that testing should never define your students—or your teaching. Whether you're a teacher, instructional coach, or administrator, this conversation will help refine your approach to high-stakes testing with clarity, purpose, and heart.

In Part 3 of The Powerful Connection Between Teacher Empowerment and Student Achievement, Dr. Carrie Hepburn is once again joined by Dr. Bridgett Niedringhaus to continue the inspiring and actionable series. This episode focuses on the essential relationships that fuel student success: teacher-student, teacher-parent, and teacher-self.

Dr. Niedringhaus explores how empowered teachers foster deeper connections with families, support the whole child through holistic practices, and build classroom cultures of high expectations and student ownership. Together, Carrie and Bridgett share real examples and simple strategies that help educators strengthen communication, celebrate student progress, and inspire achievement.

Whether you're a teacher, coach, or school leader, this episode will leave you equipped to empower your staff and students through meaningful relationships and actionable reflection.

Summer school is no longer just a place for credit recovery or extra practice—it’s a powerful opportunity to reimagine what’s possible for student engagement and growth. In this episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Dr. Sherri Lorton is joined by three passionate educators—Dr. Kara Dalton, Dr. Elizabeth Malloy, and David Gentili—who’ve spent years leading and evolving summer programs across K–12 settings.

Together, they share their candid experiences—what worked, what didn’t, and how the most meaningful transformation came not from perfection, but from reflection, feedback, and data-informed tweaks along the way. Whether you’re launching your first summer program or fine-tuning a well-established one, this episode offers practical strategies, lessons learned, and encouragement to keep evolving. Because when it comes to building better summers, it’s not about getting it perfect—it’s about getting it better, every year.

No one likes difficult conversations, but effective leaders can’t avoid them. Whether addressing student performance, parent concerns, or staff accountability, the way you handle tough discussions can either build trust or break morale.

In this episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Dr. Stephanie Brenner sits down with Dr. Chris Greiner, Chief Executive Academic Officer for Raytown Quality Schools, to explore:
✅ How to start tough conversations & keep them productive
✅ Balancing accountability & empathy to foster trust
✅ Common pitfalls leaders face & how to avoid them
✅ Tactful communication strategies to de-escalate defensiveness
✅ Go-to frameworks & scripts for handling conflict effectively

Leading isn’t about avoiding hard conversations but learning how to navigate them with confidence, clarity, and respect. If you're a school leader, instructional coach, or administrator, this episode is packed with practical tools you can use today.

The latest results from The Nation’s Report Card & NAEP tests reveal a continued decline in reading proficiency across all student groups. With less than one-third of 4th and 8th graders reading at or above grade level, it’s easy for educators to feel discouraged. But instead of getting defensive, let’s focus on solutions.

In this episode of the Compass PD Podcast, Dr. Natalie Fallert breaks down:
📊 What the NAEP results actually tell us (hint: it’s not just about public schools)
📉 The impact of technology on attention spans, critical thinking, & reading ability
📖 4 powerful strategies educators can implement right now to improve reading outcomes
🚀 Opportunities to learn new techniques for boosting student engagement & literacy

While the data may seem discouraging, there is hope. Join us this summer to learn how we can partner together to help students become stronger readers. Let’s get inspired and take action!