Berit Gordon is an author and coach of teachers from across the country. Her book, The Joyful Teacher, is a collection of tried-and-true strategies that empower teachers and help them create an even greater impact in their classroom. Her other book,  No More Fake Reading, offers solutions for boosting stamina, joy, and skills among adolescent readers. Whether running workshops, leading coaching sessions or working in classrooms, Berit strives to empower teachers so they can empower students. Her sincerity and passion for this endeavor are evident within the first few minutes of this interview. 

Jennie Brown has 800 students. Not in her lifetime, not in the last decade, right now, each and every week. Jennie teaches Elementary Music in Bluffdale, UT. She is a passionate teacher and learner, always looking for the next amazing thing to learn. Moving from the grade level classroom to the Music classroom has allowed Jennie to embrace Joy as a daily practice. Jennie uses team building activities, movement, singing, instruments, dance, and music games to consistently help students experience the joy of their childhoods and just listening to her talk about it will make you want to do the same, no matter what age and what content you teach. 

Catherine Baker, my heart warms up at the sound of her name. If you knew Catherine, you’d know exactly what I mean. She smiles and lights up the room with her goodness. She’s kind and sweet, thoughtful and smart, and when she talks with you her energy and her eyes make you feel like you might be the most important person in the world. 

Catherine has seen heartache in recent years. While some might sour as a result, it seems she’s allowed herself to become even more tender, more empathetic, more in love with the work of her heart than maybe she ever has been. Her resilience in our profession offers us inspiration to take the next step, and the next one, and the next one. Because she believes in us. And she makes us believe in us too. 

If ever I had a kindred spirit, Kathryn McRitchie is it. We met in a class I was teaching at Stanford University one summer, Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching for Social Studies. She walked in with her “Moms Demand Action” tote bag and said good morning to me with her Tennessee accent; to say she had me at hello is just the truth. Since then we’ve remained in touch, developing a friendship grounded in the love of our kids (and of story corps, truth be told) and a deep passion for both the art and the science of teaching. 

Kat’s joy is endearing, quirky, and delightful. She is unabashedly curious and allows that curiosity to lead her anywhere it wants to, even if it makes people think she’s a little nuts. She is a little nuts, just like we all are, and part of what makes her so special is that she doesn’t wear the cloak of cool to pretend otherwise. She’s exceptionally smart, super witty, deeply faithful, and among the most nurturing people I know. It was my great fortune to gain such a great colleague as she walked into my classroom that summer morning years ago, and it’s my great privilege, now, to call her friend. 

I came to know Shauna through her instagram, Teach for the Culture. The first thing I ever saw was a tshirt that said, “Joy and Learning Must Co-exist,” something I’ve taken on as a bit of a mantra if you remember Peter’s episode earlier this season. Her merch was so cute I loved seeing new things as she added them every couple of weeks. What I found myself doing, however, was sticking around not for her merch, but for her message. Straight, unapologetic talk to teachers in service to our kids. It didn’t take long to know that Shauna was my people. And when I decided to dedicate a season to normalizing joy, I thanked my lucky stars for the DM feature on Instagram and then, again, when she returned my message. 

Shauna issues several calls to action in this episode that I wholeheartedly co-sign. And if you legs get a little wobbly, go to her merch shop and get yourself a shirt or a hoodie to remind yourself and others just what you’re here to do: Serve our kids with joy, which means also serving them with the love they deserve. 

Carlos' joy does not run loud like Peter’s and Ashlei’s, it runs quiet like a strong current under still water. It’s the sparkle in his eyes, the turned up corner of his shy smile, the feeling you get when you walk into his classroom and feel ready to be brave because you know your teacher has created a space for you to thrive, as if it was your birthright. 

And it is. It is your birthright to thrive. 

Every day I worked with Carlos I was reminded by his actions, his words, and his energy, that we all are both worthy and capable of vulnerably stepping into our own light to learn and laugh and be loved. 

Ashlei is lit from within with a joy that is pure goodness. Yes she will make you laugh. Yes she will lead the dance party. And, yes, she is good good good to the core. You can’t help but feel your vibration rise in her presence. If a rising tide lifts all boats, Ashlei’s energy lifts all spirits. 

Don’t be fooled by the dinosaur costume or the spirit week gear. This woman is nobody’s fool. And she won’t let you be either. She is smart and driven and on a mission to lead a school with her heart on her sleeve. After you listen to this conversation, you just might be inspired to do the same. 

Peter Myers exudes a light that is so bright it can knock you off your feet.  We shared an office and a classroom the year he was my student teacher and, when Peter arrived on my doorstep, he brought the spirit of joy along with him. Peter exemplifies what it means to normalize joy and invites all of us to find our own way to do the same. 

Each August is set aside dedicated to a book to help us get back into the thinking and doing of school. This season we look at pieces from my book, Nothing's Missing. Rather than share a story from the last chapter, "Rise Tall Toward the Sun," I am taking a few minutes to reflect and explore our role as teachers in this very complex time. How can we remember how to take action toward rising tall in our gifts as educators, so that others may do the same? I hope with my whole heart it will serve you well as you head back to school in the coming days.