Educator Forever

Kendell Hunter is a former special education teacher and reading specialist with a master’s degree in education and more than a decade of experience across K–12 schools and edtech. She is the Director of Marketing at Otus, where she has spent nearly seven years helping districts turn assessment and student data into meaningful, actionable insights.

Kendell and I discuss how and she moved from teaching to ed tech, and how that’s lead to her having an impact nationally. She also gets into her transition into marketing and what it takes to find a new job in ed tech today.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode172.

Dr. Coral P.S. Hoh is a clinical linguist and the founder of Dysolve AI, a technology platform designed to support students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. With a PhD in linguistics, her work focuses on applying research and artificial intelligence to improve how dyslexia is identified and supported at scale.

In this episode, Coral and I discuss how she began studying dyslexia and how that lead to her creating Dysolve. She goes deep into how successful AI has been in helping language-processing issues and why she thinks AI should be integrated into education.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode171.

Emily Read Daniels is a former school counselor, a proud soccer mom, and the author and creator of The Regulated Classroom©. Through her work as a trauma specialist, she’s become internationally recognized in her field and as a trainer in the trauma-informed schools movement.

Emily and I spend the episode talking about the the overemphasis on data in education. We discuss the need for schools to focus on outcomes and teachers to align their lessons to their values. It’s an enlightening conversation that you don’t want to miss.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode170.

Lisa Riegel is the creator of the NeuroWell Framework and the 8C Commitment Framework, which are brain-based approaches to engagement and change. She holds a PhD from Ohio State in policy and leadership and is a former educator and school reform specialist turned leadership strategist. She is known for turning neuroscience into practical tools that help people gain happiness, health, and more success.

In this episode, Lisa and I talk about her journey from tech sales to education and the PhD work that drove her evolution. She also told me about how she integrates brain science into educational practices and the importance of of emotional and intellectual safety in schools.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode169.

A lifelong educator with extensive experience in challenging students inside and outside the classroom, Nicholas Bradford started his restorative justice education in 2009 working in therapeutic settings. Having worked with hundreds of schools and districts, he has built a robust program that delivers a comprehensive Restorative Justice framework

Nicholas and I talk about how he began teaching restorative justice and the successes he’s seen in the classroom after providing it, especially in discipline rates. He also gives some good tips on starting a consultancy!

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode168.

Patty McGee, the author of “Not Your Granny’s Grammar,” is a nationally recognized literacy consultant, speaker and educator with a passion for transforming classrooms into spaces where language and literacy come alive. With years of teaching experience under her belt, she’s become a strong advocate for delightful literacy practices.

In this episode, Patty describes how she went from teaching to starting her own literacy consultancy. She also gets into why there needs to be a shift in how grammar is taught, and why budding consultants and small business owners should write a book.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode167.

Jessica Werner, Ph.D. is the founder and CEO of Northshore Learning. She has worked with schools worldwide as an instructor, a professor of education and classroom management, and a consultant. She is passionate about helping to equip educators to work with students with varying academic and behavioral needs.

In this episode Jessica details how her education journey started with a trip to Chile. She also details how Northshore Learning helps teachers and how they need support through wraparound services and professional development.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode166.

Karen Meyer Cunningham is a  nationally recognized special education advocate, speaker, and mediator with over two decades of experience guiding families, educators, and professionals through the complexities of special education systems. Known as The Special Education Boss®, she brings deep expertise in IDEA, Section 504, and disability advocacy, with a clear commitment to ensuring equitable access and meaningful outcomes for students with disabilities.

Karen details how a difficult introduction to special education set her down her path to helping others. She also gets into her book, The Epic IEP, and how she runs her Special Education Academy. Make sure to tune in to hear how special education programs can improve.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode165.

Jim Hollis is the founder and executive director of the Calculus Roundtable, a nationally recognized nonprofit that improves math and science achievement for underserved students. Under his leadership, the organization has worked with over 65 schools across California, Washington, and New York, earning accolades such as the New Profit Foundation’s recognition of Hollis as one of America’s top 24 social entrepreneurs of equitable education.

Jim and I talk about the experiences that led him to start Calculus Roundtable as well as how it makes a difference in the classroom. We also get into the importance of providing engaging content in the classroom and the future of his organization.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode164.

Emily Cadiz is a teacher, musician, mom of three, and founder of Prelude Early Learning, home of Finnegan the Dragon. After a traumatic brain injury left her needing to relearn how to talk and walk, she rebuilt her skills through music and singing—an experience that inspired Prelude’s music-based approach to teaching language and pre-reading. With 20+ years in education and master’s degrees in education, special education, and music, Emily has created an NIH-supported program that’s shown up to 250% growth in early literacy skills. 

In our talk, Emily dives deep into her accident and her history as an educator. She emphasizes why she advocates for inclusive music in classrooms, rather than traditional speech therapy. She also has some great advice for those transitioning from education to entrepreneurship.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode163.