Often described as a champion for marginalized communities, Delia Armstrong-Busby is an education hero in the state of Colorado! One of her greatest accomplishments was serving as the principal of a school located in a neighborhood rife with drug and alcohol abuse, gangs, unemployment and vandalism, she has created an orderly and safe learning oasis. Her management style can be characterized by vision, perseverance, team building and political savvy. This includes coordinating efforts of the police department, senior citizens, apartment managers, neighbors, realtors, parents, the business community, staff and students to mitigate the negative influences of the surrounding area, stressing the positive aspects of school life.

While having been "retired" for decades, Ms. Armstrong-Busby has no desire in stopping because she recognizes there is still too much work to be done. 

Hear what she is up to, how she shifted education when she is in the throes of it and is still shifting education and a community through here leadership. 

PS- As mentioned in the episode don't forget to sign-up for the Total Classroom Make-Over: From Mess to Success Workshop.  You can find out all about it here! 

And in case you want learn more about how I went from "mess to success", get a copy of my book "Taught" which you can find here. 

I am a keen believer in the power of happiness and I know that there is no true definition of happiness because the source of happiness is ultimately different for everyone.  However, wouldn't it be amazing if education was a source of happiness for ALL students?  What if happiness was at the core of how we approached education?  What if happiness was in fact our first priority?  I would venture to say that more learning would actually happen.  

In this week's episode I dive into the history of the American education system and consider what if... what if we approached education differently?  

I am truly "happy" to get to share this episode with you!  And, I really hope that if this sparks ANYTHING for you, to reply to this week's episode post, DM me or, email me and let me know what this episode is making you think!  

Here's the link to get access to my free From Novice to Natural Resource Guide which I mention in the episode! 

And, don't forget to DM me or shoot me a message if you are interested in my free 3 Months of Coaching!  You can let me know you're interested by either DM'ing me on Facebook or Instagram or filling out this interest form!  

Emily Hoover really is a "people extraordinaire" and we are sooooo lucky to have her as a guest on the next Teacher ReNEWed Podcast! After nearly a decade of teaching, Emily decided to take a sabbatical to study at the University of Cambridge where her research centered on interrogating the ways in which school leadership impacted teacher wellness and self-determination. Building upon this research, Emily created a framework to promote socio-emotional wellness, using self-determination theory as a means to foster a solutions-oriented mindset. Which is the very topic in which this episode digs into. Emily is passionate about developing an evolving understanding of how she can make this world a better place. She is doing just that and I cannot wait for you to hear how you can build your own capacity!

Pernille Ripp is an expert in literacy and technology integration and dedicates her research and practice to developing engaged and empowered students and communities. 

She is a teacher, speaker, author, blogger, and passionate advocate for education. She is the recipient of the 2015 WEMTA Making IT Happen Award; and the 2015 ISTE Award for Innovation in Global Collaboration. 

Pernille’s current research interest is in creating passionate literacy environments within the restriction of our current educational systems to helping students fall in love with literacy again. She uses her own classroom as a laboratory, as well as learns from the many educators she works with across the world. 

And, Pernille is this week's guest. Beyond the amazing books she writes and the incredible content Pernille teaches, in our conversation we dig into the ways teachers can lean into their passions and still have time to move students forward through teaching. You can follow Pernille’s work on Blogging Through The Fourth Dimension, her personal blog and a frequent Teach100 top-rated education blog.

You can find Pernille at https://pernillesripp.com/

And don't forget to enter a raffle to win one of Pernille's books.  You can enter here or screen shot this episode and share it on your stories and remember to tag me @teacher_renewed!  

Okay, we're human, we are all going to make mistakes, but it is always great when someone specifically tells us how to avoid these mistakes. 

In this episode not only are you going to hear about three common mistakes to avoid, but I will talk you through HOW to avoid them in order to start the school year strong!  

I also mention two amazing resources that you can download... for FREE to support you in starting the year off strong. 

First 15 Days of School- Classroom Culture Planning Guide 

Novice to Natural: A Teacher's Guide to Classroom Success 

And if you want to dig in more deeply then I highly recommend you get a copy of my book Taught: A Memoir and Educator's Guide to Classroom Transformation and Student Liberation .  It goes into detail of some of the stories I share in this episode, what I learned, and how to do better!  

This week's guest is FULL of ways to ensure students feel safe, happy, excited at school.  He shares ways in which staff and students can in fact infuse kindness across the school in its entirety!

Sam Stecher is a husband, dad, educator, author, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience. He has provided instruction, training, and leadership at every level from elementary school to university institutions.  And, when Sam saw a need to add more kindness in his school, he founded Mission Monday!

You can find Sheila on Instagram @chronically_meditating 

Ben Lindy currently serves as the president of the Cincinnati Pubiic Schools School Board. His work in education for the last two decades has evolved and is now driven by his experience as a classroom teacher, law school, Harvard, getting a education non-profit off the ground and most importantly being a parent. 

Ben has seen extraordinary things happen in education and the most profound being watching students devour the opportunity to learn and be great members and leaders in this country.  He explains, once you see what is possible, you can't un-see it and this is what drives Ben to do the work he does in education. 

In this episode Ben and I talk parenting, politics (don't let that scare you),  rage, hope, stories about his former students and so much more!  I can't believe we fit so much into 30 minutes!

Listen to how Ben's passion his work on the policy end  of things and how he goes about working to change the face of education.  

Sheela Barot took the bar and failed... and failed again, then realized, the failing was a message for her to actually fulfill her dream as a teacher.  After nine years as a classroom teacher, she found herself leaving due to not only medical issues but also system issues.  After recognizing her life needed a shift, she found holistic healing and has embarked on a journey to improve hers and others health.  In this time Sheela has found peace, health, and her way back to the classroom. 

Sheela's story will inspire the masses, especially those of us educators who might be experiencing medical challenges or who are simply saying, "I don't want to do this anymore."  You are not alone and sometimes that time away is EXACTLY what we need in order to find our way back to education.  Just as Sheela has done. 

If you are an educator wanting or needing a holsitic health coach who gets what you are going through, you NEED to get in contact with Sheela! 

You can find Sheela: 

IG @sheelabarot23 and @sheelabarotpoetry 

www.sheelabarot.com

Imagine not only enduring the pandemic, but also teaching 600 students, raising a toddler, AND being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

This week's guest is truly inspiring as she in fact lived all of things simultaneously and yet has found a renewed love of teaching and a zest for life.

Christyn Waldrop is extraordinary and has energy to boot. She has been an educator for 12 years and has no plans stopping.

This week's episode will leave you with a renewed sense of hope and belief!

You can find Christyn @t1d.teacher and of course...

And, if you enjoyed this episode, please share it and tag me @teacher_renewed or leave a review!  It would be an honor to have your feedback!