Front of the Class

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Hakeem Young is a math teacher and coach in Washington state, where he works with students across grades 6-8 while also mentoring student-athletes through football and wrestling programs. With years of experience guiding young people both in the classroom and in sports, Young focuses on helping students develop the character, responsibility, and respect they’ll need long after they leave school. 

In this special topical episode, Young shares the lessons that shaped his own approach to leadership and mentorship. From stories about the standards set by his grandfather to real-world experiences coaching students through mistakes and successes, he reflects on what it means for educators to serve as role models for the next generation. 

Get your free copy of The K-12 Teacher's Guide to Saving Time While Lesson Planning! 

Download for free here ➡️ https://teach.moreland.edu/save-time-lesson-planning-guide

Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams. 

• Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months 
• Earn a master's degree in 12 months 
• Keep growing with professional development

Learn more at moreland.edu

Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators. 

Keep the conversation going with us on social: 

• Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast
• TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast

Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career? 

Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months. 

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Becky Haenfler, the 2026 South Dakota Teacher of the Year, has spent 20 years building relationships and inspiring readers. Now in her role as a middle school ELA teacher in Avon, SD, she serves the same community that shaped her as a student. 

In this episode, Haenfler shares how teaching in a small rural school influences everything from translating lessons between coaching and the classroom to lifelong student connections. Reflecting on her full-circle journey back to her hometown, she offers practical insights for educators seeking deeper purpose, stronger student engagement, and a sense of belonging in their profession. 

Get your free copy of The K-12 Teacher's Guide to Saving Time While Lesson Planning! 

Download for free here ➡️ https://teach.moreland.edu/save-time-lesson-planning-guide

Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams. 

• Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months 
• Earn a master's degree in 12 months 
• Keep growing with professional development

Learn more at moreland.edu

Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators. 

Keep the conversation going with us on social: 

• Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast
• TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast

Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career? 

Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months. 

Send us Fan Mail

Cici Chen is an educator at a bilingual international school in Shanghai, China, with 14 years of experience teaching young learners. Known for creating joyful, engaging classrooms, Chen believes that when students genuinely enjoy learning, deeper growth naturally follows. 

In this special topical episode, Chen shares how her approach to teaching has evolved from relying on games to designing purposeful learning experiences that balance hands-on fun and meaningful skill development. Chen’s insights offer practical inspiration for educators looking to bring more joy into their classrooms while supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally. 

Get your free copy of The K-12 Teacher's Guide to Saving Time While Lesson Planning! 

Download for free here ➡️ https://teach.moreland.edu/save-time-lesson-planning-guide

Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams. 

• Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months 
• Earn a master's degree in 12 months 
• Keep growing with professional development

Learn more at moreland.edu

Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators. 

Keep the conversation going with us on social: 

• Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast
• TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast

Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career? 

Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months. 

Send us Fan Mail

After working in the high-intensity world of hedge funds, Sarah Emma Alexander made a life-changing pivot into international teaching and administration. Now teaching at a high school in upstate New York, she brings a strategic, problem-solving lens to education. 

In this episode, Alexander shares stories from her professional journey and insights about how educators can expand their impact, embrace salary and career growth opportunities, and help students prepare for real-world success. 

Get your free copy of The K-12 Teacher's Guide to Saving Time While Lesson Planning! 

Download for free here ➡️ https://teach.moreland.edu/save-time-lesson-planning-guide

Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams. 

• Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months 
• Earn a master's degree in 12 months 
• Keep growing with professional development

Learn more at moreland.edu

Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators. 

Keep the conversation going with us on social: 

• Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast
• TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast

Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career? 

Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months. 

Send us Fan Mail

At Clover Park Technical College in Washington state, educators Ronald Lethcoe and Dionna Faherty are building digital resource libraries and exploring how AI can be used to enhance classrooms and the learning experience. 

In this special topical episode, these colleagues go in-depth to highlight how thoughtful AI use can help students move beyond surface-level answers and engage more deeply with any curriculum while also discussing the importance of AI literacy, ethical considerations, and why teachers play a pivotal role in modeling responsible technology use for students. 

Get your free copy of The K-12 Teacher's Guide to Saving Time While Lesson Planning! 

Download for free here ➡️ https://teach.moreland.edu/save-time-lesson-planning-guide

Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams. 

• Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months 
• Earn a master's degree in 12 months 
• Keep growing with professional development

Learn more at moreland.edu

Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators. 

Keep the conversation going with us on social: 

• Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast
• TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast

Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career? 

Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months. 

Send us Fan Mail

Paddy Bailey is an elementary teacher in upstate New York who believes physical education can have an impact beyond games and competition. Teaching kindergarten through sixth grade, Bailey focuses on building relationships, providing leadership opportunities, and helping students grow through both success and failure. 

In this episode, Bailey reflects on why he prioritizes “process over product” and how he structures his classes to challenge advanced students while uplifting everyone. From celebrating small victories to helping secure a $10,000 bike grant so kindergartners can learn to ride, Bailey shares how passion and purpose fuel his work — an inspiring story that will resonate with new and experienced teachers alike. 

Get your free copy of The K-12 Teacher's Guide to Saving Time While Lesson Planning! 

Download for free here ➡️ https://teach.moreland.edu/save-time-lesson-planning-guide

Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams. 

• Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months 
• Earn a master's degree in 12 months 
• Keep growing with professional development

Learn more at moreland.edu

Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators. 

Keep the conversation going with us on social: 

• Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast
• TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast

Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career? 

Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months. 

Send us Fan Mail

Located in Washington, D.C., Dr. Emily Feistritzer has spent more than six decades shaping the field of education. From leading high school science and math classes as a 19-year-old to founding Moreland University and creating its innovative educator preparation program, she has dedicated her life to elevating the teaching profession. 

In this episode, Dr. Feistritzer shares insights from her unique career journey and reflects on the enduring purpose of teachers and why she believes artificial intelligence represents one of the most exciting opportunities in the history of education. 

Get your free copy of The K-12 Teacher's Guide to Saving Time While Lesson Planning! 

Download for free here ➡️ https://teach.moreland.edu/save-time-lesson-planning-guide

Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams. 

• Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months 
• Earn a master's degree in 12 months 
• Keep growing with professional development

Learn more at moreland.edu

Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators. 

Keep the conversation going with us on social: 

• Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast
• TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast

Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career? 

Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months. 

Send us Fan Mail

Megan Elniff is a fifth-grade science teacher at a Greek immersion school in North Carolina where the Socratic method is central to learning. Over 13 years in education, she has taught in multiple states and served in roles ranging from special education teacher to multilingual learner specialist, all of which shaped her dynamic, student-centered approach to teaching. 

In this episode, Elniff shares how discussion-based instruction transforms her classroom into a space where students lead with curiosity and grow as critical thinkers. Her insights about teaching in diverse communities and continually refining her craft to better serve students will resonate with teachers at any stage of their career. 

Get your free copy of The K-12 Teacher's Guide to Saving Time While Lesson Planning! 

Download for free here ➡️ https://teach.moreland.edu/save-time-lesson-planning-guide

Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams. 

• Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months 
• Earn a master's degree in 12 months 
• Keep growing with professional development

Learn more at moreland.edu

Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators. 

Keep the conversation going with us on social: 

• Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast
• TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast

Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career? 

Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months. 

Send us Fan Mail

Tiffani Jaseph is a veteran educator with 16 years of experience and a clear purpose: meeting each student’s individual needs. A former general education teacher who transitioned into special education, she now teaches in an extended resource program, helping students with the highest support needs from kindergarten through fifth grade. 

In this episode, Jaseph — the 2026 Arizona Teacher of the Year — discusses how she builds trust with families, and what it means to turn the smallest of progress into the biggest of victories while opening up about the emotional realities of the work, the importance of paraprofessionals and aides, and the power of creating an inclusive culture. 

Get your free copy of The K-12 Teacher's Guide to Saving Time While Lesson Planning! 

Download for free here ➡️ https://teach.moreland.edu/save-time-lesson-planning-guide

Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams. 

• Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months 
• Earn a master's degree in 12 months 
• Keep growing with professional development

Learn more at moreland.edu

Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators. 

Keep the conversation going with us on social: 

• Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast
• TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast

Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career? 

Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months. 

Send us Fan Mail

How do you prepare high school students for the realities of work, collaboration, and leadership before they enter college or the workforce? 

2026 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year Joel Coyne uses his classes to connect them with businesses and nonprofits to make a real impact on their community. 

In this special topical episode, Coyne explains how real-world expectations, consistent feedback, and strong classroom culture help his students rise to the occasion and feel truly prepared for life after school.

Get your free copy of The K-12 Teacher's Guide to Saving Time While Lesson Planning! 

Download for free here ➡️ https://teach.moreland.edu/save-time-lesson-planning-guide

Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams. 

• Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months 
• Earn a master's degree in 12 months 
• Keep growing with professional development

Learn more at moreland.edu

Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators. 

Keep the conversation going with us on social: 

• Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast
• TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast

Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career? 

Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months.