Front of the Class

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Frannie Tunseth is the 2026 North Dakota Teacher of the Year and a math and reading interventionist serving grades 4-8 in a small rural community. With experience as a kindergarten, first-grade, and fourth-grade teacher — and even as an elementary school principal — she has a unique perspective on what students need to succeed, especially those who arrive in her classroom feeling discouraged or behind. 

In this episode, Tunseth shares how she helps students reignite their passion for learning and make academic gains through trust, out-of-the-box writing lessons about early-2000s music, and data-driven instruction. Her insights can help teachers at every level more meaningfully celebrate academic progress and change the way their students see themselves as learners. 

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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Dr. Michael Lehan spent 6 years playing in the NFL before navigating the education world as a principal, superintendent, head of school, and district leader. From growing up in foster care to graduating from the University of Minnesota and playing football at the highest level, his journey reflects a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives. 

Now in Massachusetts, Dr. Lehan joins this episode to discuss how school can be both a challenging environment and a safe place, how educators can help shape students’ identities, and why he believes in leading with humility and curiosity. His story offers meaningful insight for any educator striving to build trust, create thriving learning spaces, and help children grow in all aspects of their lives. 

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

Ali Snabon-Jun, the 2026 Nevada State Teacher of the Year, has spent 20 years teaching music in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas. From opening new schools to re-establishing elementary music programs from the ground up, she has created classrooms and choirs defined by joy and the belief that every student can rise to meet high expectations. 

In this episode, Snabon-Jun shares how she builds trust with administrators to teach creatively, why she leads with encouragement and honesty, and how her inclusive classroom culture gets meaningful results. Whether she's inspiring students to discover their voices or making an 80-member choir into a schoolwide family, Snabon-Jun offers a fresh perspective for teachers looking to inspire confidence and growth in every learner. 

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

Named the 2026 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year, Toni Fink has spent her career teaching in Milwaukee Public Schools, the largest and most diverse district in the state. After teaching abroad and pursuing an alternative pathway into the profession, she has built a career on the belief that every child deserves to be seen and valued. 

In this episode, Fink shares how she creates learning environments on a foundation of safety and trust, where curiosity is celebrated and students’ needs guide every decision. She shares how flexible classroom design and personal relationships help students excel both academically and socially.

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

Before becoming a teacher, Linda Alvarez built a successful career in the corporate sector — honing leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that would later define her approach to education. Now the 2026 Vermont Teacher of the Year, she reflects on how her journey into teaching reveals the value of bringing real-world experience into the classroom. 

In this special topical episode, Alvarez explores the power of transferable skills and how career changers can use their backgrounds to connect with students, collaborate effectively, and thrive in 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

Sarah Dully has built her career on helping young people articulate their ideas with confidence and clarity whether they’re crafting college essays, analyzing literature, or navigating everyday communication. 

In this episode, Rhode Island’s 2026 Teacher of the Year reflects on the classroom moments that shape her work, the joys and challenges of teaching English and special education, and the value of embracing constant learning and feedback. Dully’s stories offer practical insight for educators and encouragement for anyone striving to help students find their voice. 

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

As the 2026 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year, Megan Philbrook focuses on filling her classroom with curiosity and creativity for the fifth through eighth grade social studies students in her rural community. 

In this episode, Philbrook shares how she brings history to life through immersive lessons, why students love her simulations, and the importance of listening and emotional engagement. From reenacting the stock market crash to debating the Articles of Confederation, her students don’t just learn about history — they experience it. Teachers in any subject area can come away with new inspiration from Philbrook’s insights. 

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

Dr. Jenna DiEleuterio is the 2026 Delaware State Teacher of the Year and a middle school reading specialist in the Brandywine School District. She channels her passion for creating meaningful relationships and stronger school–community connections into helping students build confidence in their reading skills. 

In this episode, Dr. DiEleuterio shares her insights on approaching reading intervention with empathy and data, why she believes teaching is both an art and a spiritual practice, and how teachers can help create community movements. Her reflections can offer inspiration for educators seeking to make a deeper impact in their classrooms and beyond.

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

Tammy Irminger has spent 20 years in education, from teaching third, fourth, and sixth grade to serving as a librarian at MacArthur Elementary School on the Fort Leavenworth military base. With a passion for literacy and creating meaningful connections with students, she’s built a career centered on helping every child feel seen, supported, and inspired to learn. 

In this episode, Tammy shares how she builds strong relationships in a school community where students often move, encourages reluctant readers to fall in love with books, and maintains high expectations while creating a family-like classroom environment. Her insights offer heartfelt lessons for educators at every 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

After 25 years in education, Kimberly Henderson knows that where you teach and who you teach alongside can shape every part of your career. Now based in Egypt, Henderson reflects on her journey through U.S. and international classrooms, and what it really means to find your people, your purpose, and the right school for you. 

In this special topical episode, Henderson shares how she found a school community that feels like home and offers advice for educators searching for the same sense of belonging and alignment. 

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.