Melisa Rutkelis is the definition of a BOSS GIRL. She fights for the dreams of students and colleagues in CPS everyday. With a background in music education, Melisa taught for 8 years before becoming the Arts Education Specialist for Chicago Public Schools. In this interview, she's vulnerable about work-life balance. We discuss the importance of community, how to work together towards common dreams, and more. Listen up, friends. This is one inspiring woman. 

Link to an AWESOME, unrelated but yet kind of related book below. 

https://www.girlwashyourface.com/

Barry Kritzberg has been in education for (what I've estimated) over 50 years. He's taught in Chicago Public Schools as well as many independent schools. He's taught children and adults. In this episode, we bring you a great deal of his personal stories and experiences. We discuss why maybe you’re not feeling right in your position, how to give students ownership & respect, tips on building a future that you want, and more. He's not your typical teacher, and that is what is so great about him. Give it a listen! I'm sure you'll be inspired. 

Click here for the book written on his time teaching in CPS. 

HAPPY HOLIDAY BREAK, fellow teachers & college students! We have made it through the first half of the year, and we did so with immense success! Robbi follows up about that big cloud that was hanging over her head in the last dish session. She gives a money pro-tip and encourages you to actually take a break during this break. So much is happening with the podcast! Tune in to hear all of the updates, encouragements, and celebrations. 

Sign up for our new self-love letter! 

Click here

Tim Murphy is hugely intelligent, passionate, honest, and hilarious. In this episode, he shares with us his love for Lincoln, his approach to teaching, how important empathy is, how we can be more well-rounded people, and more. Disclaimer: We include numerous highly entertaining rabbit-holes in this discussion. ⁣

⁣I hope you love this episode about half as much as Tim loves Abe. 

Check out our new website! 

www.growingmindspodcast.com

Coming to you live from her bedroom, it's Wednesdaaay night! Robbi catches us up on how the tactics from the last dish session are working out. Then, we hear about the cloud of gloom that's been lurking over her head for the week. Finally, she ends on a positive note. Students ROCK. Tune in this weekend, December 16th on her social media pages for a big surprise!! 

Send advice or stories to chat with her about @growingmindspodcast on social media & gmail! 

In this episode, Kelsey is coming to us from Nebraska! She's an incredibly inspiring and comforting social influencer and educator. In this interview, she brings us insight on how to balance your career with your side hustle and how to make time for yourself! She also speaks from the heart about what she took away from her first year teaching. Join us on this adventurous chat! 

Visit her website by clicking here

Follow her on social media @adventuringkelsey

It gets real in this episode. Robbi shares a few embarrassing stories and opens up about her recent insecurities. The mission for the podcast is discussed again, becoming more and more clear as time goes on. The purpose of this dish session is to make you feel like you are not alone... and also to remind you to wear deodorant. 

Visit us on Instagram @growingmindspodcast 

December is bringing lots of awesome content & surprises! Stay tuned. xoxo

Thanksgiving is around the corner! That being said, this podcast host is super thankful for YOU, the listener. This dish session reminds us to include life skills as a side dish to our wonderful main meal of curriculum. Robbi reminds us that balancing our lives is an ongoing practice of a delicate mixture, just like baking the perfect pie. Carving out a few moments of mindfulness during your day can be as tricky as carving the perfect turkey - challenging, but worth it. I'll stop with the puns and let you gobble up the episode! 

Self-Compassion Workbook by Tim Desmond

Email any suggestions for guests or topics to:

[email protected]

Former Chicago Bears & Chicago Bulls drumline player, Enedina brings lots of passion and knowledge to the court! (I am a believer that puns are underrated.) In this episode, you’ll hear practical advice for student teachers, ideas for calming corners in the classroom, the dish on K-5 quirks and cuteness, encouragement to be in control of your contract, and more! Enedina is such a kind, successful, and rad lady. I’m positive you’ll love her just as much as I do. Happy listening! 

the Stop Breathe & Think app

Email us with any suggestions for guests or topics at 

[email protected]

Band director, father, husband, and mentor, this week's guest brings us so much knowledge and perspective. Mark Iwinski is a phenomenal band director currently at Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park, IL. In this episode, he tells us who's inspired him the most, how to be mindful about work-life balance, and his take on the ebb and flow of success. I promise if you listen, you will be impressed! 

Keep up with him and his ensembles at vjabands.com

Send your stories, findings, struggles, and celebrations to: 
[email protected]

And we will feature you and your story on the next episode! 

Love you all and see you next time. 

(Don't forget to rate & review!)