This episode dives into a topic at the heart of strong public schools: association membership—what it means, why it matters, and how staying informed empowers us to advocate for the profession we love.

I am thrilled to be joined by Lisa Nentl-Bloom, Interim Executive Director of the Utah Education Association. With extensive experience—both here in Utah and through her work with the NEA Center for Organizing—Lisa brings a powerful perspective on how union membership strengthens educators, elevates our collective voice, and protects our profession.

In this episode, we will explore:

• Why membership is more important than ever,
• How associations advocate at the local, state, and national levels, and
• How podcasts like this help us stay connected, engaged, and informed.

This episode explores how school mental health efforts in Utah are growing from local, culturally responsive practices to statewide impact. We sit down with the Associate Director of School Mental Health Technical Assistance & Consultation at the UTTEC Lab, University of Utah, to discuss collaborative approaches, whole‑child practices, and the evolving work of the Utah School Mental Health Collaborative. Together, we unpack what it takes to support schools, uplift communities, and build equitable, culturally grounded systems of student wellness across the state.

In this episode, Lillian sits down with Dr. Sara Jones, Government Relations Director for the Utah Education Association. Dr. Jones is a leading voice for Utah’s educators and students, advocating for strong, effective education policy at the Utah Legislature. With her background as an educator, leader, and policy expert, she brings clarity, insight, and a deep commitment to ensuring that legislative decisions support teaching, learning, and student success.

Together, Lillian and Dr. Jones discuss how advocacy shapes public schools, and why educator voices matter in every legislative session. This conversation offers an inside look at how policy impacts classrooms—and how dedicated leaders like Dr. Jones work to strengthen education for all Utah students.

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Holly Todd—former elementary teacher, school counselor, and state‑level specialist—to explore what educator wellness truly looks like from someone who has lived it at every level of the system. Holly brings a grounded, compassionate perspective shaped by years of supporting both students and the educators who care for them.

Holly shares personal wellness insights, simple daily practices, and lessons learned from her own journey—offering reminders that wellness is not a destination but an ongoing, intentional practice.

Tune in for a thoughtful, honest conversation about wellness, resilience, and reclaiming balance in the work we love.

In this episode, we sit down with Sayre Posey, an educator whose impact reaches far beyond her classroom walls. Sayre’s commitment to literacy‑based social studies instruction and her passion for helping students build meaningful connections with history make her a powerful voice in today’s teaching landscape. Her work continues to inspire not only her students, but also the colleagues and communities.

Sayre also shares thoughtful guidance for early career educators, emphasizing the importance of building strong professional learning communities and seeking supportive mentorship. Through collaboration, reflection, and connection with experienced peers, she believes educators can find the insight, encouragement, and resilience needed to grow in the profession.

Join us for a conversation full of heart, practical wisdom, and a deep love for teaching—one that reminds us how powerful educators can be when they learn, lead, and grow together.

We are honored to speak with Michele Gay, founder and Executive Director of Safe and Sound Schools. Michele is a former elementary school teacher, a parent of a child with special needs, and a nationally recognized leader in school safety. Her mission is deeply personal: Michele lost her daughter, in the Sandy Hook School tragedy. In the years since, she has transformed unimaginable loss into a powerful force for learning, leadership, and change—bringing guidance, strength, and hope to school communities.

Michele’s unique blend of lived experience and professional expertise continues to inspire parents, educators, administrators, and community leaders to step forward with compassion, courage, and clarity as they work to make schools safer.

In this episode, we explore:

• 10 practical, leadership-driven tips for school safety
• The Safe and Sound Schools Framework, built around the 6 Domains of School Safety

• The idea of “filling our backpack”—the tools, resources, and mindsets we can carry with us to create safer, more resilient school environments

Heartfelt and grounded, Michele models what it means to lead with purpose—turning grief into advocacy, worry into readiness, and fear into informed, collective action.

Introduction to the Utah Education Association L3 Listen, Learn and Lead Podcast serves as a vital platform for educators in Utah, amplifying their voices and fostering dialogue on pressing educational topics that affect students, teachers, and the broader community. By featuring insights from a diverse range of educator leaders, school administrators, and community allies, the podcast aims to engage listeners in meaningful conversations that reflect the challenges and successes within public education.