🎙️ No Name Paper Podcast | Featuring Alex Valencic
Episode Title: “Sustainable Teaching, Radical Reflection: A Conversation with Alex Valencic”

Episode Summary:
In this illuminating episode, we sit down with Alex Valencic, a passionate educator, instructional coach, and professional development advocate, for an honest conversation about the evolving role of teachers in today’s educational landscape.

Alex shares how his early love of learning led him into the classroom, and how that love has grown into a commitment to creating systems where teachers thrive—not just survive. From his advocacy for inquiry-based learning to his insights on teacher sustainability and burnout prevention, Alex offers a nuanced and deeply personal view of what schools could look like if educators were truly supported.

This episode is a must-listen for classroom teachers, campus leaders, and anyone seeking a better way forward in education.

💡 In This Episode, We Explore:

• 🎒 Alex’s journey from student to classroom teacher to coach

• 🧠 How professional learning communities (PLCs) can support authentic reflection—not compliance

• 🔁 The power of rethinking how we “do” PD, and how schools can stop overloading teachers

• ✏️ Lessons learned from instructional coaching and what helps teachers feel heard

• 🕊️ How to talk about teacher burnout without shame—and build cultures of sustainability

• 📚 Why Alex champions inquiry-based, student-centered learning

• 🔍 The importance of radical self-reflection in school leadership

• 🌱 What “sustainable teaching” really looks like—and why it matters now more than ever

📌 Quotable Moments:

“You cannot talk about teacher burnout if you’re not willing to talk about the system that causes it.”
“We need to treat professional learning as a conversation, not a checklist.”
“Students thrive when teachers are thriving. Full stop.”

Making Learning Magical with Kiki Powell

Show Notes:

Join us as we talk with Kiki Powell, an award-winning educator, mentor, and content creator known for her innovative teaching strategies and captivating classroom engagement. Kiki shares her journey of transforming the educational experience through creativity, costumes, and collaborations with leading educational brands.

In this inspiring episode, you'll learn:

• How Kiki uses costumes to make learning fun and memorable.

• Practical classroom strategies to boost student engagement.

• Insights on collaborating with brands to enhance educational resources.

• Kiki’s advice on classroom management and creating immersive learning environments.

Kiki’s dynamic approach demonstrates that education can be exciting, interactive, and impactful for students of all ages.

Connect with Kiki:

• Miss Powell Teaches

• Follow Kiki on Instagram

Resources Mentioned:

• Scholastic Teacher Fellowship

• Go-To Guide for Classroom Management

🎙️ Episode Title: Rethinking Depth of Knowledge and Inquiry with Erik M. Francis

📝 Show Notes:
In this episode, Erik M. Francis, author and depth of knowledge (DOK) expert, shares his insights on transforming educational practices with a focus on inquiry-based learning, smart brevity, and authentic engagement. Listen in as we explore the power of strategic questioning, depth of knowledge frameworks, and how to create learner-driven environments.

🌟 Key Topics:

• Understanding DOK as a framework, not a level system

• Using inquiry-based strategies to enhance student engagement

• Introducing "Smart Brevity" for clear, impactful communication

• The role of questioning in activating and advancing learning

• Real-world connections: Black Panther, The Scarlet Letter, and Romeo & Juliet

🌐 Mentioned Resources & Links:

• Erik’s website: Maverick Education

• Contact Erik: [email protected]

• Learn about Smart Brevity: Axios Smart Brevity

• Book: Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less

• Learn about Richard Feynman: Feynman Technique

🔗 Connect with Us:

• https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575763546845

• Subscribe, share, and leave a review!

📌 Episode Quote:

"It’s not about getting to DOK 4. It’s about getting students to the standard and beyond." – Erik M. Francis

Join Meghan Wells and Candice Miller as they sit down with education powerhouse Dr. Joy Wilson, whose career has spanned every educational role imaginable—from teacher and instructional coach to principal and superintendent. Joy is now sharing her insights through her podcast, Superintendent in Sneakers, and today she’s on No Name Paper to talk leadership, career growth, and educator side hustles.

In this episode, you'll hear:
✨ Practical advice for educators exploring leadership roles and career advancement.
🚀 Tips for starting and growing teacher side hustles and passion projects.
🌞 Strategic ways to approach professional development heading into summer break.
🎙️ Behind-the-scenes insights into Dr. Wilson’s podcast journey and her mission to inspire educators.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Dr. Joy Wilson’s Podcast: Superintendent in Sneakers

• Support local bookstores with our affiliate link at Bookshop.org

📚 Get your next favorite read:
Shop through our affiliate link at Bookshop.org to support independent bookstores while discovering great books recommended on the show!

🎧 Connect & Contribute:
Share your thoughts or questions by leaving us a voice message at SpeakPipe.com/NoNamePaper—your message might be featured in a future episode!

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to subscribe, review, and share with a friend if you enjoyed this episode.

Stay inspired, keep learning, and we'll catch you next time!

High Engagement, Real Results with John Meehan

Ready to ditch the ordinary and turn your classroom into a place students can't wait to enter? On this episode of No Name Paper, Candace and Meghan talk with John Meehan—educator, co-founder of EMC² Learning, and author of EDrenaline Rush and Fully EngagED.

John shares how theme parks, escape rooms, and video games can revolutionize student engagement. Learn how you can transform your teaching approach from traditional to unforgettable by crafting lessons that feel like adventures.

In this episode, you'll hear:
✨ What "theme park pedagogy" is and how to bring it into your classroom.
🔥 Practical ideas to boost engagement without burning out.
🎯 Why creating memorable classroom experiences leads to real academic growth.

Mentioned in this episode:
📚 EDrenaline Rush by John Meehan
📘 Fully EngagED by John Meehan & Michael Matera
🚀 EMC² Learning Community

💬 Join the Conversation:
Leave us a voice message at SpeakPipe.com/NoNamePaper—your message could be featured on a future episode!

Thanks to John Meehan for bringing the heat, the heart, and the hustle. If you're fired up about what's possible in education, subscribe, review, and share this episode with a fellow educator ready to level up their classroom game.

Let’s keep the energy high, and remember—engagement isn't extra; it's everything!

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share!

🗓️ Episode Summary:

This week on No Name Paper, we’re talking to Cheryl Graff—a Chicago-based high school special education teacher who turned an unexpected opportunity into a powerful cross-cultural learning experience. What started as a chance encounter has now grown into a thriving exchange program between her students and families in Germany.

Cheryl shares how she coordinates international travel for students with special needs, the life lessons learned through immersive cultural exchange, and what it’s like to flip the script by hosting German students here in the U.S. It’s part teacher talk, part travel guide, and packed with insights on turning the world into a classroom.

✈️ Whether you're a travel-loving educator or someone dreaming about launching your own exchange program, this episode is filled with real talk, planning tips, and unforgettable stories.

🎒 In This Episode:

• How Cheryl got started with student travel and exchange

• The logistics of sending and hosting international students

• Why cultural experiences are especially powerful for students with special needs

• Teachable moments from overseas misadventures

• A lightning round game: “Pack It or Pass It?”

• Cheryl’s must-pack travel item (and what she’ll never pack again)

💬 Guest:
Cheryl Graff – Special Education High School Teacher & Exchange Program Coordinator

🎧 Listen now and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

📝 Mentioned:

• Student exchange partnerships with Germany

• Inclusive travel for special education students

• Ferris Bueller vibes 😎

🧳 Want to share your own travel-teaching story or leave us a message?
Record a voice note for a future episode at: speakpipe.com/NoNamePaper

📣 PD Bonus:
Use the code PODCASTLOVE at checkout on TeachersDeserveIt.com for a special listener discount on educator resources!

Language Is a Bridge: A Conversation with Andrea Bitner

📚 Episode Summary:
In this inspiring episode of No Name Paper: The Teacher Podcast, we’re joined by educator, author, and advocate Andrea Bitner. With experience as an English language teacher, reading specialist, and literacy coach, Andrea shares how her work led her to champion a powerful message: learning a second language is an asset—not a handicap.

Andrea discusses her book Take Me Home, which highlights the stories of multilingual learners and reminds us that every student carries a story worth hearing. This conversation explores how educators can reframe language learning, prioritize empathy, and put culture first in the classroom.

🌍 Whether you’re an ESL teacher, a classroom educator, or someone passionate about equity in education, Andrea’s insights will leave you inspired.

🔗 Mentioned in the Episode:

• Take Me Home by Andrea Bitner

• Andrea’s website:https://www.andreabitnerbooks.com/

  and social links

  Linked In- https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-bitner-4bb6911ab/

  Instagram'- @andreabitnerbooks

🎧 Tune in to hear:

• Why language is a bridge, not a barrier

• How to celebrate the assets multilingual students bring

• Practical advice for creating inclusive classroom cultures

  🎤 Leave Us a Voice Message!
  We want to hear from you—your reflections, shout-outs, or stories.
  🎙️ Leave us a message at https://www.speakpipe.com/NoNamePaper and you just might be featured in an upcoming episode!

  📲 Stay Connected:

  • Instagram & Threads: @teachermegwells | @cm7teacha

  • Twitter/X: @schmegini

  Subscribe, rate, and leave a review!Leave us a voice message on SpeakPipe! 🎤

Episode 4: Teachers Deserve It – Featuring Rae Hughart
🗓️ Released: April 24,2025

Note speakpipe link was wrong in the episode. It is listed here.

This week, we’re having an early celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week with someone who lives and breathes advocacy for educators—Rae Hughart.

Rae is a nationally recognized educator, author, TEDx speaker, and the creator of the Teachers Deserve It movement. In this powerful conversation, we dive into her personal journey, the mission behind TeachersDeserveIt.com, and how teachers can access free tools, PD resources, and a whole lot of support.

💡 What You’ll Hear About:

• Rae’s path to creating Teachers Deserve It

• The impact of the movement on educators nationwide

• Strategies and resources available on TeachersDeserveIt.com

• How schools and districts can use the Learning Hub for PD

• What’s next for this growing educator movement

📝 Special Gift for Listeners:
🎁 Get free professional development access through the Teachers Deserve It Learning Hub.
Use code: PODCASTLOVE at checkout on TeachersDeserveIt.com

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• 💻 TeachersDeserveIt.com

• 📚 Teachers Deserve It (The Book)

• 🎤 Rae Hughart on Twitter: @RaeHughart

🎤 Leave Us a Voice Message!
We want to hear from you—your reflections, shout-outs, or stories.
🎙️ Leave us a message at SpeakPipe.com/no-name-paper, and you just might be featured in an upcoming episode!

📲 Stay Connected:

• Instagram & Threads: @teachermegwells | @cm7teacha

• Twitter/X: @schmegni

👋 Thanks for tuning in.
Keep showing up, speaking up, and standing up—for yourself and for each other.
Because yes—teachers deserve it.
We are No Name Paper, because teaching is anything but one-size-fits-all.

🎙️ Episode 3: Culture Over Compliance – A Conversation with Dr. Darrin Peppard
🗓️ Released: April 18, 2025

This week’s episode is a little longer than usual—but for good reason.

We sit down with Dr. Darrin Peppard, author of Culture First Classrooms, to explore why putting culture first transforms classrooms, campuses, and communities. From practical takeaways to leadership lessons, this conversation will challenge how you think about discipline, engagement, and what really drives student success.

This episode also kicks off our No Name Paper Book Club!

📚 Book Club Pick:
Culture First Classrooms by Dr. Darrin Peppard
📅 Launching April 21
🔗 Grab your copy at Bookshop.org to support local bookstores (not sponsored)

💬 Topics We Cover:

• What inspired the book

• Culture vs. compliance

• Building culture in high-stakes settings

• Supporting new teachers

• What didn’t make the book

• Top 5 culture must-haves

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a fellow educator.

👋 Connect With Us:
📸 Instagram & Threads: @teachermegwells | @cm7teacha

📝 No Name Paper: The Teacher Podcast
Because teaching is anything but one-size-fits-all.

Episode 2: “This IS a Test”

Release Date: April 7, 2025

✏️ Episode Description:In this candid conversation, Meghan and Candace dive into the realities of testing season—from personal experiences with standardized testing as students and teachers to the emotional and professional pressures that come with it.

🧪 Topics Covered in This Episode:They reflect on how testing has evolved , what it really measures (or doesn’t), and how it impacts students, especially English learners. Along the way, they share strategies to reduce stress and build confidence during testing season—and yes, they get a little honest about wishing testing could just... go away.

• The evolution of state testing from the 80s to now

• Test anxiety for both students and teachers

• The link between testing, teacher evaluations, and incentive programs

• Differences in testing culture across states and school types

• How testing affects English learners and transient student populations

• Balancing real learning with state mandates

• Reflections on vocational pathways and alternatives to traditional assessments

🎲 Segment: Teacher Truth or DareMeghan and Candice play a round of Teacher Truth or Dare.

📚 Book Club UpdateJoin our book club! Culture First Classrooms by Dr. Darrin Peppard

• Launch: April 21, 2025

• Blog Feature: Dr. Peppard’s behind-the-scenes look

• Hoping to feature Dr. Peppard in an upcoming bonus interview episode

• Grab your copy via Bookshop.org to support indie bookstores (not an ad—we just love it!)

  ❤️ Special Thanks:Co-Host: Candice Miller

• Producer: Meghan Wells

• Our amazing Teach Better Ambassador Group—you keep us going.

• Produced on Adobe Podcast Creator | Music by Adobe

  📲 Connect with Us

• Meghan Wells:

  • Twitter/X: @MeghanI

  • Instagram & Threads: @teachermegwells

  • BlueSky: @meghanmwells

• Candace Miller:

  • Instagram: @cm7teacha

  • Facebook: Coming soon (she promises!)

    💬 Final Words:

    Thanks for tuning in to No Name Paper: The Teacher Podcast.
    Because teaching is anything but one-size-fits-all.