A conversation with Ashley, a public middle school teacher, doing her best to meet students where they are, both emotionally and academically. She struggled last year with her 8th-grade students not meeting the academic standards to proficiently "graduate."

Most importantly, we talk about the awesome ways in which she HAS achieved success in helping students do their best and be their best. We also discuss the opportunity for schools to better support the mental health of teachers so they can be their best for students.

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an interview interest form here or email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠struggleforchange.com⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠.

Emily Hendricks (@eh48), Traci Bonde (@tr_bo), and Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine) transport you to a Zen space known more commonly as a wellness room that was piloted at #FallCUE and brought fully to life at #SpringCUE with the support of Axiom. The space appealed to all senses with activities, décor, and furniture intentionally placed. While that space described was at a conference, the hosts discussed the reality of wellness rooms on school campuses. What’s the school culture around the use of the wellness rooms? What kind of guidelines or culture will there need to be for this new space? Don’t forget the funding necessary. Join us, lean in, take a deep breath, and give yourself a bit of rest.

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an ⁠interview interest form here⁠ or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠struggleforchange.com⁠⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Here’s the first episode of pocket change, where the discussion is short and sweet, for those with less time to listen. Valerie (@MlleValSunshine) shared the awesomeness of the wellness room at the #SpringCUE Conference in Palm Springs with Emily (@eh48) who wasn’t able to attend this year. They share this innovative model and the need for a wellness room at conferences where attendees can have a space to rest in a mentally and physically draining setting. Together, they dream of having this kind of space on school campuses where students can have the chance to relax. Do you have a wellness room on your school campus or workspace? Let us know!

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an ⁠interview interest form here⁠ or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠struggleforchange.com⁠⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Emily (@eh48) in California, chats with Brianna in Michigan, who has been passionate about music and was on track to earn her undergraduate degree in music with an interest in becoming a teacher. In her second year of college, her classes were moved online due to COVID safety and restrictions. She pivoted to another passion - cosmetology. Tune in as she shares the stigma of alternative education and the joy she has every day in her profession.

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an ⁠interview interest form here⁠ or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠struggleforchange.com⁠⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Emily (@eh48) talks with two of her former students, Vivaan and Noah, who are currently both Sophomores in a fully-online high school (Stanford OHS). They discuss some of the pros and cons of online learning, why they decided this school was a good fit and the challenges they face balancing education with other important aspects of life.

Additional Resources:

Pros and Cons of Online School  By Linda Lee Baird|March 22, 2022, at 3:58 p.m.

How do you know if online school is right for your child? Experts say some of the reasons families have selected online learning include:

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an ⁠interview interest form here⁠ or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠struggleforchange.com⁠⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

In this episode, Traci Bonde (@tr_bo) starts a conversation with Joe Ayala (@joeayala) in regards to his 2022 CITE Conference session about resilient leaders. He shares his process to prepare for the session, the reasons for demonstrating his vulnerability, and the practices he continues with to ensure his mental health. Tune in to find ways to self regulate and to stay grounded.

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an ⁠interview interest form here⁠ or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠struggleforchange.com⁠⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Traci Bonde (@tr_bo) kicks off this episode by sharing her professional background and the realization that she needed to create boundaries in order to maintain balance. She shares the small changes she has made and the ways she protects her time and productivity. Emily Hendricks (@eh48) shares the self-care steps she has taken to recharge from different work environments. Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine) reflects on the demands of teaching and educators wanting to do it all to be the best teacher at a high physical, emotional, and mental cost. They recognize that good mental health doesn't require big vacations or frequent getaways. Daily, small changes in our habits can provide high dividends in happiness and better social, emotional, mental, and physical health.

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an ⁠interview interest form here⁠ or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠struggleforchange.com⁠⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Emily Hendricks (@eh48) begins this episode with a reflection on the difficulties of making a transition and listening to her gut when it comes to making changes. Traci Bonde (@tr_bo) compares transitory steps to the stages of grief. Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine) points out that everything we do is hard when it is not part of our regular routine. Join us in this discussion about making changes in our lives, if there is a possibility for systemic change in education, and how we can all be better “listeners of our gut.”

Are you an education professional or a student that is struggling? Email us at [email protected]. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: struggleforchange.com.

Find us on Twitter: @strug4change.

Find us on Instagram: @struggleforchangepodcast.

Find us on Facebook: @struggleforchangepodcast.

We’re 3 years into the progression of COVID where some of us feel like it’s a thing of the past and others are still diligently masked and taking precautions. Traci Bonde (@tr_bo), Emily Hendricks (@eh48), and Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine) explore the effects of our post-COVID collective “whiplash” that we witness in our classrooms and workplaces, setting boundaries for our own benefit, and the fact that there is no “normal” for us to return to in this post-shutdown time.

Are you someone with a story about a struggle related to education?

Submit an ⁠interview interest form here⁠ or email us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: ⁠⁠struggleforchange.com⁠⁠.

Find us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Find us on Facebook: ⁠⁠@struggleforchangepodcast⁠⁠.

Traci Bonde (@tr_bo), Emily Hendricks (@eh48), and Valerie Sun (@mllevalsunshine) come back together for Season 3, after several months of podcast hiatus, to share the news: We’re still here and we’re still struggling. This short and sweet episode shares thoughts for future episodes.

Are you an education professional or a student that is struggling? Email us at [email protected]. We would love to hear your story.

Visit our website: struggleforchange.com.

Find us on Twitter: @strug4change.

Find us on Instagram: @struggleforchangepodcast.

Find us on Facebook: @struggleforchangepodcast.