"The Bulldog Educator" with Kirsten Wilson and Matthew Caston

In this episode of The Bulldog Educator Podcast, co-host Matthew Caston sits down with Carrie Rogers and Kirsten Wilson (normally one of the co-hosts, but in this episode is a guest) to explore their upcoming book, "Inclusive Digital Citizenship."

This conversation challenges the way we think about digital citizenship, moving beyond internet safety lessons and screen-time debates to ask a deeper question: How do we create digital spaces where every learner can belong, engage, and thrive?

Together, the authors unpack the realities of the digital divide, the growing importance of digital literacy across generations, and why access alone is not enough. They explore how schools, families, libraries, and communities can intentionally design learning experiences that prioritize human connection while preparing learners for increasingly digital worlds.

Listeners will also get an inside look at the structure of the book itself — designed as both a practical implementation guide and a big-picture framework — allowing educators, leaders, and families to engage with the content in ways that meet their immediate needs.

From growth mindset and cross-generational learning to the “connection matrix” framework and the difference between knowledge and wisdom in digital spaces, this episode offers an honest and hopeful conversation about what inclusive digital citizenship can look like in today’s world.

Whether you are an educator, school leader, parent, librarian, or community advocate, this episode will leave you thinking differently about technology, opportunity, and what it truly means to prepare learners for the future.

For more information on how to obtain the book "Inclusive Digital Citizenship: Ideas and Implementation"

To connect with Carrie Rogers:

Website: Digital Responsibility- https://respons-ability.net/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerswhitehead/

Other books by author Carrie Rogers: https://respons-ability.net/books-on-digital-citizenship/

To connect with Dr. Kirsten Wilson:

Website: The Bulldog Educator, LLC. - https://thebulldogedu.org/

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-s-wilson/

Listeners please share your thoughts and ideas with us on our social media accounts on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @thebulldogedu or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebulldogedu.bsky.social

You can also find us via our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thebulldogedu.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also follow Matthew on LInkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matthew Caston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Matthewccaston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MattCaston.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

and Kirsten on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or X @teachkiwi, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIN ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as Kirsten Wilson or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teachkiwi.bsky.social

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In this episode of The Bulldog Educator, Dr. Lisa Riegel joins the conversation to explore how brain science and academic optimism can rehumanize education from the inside out. Drawing on her research at the principal level, Dr. Riegel unpacks the distinct leadership factors that drive school effectiveness—building management and instructional supervision—and explains how her NeuroWell framework helps schools create environments that are safe, supportive, and proactive. Through practical strategies like learning sprints, authentic celebrations, and intentional routines that build resilience, she illustrates how leadership sets the tone for lasting change. The conversation also dives into the power of trust—sharing real examples from urban and Appalachian communities that demonstrate how meaningful family engagement, cultural understanding, and community partnership transform schools into interconnected ecosystems where students, families, and educators thrive together.

Books:

Neurowell

Aspirations for Operations: A Leader’s Guide for Making Transformation Stick

Connect with Dr. Lisa Riegel:

https://www.epinstitute.net/

email: ​[email protected]

LinkedIN

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You can also find us via our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thebulldogedu.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also follow Matthew on LInkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠Matthew Caston⁠⁠⁠⁠, Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Matthewccaston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MattCaston.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

and Kirsten on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or X @teachkiwi, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIN ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as Kirsten Wilson or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teachkiwi.bsky.social

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What if staffing in early childhood education was built on community instead of commission?

In this episode of The Bulldog Educator Podcast, Kirsten Wilson and Matt Caston sit down with Paul Buckley, co-founder of Ratio Staffing, a platform designed exclusively to connect preschools with substitute teachers, enrichment educators, and speech pathologists.

Paul shares his journey from preschool teacher to biotech leader—and how witnessing predatory substitute agency practices inspired him to build something better. Ratio Staffing operates on a simple pay-as-you-go model, eliminating the noise and high fees of traditional job sites while prioritizing meaningful, community-centered connections.

Together, the conversation explores:

• The historical context of education systems and how it shapes today’s practices

• The value of diverse lived experiences in learning and leadership

• Why AI-driven resume screening often misses strong qualitative educators

• How empowering teachers with agency reduces stress—and benefits children

• The importance of listening deeply to schools before building solutions

Currently serving California, Texas, Rhode Island, and Toronto, Ratio Staffing is expanding across the U.S. and Canada with a mission to better support preschool communities.

If you care about early childhood education, ethical hiring practices, and building systems that truly serve educators and children, this conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen now and join us as we rethink what workforce support can look like in preschool education.

Listeners please share your thoughts and ideas with us on our social media accounts on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @thebulldogedu or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebulldogedu.bsky.social

You can also find us via our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thebulldogedu.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also follow Matthew on LInkedIn ⁠⁠⁠Matthew Caston⁠⁠⁠, Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Matthewccaston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MattCaston.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

and Kirsten on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or X @teachkiwi, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIN ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as Kirsten Wilson or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teachkiwi.bsky.social

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In this episode of The Bulldog Educator, Kirsten Wilson sits down with Chris Hull, co-founder of Otus, to explore how technology can help educators truly understand and support every student.

Drawing from his experience as a former teacher, coach, and father of four, Chris shares the story behind Otus — a platform designed to bring together assessment data, attendance, observations, and educator insights into one cohesive system. Instead of forcing teachers to sift through disconnected data points, Otus uses AI to help educators ask questions in everyday language and uncover meaningful patterns that inform instruction.

Kirsten and Chris discuss:

• The challenge of managing fragmented student data

• How AI can reduce bias and improve decision-making

• Supporting both struggling and excelling students

• Strengthening educator-family communication

• Keeping relationships at the center of learning

At its core, this conversation is about balance — using technology strategically so educators can spend less time managing systems and more time building connections.

If you’re interested in MTSS, data-informed instruction, AI in education, or tools that help schools see the “whole child,” this episode offers practical insight and thoughtful reflection.

🎧 Tune in to discover how data, when used wisely, can deepen—not replace—the human side of teaching.

To connect with Chris or Otus:

[email protected]

www.otus.com

Listeners please share your thoughts and ideas with us on our social media accounts on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @thebulldogedu or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebulldogedu.bsky.social

You can also find us via our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thebulldogedu.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also follow Matthew on LInkedIn ⁠⁠⁠Matthew Caston⁠⁠⁠, Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Matthewccaston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MattCaston.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

and Kirsten on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or X @teachkiwi, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIN ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as Kirsten Wilson or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teachkiwi.bsky.social

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What does it really cost rural students to attend elite colleges?

In this episode, Kirsten and Matt talk with Dr. Mara Tieken, professor of education and author of Educated Out, about the hidden challenges rural, first-generation students face after admission. From financial strain and social isolation to “conditional belonging” and the pull between opportunity and home, Dr. Tieken unpacks the emotional and structural barriers that shape rural students’ college journeys.

This conversation challenges the idea that access equals equity—and asks what must change so rural students can thrive without being educated out of their communities.

Connect with Dr. Mara Tieken: [email protected]

Book: Educated Out: How Rural Students Navigate Elite Colleges—And What It Costs Them

Listeners please share your thoughts and ideas with us on our social media accounts on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @thebulldogedu or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebulldogedu.bsky.social

You can also find us via our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thebulldogedu.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also follow Matthew on LInkedIn ⁠⁠Matthew Caston⁠⁠, Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Matthewccaston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MattCaston.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

and Kirsten on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or X @teachkiwi, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIN ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as Kirsten Wilson or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teachkiwi.bsky.social

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What if classroom observation didn’t feel like evaluation… but like support?

In this episode of The Bulldog Educator Podcast, Kirsten and Matthew sit down with educator, coach, and author Craig Randall to explore a powerful shift in how we approach teacher observation. Drawing from his experience teaching and leading across Asia, the Middle East, South America, and the U.S., Craig shares how frustration with traditional, compliance-driven evaluation systems led him to develop a Trust-Based Observation Framework—an approach grounded in relationships, strengths, and servant leadership.

Instead of asking, “What’s wrong?” Craig asks, “What do you need?”

Together, the trio unpacks:

• Why traditional observation models often undermine teacher growth

• How relational trust directly impacts academic improvement

• What it looks like for leaders to practice servant leadership in real classrooms

• The cultural shift required to move from grading pedagogy to empowering people

• How trust-based practices improve teacher retention and morale

This conversation is both practical and deeply human. If you’re a school leader looking to cultivate authentic trust, a teacher craving meaningful feedback, or an educator who believes relationships are the foundation of learning—this episode will challenge and inspire you.

Because at the heart of great schools isn’t a rubric.

It’s trust.

Contact our Guest:

Email: [email protected]

Website: trustbased.com

LinkedIN

Facebook

Instagram @trustbasedcraig

Book- Trust Based Observations

Listeners please share your thoughts and ideas with us on our social media accounts on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @thebulldogedu or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebulldogedu.bsky.social

You can also find us via our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thebulldogedu.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also follow Matthew on LInkedIn ⁠Matthew Caston⁠, Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Matthewccaston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MattCaston.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

and Kirsten on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or X @teachkiwi, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIN ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as Kirsten Wilson or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teachkiwi.bsky.social

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In this episode of The Bulldog Educator Podcast, Kirsten Wilson and Matt Caston are joined by Damien Howard, founder of SEL Plus, to explore how AI can be used to strengthen mentoring relationships without replacing the human connection at the center of learning.

Drawing from his background in special education, Damien shares his vision for AI-enhanced mentoring tools that help mentors better understand and support students across academics, safety, and employment readiness. The conversation highlights how AI can serve as a real-time coach for mentors, reduce strain on resource-limited schools and nonprofits, and activate a “village” approach to student success.

The episode also addresses common concerns around AI in education—including data protection and system hesitation—while offering a hopeful, grounded perspective on how thoughtfully designed tools can build capacity, save time, and help educators focus on what matters most: relationships, dignity, and impact.

YouTube Episode with former TBE Guest Clement Townsend- https://youtu.be/j0ipCcGbtVg?si=ITS243ePXK9xVT9o

SEL-Plus YouTube Channel

Contact our Guest:

LinkedIn- Damien R. Howard

Listeners please share your thoughts and ideas with us on our social media accounts on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @thebulldogedu or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebulldogedu.bsky.social

You can also find us via our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thebulldogedu.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also follow Matthew on LInkedIn Matthew Caston, Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Matthewccaston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MattCaston.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

and Kirsten on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or X @teachkiwi, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIN ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as Kirsten Wilson or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teachkiwi.bsky.social

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In the Season 9 premiere of The Bulldog Educator Podcast, Kirsten Wilson and Matt Caston are joined by Dr. Steven Weber and Michael Fisher, co-authors of Contemporary Curriculum Leadership: An Illustrated Guide, to explore why curriculum leadership is less about documents and more about conversation, trust, and alignment.

Drawing on decades of experience, Steven and Michael discuss trust-based leadership, learner agency, and inclusion—and why misalignment often stems from educators working in silos rather than a lack of curriculum. They also share the thinking behind their illustrated book format, designed to make complex leadership work accessible and practical for busy educators.

This episode challenges leaders to focus on transfer of learning, inclusive design, and human-centered leadership as essential components of effective curriculum systems.

To purchase your own copy of Contemporary Curriculum Leadership: An Illustrated Guide

To contact the co-authors:

Mike Fisher: http://www.digigogy.com/

Dr. Steven Weber: X- @curriculumblog

LinkedIN- https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-steven-weber-893113182/

Listeners please share your thoughts and ideas with us on our social media accounts on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @thebulldogedu or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebulldogedu.bsky.social

You can also find us via our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thebulldogedu.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also follow Matt on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Matthewccaston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MattCaston.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

and Kirsten on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or X @teachkiwi, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIN ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as Kirsten Wilson or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teachkiwi.bsky.social

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What if burnout isn’t about doing too much—but about losing alignment with who you are?

In this episode of The Bulldog Educator, Kirsten is joined by Dr. Jen Clifden and Dr. Nuhu Sims for a deeply human conversation about purpose, presence, and authenticity in education. Together, they unpack how core values, personal identity, and reflective practice can serve as protective factors against burnout—especially in a profession that often asks educators to give endlessly without space to reconnect to their “why.”

Listeners will hear powerful stories about navigating contradiction, reclaiming inner power, and creating “micro-miracle moments” that sustain both educators and students. From redefining empowerment to embracing teacher presence over performance, this conversation challenges the idea that resilience means pushing harder—and instead invites educators to come home to themselves.

If you’re feeling stretched, disconnected, or quietly asking Is this still my calling?—this episode is for you.

Connect with Dr. Nuhu Sims and Dr. Jennifer Clifden via Present Well-being, LLC.

Listeners please share your thoughts and ideas with us on our social media accounts on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @thebulldogedu or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebulldogedu.bsky.social

You can also find us via our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thebulldogedu.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also follow Matt on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Matthewccaston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MattCaston.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

and Kirsten on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or X @teachkiwi, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIN ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as Kirsten Wilson or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teachkiwi.bsky.social

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In this episode the hosts, Matthew and Kirsten, explored the challenges educators face in education, particularly regarding federal layoffs and the unrecognized labor in female-dominated professions, while sharing personal experiences that motivated them to remain focused on education's importance. They discussed strategies for nurturing their personal motivations in teaching, including creating safe spaces, connecting people and resources, and protecting one's "why" while being mindful of potential risks. The conversation concluded with an emphasis on the therapeutic power of humor and creativity in education, as well as the importance of sharing personal motivations with trusted individuals to avoid feelings of isolation.

Links mentioned during the cast:

Article from USA Today- Inside the Dismantling of the Education Department

Article from Edutopia- Using Literature to Teach SEL in Middle School | Edutopia

CBS "On the Road" with Steve Hartman- Kindness 101 program

Listeners please share your thoughts and ideas with us on our social media accounts on  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  @thebulldogedu or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebulldogedu.bsky.social

You can also find us via our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thebulldogedu.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can also follow Matt on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Matthewccaston⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MattCaston.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

and Kirsten on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or X @teachkiwi, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIN ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠as Kirsten Wilson or on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teachkiwi.bsky.social

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