What happens when two passionate educators realize that the traditional definition of “success” in education doesn’t necessarily match their own?

In this episode of The Educator’s Why Podcast, Meghan Thompson and Molly Means share the personal journeys that shaped their careers—from the classroom to administration and back again. They talk about the moments that reminded them why education is about more than test scores and spreadsheets, why kindergarten may be the most important year of a child’s education, and how technology can enhance learning without replacing the teacher.

They also get real about leadership, burnout, finding joy in your work, financial literacy, AI, and what it truly means to prepare students for life beyond graduation.

But the conversation ultimately comes back to one powerful question:

When the burnout creeps in, what brings you back to your “why”?

This is a conversation about education—but more importantly, it's about purpose, relationships, growth, and the people who make education matter.

🎧 Listen to Meghan and Molly’s story on The Educator’s Why Podcast.

What would make you come back to education after you retired?

For Floyd Jolley, the answer is simple: the kids.

After 36 years in education, Floyd has taught at every level, served as a district leader, retired—and then came back. But two moments reminded him exactly why he never really left.

A former student told him, “You’re the reason I love science”—10 years after Floyd taught him in sixth grade.

Then, on what Floyd thought might be his final first day of school, he received a picture of himself holding the hand of a kindergarten student.

That picture now sits framed on his desk.

In this episode of The Educator’s Why Podcast, Floyd shares why relationships matter, what keeps him going after 36 years, and why the smallest moments in education can create the biggest impact.

🎧 Sometimes your “why” isn’t a job. It’s the people you meet along the way.

What if the moments that nearly break you are the same moments that define the leader you become?

Two weeks into his teaching career, Cliff Jones experienced 9/11. Years later, he would lead through COVID, become a principal, district leader, and superintendent of a district serving more than 47,000 students.

But what did those moments teach him about leadership, resilience, and his why?

In this episode of The Educator’s Why Podcast, Cliff gets candid about the weight of leading a school district, the power of literacy, why leaders have to lead with their feet, and why sometimes the best thing a leader can do is “take a Friday so you can be better on Monday.”

And he shares a simple belief that has shaped the way he leads:

“There are only two jobs in a district—a teacher and someone who supports teachers.”

🎧 What does it really take to lead when the stakes are high, the pressure is real, and thousands of students are counting on you?

Press play and hear Cliff’s story—and the lessons he believes every educator needs to hear.

#EducatorsWhy #Education #EducationalLeadership #Superintendent #TeacherLeadership #Literacy #WhyWeTeach #Podcast

She was studying architectural engineering. Then one decision changed everything.

A band scholarship. An unexpected AmeriCorps opportunity. A third-grade classroom. And eventually, a career helping students become what Terry Webb calls “digital dreamers.”

But her story raises a bigger question:

What if the technology isn’t the most important part of the future of education? What if it’s knowing how to think, question, connect, and dream?

In this episode of The Educator’s Why Podcast, Terry takes us through her unconventional journey, the lessons technology has taught her, the future of AI, and why her greatest purpose is helping others discover their own why.

And when burnout comes knocking, her answer might surprise you:

“My fuel is refueling others.”

🎧 Listen to the episode and discover the story behind Terry Webb’s why.

This episode of The Educator’s Why Podcast is a reminder that some educators never truly retire—they simply find new ways to make an impact.

In this episode, we sit down with Mary Kay Rendock, a 37-year educator, former Connecticut Teacher of the Year, math coach, technology leader, and lifelong believer in the power of encouragement. From her classroom “warning sign” that promised to brainwash students into believing they could do anything, to the moment she learned that one student said, “She changed my life,” Mary Kay shares the moments that defined her journey.

We talk about productive struggle, relationships, mistakes, teacher leadership, and why students don’t necessarily fear learning—they fear being embarrassed. Mary Kay also shares how her passion for education continues through mentoring future teachers, teaching students about beekeeping, and staying connected to the community she served for nearly four decades.

Her story is about more than curriculum or teaching math. It’s about what can happen when one person believes in another long enough for them to start believing in themselves.

🎙️ What is the lasting impact of a great educator? And what happens when education isn’t just your career—but part of who you are?

Listen to this powerful episode of The Educator’s Why Podcast and hear why Mary Kay believes that, sometimes, the simplest encouragement can change a life.

In Episode 3 of The Educator’s Why, we sit down with two incredible educators from Colquitt County, Lisa Duncan and Jason Suber, both recognized multiple times as Teachers of the Year.

This conversation gets to the heart of why they continue to teach.

We talk about relationships, productive struggle, student success, classroom culture, and what it really means to make an impact on a child’s life. Jason shares how one teacher’s investment in him as a young student shaped his decision to become a teacher. Lisa shares the influence of growing up in a family of educators and the legacy her mother created.

We also dive into some great classroom stories—from building rivers to understand how deltas form, to challenging gifted students with problems that force them to struggle, think critically, and ultimately discover that they can do more than they thought possible.

But perhaps the biggest takeaway is this:

Success isn't always measured by a test score. Sometimes it's a former student coming back years later to say hello, a student discovering a love for learning, or simply knowing that someone believed in them.

And when burnout creeps in, what brings these two educators back to their WHY?

Their answer is simple: the kids.

If you've ever wondered why great teachers continue to show up, continue to care, and continue to make a difference long after the school year ends, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

What happens when a small-town girl from a class of 13 becomes a teacher, artist, technology advocate, and leader in education?

In Episode 2 of The Educator’s Why, we sit down with Dr. Polly Haldeman to talk about her journey through education, technology, creativity, and her passion for giving every student access to opportunity.

From teaching art to embracing AI and virtual learning, Polly shares why she believes technology should never replace the teacher—it should empower the teacher.

We also talk about creativity, the future of education, and the personal experiences that shaped her WHY.

And her answer to our final question—what brings you back to your WHY when burnout hits?—is one you won't want to miss.

Every great conversation starts with a purpose.

In our very first episode, we introduce the vision behind this podcast—why we created it, who it's for, and what listeners can expect in the episodes ahead. We'll share our passion for education, leadership, innovation, and the evolving K–12 landscape while setting the stage for meaningful conversations with educators, thought leaders, and industry experts.

Whether you're a school leader, educator, education partner, or simply passionate about improving student outcomes, this podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and spark new ideas. Join us as we explore the challenges, opportunities, and trends shaping education today—and discover practical insights you can apply tomorrow.

This is just the beginning. Thanks for joining us as we kick off the conversation and build a community dedicated to helping schools, educators, and students thrive.