In this episode of The Unboxed Educator Podcast, I explore how ego-driven leadership can quietly take over school culture—shifting the focus from student growth to performance metrics. Drawing on current educational research and real-world reflection, this episode challenges leaders to trade control for curiosity, data for dialogue, and ego for empathy. Because when we lead differently, learning looks—and feels—different.

👉 View the full Research Reference Sheet here: https://tinyurl.com/EgoAndOutcomes

✨ Think Freely. Teach Boldly. Lead Differently.

Artificial intelligence is everywhere — but in education, is it here to replace us, or to partner with us? In this episode of The Unboxed Educator Podcast, Anjanette Farrar unpacks the tension between fear and possibility when it comes to AI in schools.

We’ll explore:

• Why the fear of replacement feels so real.
• How AI can actually become a powerful partner for teachers, leaders, and students.
• Research-backed insights from UNESCO, Brookings, RAND, and more.
• Practical ways to use AI responsibly without losing the human heart of education.

💡 Read the full blog at UnboxedLearning.org and stay tuned — the podcast series is just getting started!

#UnboxedEducator #AIinEducation #EdTech #Leadership #FutureofTeaching

Youtube link: https://youtu.be/Au38eJSPPQY

What if your funniest “disruptor” is actually your smartest student? In this episode, I unpack why class clowns often shine brightest when lessons fall flat—and how teachers can turn jokes into genuine learning.

We’ll dig into: ✅ Research on boredom, humor, and motivation in classrooms ✅ Why active learning, clarity, and autonomy matter ✅ The 8-step Unboxed Playbook for flipping boredom into buy-in ✅ Real stories from the classroom (including one about mitochondria and cornbread you’ll never forget)

Whether you’re a teacher, coach, or school leader, this episode will help you reframe “disruption” as brilliance asking for a challenge.

🎧 Subscribe to The Unboxed Educator Podcast for fresh strategies that help you think freely, teach boldly, and lead differently.

Episode Summary

Professional development should never be just another checkbox. In this episode, Anjanette Farrar — The Unboxed Educator and founder of Unboxed Learning — shares her experience supporting schools with teacher effectiveness and dives into why compliance-based PD fails to transform instruction.

Backed by research and practical strategies, this conversation explores how school leaders can reframe PD as coaching and culture, rather than compliance. You’ll walk away with reflection questions and actionable steps to make PD meaningful for both teachers and students.

Key Talking Points

• The difference between teachers who embrace coaching and those who appear compliant but resist
• How leadership responses can either reinforce compliance or drive growth
• Why PD-as-a-checkbox culture doesn’t improve instruction or student outcomes
• Research on what makes PD effective (Darling-Hammond, instructional coaching, PLCs, reflective practice)
• Practical steps to shift from compliance to connection in professional learning
• A reflection challenge for school leaders

Episode Resources

• Darling-Hammond et al. (2017). Effective Teacher Professional Development. Learning Policy Institute.
• Research on instructional coaching and its impact on teacher effectiveness and student learning.
• Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) frameworks.
• Transformative Learning Theory by Mezirow.

Reflection Questions for Leaders

• Where is your school’s PD culture leaning — compliance or connection?
• What’s one compliance-based practice you can let go of this month?
• What’s one practice you can add that fosters coaching and collaboration?

Connect with Anjanette (The Unboxed Educator)

Website: www.unboxedlearning.org Email: [email protected] Instagram: @unboxededucator LinkedIn: Anjanette Farrar – The Unboxed Educator Podcast: The Unboxed Educator Podcast

School Culture Matters: How to Build Morale That Lasts In this follow-up to The Hidden Cost of Ignoring School Culture, host Anjanette Farrar takes us deeper into what it actually takes to build school culture that supports — not sabotages — your staff. Drawing on her experience across K-12 settings, Anjanette shares practical, human-centered strategies for boosting teacher morale through meaningful voice, authentic collaboration, and consistent leadership.

This is not about fluff or forced fun. It is about building the kind of school culture where educators feel seen, supported, and ready to thrive.

🎧 Listen now and start your school’s culture audit.

🔗 Learn more at unboxedlearning.org 📱 Connect on Instagram @unboxededucator or LinkedIn

Title: The Hidden Cost of Ignoring School Culture

Host: Anjanette Farrar

Duration: 20-25 minutes

Description: In this episode of THE Unboxed Educator, host Anjanette Farrar explores the often-overlooked but powerful influence of school culture on student success, staff morale, and overall school health. Drawing on her extensive experience in education, Anjanette breaks down the hidden costs of ignoring school culture and offers actionable strategies that leaders can implement to inspire lasting change.

Listeners will learn: ✅ What school culture really is — beyond slogans and posters ✅ The emotional and financial costs of neglecting culture ✅ Three strategies leaders can use to intentionally shape and sustain a positive culture ✅ Real-world stories that illustrate how investing in culture transforms schools ✅ A call to action: one small step you can take this week to improve your school culture

If you’re an educator, administrator, or anyone who cares about education, this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Resources: Visit unboxedlearning.org for tools and support in building a thriving school culture.

📱 Connect with us: Instagram: @unboxededucator