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Are teachers just educators — or secret social workers, therapists, and supply closets rolled into one?

In this powerful episode, veteran educator Cathy Tooley pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to teach in America’s classrooms today. From heartbreaking stories of kids carrying trauma to the invisible burdens teachers shoulder daily, Cathy shares raw truths and inspiring moments that reveal the humanity behind the profession.

🎓 Highlights:

• The real reasons students act out in class (and why sending them to the office doesn’t solve it)
• A moving story of a teen who’d never been told she was beautiful — until her teacher said it
• How teachers balance lesson plans with feeding hungry kids, navigating abuse, and being emotional anchors
• Why teaching is a calling, not a “fallback career”
• Words of faith and hope for educators questioning if they can keep going

Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or simply curious about what’s happening behind classroom doors, this episode will open your eyes — and your heart.

📚 Cathy Tooley is the author of “The Education System is Broken” and a passionate advocate for educators everywhere. 

Get the book on Amazon - https://a.co/d/9vf5e0E

Listen, subscribe, and share this episode to support the unsung heroes of education.

//About

Cathy Tooley is the Founder & CEO of Tools for Success and a seasoned educator with over 40 years in K–12 classrooms and school leadership. From high school teacher to principal, Cathy has dedicated her life to supporting educators. In 2014, she launched Tools for Success to provide real, in-person instructional coaching—not just “PD in a box.” She’s the author of The Education System Is Broken, a national speaker, and a fierce advocate for teachers. Through this podcast, she’s spotlighting the ripple effect of great teaching.
🔗 Website | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn

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Have you ever considered that there's only one profession every human being encounters regardless of wealth, background, or circumstance? After four decades in education, I've witnessed both the profound impact of teachers and the frustrating misrepresentation of our profession in media and public discourse.

My journey began like many educators—playing "school" as a child, assigning homework to my brothers at our kitchen table. Those childhood games evolved into twenty fulfilling years as a high school Spanish and English teacher, followed by roles as assistant principal and principal across multiple schools. When an unexpected job loss left me at a crossroads in 2014, I saw two paths: join the ranks of disillusioned educators leaving the field or become part of the solution. That's when Tools for Success was born—a company created to provide the face-to-face instructional support I had struggled to give my own teachers as a time-strapped principal.

This podcast represents the next evolution in that mission. Through our first series, "The Ripple Effect of a Teacher," we'll explore education's far-reaching influence through conversations with diverse guests who understand the unique power of educators. I'm driven by Romans 12:6-8—"If it is teaching, then teach"—and a conviction that our narrative should be defined by those who live it daily, not by soundbites or simplistic criticisms. Whether you're an educator seeking validation, a parent curious about what drives teachers, or someone interested in education's impact on society, subscribe now to join a conversation that celebrates the profession that shapes every life.

//About

Cathy Tooley is the Founder & CEO of Tools for Success and a seasoned educator with over 40 years in K–12 classrooms and school leadership. From high school teacher to principal, Cathy has dedicated her life to supporting educators. In 2014, she launched Tools for Success to provide real, in-person instructional coaching—not just “PD in a box.” She’s the author of The Education System Is Broken, a national speaker, and a fierce advocate for teachers. Through this podcast, she’s spotlighting the ripple effect of great teaching.
🔗 Website | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn