Unlock Your Teaching Potential

Have a question for the show? Text us here!

If I know one thing about you, it is that you are a dedicated teacher.

Despite all the hardships you endure, being an effective teacher is, undoubtedly, a priority for you.

Now, when it comes to challenges and triumphs, do you ever wonder why some things work out and why some don’t?

One of the most important tools for being an empowered educator is the reflective process. 

By reflecting on your experiences, you can align your purpose, understand what makes you happy, and develop an awareness of why things work out or don't. 

This reflective process also helps you tune into your body and create a culture of celebrating even the hard stuff. Which is why I’m excited for episode 26 of Take Notes with Jen Rafferty!

Today, I’m joined by a special guest Selena Woodward.

Selena is a teacher, mentor, mother and the voice of The Reflective Teacher Podcast. She will be sharing her insights on the importance of reflection, especially for school teachers who want to build a fulfilling life and career.

Here’s a reminder to pause, notice, and reflect on the things around you, even if it means leaning into the difficult emotions. By doing so, you can enhance your effectiveness as a teacher and ultimately achieve a more rewarding career.

Stay empowered,

Jen 

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:

 Jen Rafferty | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook | Linktree

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room


About Selena:

Selena is the voice of the Reflective Teacher Podcast, a university Lecturer and an English and Drama teacher who coaches Educators around Australia through the Accreditation process.  With years of experience working with the AITSL standards, she is well known for her clear, helpful and easy to implement tips and tricks for making the process of evidence gathering and reflective practice easier.  Her mission to give teachers the perspectives and tools that they need to get the most out of the reflective process.  She strongly believes that reflective practice is all about helping you to connect with what you already do everyday, to see your impact, to celebrate that impact and to share that with your students.

Connect with Selena here:

Edufolios.org

IG: @edufolios

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com

Get the book at: empowerededucator.com/book

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!

Do you find yourself constantly giving your all without recognizing your own needs?

While it's admirable to prioritize others and hold space for them, constantly ignoring your needs for the sake of others can lead to teacher burnout.

Also, it's crucial to remember that prioritizing your own needs is just as important as thinking of others.

As a valued and empowered educator, creating a healthy work environment is essential in providing the best possible learning experience for your students. That's why I'm excited to introduce you to episode 25 of Take Notes with Jen Rafferty, featuring special guest Amelia Nagoski.

Amelia, an Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music at Western New England, is an expert on the human body and a celebrated author and conductor. She's here to share insights on a range of topics, from human giver syndrome to the effects of oppressive social systems on individuals.

It's time to remind yourself that you deserve happiness and fulfillment in your life. By taking care of yourself, you can continue to be the best educator you can be. So join us for an inspiring conversation with Amelia Nagoski and start prioritizing your well-being today!

Stay empowered,

Jen 

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:

 Jen Rafferty | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook | Linktree

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

 About Amelia:

Amelia Nagoski is the co-author, with her sister Emily, of the New York Times bestselling book, Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle and the Burnout workbook. She has a Doctorate of Musical Arts and her job is to run around waving her arms and making funny noises and generally doing whatever it takes to help singers get in touch with their internal experience. She lives in New England with her husband, one cat, and two rescue dogs.

https://www.burnoutbook.net/

Transcript

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com

Get the book at: empowerededucator.com/book

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!

Are you ready to take that next step as an empowered educator and become a school administrator?

Does your vision include improving school quality and cultivating communities?

Jumping from being a school teacher to an administrator is a big step. It's easy to get overwhelmed by fear and pressure and forget how important it is to get feedback and clarity in your school administrator duties and responsibilities.

But with the right support and guidance, you can navigate this transition and succeed in your new role!

Welcome to episode 24 of Take Notes with Jen Rafferty! In this episode, I’m joined by Darrin Peppard who is a professional speaker, leadership coach and consultant who helps leaders on their journey to gain clarity, walk in purpose and find joy in their professional lives.  

Darrin is here to give us an insight on the realities of being an administrator and leader of the school. He tackles topics such as imposter syndrome, hierarchy in school and the fear of taking that next level of responsibilities.

This week is all about the power of feedback and getting rid of judgment! We can embrace both things and use it to grow more.

Stay empowered,

Jen 

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:

Click here to learn all the ways you can work with me:

 Jen Rafferty | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook | Linktree

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

About Darrin:

Dr. Darrin Peppard is a leadership coach, consultant, and speaker focused on organizational culture and climate, and coaching emerging leaders. Darrin is the best-selling author of the book Road to Awesome, and is the host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast. As a ‘recovering high school principal’, Darrin shares strategies and lessons learned from 26 years in public education to help leaders gain clarity, find joy in their work, and walk in their purpose.

Contact Darrin here: 

@DarrinMPeppard (Twitter) 

Darrin M Peppard EdD (LinkedIn) 

@darrin_m_peppard (Insta) 

@darrinmpeppard (TikTok) 

Darrin M Peppard (Facebook)

https://walkinyourpurpose.roadtoawesome.net/ebook


Transcript

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com

Get the book at: empowerededucator.com/book

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Do you find yourself constantly giving your all without expecting anything in return? 

While it's admirable to prioritize others and hold space for them, this trait can also lead to teacher burnout.

Also, it's crucial to remember that prioritizing your own needs is just as important as thinking of others.

As a valued and empowered educator, creating a healthy work environment is essential in providing the best possible learning experience for your students. That's why I'm excited to introduce you to episode 25 of Take Notes with Jen Rafferty, featuring special guest Amelia Nagoski.

Amelia, an Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music at Western New England, is an expert on the human body and a celebrated author and conductor. She's here to share insights on a range of topics, from human giver syndrome to the effects of oppressive social systems on individuals.

It's time to remind yourself that you deserve happiness and fulfillment in your life. By taking care of yourself, you can continue to be the best educator you can be. So join us for an inspiring conversation with Amelia Nagoski and start prioritizing your well-being today!

Stay empowered,
Jen 

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:
Jen Rafferty | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook | Linktree

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

 About Amelia:

Amelia Nagoski is the co-author, with her sister Emily, of the New York Times bestselling book, Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle and the Burnout workbook. She has a Doctorate of Musical Arts and her job is to run around waving her arms and making funny noises and generally doing whatever it takes to help singers get in touch with their internal experience. She lives in New England with her husband, one cat, and two rescue dogs.

https://www.burnoutbook.net/

Have a question for the show? Text us here!

Do you frequently feel burned out at work as a school teacher? Are you eager to set clear boundaries and prioritize your well-being so you can finally achieve work-life balance and set a good boundary between school and home?

Putting yourself first should be a priority. But sometimes making a change can be challenging because of the time, commitment, and repetitions you have to make to build a routine.

Welcome to episode 23 of Take Notes with Jen Rafferty podcast! In this episode, I’m speaking with business and life strategy coach, author and speaker for women, Julie DeLucca Collins. She talks about the influence of tiny habits in our daily lives.

Julie believes that it’s important to create growth for yourself. She understands that many empowered educators are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and burned out. Through the power of a positive feedback loop, you’ll be able to build the confidence you need to make a change in yourself and regulate your emotions.

Today, it’s all about showing up and being consistent in your tiny habits. So, join us in this conversation so you can get the momentum going!

Stay empowered,

Jen 

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:

Click here to learn all the ways you can work with me:

 Jen Rafferty | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook | Linktree

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

About Julie:

Julie is a Business and Life Coach, Speaker, and Author. She helps entrepreneurs increase confidence, transform lives, and gain clients. She’s passionate about helping women and organizations find success. As a seasoned mentor and coach in the professional field, she supports women in creating a vision and setting goals. Her framework uses the Tiny Habits method to ensure that you create lasting behaviors to help you succeed in your business.  

Contact Julie here:

Website:GoConfidentlyCoaching.com

Instagram: @julie_deluccacollins

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com

Get the book at: empowerededucator.com/book

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!

As an empowered educator, do you focus on the inner work it takes to help create a better quality of life?

Being a teacher and creating a space that is accepting, healing and nurturing helps cultivate community- not just inside your classroom, but for society as a whole.

Welcome to episode 22 of the Take Notes podcast with Jen Rafferty! In this episode, I’m speaking with trauma informed subconscious mindset coach, Amanda Bolzau.

She's a mentor and advocate who works with women on the rise who want to self actualize, grow, and live a more expansive life. 

I'm so excited to delve into her expertise on trauma, neuroplasticity, metacognition, and various somatic and subconscious modalities that really help break apart old conditioning, in order to live a truly free life. 

Her work empowers people to peel away the layers of inauthentic versions of themselves and reclaim who they were always meant to be.  

As we dive deep into this conversation, Amanda shares the importance of doing the inner work in efforts to disrupt your old way of thinking and free yourself- because you have the power- ALL OF IT!

Today is all about raising the consciousness of the world, by unlocking your own power!

If you’re ready to gain that freedom in your life, join us in this insightful conversation!

Stay empowered,

Jen 

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:

Click here to learn all the ways you can work with me:

 Jen Rafferty | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook | Linktree

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

About Amanda :

Amanda is a Trauma-Informed Subconscious Success Coach, Mentor and Advocate working with women on the rise who want to Self-actualize, Grow, and live a more Expansive life. Amanda's expertise in trauma education and processing, neuroplasticity, metacognition, and various somatic and subconscious modalities helps you break apart your old conditioning so you can live a truly free life. Her work empowers you to peel away the layers of inauthentic versions of yourself in order to reclaim who you were always meant to be. She partners with you on your deeply personal journey to freedom, wherein you gain access to the most valuable lesson you'll ever learn... YOU have all the power... all of it... and you always have.

Connect with Amanda here:

Website:  TheLittFactor.com

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com

Get the book at: empowerededucator.com/book

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!

Going through a divorce can be one of the most emotionally draining experiences a person can go through.

It's filled with a range of emotions such as anger, resentment, grief, and regret. The demands of managing these emotions can often feel overwhelming, making it difficult to manage everyday tasks and obligations- like showing up for your students.

But, with the right guidance and tools, it’s possible to take back control of the situation and move towards a more peaceful future.

Welcome to episode 21 of the Take Notes with Jen Rafferty podcast! In this episode, I’m speaking with juris doctorate, certified divorce coach, and a certified Mind Magic practitioner, Sharri Freedman.

She helps people manage the difficult emotions of dealing with divorce.Through her work, she provides clients with tools that create a sense of peace and calm that regulate the nervous system so they can transition from simply reacting to the situation to being able to respond in a more constructive way.

Divorce stress is real, and it's all encompassing. It’s not about “just showing up”, whether it's by distraction or compartmentalizing. Because, pushing through and keeping it together is not what we do here.

Today, it’s all about highlighting the real feeling of loss associated with divorce in a way that normalizes the grief you feel with the same space and mass as the loss of a life.

And, most importantly, to let you know that you are not alone.

Stay empowered,

Jen 

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:

Click here to learn all the ways you can work with me:

 Jen Rafferty | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook | Linktree

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

About Sharri:

Sharri Freedman, JD, CDC, CMMMP is a family law attorney with almost 30 years experience as a divorce professional now practicing exclusively as a divorce, co-parenting and relationship coach. Using a trauma informed lens, she combines her legal wisdom with mindset and somatic practices to help women ditch the drama and do divorce differently. Sharri helps clients strategize the next best steps, improve communication and begin to heal, before, during and after divorce. 

Connect with Sharri here:

Website: potomaccoaching.com

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @yourdivorcecoach

Referenced in this episode:

The Choice: Escaping the Past and Embracing the Possible, by Dr. Edith Eva Eger

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com

Get the book at: empowerededucator.com/book

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!

Have you ever felt lost and disconnected from self? 

Do you wish you could tap into your inner power and trust your instincts again? 

In today's society, there’s intense pressure to suppress your emotions and not show your true self, which can lead to burnout and disconnection from yourself and others. 

But what if we could talk about our emotions? Not only in therapy, but in all aspects of our lives?

Welcome to episode 20 of the Take Notes with Jen Rafferty podcast! Today, I’m speaking with  researcher, social worker and personal development coach based in Austin, Texas: Abi Mallick!

Abi’s journey into this field began as a public school teacher, where she taught bilingual kindergarten and first grade. Her passion for research led her to delve into the world of social work, where she worked with young people dealing with trauma and substance abuse.

Now she works with adults to replace unhealthy coping skills and improve relationships with themselves and others.

Today, Abi and I are discussing the research based self coaching tools she uses to help individuals and groups overcome self doubt and self sabotaging beliefs. 

So, let’s empower ourselves and take control of our lives!

Because, we can only deepen our connections with the people around us (especially our students) when we are in tune with our gut feelings, authenticity, and humanity.

Stay empowered,

Jen 

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:

Click here to learn all the ways you can work with me:

 Jen Rafferty | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook | Linktree

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

About Abi:

Abi Mallick (She/They) is a researcher, social worker and personal development coach in Austin, Texas. She teaches research-based self-coaching tools to individuals and groups, so that they can heal self-doubt and self-sabotaging beliefs. 

Connect with Abi here:

Website: The Existential Coach

Instagram: @theexistentialcoach

Transcript

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com

Get the book at: empowerededucator.com/book

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!

We all have those days. 

You know, the ones where you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and ready to snap at the slightest disruption in the classroom?

But let's face it - being a teacher is tough work, and caring for others is no easy task. 

Welcome to episode 19 of the Take Notes with Jen Rafferty podcast! In this episode, I’m speaking with stress coach for moms, Elizabeth Andreyevskiy. She’s sharing her journey of discovering how to prioritize her own needs and taking care of herself so she could become a more patient and grounded mother. 

I’m excited to have Elizabeth on the podcast today, because while you may not be a biological parent, as a teacher, you are taking on a similar role of caregiver to your students. 

Elizabeth believes that taking the time to prioritize yourself is essential in order to avoid teacher burnout and become the most effective educators you can be. She understands that many of us are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted due to our unmet needs and wants to provide support to normalize self-care. By taking the time to care for yourself, you can be better equipped to support your students and energize your teaching.

Today, it’s all about sharing practical tips for identifying and addressing your unmet needs so you can  better regulate your emotions and avoid reacting to difficult situations. 

So, let go of the guilt holding you back from putting yourself first, and join us in this conversation to find more joy in your teaching journey!

Stay empowered,

Jen 

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:

Click here to learn all the ways you can work with me:

 Jen Rafferty | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook | Linktree

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

About Elizabeth:

Elizabeth is a stress coach for moms. She is the host of Emotionally Healthy Legacy podcast and a mom of 4. Elizabeth is super passionate about mental health and emotional wellness in motherhood. She helps overwhelmed moms reduce the mental stress so they can respond with patience and calm towards their kids. She teaches proactive ways to be less stressed, prioritizing moms' needs without guilt and ways to regulate emotions when feeling triggered. 

Contact Elizabeth here:

Website: Emotionally Healthy Legacy

Instagram: @emotionally_healthy_legacy

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com

Get the book at: empowerededucator.com/book

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

Have a question for the show? Text us here!

As an empowered educator how can you make an even bigger impact in the world?

What if teacher performance indicators were based on leading with curiosity and openness, rather than grades and test scores?

Everyone deserves respect and kindness, and this is an important mindset to have when connecting with others- especially students.

When we create spaces rooted in collaboration and discovery we gain new insights and experiences far beyond the classroom walls.

Welcome to episode 18 of the Take Notes with Jen Rafferty podcast! In this episode, I’m speaking with kindness coach, Kevin Huntting! He loves nothing more than connecting with people seeking their own personal growth, so they can make an even bigger impact in their lives and in this world.

Kevin supports lots of overwhelmed leaders and purpose driven organizations develop the emotional intelligence in leadership that is necessary to create greater ease, kindness, and inspiration.

We delve into how social emotional learning approaches have a significant impact on not only students, but also the adults around them. Because, ultimately we have to be the change that we want to see in our kids.

Today is all about looking inward with curiosity about ourselves so that we can become better leaders and fully appreciate the beauty and diversity around us all.

Stay empowered,

Jen 

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:

Click here to learn all the ways you can work with me:

 Jen Rafferty | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook | Linktree

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room

About Kevin:

Hi, I am Kevin the KINDNESS Coach. I support overwhelmed leaders & purpose driven organizations develop the EQ necessary to lead with greater ease, kindness, inspiration and impact! 

Connect with Kevin here:

Instagram: 2stepsforwardcoaching

Facebook: 2 Steps Forward Coaching

Website: 2 Steps Forward Coaching

Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at: empowerededucator.com

Get the book at: empowerededucator.com/book

Instagram: @jenrafferty_

Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty Room