Dear Educator,

What if the most powerful tool in your classroom isn’t a strategy, a curriculum, or a tech platform—but your belief?

In this episode of PD for the Soul, I sit down with James Oneal for a timely and transformative conversation on unlocking student potential through the power of high expectations. James brings clarity, wisdom, and firsthand experience that will leave you both challenged and deeply inspired.

Too often, we’re told to meet students “where they are”—but what if we also saw where they could be? What if we chose to believe that every student—regardless of background, behavior, or beginning—has brilliance waiting to be uncovered? That belief is not soft. It’s not naïve. It’s revolutionary. And it changes everything.

This episode is a call to action: to look at our students through a different lens, to reflect on the expectations we hold, and to commit to doing the work that helps every learner rise.

Because when you believe in your students, they start to believe in themselves.
And when that happens, everything becomes possible.

With purpose and partnership,

Laneshia

P.S. Don’t forget to download your free copy of the PD for the Soul  Podcast Companion Journal! It’s designed to help you process insights, reflect deeply, and apply what you learn in each episode—starting with today’s powerful conversation on unlocking potential. Let your reflections fuel your growth. 💡📓 

Connect with Mr. James Oneal!

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Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Make Math Happen podcast! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, subscribe on your favorite listening platform, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow educators.

You can also join the discussion and connect with me directly by clicking the link to join the Math Collective. Together, we’ll keep exploring practical strategies to transform classrooms and inspire students.

Remember, new episodes drop every Sunday at 9:00 am, so mark your calendars! Until next time, keep making math happen, and I’ll catch you in the next episode.

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