Wake Up and Teach, by Kelly Education

In this episode of Wake Up and Teach, host Nicola Soares, President of Kelly Education, speaks with Angela Kelly, a life coach for school leaders and host of The Empowered Principal Podcast, about how the K–12 workforce challenges are playing out at the building level.

While districts focus on hiring, development, and retention strategies, it’s principals who manage the everyday realities — from staffing shortages and operational disruptions to maintaining a strong, supportive school community. Angela shares her perspective on how these pressures directly impact school leadership, what strategies principals are using to stay resilient, and why building-level leadership is now more critical than ever for the future of the K–12 workforce.

If you’re an education leader, policymaker, or advocate committed to supporting schools from the inside out, this conversation offers important insights and actionable steps.

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In this episode of Wake Up and Teach, host Nicola Soares, President of Kelly Education, sits down with Shaily Baranwal, Founder and Chief Learning Ambassador of Elevate K-12. They discuss the urgent teacher shortage crisis and how live, virtual instruction is helping districts ensure every student has a qualified teacher in the classroom.

Shaily shares the story behind Elevate K-12, why traditional stopgap methods often fall short, and how her company’s innovative model blends certified virtual teachers with in-classroom support. Nicola and Shaily also explore the evolving challenges driving teacher attrition, the importance of coaching and professional support, and how AI and technology may shape the future of staffing in schools.

If your district is struggling to fill classrooms or retain teachers, this conversation offers a fresh look at solutions that are already making a real impact.

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In this episode of Wake Up and Teach, host Nicola Soares, President of Kelly Education, sits down with Kelly Coash-Johnson, Executive Director of the American Association of School Personnel Administrators. They explore the fiscal pressures impacting school staffing today, from increasing healthcare costs to the challenges of staying competitive with private sector salaries. Kelly shares practical strategies districts are using to rethink staffing models, maximize limited resources, and build a more resilient workforce. They also talk about the role of community partnerships, flexible staffing approaches, and differentiated professional development in supporting both educators and budgets. If you're navigating tight resources in your district, this episode offers valuable insights you can put into action.

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What does it take to build a sustainable and resilient education workforce in today’s climate of shortages and burnout?

In this episode of Wake Up and Teach, host Nicola Soares, President of Kelly Education, speaks with Bill Briggman, Chief Human Resources Officer for Charleston County School District. With more than two decades of leadership in South Carolina, Bill has implemented bold strategies to make educator pay more competitive, expand certification pathways, and create a culture where teachers and staff feel heard and supported.

He shares how CCSD launched its own certification program, raised teacher salaries significantly, and brought educators into decision, making roles to shape long-term improvements. The conversation also explores the importance of early-career support, the role of substitute teachers in the staffing ecosystem, and how community partnerships play a vital role in professional growth.

This episode offers a practical look at what it means to empower educators through meaningful policy, planning, and leadership.

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In this episode of Wake Up and Teach, host Nicola Soares, President of Kelly Education, talks with Dr. Catina Lyles, Chief Human Resources Officer at the Special School District of St. Louis County—Missouri’s largest specialized education provider.

They explore how strategic hiring, intentional collaboration, and long-term support for special education professionals can benefit all students in the classroom. Dr. Lyles shares how her district is rethinking the pipeline, recruiting from within, partnering with higher ed, and embracing general ed teachers who want to specialize.

Nicola and Catina also dig into why inclusion works best when general and special ed teams plan together, how AI can save teachers time, and why professional learning must be tailored for real impact. It’s a candid conversation full of insight for school leaders, HR professionals, and anyone committed to building a more inclusive learning environment.

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In this episode of Wake Up and Teach, host Nicola Soares, President of Kelly Education, sits down with Dr. Dan Sims, Superintendent of the Bibb County School District in Georgia, to talk about one of the most powerful levers in education: workforce effectiveness. With nearly three decades in public education, Dr. Sims shares how Bibb County’s strategic plan—anchored in their “Theory of Action”—connects educator support and staff well-being directly to student achievement. 

Nicola and Dr. Sims unpack how to build and refine a people-first strategy in education, including how to empower teachers, engage support staff, and create systems of accountability and recognition that actually work. They also explore how thoughtful collaboration and leadership development can reduce burnout, boost retention, and create joyful learning environments.

This episode offers grounded, honest insights you can put to work in your community. Tune in now!

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In this episode of Wake Up and Teach, host Nicola Soares, President of Kelly Education, sits down with Brent Maddin, Executive Director of the Next Education Workforce at Arizona State University, to discuss how schools can rethink staffing models to better support educators and students.

Brent shares how team-based teaching approaches can enhance collaboration, improve student outcomes, and create a more sustainable career path for educators. They also explore ways to integrate substitute teachers into the workforce more effectively, rethink credentialing, and break down systemic barriers that hinder innovation in education.

If you’re an education leader, policymaker, or passionate about strengthening the education workforce, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

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In this episode of Wake Up and Teach, host Nicola Soares, President of Kelly Education, is joined by Amy Bouque, Chief People Officer at Kelly, to explore the Six Elements of People Success. These elements—purpose, growth, clarity, well-being, empowerment, and connection—are essential for fostering engaged and resilient education teams. Nicola and Amy discuss strategies for addressing challenges like teacher retention, workforce well-being, and creating inclusive environments for educators. With practical examples from both education and corporate settings, they provide leaders with actionable insights to support their teams while navigating budget limitations. Whether you're a school administrator, district leader, or passionate about the education workforce, this episode offers valuable takeaways to help build a thriving workplace culture.

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In this episode of Wake Up and Teach, Nicola Soares, President of Kelly Education, sits down with Justin Wing, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at Mesa Public Schools in Arizona. Together, they explore innovative strategies tackling one of education’s greatest challenges—burnout in the teaching profession. Justin shares insights into his district’s collaboration with Arizona State University to reimagine workforce design through the Next Education Workforce model. He also discusses the impactful work of Arizona’s Governor's Educator Retention Task Force, highlighting efforts to address teacher shortages, support alternative certification pathways, and develop team-based teaching approaches. The conversation sheds light on rethinking traditional educational structures, fostering collaboration among educators, and creating sustainable support systems for both teachers and students. Listen in to discover practical strategies making a real difference in classrooms today.

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In the first episode of Wake Up and Teach, Nicola Soares, President of Kelly Education, hosts Susanne Griffin, Vice President and Managing Director at Greenwood Asher & Associates, and Brad Beckner, Vice President of Operations at Kelly Education. The topic of the day is: The State of the Education Workforce. Together, they dive into the intricate challenges of recruiting, hiring, and retaining talent within school districts. They discuss the impact of volatile demand, teacher shortages, and post-pandemic realities of workforce planning for new superintendents. Susanne shares strategies for inclusive leadership and meaningful change in education, while Brad emphasizes the need for district leadership to focus on attracting and retaining talent amidst growing competition. The conversation highlights the critical issues of wage parity, innovative cost-effective solutions, and future trends in education, such as compensation discussions, remote learning adjustments, and the rise of microschools. So press play and make sure you don’t miss this illuminating episode!

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