Seventh grade can feel like a rollercoaster for both kids and parents. In this episode of What Great Teachers Know That All Parents Can Use, Peyten Williams sits down with Shazeen Porbandarwala, a seasoned seventh-grade math teacher and grade chair at The Westminster Schools, to unpack the unique challenges and incredible growth that define this pivotal year.

With warmth, wisdom, and insight drawn from years in the classroom (and her own parenting journey), Shazeen shares what really goes on in the minds and hearts of seventh graders. You'll walk away with practical advice, developmental insights, and the reassurance that you're not alone in navigating this exciting (and sometimes baffling) stage of parenting. 

Shazeen currently serves as the 7th Grade Chair at The Westminster Schools, where she has taught for 12 years. She also teaches Algebra. Shazeen holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Emory University, graduate degrees from Georgia State University and Lincoln Memorial University, and she is pursuing a doctorate in education at Johns Hopkins University, focusing her research on cumulative low math achievement and mindset. Shazeen also serves on the Board of Trustees at Trinity School. Outside of work, Shazeen has two children and enjoys playing pickleball, traveling, and cooking.

Join us as we welcome Dr. Regina Nixon to the show to discuss a crucial and often overlooked part of a child's educational journey: the parents. We've all heard the phrase "it takes a village," but what does it really mean for the relationship between parents and schools?

Dr. Nixon explains how parents are a vital component of the school community, and how a shared purpose—focusing on the child, the school's mission, and its core values—is the key to a strong partnership.

In this episode, we'll dive into practical strategies for becoming an effective "village member." Dr. Nixon will share advice on things like how to handle difficult situations with grace, including when and how to send that email when you're upset.

We'll also explore what you should expect from a great school, and what to do if you aren't getting the support you need. Dr. Nixon reminds us that we are all on the same team and that a little humility goes a long way. This episode is packed with insights to help you build a better partnership with your child's school so they can truly thrive.

Dr. Nixon Bio:

Dr. Regina Nixon is, above all else, a teacher and a lifelong learner. She sees herself not as an expert in all things—but as an expert in learning, reflection, and growth. With a career spanning classroom teaching, educational technology, admissions, and school leadership, Regina brings deep experience in building inclusive, joyful learning communities.

She currently serves as Head of Lower School at Cannon School in North Carolina, after holding several leadership roles in Concord, Massachusetts and previous schools before. Across every role, Regina is known for centering children, nurturing belonging, and helping others grow.

Regina holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Instructional Technology, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. But ask her what she’s most proud of, and she’ll tell you: “Each day, I get to learn from our students the meaning of you belong here. Our students live our core values each day and it inspires me and keeps me coming back.”

For more resources, check out Bowbend Consulting's website: https://bowbendconsulting.com

Kids will mess up. They’ll lie, cheat, forget their homework, lose their lunchbox, and sometimes do something that makes you wonder, What were you thinking? But great teachers know: these are teachable moments, not final verdicts.

In this episode, veteran educator Maryellen Berry from Whitefield Academy shares how the best teachers respond when kids fall short—not with shame or lectures, but with strategies that build accountability, trust, and character.

If you’ve ever wondered how to hold your child accountable without crushing their spirit, this episode is for you. Real stories, practical tools, and a whole lot of hope await.

Tune in and learn how to turn mistakes into momentum.

Guest: Lauren Davis, 6th Grade Teacher & Mom of Two Teens
Host: Peyten Williams

Episode Summary:
If you’ve got a rising or current 6th grader, this episode is your survival guide.

Middle school teacher and mom Lauren Davis knows sixth grade inside and out—from the locker struggles to the lost homework to the friendship drama. In this high-energy, deeply practical conversation, she shares exactly what sixth graders are really like, how their brains and social lives are changing, and what parents can do to support growing independence without taking over.

Inside this can’t-miss episode:

• What actually helps kids take ownership of their schedule and materials

• How to teach communication and self-advocacy in real, doable ways

• When (and how) to talk with your middle schooler after school

• Common parent traps—and how to avoid them

• The one strategy she wishes every parent would try with their 6th grader

With humor, empathy, and classroom-tested insight, Lauren equips parents with both mindset shifts and practical tools to thrive through the middle school years.

Raising a child who might be wired a little differently? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to guess your way through it.

This week on What Great Teachers Know That All Parents Can Use, I sit down with Wrenn Baldwin from the Wardlaw School at Atlanta Speech School to talk all things neurodiversity, particularly dyslexia and dysgraphia, and how early pink flags might be worth paying attention to.

We cover:
✔️ How to spot early signs of neurodiversity in preschool & early elementary
✔️ How to support big feelings and reduce family stress
✔️ Why collaboration between parents and teachers is key
✔️ How to advocate for your child with confidence
✔️ Tools schools use that can also work wonders at home

Whether your child has a diagnosis or you just have questions, this conversation will help you feel empowered, hopeful, and equipped to raise a thriving child of character.

In this episode of What Great Teachers Know That All Parents Can Use, host Peyten Williams of Bowbend Consulting sits down with expert 5th-grade teachers Tom Marine and Bria Pete to explore the pivotal—and often puzzling—year of fifth grade.

From shifting social dynamics and growing independence to emotional development, character building, and the ever-evolving role of technology, this conversation offers invaluable insights for parents navigating this season with their children.

Discover practical ways to support self-advocacy, encourage a love of reading, and help your child learn from mistakes—all with the wisdom of teachers who truly understand this transitional year.

Want to raise confident, capable kids?

Great teachers know that setting high expectations leads to greater student achievement—and the same is true for parenting! In this episode, I sit down with Emily Gromoll, Chief Learning Officer of⁠ R.E.A.L. Discussion⁠ and mom of three young boys (ages 9, 6, and 4), to explore the research behind high expectations.

We’ll break down:
✔️ How to set high (but realistic) expectations for your child
✔️ The balance between motivation and perfectionism
✔️ Practical ways to scaffold your child’s experiences for success

Whether you’re navigating school challenges, building independence at home, or just wondering how to encourage your child without pressure, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for parents of all ages. Plus, teachers will love the references to Jeff Cohen, David Yeager, Carol Dweck, and John Hattie!

🎧 Tune in now to learn how to help your child rise to the challenge!

A former History teacher and instructional coach, Emily's career in education has focused on how to design learning environments and nontraditional pathways for all students to succeed.

Fourth grade is a big year—friendships deepen, independence grows, and social dynamics become more complex. But what’s typical for a fourth grader, and how can parents best support them through this phase?

In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Frame, a veteran fourth-grade educator and fellow elementary school mom, to break down what makes fourth grade unique. We dive into:
✅ The social shifts and friendship challenges that define this stage
✅ The growing independence of fourth graders (and how to encourage it)
✅ What’s normal behavior for this age—and when to step in as a parent

Whether your child is thriving or struggling socially, this conversation will give you insight, reassurance, and practical strategies to help your fourth grader navigate this exciting year.

🎧 Tune in for expert advice, real-mom experiences, and a deeper understanding of your fourth grader!

In this episode with third-grade teacher Pia DeLeon, we discuss the highs and lows of being a third grader. From reading to social awareness, Pia covers the gamut of what parents can expect and gives some solid recommendations!

Mentioned in this episode:

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Graphic Novels

The Week

Bridge to Terabithia

*Note, I earn a small commission from Amazon purchases if you use these links.

How do they do it? I can barely manage my one child, how does a teacher manage a classroom of eighteen or thirty or more?

In this episode, discover secrets of classroom management that every parent can steal. Expert educator, Kristin Orsini, shares top tips on building relationships, providing structure and routine, and not fighting nature.

Get ready for the holidays, and never fear when you've got a house full of children, Kristen's strategies will have parents ready for anything!