Leading from the Classroom: Recent Episodes
NWEA & CCSSO
A brand new season of Leading From the Classroom is here—a podcast series about the heart, hopes, struggles, and strengths teachers see in their classrooms every day. Each week, you’ll hear the 2018 Teachers of the Year share their personal stories about what helped shape them as educators, and how they’re working to make a difference in the lives of their students.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Wyoming Teacher of the Year Sara Reed shares why she believes that sometimes, the teachers who make the biggest difference are the ones who go against education norms.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 New Mexico Teacher of the Year Ivonne Orozco tells us about heritage language learners, and what students in her Spanish class taught her about the link between identity, culture, and language.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Maine Teacher of the Year Kaitlin Young talks about the experience of inviting Senator Susan Collins to her school—and how her students took the opportunity to ask the tough questions they cared about most.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Montana Teacher of the Year Melissa Romano shares the story of Owen, a student who showed her what’s possible when teachers collaborate.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Idaho Teacher of the Year Becky Mitchell tells us why she thinks asking kids what they want to be when they grow up is the wrong question.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Utah Teacher of the Year Aaryn Birchell shares why she believes that before teachers can take care of our kids, they need to take care of each other.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Missouri Teacher of the Year Beth Davey shares how she used music to support her students in the aftermath of the 2014 shooting of teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Nevada Teacher of the Year Pilar Biller tells us about Jenna, a quiet student who reached out with an appreciation, and ended up teaching her a lesson about giving ourselves permission to be learners.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Cara Pekarcik tells us why she believes that when her students act out, they’re really telling her about their struggles. Here’s Cara.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 American Samoa Teacher of the Year Rosalee Tela-Shoulders tells us the story of Mark, a student struggling to be accepted—and how the former troublemaker taught her a lesson about empathy.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Colorado Teacher of the Year Christina Randle tells us about one of the most important things a teacher needs to make change happen: optimism.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Alaska Teacher of the Year Ben Walker talks about why he believes both parents and educators need to take action instead of waiting to be asked to get involved.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year Kristin Hayes-Leite shares the story of how she went from thinking about “I and me” to instead thinking about “us and we.”
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Delaware Teacher of the Year Jinni Forcucci talks to us about her students who learned to use their voices to speak up about school shootings—and the challenging consequences they faced for taking a stand.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Washington, DC Teacher of the Year Paul Howard talks about the myth of the “perfect teacher,” and why it’s critical for teachers to give themselves room to be “not okay.”
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 New York Teacher of the Year Christopher Albrecht tells us about how he found a new way to engage his students with history: by building bridges with other cultures.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Hawaii Teacher of the Year Vanessa Ching discusses compassion—and how one student turned a painful event into an inspiring school-wide and award-winning movement.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Arizona Teacher of the Year Josh Meibos tells us about his mission to bring recess back—and why he believes recess is a critical component of social development.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year Heidi Crumrine tells us why it’s so important for teachers to believe in their students—and how one student taught her a lesson about the power of language.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 North Carolina Teacher of the Year Lisa Godwin shares how her own journey of learning to be vulnerable helped her become a better teacher.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year Matthew Miller shares why he believes the key to helping students succeed is by teaching them to lead.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 CNMI Teacher of the Year Antenille Santos tells us what happened when she chose to ignore one class’s reputation and focused on believing in them instead.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Kansas Teacher of the Year Sam Neill tells us what it’s like to feel powerless to make big changes—and how she started by helping a student she’ll never forget.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Oregon Teacher of the Year Matthew Bacon-Brenes talks about one of the most challenging classes of his career—and how he used his commitment to his students as a tool for helping them learn Japanese history.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Vermont Teacher of the Year Linda Cloutier-Namdar tells us about Jessie, a 9th grader who needed a teacher to believe in him—and how discovering his love of hip-hop reminded her just how powerful student-teacher relationships can be.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 South Dakota Teacher of the Year Rachel Schaefer tells us how she developed an important personal motto: teachers need teachers.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Virginia Teacher of the Year Michelle Cottrell-Williams tells us about Leo—a student who struggled to find his own voice, until he had something to say about the Parkland shooting.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Iowa Teacher of the Year Aileen Sullivan shares the story of how her son inspired her to take on a new mission: making the first day of high school more welcoming for freshman students.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 California Teacher of the Year Brian McDaniel tells us about Jessica, a non-verbal student who found her voice in his choir class—and the inspiring message she left him with before she graduated.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Randi House talks to us about why it’s important to use your own judgment as a teacher to engage kids—even if that means going off-book sometimes.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Maryland Teacher of the Year Josh Carroll tells us about the impact climate change is having on schools in his state—and how entire communities are rising up to the challenges.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Nebraska Teacher of the Year Michelle Helt tells us the story of how going to one of the country’s most prestigious primary schools transformed her own feelings of inadequacy.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Michigan Teacher of the Year Luke Wilcox shares the secret behind his approach to getting kids to connect with new ideas at school: Experience first, formalize later.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Florida Teacher of the Year Tammy Jerkins discusses the challenge of finding and keeping good teachers—and why she believes the solution lies in creating a support system for new teachers.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Corey Bulman shares why he believes building connections with students is key to his job as a teacher—and why it’s so important to inspire the teachers of tomorrow.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 New Jersey Teacher of the Year Amy Andersen tells us how one deaf child in a daycare inspired her to advocate for language equality and change how school systems treat deaf early learners.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Michael Soskill shares what happened when his students met a classroom of kids from Nairobi—and the lessons it taught them about helping others.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Tennessee Teacher of the Year Cicely Woodard discusses why it’s important to challenge all students, even the star students—and why all students need teachers who believe in them.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 North Dakota Teacher of the Year Leah Juelke tells us how a class project about immigration became a powerful school-wide movement to help students support one another in what she calls, “the power of empathetic teaching."
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Ohio Teacher of the Year Jonathan Juravich tells us about Ava, a student with autism, who showed him just how powerful differentiated instruction can be.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year Lindsey Jensen shares how an encounter with a stranger on a plane inspired her to write a poem—and rediscover why she’s meant to be a teacher.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 South Carolina Teacher of the Year Erin Fox tells the story of how she found inspiration where she least expected it: at Space Camp, and how it inspired her to create the summer reading program she’s always dreamed of.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Georgia Teacher of the Year John Tibbets shares why he’s on a mission to get his fellow educators to focus less on teacher evaluations, and more on helping students achieve.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Louisiana Teacher of the Year Kimberly Eckert shares how two very different students helped define her approach to teaching—and a new practice she calls “Genius Hour.”
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Washington Teacher of the Year, and National Teacher of the Year, Mandy Manning shares the lessons she learned about tenacity and opportunity and why she believes it’s worth it to go above and beyond for her students.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Indiana Teacher of the Year Jerome Flewelling shares how he went from lecturing his students to engaging them—and the powerful results he’s seen.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Jon Hazell shares how his father inspired him, showing him the lasting impact a teacher can have and what he calls, “the secret to living forever.”
New episodes start December 10th! Listen in on this sneak preview of the upcoming season with these incredible educators.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Washington Teacher of the Year Camille Jones tells us about Marisa, the student who showed her what can happen when students and teachers support one another.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Mississippi Teacher of the Year Jodi McKenzie tells us how a trip to the Mississippi Delta changed her perspective on adversity, and inspired her to be a voice for change with policymakers.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 South Dakota Teacher of the Year Beth Kaltsulas tells us about how she set out to learn how to use social media and got a lesson about the power of stepping outside her comfort zone.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 West Virginia Teacher of the Year Toni Poling tells us about the moment she knew she was meant to use her voice to advocate for her fellow teachers.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Rebecca Foxwell discusses why student-teacher relationships are so vital in education.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Utah Teacher of the Year Valerie Gates discusses the heartbreaking struggles of supporting undocumented students, and the inspiring actions she took when one of her students was taken in an immigration raid.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Nebraska Teacher of the Year Amber Vlasnik tells us about how she traveled thousands of miles in search of the secret to the Finnish education system—and instead, discovered a universal truth.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 North Dakota Teacher of the Year Nanci Dauwen shares how her journey began with one simple question: "How can I honor all of the other wonderful teachers in my state?"
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year Nikos Giannopoulos tells us about how he achieved his own dreams by helping his students reach theirs.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Maine Teacher of the Year Tammy Ranger tells us about the moment she spoke up about School Choice, and why it's up to teachers to make School Choice more equitable.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Nevada Teacher of the Year Pam Ertel talks about why language, and the words we use, are so important in education.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Virginia Teacher of the Year Toney McNair, Jr. shares a metaphor that reflects the vital role teachers must play in student lives.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Michigan Teacher of the Year Tracy Horodyski tells us about Caesar, and what he learned while writing his very first poem.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Florida Teacher of the Year Jessica Solano talks about the difference between involving parents and engaging them, and how her life changed when she started visiting students in their homes.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 North Carolina Teacher of the Year Bobbie Cavnar tells us about what happened when he was slated to deliver a prepared speech to educators — and how he followed his instincts and went off-script.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Washington, D.C. Teacher of the Year Elizabeth Dewhurst shares how she learned to rely on a community of educators to help her be a better teacher for her students.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Louisiana Teacher of the Year Joni Smith tells the story of what it was like to take part in discussions with U.S. Department of Education, and why it's her mission to keep those discussions focused on students.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Texas Teacher of the Year Allison Ashley shares her experiences contributing to her state's new educational standards, and how vastly different educators turned their differences into something powerful for students.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year Chris Gleason tells us about the tuba lesson that changed his perspective on education.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Missouri Teacher of the Year Darbie Valenti tells us about her passion for teaching STEM lessons, and why she believes that STEM is the key to teaching the skills that matter most.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 New Jersey Teacher of the Year Argine Safari tells us how she used music to help students cope with their fears after the violence in Charlottesville.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Illinois Teacher of the Year Ricardo Castro shares his story of meeting Donald Trump, and how he turned a brief encounter into a "moment that mattered."
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 South Carolina Teacher of the Year Jennifer Wise shares what it's like to come from a long line of educators, and how her family's legacy inspires her every day.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Vermont Teacher of the Year Kate McCann shares how she overcame fear by letting others in, and was able to realize her dream and hold Vermont's first State Math Fair.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Wyoming Teacher of the Year Ryan Fuhrman shares how he overcame self-doubt and learned the value of his own leadership.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 New York Teacher of the Year Amy Hysick shares how a single moment or conversation can change a student forever.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Idaho Teacher of the Year Mary Spiker shares her story of speaking to the Senate and House committees, and using her voice on behalf of her youngest, most vulnerable students.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Oregon Teacher of the Year Gloria Pereyra-Robertson tells the story of the heartbreaking letter she received from a parent, and the unexpected conversation it led to about race and immigration.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Kansas Teacher of the Year Jason Sickel tells us about Tommy, a student who taught him a meaningful lesson about what happens when we learn to use our voices.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Georgia Teacher of the Year Casey Bethel tells the story of his son's first day of school, and how a single moment reminded him that teachers do much more than teach.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Maryland Teacher of the Year Sia Kyriakakos shares how an unexpected conversation with a lobbyist, and a deep love for her students, moved her to aspire to advocate for her students on a bigger platform.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year Tate Aldrich shares what it was like delivering a commencement speech at his alma mater, and how he told the story he'd been waiting his whole life to tell.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Iowa Teacher of the Year Shelly Vroegh talks about the importance of teachers supporting teachers, and why you can't do it alone.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Alaska Teacher of the Year James Harris tells us about experiencing the power of collective voice, and how he joined others to use that voice to enhance education for his state.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Delaware Teacher of the Year Wendy Turner shares why sometimes, teachers need to push their students in order to inspire them.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Courtney Cochran shares how the final days with her father helped her see the profound impact teachers can have on students' lives.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Tennessee Teacher of the Year Derek Voiles tells the story of Kenneth, a young student who reminded him just how important a teacher’s support can be in a student’s life.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 California Teacher of the Year Megan Gross shares what it’s like to feel like you're on the outside as a Special Education teacher, and what happens when teachers reach out across disciplines and work together for positive change.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Lauren Danner talks to us about how she learned to quell self-doubt and step outside her comfort zone to use her teacher voice to make a difference in students’ lives.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year and 2017 National Teacher of the Year Sydney Chaffee tells us about a moment she had in Ethiopia that started with an unexpected question and became her most profound moment of learning.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Department of Defense Education Activities Teacher of the Year Kelisa Wing tells the story of how a missed opportunity to meet her personal hero became her opportunity to be present in a historical moment to make her own "good trouble."
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Colorado Teacher of the Year Sean Wybrant tells the story of how he discovered his platform through the stories of the kids in his own classroom, and how he used that platform to advocate for computer science as an equity issue.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Indiana Teacher of the Year Jitka Nelson tells us about the perspectives English Language Learner students bring when their teachers give them what they need most: a voice.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Alabama Teacher of the Year Dana Jacobson shares how one remarkable student inspired her to advocate for the hopes and dreams of underprivileged students.
In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Abdul Wright tells us about his mission to change the world—through the hearts and minds of students.