Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

 Instead of dreading parent contact and interaction, embrace the challenge. It will step up your game to let parents in so they can become an empowering force for their child’s success in your classroom. Tune in to hear the 4 steps you can follow right this moment to turn things around.   Quotables Parent anger is often due to misinformation My most difficult parents became my allies because I was able to shed light on what was actually going on, share my training and best practices, include them in decision making and allow them to feel heard. That resistance didn’t deter me from accomplishing my mission as a teacher, but it did make me aware of how parents felt helpless and frustrated and their kids were picking up on that Instead of being frustrated and hating on parents, embrace the experience Share your policy, not your perspective Parent relationships are so powerful when you leverage them correctly Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’

In order to effectively lead people we have to keep our MO in check. Success breeds when one uses empowerment through building capacity in others. Tune in to hear practical steps to invest others in common goals by keeping our MO in check. Quotables * The best way to motivate people is to understand their perspective + appreciate their talent * Keep the main thing, the main thing * You cannot have an impact if you have tunnel vision and a microscope on the things that don’t contribute to the big picture. * Know your goal and know your people. * Bossing people around isn’t leadership * Building relationships will bring success * You are never more important than the mission you are trying to accomplish. Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? * Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. * Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ * Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” * Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info * Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) * Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  * Click ‘Send’

In order to effectively lead people we have to keep our MO in check. Success breeds when one uses empowerment through building capacity in others. Tune in to hear practical steps to invest others in common goals by keeping our MO in check. Quotables The best way to motivate people is to understand their perspective + appreciate their talent Keep the main thing, the main thing You cannot have an impact if you have tunnel vision and a microscope on the things that don’t contribute to the big picture. Know your goal and know your people. Bossing people around isn’t leadership Building relationships will bring success You are never more important than the mission you are trying to accomplish. Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’

Being a teacher can be daunting as there are so many moving parts in one single day. Being overwhelmed is a common complaint of newer teachers. This anxiety turns to hesitancy and oftentimes cements a teacher's feet in place. As a result, teachers stop improving and succeeding in the classroom because of their fears of failure and lack of clarity on what to focus on first. Tune in to hear how teachers can jump into the deep end even when they are overwhelmed so that they could be successful faster. Quotables * “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” - Zig Ziglar * Hesitancy is the enemy of confidence and success. * You can’t develop your talent into skill by being hesitant. * When you feel like you can’t do something, you either accept it and go do it or you accept it and don’t go do it. * Your mindset dictates your behavior. * Every tough piece of feedback I have ever gotten catapulted me into a new level of skill. It pushed me to rethink, revamp, and revitalize my approach. * The quicker I failed the quicker I got back up to do it better Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? * Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. * Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ * Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” * Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info * Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) * Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  * Click ‘Send’

Being a teacher can be daunting as there are so many moving parts in one single day. Being overwhelmed is a common complaint of newer teachers. This anxiety turns to hesitancy and oftentimes cements a teacher's feet in place. As a result, teachers stop improving and succeeding in the classroom because of their fears of failure and lack of clarity on what to focus on first. Tune in to hear how teachers can jump into the deep end even when they are overwhelmed so that they could be successful faster. Quotables “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” - Zig Ziglar Hesitancy is the enemy of confidence and success. You can’t develop your talent into skill by being hesitant. When you feel like you can’t do something, you either accept it and go do it or you accept it and don’t go do it. Your mindset dictates your behavior. Every tough piece of feedback I have ever gotten catapulted me into a new level of skill. It pushed me to rethink, revamp, and revitalize my approach. The quicker I failed the quicker I got back up to do it better Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’

Brad Zupp is an entertaining motivational speaker and memory improvement expert from New York. Since 2009, Brad has been dedicated to testing the limits of his own memory while helping others learn the benefits that come from memory improvement. Brad shows both adults and children how to supercharge their memories to improve grades, relationships, productivity, and peace of mind while remembering more of what they see, hear and read. He has taught thousands of people how to access the power of their minds, the most incredible computers in the world.He is also a frequent memory sports competitor, and has won two bronze and one silver medal at memory competitions as well as twice setting an American record at the World Memory Championships. As the co-captain of Team USA he helped lead Team USA to a Silver Medal finish at the World Memory Championships in China in 2015. Quotables * Doing it well and demonstrating you can do it well are two different things...teaching a subject is a different beast than knowing content * Kids are bored and demoralized- If they are not getting it, present it in a new way * Organize your mind: * Get it * Save it * Recall it Questions to Ponder * How are you going to remember that? * Do you not remember or do you not understand the concept? * How can I teach my students to remember better? Connect with Brad * www.bradzupp.com * www.exceptionalassemblies.com/featsofmemory * Twitter: @BradZupp https://twitter.com/BradZupp * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeatsOfMemory/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradzupp Gifts from Brad * Download the report: 10 Ways to Supercharge Your Memory at: http://www.bradzupp.com/freereport * Download tips on how to help children improve focus and memory, plus two chapters of Brad’s book: www.exceptionalassemblies.com/tips-to-help-your-child-improve-focus-and-remember-better Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why?

Brad Zupp is an entertaining motivational speaker and memory improvement expert from New York. Since 2009, Brad has been dedicated to testing the limits of his own memory while helping others learn the benefits that come from memory improvement. Brad shows both adults and children how to supercharge their memories to improve grades, relationships, productivity, and peace of mind while remembering more of what they see, hear and read. He has taught thousands of people how to access the power of their minds, the most incredible computers in the world.He is also a frequent memory sports competitor, and has won two bronze and one silver medal at memory competitions as well as twice setting an American record at the World Memory Championships. As the co-captain of Team USA he helped lead Team USA to a Silver Medal finish at the World Memory Championships in China in 2015. Quotables Doing it well and demonstrating you can do it well are two different things...teaching a subject is a different beast than knowing content Kids are bored and demoralized- If they are not getting it, present it in a new way Organize your mind: Get it Save it Recall it Questions to Ponder How are you going to remember that? Do you not remember or do you not understand the concept? How can I teach my students to remember better? Connect with Brad www.bradzupp.com www.exceptionalassemblies.com/featsofmemory Twitter: @BradZupp https://twitter.com/BradZupp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeatsOfMemory/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradzupp Gifts from Brad Download the report: 10 Ways to Supercharge Your Memory at: http://www.bradzupp.com/freereport Download tips on how to help children improve focus and memory, plus two chapters of Brad’s book: www.exceptionalassemblies.com/tips-to-help-your-child-improve-focus-and-remember-better Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’

Homework (The “H” Word) has become a hot button topic lately as teachers are deciding to eliminate homework altogether in their classrooms. This episode hears from various educators and parents on their opinions on the hassle of homework as well as shares the detrimental effects of taking such drastic measures. Listen in to hear the debate and formulate your own opinion on what is best for a child’s development physically and mentally. Quotables Balance is important and necessary Achievement could drop without prioritized practice Can’t jump extreme to extreme- that’s how trends come and go Don’t just jump on a bandwagon of convenience Prioritize and differentiate Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’

Homework (The “H” Word) has become a hot button topic lately as teachers are deciding to eliminate homework altogether in their classrooms. This episode hears from various educators and parents on their opinions on the hassle of homework as well as shares the detrimental effects of taking such drastic measures. Listen in to hear the debate and formulate your own opinion on what is best for a child’s development physically and mentally. Quotables * Balance is important and necessary * Achievement could drop without prioritized practice * Can’t jump extreme to extreme- that’s how trends come and go * Don’t just jump on a bandwagon of convenience * Prioritize and differentiate Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? * Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. * Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ * Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” * Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info * Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) * Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  * Click ‘Send’

We can only be as good as we allow ourselves to become. That means we need to advocate for what we are and aren’t willing to do so that we can become our best. Educators, tune in to learn how to be a team player while setting boundaries so that you fulfill your vocational role as effectively as possible. Quotables It's not that coaches aren't team players, but we need to protect their purpose. You can't grow as a coach when you don't have time to coach. [Teachers] have huge hearts and even bigger capacity to fulfill additional duties. But that doesn’t mean we should. No one ones a jack of all trades, master of none. They want experts. You are putting first things first and keeping the main thing the main thing. Set the boundaries, stick to the boundaries, and advocate for your boundaries. Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’

We can only be as good as we allow ourselves to become. That means we need to advocate for what we are and aren’t willing to do so that we can become our best. Educators, tune in to learn how to be a team player while setting boundaries so that you fulfill your vocational role as effectively as possible. Quotables * It's not that coaches aren't team players, but we need to protect their purpose. * You can't grow as a coach when you don't have time to coach. * [Teachers] have huge hearts and even bigger capacity to fulfill additional duties. But that doesn’t mean we should. * No one wants a jack of all trades, master of none. They want experts. * You are putting first things first and keeping the main thing the main thing. * Set the boundaries, stick to the boundaries, and advocate for your boundaries. Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? * Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. * Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ * Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” * Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info * Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) * Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  * Click ‘Send’

Teachers and those that lead them need to take stock of their efforts- are they givers or takers? Are they selfish or selfless? This episode will help you find out where you land on the worth scale and brainstorm ways to increase your worth to not only reach your potential but help others reach theirs as well. Quotables: People are always watching A true leader continues to give even when not rewarded. Teacher leaders are selfless not selfish. We need to take time to pause and evaluate our worth to those that we lead so that we can continue to have a positive impact. Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’  

Teachers and those that lead them need to take stock of their efforts- are they givers or takers? Are they selfish or selfless? This episode will help you find out where you land on the worth scale and brainstorm ways to increase your worth to not only reach your potential but help others reach theirs as well. Quotables: * People are always watching * A true leader continues to give even when not rewarded. * Teacher leaders are selfless not selfish. * We need to take time to pause and evaluate our worth to those that we lead so that we can continue to have a positive impact. Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? * Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. * Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ * Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” * Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info * Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) * Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  * Click ‘Send’  

There will always be obstacles to overcome in your personal and professional life. But, how you deal with these obstacles determines your success and happiness. Tune in to learn how to stop making excuses for your choices and use that energy to make the appropriate changes to bust through to your potential! Quotables: It’s [successful people’s) reaction, frame of mind, determination that sets them apart When you make an excuse you are telling yourself you are not worthy of doing or being better… that you are incapable of more. Understand why but don’t lead with why It shows your character - being willing to correct your course of action without all the details. Change is scary but has the biggest reward You affect your potential Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson  Facebook: Always A Lesson  Twitter: @gschultek   Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  Click ‘Send’  

There will always be obstacles to overcome in your personal and professional life. But, how you deal with these obstacles determines your success and happiness. Tune in to learn how to stop making excuses for your choices and use that energy to make the appropriate changes to bust through to your potential! Quotables: * It’s [successful people’s) reaction, frame of mind, determination that sets them apart * When you make an excuse you are telling yourself you are not worthy of doing or being better… that you are incapable of more. * Understand why but don’t lead with why * It shows your character - being willing to correct your course of action without all the details. * Change is scary but has the biggest reward * You affect your potential Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson  * Facebook: Always A Lesson  * Twitter: @gschultek   * Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers  * Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers   * Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College    Leave a Rating and Review https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2 Why? This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future. How? * Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher. * Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’ * Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.” * Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info * Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best) * Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast  * Click ‘Send’