Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

Teachers face some tough obstacles on their journey in the classroom. But those circumstances don’t define who they are as a person or a professional. Tune in to hear 4 steps for how you can write your story so that it has the impact and ending that you dream of. Quotables “Circumstances don’t make your life interesting. You make your life interesting. Write your story.” AMB Do not let your circumstances take you down, turn you around or worse… eject you out of the game. Your circumstance does not define you, you define you. You have to become clear with what has happened and what is currently happening before you can even imagine a healthy path forward. You can control what decisions you make and what behaviors you exhibit. I didn’t want secrets. I wanted recipes for success. Referenced Podcast Episode Bonus Edition- Interview with Nicole Turner Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson 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’

Classroom management can be tricky when we react to student behavior instead of setting up procedures. Oftentimes, we let the heat of the moment control our brain and we end up making decisions that hinder student learning. Tune in to hear two scenarios of classroom management struggles where tips are shared so that the problem and solution go together like a delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Quotables * One of the major reasons why teachers struggle with classroom management has little to do with their content knowledge or their passion to teach. It all comes down to clarity. * Quiet is not the same as silent * Your wording choice has a huge impact on the result of your classroom behaviors * It’s not about winning a war of who’s right and who’s most responsible. It’s about helping kids. All day every day. * If your solution is hindering learning, you are the problem * Every decision we make impacts kids * We have to design our learning space and vibe so it encourages students to show up and apply themselves * Students need to love learning but more importantly they need to BE ABLE to love learning Gretchen's Stamp of Approval * "What to Do" Technique by Doug Lemov featured in Teach Like a Champion Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson * Facebook: Always A Lesson * Twitter: @gschultek * Instagram: Always.A.Lesson * 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’

Classroom management can be tricky when we react to student behavior instead of setting up procedures. Oftentimes, we let the heat of the moment control our brain and we end up making decisions that hinder student learning. Tune in to hear two scenarios of classroom management struggles where tips are shared so that the problem and solution go together like a delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Quotables One of the major reasons why teachers struggle with classroom management has little to do with their content knowledge or their passion to teach. It all comes down to clarity. Quiet is not the same as silent Your wording choice has a huge impact on the result of your classroom behaviors It’s not about winning a war of who’s right and who’s most responsible. It’s about helping kids. All day every day. If your solution is hindering learning, you are the problem Every decision we make impacts kids We have to design our learning space and vibe so it encourages students to show up and apply themselves Students need to love learning but more importantly they need to BE ABLE to love learning Gretchen's Stamp of Approval "What to Do" Technique by Doug Lemov featured in Teach Like a Champion Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson 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’

The work-life balance struggle is never more real than when you realize there’s more parts than just work and life that you need to balance. Life itself consists of numerous titles (mom, wife, daughter, friend, etc) that are getting put on the back burner. Tune in to hear 3 tips you can implement today to make time for all these different parts of you. Quotables * Sometimes I feel like my identity is being lost in all this pulling back * There are other parts of me that are getting neglected * I have to say ‘yes’ in the future, but ‘no’ right now * You can’t just keep life moving and disregarding these other aspects because they are more important than you might realize Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson * Facebook: Always A Lesson * Twitter: @gschultek * Instagram: Always.A.Lesson * 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’

The work-life balance struggle is never more real than when you realize there’s more parts than just work and life that you need to balance. Life itself consists of numerous titles (mom, wife, daughter, friend, etc) that are getting put on the back burner. Tune in to hear 3 tips you can implement today to make time for all these different parts of you. Quotables Sometimes I feel like my identity is being lost in all this pulling back There are other parts of me that are getting neglected I have to say ‘yes’ in the future, but ‘no’ right now You can’t just keep life moving and disregarding these other aspects because they are more important than you might realize Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson 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’

Bill Cecil is a recently retired, 31-year veteran teacher for the Waverly Community Schools in Lansing, MI.  Bill believes every teacher is a leader with a team to lead, and he has created a program called “Best Year Ever!” that provides teachers with a clear vision, blueprint, and proven strategies to create a positive, safe, and productive learning environment where individuals strive for personal best while working together to achieve team goals. Bill graduated with honors from Western Michigan University. While attending Western, Bill earned four varsity letters playing on the men’s soccer team and discovered his love of teaching while coaching youth soccer camps for the Broncos.  Not only did Bill discover teaching through soccer, he learned the potential power a group of individuals have when they work together with a shared purpose or set of goals.  He has incorporated those same teambuilding strategies into his own teaching with great success. Bill was chosen Michigan Teacher of the Year for 2003-2004.  Bill spent that year on sabbatical working for the Michigan Department of Education setting an ambitious goal to meet with as many educators, legislators, community members, and teachers in training as possible to help spread an “epidemic of hope and determination” throughout the state of Michigan that now is still a great time to be involved in education. In the Spring of 2013, Bill traveled to China as a member of a small delegation of professional educators and policymakers from Michigan to explore ways our two countries can work together in the future to enhance educational opportunities. The seven day trip included stops  in Beijing, Jilin, and Xi'an. Bill continues to speak at various colleges and universities sharing ideas and strategies from the book he has written called  Best Year Ever! Winning Strategies to Thrive in Today's Classroom and coaches new teacher-- one-on-one and in small groups-- on classroom management, team building (building relationships), and leadership. Bill has also created a free video series on his website (bestyearever.net) called the "B.Y.E. Top 100" which is a collection of one hundred short videos (each under 5 min.) that focus on leadership, team building, and  classroom management. Quotables * There are times I am on the ropes like a boxer, absorbing blows thinking how much more of this can I take? I feel like I was knocked down. * Re-focus on your "why" * Come in with a positive attitude and look for things to get excited about * Make the fire brighter * The power of team- something larger than ourselves * Take a life-lesson bird walk * Don't be glib * Think of yourself as an artist * Enthusiasm is contagious * Don't let fear hold you back * I don't hang around nay-sayers; it's like second hand smoke Bill's Stamp of Approval * 'Option B' by Sheryl Sandberg * 'Start with Why' by Simon Sinek * 'Growth Mindset' by Carol Dweck Connect with Bill * Website: bestyearever.net * Linked-In: Bill Cecil * Email: billcecil@bestyearever.net Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson * Facebook: Always A Lesson * Twitter: @gschultek * Instagram: Always.A.Lesson * 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:

Bill Cecil is a recently retired, 31-year veteran teacher for the Waverly Community Schools in Lansing, MI.  Bill believes every teacher is a leader with a team to lead, and he has created a program called “Best Year Ever!” that provides teachers with a clear vision, blueprint, and proven strategies to create a positive, safe, and productive learning environment where individuals strive for personal best while working together to achieve team goals. Bill graduated with honors from Western Michigan University. While attending Western, Bill earned four varsity letters playing on the men’s soccer team and discovered his love of teaching while coaching youth soccer camps for the Broncos.  Not only did Bill discover teaching through soccer, he learned the potential power a group of individuals have when they work together with a shared purpose or set of goals.  He has incorporated those same teambuilding strategies into his own teaching with great success. Bill was chosen Michigan Teacher of the Year for 2003-2004.  Bill spent that year on sabbatical working for the Michigan Department of Education setting an ambitious goal to meet with as many educators, legislators, community members, and teachers in training as possible to help spread an “epidemic of hope and determination” throughout the state of Michigan that now is still a great time to be involved in education. In the Spring of 2013, Bill traveled to China as a member of a small delegation of professional educators and policymakers from Michigan to explore ways our two countries can work together in the future to enhance educational opportunities. The seven day trip included stops  in Beijing, Jilin, and Xi'an. Bill continues to speak at various colleges and universities sharing ideas and strategies from the book he has written called  Best Year Ever! Winning Strategies to Thrive in Today's Classroom and coaches new teacher-- one-on-one and in small groups-- on classroom management, team building (building relationships), and leadership. Bill has also created a free video series on his website (bestyearever.net) called the "B.Y.E. Top 100" which is a collection of one hundred short videos (each under 5 min.) that focus on leadership, team building, and  classroom management. Quotables There are times I am on the ropes like a boxer, absorbing blows thinking how much more of this can I take? I feel like I was knocked down. Re-focus on your "why" Come in with a positive attitude and look for things to get excited about Make the fire brighter The power of team- something larger than ourselves Take a life-lesson bird walk Don't be glib Think of yourself as an artist Enthusiasm is contagious Don't let fear hold you back I don't hang around nay-sayers; it's like second hand smoke Bill's Stamp of Approval 'Option B' by Sheryl Sandberg 'Start with Why' by Simon Sinek 'Growth Mindset' by Carol Dweck Connect with Bill Website: bestyearever.net Linked-In: Bill Cecil Email: billcecil@bestyearever.net Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson 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?

The teaching profession is not all rainbows. There are trying times and when teachers do not receive support from their leaders in how to navigate these rougher waters, the rainbows not only disappear but so do the teachers. We cannot risk losing more great teachers to other professions. Tune in to learn 4 steps in how to support teachers in efforts to retain this passionate talent. Quotables * We as teacher leaders need to prioritize retention of our best and brightest teachers or we might lose them forever. * Grab your net and save these teachers from overwhelm. * It’s like swimming in the ocean and being handed a life jacket and a boogie board and someone swimming next to you encouraging you on your journey. Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson * Facebook: Always A Lesson * Twitter: @gschultek * Instagram: Always.A.Lesson * 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’

The teaching profession is not all rainbows. There are trying times and when teachers do not receive support from their leaders in how to navigate these rougher waters, the rainbows not only disappear but so do the teachers. We cannot risk losing more great teachers to other professions. Tune in to learn 4 steps in how to support teachers in efforts to retain this passionate talent. Quotables We as teacher leaders need to prioritize retention of our best and brightest teachers or we might lose them forever. Grab your net and save these teachers from overwhelm. It’s like swimming in the ocean and being handed a life jacket and a boogie board and someone swimming next to you encouraging you on your journey. Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson 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’

Educators are not islands; we work with numerous people all day. There are times where relationships aren’t harmonious and it’s up to us educators to repair these connections so that the partnership can flourish and so can students. Tune in to hear how to repair a broken relationship with colleagues. Quotables * You NEVER know what people are going through as they sit before you or even work alongside you * You can’t UNDO anything, but you can repair it * Put the work in ahead of time- this is what I call “preventive relationship care” * You have to prioritize being human over doing work * All relationships have bumps in the road * It doesn’t mean you can’t work with people who are not just like you; it means you need a great deal of cushion to support the relationship. * If you don’t call out the small stuff, you won’t call out the big stuff Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson * Facebook: Always A Lesson * Twitter: @gschultek * Instagram: Always.A.Lesson * 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’

Educators are not islands; we work with numerous people all day. There are times where relationships aren’t harmonious and it’s up to us educators to repair these connections so that the partnership can flourish and so can students. Tune in to hear how to repair a broken relationship with colleagues. Quotables You NEVER know what people are going through as they sit before you or even work alongside you You can’t UNDO anything, but you can repair it Put the work in ahead of time- this is what I call “preventive relationship care” You have to prioritize being human over doing work All relationships have bumps in the road It doesn’t mean you can’t work with people who are not just like you; it means you need a great deal of cushion to support the relationship. If you don’t call out the small stuff, you won’t call out the big stuff Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson 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’

A lot of frustrated educators can alleviate their pain by learning to love the detours and obstacles that come their way. This often means embracing options other than their current one, and making the most of those options. Tune in to hear how Option B can be just as amazing as Option A in your professional life when you learn how to work it just right! Quotables * It’s your reality now and you have to deal with it * Sometimes its your plan A for a season or a moment * Allow the plan to work itself * Dominoes have to fall in a particular order and, more importantly, a specific time frame * Plan B isn’t so bad and most often my plan B becomes my best plan A scenario * It might not look like what you want, but it might be the best thing for you * It might not be what you want right now, but it might be the cut through road to where you cannot wait to be * “Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans”- John Lennon * Plan within reason, but don’t put blinders on to what is happening around you Stamp of Approval * Option B by Sheryl Sandburg Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson * Facebook: Always A Lesson * Twitter: @gschultek * Instagram: Always.A.Lesson * 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’

A lot of frustrated educators can alleviate their pain by learning to love the detours and obstacles that come their way. This often means embracing options other than their current one, and making the most of those options. Tune in to hear how Option B can be just as amazing as Option A in your professional life when you learn how to work it just right! Quotables It’s your reality now and you have to deal with it Sometimes its your plan A for a season or a moment Allow the plan to work itself Dominoes have to fall in a particular order and, more importantly, a specific time frame Plan B isn’t so bad and most often my plan B becomes my best plan A scenario It might not look like what you want, but it might be the best thing for you It might not be what you want right now, but it might be the cut through road to where you cannot wait to be “Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans”- John Lennon Plan within reason, but don’t put blinders on to what is happening around you Stamp of Approval Option B by Sheryl Sandburg Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson 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’

You can’t live out your potential and bless others if you are not living out your WHY. A future guest inspired me to help you avoid being “glib” because that doesn’t benefit you or those you serve. So tune in to hear what you can do today to put yourself on the right track to living a more purpose-filled life as an educator! Quotables * When you pour everything you have into something you do, it shows * If we all could just turn up the dial when its comes to being a learner and find more joy in the process we might just end up painting that masterpiece after all. * Why did you become an educator? Why do you remain an educator? * What is part of your fabric from which you operate? * Don’t just go through the motions. Find out what lights a fire under you and go do that * There's a season for everything * That's not my thing and I'm okay with it Stamp of Approval * Start With Why by Simon Sinek Connect with Gretchen * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com * Blog: Always A Lesson * Facebook: Always A Lesson * Twitter: @gschultek * Instagram: Always.A.Lesson * 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’

You can’t live out your potential and bless others if you are not living out your WHY. A future guest inspired me to help you avoid being “glib” because that doesn’t benefit you or those you serve. So tune in to hear what you can do today to put yourself on the right track to living a more purpose-filled life as an educator! Quotables When you pour everything you have into something you do, it shows If we all could just turn up the dial when its comes to being a learner and find more joy in the process we might just end up painting that masterpiece after all. Why did you become an educator? Why do you remain an educator? What is part of your fabric from which you operate? Don’t just go through the motions. Find out what lights a fire under you and go do that There's a season for everything That's not my thing and I'm okay with it Stamp of Approval Start With Why by Simon Sinek Connect with Gretchen Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com Blog: Always A Lesson Facebook: Always A Lesson Twitter: @gschultek Instagram: Always.A.Lesson 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’