Always A Lesson's Empowering Educators Podcast

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380: Opportunities in Conversation with Chrissy Beltran Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Every conversation has the potential to open doors, spark new ideas, and create opportunities for growth. In this episode, Chrissy Beltran explores the power of meaningful conversations in education, highlighting how connecting with others can lead to new perspectives, stronger relationships, and professional growth. Whether you’re a teacher, coach, or educational leader, discover how being intentional with your conversations can create opportunities to learn, collaborate, and make a lasting impact on those around you.

Quotables

All Quotes are from the Interviewee

"We don't listen to the opportunities."
"If you can continue the conversation instead of retreating in your shell, then you are finding opportunities."
"We want to diversify the kinds of things we do to support teachers because that’s where their needs really come.”

About Chrissy Beltran

Chrissy Beltran is an instructional coach and consultant who specializes in empowering instructional coaches to thrive in their roles. With years of experience as a teacher, and later as an instructional coach supporting teachers in their classrooms, Chrissy has developed a passion for helping coaches gain the confidence, knowledge, and strategies they need to make meaningful change on their campuses. Through her keynotes, workshops, blog, online resources, and her podcast Instructional Coaching with Ms. B, she provides actionable guidance that bridges the gap between research and real-world coaching.

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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. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2

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379: Leading From The Middle When You’re Not The Boss But Still Influence Change Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

What does leadership look like when you don’t have the title, the authority, or the final say? In this episode, we explore the power of leading from the middle—how educators can influence change, build trust, and make a meaningful impact even when they aren’t the person in charge.

Leadership isn’t always about having a position. Sometimes, the most impactful leaders are the ones who listen, build relationships, speak up, and help others move forward. This conversation explores practical ways educators can lead from wherever they are while supporting their colleagues, students, and school communities.

Quotables:

"Leadership isn’t about just something you learn, its about the practice."
"Authority comes from a position. Influence comes from trust."
"Leadership isn’t about proving you’re right. Leadership is about helping the group move forward."

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Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com
Blog: Always A Lesson
Facebook: Always A Lesson
Twitter: @gschultek
Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College

Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.

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378: From Teacher to Trailblazer – Building Everyday Leadership Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

What does it mean to be a leader in education? Leadership doesn’t always come with a title—it can happen in the classroom, in conversations with colleagues, and in the everyday choices teachers make to support their students and school communities.

In this episode, we explore the journey from teacher to trailblazer and how educators can build leadership into their everyday practice. We’ll discuss what it looks like to recognize your influence, lead with intention, and create meaningful change without waiting for a formal leadership position.

Quotables

"Leadership does not require perfection."
"People notice patterns."
"You do want people to be more knowledgeable than you, but it doesn’t mean you offer nothing to the table."

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Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com
Blog: Always A Lesson
Facebook: Always A Lesson
Twitter: @gschultek
Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College

Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.

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377: Being in the Presence of Teaching with Doug Fisher Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Teaching is about more than delivering content—it’s about being present with students, noticing their needs, and working alongside colleagues to create meaningful learning experiences. In this episode, Doug Fisher shares insights into what it means to be truly present in teaching and how educators can be more intentional about the way they connect, collaborate, and respond to the people around them. From building strong relationships with students to working as a team with colleagues, this conversation highlights how teaching becomes more powerful when educators learn and grow together.

Quotables

"When a team feels efficient and effective, and we feel like we’re making a difference together, that brings us joy."
"Putting good systems in place, I think is really important."
"The more time teachers spend in each others classroom, the more benefit it has academically for the outcome of students."

About Doug Fisher

Doug Fisher went from working at KFC and riding ambulances to pay his way through college to becoming a Professor of Education at San Diego State and writing a whole shelf of books on how learning actually happens. But here's the part that makes him different: he never left the classroom. He co-founded a school in 2007 and still teaches there today. Over the past 20 years, he has helped more than 100,000 educators improve how they teach. Through these experiences, he realized something that drives him CRAZY: education has never had more experts—and less advice that actually survives a real classroom. Because of this, teachers sit through endless PD sessions, nod along... and NOTHING changes for their students on Monday morning. So he decided to start helping educators the RIGHT way—with evidence-based practices like teacher clarity, gradual release of responsibility, and PLC+ that actually survive contact with real students.

Connect with Doug Fisher

Website
Email:dfisher@sdsu.edu
Connect on X
Linkedin

Student Engagement Resources from Doug Fisher

PLTogether Student Engagement

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Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com
Blog: Always A Lesson
Facebook: Always A Lesson
Twitter: @gschultek
Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College

Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.

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Bonus: What Makes Professional Learning Actually Work? Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Professional learning is a common part of education, but not all professional development leads to meaningful change in the classroom. In this episode, we take a closer look at what makes professional learning effective, relevant, and worth teachers’ time.

We explore the difference between simply attending a training and engaging in learning that actually changes practice. From relevance and collaboration to follow-up and opportunities for implementation, effective professional learning should empower educators rather than overwhelm them.

Quotables

"Reflection is where ideas become more personal."
"Learning doesn’t stick with people until they process it."
"Every professional learning session needs at least one meaningful learning move."

Resources from this Episode

Instructional Leaders Library Membership

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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
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College

Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.

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376: Craft of Teaching with Dr. Anthony Richiez Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Teaching is more than delivering content—it is a craft that requires intention, reflection, relationships, and a commitment to continually growing as an educator. In this episode, Dr. Anthony Richiez joins us for a conversation about the Craft of Teaching and what it truly means to develop the skills, mindset, and practices that make a lasting impact on students.

Quotables

"We’re expected that we know everything, and I think sometimes the brain stops and we don’t focus on the craft of teaching."
"It’s not content, it’s context."
"You have to find out why you're doing this [teaching]."

About Dr. Anthony Richiez

Dr. Anthony Richiez specializes in transforming classrooms from low engagement and disconnectedness to a high-achieving and comprehension-rich learning environment.Understanding what it takes to transform low-performing students into excelling scholars is the journey and system audiences will learn, experience, and implement. "I Teach Teachers How To Teach Better".-Dr. Richiez

Connect with Dr. Anthony Richiez

Website: https://www.anthonyrichiez.com/ https://myteachcraft.com/ Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lsx-eeZ_f4 Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/TeachCraftLearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/arichiez/ https://www.instagram.com/anthonyrichiez/

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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
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College

Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.

Leave a Rating and Review:

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375: The Power of Presence with Julianna Burmesch Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

What happens when a child grows up feeling unseen? In this heartfelt episode, our guest shares her personal story of navigating childhood without feeling noticed and how those experiences shaped her confidence, relationships, and perspective on education. Through vulnerability and reflection, she explains why being truly present for children can change the trajectory of their lives. This conversation is a powerful reminder for educators that while lesson plans are important, students often remember the adults who made them feel valued. Every greeting, encouraging word, and intentional interaction has the potential to make a lasting difference.

Quotables

**All quotes are from the interviewee**

"No matter what their [students] mistake is,they are welcome back and they are forgiven for whatever they have done."
"We need to honor the dignity of students with every interaction that we make."
"Every child deserves to be treated with unconditional positive regard."

About Julianna Burmesch

Julianna Burmesch is a former school principal, speech pathologist, early brain development trainer, parent educator, and child advocate. In writing her memoir, “Life with Less of Me” (Books Fluent, June 23, 2026), she wants to help people understand the effects of adverse childhood experiences and unresolved trauma on one's long-term physical and mental health. Julianna is a mother, grandmother, potter, and occasional jewelry artist. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, John, and her beautiful dogs, Bella and Ruby.

Connect with Julianna

Book-Life with Less of Me
visitJuliannaBurmesch.com
Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/people/Julianna-Burmesch-Author/61568035880501/
LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianna-burmesch-69476674/

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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
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College

Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.

Leave a Rating and Review:

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374: Different Leadership with Shanimarie Ogilvie Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

What does effective leadership in education really look like? In this episode, we sit down with Shanimarie Ogilvie, an experienced educator whose career journey has taken her from the classroom to instructional coaching and back to teaching. Through each role, she has gained a unique perspective on what leadership means and how it directly influences student success.

Shanimarie shares how leadership extends far beyond administrative titles, emphasizing that teachers, coaches, and school leaders all have the ability to create meaningful change. She reflects on the differences between leading from the classroom and leading as a coach, the lessons she learned in each position, and why returning to the classroom strengthened her understanding of educational leadership.

Throughout the conversation, you will hear thoughtful insights about building relationships, supporting educators, and keeping students at the center of every decision.

Quotables

"The teachers in the classroom, their voices have to be center stage."
"Realize your students are students and get to know them."
"How can I make this year and grow their [students] potential?"

About Shanimarie Ogilvie

Shanimarie Ogilvie is an elementary educator and podcaster with nearly 20 years of classroom experience. She helps teachers create positive learning environments, navigate classroom challenges, and grow professionally through practical strategies, reflective practices, and engaging educational content.

Connect with Shanimarie Ogilvie

Social: @teachersimpactpodcast Website: https://teachersimpact.net

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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
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College

Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.

Leave a Rating and Review:

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Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’
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373: Successful Writing with Lisa Collum Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Writing is one of the most essential skills students develop in school. It empowers learners to communicate ideas, think critically, express creativity, and build confidence across all subject areas. In this episode, Lisa Collum discusses why writing matters, how educators can foster strong writing skills, and the lasting impact effective writing instruction has on student success.

From early writing experiences to developing lifelong communication skills, this conversation highlights the important role writing plays in education and beyond.

Quotables

**All quotes are from the interviewees**

"If we give them [students] explicit instruction with structure they will then become their own individualized creative writer."
"Every kid can be successful; we just can't be a one size fits all kinda box learning."
"It's structured and it's a starting place."

About Lisa Collum

Lisa Collum is an educator, author, entrepreneur, and mom of four with more than 20 years of experience in education. She is the founder and CEO of Top Score Writing, a K–12 writing curriculum used by schools nationwide, and the owner of Coastal Middle and High School, a nonprofit private school in South Florida. Lisa believes that all students can be successful when teachers are equipped with the right tools, resources, and support to help them succeed.

Connect with Lisa Collum

Social Media: @lisacollumceo https://topscorewriting.com/

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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
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College

Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.

Leave a Rating and Review:

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372: Teaching Readiness with Nicole S. Turner Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

What does it truly mean to be "ready" to teach? In this episode, we sit down with Nicole S. Turner to explore the concept of teaching readiness and the skills, mindsets, and experiences educators need to thrive in today's classrooms.

Nicole shares her insights on preparing educators for the realities of teaching, building confidence through practice, and developing the resilience necessary to support student success. Whether you're a new teacher, aspiring educator, instructional coach, or school leader, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on what it takes to enter and remain effective in the profession.

Quotables

"No learning can happen during chaos."
“We are the only field that feels like a coach is a punitive.“
"It's very important for you to create a system of support."

About Nicole S. Turner

Nicole S. Turner is the founder of Simply Coaching Co. and creator of the Simply Coaching Framework™, a proven system that helps schools grow teachers and raise student achievement. Her keynotes are an energizing mix of motivation and real-world strategy, leaving educators fired up and ready to take action. Whether she’s rallying an entire school staff or training coaches or leaders at national conferences, Nicole’s presentations deliver practical tools, powerful insights, and lasting inspiration.

Resources from this Episode

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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
Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College

Gretchen’s latest book, Always a Lesson: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success, is now available on Amazon.

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Quotables

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