Designed To Thrive Podcast with Elissa Frazier

In this episode Justin Schleider, Elementary Phys Ed teacher, shares how he creates inclusive, responsive, and engaging classroom environments where all students are valued and experience success. He centers the experiences of historically underserved students in practice ways. Highlights *The significance of self-awareness and how personal experiences create the lens to teach from *Tangible ways for Physical Education and teachers, and all teachers can approach creating equitable learning environments *The ways in which education has changed and trends for the future (present and post COVID)

On this episode instructional leader and teacher development specialist, Taylor Gilley, talks about the ways she develops novice teachers to thrive in multicultural and urban classrooms. She shares how her own experiences going through an alternative certification program shaped her perspective, as well as how she found mentors who transformed her teaching trajectory.

In this episode Dr. Nicolette James shares her approach to instructional coaching using a humanity-centered approach to build teacher and student capacity. Creating safe spaces where teachers and students can be vulnerable is key in her efforts. Dr. James also shares the ways in which schools can strengthen home-to-school relationships and amplify the voices of young people through mentorship. She believes that schools can support the "whole" child.

In this episode, Jorge discusses the importance of teaching with empathy, both within and among adult learners in PLCs as well as with students in the classroom. Empathy is a catalyst for deeper understanding and it lays the foundation for partnership and helping students to develop their HOTS (higher order thinking skills.) Jorge also reminds teachers that creating transformational and equitable learning environments is a journey. He urges teachers to speak from heart within their PLCs but to also be ready to accept feedback when their perspective is harming other people. Jorge is a master teacher, education coach, SEL expert, author, and advocate.

In this show Lorena Germán speaks to teachers about the importance of creating safe spaces, healing spaces, and using curriculum to expand students’ understanding of what it means to be culturally responsive and anti-racist. One of the ways to do this is to build your PLN and by tapping into organizations like NCTE for the language and the community needed to do the heart work.

In this episode Derek McCoy dives deeper into the need for educators to "get uncomfortable" in order to grow. He shares his own education journey with loving, well-meaning teachers as well as teachers who were able to cultivate his gifts and provide the learning environment he needed. According to Derek, taking a breath happens in your comfort zone, but growth happens in discomfort. Far too many teachers teach the way they have been taught, using "whole group," as the default. Derek talks about the impact of this approach and the power in personalized learning. Connecting, leading, and growing with educators is Derek's mission and his passion.

This episode is dedicated to our new teachers and our preservice teachers who may desire to teach (or may be placed) in a culturally and linguistically diverse school. Maiya Turner shares how she fought the idea of becoming a teacher, what motivated her to make the leap into teaching, and what continues to motivate her to keep learning and growing. She brings a fresh perspective and offers advice for newer teachers who want to be more culturally responsive and connect with the students they serve.

In this episode, Instructional Technology Specialist, Dr. Will Deyamport shares the ways in which he supports teachers in creating engaging, high-level, relevant, and responsive learning environments using technology. Technology is not just a tool or suite of tools, it can be transformative, but it must be used intentionally by design.

In this episode, Hedreich Nichols shares her approach to meeting teachers they are at as they seek to create culturally responsive and caring classrooms. She encourages teachers to recognize historical context and discusses the language and strategy she uses when coaching, especially when educators are not sure how to navigate difficult conversations. Hedreich encourages teachers to honor and cherish all their identities while modeling critical thinking, critical caring, and empathy.

In this episode, Curriculum Specialist and Instructional Coach, Nyree Clark shares how she pours into her teachers, students, and her entire school community through a culturally responsive and social justice lens. She helps teachers to navigate the shift from multicultural education to culturally responsive, equity-centered, and student-centered practices. And, she does it all with an infectious joy.