How to Build Relationships with Difficult Students
3 essential keys to building meaningful relationships that improve classroom culture and student growth.
Feb 22, 2026•12 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Difficult Student
We explore how to connect with students with challenging behavior through real stories and strategies from educators.
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Episodes
How Do We Teach Through Fear?
Teaching during fear and uncertainty, while trying to keep students safe, present, and learning in a divided world.
Feb 06, 2026•55 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Early Childhood Special Education
Educators Sally Calderon and Megan Stires share their experiences and insights into early childhood special education. They discuss their journeys into the field, the importance of building positive relationships with students and staff, and strategies for managing classroom behaviors.
Jan 27, 2026•41 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Why “Difficult” Student Behavior Is Often Misunderstood
Gracie Moon shares her journey in education, emphasizing the importance of empathy, understanding, and restorative practices in the classroom. She discusses her experiences as a student and educator, highlighting the need for a balance between structure and fun in learning.
Jan 21, 2026•45 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Is Public School Still Working?
Steve Carey discusses his journey in establishing Bold as Lions Academy, a co-op homeschool program in Keller, Texas. He shares insights on the flexibility of homeschooling, the importance of socialization, and the benefits of incorporating Jiu-Jitsu into the curriculum.
Jan 11, 2026•39 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Why are Latino Males Overrepresented in Alternative Education?
Eric Garcia, a district social worker, shares his experiences in alternate education. He emphasizes the importance of understanding students' backgrounds and the need for supportive educational environments. Eric discusses his book, 'Aidan's Wellness Adventure,' which aims to address mental health and representation in education.
Jan 04, 2026•49 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Fixing Special Education
Karen Mayer Cunningham (Special Education Boss), shares her journey into the field of education, driven by personal experiences with her child's disability. She discusses the complexities of the IEP process, the challenges faced by educators and families, and the importance of compassion and resources in special education.
Dec 07, 2025•53 min•Season 2Ep. 85
Representation In Classrooms Changes Everything
Edgar Palacios (Education advocate & nonprofit founder) shares how Latino representation in schools, identity, vulnerability, and storytelling can inspire educators, empower youth, and drive lasting community change.
Nov 30, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 84
Are We Setting New Teachers Up to Burn Out?
Dr. Michael Vallejo (Professor of Teacher Education) shares his journey into education, highlighting the transformative power of teaching and the importance of mentorship. He discusses the challenges faced by new teachers, the significance of building relationships with students, and the critical need for teacher wellness to prevent burnout.
Oct 19, 2025•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 83
How to Keep Your Passion Alive as an Educator
Joey Sims shares his journey as a special education teacher, balancing family life, and the importance of building relationships with students. He discusses his experiences with ADHD, his teaching philosophy, and how he creates a supportive community in his school
Oct 12, 2025•55 min•Season 2Ep. 82
How Do We Deliver Real Inclusion While Supporting Teachers in Strained Schools?
SPED teacher and board trustee James Forsythe shares challenges and solutions for sustaining inclusion, building trust, and keeping teachers thriving amid shrinking resources and growing student needs.
Oct 06, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 81
Is Community Schooling the Missing Link?
In this episode, Dean of Students Kamilah Todd shares powerful insights on community schooling, teacher authority, and supporting students’ basic needs. From rural Louisiana to urban classrooms, we explore how trust, grace, and real-world connections can transform schools into safe, thriving spaces.
Sep 29, 2025•42 min•Season 2Ep. 80
Can Smart Grouping Build Classroom Community?
I sit down with Rob Stauffer, an international educator, to unpack why challenging behavior is communication, how to build belonging through smart grouping, and what vulnerability looks like in real classrooms. We discuss supporting autistic students, de-escalation through affirmation, and practical tips for new teachers and those considering teaching abroad.
Sep 21, 2025•59 min•Season 2Ep. 79
3 Tips to Build Positive Student Relationships
Learn classroom management strategies to build positive student relationships, improve behavior, and create a safe, supportive learning environment.
Sep 14, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 79
Why Do So Many Teachers Struggle With Fitness?
In this solo episode, I open up about my real journey with health as an educator, father, and now grandfather. From growing up without strong examples of fitness, to juggling family and teaching in my 20s, to finally building consistent habits in my 30s and 40s.
Sep 07, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 78
Is Social Media Helping or Hurting Educators
A roundtable of educator-creators with guests Eric Glenn (MS math), Mash Makhlyagina (SPED advocate/coach), and Laura Vazquez (dual-immersion 6th grade) swap real-world stories about how social media has reshaped their teaching lives, community impact, and boundaries.
Sep 02, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 77
How Admin Support Impacts A School's Success
Julio Lopez shares his journey from being a PE teacher to administrator, highlighting the challenges in physical education and the lessons learned in leadership. We dive into how strong administrators support teachers, the importance of building relationships, and why having a good leader makes all the difference for school culture and student success.
Aug 24, 2025•58 min•Season 2Ep. 76
From Playground Supervisor to Assistant Principal
In this video, I share my journey in education, from starting as a playground supervisor at 18 to becoming an assistant principal. It hasn’t been easy, but every setback opened new doors. If you’re feeling stuck or uncertain about your path, I hope my story encourages you to keep going
Aug 17, 2025•27 min•Season 2Ep. 75
How Can First-Year Teachers Avoid Burnout?
David Melendez shares his journey as a middle school choir teacher, discussing the importance of building connections with students, being authentic in the classroom, and the significance of self-reflection. He emphasizes the need for work-life balance and creating a comfortable environment for students.
Aug 11, 2025•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 74
Transforming Education Through Restorative Practices
Tisha Marina Bernard shares her journey in education, emphasizing the importance of restorative practices and community building in schools.
Aug 03, 2025•55 min
How to Build Connections in the Classroom
I sit down with Sherry Asberry to talk about different aspects of teaching like how important it is to build strong relationships with our students, the role social emotional learning plays in the classroom, and some of our favorite strategies for creating a positive learning environment. We also share some personal stories, from becoming grandparents to how we take care of ourselves as educators.
Jul 28, 2025•55 min•Season 2Ep. 72
From Autism Mom to Special Ed Teacher
Elizette Cuevas, a special education teacher, shares her journey into education, driven by her personal experiences as a mother of an autistic child. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students and their families, understanding the root causes of behavior, and the need for empathy in education.
Jul 20, 2025•53 min•Season 2Ep. 71
The Secret to School Culture
Rafael Dominguez shares his journey as an educator and school climate advocate, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with students, creating a safe environment, and the transformative power of mentorship. He discusses the significance of consistency, love, and care in education, and how these elements contribute to a positive school culture.
Jul 12, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 70
School Social Worker: How We Can Show Up For Our Students
Eric Garcia shares his journey from a troubled youth to a school social worker, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, community support, and the impact of personal experiences on professional growth. He discusses the challenges faced by students, particularly in the wake of the pandemic and ongoing immigration issues.
Jul 07, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 69
Christian School Teacher's Experience
John Vergara and Sana Sunia discuss the multifaceted role of educators, emphasizing the importance of cultural representation, transparency, and emotional intelligence in teaching. Sana shares his journey from a campus supervisor to a fifth-grade teacher at a Christian school, highlighting the challenges and rewards of teaching in a diverse classroom.
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 68
The Journey of a Substitute Teacher
Jairo Bautista shares his journey as a substitute teacher, discussing the challenges and rewards of working in education. He reflects on his experiences transitioning from a SPED assistant to a substitute teacher.
Jun 26, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 67
Is Fear Affecting Your Students?
John Vergara and Laura Vazquez discuss the profound impact of immigration policies on communities, particularly focusing on the fear experienced by families and students. The discussion transitions into the importance of building relationships with students, emphasizing that educators must invest time in understanding their students' needs. The conversation concludes with strategies for fostering a positive classroom culture that supports student engagement and success.
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 66
Tier Three Students
What does it really take to build an inclusive, compassionate classroom where every student and every educator can thrive? Join Hir Patel as she unpacks her journey from first-gen student to mental-health specialist, spotlighting the unsung power of paraeducators, and share battle-tested tips on self-care, relationship-building, and leading with consistency even in toxic environments.
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 65
Behavior, Equity, Education
How can we bridge the gap in behavioral support for children of color? Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and CEO of Behavior Genius, Portia James, joins us for an insightful discussion sparked by her own formative experiences.
Jun 05, 2025•59 min
Transition from Teacher to Administrator
Kelly Cousineau shares her journey from a career in business to becoming an assistant principal and eventually a principal in a middle school. She discusses the challenges and joys of teaching, the importance of communication in leadership, and her experiences with imposter syndrome. Kelly emphasizes the significance of mentorship and support in education, as well as the continuous growth that comes with transitioning into administrative roles. Follow Kelly Cousineau https://www.tiktok.com/@home...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 63
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