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Built By Educators: A CollabED Podcast

Built By Educators: A CollabED Podcast

Written by: Educator Development & Collaboration Alliance Inc.
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 Built by Educators is a podcast about teaching, learning, and the real work that happens inside classrooms every day. Hosted by members of the CollabED community, each episode brings honest conversations between K-12 educators about the topics that matter most — from trauma-informed teaching and special education inclusion to student mentoring, life skills instruction, and educator wellness. This isn't scripted professional development or top-down advice. It's real dialogue between classroom teachers, school leaders, and education professionals who are doing the work. Together, we explore practical strategies, research-backed approaches, and hard-won lessons learned across grade levels and subject areas. Whether you're a new teacher looking for guidance, a veteran educator seeking fresh perspectives, or an instructional leader building a collaborative school culture — this podcast is for you. Topics include: classroom management, student engagement, social-emotional learning (SEL), teacher self-care, curriculum design, mentoring, collaboration, and professional growth. Built by Educators is a CollabED podcast — built by teachers, for teachers. Learn more at bbepodcast.org2026 Educator Development & Collaboration Alliance Inc. Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Engaging High School Students: Play, Purpose & Student-Centered Learning | Dr. Desiree Cameron

    Engaging High School Students: Play, Purpose & Student-Centered Learning | Dr. Desiree Cameron
    May 1 2026
    How do you reach a high school student who has already decided they don't care — and what does it take to build a school culture where both students and teachers thrive? In this episode of Built by Educators, host Mike Williams sits down with Dr. Desiree Cameron — classroom teacher, theater educator, curriculum coordinator, university instructor at NYU, Pepperdine, and UCLA, and current high school principal in California — for a deep conversation about engaging high school students in meaningful learning. Dr. Cameron shares why play-based learning isn't just for kindergarten, how purpose-driven instruction can unlock even the most disengaged student, and why getting to know what a student loves outside of school is often the key to everything inside it. She also gets candid about teacher wellness, what real support from school leadership looks like, and how administrators can create a culture where professional growth and student success go hand in hand. Topics covered in this episode: • Student engagement strategies for high school educators • Play-based and purpose-driven learning at the secondary level • Building relationships with disengaged students • Teacher wellness and avoiding burnout in high-pressure schools • What real instructional leadership looks like from administration • Creating school culture that supports both educators and students • Adolescent brain development and what it means for classroom practice Her closing message is just three words — and it might be the most important thing you hear all week. Built by Educators is a CollabED podcast. Learn more at bbepodcast.org
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    55 mins
  • Special Education & Inclusion: What Real Classroom Support Looks Like

    Special Education & Inclusion: What Real Classroom Support Looks Like
    Apr 22 2026
    What does inclusion actually look like when you close the classroom door — and who is responsible for making it work? In this roundtable episode of Built by Educators, special education professionals come together for an unfiltered conversation about the realities of supporting diverse learners in today's K-12 schools. From IEP implementation and co-teaching dynamics to the question every educator has asked — "Whose student is this?" — the panel unpacks inclusion, shared responsibility, and what it takes to genuinely meet every student where they are. This episode isn't about labels, compliance paperwork, or being right. It's about real classrooms, real challenges, and the mindset shifts that make collaborative teaching actually work. Topics covered in this episode: • What inclusion really looks like in practice vs. what the policy says • Shared responsibility between general education and special education teachers • Communication strategies for co-teaching and collaborative planning • Shifting school culture from "your students" vs. "my students" to "our students" • How educators can advocate for better support and resources • Meeting diverse student needs without burning out Built by Educators is a CollabED podcast. Learn more at bbepodcast.org
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    58 mins
  • Trauma-Informed Teaching: How Educators Can Support Students Through Adversity | Dr. Timothy Shampoe

    Trauma-Informed Teaching: How Educators Can Support Students Through Adversity | Dr. Timothy Shampoe
    Mar 27 2026
    How can teachers recognize and respond to trauma in the classroom — without becoming overwhelmed themselves? In this episode of Built by Educators, host Mike Williams speaks with Dr. Timothy Shampoe about trauma-informed teaching and the critical intersection of education, child welfare, and community support. Dr. Shampoe shares research-backed insights on reframing student behavior, creating safe and supportive classroom environments, and understanding the experiences of students in foster care. This conversation goes beyond theory. Dr. Shampoe offers practical, actionable advice for K-12 educators navigating complex student needs — including why the way we interpret behavior matters more than the behavior itself. Topics covered in this episode: • What trauma-informed teaching looks like in practice, not just in PD sessions • Reframing challenging student behavior through a trauma-aware lens • Creating classroom environments that feel safe, stable, and predictable • Supporting students in foster care — what teachers need to know • Teacher wellness and self-care when the work gets heavy • Building a community of learners in classrooms with diverse needs Built by Educators is a CollabED podcast. Learn more at bbepodcast.org
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    57 mins
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