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
  • Teaching Life Skills: Focus, Communication & Emotional Regulation | Margaret Boersma

    Teaching Life Skills: Focus, Communication & Emotional Regulation | Margaret Boersma
    Mar 13 2026

    What life skills do students actually need to succeed — and how do teachers fit them into an already packed school day?

    In this episode of Built by Educators, hosts Mike Williams and Kaley Clavell talk with veteran educator Margaret Boersma about the essential skills students need beyond academics: focus, communication, emotional regulation, and self-awareness. They explore how technology is reshaping student attention spans, why anxiety is rising in classrooms across K-12 schools, and what practical strategies teachers can use right away to help students build these critical competencies.

    Margaret shares classroom-tested activities and discusses why teaching the whole child — not just the content — is the key to long-term student success.

    Topics covered in this episode:
    • Why life skills instruction belongs in every classroom, not just advisory periods
    • The impact of technology on student focus and attention spans
    • Practical strategies for teaching communication, cooperation, and emotional regulation
    • Understanding rising student anxiety and how educators can respond
    • Social-emotional learning (SEL) activities that work for any grade level

    Resources mentioned:
    • "Reclaiming Our Students" by Hannah Beach & Tamara Neufeld Strijack
    • "The 5 Second Rule" by Mel Robbins
    • "Harmony Hare and Her Three Voices" by Tammy Vallieres
    • Margaret Boersma's "The Thriving Teacher Guide" — email MB@mboresma.com Built by Educators is a CollabED podcast. Learn more at bbepodcast.org
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Student Mentoring & Building Trust Beyong the Classroom | Sean Barts

    Student Mentoring & Building Trust Beyong the Classroom | Sean Barts
    Mar 6 2026
    What does it take to truly reach young people — not just as a teacher, but as a mentor? In the first episode of Built by Educators, hosts Mike Williams and Kaley Clavell sit down with Sean Barts, founder of Team Truth 919, for an honest conversation about mentoring students, building trust, and helping young people develop the life skills they'll carry long after they leave the classroom. Sean shares his experience working with students in and out of school, why relationships are the foundation of every meaningful learning experience, and how educators and community leaders can work together to support the students who need it most. Topics covered in this episode: • Why mentoring matters for student development and school culture • Building authentic trust with students who've learned not to trust adults • The role of community organizations in supporting K-12 education • Teaching life skills alongside academics — communication, accountability, and resilience • How educators can partner with community mentors for student success Built by Educators is a CollabED podcast. Learn more at bbepodcast.org
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    1 hr