Episodes

  • Episode 7-Straight From Teachers On The Internet-Part 2
    May 5 2026

    The episode covers a range of teacher questions and scenarios, including teacher growth and leadership, restorative conversations and school discipline, enforcement of school policies, First Amendment rights and social media, and burnout and morale in education. The conversation provides insights into addressing these challenges and navigating complex situations in the education system.

    Takeaways

    • Teacher Growth Plan
    • Restorative Conversations
    • School Discipline
    • Burnout and Morale

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    24 mins
  • Episode 6-Straight From Teachers On The Internet-Part 1
    Apr 28 2026

    The conversation delves into the impact of AI on education, particularly in teaching writing and adapting to AI in the classroom. It also explores the challenges of curriculum changes, the expectations placed on teachers and principals, and the legal and ethical considerations in education.

    Takeaways

    • Teaching Writing in the Age of AI
    • Adapting to AI in Education
    • Challenges of Curriculum Changes
    • Expectations of Teachers and Principals
    • Legal and Ethical Considerations in Education

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    22 mins
  • Episode 5-What Do Americans Really Think About Public Education?
    Apr 21 2026

    The conversation delves into the shifting landscape of public education, highlighting the local vs. national gap in public opinion, the impact of political affiliation on public education, concerns about teacher shortages, and the debate between education degrees and alternative certification. The PDK poll and public concerns and priorities in education are also explored, providing insights into the complex dynamics of public opinion and policy implications. The conversation covers various themes related to education, including teacher shortage, control over education policy and funding, parental satisfaction, media influence, historical perspective on education and trust, transparency and trust in education, and challenges and hope for public education.

    Takeaways

    • Local vs. National Gap
    • Political Affiliation and Public Education
    • Teacher Shortages and Alternative Certification Teacher shortage is a priority
    • CTE programs are important for skill development

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Return on Investment and Education Degrees vs. Alternative Certification
    • 25:06 Control Over Education Policy and Funding
    • 32:22 Historical Perspective on Education and Trust
    • 38:26 Challenges and Hope for Public Education
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    40 mins
  • Episode 4-What You Need To Know About Assistant Principal Interviews
    Apr 14 2026

    The conversation delves into the essential aspects of nailing the assistant principal interview, emphasizing the importance of preparation, understanding oneself as a leader, leadership experience, authenticity, flexibility, adaptability, communication, and the impact of the AP role on the way one operates as a principal.

    Takeaways

    • Preparation is non-negotiable
    • Understanding oneself as a leader is crucial
    • Leadership experience is essential for AP candidates
    • Authenticity and flexibility are key qualities for AP candidates
    • Communication and adaptability are important for APs
    • The AP role impacts the way one operates as a principal

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Nailing the Assistant Principal Interview
    • 06:11 The Role of Flexibility and Adaptability
    • 11:28 The Impact of the AP Role on Principalship
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    31 mins
  • Episode 3-Teacher Interviews-What Teachers Need To Know
    Apr 7 2026

    The conversation covers the interviewing process for teacher positions, including the setup, interview structure, question types, and candidate advice. It emphasizes the importance of competency, relationship building, collaboration, and adaptability in candidates. The interviewers also stress the significance of being genuine, prepared, and knowledgeable about the school.

    Takeaways

    • High-performing schools seek high-impact individuals, emphasizing competency, relationship building, collaboration, and adaptability.
    • Candidates should be genuine, prepared, and knowledgeable about the school, and focus on answering questions effectively without overthinking or rambling.

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    34 mins
  • Episode 2-What We Believe About Public Education
    Mar 31 2026

    The conversation delves into the values, purpose, and impact of public education. It explores the core values of public education, the evolving purpose of public education, and the impact of public education on society. The discussion emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, self-sufficiency, and adaptability in the context of public education.

    Takeaways

    • Public education values
    • The purpose of public education
    • The impact of public education on society

    Chapters

    • 00:00 The Values of Public Education
    • 21:03 The Impact of Public Education on Society
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    30 mins
  • Episode 1-Making Introductions
    Mar 22 2026

    The conversation delves into the education origin stories of Ethan and Melinda, their transition to educational leadership, pursuit of higher education, career progression in education, and their experiences of competing for educational leadership positions. Both speakers share their unique paths, challenges, and insights, providing valuable perspectives on the journey through public education. The conversation delves into the mindset shift required for effective decision-making and leadership, the challenges of leadership, the weight of responsibility and decision-making, advice for aspiring administrators, advice for the first-year self, and the importance of setting the right tone through entry interviews and understanding the community.

    Takeaways

    • Unique paths to educational leadership
    • Challenges and growth in early teaching careers Effective leadership requires adaptability and decisiveness.
    • Aspiring administrators should focus on making a positive impact and seek advice from experienced leaders.

    Chapters

    • 00:00 Education Origin Stories
    • 12:39 Pursuing Higher Education
    • 18:34 Career Progression in Education
    • 24:30 The Mindset Shift
    • 31:04 Responsibility and Decision-Making
    • 39:32 Advice for First-Year Self
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    46 mins