Leading From The Classroom

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year Lindsey Jensen shares how an encounter with a stranger on a plane inspired her to write a poem—and rediscover why she’s meant to be a teacher. 

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 South Carolina Teacher of the Year Erin Fox tells the story of how she found inspiration where she least expected it: at Space Camp, and how it inspired her to create the summer reading program she’s always dreamed of.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Georgia Teacher of the Year John Tibbets shares why he’s on a mission to get his fellow educators to focus less on teacher evaluations, and more on helping students achieve.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Louisiana Teacher of the Year Kimberly Eckert shares how two very different students helped define her approach to teaching—and a new practice she calls “Genius Hour.”

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Washington Teacher of the Year, and National Teacher of the Year, Mandy Manning shares the lessons she learned about tenacity and opportunity and why she believes it’s worth it to go above and beyond for her students.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Indiana Teacher of the Year Jerome Flewelling shares how he went from lecturing his students to engaging them—and the powerful results he’s seen.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2018 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Jon Hazell shares how his father inspired him, showing him the lasting impact a teacher can have and what he calls, “the secret to living forever.”

New episodes start December 10th! Listen in on this sneak preview of the upcoming season with these incredible educators. 

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 West Virginia Teacher of the Year Toni Poling tells us about the moment she knew she was meant to use her voice to advocate for her fellow teachers.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Mississippi Teacher of the Year Jodi McKenzie tells us how a trip to the Mississippi Delta changed her perspective on adversity, and inspired her to be a voice for change with policymakers.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Washington Teacher of the Year Camille Jones tells us about Marisa, the student who showed her what can happen when students and teachers support one another.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Rebecca Foxwell discusses why student-teacher relationships are so vital in education.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 South Dakota Teacher of the Year Beth Kaltsulas tells us about how she set out to learn how to use social media and got a lesson about the power of stepping outside her comfort zone.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Nebraska Teacher of the Year Amber Vlasnik tells us about how she traveled thousands of miles in search of the secret to the Finnish education system—and instead, discovered a universal truth.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Rhode Island Teacher of the Year Nikos Giannopoulos tells us about how he achieved his own dreams by helping his students reach theirs.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Utah Teacher of the Year Valerie Gates discusses the heartbreaking struggles of supporting undocumented students, and the inspiring actions she took when one of her students was taken in an immigration raid.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 North Dakota Teacher of the Year Nanci Dauwen shares how her journey began with one simple question: "How can I honor all of the other wonderful teachers in my state?"

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Virginia Teacher of the Year Toney McNair, Jr. shares a metaphor that reflects the vital role teachers must play in student lives.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Michigan Teacher of the Year Tracy Horodyski tells us about Caesar, and what he learned while writing his very first poem.

In this episode of Leading from the Classroom, 2017 Nevada Teacher of the Year Pam Ertel talks about why language, and the words we use, are so important in education.