In this special live season finale of the Innovative Schools Podcast, Jordan brings together a panel of education experts—Katie Kinder, Kara Rigsby, Megan Diede, and Ernesto Mejia—to discuss how educators can make the most of their summer. Through stories, laughter, and practical advice, the panel explores the importance of rest, reflection, and renewal, while offering actionable ways to recharge both personally and professionally before the next school year begins.🔑 Key Takeaways✔️Summer should be viewed as a time of renewal, not just recovery.✔️Rest is most effective when it is intentional and guilt-free.✔️Reflection helps educators celebrate successes while identifying opportunities for growth.✔️Creating memories often matters more than completing another to-do list.✔️Small personal habits and mindset shifts can dramatically improve well-being.✔️Educators should prioritize both physical and mental health during the summer months.✔️The impact educators make often extends far beyond what they can see.💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️“Rest is a requirement, not a reward.”🗣️“You're not going to remember the to-do list. You'll remember the memories you created.”🗣️“What is your why for the summer?”🗣️“The work that you do matters.”🗣️“You are not thanked enough, appreciated enough, or respected enough.”🗣️“Summer isn't about recovery—it's about renewal.”🗣️“Create a memory list instead of a to-do list.”🧠 Strategies You'll LearnHow to use the Three R's: Rest, Reflect, and Rejuvenate as a framework for summer growth.How to intentionally schedule rest instead of waiting for it to happen.How to reflect honestly on the previous school year without dwelling on negativity.How to gather meaningful feedback from colleagues, administrators, and stakeholders.How to replace a summer to-do list with a memory-focused experience list.How to identify personal habits that bring energy and joy into your life.How to conduct a personal "check-engine light" assessment for your physical and mental health.How to carry positive summer habits into the next school year.➕ Additional PracticesCreate a "Summer Memory List" with experiences you'd like to have rather than tasks you'd like to complete.Start a gratitude journal and identify three things you're thankful for each day.Schedule important health appointments you've been postponing.Ask trusted colleagues to identify two strengths and two growth areas for you as an educator.Try something completely new or outside your comfort zone this summer.Build intentional family experiences and traditions.Take time to celebrate successes from the previous school year before planning the next one.Identify one habit that fills your cup and commit to continuing it during the school year.📚 Resources and Links🔗 Megan and Kara’s IntergatED Website: https://integratedk12.com/🔗 Link to the previous episode with Kara and Megan: Teaching Through Integrated Pathways w/ Megan Diede & Kara Rigsby🔗 Katie Kinder’s Website: https://katie-kinder.com/🔗 Link to previous episode with Katie: Digital Heroin w/ Katie Kinder🔗Cool Speak with Ernesto Mejia Website: https://coolspeak.com/youth-motivational-speakers/ernesto-mejia/🔗 Link to previous episode with Ernesto: The Power of Family Engagement w/ Ernesto Mejia🔗 Find them all at the Innovative Schools Summit: https://innovativeschoolssummit.com/

In this episode of the Innovative Schools Podcast, we sit down with Brad Chapin to explore the power of self-regulation—for both educators and students. Brad breaks down how stress impacts the brain and body, why many challenging behaviors are actually skill deficits, and how teachers can intentionally help students build healthier responses to emotions and adversity. From “lizard brain” moments to practical classroom strategies, this conversation is packed with insights educators can apply immediately.🔑 Key Takeaways✔️ Self-regulation is a skill set—not a personality trait✔️ Every student and educator carries an invisible “backpack” of stress and experiences✔️ Dysregulation is a normal human response to challenge✔️ Awareness is the first step toward regulation✔️ Students need explicit teaching and practice around emotional skills✔️ Healthy regulation must be practiced intentionally, not assumed naturally💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️ “The problem is not the backpack—it’s how we carry it.”🗣️ “You can’t regulate something if you don’t even know it’s happening.”🗣️ “Self-regulation is either healthy or unhealthy, effective or ineffective.”🗣️ “The first step in self-regulation is self-awareness.”🗣️ “You’re fighting against biology when stress takes over.”🗣️ “Hope plus skills equals growth.”🧠 Strategies You’ll LearnWays to identify physical warning signs of dysregulationHow to use calming techniques like box breathing intentionallySteps to help students recognize emotions before they escalateTechniques to teach self-regulation the same way you teach academic skillsHow to create predictable classroom routines that increase emotional safetySuggestions to shift from punishment to skill-building when addressing behaviorTips to help students separate controllable and uncontrollable stressors➕ Additional PracticesCreate a “body map” activity where students identify where stress shows up physicallyPractice calming routines as a class before stressful moments occurNormalize conversations about emotions and stress in the classroomBuild opportunities for reflection after emotionally challenging momentsUse predictable structures and routines to support emotional safetyEncourage students to create personal regulation plans and calming strategiesModel healthy self-regulation openly as an educator📚 Resources and Links🔗 Brad Chapin’s website: http://www.selfregulationstation.com/about-brad/🔗 Brad Chapin’s Books: https://youthlight.com/Brad-Chapin🔗 Innovative Schools Summit: https://innovativeschoolssummit.com/❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & Review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the Conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting!💡Check out our Instagram!💡Listen on Apple Podcasts!💡Listen on Spotify!💡Watch it on YouTube!

In this episode of the Innovative Schools Podcast, we welcome back Joseph Cope to explore a powerful shift in how educators approach student behavior. Instead of reacting to what students do, Joseph challenges us to look deeper—asking what skills students may be missing and how we can intentionally help them grow. From real classroom stories to practical frameworks, this conversation provides a roadmap for turning challenging moments into opportunities for long-term impact.🔑 Key Takeaways✔️ Behavior is communication—every action tells a deeper story✔️ The problem isn’t the behavior; it’s the missing skill underneath✔️ Taking behavior personally prevents effective responses✔️ Students need coaching in life skills, not just correction of actions✔️ Relationships and “currency” are essential for influence✔️ Big emotional moments are often rooted in safety and control💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️ “The problem is not the problem.”🗣️ “Every behavior tells a story.”🗣️ “When we make it about us, we lose the opportunity to teach the skill.”🗣️ “You can’t withdraw from a relationship you haven’t invested in.”🗣️ “How you speak your mind will determine your next state of mind.”🧠 Strategies You’ll LearnHow to reframe behavior as a missing skill instead of defianceHow to remove yourself emotionally from challenging momentsHow to identify and teach foundational life skills in real timeHow to build “currency” with students to increase influenceHow to navigate high-emotion situations without escalating themHow to use structured conversations to guide behavior➕ Additional PracticesList behaviors that frustrate you—and reframe them as missing skillsCreate 4–5 foundational classroom skills (e.g., respect, perseverance, self-control)Define those skills clearly so students understand expectationsIntentionally connect with students outside of academic conversationsReflect after difficult moments: Was I focused on the student or my feelings?Practice small mindset shifts—growth happens incrementally📚 Resources and Links🔗 RCD Expert Joseph Cope: https://accutrain.com/joseph-cope-m-ed/🔗 Joseph Cope Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.empathy.guy/❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & Review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the Conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting!💡Check out our Instagram!💡Listen on Apple Podcasts!💡Listen on Spotify!💡Watch it on YouTube!

In this episode of the Innovative Schools Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Dorina Ebuwa to unpack what it truly means to teach multilingual learners effectively. This powerful conversation goes beyond strategies and into mindset—challenging educators to reflect on their own “lens of life,” eliminate limiting beliefs, and create classrooms where every student is both supported and held to high expectations. From redefining terminology to practical classroom moves, this episode will leave you inspired—and ready to act.🔑 Key Takeaways✔️“Multilingual learner” shifts the focus from deficit to strength✔️Your lens of life directly impacts how you see and teach students✔️Lowering expectations (pobrecita syndrome) harms student growth✔️Students need both support and high expectations (TLC Squared)✔️Language is not the only barrier—culture, trauma, and experience matter✔️You are responsible for every student on your roster—no exceptions💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️“Roster equals responsibility.”🗣️“It’s not just linguistic—it’s human.”🗣️“You are already halfway there when you take your lens off.”🗣️“We don’t coddle—we prepare.”🗣️“Language is power—but it shouldn’t take power away from identity.”🧠 Strategies You’ll LearnHow to identify and remove your personal bias (lens of life)Ways to avoid “Epcot Syndrome” and see students as individualsMethods for balancing empathy with high expectations (TLC Squared)How to assess students and meet them at their actual levelSteps to build intrinsic motivation instead of relying on external pressureTips for creating a safe, challenging, and inclusive classroom environment➕ Additional PracticesWrite a welcome letter to multilingual learners to establish trust and expectationsLearn and correctly pronounce student names—identity mattersUse small, incremental shifts in mindset (incremental is monumental)Replace “I don’t know what to do” with intentional learning and reflectionFocus on student potential, not limitations or labels📚 Resources and Links🔗 Dr. Dorina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b.e.l.i.e.v.e._dr.dorito/🔗 Dr. Dorina Website: https://www.dorinasackman.com/❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & Review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the Conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting!💡 Innovative Schools Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/💡Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovative-schools-podcast/id1502414943💡Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Lbw553jnDXuG08IZ43Kb5💡Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@innovativeschoolspodcast

In this episode of the Innovative Schools Podcast, Kevin sits down with gifted education teacher Jere Chang to explore how life experiences shape the way we show up for students. From an unexpected path into teaching to becoming a voice for educators through social media, Jere shares powerful insights on identity, student relationships, and what it truly means to make an impact. This conversation dives into gifted education myths, the importance of teacher self-worth, and how creating spaces where students feel seen can transform lives.🔑 Key Takeaways✔️Teaching is more than a job—it’s a lasting influence on students’ lives.✔️The phrase “just a teacher” reflects a larger issue of respect and trust in education.✔️Gifted students are often misunderstood and don’t always fit the “perfect student” mold.✔️Relationships—not curriculum or data—are what students remember most.✔️Educators must advocate for themselves while also building strong partnerships with parents and administrators.💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️“I’m not just a teacher—I’m impacting lives.”🗣️“No student has ever come back and thanked me for a data chart.”🗣️“Gifted doesn’t mean perfect—it means different.”🗣️“You treated me like a person.”🗣️“It’s good—it’s going to be good.”🧠 Strategies You’ll LearnTips to build authentic relationships that make students feel seen and valuedHow to support gifted students beyond stereotypes and labelsMethods to communicate effectively with parents as partners, not opponentsWays to create classroom environments where all students can be themselvesHow to handle difficult conversations with confidence and empathy➕ Additional PracticesIntentionally connect with students who may feel overlooked or unseenCelebrate student strengths without forcing labels or expectationsUse role-play to help students develop social awareness and communication skillsPrioritize real conversations with parents over transactional communicationReflect on your own self-worth as an educator and avoid comparison with others📚 Resources and Links🔗 Jere Chang Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mschanggifted/🔗 Jere Chang TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mschanggifted🔗 Jere Chang website: https://mschanggifted.com/❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & Review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the Conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting!💡 Innovative Schools Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/💡Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovative-schools-podcast/id1502414943💡Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Lbw553jnDXuG08IZ43Kb5💡Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@innovativeschoolspodcast