Posts by Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
94: Shepherd to Sheep
It’s important to know how you as an individual need to be motivated in order to do your best so that you can a) locate the leader for you b) advocate for yourself. Tune in to hear how educators can succeed in the classroom by knowing their number 1 motivator and finding a leader, the…
Listen to EpisodeLearning Walks: The Secret to The Most Effective PD
Professional development [PD] is often an experience where novices learn from experts. In education, this generally means bringing in a consultant of some kind to lead a very dry, boring information session. There is little practical application and no time to practice. During my career, I have endured many ineffective PD sessions. However, a principal…
Read Full Post93: What’s Your Truth?
Teachers come in all shapes and sizes in terms of their style and personality. Some are loud and circulate the classroom constantly. Others are quiet and remain at the board to share their knowledge. The most important factor in a classroom is student learning and that is tied to teacher effectiveness. The truth is that…
Listen to EpisodeI am an educator because…
It’s no secret that I absolutely love being an educator. I have shared my story numerous times and I realize it is rare for someone to know in early childhood what they wanted to be when they grew up and then never divert from that plan until it came to fruition. It was a dream…
Read Full Post92: Unlock the Paper Trap
The paper trap is a real thing in the world of education. Teachers often struggle with their mental health and the paper trap is one of the most popular reasons why. Tune in to hear strategies for how to unlock 5 typical paper traps all in a teacher’s day! Connect with Gretchen Email: [email protected] Blog:…
Listen to EpisodeBooks Don’t Make Literate Citizens
It’s no secret that I love books. As a teacher, whenever someone offered to donate items to my classroom I almost always said books. As a mother, the first items I purchased for my baby girl were cute clothes and of course books. She was going to be stylish and smart, even though she didn’t…
Read Full Post91: Follow Your Lead
Effective leaders are reflective in how the way they lead affects others. If you wouldn’t follow you, what makes you think others will? Tune in to hear how to self evaluate your leadership and make changes today that will have a positive impact tomorrow! Quotables I love leaders who have high expectations but sympathize I…
Listen to Episode90: Student Centered Teaching with Matthew Pietrafetta
Matthew is the founder of Academic Approach, an organization that helps schools in underserved communities prepare students for the SAT and ACT, the tests they need to succeed on to gain admission to college. He’s also a former New York City teacher. He says “aligning high-impact test preparation with curriculum and instruction is not easy…
Listen to Episode89: Never Late, Never Wasted
The field of education is full of amazing moments, but all good things have moments that can tarnish or discourage us. Our destiny has a lot to do with how we handle those rougher moments. They can be the moments that define us and strengthen our resolve or they can destroy us. Tune in to…
Listen to EpisodeWhy ‘College and Career Ready’ isn’t Working
It’s no longer enough to just go to school. Kids have to have goals, dreams and ambitions for what comes after their schooling ends. The phrase ‘college and career ready’ encourages schools to revamp their systems and culture to support the idea that students are preparing to take one of two courses: college or career…
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