Send us a text Rewiring Routines, Expanding Impact: Executive Function in Real Life & Season 3 Finale As MTG wraps up Season 3 of Making the Grade, Georgia & Christine reflect on just how much has grown, shifted, and expanded over the past year as they enter their 4th season of the show. This season explored practical executive function skills including time management, motivation, emotional regulation, planning, and follow-through. One core takeaway emerged again and again: mos...

Send us a text S3 EP 45 | Season 3 Episode 45: Unleashing Curiosity in Classrooms with Olivia Odileke How do you spark curiosity, inspire engagement, and create those unforgettable “aha!” moments in learning? On this episode of Making the Grade, Georgia sits down with Olivia Odileke, CEO of Kampus Insights, curiosity coach, professional development designer, and author of Unleashing Curiosity: Empowering Fearless Educators to Engage and Inspire. Olivia believes that wonder is the secret sauce...

Send us a text S3 EP 44 | Season 3 Episode 44: The Executive Function Guide to Teaching Multilingual Students: Trauma, Communication, and Brain-Based Learning What does it really take to reach, teach, and connect with English Language Learners and their families? On this next episode of Making the Grade, Georgia sits down with Andrea Bitner - EL Teacher, Author, Professor, and PD Partner - who has dedicated 25 years to helping educators and multilingual learners build bridges...

Send us a text 🎙️ S3 EP 43 | Season 3 Episode 43: Why Multilingual Learners Struggle with Executive Function: A Conversation with Dr. Dana Goodier In this episode of Making the Grade, hosts Christine and Georgia sit down with Dr. Dana Goodier, an accomplished educator, author, and podcast host with over 25 years of experience in the field. Dr. Goodier has taught World Languages and English, served as an administrator at both the middle and elementary levels, and completed her Doctorate in ...

Send us a text S3 EP 42 | Season 3 Episode 42: Honoring Our Brains: Iris Wong on Executive Function, Neurodivergence, and Growth What does it mean to honor your brain, your body, and your story while raising a family and supporting others? For Iris Wong, it means blending her work as a bilingual SLP, executive function coach, and author with the lived experience of being a neurodivergent adult and parent. On this episode of Making the Grade, Georgia sits down with Iris Wong, a bilingual Speec...

Send us a text S3 EP 41 | Season 3 Episode 41: Executive Function Skills for College Success: Howard Freedman on Planning, Organization & Financial Aid Have you ever felt like the stress of planning and paying for college is too much to organize, prioritize, and manage - leaving you wondering if higher education can ever feel affordable and achievable? On this episode, Georgia & Christine sit down with Howard Freedman, financial aid consultant, author of Making College Happen, and lon...

Send us a text S3 EP 40 | Season 3 Episode 40: Rocks First: Executive Function Advice with Dr. Curt Merlau Have you ever felt like you're constantly juggling priorities - but the most important things always seem to slip through the cracks? On this next episode of Making the Grade, Georgia & Christine sit down with Dr. Curt M., an educator turned education consultant who now leads a national team at Resultant - a data and technology firm that helps schools and agencies use the right data,...

Send us a text MAKING THE GRADE S3 EP 39 | Season 3 Episode 39: Teachers Deserve It: a Conversation with Rae Hughart Have you ever felt like your to-do list is never-ending—or that your inbox has gotten past the point of no return? On this next episode of Making the Grade, Georgia & Christine chat with Rae Hughart, a classroom teacher turned national speaker, professional development designer, and founder of Teachers Deserve It (TDI)—a professional learning company built by educators, for...

Send us a text MAKING THE GRADE S3 EP 38 | Season 3 Episode 38: a Conversation with Hosts Georgia & Christine Making the Grade is celebrating two incredible years of podcasting with a fresh new chapter. As the show evolves, listeners can look forward to a deeper dive into the executive function skills that help people thrive—for educators and beyond. This season, each episode will spotlight a specific skill such as time management, motivation, or emotion regulation, and the highligh...

Send us a text MAKING THE GRADE S3 EP 37 | Season 3 Preview + Executive Function Updates: a Conversation with Hosts Georgia & Christine Making the Grade Podcast is kicking off Season 3 with a heartfelt update from the hosts! In this special episode, they reflect on nearly 2 amazing years of podcasting, sharing a behind-the-scenes look at their process and celebrating the journey. Along the way, they share exciting personal and professional updates—Georgia is expecting a baby next month, a...

Send us a text S2 EP 036 | Mental Health Support & Open Parachutes: a Conversation with Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Hayley Watson In this next episode, a Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist shares how she has dedicated her career to supporting student mental health through innovative programs and resources. Hayley’s journey from globetrotting psychologist to mental health advocate and program developer is a testament to her passion for empowering both students...

Send us a text S2 EP 035 | Educator Forever: a Conversation with Teacher Career Coach, Lily In this next episode of Making the Grade, Georgia & Christine chat with Lily Jones, founder of Educator Forever. Lily, a former classroom teacher, created Educator Forever to empower educators to explore fulfilling careers outside the traditional classroom setting. With a passion for helping teachers redefine their careers, Lily has guided countless educators on a path to discovering flexible, impa...

Send us a text S2 EP 34 | Challenging the Status Quo of Leadership Practices: a Conversation with Principal & Podcast Host, Tyler Comeau Have you ever felt disconnected from your day to day life: in the classroom, at home, or even just “off”? If you’ve wondered what could help you feel more aligned with your intrinsic energy, keep reading! On this next episode of Making the Grade podcast, Georgia & Christine chat with Canadian principal, Tyler, about how his how his journey into the e...

Send us a text S2 EP 33 | Balance Your Teacher Life: a Conversation with Author & Teacher Coach, Grace Stevens Making the Grade Podcast is kicking off the school year with a well-timed conversation with author, Grace Stevens. After 20 years as an elementary school teacher, Grace realized that she needed to take an active role in her mindset, habits & approach to continue to enjoy teaching. Grace combines her signature mantra, "Your energy teaches more than your lesson plans," with two...

Send us a text S2 EP 032 | Failure Free Reading: A Conversation with Author & Reading Researcher, Dr. Joe Lockavitch On the 32nd episode of Making the Grade Podcast, Georgia and Christine connect with Dr. Joe Lockavitch, a former classroom teacher, school psychologist, university professor, special education director, and applied reading researcher who is the author and developer of The Failure Free Reading Program. Failure Free Reading is a nationally recognized, proven non-phonic first ...

Send us a text S2 EP 031 | Slow Living & Productivity: a conversation with Productivity Coach & Consultant, Dr. Kate Henry In Episode 31 of Making the Grade, Georgia & Christine chat with Dr. Kate Henry, a former academic turned independent scholar and productivity coach. A local colleague of Christine’s, Kate shares her account of shifting her career goals once completing her PhD & adjusting to living with chronic illness. She explores how the philosophy of slow livin...

Send us a text S2 EP 030 | Student Advocacy & Activism: a Conversation with Advocate & Consultant, Kristen Flannery For the 30th episode, a local MA teacher shares how she successfully fulfilled her dream of becoming a business owner. Kristen, a fellow MA teacher, transitioned from special education teacher to building an advocacy and consulting company focusing on student well-being. An avid activist for students with disabilities and education reform, Kristen has worked mostly with ...

Send us a text S2 EP 029 | Next Step Education: a Conversation with Former Classroom Teacher & Co-Founder, Meghan Schelzi On this next episode, a local guest from the Boston podcast scene (thanks Kim!) shares how she successfully founded and scaled her learning center, "Next Step Education”. Meghan’s journey from the classroom to entrepreneurship is a testament to the power of curiosity and passion in shaping the future of learning. Despite her fulfillment in the classroom & hav...

Send us a text S2 EP 028 | Encouraging Creativity in Early Childhood Education: a Conversation with Pre-K Teacher, Hannah Severson In this episode of Making the Grade Podcast, Georgia & Christine sit down with Hannah, a passionate PreK teacher from Fort Worth, Texas. With eleven years of experience in both public and private settings, Hannah brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for early childhood education to the table. Hannah shares her journey in education, from her beginn...

Send us a text S2 EP 027 | Beautiful Stuff Project: a conversation with former teacher & founding executive director, Marina Seevak On the 27th episode of Making the Grade Podcast, Georgia and Christine connect with Marina, a former teacher & executive director of the Beautiful Stuff Project. The Beautiful Stuff Project increases access to play and the arts through the creative reuse of materials. Marina is passionate about allowing children the space to explore & create, and this...