We share five hard lessons on self-care that keep educators from burning out and help us show up with energy for students and family. The conversation is honest, practical, and direct, with clear steps to set boundaries, ask for help, and make rest non-negotiable. Please do me a huge favor, leave a review and please send this to someone who needs it. www.EdwardDeShazer.org

We redefine collaboration as a choice built on trust, healthy conflict, and accountability, not simple proximity. We map five levels of team trust and share concrete steps to repair culture so schools can pull together with purpose. • collaboration as unity, trust, connection and accountability • why trust is the oxygen of teamwork • five levels of team trust from surface to purpose • healthy conflict versus gossip and avoidance • four moves to rebuild a broken team&n...

Ever feel like your team works in the same building but on different islands? We unpack how schools move from silos to strong, connected teams that share the load and multiply results. If you care about culture, teacher wellness, and student success, this conversation gives you clear next steps without the fluff. We start by naming why collaboration feels so hard: relentless workloads, unclear roles, and a lack of psychological safety. Proximity isn’t partnership. We explore how fear shuts d...

We break down why leadership communication fails when it assumes everyone listens the same way and show how adapting to four distinct styles turns messages into momentum. The goal is simple: connect clearly, build trust, and strengthen culture through everyday moments. • Building Bridges Blueprint pillar one: leadership and communication • Why delivery outranks intent in leadership • Four styles overview: driver, enthusiast, supporter, analyst • Practical adjustments for meetings, emails, an...

We lay the foundation for the Building Bridges Blueprint by showing why most problems are communication problems, not performance problems. We share concrete steps to lead with clarity, consistency, and care so trust grows and culture thrives. • framing leadership as influence and presence, not titles • why unclear expectations create resentment and burnout • clarity builds confidence and consistency builds trust • four habits: be clear, be consistent, be visible, be human • how to align wor...

Culture isn’t a mystery; it’s a mirror that shows what leaders allow and what leaders do. We unpack a practical path to stop guessing about your school’s culture and start measuring it with the same rigor you bring to test scores and attendance. Using our Building Bridges Blueprint, we walk through four connected pillars—leadership and communication, collaboration and teamwork, staff wellness and morale, and growth and recognition—and show how each one can strengthen (or shake) the entire sch...

The first cold snap hits, the room isn’t spotless anymore, and that August buzz has faded. That’s when the real work shows up—and so does the truth about culture. We talk candidly about beating the fall slump and why October, not August, shapes the educators and leaders our students need. We start with the human side: shorter days, less sunlight, and the silent drag on mood and motivation. Then we get practical. From Walking Wednesdays—a simple 15‑minute, no‑email, no‑grading movement break—...

Start where you are, even if it’s a $30 mic at a kitchen table. That simple choice to move without seeing the whole staircase sparked a journey across classrooms, auditoriums, and continents—connecting with educators who are tired, hopeful, and ready to lead with purpose. We open the door on how a pandemic project evolved into a structured, sustainable speaking and consulting practice, born from an MBA challenge and shaped by hundreds of conversations with teachers and leaders searching for c...

Hit pause on the urge to copy last year’s playbook. We open the year by making a clear promise to ourselves and our students: fresh slate, flexible mindset, and real relationships first. With educator and speaker Simone Walden, we dig into character education as more than a curriculum—it’s how we show up daily, how trust forms, and why students work harder for adults who keep their word and protect their dignity. We get practical fast. Simone breaks down Monday share routines that humanize t...

Norberto Troncoso takes us on a powerful journey from the Bronx to national recognition as he shares how he transforms "closeted introverts" into championship-level speakers. With raw authenticity and practical wisdom, Norberto reveals the strategies that have helped students from America's poorest congressional district win national speech competitions and secure millions in scholarships. The conversation dives deep into the transformative power of communication skills. Norberto explains hi...

What happens when educators bring their authentic selves to work? Carlos Malavé, Director of Culture and Community at Bloom Academy in Houston, reveals how vulnerability transforms school environments and why being genuine as a leader creates spaces where everyone can thrive. Carlos shares the story of finding his perfect professional fit—a position created to match his expertise in implementing curriculum, supporting teachers, and building restorative practices. His approach to building gen...

Have you ever wondered why some schools feel vibrant and positive while others seem stuck in negativity? The answer lies not in catchy slogans or mission statements, but in something far more fundamental. School culture—that invisible force shaping everything from staff morale to student achievement—boils down to a surprisingly simple formula: what leaders consistently allow and what leaders consistently do. This isn't about perfect leadership or elaborate initiatives. It's about the power o...

Dustin Thomas shares his journey from UPS worker to PE teacher and DJ, demonstrating how to create an inclusive school culture through music and movement in a diverse elementary school setting. • Overcoming personal dislike of school to become an educator in his 15th year • Using culturally responsive approaches to connect with 300+ ELL students • Learning key phrases in Haitian Creole to communicate with immigrant students • Replacing traditional whistle-based PE instruction with musi...

The first week of school sets the foundation for the entire year, making it essential to establish clear expectations that build trust and create safety for everyone involved. Educational success hinges on setting the right tone from day one, practicing procedures until they become second nature, and creating environments where both students and staff can thrive rather than merely survive. • Pre-school anxiety is normal and indicates you care about your work • Clear expectations create safet...

Principal Mo takes us behind the curtain of educational leadership to reveal the moment everything fell apart—and how it transformed her approach to leading a school. "This job can ruin you mentally, emotionally, physically," she confesses, sharing the raw truth about her 2022 breaking point when overwork led to depression, anxiety, and professional failure. The conversation dives deep into what authentic leadership really means in education today. Principal Mo reveals how removing her work ...

What if the key to academic success isn't found in rigid classroom structures, but in creating spaces where students feel safe enough to be their authentic selves? Alexia, known professionally as "The Dancer Teacher," brings her infectious energy and profound insights to this episode as we explore how joy, authenticity, and emotional intelligence create the foundation for effective learning environments. Drawing from her dual expertise as a kindergarten teacher in Atlantic City and a hip-hop...

Coming back strong with renewed purpose, this relaunch episode delivers exactly what tired educators need to hear before starting another school year. Edward DeShazer speaks directly to the heart of education's biggest challenge: the unsustainable expectation that teachers and leaders should sacrifice their wellbeing for their students. Drawing from over two decades in education and his experience transforming a one-star school into a four-star institution, DeShazer shares what really makes ...

Recharge your teaching spirit and prevent burnout with our latest episode, where we explore the transformative power of intentional self-care routines for educators. Have you ever considered that your weekend rest might not be enough to sustain your energy for the week ahead? Join me as I uncover the vital role of recharging routines, and how even micro breaks during your day can have a profound impact on your well-being. Understanding what drains your energy—be it after-school meetings or ad...

This podcast episode delves into practical strategies for educators to combat winter blues and maintain mental wellness. The discussion emphasizes self-awareness, the importance of light and movement, staying hydrated, and fostering community connections while encouraging listeners to prioritize their own well-being.• Recognizing seasonal changes and their mental effects • Utilizing light therapy and movement for energy • Prioritizing hydration and nutritious meals • Building s...

Ever felt like the demands of the classroom are pulling you in too many directions, leaving no room for personal time? Discover how to reclaim your schedule and mental well-being with practical boundary-setting strategies in our latest episode of the Teachers Ed Podcast. Host Edward DeShazer sheds light on the necessity of defining work hours and the art of saying no to non-essential commitments. By setting clear expectations with colleagues, students, administrators, and parents, educators c...