The EduCurious Podcast: An Interview with X'Zaria Bullard: Not Just A Statistic

The EduCurious Podcast: An Interview with X'Zaria Bullard: Not Just A Statistic

#FosterCareAdvocate #EduCurious #EveryGirlMatters #FSU #FAMU X’Zaria Bullard: Not Just a Statistic Discover X’Zaria Bullard's extraordinary journey from foster care to pursuing a doctorate. Learn about her challenges, triumphs, and advocacy for foster youth. In today’s world, stories of resilience and determination often inspire us to push beyond our limits. X’Zaria Bullard, a remarkable foster care advocate and an inspiring young woman, shares her journey that not only highlights her incredible achievements but also sheds light on the challenges faced by many in the foster care system. In this interview, we’ll explore her story, the lessons learned, and how she’s making a difference for future generations. About X’Zaria Bullard X’Zaria Bullard is currently a second-year student in the Educational Leadership program (EDD) at Florida State University. Her journey began at the age of one when she was placed in foster care, a path filled with adversity, challenges, and trauma. However, X’Zaria’s story is one of triumph, fueled by her desire to break free from the statistics that often define foster youth. The mentors she encountered along her journey played a pivotal role in her success. From the moment she joined a foster home in Oviedo, Florida, her life began to pivot toward the positive. With the support of her cheerleading coach and various programs, X’Zaria transformed her challenges into a pathway for success, proving that it is indeed possible to overcome the odds. Advocating for Change in the Foster Care System Today, X’Zaria is not only excelling academically but also making strides in advocacy for foster youth. She founded an organization called "Every Girl Matters," aimed at supporting mental health and college preparedness for foster youth. Through workshops and outreach programs, she aims to inspire others who have experienced similar hardships. Learn More: https://www.myflfamilies.com/foster-care/support-fostering/ https://www.dynamicxplosion.com/ Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: BWVYUMVKVHHSAVDR Subscribe so you can watch it when it drops: https://www.youtube.com/@Edu.Curious.Podcasts?sub_confirmation=1 Be Social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Edu.Curious.Podcasts Website: https://educuriouspod.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edu.curious.podcasts/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@educuriouspods Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EduCuriousPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/49IJd6WG083nXhZeQWt2hk?si=300fba40fb83456c Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/educurious-pods/id1798666772 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educuriouspod/ Website: https://amberlovejohnson.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberlovejohnson/ Dissertation: https://www.proquest.com/docview/3347815164 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to X'Zaria Bullard 00:57 X'Zaria's Journey Through Foster Care 02:21 Cheer Saved My Life! 02:44 Not Just a Statistic 03:01 Cheer Opened Doors 03:31 Getting into FAMU! 04:05 Inspiration to my 10-Year-Old Self 04:50 Deserving a Seat at the Table 05:24 More Than a File 06:21 Breaking Through Statistics 07:03 Seeing Something Within 07:23 Unique Story 09:03 Every Girl Matters 10:10 A Day in the Life 10:57 Future Plans 12:38 Second Person Advocacy 13:24 Hot Stove 13:37 Listen! 13:49 Becoming a Foster Parent 14:38 Mental Health and Identity in Foster Care 16:23 The ACE Study 17:36 Understanding Trauma and Its Impact on Learning 18:25 Validation in Research 18:36 Future Aspirations and Policy Involvement 19:09 Empowering Young Women Through Advocacy 19:22 Personal Stories and One-on-One Connections 19:45 Nails as Connection 20:51 Resources and Support for Foster Youth 23:38 The Journey of Cheerleading 27:46 The Impact of Coaching 29:20 Being a Little Black Girl is Hard 29:39 Life in a Group Home 32:23 Addiction and Displacement 34:18 Finding Positive Outlets 35:45 Building Community in College

The EduCurious Podcast: An Interview with Alona Robillard: The One & Only

Creating a vibrant classroom culture is crucial for student engagement and learning. In this episode of The EduCurious Podcast, Alona Robillard, a fifth-grade math teacher at West Bay Elementary, shares her unique approach to teaching and her dedication to cultivating a positive environment. Alona unpacks her valuable insights into creating a classroom culture that not only supports learning but also encourages collaboration and creativity. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Find Your Fit 01:43 School Culture 02:14 Room Transformations 03:53 Sharing Content 04:56 Target Tier One 06:30 Assessing Student Learning and Engagement 07:06 Teacher Growth 07:37 Model It 09:37 Summer Planning and Professional Development 11:20 Preventing Burnout in Educators 12:12 Advice from Ron Clark 13:36 Resources 14:08 Learning from Others and Continuous Improvement 15:10 Tried and True Favorites of Whole Group Lessons 16:00 Popular Activities and Classroom Strategies 16:39 Classroom Management Essentials for New Teachers 17:48 Understanding Tiered Instruction in the Classroom 18:28 A Day in the Life: Classroom Management in Action 21:23 Reflecting on Growth: From Year One to Year Five 24:37 Celebrating Success: Awards and Achievements 25:38 The Importance of Administrative Support 26:30 Setting High Expectations for Young Learners 28:33 Culturally Relevant Teaching Practices 31:52 Harnessing Student Behavior for Positive Outcomes 32:45 Love Them 33:43 See the Greatness 34:15 Strategies for Managing Disruptive Behavior 36:34 Looking Ahead: Preparing Students for the Future 37:10 Who Do You Want Leading the World? 37:44 Closing #EduCurious #EduCuriousPod #ClassroomTransformation#WestBayElementary

The EduCurious Podcast: An Interview with Dr. Christy Lamb: The Modern Principal Podcast

🔥 This episode is for every woman leading in education who has ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?” 🔥 What happens when one powerhouse educator interviews the very leader who inspired her journey to a doctorate? Watch: https://youtu.be/KY382eQQ2HY Learn: Coming soon…DrChristyLamb.com In this powerful and refreshingly honest conversation, Dr. Amber Love Johnson sits down with Dr. Christy Lamb of the Modern Principal Podcast to talk leadership, identity, and what it really looks like to lead as a woman in education today. 💡 From redefining what leadership looks like 💡 To navigating credibility as a young female principal 💡 To building systems rooted in dignity, equity, and research This episode is packed with real talk, practical insight, and the kind of perspective that will shift how you see your role as a leader. ✨ You will hear about: • The truth about leadership as a woman in education • Scholar, System, Soul and how to lead with all three • Why clarity in your values changes everything • The power of dignity in student and staff interactions • What no one tells you about leaving and returning to education • How leadership impacts school culture more than you think • Balancing high expectations with high support • Real challenges in post-COVID education and shifting family dynamics • Why consistency matters more than perfection 👩🏽‍🏫 If you are a teacher, instructional coach, aspiring administrator, or current leader, this conversation will leave you thinking deeper and leading stronger. Episode Overview In this episode of The EduCurious Podcast, Dr. Amber Love Johnson sits down with Dr. Christy Lamb, co-host of the Modern Principal Podcast, to explore what effective leadership looks like in today’s schools. Dr. Lamb shares her journey from classroom teacher to principal, corporate consultant, and now higher education professor. Together, they discuss how leadership must evolve, especially for women in education, and why traditional approaches don’t always work in modern school systems. This conversation dives into the powerful Scholar, System, and Soul framework, the importance of dignity in student interactions, and how leaders can balance high expectations with high support. Dr. Lamb also reflects on the changing landscape of education, including shifts in parent trust, student behavior, and teacher support post-COVID. Whether you’re an aspiring principal, instructional coach, or classroom teacher, this episode offers practical strategies and mindset shifts to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and impact. #EducationLeadership #WomenInLeadership #SchoolLeaders #EduCurious #PrincipalLife #InstructionalLeadership #EducationPodcast #TeacherSupport #SchoolCulture #EdLeadership #K12Education #DignityInEducation #PBIS #SystemsThinking #ModernPrincipalPodcast Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leadership in Education 02:17 Navigating Leadership as a Woman 03:42 Values-Driven Leadership 06:09 The Journey of Leadership Pathways 08:17 Reflections on Leadership Experience 11:03 High Expectations and Support in Leadership 11:47 Supporting Staff and Building Culture 13:54 The Principal's Influence on School Culture 18:37 Accomplishments and Equity in Education 21:39 Challenges in Modern Education 23:11 Behavior Management with Dignity 24:49 Pursuing a Doctorate in Education 26:22 Career Opportunities in Education 27:18 Engaging with Educational Research 28:33 The Impact of Social Media on Education 29:32 Excitement for Future Projects 31:40 Closing

The EduCurious Podcast: EduProtocols with Jon Corippo & Julie Huggins

Watch: https://youtu.be/Zz7ku0ZWdbU Learn: https://www.eduprotocols.com/ In this episode of The EduCurious Podcast, Jon Corippo and Julie Huggins discuss how EduProtocols are reshaping classrooms through engaging, student-centered learning. Jon explains how strategies like “Fast and Curious” use repetition, immediate feedback, and game-based tools to build confidence, motivation, and academic growth for all learners. Julie shares how EduProtocols spread across Lake Wales High School during the post-COVID transition, helping teachers reduce burnout while increasing student engagement. The episode also highlights the upcoming EduProtocols Summer Academy at LEGOLAND Florida Resort on June 3–4, 2026, where educators will experience hands-on professional learning designed to reignite joy in teaching and learning. #EduProtocols #EduCurious # EduProtocolsSummerAcademy #LakeWalesHighSchool #LegolandFlorida #JonCorippo Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Edu Protocols and Guests 02:56 The Journey of Edu Protocols 05:46 Fast and Curious: A New Approach to Learning 08:40 Understanding Edu Protocols 11:30 Real-World Application of Edu Protocols 13:11 Subbing Story 14:23 Building Momentum in Learning 15:40 Get Better! 16:47 Sponge Bob 17:06 Empowerment and Student Engagement 19:52 Meaningful Learning Experiences 22:22 Experiencing Edu Protocols in Action 23:50 The Journey to Edu Protocols 28:50 Expanding Edu Protocols Across the District 30:40 Edu Protocol Summer Academy at Legoland 34:02 What to Expect at the Academy 37:05 Overcoming Burnout with Edu Protocols 40:26 The Excitement of Learning and Teaching Subscribe so you’ll see the episodes when they drop! https://www.youtube.com/@Edu.Curious.Podcasts?sub_confirmation=1 Be Social Website: https://educuriouspod.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Edu.Curious.Podcasts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EduCuriousPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/49IJd6WG083nXhZeQWt2hk?si=300fba40fb83456c Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/educurious-pods/id1798666772 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edu.curious.podcasts/ Email: educuriouspod@gmail.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@educuriouspods

The EduCurious Podcast: An Interview with Alek Cosio-Altamirano, Co-Owner of Southside Footy

Business Partner and co-owner of Southside Footy indoor training facility in Lakeland, Florida, Alek Cosio-Altamirano, is a first-generation American whose love of soccer translates into helping others achieve their very best. Montessori-style independence, creative thinking, street-style raw training, pain and struggle, develop athletes who can joga bonito (play beautifully). Alek shares how he gamifies concepts to grab attention, engage players, and develop young people. Mixed ages, grouped by skill and obsession, is Southside Footy’s philosophy, disrupting the traditional competitive model and guiding players on the pathway to becoming elite athletes. Finding passion and purpose from internal strength and generosity guides Alek as he envisions his company growing, reaching, and guiding as many kids as possible, while uniting them through the language of soccer. Southside Footy: https://www.southsidefooty.com/ Economist Derek Yonai: https://youtu.be/-8Z7WprYwfA?si=ZJ5ROZlnijPhw_rt Cinco Soccer: https://cincosoccerlakeland.com/ Florida Southern College: https://www.flsouthern.edu/ What is Montessori? https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/what-is-a-montessori-school LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexi-cortez-51657b326/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profe_alekcosio/ https://www.instagram.com/southsidefooty/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alek.cosio https://www.facebook.com/southsidefooty TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@southsidefooty Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Alek 01:47 Developing Young Athletes: The Southside Footy Approach 05:08 Breaking Traditional Training Norms 07:28 Success Stories and Community Impact 09:00 Soccer as a Cultural Connector 11:30 Personal Journey and Accomplishments 15:37 Advice for Young People 16:10 Overview of Southside Footy 18:14 Unique Experiences at Cinco Soccer 19:39 Future Aspirations for Southside Footy 22:19 Education Insights and Recommendations Whether you're a teacher, a parent, or just EduCurious, join the community as we explore various educational topics and learn from each other. Subscribe so you’ll see the episodes when they drop! https://www.youtube.com/@Edu.Curious.Podcasts?sub_confirmation=1 Be Social Website: https://educuriouspod.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Edu.Curious.Podcasts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EduCuriousPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/49IJd6WG083nXhZeQWt2hk?si=300fba40fb83456c Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/educurious-pods/id1798666772 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edu.curious.podcasts/ Email: educuriouspod@gmail.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@educuriouspods About EduCurious EduCurious is an evolving platform dedicated to showcasing the incredible work of exceptional educators and delving into the complex issues facing education today. Through engaging podcasts and insightful interviews, EduCurious provides a space for educators to share their experiences, insights, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. EduCurious explores a wide range of topics, from cutting-edge technology in the classroom to the latest research in teacher training and professional development. EduCurious is committed to fostering collaborative PD by connecting and empowering educators and facilitating meaningful conversations about the challenges and opportunities in education. By highlighting the voices and expertise of educators, we can inspire positive change and empower teachers to create impactful learning experiences for their students. Meet the Host: Dr. Amber Love Johnson Dr. Amber Love Johnson is an educator, lifelong learner, and passionate advocate for teachers and students. As the host of the EduCurious Podcast, she is driven by one central question: How can we better support educators and create meaningful learning experiences for all students?