Front of the Class

Creating School Communities with 2026 South Dakota Teacher of the Year Becky Haenfler

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455827/fan_mail/new] Becky Haenfler, the 2026 South Dakota Teacher of the Year, has spent 20 years building relationships and inspiring readers. Now in her role as a middle school ELA teacher in Avon, SD, she serves the same community that shaped her as a student.  In this episode, Haenfler shares how teaching in a small rural school influences everything from translating lessons between coaching and the classroom to lifelong student connections. Reflecting on her full-circle journey back to her hometown, she offers practical insights for educators seeking deeper purpose, stronger student engagement, and a sense of belonging in their profession.  Get your FREE Workbook ➡️ The K-12 Teacher's Workbook for a Mid-Year Reset [https://teach.moreland.edu/mid-year-reset-workbook] This free resource for teachers is a practical way to set (and achieve) your professional goals this year. Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams [https://moreland.edu/?utm_campaign=Homepage&utm_source=Podcast].  * Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months  * Earn a master's degree in 12 months  * Keep growing with professional development Learn more at moreland.edu [https://moreland.edu/?utm_campaign=Homepage&utm_source=Podcast] Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators.  Keep the conversation going with us on social:  * Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/frontoftheclass.podcast/] * TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@frontoftheclass.podcast] Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career?  Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program [https://teachnow.tv/Moreland-cert] can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees [https://teachnow.tv/MU-masters] in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months.

Making Learning Fun and Meaningful with Cici Chen

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455827/fan_mail/new] Cici Chen is an educator at a bilingual international school in Shanghai, China, with 14 years of experience teaching young learners. Known for creating joyful, engaging classrooms, Chen believes that when students genuinely enjoy learning, deeper growth naturally follows.  In this special topical episode, Chen shares how her approach to teaching has evolved from relying on games to designing purposeful learning experiences that balance hands-on fun and meaningful skill development. Chen’s insights offer practical inspiration for educators looking to bring more joy into their classrooms while supporting students academically, socially, and emotionally.  Get your FREE Workbook ➡️ The K-12 Teacher's Workbook for a Mid-Year Reset [https://teach.moreland.edu/mid-year-reset-workbook] This free resource for teachers is a practical way to set (and achieve) your professional goals this year. Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams [https://moreland.edu/?utm_campaign=Homepage&utm_source=Podcast].  * Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months  * Earn a master's degree in 12 months  * Keep growing with professional development Learn more at moreland.edu [https://moreland.edu/?utm_campaign=Homepage&utm_source=Podcast] Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators.  Keep the conversation going with us on social:  * Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/frontoftheclass.podcast/] * TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@frontoftheclass.podcast] Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career?  Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program [https://teachnow.tv/Moreland-cert] can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees [https://teachnow.tv/MU-masters] in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months.

A Strategic Approach to Teacher Career Growth with Sarah Emma Alexander

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455827/fan_mail/new] After working in the high-intensity world of hedge funds, Sarah Emma Alexander made a life-changing pivot into international teaching and administration. Now teaching at a high school in upstate New York, she brings a strategic, problem-solving lens to education.  In this episode, Alexander shares stories from her professional journey and insights about how educators can expand their impact, embrace salary and career growth opportunities, and help students prepare for real-world success.  Get your FREE Workbook ➡️ The K-12 Teacher's Workbook for a Mid-Year Reset [https://teach.moreland.edu/mid-year-reset-workbook] This free resource for teachers is a practical way to set (and achieve) your professional goals this year. Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams [https://moreland.edu/?utm_campaign=Homepage&utm_source=Podcast].  * Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months  * Earn a master's degree in 12 months  * Keep growing with professional development Learn more at moreland.edu [https://moreland.edu/?utm_campaign=Homepage&utm_source=Podcast] Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators.  Keep the conversation going with us on social:  * Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/frontoftheclass.podcast/] * TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@frontoftheclass.podcast] Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career?  Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program [https://teachnow.tv/Moreland-cert] can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees [https://teachnow.tv/MU-masters] in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months.

Using AI to Deepen Learning with Ronald Lethcoe and Dionna Faherty

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455827/fan_mail/new] At Clover Park Technical College in Washington state, educators Ronald Lethcoe and Dionna Faherty are building digital resource libraries and exploring how AI can be used to enhance classrooms and the learning experience.  In this special topical episode, these colleagues go in-depth to highlight how thoughtful AI use can help students move beyond surface-level answers and engage more deeply with any curriculum while also discussing the importance of AI literacy, ethical considerations, and why teachers play a pivotal role in modeling responsible technology use for students.  Get your FREE Workbook ➡️ The K-12 Teacher's Workbook for a Mid-Year Reset [https://teach.moreland.edu/mid-year-reset-workbook] This free resource for teachers is a practical way to set (and achieve) your professional goals this year. Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams [https://moreland.edu/?utm_campaign=Homepage&utm_source=Podcast].  * Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months  * Earn a master's degree in 12 months  * Keep growing with professional development Learn more at moreland.edu [https://moreland.edu/?utm_campaign=Homepage&utm_source=Podcast] Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators.  Keep the conversation going with us on social:  * Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/frontoftheclass.podcast/] * TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@frontoftheclass.podcast] Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career?  Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program [https://teachnow.tv/Moreland-cert] can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees [https://teachnow.tv/MU-masters] in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months.

Building Student Leaders with Paddy Bailey

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455827/fan_mail/new] Paddy Bailey is an elementary teacher in upstate New York who believes physical education can have an impact beyond games and competition. Teaching kindergarten through sixth grade, Bailey focuses on building relationships, providing leadership opportunities, and helping students grow through both success and failure.  In this episode, Bailey reflects on why he prioritizes “process over product” and how he structures his classes to challenge advanced students while uplifting everyone. From celebrating small victories to helping secure a $10,000 bike grant so kindergartners can learn to ride, Bailey shares how passion and purpose fuel his work — an inspiring story that will resonate with new and experienced teachers alike.  Get your FREE Workbook ➡️ The K-12 Teacher's Workbook for a Mid-Year Reset [https://teach.moreland.edu/mid-year-reset-workbook] This free resource for teachers is a practical way to set (and achieve) your professional goals this year. Moreland University can help you create the teaching career of your dreams [https://moreland.edu/?utm_campaign=Homepage&utm_source=Podcast].  * Get your U.S. teaching license in as little as 9 months  * Earn a master's degree in 12 months  * Keep growing with professional development Learn more at moreland.edu [https://moreland.edu/?utm_campaign=Homepage&utm_source=Podcast] Thanks for listening to Front of the Class: Real Stories From Real Educators.  Keep the conversation going with us on social:  * Instagram: @frontoftheclass.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/frontoftheclass.podcast/] * TikTok: @frontoftheclass.podcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@frontoftheclass.podcast] Want to jumpstart or grow your teaching career?  Moreland University's 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program [https://teachnow.tv/Moreland-cert] can help you get certified in as little as 9 months. Moreland also offers master's degrees [https://teachnow.tv/MU-masters] in high-demand areas that can be completed 12 months.