Growing Out of Struggle

#414 The Leader in Me (Muriel Summers pt.2)

What if the leadership crisis everyone's talking about isn't a talent problem—but a systems problem? In this episode of Teach Me, Teacher, I sit down with Muriel Summers, founding principal of the first Leader in Me school [https://www.amazon.com/Leader-Me-Schools-Inspiring-Greatness/dp/1668085682/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3C92I0GMWDWJY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KE9N3yg3PKddLALmBpQ3Wzji0N9QP43zRQk7dWS52XDXdExhMTKDbRwwGNBj6LowzkF80IMV54UL_bYbG0LDs3mSj7fe-zIutHUt_rq1rt22wBOUA_qv3gTfRUuzFNLrPEKw4gW8DcCc-BFhZfzHu4hGoZvYatldWJTUnKobM-h6egkKFei-uEMS211AtMPlEUdYtfEdE1Bl-MuWDsJ00yivIaXvRdsUV51vtWutJCQ.SOgWRTqIZmytBYs7YwWW9U0Kjutqc0WL8PzE7GehfTk&dib_tag=se&keywords=muriel+summers&qid=1777953878&sprefix=muriel+summer%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-2] and a global voice in transforming how schools think about leadership. From her work at A.B. Combs Elementary—twice named the top magnet school in America—to influencing thousands of schools worldwide, Muriel has helped redefine what leadership actually looks like in K–12 education. Missed part 1? Catch it here. [https://teachmeteacherpodcast.com/2026/05/05/413-fostering-student-leadership-with-muriel-summers-pt-1/] We dig into a bold idea: leadership isn't a title or a personality trait—it's a set of habits that can be taught, practiced, and lived by every student. In a time when schools are navigating staff shortages, budget pressures, and questions about student readiness, this conversation challenges the idea that leadership development is "extra." Instead, it makes the case that it's foundational. Muriel shares real stories, hard truths, and practical insight on how schools can move beyond surface-level student voice and build cultures where every kid sees themselves as a leader. If you've ever wondered why students disengage—or what it really takes to prepare them for life beyond school—this episode will push your thinking in all the right ways.

#413 Fostering Student Leadership with Muriel Summers (pt.1)

What if the leadership crisis everyone's talking about isn't a talent problem—but a systems problem? In this episode of Teach Me, Teacher, I sit down with Muriel Summers, founding principal of the first Leader in Me school [https://www.amazon.com/Leader-Me-Schools-Inspiring-Greatness/dp/1668085682/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3C92I0GMWDWJY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KE9N3yg3PKddLALmBpQ3Wzji0N9QP43zRQk7dWS52XDXdExhMTKDbRwwGNBj6LowzkF80IMV54UL_bYbG0LDs3mSj7fe-zIutHUt_rq1rt22wBOUA_qv3gTfRUuzFNLrPEKw4gW8DcCc-BFhZfzHu4hGoZvYatldWJTUnKobM-h6egkKFei-uEMS211AtMPlEUdYtfEdE1Bl-MuWDsJ00yivIaXvRdsUV51vtWutJCQ.SOgWRTqIZmytBYs7YwWW9U0Kjutqc0WL8PzE7GehfTk&dib_tag=se&keywords=muriel+summers&qid=1777953878&sprefix=muriel+summer%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-2] and a global voice in transforming how schools think about leadership. From her work at A.B. Combs Elementary—twice named the top magnet school in America—to influencing thousands of schools worldwide, Muriel has helped redefine what leadership actually looks like in K–12 education. We dig into a bold idea: leadership isn't a title or a personality trait—it's a set of habits that can be taught, practiced, and lived by every student. In a time when schools are navigating staff shortages, budget pressures, and questions about student readiness, this conversation challenges the idea that leadership development is "extra." Instead, it makes the case that it's foundational. Muriel shares real stories, hard truths, and practical insight on how schools can move beyond surface-level student voice and build cultures where every kid sees themselves as a leader. If you've ever wondered why students disengage—or what it really takes to prepare them for life beyond school—this episode will push your thinking in all the right ways.

#412 Achieving Universal Child Care in New York (Cordero & Gardner pt.2)

What happens in early childhood classrooms doesn't stay there—it shows up every day in K–12 schools. In this episode of Teach Me, Teacher, I sit down with Robert Cordero and Tara Gardner to unpack what "universal child care" in New York City really means—not just as a policy idea, but as a lived reality for families, providers, and educators. If you missed part one, check it out here. [https://teachmeteacherpodcast.com/2026/04/20/411-the-tie-between-child-care-and-education/] We dig into why child care has become both a moral and economic imperative in a city shaped by poverty, workforce demands, and persistent child care deserts. From recent investments and pilot programs to the deeper structural challenges beneath them, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what's working—and what isn't. At the center of it all is a workforce crisis: tens of thousands of educators needed, a system heavily reliant on underpaid Black and Brown women, and a widening gap between Department of Education salaries and community-based providers. We wrestle with the uncomfortable question—can you build a "universal" system on an inequitable foundation? We also explore potential solutions, from free higher education pathways to the hard realities of funding, staffing, and political will. And finally, we zoom out: where is New York leading the way, where is it falling short, and what truths do we still need to confront if we want a system that truly supports children, families, and the educators who serve them? This episode challenges educators to see child care not as a separate issue—but as the foundation everything else is built on.

#411 The Tie Between Child Care and Education (pt.1)

What happens in early childhood classrooms doesn't stay there—it shows up every day in K–12 schools. In this episode of Teach Me, Teacher, I sit down with Robert Cordero and Tara Gardner to unpack what "universal child care" in New York City really means—not just as a policy idea, but as a lived reality for families, providers, and educators. We dig into why child care has become both a moral and economic imperative in a city shaped by poverty, workforce demands, and persistent child care deserts. From recent investments and pilot programs to the deeper structural challenges beneath them, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what's working—and what isn't. At the center of it all is a workforce crisis: tens of thousands of educators needed, a system heavily reliant on underpaid Black and Brown women, and a widening gap between Department of Education salaries and community-based providers. We wrestle with the uncomfortable question—can you build a "universal" system on an inequitable foundation? We also explore potential solutions, from free higher education pathways to the hard realities of funding, staffing, and political will. And finally, we zoom out: where is New York leading the way, where is it falling short, and what truths do we still need to confront if we want a system that truly supports children, families, and the educators who serve them? This episode challenges educators to see child care not as a separate issue—but as the foundation everything else is built on.

Growing Out of Struggle

Hello everyone! Spring is here—and everything that means for school. State testing. Unknowns. Changes. Student behavior struggles…the list goes on. This time of year can be stressful and miserable at times for teachers. If you know, you know… But this time can also be a moment for clarity. A moment for reimagining and refocusing on what you need to do to make an impact in the classroom. This time of year can be the difference between ending on a high note, and ending in a way that isn't a representation of what you can truly accomplish in your work. This episode is all about acknowledging the struggles of this time of year, but not staying there. It's about moving forward and taking action that will help you reach the finish line of your school year. **This episode previously aired as #308. Timely and needed. A new episode will release next Monday.