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

Reflective Readers with Travis Crowder (pt.1) - Greatest Hits

Hello everyone! In light of the tragedies facing the world and America today, I found it timely to bring this talk to teachers. I don't believe there has ever been a time in modern history when our students need to be doing what matters most—exploring their thoughts and reflecting on the ideas, experiences, and lives of others. To help give us the tools to empower students in such a way, I brought on my friend Travis Crowder [https://twitter.com/teachermantrav?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor] to discuss his approach to reading workshop, and more specifically, his use of journals as tools for student reflection. If you've ever struggled with keeping a journal or binder neat (or useful), or wondered if there was a better way to get kids invested in their reading, this is the podcast for you. Travis Crowder is the co-author of Sparks in the Dark [https://teachmeteacherpodcast.com/2018/09/24/79-rage-against-the-dying-of-the-light-with-travis-crowder-and-todd-nesloney-pt-1/], and his latest book, Reflective Readers [https://www.amazon.com/Reflective-Readers-Power-Notebooks/dp/1987370481/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Reflective+Readers+travis+Crowder&qid=1590982493&sr=8-1] is out now (and it is FANTASTIC.) This episode originally appeared as episode #166.

10 Tips to Get Hired as a Teacher

Hello everyone! Today I'm flying solo as I offer my best 10 tips for getting hired as a teacher. While this episode is geared to new teachers, I believe anyone can follow these tips. So if you are changing schools, positions, or moving, I think these 10 tips can increase your chances at nailing that interview. Each piece of advice in this episode is fueled by my experience with hiring teachers, and what I've heard and said behind closed doors as to why someone wasn't right for the job. If this episode helped you nail your interview, or you think it will help someone else, share it! We need to attract the best people to this profession—so if the best person you know needs help, direct them back here! This episode originally appeared as episode #309 of the podcast.

#415 On Endings, Failure, and Growth

As summer break begins, many educators find themselves carrying the weight of a hard year—stress, setbacks, frustration, negativity, and the moments that didn't go as planned. In this reflective episode of Teach Me Teacher, we explore what it means to move forward without being defined by the struggles behind us. How do we let go of what we couldn't control, learn from what challenged us, and return stronger for what comes next? This conversation is about reflection without regret, growth without perfection, and finding clarity in the lessons hidden inside difficult seasons. Together, we'll unpack how educators can move past negativity, reclaim perspective, and use the summer not just to rest—but to rebuild, refocus, and step into a new year with renewed purpose and resilience. Because growth doesn't happen in spite of the struggle—it often happens because of it. As mentioned in the episode, if you'f like to provide a memory or reflection for the podcast (to be used in a later episode), click here. [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfTxKUH_Jxh53Jqr1urnR-kZpIYQ_A8zCuqMLYf9XW5TyIo8A/viewform?usp=header]

#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.