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Uncover the profound resilience and optimism rooted in the act of teaching. This episode reveals how educators, from middle school teachers to life-long mentors, transform lives, even in the face of grief, exhaustion, and life's toughest transitions. Join us as Brian Platzer shares a deeply personal story inspired by his former teacher, Rod Keating, navigating the weight of grief, legacy, and the unbreakable bond between teachers and students. Discover how this relationship inspired his heartfelt novel, The Optimists, a story that celebrates the extraordinary impact of one mentor’s influence and the cycle of growth, loss, and renewal.

Find links to purchase the book: https://www.brianplatzer.com/the-optimists

People Article mentioned: https://people.com/brian-platzer-the-optimists-exclusive-essay-11910548

The Educate U.S. podcast is presented by our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC. & Positively Tea. Enjoy a cup of the best tasting coffee (and tea!) while listening to Stacey & Patrice break down the latest from the world of education & beyond! Visit this link - https://lddy.no/1k3n0 & use their promo code EDUCATEUS for 20% off your first purchase!

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Stacey & Patrice are back with a discussion on changes in higher education and the public perception about whether a college degree is still the end goal for people, or are vocational schools and even enter the job field earlier, more valuable than the cost associated with getting that degree.

The Educate U.S. podcast is presented by our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC. & Positively Tea. Enjoy a cup of the best tasting coffee (and tea!) while listening to Stacey & Patrice break down the latest from the world of education & beyond! Visit this link - https://lddy.no/1k3n0 & use their promo code EDUCATEUS for 20% off your first purchase!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back to finish the conversation Lindsay Whorton started, but this time, we’re getting into the systemic "why" behind the burnout. Patrice and Stacey bridge the gap between theory and the classroom, tackling the frustrating reality that many teachers want to lead but feel trapped by outdated hierarchies. We’re deconstructing the "promotion-or-nothing" culture and looking at the real-world barriers that prevent true collaboration. This episode is a call to action for every educator who has ever felt overqualified and underutilized; it’s time to stop waiting for a hero at the top and start building a leadership architecture where power is shared and every voice has the agency to drive change.

The Educate U.S. podcast is presented by our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC. & Positively Tea. Enjoy a cup of the best tasting coffee (and tea!) while listening to Stacey & Patrice break down the latest from the world of education & beyond! Visit this link - https://lddy.no/1k3n0 & use their promo code EDUCATEUS for 20% off your first purchase!

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Is the "superhero" principal model actually destroying our schools? In this episode, we tear down the unsustainable expectation that one leader can do it all and introduce a game-changing blueprint for the future: shared leadership. Joining us is Lindsay Whorton, author of 'A New School Leadership Architecture', to explore why current structures are failing educators and how a collaborative approach can stop burnout, boost teacher retention, and transform student outcomes. If you're tired of the "do more with less" mantra and ready for a practical strategy to build a leadership ecosystem where everyone thrives, this conversation is your roadmap to a more resilient school culture.

The Educate U.S. podcast is presented by our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC. & Positively Tea. Enjoy a cup of the best tasting coffee (and tea!) while listening to Stacey & Patrice break down the latest from the world of education & beyond! Visit this link - https://lddy.no/1k3n0 & use their promo code EDUCATEUS for 20% off your first purchase!

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In this episode, Patrice and Stacey dive into the "Hidden Curriculum"—the unspoken rules and social barriers that often determine who succeeds in the college admissions race. Reflecting on their recent insights from Akil, the hosts peel back the layers of a system where the testing industry often prioritizes profit over pupils and where the FAFSA process remains a daunting hurdle. You’ll learn why "rejection resilience" is a critical skill a student can develop and how shifting toward equitable, portfolio-based assessments can finally level the playing field. Whether you're a parent navigating the college transition or an educator pushing for change, this conversation is your unfiltered blueprint for advocacy and student success.

The Educate U.S. podcast is presented by our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC. & Positively Tea. Enjoy a cup of the best tasting coffee (and tea!) while listening to Stacey & Patrice break down the latest from the world of education & beyond! Visit this link - https://lddy.no/1k3n0 & use their promo code EDUCATEUS for 20% off your first purchase!

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What if the biggest barriers in education aren't found in textbooks — but in the unspoken rules no one ever teaches? In this episode with Akil Bello, advocate and entrepreneur, we dive into the hidden curriculum: the invisible lessons students absorb about social norms, expectations, and cultural values that shape their entire educational journey. Because every student deserves to know the rules of the game — not just the ones written down.

Articles Referenced:

Akil Bello Blog Post

Funding Cuts

The Educate U.S. podcast is presented by our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC. & Positively Tea. Enjoy a cup of the best tasting coffee (and tea!) while listening to Stacey & Patrice break down the latest from the world of education & beyond! Visit this link - https://lddy.no/1k3n0 & use their promo code EDUCATEUS for 20% off your first purchase!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.