Today I’m doing a solo episode! I haven't done a solo podcast episode in a while, but I thought I'd come in and talk to you all about what I'm seeing in the world of curriculum development. I've been working in this field for almost 20 years, which is wild. But I've really seen some shifts and some things that have stayed the same. And so as you think about maybe considering curriculum development as a next career path for you, I want to talk about some of the top skills you need.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode176.

Mickey Fitch-Collins is a leadership development facilitator, coach and podcast host who turns research into real world impact. With a doctorate in leadership in higher education and a background spanning academia, Ed Tech and corporate learning, she helps organizations unlock the potential of their people, especially their middle managers.

In this episode, Mickey told me about how she went from professional bass fisherman to working in higher education to learning and development. She gets deep into her learning and leadership philosophies, and she provides some great advice for those wanting to transition from education to learning and development.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode175.

Leah Ruesink is an early literacy coach and adjunct professor based in Michigan. She supports K–3 teachers in implementing research-aligned reading instruction and provides science-backed literacy guidance to educators, coaches, and families. Through her work in schools, writing, and online, Leah helps bridge the gap between literacy research and everyday classroom practice.

In this episode, Leah and I talk about the importance of early literacy intervention to ensure students stick at the pace they need. We also get into the need for systematic, explicit phonics programs and business owners building their brand.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode174.

Dr Erin Sponaugle has been teaching for 23 years. She’s a national board certified teacher and a former West Virginia Teacher of the Year. She’s also the author of two children's books and recently published Teachaholic, a book about overcoming teacher burnout based on her own experience. Erin is also the host of the Next Chapter for Teachers podcast.

In this episode, we talk to Erin about her educator journey, writing books, most importantly, how teachers can avoid burnout.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode173.

Kendell Hunter is a former special education teacher and reading specialist with a master’s degree in education and more than a decade of experience across K–12 schools and edtech. She is the Director of Marketing at Otus, where she has spent nearly seven years helping districts turn assessment and student data into meaningful, actionable insights.

Kendell and I discuss how and she moved from teaching to ed tech, and how that’s lead to her having an impact nationally. She also gets into her transition into marketing and what it takes to find a new job in ed tech today.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode172.

Dr. Coral P.S. Hoh is a clinical linguist and the founder of Dysolve AI, a technology platform designed to support students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. With a PhD in linguistics, her work focuses on applying research and artificial intelligence to improve how dyslexia is identified and supported at scale.

In this episode, Coral and I discuss how she began studying dyslexia and how that lead to her creating Dysolve. She goes deep into how successful AI has been in helping language-processing issues and why she thinks AI should be integrated into education.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode171.

Emily Read Daniels is a former school counselor, a proud soccer mom, and the author and creator of The Regulated Classroom©. Through her work as a trauma specialist, she’s become internationally recognized in her field and as a trainer in the trauma-informed schools movement.

Emily and I spend the episode talking about the the overemphasis on data in education. We discuss the need for schools to focus on outcomes and teachers to align their lessons to their values. It’s an enlightening conversation that you don’t want to miss.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode170.

Lisa Riegel is the creator of the NeuroWell Framework and the 8C Commitment Framework, which are brain-based approaches to engagement and change. She holds a PhD from Ohio State in policy and leadership and is a former educator and school reform specialist turned leadership strategist. She is known for turning neuroscience into practical tools that help people gain happiness, health, and more success.

In this episode, Lisa and I talk about her journey from tech sales to education and the PhD work that drove her evolution. She also told me about how she integrates brain science into educational practices and the importance of of emotional and intellectual safety in schools.

For all links and resources mentioned in this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.educatorforever.com/episode169.