L.E.A.D. Rhythm: Let go and lead yourselfFruit Focus: PatienceTheme: Connection When your best effort goes unnoticed, it’s easy to wonder if what you’re doing even matters. This episode explores the quiet strength of patience — the faith to trust that your steady energy and unseen efforts are growing roots beneath the surface. You’ll be reminded that the results you’re praying for may already be taking shape — even if you can’t see them yet. ______________________________________________________________   ✨ New here? Roots L.E.A.D. to Results is a weekly podcast for teachers who want to stay rooted in faith and grounded in student-centered teaching. Each month we grow through the L.E.A.D. rhythm: L — Let Go & Lead Yourself E — Establish Rhythms that Sustain You A — Align with What Actually Matters D — Disciple through Your Daily Work   This season, we’re digging deeper into the Fruits of the Spirit — not just as virtues to admire, but as roots to grow. Because the qualities God calls fruit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — are the same roots that produce results in a student-centered classroom.   Each episode blends Scripture, story, and reflection to help you nurture both your spirit and your students. You’ll walk away with a heart check, a prayer, and the clarity to teach from peace, not pressure.   🎧 Listen online: https://labineverylesson.com/roots-lead-to-results/

📖 Micah 6:8 — “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”   What happens when students think you don’t care about quality — that “anything” is enough? In this episode, I share a story from my classroom about balancing mercy with high expectations. Together, we’ll reflect on what it means to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly as teachers who want to build confidence in our students without slipping into complacency.   WANT MORE? When you're ready to balance mercy with high expectations, check out my YouTube video called: Ramp Up the Rigor in Your Science Classroom. It’s a practical, teacher-focused video that shows how to raise the bar without overwhelming yourself or your students.   ************************************ ✨ New here? Roots L.E.A.D. to Results is a weekly podcast for teachers who want to stay rooted in faith and grounded in student-centered teaching. Each week we walk through the L.E.A.D. rhythm: Let Go & Lead Yourself Establish Rhythms that Sustain You Aim with Intention Disciple through Your Daily Work In every episode, you’ll hear scripture, a personal story, a reflection for your teaching, and a heart check with prayer — all designed to help you thrive in both life and classroom.   LISTEN ONLINE at https://labineverylesson.com/roots-lead-to-results/

📖 Philippians 1:6 — “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   Growth doesn’t happen instantly — not in us, and not in our students. This episode is all about resisting the urge to judge too quickly or give up too soon. I’ll share stories from my own classroom where I’ve had to remember that seeds sprout in hidden places first — and how faithfulness and consistency build courage and confidence over time.   WANT MORE? If you’re ready to build classroom systems that support consistency — so you’re not guessing or giving up too soon — I’ve created professional development resources to help.   👉 Visit www.LabInEveryLesson.com and click Learn to L.E.A.D. in the menu bar.   ************************************ ✨ New here? Roots L.E.A.D. to Results is a weekly podcast for teachers who want to stay rooted in faith and grounded in student-centered teaching. Each week we walk through the L.E.A.D. rhythm: Let Go & Lead Yourself Establish Rhythms that Sustain You Aim with Intention Disciple through Your Daily Work In every episode, you’ll hear scripture, a personal story, a reflection for your teaching, and a heart check with prayer — all designed to help you thrive in both life and classroom.   LISTEN ONLINE at https://labineverylesson.com/roots-lead-to-results/

📖 Psalm 90:12 — “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”   As teachers, there never seems to be enough time — and the new demands, platforms, and expectations only add to the frenzy. But wisdom isn’t about cramming in more. It’s about discerning what matters most and letting go of the rest. In this episode, we’ll unpack what it looks like to choose wisdom over hurry, presence over performance, and faithfulness over frenzy.   WANT MORE? Visit the Lab In Every Lesson blog or subscribe to the YouTube channel!   ******************* ✨ New here? Roots L.E.A.D. to Results is a weekly podcast for teachers who want to stay rooted in faith and grounded in student-centered teaching. Each week we walk through the L.E.A.D. rhythm: Let Go & Lead Yourself Establish Rhythms that Sustain You Aim with Intention Disciple through Your Daily Work In every episode, you’ll hear scripture, a personal story, a reflection for your teaching, and a heart check with prayer — all designed to help you thrive in both life and classroom. LISTEN ONLINE at https://labineverylesson.com/roots-lead-to-results/  

📖 Psalm 20:7 — “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” It’s easy to put our trust in systems, leaders, or colleagues — only to be let down. But what if shifting our perspective helped us move from frustration to focus? In this episode, I share a story about school leadership, alignment, and perspective, and we’ll talk about what it really means to “write the vision and make it plain” for your students and yourself.   WANT MORE? Download Purposeful Plans, Powerful Results:  A Core Value Creator to help you totally transform the culture of your science classroom and strengthen your commitment to the cause. https://labineverylesson.com/corevalues/    ********************* ✨ New here? Roots L.E.A.D. to Results is a weekly podcast for teachers who want to stay rooted in faith and grounded in student-centered teaching. Each week we walk through the L.E.A.D. rhythm: Let Go & Lead Yourself Establish Rhythms that Sustain You Aim with Intention Disciple through Your Daily Work In every episode, you’ll hear scripture, a personal story, a reflection for your teaching, and a heart check with prayer — all designed to help you thrive in both life and classroom. LISTEN ONLINE at https://labineverylesson.com/roots-lead-to-results/

📖 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” — Colossians 3:17   Excellence doesn’t mean perfection. And it doesn’t mean chasing recognition. Excellence is about showing up with your best in the moment you’re in — and letting your students see what that looks like. In this episode, we’ll talk about the difference between performance and faithfulness, and how everyday excellence shapes our classrooms. When we model perseverance, care, and gratitude in the small things, our students learn that giving their best matters more than being flawless.

📖 “Forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:13–14   Every teacher has moments when quitting feels easier than pressing on. Lessons flop, initiatives pile up, and it feels like nothing is working the way you hoped. But what if those moments are actually the place where persistence matters most? In this episode, we’ll talk about how to keep moving forward when you want to give up. I’ll share a story from my own classroom journey that taught me why God doesn’t call us backward — He calls us forward. And when we model perseverance for our students, we’re showing them that resilience and faithfulness are worth more than perfection.

📖 “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” — Proverbs 21:5   Teachers are great at setting big goals in September. We dream about staying organized, keeping up with grading, and balancing it all. But by mid-October, those resolutions often fizzle out. In this episode, we’ll talk about why routines matter more than resolutions — and how sustainable rhythms can steady us when the year gets heavy. In this episode, we’ll talk about why routines matter more than resolutions — and how steady rhythms can keep us rooted through the ups and downs of the school year. I’ll share a simple three-part framework I’m using this year to stay focused, balanced, and faithful — in the classroom and in life. When we trade quick bursts for steady rhythms, we build trust with our students, preserve our own energy, and stay rooted for the long haul.

📖 “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.” — Habakkuk 2:2   September can feel overwhelming — new admin goals, training hours, pacing guides, and parents emailing on top of everything else. It’s easy to lose focus and feel pulled in every direction. In this episode, we’ll talk about why clarity matters for teachers. Just like we ask students to write their learning targets so they know where they’re headed, we need to write down our own vision as educators. When the noise gets loud, a clear focus helps us keep running in the right direction — with purpose and peace.

📖 “For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” — Romans 11:29   Have you ever poured your heart into a lesson only to watch it flop? Maybe you’ve tried something new in your teaching, and it didn’t go the way you imagined. It’s tempting in those moments to go back to “the old way” — but what if God is calling you to keep pressing forward instead? In this episode, we’ll reflect on Romans 11:29 and the reminder that God doesn’t take back His calling. As teachers, that means we don’t give up when things don’t work the first time. We adapt, we try again, and in doing so we model perseverance and resilience for our students.

In this episode of Roots L.E.A.D. to Results, we’re talking about how comparison clouds our vision, chips away at our confidence, and distracts us from the path we’ve been called to walk.

If you’re the kind of teacher who wants to teach deeply but keeps getting pulled back into the whirlwind of pacing guides, deadlines, and performance pressure — this is your invitation to pause.

This one’s for the teacher who’s feeling tired. Tender. And maybe just a little unsure about where to begin again. Let’s return to the soil—and remember what was true from the very beginning: You were made for this.

This podcast is not just about faith or teaching or educational trends — it’s about the soul work of showing up, over and over, in spaces that don’t always see the roots we’re growing.

As teachers, we constantly seek new ideas, strategies, and inspiration—but when does learning become a crutch instead of a tool for action? In this episode of Deep Roots, Flowers, and Fruit, we'll reflect on the balance between curiosity and implementation. From professional development to classroom experimentation, we'll explore how embracing the scientific mindset—observing, questioning, testing, and iterating—can transform both teaching and personal growth. Through a faith-inspired lens, I'll also shares how my own “wilderness” moment led me to shift from consuming knowledge to stepping forward in action. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of learning and procrastinating on taking action, this episode will motivate you to take that next step!   Listen in to discover:✅ Why endless professional development isn’t enough—action is key✅ How to embrace your classroom as a laboratory of learning✅ The connection between curiosity, service, and scientific practice✅ A faith-based perspective on finding clarity in the wilderness of teaching   Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that will challenge you to step out, experiment, and grow.   If you think you'd benefit from an experienced, encouraging mentor, considering joining The Digital Instructional Design Studio that comes with instructional coaching customized just for you!

As the school year winds down, do you ever feel that itch to shake things up? 🌱✨ That sense that what worked this year might need a refresh next year? In this episode, we’re talking about curiosity as an act of service—why great teaching isn’t a “set it and forget it” career, but one that evolves with time, students, and our own growth. I’m sharing how this time of year sparks my teaching spring cleaning mode—a time to reflect, explore new methods, and get excited about what’s next. Whether you’re feeling energized or just plain exhausted, this episode will help you tap into that natural curiosity that keeps great teachers growing. And, if you think you'd like to try a new student-centered, inquiry-based, active learning approach to instruction, download my Inquiry & Action Science Teacher Toolkit at https://www.labineverylesson.com/lesson-plan-template. It's got a printable template with a how-to guide, an example, and a video course sent straight to your inbox! OR -- you can read all about it HERE on my blog. 

February is all about connection—but not just in relationships. In this episode of Deep Roots, Flowers, and Fruit, we explore what it means to truly connect students to science as a practice, not just as a set of facts. Too often, science instruction checks off the boxes—“I did a lab, so I included the science and engineering practices!”—but is that enough? We’ll dive into the real purpose of science education: helping students do science, not just memorize it. From integrating science and engineering practices into daily lessons to transforming assessments into meaningful demonstrations of learning, this conversation is all about weaving inquiry-based learning into everything we do. Join me as we discuss: 🌱 The roots of strong science instruction—consistent, meaningful, and inquiry-driven.🌱 Why observation is the foundation of every science and engineering practice.🌱 How assessments can go beyond multiple-choice to truly measure student understanding.🌱 Simple ways to bring the awe and wonder of science into your classroom every day.   Stick around until the end, where I’ll tell you about my free lesson plan template—designed to make it easier than ever to keep science inquiry at the heart of your teaching. Plus, a sneak peek at next month’s theme: Curiosity! Let’s cultivate a classroom where science is more than just knowledge—it’s a way of thinking, exploring, and discovering. 🎙🌿

This episode takes a deeply personal turn as we explore the hidden struggles educators face—especially in the darker, more challenging seasons of our careers. In keeping with our flora-focused analogy and inspired by the concept of root rot, we’ll dive into the imbalances that drain our energy and passion, from the relentless demands of teaching to the personal trials that test our resilience. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure how to replenish your own well-being while showing up for your students, this conversation is for you. We'll uncover some ways to shift our perspective and cultivate balance so we can continue to grow—stronger and more deeply rooted than before. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, join me as we plant seeds of reflection and self-care—because the health of our roots determines the fruit we can help our students grow. 🎧 Hit play and let’s dig in!

Collaboration is essential for student growth, but it’s not always easy! In this episode, I reflect on a surprising groupwork success story, the challenges of fostering teamwork in my own high school chemistry classroom, and what I’ve learned from trial, error, and real teacher conversations. Whether you’re struggling with group dynamics or rethinking your approach to collaboration, this episode will give you plenty to consider. Let’s grow those student roots and embrace the power of connection!

February is the month of love, and in this episode, we’re digging into the root of SERVICE—specifically, how our relationships with stakeholders (coworkers, administrators, special ed staff, guidance counselors, parents) shape our work as educators. Let’s be real: Teaching is hard, especially when the very people who should be on our team don’t always feel like they are. So how do we stay grounded in our purpose? How do we show up with love and resilience, even when challenges arise? I’m sharing the one phrase that keeps me centered when the pressure feels overwhelming—my personal connection to service—and how you can discover yours, too. Because when we remember why we do this work, we don’t just survive the hard days—we continue making a difference. 💡 🔹 Why service is the foundation of meaningful connections🔹 A simple mindset shift that helps navigate difficult situations🔹 Real-life stories of service in action—both with students and colleagues🔹 How to create your own personal service affirmation to stay rooted in your purpose   🎧 Tune in now, and before you go, grab my Classroom Core Value Creator to uncover the words that will keep you inspired and intentional every single day!   💬 What’s your guiding phrase for service? Drop it in the comments or add it to the Lab In Every Lesson Facebook Page —I’d love to hear what keeps you going!   #DeepRootsFlowersAndFruit #TeacherPodcast #ServiceInTeaching #ConnectionMatters #MakeADifference