Join Daniel Rivera as he sheds light on the rapidly accelerating world of Artificial Intelligence, better known as AI. Can AI help educators in their work? Absolutely! Is AI going to replace good teachers? Absolutely not! Daniel's observations, learning, and experiences combine to provide clear explanations about this technology, helpful analogies to provide context for understanding, and practical suggestions that can be put into practice today. And a great teacher is mentioned as well! Another episode, featuring more conversation with Daniel, will be released soon.

Great teachers have an impact that is truly immeasurable. A blind person teaching blind students how to use a table saw? A career educator, with a rich history connected to the civil rights era, and with decades of wisdom and experience? A heart transplant patient, a school custodian, and an immigrant, all of whom became teachers? A graduate of public schools who is grateful for teachers’ influence? A second-career educator? A teacher of the year? This episode has it all. Listen to this montage episode and you will have a new appreciation for teachers and what they do.

Cassidy Magill Evans shares her story about her organ transplant (at age 29), what goes through one’s mind when life support is looming near, the value of family, the benefits of competent and caring medical professionals, and the impact of her grandmother, the late Allene Magill. Cassidy’s heartfelt commentary about her medical journey is informative and inspiring, including her request for listeners to consider the life-changing effects of organ donation. A great episode to share with others.

We all have stories about our favorite teachers. Sometimes those memories are about how they led their classes, making everyone feel accepted and valued, and sometimes we recall a humorous moment, or maybe a hat or other accessory that became that teacher's "brand." More often, however, we look back fondly on how that teacher made us feel, what he or she did to help us learn, or the way their concern and understanding was conveyed to us. If you are a great teacher now, you are also building a storehouse of memories. Thank you. If you don't serve in a teaching role, you know someone who does, regardless of their job title. Take a moment to share a word of appreciation with that person. Great teachers make a difference. Let them know that you've noticed.

University of North Georgia President and retired U.S. Army officer Michael (Mike) Shannon addresses the value of personal relationships, the benefits of collaborating with others, and the role that vision plays in becoming the best you can be. The conversation mentions great teacher Mr. Jones, instructing soldiers at West Point, and how the “magic sauce” of human interaction can lead us to accomplish virtually any worthy aim. Make sure to check out the show notes for more on Mike’s background and experiences.

Kristin Hatcher writes, and she inspires others to write. Kristin lifts lessons from daily events, challenges, victories, quiet reflections, others’ work, and life itself, helping her help others hone their craft and fulfill their dream to write a book. Kristin understands the connections between writing, learning, leading, and teaching, and her insights can support your desire to begin writing, stick with it, and make a difference for someone else along the way.

Georgia’s 2024 Teacher of the Year Christy Todd combines her enthusiasm for teaching with an innate curiosity and a strong desire to connect interests, talents and people, unleashing the creative potential of scores of students day after day, year after year. Christy’s excitement about what she might do next, what her students will do next, and how dedicated educators make possible the fulfillment of those dreams and ideas will inspire you. All of us can benefit from the approach that Christy takes, whether she is serving as a teacher leader or an ambassador for everything that is important in teaching and learning.

Rick Zeisig's fascination with radio started as a young child, he began his on-air radio career as a teenager, and he's never looked back. He's been a DJ in markets as large as Atlanta, and has truly enjoyed his work, whether spinning tunes, reporting traffic, calling Friday night high school football games for thirty years, or attending other community events. He loves his family and friends and gets a kick out of a good story, especially telling one. While he has met many interesting (and some famous) people, he reminds us that it's not the position someone holds, or how much money they have that matters most, but it's all about how we treat one another. Rick truly loves living in a small town – for many reasons – and he shares some of his thinking about that in this conversation, recorded in mid-September, 2023. Rick is also a two-time throat cancer survivor and when we spoke he was battling the disease for the third time.

“Persistence is always generous.” Honesty, integrity, and enthusiasm are skills. “I won the parent lottery.” Curiosity is steeped in Why, not in What. Useful incompetence is a vital part of learning. “Where is the community orchestra in your life?” “There’s no such thing as closing thoughts.” A great definition for creativity. In his now trademark style, bestselling author, Marketing Hall of Fame inductee, entrepreneur, blogger, husband, dad, teacher, and learner Seth Godin addresses these ideas, and more, and nudges us toward adopting a different perspective about making a difference in the world. As an ardent supporter of teachers, Seth’s generosity shines through in this conversation. His latest book, Song of Significance, will shed even more light on the value of community and on taking initiative to do work that matters. You may find yourself listening twice, jotting down some notes, or sharing a listening link with others.

Another installment of readings from Lead. Learn. Change., the book, pages 77-87. The episode includes includes the story Traffic Lights and Bumper Stickers, Reflections and Call to Action, and a PAGE Break titled Shared Commitment. All profits from the sale of the book support the Allene Magill Memorial Scholarship fund, helping paraprofessionals who are pursuing their dream of becoming classroom teachers.

Tylan Bailey will inspire you! Tylan was a school custodian for 23 years, held another job for eleven years during that same time period, experienced homelessness more than once, and then enrolled at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Through dedication, commitment, and the support of his home family and work family, Tylan is now a teacher of physical education at Briar Vista Elementary School in DeKalb County, Georgia. A thoughtful, consistent approach to challenges, opportunities, and goals characterize Tylan’s outlook on human potential, and serve as a springboard for everything he accomplishes, including what his students learn. If you need a reminder about turning a vision into a reality, or if you want to celebrate the great teachers that tirelessly prepare the next generation of leaders, you will want to hear Tylan share some of his story.

Another installment of readings from Lead. Learn. Change., the book, pages 56-76. The episode includes a focus on change, the Narnia Principle story, and a PAGE Break about shared commitment. All profits from the sale of the book support the Allene Magill Memorial Scholarship fund, helping paraprofessionals who are pursuing their dream of becoming classroom teachers.

Another installment of readings from Lead. Learn. Change., the book, pages 42 to 55. All profits from the sale of the book support the Allene Magill Memorial Scholarship fund, helping paraprofessionals pursuing their dream of becoming classroom teachers.

Another installment of readings from Lead. Learn. Change., the book, pages 19 to 41. All profits from the sale of the book support the Allene Magill Memorial Scholarship fund, helping paraprofessionals pursuing their dream of becoming classroom teachers.

Amy Gropper, once believing she would never teach, reflects on the experiences that led her to become an educator, sharing lessons learned from life, horses, and this thing we call school. Her interactions with others helped Amy develop some principled practices that not only benefit the students she teaches, but also serve others who want to pursue the noble field of education. Whatever your role, in whatever sector – but especially if you are a teacher-leader – you will find yourself nodding in agreement with Amy’s wisdom. Listen, lift a valuable concept or two, and enhance your own work as a result.

Teacher Megan King masterfully conveys the connections between language, teaching, and learning to paint a picture of the key elements that create meaningful educational experiences. Her recently published book, Designing the Modern World Language Classroom: How to Guide Students to Proficiency, uses one content area as the foundation for the numerous, practical explanations in its pages, but every example shared is applicable to any subject matter. Listen and take away more than a few great ideas to make things better for those you serve, especially if you are a dedicated educator. (A link to the book can be found in the Show Notes.)

“Beat procrastination, be more productive, and finally do that thing you’ve been meaning to do.” These words, lifted from the cover of Robbie Swale’s book, How to Start When You’re Stuck: Practical Inspiration to Get Your Idea off the Ground, outlines the process he now regularly uses to move his ideas from “zero to done.” In this episode Robbie answers twelve questions, each connected to The 12-Minute Method, which is his approach to merging inspiration with practicality. You can adopt and adapt Robbie’s ideas to meet your goals and turn your dreams into realities. This episode is filled with solid observations, thoughtful lessons, and practical advice.

The first installment in a series of readings from Lead. Learn. Change., the book, read by the author. This episode includes the Dedication, Table of Contents samples, Preface, Acknowledgments, the book's overarching quote, and a short tribute in memory of Dr. Allene Magill. All profits from the sale of the book support the Allene Magill Memorial Scholarship fund, helping paraprofessionals pursuing their dream of becoming classroom teachers.

Terri Tomoff is an author, soccer ref, car enthusiast, quilter, wife, and mom. In this episode Terri shares enlightening and informative commentary based on her book, The Focused Fight – A Childhood Cancer Journey: From Mayhem to Miracles (link is in the Show Notes). Terri and her husband Bill, along with daughter Olivia, have been on an incredible journey with Ryan, the youngest in the family (now in his late twenties), spanning a lifetime, from Ryan’s initial cancer diagnosis at the age of two, to today. The years in between have produced an extraordinary story of grit, resilience, hope, and determination, and brimming with wisdom that each of us can apply to our own situations and challenges. The second quotation in Terri’s book captures the essence of Terri’s story, Ryan’s story, the Team Tomoff story. “Sometimes real superheroes live in the hearts of small children fighting big battles.” Listen. Then read, because you will want to know more.

A lot can happen in three years. What does a review of the past three years lead you to focus on in the next three? In this five minute episode host David W. Reynolds shares a few thoughts about a three year time period. Share your reflections and ideas via email – LeadLearnChange@icloud.com.