What if the thing standing between you and your best classroom days isn't your lesson plan — it's your heart rate? In this episode of Everything But The Lesson Plan, host Franchesca Thompson sits down with Dr. Annie Tedga, a pediatric cardiologist and founder of Heart of Rapha Pediatric Cardiology, to talk about a topic educators rarely get permission to prioritize: their own heart health. Dr. Tedga breaks down what sleep, nutrition, chronic stress, and physical activity are actually doing to the cardiovascular system — grounded in research from the American Heart Association and studies on educators specifically — and gives listeners simple, realistic ways to protect their hearts without adding one more thing to their to-do list. 🎙️ Because you can't pour into your students from an empty, overworked heart. Podcast Legal Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed during Everything But The Lesson Plan are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of any other organization or entity. This podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, professional, legal, or financial advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek independent advice from their own qualified healthcare providers regarding their specific circumstances before making any changes to sleep, exercise, or stress-management routines. Any mention of products, services, or organizations does not imply endorsement. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that neither the host nor the guest shall be held liable for any loss, damage, or issues that may arise from the use of or reliance on the information presented. All content is copyrighted by Everything But The Lesson Plan and may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without prior written permission. About Franchesca Thompson Franchesca Thompson is the owner of Thrive 12 and host of Everything But The Lesson Plan. With a passion for supporting teachers in and out of the classroom, she shares real stories, resources, and conversations that inspire educators to thrive personally and professionally. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/franchesca-thompson95Facebook: facebook.com/ithrive12Instagram: ithrive_12Website: www.thrive12.com About Dr. Annie Tedga Dr. Anne A. Ngo Tedga Moche, MD, widely known as Dr. Annie Tedga, is a pediatric cardiologist and the founder of Children’s Heart of Rapha Pediatric Cardiology, the only female-owned practice of its kind in the Atlanta area. She earned her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean, completed her pediatric residency at Michigan State University, and went on to complete her pediatric cardiology fellowship at Louisiana State University School of Medicine. Dr. Tedga specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired heart disease in infants, children, and adolescents. She also provides compassionate, evidence-based care for children and adolescents living with obesity. Through her work, she is committed to making complex medical information understandable and empowering families to make informed decisions about their children's health. Known online as @thrivingdoctor, Dr. Tedga is passionate about mentorship, and educating families, and healthcare professionals through engaging and accessible content. Outside of medicine, she is a devoted wife and mother of three children, with whom she enjoys traveling the world. As one of approximately 150 Black pediatric cardiologists in the United States, Dr. Tedga embraces the opportunity to inspire the next generation of physicians and advocate for communities that have historically been underrepresented in medicine. She proudly uses her platform to promote health equity, representation, and excellence in pediatric cardiovascular care.
