The Educator Experience Podcast with Salli Carter

Salli Carter
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Higher ed professionals, you belong here. Breakthroughs, tough lessons, and the moments that shape us. Host Salli Carter sits down with post-secondary professionals to share defining experiences from their teaching journeys. From unexpected wins to those “you can’t make this stuff up” classroom stories, these conversations offer insight, connection, and a weekly reminder that behind every course outline is a deeply human story. New episodes drop every Monday. The Educator Experience is a space where higher ed professionals can connect, learn, and grow together.

  1. 8 Jun

    One Year Later! 40 Guests & Countless Lessons: Reflections from The Educator Experience Podcast

    🎉 ONE YEAR OF THE EDUCATOR EXPERIENCE PODCAST! 🎉This week, we're celebrating a milestone that wouldn't have been possible without our incredible guests, listeners, and educator community around the world.Over the past year, we've had the privilege of hosting more than 40 guests representing over 35 institutions, while reaching listeners in 35 countries and counting! Through every conversation, one theme has remained constant: the generosity, vulnerability, and honesty of educators who are willing to share their experiences so that others can learn, grow, and feel less alone in their own journeys.To celebrate our first anniversary, Salli Carter takes the microphone solo to reflect on the lessons we've learned from one year of podcasting and what those conversations have taught us about teaching, learning, leadership, resilience, and growth.In this episode, Salli explores the importance of reflective practice and how taking time to look back on our experiences intentionally can be one of the most powerful forms of professional development. Whether you're wrapping up a semester, reviewing student evaluations, planning for the future, or simply taking stock of your growth as an educator, reflection helps us make meaning of our experiences and move forward with greater confidence and clarity.Time Stamps 01:04 : Reflections on One Year of Podcasting03:10 :AI for Educators Course Series: Coming Soon04:10 : Reflective Practice at the End of a Teaching Semester11:20 : Making Sense of Student Evaluations16:04 : Taking Pride in Your Growth, However SmallAs we celebrate this first year, we're also excited about what's ahead. This summer, we will be launching our AI for Educators Certification Series! This series is a collection of asynchronous professional learning courses designed to help educators navigate teaching and learning in an AI-enabled world. We've already begun sharing course previews and AI-focused content on our YouTube channel, with much more information coming soon.Most importantly, thank you.Thank you to every guest who shared their story. Thank you to every educator who listened, commented, supported, and engaged with our work. Thank you for helping us build a community centred around meaningful conversations about education.Here's to another year of learning, reflecting, and growing together.#theeducatorexperience #reflectivepractice #highereducation #teachingandlearning #professionaldevelopment #educatorcommunity #teachergrowth #facultydevelopment #aiforeducators #teachingpodcast

  2. 1 Jun

    The Secret to Motivating Learners: Inspiration Over Instruction with Wolfgang Schifer

    What inspires people to learn, grow, and become the best version of themselves? In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, Salli sits down with educator, former Associate Dean, ESL instructor, mechanic, and lifelong learner Wolfgang Schifer to explore the deeper human side of education. Drawing on a career that has spanned trades, international teaching, leadership, and higher education, Wolfgang shares insights into what truly motivates learners and how educators can inspire lasting growth by connecting learning to purpose, passion, and personal meaning. Together, Salli and Wolfgang discuss the importance of helping learners connect their education to what they genuinely care about, the power of inspiration over instruction, and how educators can create environments where students feel empowered to grow. They also explore the OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) as a framework for navigating change, learning, and decision-making in both education and life. The conversation extends beyond the classroom into themes of work-life balance, family, self-awareness, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. Wolfgang reflects on the importance of actively seeking inspiration rather than waiting for it to arrive, and how our relationships, habits, and values shape the impact we have on others. Whether you are an educator, leader, student, or lifelong learner, this episode offers practical wisdom and thoughtful reflection on how to cultivate purpose, connection, and human potential in a rapidly changing world. Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction 03:20 Wolfgang's Journey and Love of Learning 13:30 Inspiring Learners Through Their Passions 19:00 The OODA Loop: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act 21:30 Work-Life Balance and What Truly Matters 41:30 Adding Value Through Inspiration and Learning 48:30 Salli's Silent Retreat and the Search for Clarity #oodaloop #Inspiration #Running #HigherEducation #MotivatingLearners #TeachingPodcast #Medellin #eslteacher

  3. 25 May

    Writing and Storytelling in Education with 'The Adventures of Jelly Bean' Author Amy Pollack

    What happens when a child is encouraged to share their creativity in the classroom? For Amy Meislin Pollack, it became the beginning of a storytelling journey that would last more than sixty years. In this heartfelt episode, Salli sits down with Amy Pollack, educator, professor, and author of The Adventures of Jelly Bean series, to talk about the connection between teaching, storytelling, creativity, and the lasting impact educators can have on young people. Amy reflects on how her fourth-grade teacher encouraged her to stand in front of the class and tell her stories about a character named Jelly Bean, stories she continued sharing throughout her 40+ year teaching career before eventually publishing them decades later. Throughout the conversation, Amy discusses the surprising parallels between teaching and writing, how feedback from students shaped her teaching and storytelling, and why listening, reflection, and persistence matter so much in both education and creativity. From teaching grade school and college students to raising children and becoming a published author later in life, Amy’s story is a powerful reminder that creative passions often grow from the encouragement we receive in classrooms. Salli and Amy also explore how educators can inspire creativity in students, the importance of reading and rewriting, and why storytelling is deeply connected to human connection and learning. Amy is the author of The Adventures of Jelly Bean series, praised by both Kirkus Reviews and US Review of Books for its heartfelt and engaging coming-of-age storytelling. Learn more about Amy and her books here:Amy Pollack Official Website And you can check out her new book ‘The Still Further Adventures of Jelly Bean’ here!  https://pegasuspublishers.com/books/middle-grade-(10-12-years)/the-still-further-adventures-of-jelly-bean  Timestamps 00:00 Intro04:40 Differences Between College & Grade School Teaching10:20 The Importance of Student Feedback15:20 How Teaching Influenced Amy’s Writing20:00 The Power of Personal Stories as Inspiration 26:00 Amy’s Advice for New Writers

  4. 19 May

    Conflict, Collaboration and Building Strong Teams in Higher Education with Kevin Sanders

    What does it actually take to lead in higher education today? In this thoughtful and highly practical conversation, Salli sits down with Kevin Sanders to explore leadership, collaboration, conflict management, and the future of higher education. After a career that began as a classically trained musician performing with orchestras across five continents, Kevin transitioned into higher education, where he spent decades serving as faculty, director, dean, and senior administrator at institutions including Baylor University and University of Memphis. Today, he is the founder of Cornerstone Leadership Group, where he works to support and develop leaders across higher education. Throughout this episode, Kevin reflects on the realities of academic leadership and the challenge of helping departments, faculty, and institutions move beyond individual work toward collective collaboration and shared vision. Salli and Kevin discuss conflict management, strategic planning, AI in higher education, relationship-building, and what it means to become the kind of leader people genuinely want to follow. Drawing from both his background in music and higher education leadership, Kevin shares why strong institutions function much like orchestras: individuals may have different strengths and expertise, but meaningful success happens when people learn to work together toward a common goal. This episode is filled with thoughtful reflections for faculty, department chairs, administrators, and anyone interested in the future of leadership in higher education. You can follow along to Kevin’s journey through his newsletter or check out Cornerstone Leadership Group at https://www.kevinsanders.me/You can also get Kevin's book: “The Academic Leader’s Playbook.” through the website link! Timestamps 00:00 Intro 02:03 What It Means to Work Well Together in Higher Education 09:00 Kevin’s Journey from Musician to Higher Education Leadership 15:00 Managing Conflict Within the Workplace 20:30 AI in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 26:30 The Future of Higher Education: Relationship Building Matters 32:30 Kevin’s Advice for New Educators — Build Your Village #education #LeadershipDevelopment #conflictmanagement #theeducatorexperience #teaching #LearningDevelopment #TeachingAI

  5. 11 May

    Reflections of a College President with Bill Crouch: Leadership, Community and Fundraising

    What does it really look like to lead a college or university? In this thoughtful episode, Salli sits down with educator, former college president, fundraising expert, and CEO of BrightDot, Bill Crouch, to reflect on leadership, community, and the importance of helping people feel that they truly matter. Drawing from decades of experience in higher education and nonprofit leadership, Bill shares his journey to becoming a college president, the lessons he learned through both successes and failures, and why the strongest institutions are built through gratitude, listening, and authentic human connection. From conversations about diversity and institutional challenges to staff motivation, student success, and the future of higher education leadership, this episode explores what it means to create communities where people feel seen, valued, and supported. At the heart of this conversation is Bill’s belief that leadership is not about power but about people. Bill is also the author of the upcoming book Mattership, releasing this June, which continues his work around leadership, belonging, and meaningful human connection. You can learn more about Bill's current work at BrightDot's website - https://thebrightdot.com/ BrightDot helps organizations reimagine fundraising by combining storytelling, human connection, and strategic insight into what Bill calls “The Art of Fundraising.” Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:06 Bill’s Journey to Becoming a College President 12:07 Building Community & Creating Spaces of Belonging 17:30 The Fundraising Challenges Facing Higher Education 22:10 Staff Motivation During Times of Challenge 34:25 Celebrating Student Success 39:00 Bill’s Advice for University Presidents 44:00 How Conversations Create Community #university #Leadership #HigherEducationLeadership #Fundraising #professor #EducationPodcast #SchoolLeadership #Principles #teachingcommunity #leadershipdevelopment

  6. 4 May

    Overcoming Teacher Burnout by Releasing Perfectionism with Dr. Erin Sponaugle

    What happens when the passion that once drove you to teach starts to burn you out? In this powerful and deeply honest episode, we sit down with Dr. Erin Sponaugle, a grade school teacher for 23 years, 2014 West Virginia Teacher of the Year, TEDx speaker, and author, to discuss one of the most pressing issues in education today: teacher burnout. Erin shares her personal journey of recognizing the unsustainable expectations placed on teachers, and ultimately learning how to set boundaries, prioritize her well-being, and rediscover her love for teaching. Together, we explore: The reality of teacher burnout and the pressure to be “perfect”. What it means to be a “teachaholic” and how to manage competing demands.The importance of learning to say no.The mental load teachers carry both inside and outside the classroomWhy self-care is not optional, but essential. Erin’s story is a powerful reminder that “kids need healthy, happy teachers”, and that taking care of yourself is one of the most impactful things you can do as an educator. This episode is especially valuable for K–5 educators, but resonates with any educator navigating burnout, overwhelm, or the pressure to do it all. 🔗 Connect with Erin🌐 Website: https://www.erinsponaugle.com/ 🎤 TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc7xHSF8gt0 📚 Erin’s Books Can be found on her website: Teachaholic: The Seven-Day Mindset Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching Adventures of Berkeley the Bear series🎙️ Host of The Next Chapter for Teachers Podcast  ⁨@erinsponaugle⁩  ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:00 Erin’s Experience Teaching Primary School 07:40 Teacher Burnout and Learning to Say “No” 15:00 Being a “Teachaholic” and Managing Competing Demands 24:00 The Mental Load of Teachers 30:00 Erin’s TED Talk Experience 35:00 What Progress Looks Like Through Burnout 41:20 Advice for New Educators: Put Down the Phone, Focus on You #Burnout #TeacherBurnout #TeacherPodcast #EducationPodcast #TeachingStrategies #TeacherMentalHealth #GradeSchool #teacherpodcast #TheEducatorExperience

  7. 27 Apr

    The Future of Work: How AI Is Changing Education Forever with Monica Marquez

    Are students truly prepared for an AI-driven workplace? In this powerful and timely episode, we sit down with Monica Marquez, M. Ed. a leading expert in workplace AI, learning, and leadership, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming both higher education and the future of work. With over 20 years of experience at companies like Google, EY, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs, Monica brings a unique perspective on what employers are actually looking for and where the biggest gaps exist. In fact, 53% of employers say graduates are not AI-ready. Together, Salli and Monica dive into what this means for educators, students, and professionals navigating this rapidly evolving landscape. This conversation goes beyond tools and technology. It explores: What “AI readiness” actually means in today’s workforce.- How educators can bridge the gap between AI exposure and real capability.The growing importance of human skills like resilience, communication, and critical thinking.How to balance AI use without over-reliance.Why mastering your human soft skills matters more than ever. One of the most powerful ideas from this episode is the concept of pairing authentic intelligence with artificial intelligence. Leveraging both to create more meaningful, impactful outcomes. This is an essential listen for educators, university students, and professionals looking to stay ahead in an AI-enabled world. 🔗 Connect with Monica through the links below: 🌐 FlipWork: https://www.flipwork.ai/about 📬 Newsletter Sign Up (¡Ay Ay Ay, AI!): https://www.themonicamarquez.com/newsletters/ay-ay-ay-ai/subscribe 🌍 Website: https://www.themonicamarquez.com/ ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:40 Monica’s Journey in Adult & Corporate Learning 12:50 Identifying Skills AI Cannot Replace 16:42 Are Graduates Prepared for AI in the Workplace? 22:14 Balancing AI Use Without Over-Reliance 33:45 The Importance of Resilience & Communication 40:20 Why Educators Must Understand AI 49:23 Integrating AI into Education 55:29 Teaching “Authentic Intelligence.” 1:03:01 Monica's Links

  8. 20 Apr

    How Poetry Helps Students Find Their Voice with Kevin Spenst

    In this beautifully reflective episode, we sit down with Kevin Spenst, an award-winning poet, writer and educator with over 30 years of experience teaching creative writing, poetry, and ESL. Together, Salli and Kevin explore how poetry can open up new ways for students to express themselves, build confidence, and connect across cultures. Kevin shares how integrating what students care about into writing invites them to “open up a piece of themselves,” creating meaningful and lasting classroom experiences. This conversation dives into the role of linguistic diversity in Canada and how language itself can become a tool for creativity, connection, and inclusion. As Kevin beautifully puts it, poetry offers a model for moving forward into a future of diversity rooted in synthesis, fusion, and shared understanding. We also explore:- The “magic” of poetry in the classroom- Creative formats like sonnets and chapbooks- How educators can foster expression and belonging through writingKevin also shares insights into his upcoming book, Gathered Together in the Stanley Park Manor: a Collective History, out with Anvil Press in the fall of 2026, which is a collection of an assortment of his lyric essays, interviews with neighbours, and personal accounts. 📚 Works & Artists Referenced Kinanâskomitin by Dallas Hunt Alphabet, Alphabet by Sadiqa de Meijer No More Watno Dur by Sadhu Binning Assorted work by Paul Zits Kevin is a Pushcart Poetry nominee, is the author of ⁠Ignite⁠, ⁠Jabbering with Bing Bong⁠, ⁠Hearts Amok: a Memoir in Verse⁠ and ⁠A Bouquet Brought Back from Space,⁠ and 16 chapbooks including ⁠Surrey Sonnets⁠ (JackPine Press), Upend (⁠Frog Hollow Press⁠) a holm with the ⁠Alfred Gustav Press⁠ and the collaboratively written ⁠Recto, Verso, Chez the Devil’s Printers⁠ with Joshua Pitre (Collusion Books). ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:15 Kevin’s Journey Into Education 09:00 Discovering a Love for Poetry 15:00 Inviting Students to Express Themselves 19:30 Poetry Forms: Sonnets, Chapbooks & More 24:00 Language, Culture, and Connection 33:00 Advice for Aspiring Writing Educators 36:00 Kevin’s Upcoming Book & Creative Work #Poetry #Poetryteaching #TeachingWriting #creativewriting #Teaching #HigherEd #AdultLearning #Vancouver #Poet #ChapBook #Prose #BCWriter #EducationPodcast #TeachingPodcast #TeachingTechniques #ESLClassrooms #CanadianPoet

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Higher ed professionals, you belong here. Breakthroughs, tough lessons, and the moments that shape us. Host Salli Carter sits down with post-secondary professionals to share defining experiences from their teaching journeys. From unexpected wins to those “you can’t make this stuff up” classroom stories, these conversations offer insight, connection, and a weekly reminder that behind every course outline is a deeply human story. New episodes drop every Monday. The Educator Experience is a space where higher ed professionals can connect, learn, and grow together.

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