Educate Me Well

Tonya

Welcome to Educate Me Well, the podcast that brings faith and education together. Twice a month, I'll share practical tips, heartfelt stories, and expert interviews to help you shine in the classroom and beyond. From helpful teaching strategies and classroom devotionals to conversations with fellow educators and faith leaders, we'll explore how our faith encourages us in educating children well. Whether you're a classroom teacher, a homeschooling parent, or simply someone passionate about personal growth, you'll find encouragement, actionable ideas, and a warm community here.

  1. Who Guards Disability Rights When Agencies Shift

    3 days ago

    Who Guards Disability Rights When Agencies Shift

    Send us Fan Mail IDEA is older than the U.S. Department of Education, and that single timeline detail can quiet a lot of fear. I walk through why that matters for families navigating special education and for educators doing the daily work of serving students with disabilities. IDEA started in 1975 (originally as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) and the Department of Education didn’t begin until 1980, which means the law’s protections are not tied to one department, one administration, or one political moment. Those rights are anchored in federal law, including early intervention supports, special education services, and the promise of a free appropriate public education. Then I break down four newly announced federal partnerships designed to reduce bureaucracy and strengthen services. Two agreements with the Department of Health and Human Services focus on better alignment for special education and rehabilitative services, including early childhood supports and transition-to-employment programs. Two agreements with the Department of Justice focus on tighter civil rights enforcement and stronger student privacy guidance, which matters even more as AI in schools expands the amount of student data being collected and shared. The through line is reassurance: these partnerships do not rewrite IDEA, and they do not erase the roles of key offices that protect students’ rights. Finally, I unpack a major legal development driving headlines right now: a DOJ Office of Legal Counsel memo that reinterprets disability rights law related to community-based services and institutionalization. We talk about what Olmstead v. L.C. has meant for decades, why advocates are alarmed by the memo’s stance, and what families and educators can do next to stay informed and engaged. If this helped, subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find clear guidance. Resources: Secretary McMahon's Letter to Parents of Individuals with Disabilities | U.S. Department of Education - https://www.ed.gov/about/news/speech/secretary-mcmahons-letter-parents-of-individuals-disabilities U.S. Department of Education Announces Additional Partnerships to Strengthen Coordination for Individuals with Disabilities Programs, Bolster Civil Rights Enforcement | U.S. Department of Education - https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-announces-additional-partnerships-strengthen-coordination-individuals-disabilities-programs-bolster-civil-rights 2026-06-18-integration-mandate.pdf | United States Department of Justice - https://www.justice.gov/olc/media/1446701 Contact Educate Me Well Email Tonya at admin@educatemewell.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/educatemewell/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educatemewellX: https://x.com/EducateMeWellLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educate-me-wellWe are just getting started! Check back for more info as we go along on our social sites.  Thanks for listening and keep making a difference in the lives of children!

    16 min
  2. Dyslexia, Clearly Explained

    11 Jun

    Dyslexia, Clearly Explained

    Send us Fan Mail Reading struggles can hide in plain sight, especially when a child is bright, curious, and trying twice as hard as everyone else. We get specific about what dyslexia is from a research-based definition and we clear away the most common myths: it is not poor eyesight, not laziness, not a lack of opportunity, and not a reflection of IQ. The clue we keep coming back to is “unexpected underachievement” and what it should prompt parents and educators to do next. We walk through early signs of dyslexia you can notice in preschool and the early grades, like difficulty with rhyming, pronunciation, vocabulary growth, and connecting letters to sounds. From there, we explain what a strong dyslexia evaluation looks for, including reading accuracy, reading fluency, spelling, and the role of phonological decoding. We also talk about why nonsense words (pseudo-words) are so useful: they show whether a student can truly map letters to sounds instead of relying on memorization. Then we shift into solutions. We outline what structured literacy instruction includes, why Orton-Gillingham style teaching is effective, and how Wilson Fundations can build skills step by step. We also share real-world accommodations and assistive technology for students with dyslexia, including audiobooks, text-to-speech, speech-to-text, Bookshare, Learning Ally, and classroom supports that protect confidence while skills catch up. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a parent or teacher who needs it, and leave a quick review so more families can find practical dyslexia support. Resources: Overcoming Dyslexia (2020 Edition): Second Edition, Completely Revised and Updated: Shaywitz M.D., Sally: 9780679781592: Amazon.com: Books - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0679781595/?bestFormat=true&k=overcoming%20dyslexia%20by%20dr.%20sally%20shaywitz&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ser_k2_1_19_de&crid=3T5SRZVL15BRB&sprefix=overcoming%20dyslexia Signs of Dyslexia Preschool and Elementary Handout with Plan of Action RTI, MTSS - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Signs-of-Dyslexia-Preschool-and-Elementary-Handout-with-Plan-of-Action-RTI-MTSS-4241626 Fundations® - Wilson Language Training - https://www.wilsonlanguage.com/programs/fundations/ FACT SHEET 3 - International Dyslexia Association - https://dyslexiaida.org/fact-sheet-3/ AT Toolbox – Assistive Technology Tools for Learning Differences, ADHD, and Executive Function Challenges | Technology to Unlock Potential™ - https://techpotential.net/attoolbox Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain: Wolf, Maryanne: 9780060933845: Amazon.com: Books - https://www.amazon.com/Proust-Squid-Story-Science-Reading/dp/0060933844 Amazon.com : the dyslexia advantage - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+dyslexia+advantage&i=stripbooks&crid=38FU4Z3ZP5VXW&sprefix=the+dyslexia+advanta%2Cstripbooks%2C593&ref=nb_sb_noss_2 K-6 Literacy, Science, Reading, & Teaching Resources | Learning A-Z - https://www.learninga-z.com/ DIBELS 8th Edition Materials | DIBELS® - https://dibels.uoregon.edu/materials/dibels Spelling City - LearningWorks for Kids - https://learningworksforkids.com/apps/spelling-city/ Spelling City Shut Down? Here's What to Use Instead (2026) | SpellingJoy - https://spellingjoy.com/best-apps/spellingcity-shut-down-alternatives Contact Educate Me Well Email Tonya at admin@educatemewell.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/educatemewell/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educatemewellX: https://x.com/EducateMeWellLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educate-me-wellWe are just getting started! Check back for more info as we go along on our social sites.  Thanks for listening and keep making a difference in the lives of children!

    37 min
  3. Book Review: Wild Things by Sally Rippin

    28 May

    Book Review: Wild Things by Sally Rippin

    Send us Fan Mail We review Sally Rippin’s Wild Things and connect her story of raising a son with dyslexia and ADHD to what teachers and parents can do differently right now. We talk about misunderstood behavior, early intervention, the science of reading, and why schools have to meet kids where they are.  • Sally Rippin’s background as a beloved children’s author and why her adult book matters for educators and parents  • The book’s unique chapter structure using children’s book characters to frame lessons about learning differences  • Misbehavior as a sign of unmet needs and why kids are often misunderstood at school  • The pressure to “fix” kids instead of noticing strengths we can encourage  • Early warning signs, parent denial, and why early dyslexia identification and intervention are essential  • What dyslexia can look like in reading and comprehension and why decoding can feel like slow hard work  • The science of reading and the reading wars, including why systematic phonics helps dyslexic students  • ADHD challenges in school relationships and why educator words and tone matter  • Helpful resources and technology, including Understood and programs like Nessy  • A critique of cookie cutter schooling and why we need systems that value different learners  Join me next time for the episode we're going to do on dyslexia.  If you have ideas for future episodes or questions you'd like me to explore, you can reach me anytime at admin@educatemewell.com. Resources: About Sally Rippin | sallyrippin - https://www.sallyrippin.com/ Nessy Reading and Spelling | Nessy - https://www.nessy.com/en-us/nessy-reading-and-spelling Understood - For learning and thinking differences - https://www.understood.org/ PaperPie. Search - https://www.paperpielearning.com/search?q=sally+rippin Dyslexia Training Institute – Education Changes Everything - https://www.dyslexiatraininginstitute.org/ Introduction to Structured Literacy and the Orton-Gillingham Approach – University of San Diego - Professional & Continuing Education - https://pce.sandiego.edu/courses/introduction-to-structured-literacy-and-the-orton-gillingham-approach/ Contact Educate Me Well Email Tonya at admin@educatemewell.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/educatemewell/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educatemewellX: https://x.com/EducateMeWellLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educate-me-wellWe are just getting started! Check back for more info as we go along on our social sites.  Thanks for listening and keep making a difference in the lives of children!

    26 min
  4. Called To Teach

    14 May

    Called To Teach

    Send us Fan Mail I didn’t take the “straight line” into teaching, and if you’re feeling stuck, behind, or disqualified, my story is for you. I grew up in a Christian home, and when I was very young my dad suffered a major car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury. Living close to disability shaped how I see people, and it planted a compassion that later drew me toward special education and advocating for kids who need patient support. What surprises most people is that I didn’t step into the classroom right away. I was steered toward accounting, worked for years in other fields like bookkeeping and computers, and kept teaching at church the whole time. Then one day, I felt the Lord tug my heart about the need for Christian educators in public schools. I went back to college, finished my degree, entered a teacher program, and started my first year of teaching at 39. If you’re an adult thinking about returning to school, changing careers, or answering a calling to education, I want you to hear this: it is not too late. I also share the reality of the work, from the rewards of special education teaching to the pressure of special education administration and school leadership. I talk about launching a private Christian school from scratch, the stress that comes with “doing it all,” and why educators have to guard their health and fight to keep their joy. We also address the sacred trust parents place in teachers, why abuse is unforgivable, and why our schools desperately need strong, safe, compassionate people. If this encourages you, subscribe to Educate Me Well, share it with a teacher friend, and leave a review so more future educators can find it. What part of your own story might be pointing you toward the classroom? Contact Educate Me Well Email Tonya at admin@educatemewell.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/educatemewell/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educatemewellX: https://x.com/EducateMeWellLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educate-me-wellWe are just getting started! Check back for more info as we go along on our social sites.  Thanks for listening and keep making a difference in the lives of children!

    19 min
  5. How Schools Can Use AI Without Losing What Matters

    30 Apr

    How Schools Can Use AI Without Losing What Matters

    Send us Fan Mail We explore how AI is changing K through 12 education and why the real story sits between hype and fear. We weigh the benefits against the risks, then share practical ways families and schools can use AI without losing deeper thinking, trust, and human connection.  • personalized and adaptive learning for different needs and pacing  • teacher efficiency through grading support and planning drafts  • engagement and accessibility for multilingual learners and students with disabilities  • scalable tutoring support through hints and step-by-step explanations  • overreliance and the crutch effect reducing productive struggle  • weaker relationships when learning turns transactional  • equity concerns from the digital divide and algorithmic bias  • privacy, safety, consent, and long-term wellness questions  • classroom guardrails like human oversight and AI literacy lessons  • family-friendly tools like Socratic, Photomath, ChatGPT Study Mode, Grammarly, Canva, and Khanmigo  Go to this episode link and click on fan mail to send me a text or email me at admin at educatemewell.com.  If you have ideas for future episodes or questions you'd like me to explore, you can reach me anytime at admin at educatemewell.com and be sure to keep an eye on educatemewell.com.  Resources: Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies | UNESCO A new direction for students in an AI world: Prosper, prepare, protect | Brookings The Evidence Base on AI in K-12: A 2026 Review How to use AI for teaching: 12 proven classroom applications | SchoolAI AI and Equity, Explained: A Guide for K-12 Schools Equity and Bias in AI: What Educators Should Know | Edutopia How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education | Sal Khan | TED - YouTube Socratic by Google - appkingo Photomath Online - Photo Math Solver with Steps, No Sign-up Sizzle - Learn anything Grammarly Canva AI - Canva Khanmigo for educators | Khan for Educators | Khan Academy Contact Educate Me Well Email Tonya at admin@educatemewell.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/educatemewell/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educatemewellX: https://x.com/EducateMeWellLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educate-me-wellWe are just getting started! Check back for more info as we go along on our social sites.  Thanks for listening and keep making a difference in the lives of children!

    20 min
  6. Individualized Discipline That Works

    9 Apr

    Individualized Discipline That Works

    Send us Fan Mail We use a simple animal story to show why one-size-fits-all teaching fails and why kids need to be seen for their strengths. I walk through why students misbehave, how to spot what motivates them, and how faith and wisdom can guide a calm, consistent discipline plan. • the moral of individualized instruction and recognizing achievement fairly  • core behavior principles like habits reinforcement and escalation before improvement  • primary needs and social needs that can trigger misbehavior  • checking my classroom management style for reactive versus proactive patterns  • teaching procedures expectations and group work skills to prevent problems  • Dreikurs social discipline and the drive to belong  • four mistaken goals behind behavior: attention power revenge helplessness  • using my own feelings as cues to diagnose student goals  • how special education and home stress can mix multiple behavior goals  • skillstreaming as direct teaching of missing social skills  • using rating scales baseline data intervention plans and consistency  • seeking the Lord for wisdom and showing kindness in discipline  If you have ideas for future episodes or questions you'd like me to explore, you can reach me anytime at admin at educatemewell.com and be sure to keep an eye on educatemewell.com. Contact Educate Me Well Email Tonya at admin@educatemewell.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/educatemewell/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educatemewellX: https://x.com/EducateMeWellLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educate-me-wellWe are just getting started! Check back for more info as we go along on our social sites.  Thanks for listening and keep making a difference in the lives of children!

    23 min
  7. Spiritual Growth In Kids

    26 Mar

    Spiritual Growth In Kids

    Send us Fan Mail Your child’s faith questions can be surprisingly direct, and sometimes unintentionally funny, like a preschooler hunting under the bed because you said God is everywhere. That moment reveals something important: children aren’t “hard to teach” spiritually, they’re simply processing God through the developmental stage they’re in. I walk through children’s spiritual development with a practical, age-by-age lens so you can teach faith clearly, patiently, and with confidence. We ground the conversation in Scripture and the call for Christian parenting to be daily and intentional, drawing on Deuteronomy 6 and Proverbs 22:6 as a framework for faith-based education at home, church, homeschool, and private school. Then we get specific: what works for four- and five-year-olds who think literally, how to use repetition, simple explanations, Bible story play, and Scripture memory without frustration. For ages six to eight, we talk about keeping Bible time active and engaging so kids connect spiritual growth with joy, not boredom. For preteens, we focus on lively learning, participation, and making room for deeper questions as their thinking becomes more abstract. I also spend time on a real-world challenge: raising kids in a secular school environment. Public schools may not teach spirituality, but they can teach moral development, and parents remain the primary guides for building a spiritually vibrant home. You’ll also hear a memorable metaphor for faith formation: spiritual growth adds layers like tree rings, building over time rather than replacing earlier stages. If this helps you, subscribe, share the episode with a parent or teacher, and leave a review so more families can find it. Resources: What You Need to Know About Kids' Spiritual Development - https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2537819/episodes/18902653/edit » I Can Know God: A Guide to Children’s Spirituality - https://faithandchildren.org/2024/04/22/a-guide-to-childrens-spirituality/ THRIVE_FINAL-compressed.pdf - https://faithandchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/THRIVE_FINAL-compressed.pdf Contact Educate Me Well Email Tonya at admin@educatemewell.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/educatemewell/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educatemewellX: https://x.com/EducateMeWellLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educate-me-wellWe are just getting started! Check back for more info as we go along on our social sites.  Thanks for listening and keep making a difference in the lives of children!

    23 min
  8. Inside A Private School Principal’s Day

    12 Mar

    Inside A Private School Principal’s Day

    Send us Fan Mail We pull back the curtain on a private Christian school principal’s day, from pre-dawn safety checks and prayer to academic leadership, community partnerships, and healthy boundaries. Along the way, we unpack how mission drives decisions on curriculum, staffing, finances, and culture. • morning routines, safety checks, and greeting families • chapel and school family meeting • tutoring and interventions for students with additional needs • discipline systems and counseling support • tech troubleshooting and curriculum guidance • lunch duty, staff care, and midday logistics • academic vision, teacher observation, and PD • staffing, hiring, and mission-aligned culture • budgets, tuition, and financial stewardship • accreditation versus autonomy in private schools • church partnerships, donors, and community ties • differences between private and public school leadership • spiritual leadership and integrating faith with learning • sustainable boundaries and leaving work at a healthy time If you have ideas for future episodes or questions you'd like me to explore, you can reach me anytime at admin at educatemewell.com and be sure to keep an eye on educatemewell.com Contact Educate Me Well Email Tonya at admin@educatemewell.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/educatemewell/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educatemewellX: https://x.com/EducateMeWellLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educate-me-wellWe are just getting started! Check back for more info as we go along on our social sites.  Thanks for listening and keep making a difference in the lives of children!

    27 min
See All (14)

Trailer

About

Welcome to Educate Me Well, the podcast that brings faith and education together. Twice a month, I'll share practical tips, heartfelt stories, and expert interviews to help you shine in the classroom and beyond. From helpful teaching strategies and classroom devotionals to conversations with fellow educators and faith leaders, we'll explore how our faith encourages us in educating children well. Whether you're a classroom teacher, a homeschooling parent, or simply someone passionate about personal growth, you'll find encouragement, actionable ideas, and a warm community here.

Information

  • Creator
    Tonya
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Educate Me Well
  • Show Website
    Educate Me Well