Teaching Better Together

Terry Schmalz and Miranda Bailey
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Education
  • Updated Monthly

🎙️ Teaching Better Together is where real educators talk honestly about what works—and what doesn’t—in today’s classrooms. Hosted by retired principal Terry Schmalz and teacher Miranda Bailey, the podcast features educators sharing strategies, struggles, and success stories. From classroom management to creativity, tech, and teacher wellness, each episode offers practical ideas and inspiration. If you care about education, growth, and better learning, this show is for you. 🤝📚 Because when educators share, listen, and learn from each other… we teach better. Together 🤝🍎

Episodes

  1. Jun 12

    Leading Through Change: A Conversation with D51 Superintendent Dr. Brian Hill (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of our conversation with District 51 Superintendent Dr. Brian Hill, educators Terry Schmalz and Miranda Bailey continue their discussion about leadership, education, and the future of schools in Western Colorado. Dr. Hill shares his thoughts on one of education's biggest challenges today—educator burnout—and offers practical insights on how teachers and leaders can sustain their passion for the work. He also discusses District 51's vision for educational technology, the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence, and how the district is preparing students for a rapidly changing world. The conversation explores ways community members can best support local schools, highlights some of Dr. Hill's proudest moments as superintendent, and provides valuable advice for those considering a career in education. Throughout the episode, Dr. Hill reflects on the importance of relationships, innovation, and keeping students at the center of every decision. Whether you're an educator, parent, community member, or simply interested in the future of public education, this episode offers an encouraging and thoughtful look at leading through change. Guests: Dr. Brian Hill, Superintendent of Mesa County Valley School District 51Hosts: Terry Schmalz & Miranda Bailey

    23 min

  2. Jun 3

    🎙️ Leading Through Change | D51 Superintendent Dr. Brian Hill on Phones, Funding & the Future of D51

    In this episode, educators Terry Schmalz & Miranda Bailey interview Dr. Brian Hill of D51 in Western Colorado. Hill shares his journey in education, discusses the district's student cell phone policy update, explores the challenges of school funding, explains his decision-making process, and reflects on how he measures student success. 📅 Stay tuned for Part 2 on June 12, 2026, where Dr. Hill discusses educator burnout, the role of AI in the classroom, his proudest moment as superintendent, and the one word he uses to describe himself.

    27 min
  3. 🎙️ Leading Through Change — PART 1 | D51 Superintendent Dr. Brian Hill on Phones, Funding & the Future of D51

    Jun 3

    🎙️ Leading Through Change — PART 1 | D51 Superintendent Dr. Brian Hill on Phones, Funding & the Future of D51

    In this episode, Dr. Hill shares his journey in education, discusses the district's new student cell phone policy, explores the challenges of school funding, explains his decision-making process, and reflects on how he measures student success. 📅 Stay tuned for Part 2 on June 12, 2026, where Dr. Hill discusses educator burnout, the role of AI in the classroom, his proudest moment as superintendent, and the one word he uses to describe himself.

    27 min

  4. Apr 11

    ✍️🤖Prompted to Learn: How students are using AI—and what they really think about it in the classroom

    🎧 Episode 4: Student Voices on AI 🤖🎓 In this episode of Teaching Better Together, hosts Terry Schmalz and Miranda Bailey sit down with Central High School seniors Nic Pinnt and Pedro Medina for an honest, insightful conversation about artificial intelligence in today’s classrooms. Both students—aspiring engineers—share how they’ve already encountered and used AI in their learning, from academic support to problem-solving, and where they see its role heading in the future. Their perspectives offer a refreshing, student-centered look at a topic that’s rapidly reshaping education. From questions of integrity and independence to innovation and opportunity, Nic and Pedro give educators a front-row seat to how students are really thinking about AI—not just as a tool, but as part of their academic and career journeys. ✨ Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or simply curious about the future of learning, this episode brings valuable insight straight from the students experiencing it firsthand.

    24 min

  5. Feb 22

    The Future of Learning: AI in D51 Classrooms 🚀🧠

    What happens when artificial intelligence rolls into the classroom? 🤖📓In this episode, we sit down with D51 Instructional Coach and Magic School Bus Fellow Vanessa Moore to explore how District 51 is navigating the fast-moving world of AI in education. Vanessa shares a thoughtful, boots-on-the-ground look at:✨ How D51 teachers and leaders are approaching AI⚖️ The real pros and cons of using AI with students🧠 Ways AI can support creativity, differentiation, and critical thinking🚧 Concerns around ethics, overreliance, and academic integrity🔮 What the future of AI in classrooms might look like Whether you're an educator, parent, or just curious about the future of learning, this conversation offers an honest and hopeful look at how schools can embrace innovation while protecting what matters most in teaching and learning. 🍎🎧 Tune in for a practical, inspiring conversation about the evolving role of AI in our schools — and what it means for students today and tomorrow.

    33 min

  6. Jan 31

    From Crayons to Cap & Gown

    From Crayons to Cap & GownEverything I Needed to Learn, I Learned in Kindergarten What do high school seniors really remember about their earliest years of school? In this episode, we sit down with Zoe Clingaman and Quinn Seeman to reflect on their memories of kindergarten and elementary school—classrooms filled with crayons, circle time, playground rules, friendships, and first lessons about kindness, curiosity, and resilience. Through laughter, nostalgia, and thoughtful reflection, Zoe and Quinn look back at how those early experiences shaped who they are today as graduating seniors. It’s a reminder that some of the most important lessons don’t come from textbooks—they start on the classroom rug.

    26 min
  7. Where Learning Begins: Kindergarten Wisdom with Ms. Shannon Koppenhafer 🌱

    Jan 15

    Where Learning Begins: Kindergarten Wisdom with Ms. Shannon Koppenhafer 🌱

    Say hello to The Kindergarten Whisperer herself — Shannon Koppenhafer! 🍎✨We had the BEST time talking all things Kinder education:💛 How to nurture curiosity in our tiniest learners🎨 Why play, creativity, and movement matter more than ever🧠 Practical strategies to support emotional + academic growth🤝 And the magic that happens when teachers truly see their studentsShannon’s wisdom, warmth, and love for kids shine through every minute. If you teach K–2, work in early childhood, or have a soft spot for the littles, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧🌈

    35 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

🎙️ Teaching Better Together is where real educators talk honestly about what works—and what doesn’t—in today’s classrooms. Hosted by retired principal Terry Schmalz and teacher Miranda Bailey, the podcast features educators sharing strategies, struggles, and success stories. From classroom management to creativity, tech, and teacher wellness, each episode offers practical ideas and inspiration. If you care about education, growth, and better learning, this show is for you. 🤝📚 Because when educators share, listen, and learn from each other… we teach better. Together 🤝🍎

Information

  • Creator
    Terry Schmalz and Miranda Bailey
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Terry Schmalz and Miranda Bailey
  • Show Website
    Teaching Better Together