The Educator's Why

Doug Yarbrough and Tori Sinco

Behind every educator is a story—a journey filled with challenges, victories, lessons learned, and an unwavering commitment to students. This podcast goes beyond the headlines and the classroom to uncover the heart of education: the people who dedicate their lives to making a difference. In each episode, we'll sit down with teachers, principals, superintendents, and education leaders to explore their personal journeys, the experiences that shaped them, and the purpose that fuels their work every day. Along the way, we'll discuss leadership, innovation, policy, technology, and the future of ed

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    The Simple Words That Changed a Student’s Life with Mary Kay Rendock

    This episode of The Educator’s Why Podcast is a reminder that some educators never truly retire—they simply find new ways to make an impact. In this episode, we sit down with Mary Kay Rendock, a 37-year educator, former Connecticut Teacher of the Year, math coach, technology leader, and lifelong believer in the power of encouragement. From her classroom “warning sign” that promised to brainwash students into believing they could do anything, to the moment she learned that one student said, “She changed my life,” Mary Kay shares the moments that defined her journey. We talk about productive struggle, relationships, mistakes, teacher leadership, and why students don’t necessarily fear learning—they fear being embarrassed. Mary Kay also shares how her passion for education continues through mentoring future teachers, teaching students about beekeeping, and staying connected to the community she served for nearly four decades. Her story is about more than curriculum or teaching math. It’s about what can happen when one person believes in another long enough for them to start believing in themselves. 🎙️ What is the lasting impact of a great educator? And what happens when education isn’t just your career—but part of who you are? Listen to this powerful episode of The Educator’s Why Podcast and hear why Mary Kay believes that, sometimes, the simplest encouragement can change a life.

  2. Aug 18

    Why We Teach with Lisa Duncan and Jason Suber

    In Episode 3 of The Educator’s Why, we sit down with two incredible educators from Colquitt County, Lisa Duncan and Jason Suber, both recognized multiple times as Teachers of the Year. This conversation gets to the heart of why they continue to teach. We talk about relationships, productive struggle, student success, classroom culture, and what it really means to make an impact on a child’s life. Jason shares how one teacher’s investment in him as a young student shaped his decision to become a teacher. Lisa shares the influence of growing up in a family of educators and the legacy her mother created. We also dive into some great classroom stories—from building rivers to understand how deltas form, to challenging gifted students with problems that force them to struggle, think critically, and ultimately discover that they can do more than they thought possible. But perhaps the biggest takeaway is this: Success isn't always measured by a test score. Sometimes it's a former student coming back years later to say hello, a student discovering a love for learning, or simply knowing that someone believed in them. And when burnout creeps in, what brings these two educators back to their WHY? Their answer is simple: the kids. If you've ever wondered why great teachers continue to show up, continue to care, and continue to make a difference long after the school year ends, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

  3. Aug 12

    The Educator's Why Episode 2: "The Power of Access with Dr. Polly Haldeman"

    What happens when a small-town girl from a class of 13 becomes a teacher, artist, technology advocate, and leader in education? In Episode 2 of The Educator’s Why, we sit down with Dr. Polly Haldeman to talk about her journey through education, technology, creativity, and her passion for giving every student access to opportunity. From teaching art to embracing AI and virtual learning, Polly shares why she believes technology should never replace the teacher—it should empower the teacher. We also talk about creativity, the future of education, and the personal experiences that shaped her WHY. And her answer to our final question—what brings you back to your WHY when burnout hits?—is one you won't want to miss.

  4. Aug 5

    The Educator's Why: Episode 1 "Get to know us"

    Every great conversation starts with a purpose. In our very first episode, we introduce the vision behind this podcast—why we created it, who it's for, and what listeners can expect in the episodes ahead. We'll share our passion for education, leadership, innovation, and the evolving K–12 landscape while setting the stage for meaningful conversations with educators, thought leaders, and industry experts. Whether you're a school leader, educator, education partner, or simply passionate about improving student outcomes, this podcast is designed to inform, inspire, and spark new ideas. Join us as we explore the challenges, opportunities, and trends shaping education today—and discover practical insights you can apply tomorrow. This is just the beginning. Thanks for joining us as we kick off the conversation and build a community dedicated to helping schools, educators, and students thrive.

  • 4 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Behind every educator is a story—a journey filled with challenges, victories, lessons learned, and an unwavering commitment to students. This podcast goes beyond the headlines and the classroom to uncover the heart of education: the people who dedicate their lives to making a difference. In each episode, we'll sit down with teachers, principals, superintendents, and education leaders to explore their personal journeys, the experiences that shaped them, and the purpose that fuels their work every day. Along the way, we'll discuss leadership, innovation, policy, technology, and the future of ed

Information

  • Creator
    Doug Yarbrough and Tori Sinco
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Doug Yarbrough and Tori Sinco
  • Show Website
    The Educator's Why