Big Little Lessons

Kristine Annunziata and Jenny Goodenough
  • 5.0 (23)
  • Self-Improvement

Meet two passionate kindergarten teachers with over 50 years of combined experience in public and private education, spanning classrooms from New York to Los Angeles. Just as children develop in kindergarten, we all continue to experience new beginnings and changes throughout life—school, careers, relationships, hobbies, etc. The early lessons like kindness, sharing, and resilience are often the ones we return to when life gets complicated. This podcast is for individuals who like to reflect on their own educational journey and apply lessons to their own lives. People seeking to be better humans. Anyone who enjoys the process of reflecting on the important life lessons they have learned and using them to grow in their professional and personal lives.

  1. Aug 27

    Lessons in Chemistry—and Leadership ~ 054

    Chelsea Culbert once imagined that studying chemistry would lead her to medical school. Instead, a decision to join Teach For America brought her across the country to a high school in Los Angeles—and what she initially thought might be a temporary stop became a calling. In this episode, Chelsea shares how she went from chemistry teacher to instructional leader, girls’ varsity soccer coach, doctoral student, and assistant principal. She reflects on what staying in the same school community for 12 years has taught her about building trust, forming meaningful relationships, and truly understanding the students and families she serves. Chelsea also talks about the importance of making rigorous academic content relevant to students’ lives. Whether she is teaching chemistry, coaching on the soccer field, or leading a school community, her goal remains the same: helping young people recognize their own strengths, persevere through challenges, and believe they are capable of more than they may realize. We explore how coaching girls’ soccer deepened Chelsea’s understanding of leadership and gave her another way to help young women develop confidence, advocate for themselves, collaborate with others, and find their voices. Chelsea also shares what she has learned through the transition from classroom teacher to assistant principal—including the realization that leadership is not simply about making decisions. It is about listening, building relationships, supporting teachers, seeing the larger picture, and remaining connected to the students at the heart of every decision. Teach For America — A national leadership development organization that recruits and supports educators who begin their work in classrooms and continue working to expand educational opportunity for children and communities. Chelsea began her education career through Teach For America. (Teach For America) Teach For America Strive for College / UStrive — Strive for College was founded to help underserved students navigate college admissions and financial aid through mentoring. Today its virtual platform, UStrive, connects high school and college students with free one-on-one mentors who can help with college applications, financial aid, career planning, and other educational goals. (Ustrive) UStrive / Strive for College We welcome your feedback. Please email us at teachbiglittlelessons@gmail.com Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences. https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  2. Aug 23

    The Magic in Mistakes: What We’re Still Learning ~ 053

    What if making a mistake isn’t a sign that we’re failing—but evidence that we’re learning? In this revisit, Jenny and Kristine reflect on how this lesson continues to show up whenever we are learning, creating, or trying something unfamiliar. Mistakes can feel uncomfortable at any age, but they also give us an opportunity to pause, take responsibility, make adjustments, and try again. Drawing from their years in the classroom, Jenny and Kristine explore how adults can create environments where children feel safe taking risks. When teachers and parents acknowledge their own mistakes with honesty and humor, children begin to understand that being wrong is not something to hide or fear. Looking for a way to continue the conversation with children? These picture books offer wonderful opportunities to talk about mistakes, apologies, taking responsibility, and repairing relationships. I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Julie Kwon How to Apologize by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka Sorry (Really Sorry) by Joanna Cotler, illustrated by Harry Bliss Martha Doesn’t Say Sorry! by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Bruce Whatley We love using children’s literature as a starting point for meaningful conversations. A good story can give children—and adults—a little distance from a difficult moment and help us talk about what it means to make a mistake, own it, apologize, and try again. We welcome your feedback. Please email us at teachbiglittlelessons@gmail.com Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences. https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. Aug 17

    Burnout and Big Feelings with Dani Fee ~ 052

    In this episode, we welcome therapist Dani Fee back to Big Little Lessons for a new conversation about burnout—both in adults and in children—before revisiting our earlier episode with her about navigating big feelings. Dani helps us broaden our understanding of burnout beyond the workplace. Children can experience burnout too, particularly when they are trying hard to hold everything together, meet expectations, please others, or manage feelings they may not yet know how to express. We explore why childhood burnout can be easy to overlook. A child may appear responsible, successful, agreeable, or “fine” on the outside while carrying a great deal internally. Dani discusses how some of the patterns we develop in childhood—perfectionism, people-pleasing, over-functioning, or putting other people’s needs first—can follow us into adulthood. A recurring theme is the importance of learning to include ourselves: noticing our own needs, limits, emotions, and capacity rather than continually pushing through. Our conversation naturally connects to Dani’s original Big Little Lessons episode, “Navigating Big Feelings,” where we discussed making room for difficult emotions instead of immediately trying to fix, dismiss, or avoid them. Revisiting that conversation reminds us that feelings are not problems to eliminate. Learning to notice, name, tolerate, and move through emotions is an important skill for children and adults. Burnout and emotional regulation are closely connected: when we continually ignore what our bodies and emotions are telling us, eventually something has to give. Dani encourages parents and adults to become curious about what may be underneath a child’s behavior—and to extend that same curiosity and compassion toward themselves. We also hear about Dani’s newer Instagram account, @navigatewithdanielle, where she shares reflections on emotional well-being, relationships, burnout, and the patterns we carry with us from childhood. We welcome your feedback. Please email us at teachbiglittlelessons@gmail.com Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences. https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. Aug 10

    Finding Flexibility: From School to Summer and New Beginnings ~ 051

    In this summer revisit, Jenny and Kristine welcome Lisa Konstandt back to continue their conversation about flexibility, resilience, and navigating change. Lisa shares that flexibility is not simply about changing plans—it is about loosening expectations, accepting our emotions, and learning to adjust when life unfolds differently than we imagined. The conversation explores why the transition from a busy school year into summer can feel surprisingly difficult. Our brains become accustomed to structure and routine, so slowing down may take time. For children, especially neurodivergent children, creating a predictable summer rhythm can help ease the transition. Lisa also encourages listeners to let go of the pressure to “do it all” over the summer and instead ask, “What do I need right now?” She reminds us that rest, flexibility, and self-care are practices we can carry with us throughout the entire year. Flexibility never ends. Life will always ask us to adjust, so learning to “make friends with flexibility” helps us move forward instead of getting stuck. We welcome your feedback. Please email us at teachbiglittlelessons@gmail.com Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences. https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. Aug 3

    Beloved School Moments with James Calvert ~ 050

    In this joyful revisit, Jenny and Kristine welcome back their friend and colleague, James Calvert, to share more of the funny, unpredictable, and unforgettable moments that happen in schools. Drawing from their years in the classroom—as well as James’s recent experiences as a substitute teacher and summer art teacher—they reflect on the students whose personalities, questions, and unexpected comments continue to make them laugh. Together, they celebrate the beautiful chaos of working with children and the importance of slowing down long enough to notice the humor, connection, and wonder hidden inside an ordinary school day. Because the moments that do not go according to plan often become the stories we remember—and treasure—the most. We welcome your feedback. Please email us at teachbiglittlelessons@gmail.com Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences. https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. Jul 28

    The Dad at Home: Rethinking Roles and Raising a Family ~ 049

    What happens when a father steps away from a demanding career and becomes the primary caregiver for his two children? In this episode, Jenny and Kristine sit down with Michael Bradley for an honest, thoughtful, and often humorous conversation about life as a stay-at-home dad. Michael reflects on the many labels people have used to describe his role, the assumptions that still surround fathers who serve as primary caregivers, and the confidence and curiosity that helped him embrace a path he never necessarily expected. Michael also shares how he and his wife, Sally, have built a strong partnership while navigating the demands of parenting, household responsibilities, and Sally’s career as the full-time working parent. Together, they have learned to appreciate the different pressures each carries and to recognize that providing for a family can take many forms. From identity and marriage to caregiving, gender roles, and the everyday work of raising children, Michael’s story invites us to reconsider what it means to be a provider—and reminds us that there is no single right way to build a meaningful family life.   We welcome your feedback. Please email us at teachbiglittlelessons@gmail.com Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences. https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  7. Jul 21

    What Travels Teach Us ~ 048

    Travel has a way of waking us up. It invites us to slow down, look more closely, step outside our routines, and rediscover a sense of wonder. In this episode, Jenny and Kristine reflect on the big little lessons that emerge when we leave the familiar behind and experience new places, people, cultures, and ways of living. They share stories from recent travels, the moments that surprised them, and the ways a journey can stretch our perspective—even when plans change, the weather doesn’t cooperate, or things don’t unfold exactly as expected. But wonder doesn’t have to end when the trip does. Jenny and Kristine also explore how we can bring that same curiosity, openness, and attentiveness back into our daily routines at home. By noticing what is around us, trying something new, asking better questions, and resisting the urge to move through life on autopilot, even ordinary days can become opportunities for discovery. From remaining curious and flexible to appreciating beauty, connection, and the comforts of home, this conversation is a reminder that travel is about much more than the destination. The lessons we gather along the way can help us return home more present, grateful, openhearted, and awake to the wonder already around us. Viator Trip Advisor Backroads Travel Get Your Guide   We welcome your feedback. Please email us at teachbiglittlelessons@gmail.com Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences. https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  8. Jul 14

    Staying Curious, Flexible and Open to What's Next ~047

    In this episode of Big Little Lessons, Jenny and Kristine sit down with Jan Weiss for a thoughtful conversation about staying curious, trying new things, and continuing to move forward through life’s many seasons. Jan reminds us that growth does not stop at a certain age or stage — and that being open, flexible, and willing to begin again can lead to unexpected opportunities, deeper self-understanding, and renewed purpose. Together, they explore what it means to step outside of what is familiar, listen to where life may be leading, and approach change with curiosity rather than fear. This conversation is a gentle encouragement to keep learning, keep stretching, and stay open to what’s next. Jan’s Recommendations: Skirball Cultural Center (book club option) An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin We welcome your feedback. Please email us at teachbiglittlelessons@gmail.com Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences. https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

See All (55)

Trailer

5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Meet two passionate kindergarten teachers with over 50 years of combined experience in public and private education, spanning classrooms from New York to Los Angeles. Just as children develop in kindergarten, we all continue to experience new beginnings and changes throughout life—school, careers, relationships, hobbies, etc. The early lessons like kindness, sharing, and resilience are often the ones we return to when life gets complicated. This podcast is for individuals who like to reflect on their own educational journey and apply lessons to their own lives. People seeking to be better humans. Anyone who enjoys the process of reflecting on the important life lessons they have learned and using them to grow in their professional and personal lives.

Information

  • Creator
    Kristine Annunziata and Jenny Goodenough
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Big Little Lessons
  • Show Website
    Big Little Lessons