The Elephant and the Teacher

Michelle Roundy
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

This podcast is for anyone who believes that teaching and leading begins with the human work. You’ll hear reflections from real classrooms, experiments in teacher lead professional learning and leadership thinking rooted in thoughtful self-work instead of compliance. You’ll also hear old stories - myths, fairy tales, history - as mirrors for the work of growing humans. Whether you are in the classroom, raising children, or simply trying to understand what it actually takes to learn and change - this podcast invites you into an honest, unguarded, conversation about the work that shapes us.

  1. 1d ago

    EP. 20 – The Bear, The Grub, and The Gripping Anxiety

    When everything changes, the instinct is to grip harder. To control the outcome, manage the future, and think your way through the panic. But what if steadiness isn't found in certainty at all? In this episode, Michelle explores what it actually looks like to stay grounded when your identity is on the line. Ask a Question: Have a question for Michelle? Fill out the listener form [Linked Here]. If this episode moved your thinking, please leave a 5-star review and tag @DearMrsRoundy on social media!

    12 min

  2. May 25

    EP. 19 – Barefoot and Blindfolded: What Fear in the Forest Taught Me About Teaching

    In this episode, Michelle shares a profound personal experience from a week-long ancestral skills course in Montana, where she found herself barefoot and blindfolded walking through the forest. What started as a physical challenge quickly surfaced something much deeper: old stories about inadequacy, toughness, and the fear of needing help.  The lessons she carried out of that forest go straight into the classroom. Michelle unpacks what it means to stand beside someone in their fear without making them feel weak for having it. Ask a Question: Have a question for Michelle? Fill out the listener form [Linked Here]. Support the Podcast: If this episode moved your thinking, please leave a 5-star review and tag @DearMrsRoundy on social media!

    16 min

  3. May 18

    EP. 18 – Cultivating a Culture of Evidence Based Grading with Ryan Donovan (Part 2)

    In the second half of their deep dive into evidence based grading, Michelle Roundy and Ryan Donovan—award-winning AP U.S. History teacher and 2026 Top 50 Trailblazing Educator—tackle the "elephant" of traditional grading.  The conversation shifts into the practical "how-to" of an evidence-based classroom, highlighting the necessity of breaking down complex assessments into manageable skill progressions. This episode serves as a roadmap for teachers looking to move away from transactional "points-chasing" and toward a cyclical learning process where students are encouraged to practice, reflect, and try again until mastery is achieved. Check out the First Episode with Ryan Donovan Here (EP. 16) Ask a Question: Have a question for Michelle? Fill out the listener form [Linked Here]. Support the Podcast: If this episode moved your thinking, please leave a 5-star review and tag @DearMrsRoundy on social media!

    42 min

  4. May 11

    EP. 17 – How To Be a More Conscious Leader with Stephanie Hardeman of Teton Teams | Personal Responsibility and Candor

    In this episode, Michelle sits down in person with her friend and colleague Stephanie Hardeman — educator, executive coach, and founder of Teton Teams Development — to explore two powerful commitments from The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: taking 100% personal responsibility and speaking candidly. Together they unpack the "above and below the line" model, examining how fear drives us into reactive, energy-draining patterns — whether we show up as the victim, the villain, or the surprising one — the hero. Stephanie breaks down why heroing others, though it feels generous, can quietly erode confidence and rob people of the at-bats they need to grow. The conversation then turns to the courage it takes to speak candidly — not to convince or explode, but to genuinely connect. Michelle and Stephanie leave listeners with three concrete practices to start noticing their own energy patterns, body signals, and the conversations they've been avoiding. If you've ever wondered why you feel exhausted despite working so hard, this episode will give you a new lens for understanding where your energy is actually going. Stephanie Hardeman with Teton Teams: ​INSTAGRAM​www.TetonTeams.comThe 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership Book: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success Ask a Question: Have a question for Michelle? Fill out the listener form [Linked Here]. Support the Podcast: If this episode moved your thinking, please leave a 5-star review and tag @DearMrsRoundy on social media!

    54 min

  5. May 4

    EP. 16 – Shifting Out of Transactional Grading and Into Curiosity-Driven Learning with Ryan Donovan (Part 1)

    In this episode, Michelle Roundy sits down with Ryan Donovan, Arizona’s Teacher of the Year and a Top 50 Trailblazing Educator, to dismantle traditional grading. They explore why the standard 0–100% scale often fails to reflect true student mastery and how the "points game" can actually stifle a student’s natural love of learning. Ryan shares his personal pivot from using grades as a tool for behavioral control to adopting evidence-based practices that prioritize skill articulation over mere point accumulation. The conversation dives deep into the phenomenon of "minimaxing"—where students do the bare minimum to maximize their grade—and how educators can shift the classroom culture toward curiosity and agency. From using AI as a conversational tutor to cultivating "learning walls," Michelle and Ryan discuss practical ways to empower students to take ownership of their educational journey. By moving away from transactional grading, they argue that teachers can reclaim the classroom as a space for genuine inquiry and lifelong learning. ⁠Frederick Douglas: What to a Slave is the Fourth of July Frederick Douglas: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight Ask a Question: Have a question for Michelle? Fill out the listener form. Support the Podcast: If this episode moved your thinking, please leave a 5-star review and tag @DearMrsRoundy on social media!

    47 min

  6. Apr 27

    EP. 15 – Leadership Lessons from the Legend of Bluebeard

    Inspired by a high school science teacher’s provocative lesson plan, Michelle dives into the archetypal story of Bluebeard. Michelle relates the tale as a powerful metaphor for the internal "predator" that exists within every educator and leader. This internal voice often demands we maintain the status quo, warning us that looking too closely at the systemic failures or personal biases in our schools is a dangerous endeavor. Michelle challenges listeners to embrace the "stains" of truth that cannot be unseen, arguing that once we acknowledge a difficult reality in our classrooms or districts, we are empowered to change it. Curiosity is not a trap; it is a rescue mission that allows us to move past self-doubt and the fear of "rocking the boat." Tune in to learn why facing the messy, painful truths of leadership is the only way to evolve and lead with a truly clear heart. Ask a Question: Have a question for Michelle? Fill out the listener form [Linked Here]. Support the Podcast: If this episode moved your thinking, please leave a 5-star review and tag @DearMrsRoundy on social media!

    10 min

  7. Apr 13

    EP. 14 – Taming the Shame: What Happens When we Mess Up?

    In this vulnerable episode, Michelle Roundy explores the raw experience of making a public mistake and the emotional "elephant" that often follows: shame. Moving beyond her personal story, Michelle uses the wisdom of Brené Brown to distinguish between guilt and shame, illustrating how the latter can shut down our ability to learn. It’s a must-listen for anyone looking to foster a culture where both students and adults feel safe enough to fail, repair, and ultimately grow. Ask a Question: Have an "elephant" you want Michelle to address? Fill out our listener form [Linked Here]. Support the Podcast: If this episode moved your thinking, please leave a 5-star review and tag @DearMrsRoundy on social media!

    7 min

  8. Apr 6

    EP. 13 – The “Spell” of Intentional Language

    In this insightful follow-up episode, Michelle Roundy dives into the casual and often unconscious ways we describe our students. Drawing inspiration from her conversation with Drew in Episode 12 and a poignant quote in Ocean Vuong’s Emperor of Gladness, Michelle challenges the notion that rethinking our language is merely about “toxic positivity” or sanitizing the truth. Instead, she argues that our words create a shared reality and a “self-concept” for the students we serve.  This episode serves as a call to action for educators to recognize that language is a leverage tool – one that can either reinforce barriers or open doors to new and effective instructional strategies. She offers five specific reframes to help you move from complaint-based talk to strength-based action.  Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong Ask a Question: Have an "elephant" you want Michelle to address? Fill out our listener form [Linked Here]. Support the Podcast: If this episode moved your thinking, please leave a 5-star review and tag @DearMrsRoundy on social media!

    11 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

This podcast is for anyone who believes that teaching and leading begins with the human work. You’ll hear reflections from real classrooms, experiments in teacher lead professional learning and leadership thinking rooted in thoughtful self-work instead of compliance. You’ll also hear old stories - myths, fairy tales, history - as mirrors for the work of growing humans. Whether you are in the classroom, raising children, or simply trying to understand what it actually takes to learn and change - this podcast invites you into an honest, unguarded, conversation about the work that shapes us.

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