Time for Teachership

Lindsay Lyons

How can I build capacity for culturally responsive teaching and project-based instruction? How can I reduce teacher burnout and promote a culture of wellness for staff and students? What are the secrets to getting teacher buy-in? What does practicing shared leadership actually look like? Welcome to the Time for Teachership podcast where we tackle adaptive challenges in educational leadership! Each week, host Lindsay Lyons brings together guest experts, research findings, and practical steps to help brave school leaders transform schools into antiracist spaces that cultivate student, family, and teacher leadership to enable all students to thrive.

  1. 5d ago

    259. A Collaborative Team Meeting Structure that Elevates Instruction with Kurtis Hewson

    Most schools are collaborating. But very few are collaborating in a way that systematically elevates instruction for every teacher and every student. In this episode, guest Kurtis Hewson breaks down the Collaborative Team Meeting (CTM)—a deceptively simple structure that becomes the engine of a school's entire support system. You'll learn how CTMs sit inside a larger four-layer collaboration model, why focusing on "yellow" students (not red) is a game-changer, and how a tight, repeatable meeting structure builds collective efficacy, distributive coaching, and real instructional growth. If you've ever felt like your school is "playing whack-a-mole" with student needs or drowning in meetings about individual students, this episode offers a practical, proven alternative. What You'll Learn The four layers of collaboration every school needs Why adding one meeting can actually reduce meetings overall The critical mindset shift: tier the supports, not the kids Why CTMs focus on yellow students (and how that prevents future red) The pre-work, norms, roles, and timing that make CTMs effective How celebrations turn into organic strategy sharing The Key Issue protocol that keeps conversations about practice, not personalities How CTMs create distributive coaching across a staff The biggest mistake schools make when trying to collaborate Timestamps 00:00 Why CTMs are different from typical collaboration 02:30 The four layers of collaboration explained 06:45 Kurtis's "every child deserves a team" vision 09:00 Three mindset shifts schools must make 14:00 What happens before a CTM starts (pre-work & norms) 18:00 Why celebrations matter more than you think 20:30 The Key Issue protocol explained 24:30 How teachers commit to trying new strategies 26:30 Distributive coaching and capacity building 29:30 The biggest challenge: sticking to the structure 33:30 The free CTM Starter Kit and new book announcement Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/259 Connect with guest Kurtis Hewson  Website: jigsawlearning.ca

    39 min

  2. May 19

    258. Education is the Bedrock of Civil Society with Adam Fletcher

    What if "student voice" isn't the goal? In this episode, guest Adam Fletcher reframes the conversation around Meaningful Student Involvement—a deeper, more transformative approach built on student–adult partnerships, confronting adultism, and cultivating personal engagement from kindergarten through graduation. Adam argues that education is not just preparation for democracy—it is the bedrock of civil society itself. When students are true partners in learning, teaching, and leadership, schools become places where young people practice being community members, decision-makers, and engaged citizens now. You'll walk away with practical frameworks (the Three-Legged Stool of School Transformation and the Cycle of Student Engagement) and real examples from classrooms, schools, and national initiatives that make this work tangible at any level. What You'll Learn Why student voice alone is not enough The difference between student voice, engagement, and meaningful involvement How adultism quietly shapes schools—and how to confront it What personal engagement really looks like (beyond compliance) The Three-Legged Stool: structure, culture, and attitudes The Cycle of Student Engagement: listen → validate → authorize → act → reflect Concrete examples from a classroom, a school, and a national policy initiative Why meaningful student involvement may be the most important response to AI in schools Timestamps 00:00 Why students must be drivers in a transformative time 02:00 What "meaningful student involvement" really means 03:00 What student voice is—and what it is not 05:00 Student–adult partnerships explained 06:30 Understanding and confronting adultism 08:10 Personal engagement vs. compliance 12:15 The Three-Legged Stool: structure, culture, attitudes 16:00 The Cycle of Student Engagement framework 20:00 Examples: national PTA policy work, a K–12 school transformation, and a third-grade classroom 24:00 Common challenges: competition vs. collaboration in education systems 26:30 AI, corporate interests, and why student involvement matters more than ever 28:00 Where to start: The Guide to Meaningful Student Involvement 31:00 Learning from non-white and Indigenous perspectives on democracy 33:00 Where to find Adam's free resources and publications Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/258 Connect with guest Adam Fletcher  Website: adamfletcher.net

    37 min

  3. May 12

    257. Cultivating Youth Agency & Entreprenurship Using "Yes, And" with Leah Ellis

    In this guest episode, Leah Ellis shares with Lindsay how a simple moment with her 4-year-old during the pandemic sparked a movement where kids don't just learn about leadership… they practice it now by starting real businesses, solving real community problems, and seeing themselves as capable change-makers today. You'll hear how Leah uses the improv mindset of "Yes, and…" to coach youth ideas without shutting them down, how her 36-week entrepreneurship curriculum works in schools, and powerful stories of young people creating crosswalk campaigns, sustainable book businesses, and product prototypes from scratch. What You'll Learn Why saying "children are the future" can unintentionally limit youth leadership How to use "Yes, and…" to nurture student ideas instead of correcting them A questioning strategy that helps kids become problem-solvers What a 36-week youth entrepreneurship curriculum looks like in practice How youth businesses build confidence, resilience, and leadership Common challenges for adults (and how to step back without stepping away) Why failure recovery is the fastest path to confidence Timestamps 00:00 "Children are not the future" — the mindset shift 03:00 Leah's big dream for youth leadership and agency 04:00 The story of the 4-year-old who started a business 08:30 Advice for educators vs. families 10:15 Youth business stories: crosswalk campaign, book business, phone case prototypes 16:20 The "Yes, and" coaching method with kids 17:45 Inside the 36-week entrepreneurship curriculum 19:10 Challenges adults face (stepping back, allowing failure) 20:30 Challenges kids face (resources, mindset, family dynamics) 22:20 One thing adults can do immediately 23:00 Reframing the stories we tell ourselves 24:40 How to connect with Leah and the Society of Child Entrepreneurs Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/257 Connect with guest Leah Ellis  Website: https://societyofchildentrepreneurs.org/

    28 min

  4. May 5

    256. Youth-Adult Partnerships via UP for Learning with Ana, Jacoby, & Lindsey

    What if students weren't just "given a voice," but shared real power in how schools operate? In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Ana, Jacoby, and Lindsey from UP for Learning to explore what youth–adult partnership actually looks like in practice—and how it's transforming schools at the classroom, district, and even state policy level. You'll hear how students and adults work side-by-side through youth participatory action research (YPAR), how mindset shifts unlock authentic partnership, and how this work has influenced initiatives like statewide conversations on school safety, graduation requirements, and student voice advisories across multiple states. This conversation goes far beyond "student voice." It's about shared decision-making, shared responsibility, and shared leadership to reimagine what education can be. What You'll Learn What youth–adult partnership really means (beyond student voice) How mental model shifts are the first step to transforming schools Why schools must move from adult-centered to partnership-centered systems Real examples of students shaping state education policy How restorative practices, YPAR, and belonging intersect A simple reflection educators can use tomorrow to start partnering with students How personalized learning, project-based learning, and flexible pathways connect to partnership  Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to UP for Learning's mission 05:00 What educational equity looks like in partnership 11:00 The mindset shift adults must make 19:00 Personal stories of transformation through partnership 25:00 State and district policy work led by youth–adult teams 32:00 One thing educators can do tomorrow 34:30 How to connect with UP for Learning Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/256 Connect with guests Ana, Jacoby, Lindsey  Learn more: UPforLearning.org

    39 min

  5. Apr 28

    255. Belonging, SoR, & Literacy as Liberation with Caitlin MacLeod-Bluver

    In this powerful episode of the Time for Teachership Podcast, host Lindsay Lyons speaks with educator Caitlin MacLeod-Bluver about teaching social studies through the lens of justice, literacy, and belonging. Caitlin shares what it means to teach during challenging times—supporting students facing food insecurity, immigration detention, and political rhetoric affecting their communities. Despite these realities, she explains why classrooms remain powerful spaces for hope, civic engagement, and liberation. The conversation explores: Literacy as a tool for liberation How teachers can create true classroom belonging The importance of background knowledge and vocabulary Why rigorous reading matters for equity Supporting student voice and agency in social studies Practical strategies teachers can implement tomorrow If you're an educator wondering how to teach reading, history, and justice simultaneously, this episode offers both inspiration and actionable strategies.   Key Takeaways for Educators 1. Silence Sends a Message When teachers avoid discussing current events, students may assume their teachers support injustice. 2. Learning Is Hard — And That's Okay Acknowledging difficulty helps students develop resilience and confidence. 3. Background Knowledge Must Connect to Students' Experiences New learning sticks best when connected to what students already know. 4. Reading Builds Knowledge Students become stronger readers by reading challenging texts, not by avoiding them. 5. Slow Down Deep learning requires time for: discussion vocabulary exploration critical thinking   Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/255    Connect With the Guest You can connect with Caitlin MacLeod-Bluver on Instagram: @2025VTTeacheroftheYear

    32 min

  6. Apr 21

    254. Troubleshooting: Student Background Knowledge

    How do teachers respond when students appear to have little or no background knowledge about a topic? In this episode of the Time for Teachership Podcast, host and instructional coach Lindsay Lyons explores strategies for helping students connect new learning to their lived experiences. Rather than viewing students as lacking knowledge, she encourages educators to expand their definition of background knowledge to include students' identities, communities, experiences, and cultural assets. Drawing on frameworks such as Funds of Knowledge and Cultural Wealth Theory, Lyons shares practical tools educators can use to help students build meaningful connections to historical content, social studies themes, and inquiry-based learning. Listeners will learn how to support students in making sense of new information, generating deeper questions, and engaging in analytical thinking—without assuming they are starting with an "empty vessel." This episode is especially helpful for social studies teachers, instructional coaches, and educators focused on inquiry-based learning.   Key Topics Covered Rethinking the idea of students having "no background knowledge" Why student experiences are valuable learning assets Using Funds of Knowledge in the classroom Applying the Cultural Wealth Model to social studies instruction Strategies to help students connect historical topics to their own lives Cognitive routines that support inquiry and analysis Helping students generate deeper historical questions Building tools students can reuse across learning contexts   Key Takeaways Students rarely lack background knowledge—they simply have different forms of knowledge. Teachers can help students connect academic content to lived experiences. Asset-based frameworks support more inclusive and effective learning. Cognitive routines help students move from connections to critical thinking and analysis. Connection prompts can transform classroom conversations and inquiry.   Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/254

    27 min

  7. Apr 14

    253. How to Build the Habits of Democracy with Dr. Sarah Burnham

    How can schools help students practice democracy—not just learn about it? In this episode of the Time for Teachership Podcast, host Lindsay Lyons sits down with civic education researcher Dr. Sarah Burnham to explore how classrooms can cultivate the habits of democracy, civic engagement, and critical consciousness in young people. Dr. Burnham, a researcher at Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University, shares insights from research on civic education, student belonging, and anti-oppressive attitudes in youth. Together they discuss why civic learning must move beyond memorizing government structures to include student voice, inquiry-based learning, participatory decision-making, and real-world civic action. You'll hear powerful examples of schools using participatory budgeting, collaborative decision-making, and student-led initiatives to strengthen school communities and foster civic identity. Dr. Burnham also explains how families can support civic development at home through everyday conversations, community involvement, and modeling respectful disagreement. If you're an educator, school leader, or parent who wants to empower young people to see themselves as active participants in democracy, this episode is packed with research-backed strategies and inspiring ideas.   Key Topics in This Episode What it means to build the habits of democracy in classrooms Why student belonging and representation are critical for civic learning The research behind critical consciousness and anti-oppressive attitudes How inquiry-based civic education strengthens engagement and agency Examples of participatory budgeting in schools The role of student voice and shared decision-making Why civic education does not lead to political indoctrination How families can support youth civic engagement at home   Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/253   Connect with guest Dr. Sarah Burnham BlueSky: BernhamBurglar LinkedIn: SL Burnham Email: sarah.burnham@tufts.edu Research hub: CIRCLE at Tufts

    32 min

  8. Apr 7

    252. Processing ICE & Resistance with Kids Using the Think–Feel–Do Framework (with Kara Pranikoff & Dr. Eric Soto-Shed)

    Talking with young people about difficult current events—especially those involving immigration enforcement, protests, and community fear—can feel overwhelming for educators and families. In this episode of the Time for Teachership Podcast, host Lindsay Lyons sits down with education leaders Kara Pranikoff and Dr. Eric Soto‑Shed to discuss how teachers and caregivers can support students navigating conversations about immigration enforcement, protests, and current events. Together, they introduce the Think–Feel–Do framework, a simple yet powerful structure educators can use to guide discussions about complex and emotional issues like actions by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The framework helps students explore three key questions: What do I think? (curiosity, critical thinking, and context) How do I feel? (identity, empathy, emotional processing) What can I do? (civic action and agency) The conversation explores how teachers can address hard topics responsibly without avoiding them—and without overwhelming students emotionally. By grounding discussions in content knowledge, shared values, and opportunities for action, educators can create classrooms where students process events thoughtfully and compassionately. This episode also highlights how families can partner with schools to support young people as they make sense of difficult news, build media literacy habits, and develop resilience in challenging times. Key Topics Covered How to talk with students about immigration enforcement and current events The Think–Feel–Do framework for discussing difficult issues in classrooms Supporting students without retraumatizing them Why content knowledge and historical context matter in emotionally charged discussions The role of values like fairness, safety, and dignity in civic dialogue Helping students move from awareness to civic engagement and informed action Addressing diverse reactions among students—from curiosity to activism Supporting students directly affected by immigration policy How families can model healthy media habits and emotional processing Why joy, resilience, and community still matter in conversations about injustice Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/252   Connect With the Guests Dr. Eric Soto‑Shed — Faculty at the Harvard Graduate School of Education Kara Pranikoff — Visit her website at karapranikoff.com

    42 min
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5
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About

How can I build capacity for culturally responsive teaching and project-based instruction? How can I reduce teacher burnout and promote a culture of wellness for staff and students? What are the secrets to getting teacher buy-in? What does practicing shared leadership actually look like? Welcome to the Time for Teachership podcast where we tackle adaptive challenges in educational leadership! Each week, host Lindsay Lyons brings together guest experts, research findings, and practical steps to help brave school leaders transform schools into antiracist spaces that cultivate student, family, and teacher leadership to enable all students to thrive.

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