Time for Teachership

Lindsay Lyons
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

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. 4d ago

    263. Kids as Carriers of Change: Family–School Partnerships & Financial Literacy with Dr. Darla Bishop

    In this powerful episode of the Time for Teachership podcast, Lindsay Lyons talks with Dr. Darla Bishop, educator, public health advocate, and author, about how families and schools can partner together to build financially confident kids from preschool through adolescence. Dr. Bishop shares why children are the carriers of social change, how everyday errands can become rich financial literacy lessons, and what teachers and families can do right now to start conversations about money that build independence, responsibility, and community-mindedness. You'll walk away with: Practical scripts for handling "Can I have this?" moments at the store A developmental roadmap for teaching money from pre-K to high school Ways teachers can invite families into math and money learning A powerful reflection exercise to examine your own "money rules" A surprising statistic about teachers and long-term wealth This episode is a must-listen for educators, parents, and anyone who wants to raise kids who understand money, make thoughtful choices, and feel empowered—not stressed—about finances.   What You'll Learn in This Episode Why kids can drive generational change in financial habits How to turn everyday shopping trips into money lessons The difference between saying "We can't afford that" vs. teaching price awareness How financial literacy supports independence and decision-making Simple ways teachers can partner with families around money conversations Why handling real coins and cash still matters for learning How financial lessons evolve from early childhood through teen years The hidden financial advantage many teachers have A reflection activity to uncover your personal money mindset   Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/263   Connect with guest Dr. Darla Bishop  Website: https://darlabishop.com

    36 min

  2. Jun 16

    262. The Untapped Power of PTOs & Family Partnerships in Schools with Christina Hidek

    In this episode of the Time for Teachership Podcast, Lindsay Lyons talks with Christina Hidek, founder of PTO Answers and author of The Principal's Parent Group Playbook, about how schools are overlooking one of their greatest assets: parent groups. Christina shares why PTOs and PTAs are often misunderstood, under-leveraged, and poorly supported—and how school leaders and teachers can transform family engagement by building true partnerships with parent organizations. If you've ever felt frustrated by family involvement, struggled to connect with your PTO, or wondered how to move beyond fundraisers and carnival themes, this episode is your roadmap to a healthier, more impactful school-family collaboration. You'll walk away with practical strategies for shared goal setting, communication, leadership mindset shifts, and ways to align parent groups with your school's strategic plan.   Key Topics Covered Why parent groups are the "third pillar" of school leadership The mindset shifts families and educators both need The difference between a PTO and a PTA (and why it matters) How to align PTO work with your school's strategic plan Why many parent groups struggle with institutional knowledge loss What principals and teachers can do to cultivate healthy partnerships How PTOs can go far beyond parties, fundraisers, and event planning Real examples of PTOs funding meaningful school initiatives like STEM programs Practical next steps for parents, teachers, and school leaders   Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/262   Connect with guest Christina Hidek Website: https://ptoanswers.com/

    28 min

  3. Jun 9

    261. The Joy of Picture Books: Letting Kids Lead Meaningful Conversations with Molly Arbuthnott

    In this episode of the Time for Teachership Podcast, host Lindsay Lyons welcomes picture book author and illustrator Molly Arbuthnott for a rich conversation about why picture books are not the "bottom rung" of reading—but the top. This episode is part of a special mini-series for educators and families focused on how to support children's reading lives. Molly shares how picture books create space for deep thinking, emotional conversations, imagination, and student voice—without the pressure of "right answers." If you read with children at home or in the classroom, this episode will completely reframe how you think about picture books.   Big Ideas from the Conversation Children should not have books "dumbed down" for them Picture books can gently explore hard topics like death, accidents, grief, and resilience There are no wrong answers when discussing a picture book Art and story create safe practice for sharing different interpretations Kids should be "gatekeepers" in choosing what they read Animals as characters create freedom for interpretation beyond identity or politics Picture books are powerful entry points into discussions about climate change, community, resilience, and belonging Reading should stay joyful and imaginative—for adults and children   Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/261   Connect with guest Molly Arbuthnott  Website: https://www.marbuthnottbooks.com

    28 min

  4. Jun 2

    260. Redefining Success: Building Student Resilience Through Belonging, Regulation, and Relationships with Doug Bolton

    In this powerful episode of the Time for Teachership Podcast, host Lindsay Lyons sits down with therapeutic school principal and psychologist Doug Bolton to explore a timely question: What if our definition of success in schools is actually harming kids, families, and educators? Doug shares research-backed insights on the youth mental health crisis, the unintended consequences of achievement-driven schooling, and the essential role of belonging, emotional regulation, and relationships in building true resilience. If you're an educator, school leader, or parent feeling the pressure of grades, test scores, and constant busyness, this episode offers a hopeful, practical reframe.   Key Themes in This Episode Why today's students (and teachers and parents) are more stressed than ever How test-score culture has reshaped education since No Child Left Behind The myth of "high-achieving schools" and selective colleges as predictors of life success The research behind belonging and relationships as the foundation of resilience The Circle of Courage framework: Belonging, Mastery, Independence, Generosity Bruce Perry's "Regulate, Relate, Reason" model for classrooms and homes Why "misbehavior" is often stress behavior The importance of building in daily pause and ponder time for nervous system recovery Practical first steps families and teachers can take immediately   Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/260   Connect with guest Doug Bolton  Website: drdougbolton.com

    34 min

  5. May 26

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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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