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

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. MAR 31

    251. Proactively Create More Joy with Iuri Melo

    Welcome to the Time for Teachership Podcast! In this inspiring episode, Iuri Melo, therapist, educator, and founder of School Pulse, joins Lindsay to explore how schools, families, and students can proactively cultivate joy, positive relationships, and mental wellness. Iuri shares his 20+ years of experience in therapy and his work with thousands of students, highlighting the importance of shifting from reactive crisis management to proactive, positive engagement. From live text-based support to fun, evidence-based student success activities, School Pulse provides tools that are inclusive, practical, and grounded in research.   In this episode, you'll learn: Why schools often focus on crisis intervention—and how early, proactive support can prevent many challenges. The power of positive psychology, growth mindset, and cognitive strategies in creating student wellbeing and academic success. How to implement benign, inclusive mental wellness content that works for diverse student populations without controversy. Practical ideas for starting and ending the day with positive momentum—for students, families, and teachers alike. How live text-based support, proactive emails, and short videos can engage students in building relationships, managing emotions, and developing life skills. Fun examples of student success activities, including acronyms like CASH (Compliment, Ask questions, Smile, Help) and SWIFT for relationship building.   Key Takeaways: Mental wellness can be taught proactively, not just reactively. Inclusive, evidence-based strategies improve academic performance, relationships, and school culture. Small actions—like greeting students warmly or sending positive messages—can create momentum that impacts daily experiences. Families and schools can partner to reinforce positive habits and student growth.   Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/251   Connect With Guest Iuri Melo: Email: iuri@schoolpulse.org Website: www.schoolpulse.org

    31 min

  7. MAR 24

    250. Stories & Civic Imagination to Elicit Shared Class Values

    Welcome to Episode 250 of the Time for Teachership podcast! 🎉 In this milestone episode, Lindsay explores how stories and civic imagination can help educators, leaders, families, and students co-construct shared values — and ultimately build meaningful community agreements for how we want to be together. Inspired by the powerful book Practicing Futures: A Civic Imagination Handbook by Peter László and Srdja Popovic (and their incredible free online resources), this episode shares: Key insights from the book Reflections on civic imagination as a collective practice A practical, adaptable 60-minute workshop you can facilitate in classrooms, staff meetings, conferences, advisory blocks, PTA gatherings, or even at home If you've ever struggled to move from "values on the wall" to lived, shared agreements — this episode offers a creative and hopeful pathway forward.   Key Takeaways Civic imagination builds community — focus on shared values and trust, not just power struggles. Stories reveal values — personal experiences or pop culture characters help groups identify what they care about. Collective imagination drives action — envision futures, create stories, then connect them to real-world classroom or community practices. Creativity + realism — fantastical thinking opens possibilities while addressing real problems.   Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/250

    25 min

  8. MAR 17

    249. Cultivating a Culture of Belonging, Challenge, & Agency with Dr. Jennifer Berry

    What does it take to build a classroom culture where students truly believe: I belong here. I can master rigorous challenges. My ideas make an impact. In this energizing conversation, Dr. Jennifer Berry, CEO of SmartLab Learning, joins Lindsay on the Time for Teachership podcast to explore how educators can intentionally cultivate what she calls STEM identity — not just in STEM classrooms, but across all learning spaces. Together, we unpack how belonging, productive struggle, and agency are foundational not only for academic success, but for thriving in future careers and contributing meaningfully to the world. This episode is about more than tools or technology. It's about designing an ecosystem that helps students develop the self-belief to lead.   Key Takeaways STEM identity starts with belief. Students thrive when they believe: I belong here, I can master challenge, and my ideas matter. Productive struggle builds confidence. Pause before stepping in. Calibrated support — not immediate rescue — strengthens learning power. Belonging requires intentional design. Environment, curriculum, facilitation, and real-world connection must work together as an ecosystem. Avoid "random acts of STEM." Tools and technology should be tied to authentic problems and industry relevance. Education must be future-focused. In an AI-driven world, students need agency, adaptability, and the confidence to lead the tools they use.     Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/249     Connect With Guest Dr. Jennifer Berry:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jennifer-berry-9a05113/

    41 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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