TMEPODCAST

Today’s episode is one that’s close to home — I sat down with a colleague of mine who’s been in education for over a decade. Before stepping into the classroom, he spent ten years in the corporate world, so he brings a really unique and well-rounded perspective to his work. Over the years, he’s worn many hats: teacher, administrator, coach — and through it all, he’s gained deep insight into what it really means to work in a public school system today.

This conversation is especially eye-opening if you’re not in the world of education yourself. It’s easy to look in from the outside and say what should or shouldn’t be done, but unless you’ve walked the halls, felt the energy of a school building, and seen firsthand the challenges students and teachers face daily — it’s hard to truly understand it.

We covered a lot of ground in this episode. We talked about how much the value of education has shifted over the years — even since I graduated high school in 2007 (which, honestly, is starting to feel like the dinosaur era!). We also explored how much pressure is placed on standardized testing, especially here in Florida, and how those scores impact everything from student futures to school funding.

We even touched on a bit of a hot topic: politics in education. I used to shy away from that conversation, but the truth is, politics have always played a role in our school systems. Whether we agree or disagree, we have to be willing to talk about it, listen to one another, and find common ground — or at the very least, understanding.

Another topic we explored was the mindset and work ethic of today’s students compared to past generations. This kind of generational comparison is nothing new — it’s been happening for decades — but it’s still such a fascinating and relevant conversation.

Coach Abby brought so much wisdom and thoughtful perspective to the table. As a history teacher, he naturally has a knack for connecting the past to the present, and I truly believe there’s something for everyone to learn from this episode — whether you’re an educator, a parent, or simply someone curious about what’s going on in our schools today.

While my podcast continues to grow and evolve, education is my day-to-day world. It was meaningful to shine a light on the work that so many of us do behind the scenes and to give voice to the conversations we’re having in the school building, teacher lounges, at staff meetings, and in our hearts.

Tune in — this one is thoughtful, real, and full of the kind of insights that make you reflect long after the episode ends.