Front of the Class
The Front of the Class podcast brings you real stories from real educators — insightful, inspiring, and sometimes unexpected! Hear from passionate teachers, school leaders, and education experts as they share career journeys, challenges, and game-changing strategies. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, this podcast is your go-to for fresh ideas, motivation, and a community that gets it.
Episodes
Emily Chaskelson studied journalism as an undergraduate, honing her observation skills. So, when she noticed the difficulties created by the language barrier between Spanish speakers and English speakers in Chicago, she became motivated to bridging the gap.
Fast forward and Emily has been teaching multilingual learners in public schools for 18 years, most recently in North Carolina. In this episode of the Front of the...
Kathy Schmidt’s path to the classroom started in some unlikely places, from working in zoos and aquariums to traveling the world as a cruise ship staffer, to becoming a certified dive instructor. But through all the twists and turns, she’s stayed focused on one thing: engaging learners of all subjects with energy, empathy, and creativity.
Now a middle school teacher in Casablanca, Morocco, Kathy supports multilingual,...
What does it take to teach across borders, and thrive while doing it?
In this special topical episode, Rainier Lee shares insights from his inspiring journey from the U.S. to South Korea and the Netherlands, showing that teaching internationally isn’t just possible — it’s transformative.
Rainier dives into what it means to be a culturally responsive educator, how choosing a country outside of your comfort zone can be ...
Julie Rudlosky — an educator in Ohio — didn’t set out to become a classroom comedian, but after 15 years of teaching English, she’s learned that laughter is one of her most powerful tools.
From re-enacting Shakespearean swordfights to creating escape rooms, Rudlosky’s classroom is an environment where students can be themselves, explore creative projects, and truly engage with literature. Even when new curricula bring...
"One phrase can make a difference, and it can be positive or negative."
Jenny Mitchell didn’t always plan to be a teacher. But after a chance encounter with an international school during a study abroad experience, her path changed and she’s never looked back. Now the Director of Teaching and Learning at an American school in Taiwan, Jenny supports over 130 educators and 800 students while being a powerful a...
Cole Cooper didn’t take a straight path to education. From working at a pallet recovery plant at age 10 to working part-time and short-term jobs to make ends meet while supporting his family as an adult, every step of his journey built toward one truth: if you want to make an impact, you have to serve others.
In this deeply personal episode, Cooper opens up about his battles with dyslexia, anxiety, and grief on his pa...
"Make it about the kids."
That’s the guiding principle for Ohio high school teacher Jake Knapp, who believes that everything in the classroom should be focused on what helps students learn and grow.
In episode 21 of the Front of the Class podcast, Knapp shares how he brings creativity, technology, and real-world relevance into his social studies lessons. From using AI to reimagine Cold War leaders as action ...
What happens when students say that your class is boring? For Miya Hourani, that’s not the end of the conversation — it’s the starting point.
In this special topical episode, Miya returns to share practical strategies for building truly student-centered classrooms where learners feel heard, empowered, and motivated to grow. Teaching 8th grade language arts in Kuwait, Miya has developed a classroom culture where studen...
David Wilson didn’t plan to become a teacher. In fact, his first teaching experience happened by chance when a friend asked him to cover a physics class. What started as a temporary substitute role quickly became a lifelong calling.
Since then, David’s journey has taken him from Ghana to Vietnam and now to Jakarta, Indonesia, where he teaches science and biology at an international school. Along the way, he has embrac...
Savannah Steger, an educator in South Carolina, initially tried to ignore the childhood feeling that she would work in education — even going as far as starting college as a broadcast journalism major before pursuing what she termed her "calling."
Now, Savannah has been an elementary school principal for 5 years. Before that, she was an assistant principal and a teacher. Having worked at various levels of el...
Hands-on and high-impact.
That’s how educator Carson Letot approaches his work at a North Carolina community college, where students learn not just concepts, but how to build successful careers.
In this episode, Letot shares his unique path into being a program director, what it means to train students for agriculture and turf grass science professions, and why leading with flexibility matters more than ever.
Focused ...
"Is this the best way to make change in people's lives?"
That's the question Rachel Davison Humphries faced in the 2000s. As an EMT in East Texas, she knew she was providing immediate help to people in need, but she was searching for a career that would leave a longer, lasting impact.
Humphries began exploring colleges, philosophy, and charity, which led her to embrace the concept of direct assista...
Neely Trull's grandmother was a local celebrity — but maybe not the kind you would think. She spent 28 years working as an educator, making a positive impact on their community. So, when Neely was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, it was always a "no-brainer" that she would follow in those family footsteps.
In this episode, Neely — an early childhood educator in South Carolina — discusses he...
How can one meal change your life? Rainier Lee shares how trying Korean food led him from a life as a cultural anthropologist in the U.S. to a career as a confident classroom leader in the Netherlands.
In this episode, Rainier opens up about being an international educator with dyslexia and how he uses transparent communication to power his empathetic, student-centered approach to teaching. He also shares tips for avo...
What do classroom mantras, self-care, and unexpected career twists have in common? They’re all part of Michele Banks’ inspiring journey into special education.
In this episode, Michele shares how she unexpectedly found herself teaching high school at a private Catholic school in Florida — and how it became her calling. From supporting students with exceptional needs to building meaningful classroom connections, she of...
What happens when someone who never planned to be a teacher ends up changing students' lives around the world? In this inspiring and refreshingly honest episode, Miya Hourani (a middle school language arts teacher in Kuwait) takes us on her unexpected journey into education — from saying "no thanks" to teaching to becoming a passionate international educator. She opens up about cultural curveballs, mean...
With 7 years of experience as a classroom teacher in Georgia, Courtney Thompson shares her journey into a non-profit organization that advocates for student apprenticeships and internships. Discover how she transitioned from teaching history and English to connecting high school students with hands-on trade career opportunities as well as the joys and challenges she faced along the way. And, just as notably, why she p...
From teaching K-12 in Fairfax County Public Schools (VA) and coaching wrestling to teaching in Saudi Arabia and educating teachers at Moreland University, Warry Bonney’s 10+ years in education has insights for educators new and experienced! In this episode, she shares her unique journey, teaching challenges, and rewarding experiences. She also offers valuable lessons about building strong relationships with students, ...
Join RJ Bialk as he shares his inspiring journey from a marketing graduate to becoming the Chief Technology Officer of Deerfield Public Schools (IL). In this engaging episode, RJ recounts his unexpected path into education, the challenges he faced, and the innovative solutions he implemented to bring technology into the classroom. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and the impact one pe...
Wondering about the journey from teacher to principal? Join us as we talk to Dr. Alicia Abbey, Principal at Morningstar Catholic School in Florida and adjunct professor at the University of Central Florida, who shares her journey from teaching to administration. Covering Alicia’s passion for education, commitment to inclusion, advice for new teachers, and the importance of continuing education and mentors, this is a c...
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