Teaching with Valor Podcast: Final Episode - Thank You and Farewell

Send us a text

"Hello, and welcome to what will be the final episode of Teaching with Valor. I’m your host, Don Fessenden. Today’s episode is a bittersweet one. We’re here to reflect, to express gratitude, and to bid farewell to a project that has meant so much to me, and I hope, to those of you who have joined me on this journey.
From the very beginning, Teaching with Valor was a labor of love.

It was about celebrating the incredible work of teachers, tackling the challenges they face, and inspiring one another to be the best we can be for the students who depend on us. Over the course of this podcast, we’ve explored topics ranging from classroom management to teacher wellness, from building strong student relationships to navigating tough conversations with parents.

Each episode was created with the hope that it would make a difference, even if only in a small way."

TheLegacyProject.me 

Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

Episode Transcript

Don (00:07):
"Hello, and welcome to what will be the final episode of
Teaching with Valor.
I’m your host, Don Fessenden.
Today’s episode is a bittersweetone.
We’re here to reflect, toexpress gratitude, and to bid
farewell to a project that hasmeant so much to me, and I hope,
to those of you who have joinedme on this journey.

(00:28):
From the very beginning,Teaching with Valor was a labor
of love.
It was about celebrating theincredible work of teachers,
tackling the challenges theyface, and inspiring one another
to be the best we can be for thestudents who depend on us.
Over the course of this podcast,we’ve explored topics ranging
from classroom management toteacher wellness, from building

(00:51):
strong student relationships tonavigating tough conversations
with parents.
Each episode was created withthe hope that it would make a
difference, even if only in asmall way.""To all the teachers
who tuned in, shared theirexperiences, or reached out to
say a topic resonated withthem—thank you.
You are the heart of why thispodcast existed.

(01:15):
Every question, challenge, andstory you shared reminded me of
the vital work we do in theclassroom every day.
And to the parents who joined usto better understand the world
of education, thank you for yourcuriosity and your desire to be
active participants in yourchildren’s learning journey.
I’ve always believed in thetransformative power of

(01:35):
education, and I’ve alwaysbelieved in the valor it takes
to be an educator.
Teachers are not justinstructors; we are mentors,
counselors, cheerleaders, andguides.
We carry the weight of helpingstudents shape their futures,
and we do it with dedication,compassion, and, often, a whole
lot of humor to get through thehard days.""Unfortunately,

(01:59):
despite our best efforts,Teaching with Valor didn’t gain
the traction we had hoped for.
I’ve learned that in a sea ofcontent, sometimes even the most
heartfelt projects can struggleto find their audience.
And that’s okay.
This podcast may not havereached as many ears as I
dreamed it would, but I hope theepisodes we created will

(02:21):
continue to live on as aresource for those who need
them.
Stepping away from this projectwas not an easy decision.
But just as we teach ourstudents to reflect on what’s
working and what’s not, I had totake my own advice.
And so, it’s time to close thischapter.""To my fellow
educators, I want to leave youwith this: Your work matters.

(02:45):
Every lesson, every word ofencouragement, every moment of

patience (02:48):
it all adds up to something profound.
You are shaping the future, onestudent at a time.
Teaching is not an easy road,but it is a noble one.
I wish each of you safe andfulfilling careers, filled with
the joy of watching yourstudents grow and succeed.
If there’s one thing I hope youtake away from this podcast,

it’s this (03:10):
Never stop striving to improve your practice, to
connect with your students, andto inspire them to reach for
their potential.
Teaching with valor is aboutshowing up every day with the
courage and commitment to make adifference, no matter how small
it may seem.""To everyone whohas been part of this journey,

(03:31):
thank you.
Thank you for listening, forsupporting, and for being the
kind of people who care deeplyabout education.
As I sign off for the last time,I do so with a heart full of
gratitude and pride in the workwe’ve done together.
Remember, teaching is one of themost honorable callings there
is.

(03:51):
Whether you’re in your firstyear or your fiftieth, you have
the power to change lives, andthat is a legacy worth fighting
for.
As we bring this chapter ofTeaching with Valor to a close,
I want to take a moment to sharehow this podcast fits into a

larger vision (04:06):
The Legacy Project.
Whether through podcasts,autobiography coaching, or other
endeavors, the goal remains thesame: to empower individuals to
reflect on their journeys, sharetheir stories, and create
legacies that inspire andendure.
Teaching, at its core, is aboutlegacy.

(04:28):
Every lesson taught, everychallenge overcome, and every
connection made leaves anindelible mark on the future.
That same ethos drives TheLegacy Project.
It’s about honoring experiences,celebrating growth, and ensuring
that the stories of educators,parents, and individuals are
captured and passed down forgenerations.

(04:50):
Through my work on The LegacyProject, I’ve had the privilege
of helping others find theirvoice, reflect on their personal
and professional journeys, andbuild something lasting.
Whether it’s guiding teachers tobecome the best they can be,
coaching individuals to crafttheir autobiographies, or
creating platforms like thispodcast to share insights and

(05:11):
strategies, it all ties back toone mission: empowering people
to leave a meaningful impact.
As you reflect on your work,your challenges, and your
triumphs, I encourage you tothink about the legacy you’re

building (05:24):
both in your career and in your life.
You are part of a story that’sstill unfolding, and you have
the power to make it one worthremembering.
You can continue to follow usat:"The Legacy Project Podcast."
Where we are returning to oureducational roots.
Thank you for being part ofTeaching with Valor and for

(05:47):
allowing me to be part of yourstory.
Let’s continue to inspire,empower, and leave legacies that

matter (05:53):
together.
This is Don Fessenden, signingoff from Teaching with Valor.
Thank you for everything, andmay your classrooms be filled
with inspiration, laughter, andendless possibilities.
Keep teaching with valor."