The Inspiring Early Childhood Educator

Join me, Marcia Nicole, on this heartfelt episode of Ispyr to Educate as we dive deep into the real impact of mentorship from a veteran educator’s perspective. In today’s conversation, I share my journey of mentoring over the years the ups, the challenges, and the transformative moments that remind us why taking on a student is not just another responsibility, but a legacy-building act. We explore how mentoring enriches our practic...

STEAM in early childhood education—what does it really look like? How can we move past the idea that STEAM is just about science experiments and tech gadgets and instead see it as a natural part of how children learn and explore the world?

In this episode of The Inspiring ECE Podcast, I sit down with Paula Walsh, an early childhood educator, lecturer, STEAM researcher, and author of Full STEAM Ahead. Paula is p...

In this empowering episode of The Inspiring ECE Podcast, your host Marcia Nicole welcomes a true trailblazer in the field of Early Childhood Education—Anisha Angella. As an entrepreneur, author, Registered Early Childhood Educator, and dynamic leadership coach, Anisha is on a mission to inspire educators to think beyond the classroom and embrace leadership roles with passion and purpose.

This episode is a heartfelt conversation fil...

In this heartfelt episode of the Inspiring ECE Podcast, we delve into the profound reasons why choosing and remaining in the field of Early Childhood Education (ECE) is not just a career choice but a transformative journey. Amidst discussions of burnout and staffing shortages, it's crucial to reconnect with the passion and purpose that drew us to this vocation.

Key Takeaways:

• Navigating Negative Narratives: Lear...

What if reading could bring families closer together? 📖💛

In this episode of the Inspiring ECE Podcast, we’re diving into the heartwarming and transformative power of mother-daughter book clubs with two incredible guests—co-authors Stefanie and Meghan Voss!

As sisters and passionate educators, they joined forces to create The Mother-Daughter Book Club Guide, a must-have resource for moms and daughters who want to make reading more...

In this episode of the Inspiring ECE Podcast, host Marcia Nicole chats with Angela Odusanya, a dedicated early childhood educator and author of the popular Amelia’s Loose Part Art book series. Angela shares her journey into the world of early learning, how she fell in love with loose parts play, and why it’s so important for young children to have open-ended, exploratory experiences. Tune in to discover actionable strategies for br...

In this episode of the Inspiring ECE Podcast, we tackle a topic that every early childhood educator has faced at some point: how do we stay empowered and passionate in a profession that sometimes feels undervalued?

With headlines about burnout, staffing shortages, and the challenges of the field, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But today, we’re flipping the script and focusing on how to reclaim your power, find fulfillment, and thri...

In this enlightening episode of The Inspiring ECE Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Elizabeth DeWitt, Senior Adoptions & Curriculum Specialist at Learning Without Tears, to explore how multisensory instruction can transform the way children learn and grow. Dr. DeWitt shares practical strategies for integrating touch, movement, music, and more into daily lessons—helping young learners strengthen critical thinking, creativity, and soc...

In this episode, host Marcia Nicole dives into one of the most debated issues in early childhood education: using personal devices on the job. She examines both sides—from the convenience of quick communication and handy apps to the pitfalls of distraction and privacy concerns. Marcia also shares tips on setting balanced policies that respect educators’ professional roles while acknowledging their real-life needs. Whether you’re a ...

This episode is a special one. I had the honor of sitting down with members of the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario (AECEO)—an organization at the forefront of advocacy for ECE professionals. Their work is dedicated to empowering educators, pushing for systemic change, and ensuring that the voices of early childhood professionals are heard where it matters most.

Together, we explore: 🔹 The power of advocacy—why ...

Episode description

Are you feeling the weight of job insecurities, endless winter darkness, and the constant flood of negative news? In this candid episode, host Marcia Nicole shares practical ways to protect your emotional well-being—without pretending everything’s sunshine and rainbows. Tune in to discover how to recognize your own emotional toll, limit toxic input (hello, social media scroll!), and find pockets of self-care in ...

In this episode of The Inspiring ECE Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Kerry Drake, founder of KD Talks, an inspiring thought leader in early childhood education. With over 18 years of experience, Kerry is passionate about creating inclusive, equitable spaces and empowering educators to become reflective practitioners and compassionate leaders.

Join us as we dive deep into the vital role of mentorship in the field of early childho...

This podcast was born out of a deep passion for celebrating and uplifting early childhood educators, leaders, and everyone who supports early learning.

In this kickoff episode, I’m taking a moment to reflect on our journey together, share why I started this podcast, and—most importantly—express my heartfelt gratitude to YOU. Whether you’ve been here since Season One or are just joining us now, this community wouldn’t be the same wi...

As the year comes to a close, this final episode of the year is all about reflection and gratitude. I want to thank each and every one of you for being part of this journey, for tuning in, sharing, and helping to build this incredible community. This podcast is more than a platform—it’s a space where we connect, support one another, and grow together.

In this episode, I reflect on the topics we’ve explored this year, from wellness ...

In this episode, I’m sharing an unforgettable experience from a recent roundtable discussion where I had the honor of sitting alongside some of the most inspiring educators in the early childhood field. This was a conversation that we, as educators, don’t always get the chance to have—one that focuses on us.

We talked about the real challenges we face every day and the powerful ways we can support ourselves and each other. From sel...

In this episode, I’m sharing an unforgettable experience from a recent roundtable discussion where I had the honor of sitting alongside some of the most inspiring educators in the early childhood field. This was a conversation that we, as educators, don’t always get the chance to have—one that focuses on us.

We talked about the real challenges we face every day and the powerful ways we can support ourselves and each other. From sel...

In this episode, I’m sharing an unforgettable experience from a recent roundtable discussion where I had the honor of sitting alongside some of the most inspiring educators in the early childhood field. This was a conversation that we, as educators, don’t always get the chance to have—one that focuses on us.

We talked about the real challenges we face every day and the powerful ways we can support ourselves and each other. From sel...

In this week’s episode of Ispyr to Educate, we’re joined by Jamee Herbert, CEO and co-founder of BridgeCare, a company revolutionizing early childhood education (ECE) through technology and advocacy. Jamee has dedicated her career to making high-quality childcare accessible and equitable for families, providers, and agencies across the U.S. With a focus on empathy-led technology, BridgeCare offers data-driven solutions that simplif...

In this episode, I’m sharing a recent professional learning experience with Dr. Andrew B. Campbell (Dr. ABC) that reignited my passion and reminded me why our wellness as educators is so essential. Dr. ABC’s words were powerful, emphasizing that our joy, energy, and growth as educators are worth protecting and prioritizing. I’m sharing the key takeaways that inspired me to continue advocating for educator wellness and to bring big ...