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
17 episodes
"It’s a Grind, But I’m Also Doing What I Love” with Carson Letot
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 sh...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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51:37
Being “Agents of Our Future” with Rachel Davison Humphries
"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 fo...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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47:27
Searching for Teeth on the Playground with Neely Trull
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, i...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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44:03
Character Building and Snowball Fights with Rainier Lee
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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45:08
‘The Job I Never Knew I Always Wanted’ with Michele Banks
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 teach...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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40:52
Meant to Do This with Miya Hourani
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 o...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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1:06:58
Working Alongside Educators with Courtney Thompson
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 an...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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37:19
Finding the Thing that Lights You Up with Warry Bonney
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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47:13
'A Fire Inside Us’: Pioneering Technology in Education with RJ Bialk
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 fa...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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41:38
‘A Little Bit of Everything’: From Teacher to Principal with Dr. Alicia Abbey
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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33:09
Teaching in Your Zone of Genius with Rebecca Joyner
Join Rebecca Joyner, a former high school science teacher in South Carolina turned curriculum writer. Discover her journey from the classroom to creating It’s Not Rocket...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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37:04
Keeping Teaching Fresh and Relevant with Nathan Cohen
Dive into the world of education with Nathan Cohen, a seasoned 5th-grade teacher from Birmingham Public Schools in Michigan. With 24 years of experience, Nathan shares his journey, teaching strategies, and the joys and challenges of being an ed...
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Episode 6
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45:27
Teaching by Day, Real Estate by Night with Leigh Harris
How does a teacher who once hesitated to enter the profession find purpose, passion, and balance? In this episode, we sit down with Leigh Harris, a Third Grade Teacher at Mallard Creek STEM Academy in North Carolina, to discuss her unexpected j...
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Episode 5
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41:44
The Unexpected Path to Lifelong Teaching Career with Jason Piechowiak
Tune in as Jason Piechowiak shares his inspiring journey from a long-term substitute teacher in Ohio to a seasoned middle school educator in Northbrook School District 28 in the Chicago (IL) suburbs. With over 20 years of experience, Jason reco...
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Episode 4
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52:19
Traditional Teaching, Homeschooling, and Thriving on TPT with Lauren
Get inspired by this heartfelt conversation with Lauren as she shares her journey from aspiring teacher to successful educator and entrepreneur through Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT). She covers how her passion for teaching shaped her career, the ...
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Episode 3
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45:50
Tech, Teaching & Transitions: Shaping Future Innovators with Cara Gregory
How does someone go from the world of IT to leading a classroom? Meet Cara Gregory, Director of Technology and Computer Science Department Chair at The Linsly School in West Virginia, who made the leap from tech to teaching! In this episode, Ca...
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Episode 2
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52:18
17 Years of Real-Life Teaching Wisdom with Lucas Gaffey
Join us as Lucas Gaffey shares his 17-year journey teaching high school science and math in Seattle Public Schools. From his inspirations to his hilarious and heartfelt classroom stories, Lucas gives insights on what keeps him going, how he han...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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30:18