In today’s episode, we discuss a critical issue many schools are facing—how to help students and staff heal from trauma. Whether it's a safety event, severe weather like Hurricane Helene, or individual traumas, schools across the nation are navigating unprecedented challenges. To help students learn, we must first help them process what they've been through. As Lana Penley says, "In moments of crisis, we need to provide space for students and teachers to process what they've been through before diving back into academics."

I want to acknowledge those still in the midst of trauma, like those affected by ongoing flooding in North Carolina. We have to meet their immediate needs first, as we cannot move forward until people feel safe and supported. While my hometown of Camilla, Georgia, was spared from the worst of Hurricane Helene, I know many of you are still facing tremendous struggles, and my heart is with you.

In this episode, Lana Penley shares her powerful story of transformation. After her school burned down, she realized that test scores weren’t the primary goal—what truly mattered was creating a sense of community, connection, and healing. As her school focused on relationships, both with students and among the staff, they saw remarkable changes: teachers felt less burnout, students were more engaged, and yes, test scores went up. This episode is a resource for educators and principals who are hurting, who want to help their students, and who need to know that it’s okay to pause and heal before pushing forward.

Show notes, guest bio, and transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e865

Questions Answered in this Episode

• How do you help students and teachers heal after a traumatic event in a school community?
• What are the key steps to take in the aftermath of trauma, such as a hurricane or school safety event?
• How can schools create connection and community to create a safe learning environment?
• What practical strategies can teachers use to bring social-emotional learning into their classrooms?
• How can educators balance the need for academic progress with the emotional needs of students and staff?
• What lessons did Principal Lana Penley learn from her school burning down, and how did it change her approach to education?
• Why is it important to address the emotional needs of teachers as well as students in times of crisis?
• What role does mindfulness and stress reduction play in helping students and staff recover and thrive?

In today’s episode of The 10-Minute Teacher Podcast, we sit down with well-known educator and author George Couros to dive into his latest book, What Makes a Great Principal: The Five Pillars of Effective School Leadership.

With insights from educators, principals, and contributors from around the world, George discusses how great principals build strong relationships, encourage continuous learning, and create environments that elevate both teachers and students. (I also was able to contribute a chapter about my principal and we talk about that a little as well.)

• What makes a great principal?
• What are the five pillars of effective school leadership?
• How can principals build strong relationships with their staff and students?
• Why is servant leadership important in education?
• How do principals promote a collaborative school environment?
• What is the role of vision in school leadership, and how should it be developed?
• How can principals support teachers to help them grow and succeed?
• What characteristics do the best principals and teachers share?
• How can school leaders balance autonomy and accountability for their staff?
• How does a principal’s presence in the classroom impact school culture and teacher performance?

Whether you're a principal, teacher, or aspiring leader, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on how to lead with vision, purpose, and empathy whether you're leading a school or your classroom.

Sponsor: Mirrortalk.ai - Today's show is sponsored by MirrorTalk.AI by Swivl. This incredible verbal reflection tool for students uses AI to respond in a way that will help coach my students on the task at hand. Whether they are building websites or working on teams, the feedback helps me see where students are and coaches them to higher levels of performance. Go to coolcatteacher.com/mirrortalk now to sign up for your free, 60-day trial.

Show Notes and Full Transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e864

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✅ WHERE TO FIND ME

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Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

We want our students to be engaged and to want to learn. Particularly since the pandemic, many schools have struggled to engage learners. Today's episode shows us not only how we can creatively include play in our classrooms, no matter the age group or subject, but also why it's never too late to re-engage students.

Additionally, Dr. Nash shares fascinating data from a recent survey involving over 6,000 administrators, teachers, parents, and students that reveals the importance of student engagement and how play-based learning can drive meaningful educational experiences across all ages. Additionally, we learn how play-based learning can drive meaningful educational experiences across all ages.

Show Notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e863

Key Questions We Answer in the Show:

• How does play-based learning impact student engagement and educational outcomes?
• What does the latest research from LEGO Education tell us about current engagement levels in schools?
• How can teachers incorporate hands-on, playful learning even in older grade levels?
• What are some practical examples of how purposeful play can solve real-world classroom challenges?
• Why is fun important in education, and how can teachers strike a balance between fun and learning objectives?

Key Research Insights (go to LegoEducation.com to read the full report.)

• 35% of administrators report that students are disengaged in school, leading to issues like absenteeism and poor information retention.
• 83% of attendance rates are tied directly to hands-on, engaging learning experiences.
• 84% of surveyed educators believe that hands-on learning can improve test scores.
• Only 2 in 5 students report regularly experiencing play-based learning, despite strong support from both teachers and students for its benefits.

Show Sponsor: Hands-on learning through play is backed up by research. Please go to LEGOeducation.com to see the new report on classroom engagement. To support this method of teaching, check out the full range of hands-on learning experiences you can bring to your classroom with LEGO Education.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."