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Are you overwhelmed by the constant demands of teaching, wondering if you’ll ever feel balanced again? Do you feel like your identity as an educator has overshadowed the person you once were? Are you craving a way to rediscover your passion and purpose, not just in the classroom but in your life?
Welcome to Unlock Your Teaching Potential, your permission slip to hit the brakes, recharge, and reignite your joy for teaching and living.
I’m Dr. Jen Rafferty, a former music teacher, author, TEDX speaker, mom of 2, and founder of Empowered Educator. I’ve been where you are, navigating the burnout, the exhaustion, and the struggle to find time for yourself especially when life gets lifey. But I also know there’s another way, a path to thriving both as an educator and a human being.
This podcast is where we ditch the old ideas of what you “should” be doing and discover actionable steps to create a life you love. Each week, I’ll guide you through short, impactful episodes created to empower you with tangible tools to reclaim your energy, prioritize your well-being, and transform the way you show up for yourself, your students, and your family.
Together, we’ll rewrite the narrative of being in education from selfless superhero to becoming an empowered educator, one step at a time. Whether it’s embracing mindfulness, setting boundaries, or rediscovering what lights you up, you’ll leave each episode with strategies to help you lead a healthier, and more joyful life...which in turn will allow you to show up as your best self for your students and school communities.
If you’re ready to fuel your soul as an educator, this is the podcast for you!
So it’s time to recharge, refocus, and unlock your teaching potential! Our kids need you.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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Reclaiming Joy in Teaching: Rejecting Toxic Positivity and Embracing Emotional Literacy
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Apr 30, 2025 |
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Unmasking Perfectionism: The Hidden Link Between Stress and the Need to Be Perfect
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Apr 23, 2025 |
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Why Teachers Procrastinate: The Truth About Emotional Regulation and Resistance
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Apr 16, 2025 |
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When Colleagues Drain You: Emotional Boundaries for Educators Who Care
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Apr 09, 2025 |
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Teaching While Human: Permission to Breathe When Your Brain is Maxed Out
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Apr 02, 2025 |
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Worried About a Tough Conversation? Here’s How to Stay Calm and Confident
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Mar 26, 2025 |
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How to Stay Motivated as a Teacher When Everything Feels Uncertain
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Mar 19, 2025 |
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The Truth About Self-Care for Teachers And Why You Deserve It
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Mar 12, 2025 |
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Feeling Overwhelmed? How Teachers Can Manage Stress and Avoid Burnout
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Mar 05, 2025 |
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Welcome to Unlock Your Teaching Potential!
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Mar 02, 2025 |
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How to lead by example and inspire future generations through personal empowerment
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Mar 28, 2024 |
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Embracing failure as a path to success with Theresa MacPhail
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Mar 21, 2024 |
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How to enhance learning experiences and make meaningful connections by understanding neuroscience with Chantel Prat
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Mar 14, 2024 |
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The power of vulnerability in leadership. How to build a stronger team with Dr. Walter Polka and Dr. John McKenna
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Mar 07, 2024 |
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How to build safe spaces for effective communication in education and work with Dr. Teresa Peterson
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Feb 29, 2024 |
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How positive language in the classroom elevates learning and support systems with Shauna F. King
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Feb 22, 2024 |
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Need a more supportive work culture? How to build it through authentic connections with Sarah Noll Wilson
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Feb 15, 2024 |
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How to create a better work-life balance for dads in leadership roles with Larry Dake and Jeff Evener
|
Feb 08, 2024 |
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Overcoming health challenges: Discover how to listen and respond to your body with Crissy Florio
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Feb 01, 2024 |
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How to overcome teacher burnout? Tips for sustainable teaching career with Lily Jones
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Jan 25, 2024 |
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No time to eat well on busy work days? How mindful eating can help with Hannah McKitrick
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Jan 18, 2024 |
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How to develop your voice and deal with hard conversations for effective communication with Jennifer Abrams
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Jan 11, 2024 |
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Feeling tired as a teacher? Overcome burnout and spark your passion again with Taylor Nardone
|
Jan 04, 2024 |
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Transforming Education: Authentic Leadership and Systemic Change with Sarah Johnson
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Dec 28, 2023 |
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Empower every student and teacher: Tailoring education for neurodiversity with Dr. Matt Zakreski
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Dec 21, 2023 |
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How teachers advocate and ally for transgender rights in education with Flint Huffman
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Dec 14, 2023 |
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How the Feldenkrais Method remarkably transforms learning and wellness with Carol McAmis
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Dec 07, 2023 |
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Can storytelling revolutionize classroom learning? An inspiring talk with Michael Katz
|
Nov 30, 2023 |
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Seeking self-growth? How does overcoming personal challenges empower us with Jillian Seibel Pawlowski
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Nov 22, 2023 |
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Can Social-Emotional Learning unlock academic success and personal growth? With Dan Wolfe
|
Nov 16, 2023 |
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Why embracing your authentic self is the key to unlocking success and peace with Stacey McFarland
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Nov 09, 2023 |
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8 Steps to Tackle (and Triumph) Teacher Burnout with Amber Harper
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Nov 02, 2023 |
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Journey to compassionate parenting: A comprehensive guide to understanding and managing emotional triggers with Synthia Praglin
|
Oct 26, 2023 |
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Welcome to Season 3 of Take Notes with Jen Rafferty!
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Oct 23, 2023 |
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Feeling unappreciated in your profession? How to take ownership and create lasting impact as an educator with Stephanie Haynes
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Jul 20, 2023 |
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Can you navigate a breakup and excel at work simultaneously? How to thrive in your career amidst heartbreak with Tal Yardeni
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Jul 13, 2023 |
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Want to revolutionize your life? Embrace your inner child, let go of control, and elevate your thinking with Liz Svatek
|
Jul 06, 2023 |
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Is your subconscious holding you back? Explore hypnotherapy as a tool for overcoming limiting beliefs with Lauren Best
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Jun 29, 2023 |
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Revolutionizing education: The power of mindfulness and self-care for teachers with Dan Tricarico
|
Jun 22, 2023 |
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Do you prioritize health as an empowered educator? How to shift your health and wellness mindset by honoring your own well-being daily with Katie Raher
|
Jun 15, 2023 |
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Struggling to thrive in a neurotypical world? Understanding the unique challenges and triumphs of adults with ADHD with Shane Thrapp
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Jun 08, 2023 |
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Creating safe and inclusive spaces. Lessons from drag performers on overcoming adversity with love and acceptance with Gidget Galore and Ginger Minj
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Jun 01, 2023 |
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Struggling to keep your students engaged? Discover the keys to a classroom they'll love with Elijah Carbajal!
|
May 25, 2023 |
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The sober-ish revolution: Redefining your relationship with alcohol for a balanced life with Holly Krivokapich
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May 18, 2023 |
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Can you unlock your students' full potential? Uncover powerful insights for transforming your teaching approach with Brian Mendler
|
May 11, 2023 |
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Transforming education: Creating a generational change for our kids with the power of mindset with Veronica Sopher
|
May 04, 2023 |
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How to align your mind, body and soul by listening to your intuition and having a heart-centered approach to your career with Ben Yeh
|
Apr 27, 2023 |
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Plan your week: How time management can help you achieve a healthy work-life balance with Laura Vanderkam
|
Apr 20, 2023 |
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Radical vulnerability: How to embrace your collective identity as an empowered educator to create a classroom culture that has a safe space and celebrates every student with Dr. Nia Nunn
|
Apr 13, 2023 |
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Emotional inclusion: Understanding how adverse childhood experiences can create long-term toxic-stress and trauma with Renee Hettich
|
Apr 06, 2023 |
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Be an empowered educator: Encourage your students to reframe and adjust their perspective to inspire compassion towards others with Amy Dickinson
|
Mar 30, 2023 |
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Transforming mindset, knowledge and skills: How to build a bridge for students to achieve success through change in adult behavior with AJ Crabill
|
Mar 23, 2023 |
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Is stress causing your teacher burnout? How to start healing yourself from hormone issues and have a better quality of life with Dr. Beth Westie
|
Mar 16, 2023 |
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Bullying prevention: Cultivating communities to fight against bullying and building a better environment for our children with Dali Rivera
|
Mar 09, 2023 |
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Cultivating self-awareness: Pause, connect and celebrate through the reflective process with Selena Woodward
|
Mar 02, 2023 |
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Creating change: Understanding human giver syndrome and how you can unlock your true joy with Amelia Nagoski
|
Feb 23, 2023 |
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Effective leadership through growth conversations: learn, communicate and grow as an empowered educator with Darrin Peppard.
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Feb 16, 2023 |
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It’s time to prioritize yourself! Avoiding teacher burnout by building your routine from tiny habits with Julie DeLucca Collins
|
Feb 09, 2023 |
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Unlocking the inner work: How to become an empowered educator through self-regulation and awareness with Amanda Bolzau
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Feb 02, 2023 |
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Finding hope & healing when going through a divorce: Navigating divorce grief with Sharri Freedman
|
Jan 26, 2023 |
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Transform your life: Self-coaching tools to help you reconnect with your authentic self with Abi Mallick
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Jan 19, 2023 |
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What's the best way to avoid teacher burnout? Discover how to prioritize yourself and find joy in the journey. A conversation with Elizabeth Andreyevskiy
|
Jan 12, 2023 |
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Unlocking the potential of social emotional learning in the classroom: Becoming the change we want to see in our kids with Kevin Huntting
|
Jan 05, 2023 |
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Does health and nutrition feel like a roller coaster ride? Tips for teacher self care through a whole body approach with weight loss coach for teachers, Sonia Dhaliwal!
|
Dec 29, 2022 |
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How Sharon Costianes leverages teacher well-being to create safe and courageous spaces in schools through art and creativity
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Dec 22, 2022 |
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How does ADHD affect learning in the classroom? Practical strategies and resources for ADHD in the classroom with ADHD expert and parenting coach, Leslie Josel
|
Dec 15, 2022 |
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The whole brain approach to empower educators for ultimate teacher well-being with Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
|
Dec 08, 2022 |
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Can personal style help combat teacher burnout? The surprising healing power of the teacher wardrobe with fashion therapist Marisol Colette!
|
Dec 01, 2022 |
|
What does healthy conflict look like? How to hone your conflict management skills and have more productive conversations. A conversation with Rachel Teichberg.
|
Nov 24, 2022 |
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What makes a good teacher? Reconnecting with your purpose and intention through the story telling of Dr. Julie Schmidt Hasson
|
Nov 17, 2022 |
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How to recover from emotional trauma, rebuild your life, and thrive, with Nichole Myles
|
Nov 10, 2022 |
|
How do empowered teachers define success? How to be a multi passionate person and outside the box thinker and write your own rules. A conversation with Jenn Mercado.
|
Nov 03, 2022 |
|
How can you optimize your physical health and prioritize your well-being? How to reach your long term health goals using a holistic approach. A conversation with Dr. Otto Janke.
|
Oct 27, 2022 |
|
Why do you want to be a teacher? How to reconnect to your “why” and how to heal yourself of teacher burnout through art and play. A conversation with Ayesis Clay.
|
Oct 20, 2022 |
|
Is your sense of self worth tied up in achievement? How to make an impact in the classroom, and take a holistic approach to success and self care. A conversation with Tracy Litt.
|
Oct 13, 2022 |
|
Are you prioritizing your health as part of your self care routine? Why it’s important, and easier than you might think! A conversation with Rachel Freiman.
|
Oct 06, 2022 |
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Effective collaboration in education; Partnership in education between teachers and leadership. A conversation with Principal Sean Gaillard.
|
Sep 29, 2022 |
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What is the purpose of inclusive education? And, how to support marginalized populations in the classroom. A conversation with Eric Williamson.
|
Sep 22, 2022 |
|
Struggling with financial stress? You’re not alone! A conversation about financial stress and mental health with Financial Literacy Coach Diana Greshtchuk
|
Sep 15, 2022 |
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How do you go from sick and burned out at work to teaching emotional intelligence in the workplace for a living? A conversation with Rachel Teichberg.
|
Sep 08, 2022 |
|
Welcome to Season 2 of Take Notes with Jen Rafferty!
|
Sep 07, 2022 |
|
Leadership and Advocacy with NAfME president elect, Scott Sheehan
|
Apr 19, 2022 |
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Full STEAM Ahead - The BlairFinch Project
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Apr 12, 2022 |
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Reflecting on the Literature - Cultural Competence in the Music Room
|
Apr 05, 2022 |
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Teacher Feature - David Knott
|
Mar 29, 2022 |
|
Social Emotional Artistic Learning (SEAL) with Elizabeth Peterson
|
Jan 11, 2022 |
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Teacher Feature Renee Duncan
|
Sep 07, 2021 |
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Discover Your Musical DNA with Guy Michel, the Cello Assassin
|
Jul 20, 2021 |
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STEM to STEAM ~ Music & Space Rockets
|
Jul 06, 2021 |
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Diversity, Equity, Access, Inclusion and Belonging with Dr. Derrick Fox
|
Jun 22, 2021 |
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Learning Design & Cognitive Neuroscience with Lauren Waldman
|
Jun 15, 2021 |
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The Power of Play in Education with Dina Bolan
|
Jun 08, 2021 |
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Ethics in Music Education with Allison Russo
|
Jun 01, 2021 |
|
Teacher Feature Josh Emanuel
|
May 25, 2021 |
|
Learning and the Brain with Veerle Ponnet
|
May 18, 2021 |
|
Spotlight on the Give a Note Foundation
|
May 11, 2021 |
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Mind the Gap - Traditional and Non Traditional Music Education
|
May 04, 2021 |
|
Teacher Feature Theresa Hoover
|
Apr 27, 2021 |
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Innovation and Music Education with Lourenço Dias Amador
|
Apr 20, 2021 |
|
What's Your Why?
|
Apr 12, 2021 |