Teacher Appreciation Week: The Power of Connection

On this special Teacher Appreciation Week episode, we bring back a tight-knit crew of past Extraordinary Educators to share about the power of connection. We talk about why community matters, how cross-state connections fuel growth, and what it takes to find your people and keep showing up for them.

We dig into what connection really does for educator well-being and professional growth. "The Cousins," as they refer to themselves, share how their group chat becomes a safe place to decompress, celebrate wins, and trade practical ideas. We also talk about how strong professional networks can influence classroom practice and leadership moves. 

If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the work alone, this one is a reminder that teaching is not meant to be a solo sport. Listen, then share it with a colleague who needs encouragement! 

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Transcript

Welcome To Extraordinary Educators

SPEAKER_05 0:01

Curriculum Associates, an education technology company and the makers of iReady, presents the Extraordinary Educators Podcast. Join host Haley Browning to hear tips, best practices, and successes to improve your teaching and leadership and drive student growth and learning. We believe all educators are extraordinary and we are here to support you. Hi everyone, welcome to today's episode of the Extraordinary Educators Podcast. Today I am joined by some incredible previous extraordinary educators. And this in and of itself is a special episode, knowing that we have these incredible educators here in one space. But along with that, we wanted to bring them all together to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. So, with that, before we go ahead and dive into our questions, I wanted to give all of these extraordinary educators a chance to introduce themselves. So, Christy, let's go ahead and start off with you. Could you tell us your name and along with that, your current role and where you're located?

SPEAKER_04 1:03

Hi, I'm Christy Washington. I teach fifth grade math in Hogginsville, Georgia.

SPEAKER_01 1:10

I am Daan Jett. I'm the associate director of the Yale Teaching Fellowship in New Haven, Connecticut.

SPEAKER_02 1:15

I am Calicia Boyd and I teach fourth grade ELA in Gwinnett County Public Schools at Harbins Elementary.

SPEAKER_00 1:26

Hey everybody, my name is Kier Butts. I work in Baltimore City as a sixth grade ELA teacher.

SPEAKER_03 1:34

Hi, I'm Tamar Polonese. I teach fourth grade math in Washington, DC.

How The Crew First Clicked

SPEAKER_05 1:40

Hi, everyone. It's so good to have you all in one space. Um, prior to us actually starting this recording, we had just a wonderful reunion. Um, so it's really wonderful to have everybody in this one Zoom call for our recording today. For context, this crew has actually been in communication since our Extraordinary Educator Summit back in 2024, and they have their own group chat. Um, so we're really excited to kind of bring this group chat to life today. Now, with that, wanted to give you all a chance to talk about how you met and how you've continued to stay connected. I know I mentioned the group chat, but want you to kind of take that and run with it. Tell me more about how you connected and have continued to stay connected over the past couple of years.

SPEAKER_01 2:29

Well, of course, me being me, I was on time to the first event. One of the cousins was not. Uh, but we won't, and so that's how she ended up at our same. But Christy and I walked in at the same time. And I forgot we were trying to figure out our type what we wanted to, what we were like, am I a snarg on our like extraordinary educator badge? I think we laughed and we walked in together, knew no one in the room, and after laughing, we were like, let's sit together. And then we ran into Kier. And is that the cheese? Did you bring the prop? That people that part of the thing was really nice. And we sat together and became the cousins, and we bonded over an entire day, which ended up with karaoke and dinner and lots of laughs and singing, and yeah. And now we are officially the cousins.

SPEAKER_03 3:26

Yeah. Um, I think it was very powerful the way we united. Just I walked in late. I was probably like 45 minutes late. Um, I was brought up.

SPEAKER_01 3:36

Well, she was the first one in Boston.

SPEAKER_03 3:40

Travel is hard. But um, I think just the rich conversation that we were having and how we were just bouncing off of each other and able to just it was just so organic. And I think that's why we were able to just continue to live that out throughout our time uh at the summit. So it was it was really amazing.

The Cheese Prop And Summit Memories

SPEAKER_05 4:02

I love that. It's organic, feels from what I experienced. I I had the pleasure for all of our listeners of sitting at the table with this group. I actually don't even know if you guys remember that, but I was sitting at your table at one point. Um and it was truly organic. Like as soon as they all sat down and actually, you know, very casually started talking, it was like an incredible connection just kind of came to life so seamlessly. And it was really truly a pleasure to be able to experience it and see your connection um come to fruition. I am curious before we dive into the next question. Our listeners are probably wondering, what are you referencing when you're talking about the cheese? So could somebody speak to the cheese? I know, Kier, you have the cheese in front of you, but what is what are we talking about here when we're talking about the cheese?

SPEAKER_00 5:02

I actually really forget if there was like a larger metaphor. I just know that there were a lot of props. I also know that we had a really tricky time coming up with like the team name for sure. Coming up with the cousins was super easy, but like what sort of like CA or like iRetty character we really wanted to embody, that was probably a lengthier debate. We we definitely had some opinions for sure, uh, as like what the family flavor was, but I'm not gonna lie, I'm gonna need somebody to help me jump in with the cheese because I'm so caught up on karaoke and the duckboat ride that I was the cheese.

SPEAKER_01 5:40

Remember that was the one where they were like you were like going through the different paths, and the cheese was like, what's your cheese, right?

SPEAKER_03 5:47

Yeah, yeah. I think the speaker came in and spoke. Okay.

SPEAKER_01 5:53

Oh, okay. We were so busy trying to get all the uh all the IRED character things in our bags before anybody goes.

SPEAKER_00 6:03

We were definitely collecting swag for sure. Yes, like I'm looking actually on my desk, I'm staring at the like CA keychain also. Oh, we're trying to grab a couple yes. Yes, yes, and like the like put together like fidget props, right? Like, I probably took five boxes because those were gonna be gifts to kids when they did something really good in class.

SPEAKER_01 6:32

Oh, I should have worn my Plury tie.

SPEAKER_00 6:34

Right, you know what? The CA bag though was super nice, right? The uh Beach Breakman that was awesome. You know what's really great though is if you go back and if you look at our pictures, you know, when they greeted us with the employees and we were coming in, I think, to dinner that first night. Our candids coming down the walk was really fun. It's so great to go back and look at those photos. And us with our blazers, I think our table was probably the most extra with modeling these blazers when we put them on.

unknown 7:07

For sure.

SPEAKER_01 7:08

We definitely were those that can't when we walked in for dinner. I was definitely about to turn around because I was like, there's no way this is for us. Like, I was like, I'm a thousand percent like uh come back here. Yes, what is going on? Yeah, right.

SPEAKER_00 7:23

But then people tried to like sneak around it so that they could avoid the clapping.

SPEAKER_02 7:28

Was that you clearly? Yes, that was me.

SPEAKER_00 7:32

I'm like some one of us did, a thousand percent. You know what's funny is people wanted to photobomb us too, because they saw that we were so tight. You remember like some non-cousins, and now like somebody like twice removed was like, I want to jump in the family pick. Yes.

SPEAKER_05 7:48

I will say that does say a lot about the connection that you all have made, truly. The the fact that you were excited to show off your blazers and get those pictures together. That you had only met what two hours before? And it was already just blossoming, and you it was seamless for all of you.

SPEAKER_03 8:12

I think the beauty is we all bring like a certain zest to the table. So, like with all of our personalities together, it was just like the perfect conglomerate of like perfectness, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:27

But it's true though, right? I think like if you go back and look at the group chat, like there's your normal teacher after hours, right? Like a group of people that you can vent to uh about things that are going on. And I don't think that we ever take our venting as like, oh, so-and-so doesn't like the profession. I think it's because, you know, truly we're so extraordinary that you get to a point in the game where like we have a right to be upset when things aren't going our way because we're at the top of our game, at the top of our field. So, you know, when we go to the group chat, you know, to like vent, again, like I'm thinking about I know cousin Christy, you know, is like doing a Kurkovi post, but like really the great ones truly have a right to be agitated, and it's because they're so passionate that you see them kind of like that, right? You know, it's like they're so passionate about the game, and it doesn't matter what sport it is. I think teachers are the same way, and I think that that's what we have in this chat. Exactly, right? Like, we're so good at what we do when things don't go well, or when we don't reach that kid, or when we see the system not being great, we come back to the other ones because you're like, I can't just talk to any teacher about this. I have to talk to A, my family, and B someone who's extraordinary.

How The Group Chat Helps

SPEAKER_05 9:46

We'll see. That all is really, really wonderful. And thank you so much for sharing. And as I said, that really does show the power of your connection. But I'm curious if you could talk a little bit more. You hinted at it a little bit. How has this connection made an impact on you, whether that be professionally, personally, or maybe with your students? Um, how has this group, the cousins, or even just the extraordinary educators in general, really made an impact on you?

SPEAKER_01 10:19

I think it's given us another resource to tap into at any given point, right? So if you're faced with some frustration, you can tap into this group. If you are looking for another creative idea, and and to add to that, like we're all in different roles. And so we come with a different set of resources with us. And so I think for me with this group, it's been nice to tap into like different things I could do when I was in the classroom, when I went into a cultural and then this role, like the different things that I could add into my my role as far as the extraordinary educators, aside from the cousins, we have some distant relatives that I do communicate with and like have on social media. And so it's also nice to see their growth, but also see like like now they're an added resource. Like I just saw today Jennifer Jackson is now the assistant superintendent. Um, she just got promoted to that. So like now I know I have a resource when I'm presented with some challenges of like, hey, Jennifer, like, and here and there will like chat, or you know what I mean? So I think that's that's the benefit to that. Like we've all grown, but now we have we have some resource where we could tap in, like, hey, I'm dealing with this. Do you what's your take on it? Or how can I navigate this?

SPEAKER_05 11:34

Oh, I love that. Does anybody else have have an addition?

SPEAKER_04 11:38

I tap into the family for joy. They truly bring me so much happiness. When something goes well, I want to share it with them because I know they're gonna be my biggest cheerleaders, and I love cheering them on. Seeing uh Mr. Jet doing all his fabulous things at Yale. I mean, just seeing everybody grow it's just been amazing. And just the day-to-day, everyday things that we celebrate, kids' sports, I mean, just all the fun things we're there for each other.

SPEAKER_03 12:05

Yeah, I would like to just build on the idea of you guys keep me grounded, like to know that we're not all in the same place and everybody's in their own location, but even in the midst of it, like I know when Jack goes on vacation, and I know when Kier is uh, you know, out in the wild, and I know when cousin Christy is with the boys playing basketball. So, like being able to like zoom in to know that we're educators, yes, but we're also humans, it it's it's a grounding feeling for me, just to remind me, like, hey, it's okay. We're we're we're in this together. And I think that's that's that's beautiful.

SPEAKER_01 12:43

Even having when uh cousin Crelicia moved, it was like she let us know she was like, I think I'm considering going here.

SPEAKER_02 12:48

It was like, okay, come on now, growth. Come on, move. Right. And I just love this this group because it's so easy to share with them and to know that I can celebrate with them and they can celebrate with me, the wins, the losses, and well, you don't celebrate the losses, but still just to have a group of people that we love each other like we really do, and we care for one another, and to get that support is is just amazing.

SPEAKER_05 13:24

I have goosebumps, not even joking. That I feel like that truly embodies what we want to provide with the Extraordinary Educator program. The fact that you have this connection and it wasn't like a one and done, I think speaks wonders to yes, the program, but also to you. Like you you're still putting in the work of making sure people, making sure the cousins are up to speed, checking in on your distant relatives, um, whether that be through social media or emails, but you see the power and the potential impact of having and strengthening those connections. Um, so applause and shout out to you all for maintaining and kind of fostering the love and appreciation for each other. That that says a lot about you as human beings, you you as educators. Um, and clearly you are extraordinary educators for a reason. So thank you. We appreciate you.

SPEAKER_03 14:33

And even just shouting out this opportunity to come back together here and just talking and seeing faces, like it's one thing to be in a group chat and like, oh, drop a picture, but this is like live right now. Like everybody took a second from their day to revisit. This is a this is it's filling me up, it's filling my cup. I had a long day, but my cup is currently being filled.

Is Connection Required For Growth

SPEAKER_05 14:55

Oh, I'm so glad that we can help fill your cup. I'm curious, do you believe that connecting with other teachers or potentially leaders is really necessary for professional growth? Do you think it's maybe more of a privilege? Or do you think that this is something that like teachers really need in order to move forward in their professions? And why?

SPEAKER_00 15:24

Listen, I really loved it. I I will say, and definitely cousin Christy can kind of vouch. I I don't when I go to a conference, I definitely kind of like stick to myself. I'm very introverted at first. When I first get to a conference, I'm definitely reserved. I want to take everything in. So to find a group of like-minded but also just like-spirited, I think that sometimes all of us, right, in this group, have heard a principal say, you're different, or like, man, I wish I could duplicate you. And it's just really tricky because like there are a lot of really good teachers out there, but like there's a reason why the cohort is the cohort size that it is, because you are at the top that you know, and you were selected for a reason. Like, there's good, and every kid deserves a good teacher, they deserve great. We happen to be extraordinary, and it's no knock to anybody else. The professional community that's been cultivated because of CA is helpful. I mean, I haven't been part of another like organization, whatever, that was like, hey, let's get these educators in and let's literally sit down and listen to them in a focus group and then go back and design our program so that it is truly effective for kids. So, like, my kids are using iReady Pro now, and then I think more is to come. And I'm like in a leadership meeting with my school saying, I learned this thing. This is what my colleagues in different spaces are saying, who also maybe are teaching uh maybe students of various SEL uh SES levels, and their fluency is not the best. And now I learn that iReady Pro has this thing. So it's just really great that not only did CA foster that, but now my professional growth is going is increasing because I'm learning more about a program that's gonna help my kids. I just don't know too many programs that are like, let's open up the hood.

SPEAKER_03 17:16

Having that support system um to just know that you're not alone. I think a lot of like being in your classroom and data and the constant motion of the day, just constantly moving and constantly flowing, to know that you can have an educator to say, Hey, I need to decompress, or hey, how did your students do today? Or what are your kids doing in third grade? And how are we seeing this? And just having that support system, just to be able to bounce ideas off and to be a soundboard. I think it's just also important, one, to your own growth as an educator, but two, just to know you're not alone. I think that that was vital for me where I was to now, where I am.

SPEAKER_00 17:58

But also, like I think people, sorry, just also people in different spaces really really matters, right? Like if this is right, like during teacher appreciation week, I think a lot of us are like, we shouldn't just wait for the week, obviously, to like appreciate teachers, but teachers also shouldn't wait for the gathering or wait for the conference or wait for the event. You know what I mean? To like start a PLC is your team, right? A PLC is like teachers in the same content across the district, it's the cousins right here, right? Like we might not all teach the same group, uh, you know, the group or the content, but like we can really learn from each other because at the end of the day, teaching as an art as a sport, those fundamental moves really still matter.

SPEAKER_05 18:42

Chrissy, uh was there anything you wanted to add?

SPEAKER_04 18:45

I was just gonna say, just like with anything, it's possible to do it alone, but it's not ideal. Yes, you can grow professionally alone, but you're not gonna grow as much as you can when you work with others.

Advice For Finding Your People

SPEAKER_05 18:58

Yeah. And I I will say one thing that I I did not mention earlier that I think is really special about this crew, and you've hinted at it, but you you're across state lines. Like this is something that is fostered across the US, basically. And the fact that you're able to lean on other educators in other spaces, I think is really, really powerful. Um, and just important to your professional growth and your well-being. And again, just sharing appreciation for each other really is a crucial piece to teaching, whether that be like uh, you know, sending a hey, it's a happ uh it's Friday, thinking of you guys. Um, or you know, uh just a coffee for your teammate as you're walking in after a long week. Like it's small things like that that really add up in the world of education. Um, and the fact that you all are rooting for each other just consistently across the board, it says wonders about you. So again, applause for all of you. While we are starting to wrap up, I do have one more question, especially for our listeners. What advice does this crew have for other teachers, other leaders who may be looking to kind of grow or strengthen their professional connections? What should they be doing? What maybe changes can they make in their day-to-day? Or do you have any recommendations to really foster and strengthen professional connections for our listeners?

SPEAKER_02 20:42

I I think that if you are just being, if you are just being yourself, that you will make those connections because we all brought something different to the table. Each one of our personalities is different. You know, we have introverted introverts and extroverts, and me, um like I was just like someone else in the group. I am not the most talkative person when I meet a new group of people, but this group, they're just like instant family, and we all talk to each other, and it was just great. But I think if you just bring yourself and be yourself with others, that connection is gonna be genuine, just like this group.

SPEAKER_03 21:30

Yeah, I think I'll be back and say, sorry, Jack. Um I think it's important to find your tribe. Like find your people that you know will be there for you, support you, uplift you in the moments of happiness and in the moments of like you know, struggle, struggle happens. Um even if you need a listening ear, even if you don't, find your people. And and through that, I think that's just an opportunity for you to self-reflect, but also know like this isn't the end. There's there's more to come.

SPEAKER_01 22:12

Because cousin Christy and I had bonded at that take the check-in table, I knew okay, I could sit next to her, right? But I think being open to just having and you had already been with Kier. So like you were so you brought in another person, you know what I mean? So I just was, I I'm typically not, but I think just for any any advice as far as like learning, if we had sat at the table and not held a single conversation with each other, we wouldn't be here now. Like we were just strictly there for the conference and or the summit and just doing that, there wouldn't be the cousins. But I think we were all willing and open to having dialogue.

SPEAKER_04 22:45

I think um that just proved I am the grandmother of the family. I gathered everybody together and I'm the little old one that can't hang with them. But um, I kind of want to go back to what you were talking about um being yourself. I think maybe because we weren't tied to a school or anything like that, we were able to be a little more vulnerable. You know, sometimes it can be competitive when you're with a group of teachers, you want to have the best idea, or your data needs to outshine somebody else's. So we were able to let all those um walls down and just be ourselves and be there to support, learn from each other, and just really just be genuine, I think, is what really formed those lasting bonds.

Team Snarg And Closing

SPEAKER_05 23:36

All right, I have one last question as we start really wrapping things up here. Are you Plury, you, or snarg? Snark. Okay, Christy snarg. Snark.

SPEAKER_04 23:53

We're all snark.

SPEAKER_05 23:55

Okay, everybody snarg.

SPEAKER_00 23:56

Yeah, Team Snark.

SPEAKER_04 23:57

I also uh okay.

SPEAKER_05 24:05

I like to think so if I if I'm welcome to be Team Snark.

SPEAKER_00 24:10

Come on over.

SPEAKER_03 24:12

Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 24:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 24:15

All right. Well, we're gonna go ahead and wrap up for today. To our listeners, we just want to go ahead and remind you all we appreciate you and wish you an incredible teacher appreciation week. Um, with that, we hope you all have a wonderful rest of your day. Thank you. Get inspired by following us on social, and please tag us in your posts on X at Curriculum Association and on Instagram at my iReady. If you have feedback about the podcast, a topic of interest, or want to be a guest, email extraordinaryeducators at cainc.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And if you'd like to help more educators like you join the conversation, please leave us a review. Remember, be you, be true, be extraordinary. The Extraordinary Educators Podcast is produced by Curriculum Associates. Curriculum Associates believes that with the right supports, all children can reach grade level. We provide evidence-based high-quality instructional materials and world class implementation services to classrooms across the United States. Editing completed by Shane Lowe, social media by Attsady Hannon, guestbooking and production by Haley Browning. This podcast is Copyrighted Materials and Intellectual Property of Curriculum Associates.