Spotlight 4 Success | "Baby Steps to Big Confidence" | ISTE +ASCD 2025

8/20/2025

Discovering the heart of education through the eyes of a seasoned teacher turned instructional coach—that's what awaits you in this enlightening conversation with Amber DiSilvio from Northeast Elementary School in Clarksville, Tennessee. Website: spotlight4success.com

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Spotlight 4 Success | "From Basement to Breakthrough" | ISTE + ASCD 2025

8/20/2025

A chance encounter on a train to Delhi changed everything for Manpreet Kaur. When a fellow passenger asked why she wasn't pursuing her dream of creating an educational platform for children, she made the bold decision to quit her job and return to her small hometown in Punjab, India. That decisive moment in 2017 sparked the creation of The Learner's Pathway, a comprehensive literacy program that's now thriving in Edmonton with over 30 students. Website: spotlight4success.com

Spotlight 4 Success | "Meeting Students Where They Are" | ISTE + ASCD 2025

8/19/2025

What happens when passionate educators break free from traditional systems to create the schools they've always envisioned? Terra Gallagher's journey from frustrated parent and teacher to founder of the thriving Field of Vision Academy in Arizona reveals the transformative power of educational innovation. Website: spotlight4success.com

Spotlight 4 Success | "Stuffed Animals to Silicon Valley" | ISTE + ASCD 2025

8/19/2025

What happens when a dedicated classroom teacher decides to expand her impact through educational technology? Stephanie Ranieri's story offers a compelling glimpse into the evolving landscape of education careers and the diverse paths educators can take to influence learning. Website: spotlight4success.com

Spotlight 4 Success | "Small Groups, Big Impact" | ISTE + ASCD 2025

8/18/2025

Born to teach. That's the phrase that comes to mind when listening to Tanara Livingston's remarkable story. Speaking from the bustling ASCD, ISTE conference in San Antonio, this Title I facilitator from Mobile County Training Middle School reveals she began her teaching career at just ten years old—running a paid tutoring program for younger children in her neighborhood. Fourteen years into her professional teaching career, that same entrepreneurial spirit and natural aptitude for education continues to define her approach. Website: spotlight4success.com

Spotlight 4 Success | "Teaching Tech and Podcasting with Richard Curtis" | ISTE + ASCD 2025

8/18/2025

Meet Richard Curtis, a passionate educator who transformed his background in news and radio broadcasting into a 15-year teaching career at Lancaster High School. In this enlightening conversation, Richard shares how his industry experience perfectly positioned him to teach digital media and emerging technologies to today's students. Website: spotlight4success.com

Spotlight 4 Success | "The Continuous Learning Mindset" | ISTE + ASCD 2025

8/14/2025

What keeps teachers motivated when the days get long? How does teacher enthusiasm directly impact student engagement? These questions take center stage as we sit down with Caitlin Alonso, a passionate educator from St. John Birchman School in the San Antonio Archdiocese. Website: spotlight4success.com

Spotlight 4 Success | "When Students Become Teachers" | ISTE + ASCD 2025

8/14/2025

What happens when a journalism major unexpectedly finds herself in the classroom? Julie Ortiz's teaching journey proves that sometimes the most rewarding careers find us rather than the other way around. Speaking from the ASCD-ISTE conference in San Antonio, Julie shares how education "wasn't even in my top ten" career choices before becoming her passionate profession for over two decades. Website: spotlight4success.com

Spotlight 4 Success | Breaking Barriers at AIDB | AETC 2025

7/29/2025

Family legacy meets professional mission in this heartfelt conversation with Marian Wilson, MIS Coordinator at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB). Recording from the Alabama Educational Technology Conference in Mobile, we explore the unique intersection of personal connection and educational technology that has shaped Wilson's remarkable 24-year career. Spotlight 4 Success: https://www.spotlight4success.com/

Spotlight 4 Success | "How Sheberia Wolfe Does It All" | AETC 2025

7/28/2025

What does it take to earn two degrees simultaneously while teaching full-time? Sheberia Wolfe knows exactly what it requires: "late nights and early mornings" and the willingness to "sacrifice for what you love." Website: https://spotlight4success.com

Spotlight 4 Success | Excellence Happens When Schools Find the Right Tools | AETC 2025

7/10/2025

Discovering what truly works in education is invaluable for educators seeking to improve student outcomes. In this enlightening conversation with Tiffany Harris, Title I Coordinator at Scarborough Model Middle School in Mobile County, Alabama, we uncover a remarkable success story of educational transformation through strategic resource implementation. Website: spotlight4success.com

Spotlight 4 Success | Tech Evolution in the Classroom | AETC 2025

7/9/2025

What happens when a teacher transitions from having zero technology to making it their entire curriculum? Nikki Barnickel shares her remarkable 20-year journey through the educational landscape, revealing powerful insights about what truly matters in the classroom. Website: spotlight4success.com

Spotlight 4 Success | Turning Old Tech into New Opportunities | AETC 2025

7/9/2025

Ever wondered what happens to all those outdated iPads and MacBooks stacked in school storage rooms? Shayna Winstead reveals the surprising answer that's putting money back into education. Website: spotlight4success.com

Spotlight 4 Success | Connecting Through Technology | AETC 2025

7/9/2025

Ever wondered how technology bridges the silence for those who cannot speak? Melissa Pouncey takes us on a fascinating journey through the world of communication technology that's transforming lives every day. Recorded at the Alabama Educational Technology Conference, this episode introduces us to Melissa's work with PRC Saltillo, a company developing breakthrough solutions for nonverbal and minimally verbal individuals. With 15 years of experience as a speech therapist, Melissa shares powerful insights into the profound impact these technologies have: "If you spend your life as someone who can't communicate with others, you can't connect, and giving someone that technology develops these really cool connections in someone's life." Website: spotlight4success.com

Spotlight 4 Success | "Fashion Degree to Federal Funds" | AFP

6/4/2025

The unexpected paths that lead us to educational service often reveal themselves in surprising ways. Meet Mia Phillips, whose journey from fashion merchandising and business to becoming the Federal Programs Bookkeeper Director for Florence City Schools demonstrates how diverse backgrounds strengthen our education system. Speaking from the Federal Programs Conference in Montgomery, Mia shares valuable insights into how school districts are adapting to the post-ESSER funding landscape. Spotlight 4 Success: https://www.spotlight4success.com/

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