In this insightful episode of Brighter Together, host Janet Courtney talks with Jan Masterson, Leander ISD’s specialist in induction and mentoring, about why mentoring new teachers isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. Jan explains how strong mentorship builds confidence, nurtures collaboration, and creates a community where educators and students alike can thrive.

Together they dive into the real‑world challenges new teachers face, the power of relationships in education, and how celebrating growth — big and small — reshapes the narrative for both teachers and learners. From practical strategies for hard conversations to fostering teacher self‑efficacy, this episode brings lived experience and heart to the topic of supporting teachers in their most formative years.

Listeners will walk away with actionable ideas for building supportive structures, reframing progress, and strengthening the teaching community — because teaching truly is a team sport.

What if schools were built around kids instead of curriculum?

In this episode, Taylor Stanton, superintendent of the Museum School in San Diego, shares how individualized learning, arts integration, and project-based methods are reshaping what school can look like—especially for students who don’t fit into the ‘traditional’ mold. From managing a small charter school to championing every student’s unique voice, Taylor invites us to see education not as a system to maintain, but a community to co-create.

A must-listen for school leaders who believe empathy, flexibility, and innovation can work—because they already are.

What does a SELPA actually do — and why does it matter?

In this episode, Janet Courtney sits down with Marty Remmers, Director of the San Joaquin County SELPA, to explore the vital, behind-the-scenes work that powers inclusive education. From navigating policies across 11 diverse districts to building community trust, Marty shares what it means to lead a system that exists to serve others.

Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or parent, this episode reveals how SELPA supports not just students, but the entire ecosystem of education — with empathy, innovation, and a relentless focus on inclusion.

If you’ve ever wondered how the “invisible” side of special education truly works, this conversation is your guide.

What if schools were built to meet the future, not the past?

Gina Lynch, Director of Special Education at Palmdale Aerospace Academy, joins the Brighter Together Podcast to share how she’s creating learning environments that blend innovation with empathy. From inclusive practices in robotics competitions to fostering student voice through project-based learning, Gina shows what it means to truly prepare students for the real world.

She also opens up about the leadership challenges of charter systems, the importance of investing in staff, and why reimagining education isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity.

This episode is a must-listen for any educator or administrator ready to shift from “the way we’ve always done it” to something much bolder and better.

How do you prepare students for life after high school when the world wasn’t built with them in mind?

In this episode, Kari Radzik, Transition Coordinator at Mattawan Consolidated Schools, shares how her 18–21-year-old students are thriving through vocational training, community partnerships, and fiercely personalized support. From making hotel beds to handling customer service, these students are learning how to live and work with confidence.

Kari also opens up about the challenge of helping students advocate for themselves in a system that often underestimates them—and why success isn’t just about employment, but about having choices.

If you believe every student deserves a future they can be proud of, this episode is for you.

What if school looked nothing like what we’re used to?

In this inspiring episode, Superintendent Mark Odsather shares how Pleasant View Elementary School District has fully transformed traditional education into a vibrant, project-based learning environment. With open classrooms, integrated special education, and students as young as TK designing financial literacy projects, Pleasant View is proving that public schools can be places of innovation, equity, and joy.

Mark walks us through why soft skills matter more than test scores, how students are using AI to co-create their learning, and why social capital might be the most important thing we can teach.

Whether you’re a school leader, teacher, or parent, this conversation will challenge everything you thought education had to be—and offer a glimpse of what it could become.