The Teachers Teaching Teachers Podcast

Ashley Vara is an accomplished educator with a passion for creating balanced and effective learning environments. With over a decade of experience in teaching, Ashley was awarded the prestigious ESL Teacher of the Year, highlighting her dedication to supporting English Language Learners and fostering inclusive classrooms. She played a pivotal role as an ELA partner at Mahaffey, a high-tech school where she expertly managed the demands of teaching while maintaining a strong work-life balance. 

Known for her time management skills and ability to leave work on time, Ashley has been a role model for many teachers striving to balance their professional and personal lives. Currently on a leave of absence to care for her child, Ashley continues to inspire educators with her practical advice on classroom management, time efficiency, and navigating maternity leave.

Callie Danielle is a former elementary school teacher known for transforming her classroom into a vibrant, student-centered space where everyone wants to be! With an eye for design and a knack for engaging students, Callie is turning classrooms around the country into a second home for both teachers and students. 

After teaching, Callie transitioned into entrepreneurship, where her passion for art and education flourished. Today, her classroom decorations can be found in stores like Target, spreading joy and positivity to teachers and students alike. Her unique blend of creativity and educational expertise has made her a go-to resource for teachers looking to bring personality and pop culture into their classrooms.

Instagram @shop.callie.danielle

Dr. Alissa Levy is an experienced educator with over 20 years in public education, working with students from Pre-K through 12th grade. She has held a wide range of roles, from substitute teacher to founding a public charter Montessori school. 

Dr. Levy holds degrees in English, Applied Mathematics, Cognitive Neuroscience, and a doctorate in K-12 Administration from USC.

She is passionate about helping students develop routines and habits that lead to success. Most recently, she authored Morning Routines for Productive Teens, a guide to building effective habits for students. Dr. Levy lives in New Haven, Connecticut, with her wife, two dogs, and seven cats.

You can find her book, Morning Routines for Productive Teens, on Amazon, and learn more about her work at www.AlissaLevyBooks.com 

Heather Bookstaver is a dedicated educator with over 33 years of teaching experience, currently working as a 4th-grade teacher in the same school district where she grew up. A second-generation teacher, Heather has a deep connection to her community, having taught 3rd grade for 25 years before transitioning to 4th grade. Known for her passion for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Heather has championed programs like the Positivity Project and Calm Classroom to help students regulate their emotions and build positive, supportive classroom communities. Despite facing personal challenges, including a cancer diagnosis during COVID, Heather continues to innovate her teaching approach, putting students' emotional well-being at the forefront. In addition to her teaching, she has served as a board member for the Illinois Literacy Foundation and is soon to be a proud grandmother. When she’s not in the classroom, Heather aspires to become a park ranger!

Jeannine Schneider is a veteran teacher with 20 years of experience teaching 3rd and 5th grades.

Passionate about creating engaging learning experiences, Jeannine is currently working towards her dyslexia specialist certification while balancing her time as a part-time classroom teacher, full-time student, and TPT creator.

She’s all about blending seasonal fun into everyday learning, and her Boo-grams are a perfect example of how to make classroom celebrations meaningful without adding extra stress. When she’s not teaching or studying, Jeannine loves coffee, beach walks, and finding new ways to make learning fun for her students.

You can find her Halloween activities here:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/think-grow-giggle/category-october-musts-1323425
IG: @thinkgrowgiggle

Lili Reyna is an exceptional bilingual educator known for her creativity and dedication to teaching English Language Learners (ELLs). With a career spanning decades, Lili has consistently demonstrated a passion for innovative teaching methods, particularly in math, where she seamlessly integrates technology and hands-on learning to engage her students. Her unique approach to education has not only made her a favorite among students but also earned her the prestigious title of Teacher of the Year.

Lili’s classroom is a place where creativity thrives, and where students are encouraged to think critically, take risks, and embrace challenges with confidence. Beyond her work with students, Lili is a collaborative colleague who has influenced and inspired fellow educators through her thoughtful lesson planning and dynamic teaching strategies. 

Melissa Campbell is a K-5 Math Specialist with the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI), based at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. With years of experience supporting educators and students, Melissa is passionate about helping others see themselves as mathematicians while fostering a love for learning. She specializes in coaching math coaches, providing professional development, and integrating cross-curricular strategies that connect math, science, and literacy.

When she’s not visiting classrooms or leading trainings, you can find Melissa surrounded by her favorite picture books or sharing her expertise on integrating math and reading in innovative ways.

Twitter @MelAGCampbell 
AMSTI's Twitter: @AMSTI4all 

Mikey Sivert is a 5th Grade teacher in Ohio. He has been teaching Upper Elementary grades for 19 years. His passion revolves around Social-Emotional Learning, and he works to make SEL accessible to teachers. He creates lesson plans and resources for the upper elementary classroom with a trauma-informed lens. He also plans and delivers professional development to educators in both SEL and Trauma-Informed Care. Mikey lives in Cleveland, Ohio with his amazing dog, Callahan. He’s an avid reader and is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Rachel Gurr is an educational consultant and coach with over 25 years of experience, dedicated to helping teachers create student-centered learning environments that foster growth, agility, and curiosity. Passionate about giving students a greater sense of agency and helping them creatively overcome challenges, Rachel has built a career around supporting educators in making the shift from traditional, teacher-centered methods to more autonomous, engaging classrooms. 

In addition to her work in education, Rachel is a business owner, a devoted wife of 25 years, and an enthusiastic vacation planner. She’s also the proud parent of a miniature schnauzer who has taken the place of her two adult children (for coping reasons). Rachel brings a wealth of experience, humor, and practical advice to every project she tackles, with a mission to spread the benefits of student-centered learning across the education world—one classroom at a time.

Instagram: @rachelwhatif

Shari Stewart is the Science Coordinator at Manzano Day School, where she’s been inspiring young scientists for over 20 years. With a background in environmental education and a passion for making science accessible to all, Shari has spent her career helping teachers bring science to life in their classrooms. She’s known for her innovative, hands-on approach that turns everyday materials into unforgettable learning experiences.

As a mom, dedicated educator, and lifelong science enthusiast, Shari’s mission is to ensure students keep their curiosity alive by making science an engaging and integral part of their lives. When she’s not leading science labs, you’ll find Shari crafting creative lessons for her pre-K through fifth-grade students or presenting at workshops on science education and curriculum integration.

Teresa Kwant is an experienced educator and creative teacher-author. She graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in elementary education and spent 5 years teaching 6th grade, where she discovered her passion for integrating technology into the classroom. 

Teresa holds a technology endorsement and has presented at three Teachers Pay Teachers conferences, sharing her expertise with educators from around the country. Now a full-time teacher-author and substitute teacher, Teresa is passionate about helping teachers make learning more fun, engaging, and intentional. 

With a knack for creativity, she’s on a mission to show educators how they can use Canva to transform their classrooms and save time in the process.

Follow her on Instagram and TikTok @teresakwant for more tips on using Canva in the classroom.

Tonya Dunn is the kind of teacher every student dreams of having. With over 25 years of experience in the classroom, she’s touched countless lives in the Houston area with her warmth, humor, and genuine love for teaching. Whether she was guiding new teachers as a mentor or sparking a love for reading and writing in her students, Tonya brought creativity, energy, and heart into everything she did.

Tonya's now busy exploring new hobbies and spending time with her family, but the impact she’s made as an educator continues to inspire everyone who was lucky enough to know her.