Sustainable Teaching with Rae Hughart

Teaching shouldn't break you.This Friday, we're kicking off Season 1 of Sustainable Teaching with Rae Hughart - five back-to-back episodes streaming live starting at 5am ET.You'll hear real conversations with real educators about what it actually looks like to do this work without burning out. No toxic positivity. No hustle culture. Just honest strategies from people who are still in it.What to expect:1 kickoff episode setting the tone for the season4 interviews with educators who get itPractical takeaways you can use Monday morningNew episodes drop every Friday after launch — one per week across Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.Grab your coffee. Pull up a chair. Let's build something sustainable together.🔗 Learn more at TeachersDeserveIt.com

Teaching shouldn't break you.This Friday, we're kicking off Season 1 of Sustainable Teaching with Rae Hughart — five back-to-back episodes streaming live starting at 5am ET.You'll hear real conversations with real educators about what it actually looks like to do this work without burning out. No toxic positivity. No hustle culture. Just honest strategies from people who are still in it.What to expect:1 kickoff episode setting the tone for the season4 interviews with educators who get itPractical takeaways you can use Monday morningNew episodes drop every Friday after launch — one per week across Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.Grab your coffee. Pull up a chair. Let's build something sustainable together.🔗 Learn more at TeachersDeserveIt.com

Teaching shouldn't break you.This Friday, we're kicking off Season 1 of Sustainable Teaching with Rae Hughart — five back-to-back episodes streaming live starting at 5am ET.You'll hear real conversations with real educators about what it actually looks like to do this work without burning out. No toxic positivity. No hustle culture. Just honest strategies from people who are still in it.What to expect:1 kickoff episode setting the tone for the season4 interviews with educators who get itPractical takeaways you can use Monday morningNew episodes drop every Friday after launch — one per week across Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.Grab your coffee. Pull up a chair. Let's build something sustainable together.🔗 Learn more at TeachersDeserveIt.com

Teaching shouldn't break you.This Friday, we're kicking off Season 1 of Sustainable Teaching with Rae Hughart — five back-to-back episodes streaming live starting at 5am ET.You'll hear real conversations with real educators about what it actually looks like to do this work without burning out. No toxic positivity. No hustle culture. Just honest strategies from people who are still in it.What to expect:1 kickoff episode setting the tone for the season4 interviews with educators who get itPractical takeaways you can use Monday morningNew episodes drop every Friday after launch — one per week across Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.Grab your coffee. Pull up a chair. Let's build something sustainable together.🔗 Learn more at TeachersDeserveIt.com

Teaching shouldn't break you.This Friday, we're kicking off Season 1 of Sustainable Teaching with Rae Hughart — five back-to-back episodes streaming live starting at 5am ET.You'll hear real conversations with real educators about what it actually looks like to do this work without burning out. No toxic positivity. No hustle culture. Just honest strategies from people who are still in it.What to expect:1 kickoff episode setting the tone for the season4 interviews with educators who get itPractical takeaways you can use Monday morningNew episodes drop every Friday after launch — one per week across Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.Grab your coffee. Pull up a chair. Let's build something sustainable together.🔗 Learn more at TeachersDeserveIt.com

Your school's designation just dropped—now what? This week, Rae delivers a full action plan to move from data point to success story, and introduces the new community tackling the exhaustion that comes with systemic pressure.Rae tackles the urgency of school designations, revealing the truth: real growth lives in the consistency across your whole building (paras, specialists, behavior, and culture).In this episode, get your immediate strategy session:The Designation Solution: How to identify the overlooked growth indicator that drives subgroup success and build a fully funded improvement plan (no new budget required).The New TDI Learning Hub: A sneak peek at the high-impact courses coming by the end of 2025, including Boundaries Without Backlash and Calm Classrooms, Not Chaos.The Mindset Shift: An invitation to Rae's new Substack community, the space for real talk that gives you tools over toxic positivity. Stop settling for wellness tips when you need a working template.---Solve the Designation Challenge: Secure your spot for the FREE live session, "Your Designation Isn’t Your Destiny," this Thursday, November 13th!Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecg1kirw8wPNubReWBaOaNJ_MQzO1EA57-cre1PNR8hVtfHA/viewform?usp=dialogJoin the Movement: Subscribe to the new space for real talk and immediate strategies.https://raehughart.substack.com/Your Next Steps (Links in Show Notes):

This is your invitation to the real conversation.Rae Hughart is taking a pause from traditional PD to build a new space on Substack—a community for real talk about what's broken in education and actionable solutions for what actually works.If you're tired of inspirational quotes when you need a template, or self-care advice when you need systemic change, this is for you.In this special announcement, Rae shares:Why over 1,000 educators joined in the first three weeks for content without the "brand filter."The publishing schedule: Real talk, ready-to-use tools, and community wins every week (all free to subscribe).Details on the TDI Vault, the paid-tier resource library packed with downloadable templates, scripts, and frameworks.The 20 Email Scripts for Setting Boundaries—your copy/paste solution for late-night emails and admin requests.How to secure your spot as a Founding Member before the price increases.This is a movement to give teachers the capacity, confidence, and care they actually deserve.Join the conversation and find the tools you need: https://raehughart.substack.com/

Rae unpacks the movement behind the new TDI Support Bundles (including the Autism, English Learner, and Para Support Expansions) that are changing the game.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why customization matters: Learn how these bundles are co-created by specialists (OTs, bilingual experts, and veteran paras) to deliver immediate, real-world results.The secret to PD that moves fast: How a less-than-20-minute commitment can lead to tangible classroom change the very next day.Why "Teachers Deserve It" is a lifeline: The story behind the movement of educators fighting for clarity, balance, and time back in their day.How districts are flipping the funding script to pay for innovation without touching general budgets.This isn't about "more PD," it's about better PD.Want to join the movement? Head to teachersdeserveit.com to join the waitlist and get the tools you need to reset.

What if progress didn’t start with a new program—but with a real conversation?In this episode, Rae shares what happened during a 7:45 a.m. meeting in West Chicago that reminded the Teachers Deserve It team why this movement exists. Once administrators stepped out, the paraprofessionals started talking—really talking—and what followed wasn’t frustration. It was strategy, ownership, and problem-solving that turned one hour into a system that’s already working.You’ll hear how giving staff time, trust, and follow-up can transform an entire building, plus the ripple effect of TDI’s on-the-ground work with schools across the country.Because when you ask educators what they need—and then act on it—you stop managing and start leading.Learn more at teachersdeserveit.com or join the Teachers Deserve It Facebook community to connect with educators who’ve found their lifeline through real support, fast follow-up, and systems that stick.

It’s observation season, and schools everywhere are talking about growth, evaluation, and “next steps.” But here’s the real question: Are you measuring the right things—or just tracking motion?In this week’s episode, Rae dives into how to stop throwing spaghetti at the wall with your PD plan and start seeing real, measurable progress. You’ll hear the key questions to ask before you renew another contract, what visible growth should actually look like in 30–60 days, and how to build accountability without burning your team out.If you’re ready to stop guessing and start growing, this conversation is your playbook.Explore free tools, PD audits, and Learning Hub resources at teachersdeserveit.com, or join the Teachers Deserve It Facebook community to connect with educators building systems that work.Because PD shouldn’t just fill hours—it should prove impact.#TeachersDeserveIt #PDThatWorks #EducationLeadership #TeacherGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment

It’s observation season—clipboards out, data walls updated, and walkthroughs happening in every hallway. But when the focus is only on “core” classrooms, too many of our most creative educators get left out of the conversation.In this episode, Rae digs into what it really means to feed every teacher on your team. From art and music to PE and FACS, exploratory educators shape school culture every single day—but rarely get the professional learning that reflects their reality.You’ll hear stories from TDI’s work in partner schools, reflections from this week’s Substack article, and a behind-the-scenes look at TDI’s newest Learning Hub course by art educator Erin Light, Procedures & Daily Routines for Art Teachers: Systems That Save Time.Because art should be messy.Your management shouldn’t be.

Todays episode is featuring a recent conversation Rae Hughart had on The Positive Persistence Podcast with Ian Bowen!The Positive Persistence Podcast was created to share stories of individuals who have overcome insurmountable odds by embodying the principle of Positive Persistence.
 
Drawing from his own journey of defying paralysis, Ian launched the podcast to inspire listeners to tap into their inner strength and unlock their potential. 

Each episode explores the strategies, techniques, and mindsets of guests who have turned adversity into triumph, offering actionable insights for overcoming life's biggest challenges.

BONUS EPISODE: Doing nothing feels safe—but it’s the costliest decision a school can make.In this episode of Teachers Deserve It: Real Talk, Rae Hughart breaks down the hidden toll of “waiting until next year” to invest in your teachers, paras, and leadership team. From skyrocketing turnover costs to burnout-driven culture shifts, Rae shares real stories from the field and reveals why delayed action can drain budgets, morale, and student outcomes.But here’s the good news: fixing it doesn’t take months. You’ll hear how schools are building clear, role-specific PD plans and funding them in weeks, not years. Plus, Rae walks you through how to get your own custom PD roadmap in under 3 minutes—so you can finally stop surviving and start leading with confidence.If your team is stretched thin and you’ve been telling yourself, “We’ll handle this next year,” this is your sign to act now.✨ Take the quiz: teachersdeserveit.com

Doing nothing feels safe—but it’s the costliest decision a school can make.In this episode of Teachers Deserve It: Real Talk, Rae Hughart breaks down the hidden toll of “waiting until next year” to invest in your teachers, paras, and leadership team. From skyrocketing turnover costs to burnout-driven culture shifts, Rae shares real stories from the field and reveals why delayed action can drain budgets, morale, and student outcomes.But here’s the good news: fixing it doesn’t take months. You’ll hear how schools are building clear, role-specific PD plans and funding them in weeks, not years. Plus, Rae walks you through how to get your own custom PD roadmap in under 3 minutes—so you can finally stop surviving and start leading with confidence.If your team is stretched thin and you’ve been telling yourself, “We’ll handle this next year,” this is your sign to act now.✨ Take the quiz: teachersdeserveit.com

Only have 5 min? Watch this quick video or listen in. Then, snag your FREE Playbook at: https://tdi.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/TDIGrants

Most schools are spending thousands on professional development that teachers forget in two weeks—while leaving untapped grant money sitting on the table. It doesn’t have to be this way.In this episode of Teachers Deserve It: Real Talk, Rae Hughart shares a simple, six-step system to make PD funded, effective, and stress-free for school leaders. Learn how to:Identify overlooked grants that cover teacher growthBuild a PD plan your staff actually thanks you forStop apologizing for PD that wastes time and start delivering real valueYou don’t need another binder or another late-night planning session—you need a plan that works and funding that supports it.✨ Download the free playbook: teachersdeserveit.com✨ Take the quiz for a custom funding roadmap: ⁠teachersdeserveit.comYour teachers deserve PD that makes a difference—and this is where it starts.

The first week of school is chaos... routines aren’t set, emails are piling up, and staff are already exhausted from “one more thing.” Teachers don’t hate PD… they hate wasted time.In this episode of Teachers Deserve It: Real Talk, Rae Hughart breaks down the 3 things no teacher has time for in Week 1 and how to flip the script with practical tools that save time, reduce stress, and actually work.You’ll hear how the Teachers Deserve a Great Start Bundle is helping schools launch with clarity: Ready-to-use systems for classroom management Parent communication tools that cut down chaos Para support resources that finally give clear expectationsPlus, Rae shares how the Teachers Deserve It Book Club is the perfect companion - giving staff the chance to start with systems and grow with reflection.If you’re a teacher, para, or leader heading into back-to-school, this episode is your reminder: you don’t need another binder. You need tools you can use tomorrow morning.Explore the Great Start Bundle: teachersdeserveit.comJoin the Book Club Course: raehughart.substack.comStart your year with systems. Grow your year with reflection.

This week we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the simplest—but most powerful—things we do at Teachers Deserve It: designing plug-and-play tools that schools can use instantly to make professional development actually stick. In this episode, Rae shares the backstory of a tool created for one partner school that spread like wildfire when another district grabbed it, screenshot style, and ran with it. You’ll hear how small shifts in clarity can ripple out into smoother transitions, stronger para partnerships, and teachers who actually thank their administrators for PD. Plus, Rae breaks down why giving your staff ready-to-use systems is a sign of respect, not “hand-holding.” If you’ve ever wanted your PD days to spark real results without adding more to your plate, this episode is for you.

In this week’s Teachers Deserve It Podcast, Rae Hughart gets real about the final stretch before back-to-school—and why “waiting” to make a professional development plan isn’t just procrastination, it’s a choice to add stress to your year.Rae walks through what principals are actually juggling right now—finalizing master schedules, planning institute days, welcoming new staff—and how TDI takes PD off their plates entirely. No late-night slide decks. No scrambling. Just a done-for-you plan that works.If you’re a school leader, you’ll learn how to get your PD strategy finalized before your coffee gets cold. If you’re a teacher, you’ll see how to advocate for PD that’s worth your time.Listen now, then subscribe to the Teachers Deserve It Substack for the full breakdown: raehughart.substack.com

We’ve made it to Part 6 of our Teacher-Tested Hacks for Smarter Days launch series—and we’re closing strong with educator, author, and coach Kevin J. Butler.Kevin’s strategy? Use student questions as the blueprint for building better units.In this final episode, Rae dives into Kevin’s clip and the brilliance behind centering instruction on what students are actually wondering. She reflects on the moments curiosity transformed her classroom—and how agency isn't a buzzword, it’s a blueprint.If you’ve ever felt boxed in by the pacing guide or stuck teaching content students couldn’t care less about, this one’s for you.And remember: Kevin is just one of 30+ educators featured in this course. Short clips. Real strategies. Ready when you are.🎉 The course is live: tdi.thinkific.com/products/courses/Hacks💸 Use code Hughart2025 for 20% off📬 Subscribe to the Substack for more: raehughart.substack.com