Great Minds TEACH Alike Podcast

In this special Black History Month episode of Great Minds Teach Alike (GMTA), Dr. Tasia Fields (Fly Professor) explores the journey of moving from transactional to transformational in education with Rodrick C. Johnson, founder of Energized Educator.Education has always been a powerful tool for liberation, yet historically, Black students have faced systemic barriers that impact their learning experiences. From the fight for equal schooling opportunities during Reconstruction to the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, the history of education for Black students in America has been a story of resilience, resistance, and transformation.Rodrick’s work embodies this legacy—his 3R Method (Respect, Reflect, and Re-Engage) helps schools move away from punitive discipline toward culturally responsive and restorative practices that empower Black and Brown students to thrive.In this episode, we discuss: ✅ The historical struggles and triumphs of Black education in America ✅ How the past informs today’s school systems and discipline practices ✅ Why shifting from transactional to transformational teaching is vital for Black student success ✅ The importance of culturally responsive teaching in closing opportunity gapsConnect with Rodrick C. Johnson & Energized Educator:🌐 Website: https://energizededucator.com/about-me/📲 Social Media: @energizededucatorhttps://www.youtube.com/@EnergizedEducator🔗 Learn more about the 3R Method & Professional Development Opportunities

In this powerful episode of Great Minds TEACH Alike, Dr. Tasia Fields (aka the Fly Professor) sits down with career coach and founder of Educated Exit, Kelsie Marks, to have the conversation so many educators are afraid to voice: What if it’s time to walk away?This episode is for the educator who’s exhausted, the leader who feels disrespected, and the high performer who’s been pouring from an empty cup in a system that no longer aligns with their values. Kelsie explore what it means to leave the profession with intention — not from failure, but from clarity.The Fly Professor highlights a listener question that speaks to the heart of burnout and fear.Whether you’re in the classroom, central office, or just silently wrestling with the question, “Is it time for me to go?” — this episode gives you permission to pause, reflect, and know you're not alone.You are not giving up. You’re growing forward.Connect with Kelsie at:https://www.educatedexit.com/https://www.instagram.com/educatedexit/https://www.tiktok.com/@kelsie_marks_?lang=enArticles referenced in the episodeWhy High Performers Struggle in the Wrong Work EnvironmentFollow GMTA on Instagram If you need advice or have an education-related dilemma, let the Flying Professor help you! Send your questions or show topics HERE.Thanks for listening. Please follow and leave a review!

In this episode of Great Minds TEACH Alike, Dr. Tasia Fields (aka The Fly Professor) challenges us to step away from the rigid boundaries of the curriculum and reimagine classrooms where students can show up fully bringing their voice, their culture, and their truth through Hip Hop. Dr. Fields chats with educator, poet, and global change maker Dr. Omékongo Dibinga in a thought-provoking conversation about the real power of DEI work in schools, what it truly means to be an upstander, and how hip-hop is far from being a classroom distraction can be a dynamic force for critical thinking, cultural empowerment, and social change.Whether you’re a veteran teacher, new to the classroom, or rethinking your approach to equity, this episode will leave you inspired to teach louder, lead bolder, and build learning spaces that honor the whole child.You don’t have to choose between standards and soul. You can do both.🎧 Tune in and find out how.Connect with Dr. Omékongo Dibinga: Website: https://omekongo.com IG: @omekongo Books, music, and more: Upstander InternationalReferenced in the episode: “The World Is Yours: Hip-Hop at 50” – University of South Carolina Follow Great Minds TEACH Alike on Instagram @greatmindsteachalike 📩 Have a question or want The Fly Professor to weigh in on your education dilemma? Send it HERE.Thanks for listening. Please follow, rate, and leave a review your support helps us amplify educator voices everywhere. 🎧

Welcome back to Great Minds Teach Alike! Dr. Tasia Fields kicks off Season 2 with a powerful and inspiring conversation featuring the incredible Principal MO, a dynamic school leader, innovator, and edupreneur who’s redefining what it means to lead in education.In this episode, we explore the heart of leadership: authenticity, innovation, and vulnerability. Principal MO shares how embracing your true self not only makes you a stronger leader but also empowers those around you to thrive. We also dive into his journey as an edupreneur, his passion for sneaker collecting, and the importance of bringing your full self to every space you enter.Whether you’re an educator, leader, or aspiring change-maker, this conversation will leave you with practical inspiration to:Lead with authenticityInnovate with intention Embrace vulnerability Explore how passions outside of education—like sneaker culture—can spark creativity and connection.🎧 Tune in, take notes, and get ready to start this season with fresh energy and perspective.Connect with Principal MO:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/principal_mo/Website: https://www.principalmo.com/Check her out on Rules to Engagement Connect with Dr. Tasia Fields:Instagram: @greatmindsteachalikeWebsite: greatmindsteachalike.comGrab Your Merch 📩 Have a question or want The Fly Professor to weigh in on your education dilemma? Send it HERE.Thanks for listening. Please follow, rate, and leave a review your support helps us amplify educator voices everywhere. 🎧

In today’s episode of Great Minds Teach Alike, we are diving deep into the heart of writing instruction — not just as an academic skill, but as a tool for confidence, independence, and healing.Fly Professor welcomes guest LaNesha Tabb, educator, author, literacy consultant, and founder of Reimagine Writing. With nearly two decades in classrooms, coaching roles, and curriculum design, LaNesha has transformed how educators understand and teach the writing process. Her work centers on providing practical, research-based strategies that help students write with clarity, purpose, and ownership. Grounded in the Writing Process…In this episode, we talk about:Moving from assigning writing to teaching writingBuilding independent student writers by grounding instruction in the writing processBalancing authenticity, student choice, and academic rigorAnd why consistent writing is not only key for better writing — but stronger reading outcomes tooWhen she’s not helping educators reimagine their writing blocks, LaNesha is writing children’s books (including the beloved Albert series), co-authoring professional texts like Unpack Your Impact, and preparing for the release of her newest picture book, The Gingerbread Diva — coming soon!Trust me—you’re going to want a notebook for this one.Let’s get into it. ✍🏾✨Connect with LaNesha Tabb:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanesha_tabb/Website: https://laneshatabb.com/Connect with Dr. Tasia Fields:Instagram: @greatmindsteachalikeWebsite: greatmindsteachalike.comGrab Your Merch📩 Have a question or want The Fly Professor to weigh in on your education dilemma? Send it HERE.Thanks for listening. Please follow, rate, and leave a review your support helps us amplify educator voices everywhere. 🎧

In this episode of Great Minds Teach Alike, we’re talking honestly about the weight educators carry and what it really takes to let some of it go. Fly Professor, Dr. Tasia Fields, opens up about her recent surgery, the physical and emotional toll of being unable to “turn her brain off,” and the research that shows just how deeply burnout is impacting today’s teachers.To help us explore release through a different lens, Dr. Fields is joined by Tom Filline, better known online as The Angry Gym Teacher ,a PE teacher turned stand-up comedian whose viral videos capture the chaos, humor, and heart of working in schools. Together, they dive into the need for laughter, community, and intentional self-care as powerful tools for educator survival.This episode also marks the official release of Dr. Fields’ newest wellness resource: ✨ The GMTA Adult Coloring Book for Educators a creative, restorative tool designed to help teachers decompress, reflect, and reconnect with joy.In this episode, we explore:Why educators struggle to “turn it off” even when their bodies demand itWhat recent research says about burnout, stress, and educator mental healthHow comedy and creative expression help teachers release pressureTom’s journey from PE teacher to viral creator and touring comedianThis is a conversation filled with truth, laughter, and reminders that you deserve rest, too.Let’s release together. 🎧Articles Mentioned in This Episode“What’s Causing Teacher Burnout?” – NEA Today “Teacher Burnout Statistics: Why Teachers Quit in 2025” – Devlin PeckConnect with Tom Filline: https://linktr.ee/tffillineConnect with Dr. Tasia Fields: Instagram: @greatmindsteachalikeWebsite: greatmindsteachalike.comGrab Your MerchGET your GMTA Coloring Book📩 Have a question or want The Fly Professor to weigh in on your education dilemma? Send it HERE.Thanks for listening. Please follow, rate, and leave a review your support helps us amplify educator voices everywhere. 🎧