Empowering the Next Generation Podcast

Gretchen BridgersAuthor, Speaker, Teacher Coach & TrainerOver the last two decades, Gretchen has passionately taught elementary students, mentored and coached educators, led professional development experiences for school building staff, authored 3 books and presented at district and national conferences as the owner of Always A Lesson. Her impact continues to amplify serving educators worldwide through her blog, Empowering Educators podcast, classroom resources, professionaldevelopment courses, and leadership coaching cohorts.Title: The Importance Of Empowering Educators·      What led you to become a coach and mentor for teachers?·      What is “Always A Lesson”?·      What is the pathway you suggest teachers follow to improve their practice?·      How do we ensure every student receives a quality instruction from their teachers?·      From Your Books, What are 2 lessons you can give to educators to navigate burnout in their [email protected] 

Bayka is the founder of BYKE Academy. Through her platform, she advocates for educators, parents, and children from around the world. She also hosts “Global Educators” connecting global educators to come together and voicewhat they stand for. The main pillars of her platform are emotional intelligence, neurodiversity, and mental well-being.Title: Tools To Build An Online Platform As An Educator·      What motivated you to start the platform, BYKE?What have you learned from being a global teacher?·      What inspired you to start the show Global Educators·      Give 3 tools to encourage other educators to start sharing their message globally and their entrepreneurial journey·      What is the message you want to tell others through your platform?

Anne Kyle, Founder & CEO ofThe Leadership Beacon, is an Executive Headteacher turned international coach and strategist. With nearly 30 years in education, she’s led school turnarounds, PRUs, and SEMH settings. Through her BEACON™ Framework andpodcast, Anne equips leaders with clarity, confidence, and NLP-informed tools to transform schools and empower teams.Title: Transform Your School WithThe BEACON FrameworkWhat made you realise it was timeto walk away from executive headship, and how did you find the courage to take that step? How can we redefine success in educationalleadership to prioritize sustainability, wellbeing, and authenticity, share about your framework?What advice would you give to current and aspiring leaders who feel the pressure to ‘stay the course’ even when it’s impacting their health or values?You’ve now pivoted to leadership coaching and creating change from outside the system—how can the next generation of leaders shape a more compassionate and courageous future for education?If you desire to grow from educator to developing a CEO mindset, register to my free masterclass and book a free strategy call to see how I can support you in your journeyFrom Educator To CEO

DJ Dickerson-Alejandrino is a lifelong learner and speakerwho believes education should be liberating, not limiting. Passionate about growth outside the box, DJ explores learning beyond institutional mandates—rooted in curiosity, creativity, and lived experience. From philosophy to parenting, he helps others reclaim learning as a pleasure-driven path to freedom, not a checklist for approvalTitle: The Importance of Interests-based learning·      How did you start your journey as a coach? Whypleasure led life?·      Did school help you choose the best career pathfor you? ·      What is the difference between education andacademics?What is the best way to serve interests-based learning?Socials:Pleasureledlife.com/igPleasureledlife.com/facebook@pleasureledlife

Ben Hobbis is a primary schoolteacher and middle leader leading on curriculum, skills, coaching and subject leadership development. He has previously led on humanities, personal development, wellbeing, safeguarding and is a student teacher mentor. Ben is also the founder of the Step Up Network, a network for aspiring and new education leaders; after his own experience of getting into leadership. The network was named as one of the Top 100 Social Enterprises in 2024, in itsfirst year of operation; and Ben was named as the Education Leader of the Year at the Leadership Awards 2025 in the Midlands for his work on Step Up and his work in his day job. Outside of Education  and networking, Ben enjoys travelling, reading, cooking, swimming, walking  and listening to podcasts.Title: How To Build A Non-Profit Organization?Questions:How did you start your journey as an educator?Tell us about the Step Up Network and where it came from?How did your transition from retail management prepare you for schoolleadership?What would be one thing you could change in the education system?Give your last word of encouragement to anyone listening to youSocialswww.stepupnetwork.ukwww.benhobbis.co.uk