The Good Life EDU Podcast

Recorded on-site at the 2026 NeMTSS Summit, this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast explores our evolving understanding of dyslexia and what that means for identifying and supporting students in Nebraska classrooms. Joining the conversation are Theresa Nicholls, an education consultant and former school psychologist, and Pamela Bazis, assistant professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and co-director of the Kit and Dick Schmoker Reading Center. Together, they unpack the newly updated de

Recorded on-site at the 2026 NeMTSS Summit, this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast explores our evolving understanding of dyslexia and what that means for identifying and supporting students in Nebraska classrooms. Joining the conversation are Theresa Nicholls, an education consultant and former school psychologist, and Pamela Bazis, assistant professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and co-director of the Kit and Dick Schmoker Reading Center. Together, they unpack the newly updated de

Recorded live from the main stage at the 2026 NeMTSS Summit in Kearney, Nebraska, this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast brings together educational leaders and practitioners to explore one important question: What can all educators do for literacy? Joining host Andrew Easton for this special conversation are Dr. Jane Stavem, Deputy Commissioner of the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE); Jamie Cook, NDE Literacy Officer; Sara Renken, Principal of Hamlow Elementary in Waverly; and David Lo

What makes a school leader credible? It isn’t simply the title they hold or the expertise they bring to the role. Leadership credibility is built through the everyday ways leaders earn trust, connect with others, communicate what they value, and contribute to the culture of their schools. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew welcomes Tara Gossman of ESU 4 and Ernie Valentine of ESU 7 for a conversation centered on the five domains of leadership credibility: trustworthiness, compe

Literacy development doesn’t end when students learn to read, and supporting adolescent readers requires attention not only to skills, but also to identity, confidence, and dignity. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton welcomes Dr. Naomi Watkins, Secondary English Language Arts Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education, for a conversation about what adolescent literacy truly requires. Drawing from her experiences as a middle school English teacher, literacy research

What are educators actually learning about AI in the classroom after several years of experimentation? In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by Matt Mervis, Director of Skills21 and AI Strategy at EdAdvance and co-host of the ChatEDU podcast, for a grounded look at the classroom practices beginning to emerge around artificial intelligence. Rather than focusing on predictions about what AI might do for education, Matt shares what teachers and students are already d