GAEL UnscriptED Podcast

Start the new year with a clean slate and a smarter plan for leading your school. We kick off season two by inviting members to share their best campus ideas on the show and by laying out concrete support you can plug in right away. From statewide cohorts to targeted coaching and a literacy series […]

Ready for a clear look at what leaders need next? We close the fall season with Cindy Flesher and a practical preview of Winter GAEL, our three-day gathering in Athens that puts member voice at the center. From the first survey response to the final agenda, every session is built to solve problems you face […]

If leadership is a muscle, this conversation is the workout plan. We sit down with the team from UGA’s Fanning Institute to unpack Youth Lead Georgia—a statewide program that starts with a three‑day kickoff in Athens and expands into a year of hands‑on learning, industry immersion, and post‑secondary exploration. From team building and self‑awareness to […]

Want proof that high school leadership doesn’t have to be performative or reserved for a select few? We sit down with the team at UGA’s JW Fanning Institute for Leadership Development to unpack a model that helps teens lead right now—no jargon, no fluff, just practical skills and real opportunities. From the pressures students feel […]

Think a teacher salary can’t build real wealth? We invite Danny Kafke back to show how educators can pair the Georgia TRS pension with smart, low-fee savings and the right insurance to create stability that rivals seven-figure portfolios. We start with the simple math of the pension—2% per service year—then connect it to a practical […]

What if a 42K salary could still build a rich, secure life? We sit down with longtime educator and author Danny Kofke to map out the practical money moves that help teachers thrive today and retire strong tomorrow. Danny’s story starts in the classroom—first grade, kindergarten, and a decade in severe and profound special education—and […]

A deepfake with a boss’s voice. A viral post that turns a school into a headline. A teacher’s split-second decision in a chaotic classroom. We dive into the real frontiers of K-12 HR and the practical systems that keep leaders steady when everything moves fast. Stephanie Dobbins (Executive Director, GASPA) and Tyler Gwyn (Executive Director […]

What if professional learning actually counted twice—toward your graduate degree and your district’s biggest challenges? We sit down with Dr. Mike Dishman, dean at the University of West Georgia, to unpack a practical blueprint for educator growth, retention, and real results. From SummerGale’s community heartbeat to the nuts and bolts of a redesigned doctorate, this […]

What if one well-intended schedule change quietly cut thousands from your special education funding? We sit down with G CASE leaders Mary Kay Berry and Demita James to unpack the real-world moves that keep students supported, teams aligned, and districts out of trouble. From the fall Savannah gathering focused on the balance between instruction and […]

Teacher shortages aren’t solved by salary alone. We sit down with Jimmy Jackson from American Fidelity to unpack how a school-first benefits strategy can tip the scales on recruitment, retention, and day-to-day employee satisfaction. From transportation teams to parapros to classroom teachers, school districts have a unique workforce and a unique calendar—and a partner that […]