Educate208

📸 A Moment with a Legend 📸

Today I had the absolute honor of learning from one of my all-time favorite educational leaders—Dr. Anthony Muhammad. His impact on school culture and Professional Learning Communities is unmatched, and being in the room with him was nothing short of inspiring.

Dr. Muhammad is currently #2 on the Global Gurus 2025 list of the World’s Top 30 Education Professionals, and for good reason. From his time in the classroom to his powerful leadership as a principal, and now as CEO of New Frontier 21 Consulting, his dedication to transforming education is felt around the world.

He’s also the author of some of the most influential books in education today:
• The Way Forward: PLC at Work (2024)
• Learning by Doing, 4th Ed. (2024)
• Revisiting PLC at Work, 2nd Ed. (2021)
• Time for Change (2019)
• Transforming School Culture, 2nd Ed. (2018)

“The difference between a toxic culture and a healthy one is leadership.” – Dr. Anthony Muhammad

I walked away from today feeling inspired, challenged, and more committed than ever to doing the work that matters. This photo means a lot—and so does the learning behind it.

The TRIFECTA!

Lakes principal, two teachers honored with district awards It's been said that good things come in threes. For Lakes Middle School, that idiom proved to be true Thursday as teachers Citali Sanchez Zuniga and Michelle Biediger and Principal Jeff Bengtson were honored by the Coeur d'Alene School District for their outstanding work as educators and leaders. Th...

Exciting things in the works! Had a great meeting with , , and to level up our communication and keep growing our Lakes family! 📣📚

🚀 Exciting News! 🚀

If we haven’t met, my name is Aaron Drake 👋. I’m thrilled to introduce Educate208, a podcast dedicated to celebrating and strengthening public education in our community. With 17 years as an educator in the Coeur d’Alene School District—including 11 as a vice principal and 6 as a teacher—I’ve seen firsthand the impact of great teachers, engaged students, and supportive families.

Public education is an incredible option in our town, and I can’t wait to share inspiring stories, insights, and conversations that highlight the power of our public schools. Join me as we explore what makes education in Idaho truly special!

🎧 Stay tuned for the next episode!