NACCTEP

In this episode we hear from Gracy Obuchowicz whose background in self-care and wellness extends to teachers and school leaders through her work at Empower Ed. She discusses how burnout can be a demoralization or moral injury and suggests making small changes, or kaizens, to help counteract that feeling. Simple things like getting enough sleep, giving yourself five extra minutes in the morning, enjoying a cup of tea, or listening to your favorite music are ways you can focus on yourself. In the workplace, finding a mentor or other form of peer support that you can talk with provides a sense of not being alone in whatever challenges you're facing.

While her book, Selfcarefully is currently out of print, you can still purchase a PDF version through her publisher thickpress.com.

Listen now at nacctep.org/podcasts or through your preferred podcast provider. Also, be sure to check out ​The Educator Wellness Revolution Podcast by EmpowerEd at https://www.weareempowered.org/podcast.html

Deadline extended to Thursday, May 21st for nominations. This is your chance to join the NACCTEP Executive Board and to share your experience and expertise as we work together to advance the future of teacher education. For full information and instructions on how to apply, please visit nacctep.org/nominations

In this episode of NACCTEP Now, Julie Ferin sits down with the incredible Dr. Tina Boogren for a conversation that every educator and leader needs right now. Drawing from her work as an award-winning educator, bestselling author, and national speaker, Dr. Boogren brings both research and real-life experience to the forefront. She shares powerful insights on educator burnout, the difference between stress and burnout, and why sustainable teaching starts with taking care of the adult in the room. What makes this conversation stand out is how practical it is. From “micro choices” to redefining wellness as something achievable, not overwhelming, listeners will walk away with simple, actionable steps they can apply immediately in their own lives and programs.

Dr. Boogren’s voice is both honest and hopeful. She reminds us that this work is hard, but it can also be joyful and sustainable with the right approach. Her perspective on supporting educators across different career phases, along with her emphasis on leadership responsibility in shaping a culture of wellness, makes this episode especially impactful for those in educator preparation and leadership roles. To learn more about Dr. Boogren’s work, including her books such as 180 Days of Self-Care for Busy Educators and 180 Days of Physical Wellness for Busy Educators, and her workshops and coaching, visit www.tinaboogren.com and connect with her on social media. This conversation will leave you thinking differently about wellness, leadership, and what it truly takes to support educators for the long haul.

Listen now at nacctep.org/podcasts or through your preferred podcast provider.

NACCTEP's Executive Board has the following openings for the term starting on July 1. 2026 through June 30, 2030:
President
Vice President
Treasurer
(1) Member-at-Large
Titled positions require one year of prior board experience.
Deadline to self-nominate is May 14, 2026 with candidates posted to our website for members to vote on.
Follow the QR code on the flyer or visit https://www.nacctep.org/nominations for more information and to nominate yourself.

Dr. Mary Olvera is the State Director of Teacher Education, Public Services, and Perkins Special Populations for the North Carolina Community College System. In this episode she shares the unique structure of community colleges in NC, that there are 58 that all use a singular curriculum and none are more than 30 miles from their students across 100 counties. They operate in service areas, and if the community college in a student's service area isn't one of the 29 with an EPP program, the student can attend the next nearest college that does.

Through various programs such as College Promise, students can begin their journeys to becoming teachers as early as high school and continue on through the community college before transferring to a university that may charge as little as $500 a semester on their way to a degree. Programs may include a one-year apprenticeship or a three-year residency for teacher candidates that hold different licensure levels.

Listen at nacctep.org/podcasts or through your preferred podcast provider.

We have new dates for the NACCTEP Leadership Network - September 24th and October 8th from 1-2:30 EDT. Enrollment is limited to 25 to encourage meaningful collaboration. Cost is $75 for members or $100 for non-members. Please visit https://www.nacctep.org/professional-development-events/2026-leadership-network to register or scan the QR code.

NACCTEP has partnered with SchoolSims to bring simulation-based teacher training to community college programs nationwide. This collaboration will expand practical, classroom-ready experiences that prepare future educators and school leaders. Read the full announcement: https://wix.to/0nsr9UN

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Jennifer Gresko of Rio Salado College and Heather Merrill of Glendale Community College discuss the joint Bachelor of Elementary Education and Special Education program they share with Paradise Valley Community College in the Maricopa County Community College District, MCCCD. When state legislation was passed in 2021 allowing community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees, Jennifer and Heather joined forces to create a dual-certification bachelor's degree. The BAEE/SpEd program was created by existing associates and post-baccalaureate programs, based on the knowledge that all teachers need special education training and requests from students and districts, to help reduce the teacher shortage in Arizona.

Their collaboration doesn't stop with the accredited program; it continues as the students, the teacher candidates, who may face unique needs, are able to take courses at any of the three colleges because of their shared curriculum and the flexibility of the in-person and online modalities. At a price under $13,000, and with the opportunity for state-backed scholarships specifically for future teachers, the degree is among the most affordable paths to becoming a teacher.

For more information, please visit https://www.maricopa.edu/degrees-certificates/bachelors-degrees/elementary-education-special-education-baee-sped

Listen at nacctep.org/podcasts or through your preferred podcast provider.

Rio Salado College Glendale Community College

Do you want to help influence the future of teacher preparation at community colleges? This is your chance! NACCTEP Executive Board nominations are open through May 14, 2026 for the 2026-30 term. Open positions are listed below and full details on submitting your nomination are available at nacctep.org/nominations or through the QR code.

We are excited to invite you to an upcoming NACCTEP webinar in partnership with SchoolSims. This session is a strong opportunity to explore how simulation-based learning is strengthening educator preparation and leadership pathways nationwide.

Simulation in Action: Advancing Educator Preparation Pathways
April 16
12 PM PDT | 1 PM MDT | 2 PM CDT | 3 PM EDT

During this session, you will:

Engage in real-world scenarios that reflect the challenges educators face

See how simulation can be used to strengthen decision-making and leadership skills

Explore ways to integrate simulation into your own educator preparation programs

Learn how programs are using this approach to better prepare candidates before they enter the classroom

This work aligns directly with what we are all focused on. Building stronger, more effective pathways into teaching and leadership that are grounded in practice.

If you are thinking about how to enhance clinical experiences, support candidate readiness, or bring more applied learning into your programs, this session will give you practical ideas you can take back and use.

We would love to have you join us. Please register via the QR code in the ad.

SchoolSims

As we continue the conversation with Kim Eckert, Craft Education's head of Instructional Innovation and Apprenticeship Design and former Louisiana Teacher of the Year in this second half of our two-part series, we learn about how to start small while aiming for larger scale implementation. By gathering all the constituents a program will need, such as higher education faculty, district leadership, as well as legislative and funding personnel, building a sustainable teacher apprenticeship program becomes a realistic possibility. Ms. Eckert can be reached at [email protected].

Listen at nacctep.org/podcasts or through your preferred podcast provider.

Western Governors University