How do you advocate for yourself without burning out? In today's episode, we're going Beyond the Lesson Plan to talk about boundaries, balance, and the power of the "Teacher Voice."

Join Dave Clark and Robin Szary as they explore why teachers normalize exhaustion and how we can shift school culture from "sacrificial" to "sustainable."

Episode Highlights:

• Opening Spark: Can teachers really say "no" and still be team players?

• Advocacy vs. Complaining: What it looks like to speak up about workload and curriculum gaps effectively.

• The Burnout Red Flags: Sunday dread and the "invisible workload."

• Redefining Teamwork: Breaking the cycle of the "voluntold" phenomenon.

Try This Tomorrow: Practice the script: "I can't take that on right now, but here's what I CAN do…" Use our One Yes + One No strategy to set a visible boundary for your week.

Connect with BCESC: Visit www.bcesc.org for more resources and support. #SchoolwideDownload #Proud2BCESC #TeacherWellbeing #EducationPodcast

"Turns out, hitting 'record' on the mics is kind of important."

We're back! After a slight technical detour involving three episodes of perfectly silent footage , Dave Clark and Robin Szary are officially kicking off Season 2 of Schoolwide Download: Beyond the Lesson Plan.

This season, we're moving past the tech tutorials and diving into the real conversations happening in the breakroom. We're exploring the stories and debates that define the modern classroom, including:

• The Substitute Files: Navigating the chaos when you aren't in the room.

• The AI Sidekick: Debating the role of tech in a human-centered classroom.

• Digital Fatigue & Tech Overload: How much is too much?

• Real Teacher Truths: Humor, homework battles, and what students actually remember.

It's honest, it's practical, and we promise—the microphones are definitely working this time.

Subscribe now so you never miss an episode. Let's keep it curious, keep it real, and keep it Schoolwide.

"You walk into your room the next day and just whisper, '…what happened?'"

Welcome back to Schoolwide Download — Season 2: Beyond the Lesson Plan! We are kicking off a brand-new season by diving into an experience every educator knows all too well: the day you have a substitute teacher.

Join hosts Dave Clark and Robin Szary from the Butler County Educational Service Center (BCESC) as they explore the legendary chaos of sub days, the "spicy" debate over AI-generated plans, and why having a sub is actually the ultimate test of your classroom routines.

• [00:00] Opening Spark: Welcome to Season 2! We're moving beyond the lesson plan to talk about the real teacher truths.

• [01:13] The Substitute Files: Dave and Robin share their most "legendary" sub stories—from the worksheet avalanche to the mystery notes left on the desk.

• [09:30] What We Actually Learn: Why your students' behavior with a sub is the best data you'll ever get on your classroom management and routines.

• [13:20] The Great Debate: Should every teacher have an AI-powered emergency sub plan? We weigh the efficiency of AI against the necessity of the "human element."

• [21:07] Try This Tomorrow: A step-by-step guide to building a 10-minute AI emergency sub plan using ChatGPT.

Don't let a sudden sick day cause a panic. Follow this 10-minute workflow:

1. Open ChatGPT or Gemini.

2. Use this Prompt: "Create a one-day emergency sub plan for a [Insert Grade] class that reviews [Insert Standard/Topic]. Include clear directions, an opening warm-up, independent work, and an extension activity for early finishers."

3. Copy, paste, and drop it into your emergency folder. Your future self will thank you!

• "Maybe the sweet spot is letting AI prep the plan… while the human brings it to life."

• "Sub days are the ultimate test of your routines. How students reveal their true understanding when you aren't there tells you everything."

• Website: www.bcesc.org

• Follow Us: Stay tuned for more episodes on the great classroom debates, from student voice to digital fatigue.

• Share Your Story: Have a wild substitute story? Tag us on social media using #SchoolwideDownload!

Brought to you by the Butler County Educational Service Center.

#SchoolwideDownload #Proud2BCESC #EducationPodcast #TeacherLife #SubstituteTeaching #ClassroomManagement #AIinEducation #BCESC #EdTech