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When the System Stops Listening
Host: Dr. Sherri Episode Type: Weekly GBU Breakdown Published: December 26, 2025 🎙️ Episode Overview This week’s episode of The Good, The Bad, The Ugly – Education Edition examines teacher contract negotiations and labor tensions unfolding across the country — not as abstract policy debates, but as lived experiences inside school systems under strain. Through real conversations, current reporting, and on-the-ground perspective, Dr. Sherri explores what happens when commu
sherrirochel
Dec 26, 20252 min read
Episode 9: CTE Wins, Teacher Shortages Worsen, and Learning Loss Lingers
Episode Overview In this episode, Dr. Sherri breaks down three major developments shaping education right now — one inspiring, one concerning, and one that parents and educators must pay attention to. This episode explores: 🌟 The Good: Career and Technical Education programs are expanding nationwide. A 2025 report from Advance CTE shows 32 states now tracking career-readiness indicators, signaling a shift toward hands-on, purpose-driven learning. ⚠️ The Bad: The teacher sho
sherrirochel
Dec 4, 20251 min read


Empowering Students with Personalized Learning Services
Every year, I work with students who walk in carrying two things: a notebook and a whole lot of self-doubt. And every year, I’m reminded of the same truth — no two learners walk the same path . Some students take off the moment they see a new idea. Others need time, reassurance, or a different angle before it clicks. And none of that is a “problem.” It’s simply how human learning works. This is exactly why personalized learning services aren’t just helpful… they’re necessary
sherrirochel
Dec 3, 20253 min read
Episode 8: School Spending, Safety, and Showing Up for Kids
Welcome back to The Good, The Bad & The Ugly – Education Edition! In today’s episode, we’re looking at three stories shaping classrooms across our region and the nation — the wins, the worries, and the wake-up calls educators and families need to know. Below you’ll find the full story list, verified sources, and the links mentioned in today’s show. 🟩 THE GOOD — Minnesota’s Attendance Improvement Efforts Across Minnesota, schools are working to rebuild attendance through rela
sherrirochel
Dec 3, 20252 min read


The 10 Biggest Lies We Tell Students About Success — And What They Really Need Instead
Dr. Sherri Rochel, Education That Matters™ November 13, 2025 Every week in my tutoring sessions, I hear students say things that stop me in my tracks—not because they’re dramatic or rebellious, but because they reveal how deeply kids misunderstand learning, success, and their own potential. Where do these beliefs come from? Often from us. From the system. From the pressure to perform. From well-meaning adults repeating things they once believed themselves. Over time, these id
sherrirochel
Nov 13, 20254 min read
Episode 7: Systems, Safety, and the Storm We Built
Date Published: November 3, 2025 Host: Dr. Sherri Rochel (@DrSherriRochel) Podcast Platforms: 🎧 Spotify | 📺 YouTube 🟩 The Good – When Systems Work Mississippi’s public schools continue to climb the national charts, proving that high expectations and teacher support can change the trajectory of student learning.According to the Associated Press , Mississippi’s 4th-grade reading scores rank 9th nationwide , and math scores rank 16th on the National Assessment of Educat
sherrirochel
Nov 3, 20252 min read
Episode 6: Spooky Statistics: Scary Tests, Creepy Scores & Student Surprises
Episode Title: Spooky Statistics: Scary Tests, Creepy Scores & Student Surprises Air Date: October 31, 2025 Hosted by: Dr. Sherri Rochel (@DrSherriRochel) Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3dzCG9MMvodfaKaacFDKgO 🧭 Episode Overview This special Halloween episode of The Good, The Bad & The Ugly – Education Edition dives into the spooky side of data — the numbers that haunt educators and the bright spots that bring hope. From Brookings’ ACT success story t
sherrirochel
Oct 31, 20252 min read


Achieving Success with Tutoring and Test Prep
Success in school and college is more than just showing up. It’s about mastering skills, building confidence, and preparing smartly for exams. That’s where integrated learning assistance comes in. It combines personalized tutoring with focused test preparation to help students reach their full potential. Let’s explore how this approach can transform learning and boost results. Why Integrated Learning Assistance Matters Integrated learning assistance is a powerful way to suppo
sherrirochel
Oct 30, 20253 min read
Episode 5: Opportunity, Enrollment, and Integrity
Air Date: October 23, 2025 Hosted by: Dr. Sherri Rochel (@DrSherriRochel) Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3dzCG9MMvodfaKaacFDKgO 🧭 Episode Overview In this episode, Dr. Sherri Rochel explores four major stories shaping American classrooms — from new pathways to college to the hard truths about enrollment and integrity. We celebrate progress, confront challenges, and shine a light on the realities teachers face every day in America’s schools. Runtime: ~9
sherrirochel
Oct 30, 20253 min read
Episode 3: Innovation, Inequity, and the Discipline Dilemma
Published: October 18, 2025 Length: ~9 minutes ✨ Summary From AI-powered innovation to widening learning gaps and behavior crises, Dr. Sherri Rochel explores the full spectrum of what’s working — and what’s not — in American education this week. ⏱️ Timestamps Intro Quick welcome and rundown of the day’s topics. The Good Big Tech backs AI training for teachers ( AP News ) NWEA launches a national dashboard to track student growth ( Morningstar ) Districts adopt integrated cu
sherrirochel
Oct 17, 20251 min read
Episode 2: Learning Wins, Staffing Woes, and the System Strain
Published: October 17, 2025 Length: ~9 minutes ✨ Summary Dr. Sherri breaks down the week’s education headlines — from student success stories to leadership changes — painting a full picture of what’s really happening inside America’s schools. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Intro Welcome to The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly – Education Edition ! 0:45 – The Good Mitchell, SD students earn blue ribbons at the 2025 State Fair ( Mitchell Now ) California test scores show measurable gains i
sherrirochel
Oct 17, 20251 min read
🎙️ Episode 1 — The Coffee, The Classrooms, and The Chaos
Series: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly – Education Edition Release Date: October 16, 2025 Host: Dr. Sherri Rochel, Education That Matters™ 🎙️ Why This Podcast Exists If you’re anything like me, you’re tired of scrolling through endless articles just to find one piece of real education news that matters. That’s why I created The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly – Education Edition — your daily, no-spin, heart-centered look at what’s happening in schools today. In this firs
sherrirochel
Oct 16, 20251 min read


The Phone, the Brain, & the Classroom: Why Learning isn’t Sticking
Remedial college courses are rising fast - but the real story is inside the brain. Earlier this week, I read an EdWeek article that hit...
sherrirochel
Sep 28, 20253 min read


Maya Jensen: Grit, Grace and Goals
Maya Jensen, Elkton High School Class of 2025, steps into her future with purpose, passion, and a heart full of ambition. Maya Jensen is...
sherrirochel
Aug 26, 20253 min read
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