The CEO Teacher Podcast: Episode Summary
Title: How to Build a Community and Support Teachers with a Podcast
Release Date: October 30, 2024
Host: Kayse Morris (@kaysemorris)
Guest: Eva Morales, Reading Specialist and Instructional Coach
Introduction
In this enlightening episode of The CEO Teacher Podcast, host Kayse Morris welcomes Eva Morales, a seasoned reading specialist and instructional coach with nearly two decades of experience in education. The conversation centers around leveraging podcasting to build a supportive community for teachers and enhance their professional endeavors.
Guest Background and Journey
Eva Morales shares her extensive background in education, highlighting her transition from a classroom teacher to an online business owner. With 19 years in education, Eva has taught various grades, ultimately finding her passion in reading instruction. Her journey into the edupreneurial world began during the COVID-19 pandemic when she attended an online coaching webinar series, sparking the idea to create her own online resources for educators.
Notable Quote:
"[...] I realized that I could totally dive into the online world to help teachers beyond my campus and create an income source."
— Eva Morales (05:43)
Launching an Online Business
Eva discusses the inception of her online business, emphasizing her proactive approach despite not having an initial audience. She started by creating a course focused on upper elementary literacy, accompanied by relevant resources. This initiative allowed her to support teachers globally, especially during a time when in-person interactions were limited.
Notable Quote:
"If I had waited to do it perfectly, I wouldn't have done it at all."
— Eva Morales (07:47)
Eva highlights the importance of taking actionable steps over waiting for perfection, a lesson she learned firsthand during the early stages of her business.
Starting the Podcast
The conversation shifts to Eva's decision to start a podcast, The Reading Teachers Playbook. Inspired by her love for reading and recognizing the gap in podcast content for upper elementary reading teachers, Eva embarked on this new venture with the support of a boot camp for accountability.
Notable Quote:
"Pick a topic that you can talk about endlessly. Anything that gets you fired up that you have a soapbox about."
— Eva Morales (27:44)
Eva underscores the importance of passion and relentless enthusiasm for the podcast's success, advising prospective podcasters to choose topics they are deeply passionate about.
Podcast Format and Evolution
Eva elaborates on the evolution of her podcast, which initially lacked a structured format. Over time, she developed a more organized approach by incorporating the "What, Why, and How" framework, ensuring clarity and actionable takeaways for her listeners.
Notable Quote:
"It's become clearer, more concise, and more organized. My listeners know what the takeaways are and how to implement them."
— Eva Morales (15:21)
This structured format has enhanced the podcast's effectiveness, making it a valuable resource for teachers seeking practical strategies.
Audience Engagement and Feedback
Eva emphasizes the significance of audience feedback in shaping her podcast content. By utilizing Google Forms, direct messages, and social media polls, she gauges the needs and preferences of her listeners, ensuring that each episode resonates with their current challenges and interests.
Notable Quote:
"It's about being of service and wanting to support them, not just trying to get information for a podcast that could possibly lead to sales."
— Eva Morales (18:48)
This service-oriented approach fosters a strong community of educators who feel genuinely supported and valued.
Monetizing the Podcast
Discussing the intersection of content and commerce, Eva explains how she integrates her offerings into the podcast. Whether promoting her online courses, coaching services, or TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers) resources, she strategically places these mentions within the episodes to maintain a balance between providing value and promoting her business.
Notable Quote:
"Sometimes it's my opt-in that I'm pitching in my podcast. Sometimes it's a course or consulting services."
— Eva Morales (23:00)
Eva's methodical approach ensures that her promotions are relevant and seamlessly integrated, enhancing both listener experience and business growth.
Strategic Planning and Seasonality
Eva shares her strategy of planning podcast content in seasons, aligning with the academic calendar. This seasonal planning allows her to address timely topics and launch relevant products, such as her "Teaching Reading 101" course, which she promotes during peak school periods like the beginning of the fall semester and mid-year refreshes in January.
Notable Quote:
"Planning it out about three to four months out allows me to batch write scripts and record, while staying flexible to address current teacher needs."
— Eva Morales (20:30)
This forward-thinking strategy ensures that her content remains relevant and anticipates the needs of her audience.
Advice for Aspiring Teacher-Podcasters
In her concluding remarks, Eva offers valuable advice for teachers considering starting their own podcasts amidst full-time teaching responsibilities:
- Choose a Passionate Topic: Select a subject you can discuss endlessly and are genuinely passionate about.
- Seek Accountability: Find someone to hold you accountable, ensuring consistency and commitment.
- Find a Guide: Whether through boot camps or mentorship, having a guide can facilitate a smoother podcasting journey.
- Define Content Pillars: Establish clear themes and formats, whether solo, interview-based, or a hybrid approach.
Notable Quote:
"Find something you're passionate about to talk about. That's the first thing."
— Eva Morales (27:44)
Eva's insights emphasize sustainability, authenticity, and strategic planning as key components of successful podcasting.
Conclusion and Where to Find Eva
The episode wraps up with Eva sharing her preferred platforms for engagement. Listeners can connect with her on Instagram (@issevamirelas) and listen to her podcast, Teachers Provoke, for more insights and resources.
Notable Quote:
"My favorite place to hang out is on Instagram there. I'm Isseva Mirales and also my podcast, Teachers Provoke."
— Eva Morales (28:58)
Kayse Morris extends her gratitude to Eva for sharing her journey and expertise, leaving listeners inspired to explore podcasting as a tool for community building and professional growth.
Key Takeaways
- Passion-Driven Content: Success stems from discussing topics you are deeply passionate about.
- Structured Growth: Implementing a clear format and strategic planning enhances podcast effectiveness.
- Audience-Centric Approach: Regularly seeking and incorporating listener feedback ensures content relevance and strengthens community bonds.
- Balanced Monetization: Seamlessly integrating business promotions within valuable content fosters both listener trust and business growth.
- Strategic Seasonality: Aligning podcast planning with academic seasons ensures timely and relevant content delivery.
For teachers looking to build their own supportive communities and expand their professional reach, this episode offers actionable strategies and inspiring insights drawn from Eva Morales's successful journey in podcasting and online business.