The Inspiring Early Childhood Educator

Mentorship Isn’t Extra It’s Essential: A Conversation with Veteran Educators

Join me, Marcia Nicole, on this heartfelt episode of Ispyr to Educate as we dive deep into the real impact of mentorship from a veteran educator’s perspective. In today’s conversation, I share my journey of mentoring over the years the ups, the challenges, and the transformative moments that remind us why taking on a student is not just another responsibility, but a legacy-building act. We explore how mentoring enriches our practice, reawakens our passion, and ultimately builds a stronger future for early childhood education. If you’re a seasoned educator grappling with the question, “Do I have the energy to mentor right now?” or wondering how to find balance in an ever-demanding profession, this episode is for you. Let’s reframe mentorship together as the essential, intentional practice that elevates us all.
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Full STEAM Ahead: Making STEAM Approachable in Early Learning with Paula Walsh

Episode Description:
STEAM in early childhood education—what does it really look like? How can we move past the idea that STEAM is just about science experiments and tech gadgets and instead see it as a natural part of how children learn and explore the world?
In this episode of The Inspiring ECE Podcast, I sit down with Paula Walsh, an early childhood educator, lecturer, STEAM researcher, and author of Full STEAM Ahead. Paula is passionate about making STEAM practical, playful, and accessible for all educators—because let’s be real, we don’t need to be scientists or engineers to bring rich learning experiences to young children!
We’re talking about:
The real difference between STEM and STEAM and why the Arts are a game-changer
How STEAM fits naturally into play-based and inquiry-driven learning
Simple, everyday ways to introduce STEAM—no expensive resources required
Why “unplugged technology” is just as important as screen-based learning
How educators can build confidence in STEAM (even if it feels intimidating)
Paula’s book Full STEAM Ahead and how it helps educators bring STEAM into their classrooms with ease
This episode is all about breaking down barriers and empowering educators to embrace STEAM in a way that feels fun, engaging, and meaningful.
 
How to connect with Paula Walshe
Paula's most recent book, entitled "Full STEAM Ahead" is a guide to implementing STEAM in the early years and is also available now from Boru Press here. You can contact Paula or learn more about her work here.
LinkedIn: Paula Walshe
Twitter: @‌walshe_paula
Instagram: @‌paulawalshe77
You can also email her: paula.walshe@setu.ie
 
Guest bio: Paula Walshe is a published author, Assistant Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at South East Technological University in Carlow, Ireland and a PhD candidate at Dundalk Institute of Technology. Her PhD research focuses on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths) in early childhood education and care (ECEC).

Leading with Passion: Anisha Angella on ECE Leadership and Entrepreneurship

In this empowering episode of The Inspiring ECE Podcast, your host Marcia Nicole welcomes a true trailblazer in the field of Early Childhood Education—Anisha Angella. As an entrepreneur, author, Registered Early Childhood Educator, and dynamic leadership coach, Anisha is on a mission to inspire educators to think beyond the classroom and embrace leadership roles with passion and purpose.
This episode is a heartfelt conversation filled with practical insights, contagious energy, and powerful lessons from Anisha’s own journey from classroom teacher to influential leader and coach. Whether you're just starting out or looking to make impactful changes in your ECE career, this episode is packed with golden nuggets to keep you motivated and focused on your personal and professional growth.
 
What You’ll Learn/Show Notes:
The pivotal moments and mentors that shaped Anisha's journey from educator to entrepreneur
Practical tips for new entrepreneurs looking to branch out beyond the classroom
How to find the right mentor and build a supportive professional community
Realistic strategies to manage burnout while keeping your passion alive
The evolving landscape of leadership in ECE, including addressing mental health, diversity, and educator empowerment
Tune in, take notes, and get ready to be inspired! Anisha’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the ECE community.
Social links: The ECC's Links:
 
Website: www.anishatheecc.com
Instagram: Instagram (@theecc.community)
Facebook: The Early Childhood Coach | Mississauga ON
Twitter: Anisha.theecc (@AnishaAngella) on X
Youtube: The Early Childhood Coach Channel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anishaangella/
TikTok: Anisha | Early Childhood Coach on TikTok
The ECE Hub (Facebook Group): The ECC Hub | Facebook
The ECC Academy (Podia): ECC Academy
Book A Workshop or Speaking Engagement with The ECC: Get in touch with The Early Childhood Coach

Why Early Childhood Education is Worth It—And Why You Should Stay!

In this heartfelt episode of the Inspiring ECE Podcast, we delve into the profound reasons why choosing and remaining in the field of Early Childhood Education (ECE) is not just a career choice but a transformative journey. Amidst discussions of burnout and staffing shortages, it's crucial to reconnect with the passion and purpose that drew us to this vocation.
Key Takeaways:
Navigating Negative Narratives: Learn strategies to shift your perspective from challenges to the impactful moments that define your teaching journey.
Building a Supportive Community: Discover the importance of surrounding yourself with positive, passionate educators who uplift and inspire.
Personal Growth Through ECE: Understand how your role as an educator not only shapes young minds but also fosters your own personal and professional development.
Be on the lookout for our Special Offering:
To support your well-being, we're excited to offer a FREE Wellness and Self-Care Course tailored for educators. This resource provides practical tips and strategies to nurture your mental and emotional health, ensuring you can continue to inspire and educate with enthusiasm.
Join Our Community:
By subscribing to our mailing list, you'll receive updates on future podcast episodes, special guest interviews, and exclusive content designed to empower and motivate. It's also a platform for you to share your thoughts, suggest topics, and become an active participant in our growing community.
Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join Our Newsletter
Call to Action:
Reflect on the positive moments in your teaching journey and share them with a colleague or within our community. Let's collectively shift the narrative towards the rewarding and joyful aspects of ECE.
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Email: info@ispyrtoeducate.com

The Magic of Mother-Daughter Book Clubs with Stefanie and Meghan!

What if reading could bring families closer together? 📖💛
In this episode of the Inspiring ECE Podcast, we’re diving into the heartwarming and transformative power of mother-daughter book clubs with two incredible guests—co-authors Stefanie and Meghan Voss!
As sisters and passionate educators, they joined forces to create The Mother-Daughter Book Club Guide, a must-have resource for moms and daughters who want to make reading more meaningful, engaging, and fun. But this book isn’t just about choosing books—it’s about strengthening relationships, sparking great conversations, and creating cherished memories.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or book lover, this episode is filled with insight, inspiration, and practical advice on how to make reading a shared experience that goes beyond the page.
Show Notes:
📚 How mother-daughter book clubs deepen connections & create lasting memories💡 Why shared reading builds critical thinking, empathy, and resilience✨ Easy tips for starting your own book club (even for busy moms!)🍿 Creative ways to make book clubs fun & interactive with snacks, activities, and themed ideas👩‍👧 Heartwarming stories from real families who have embraced book club traditions👯‍♀️ A behind-the-scenes look at Stefanie & Meghan’s journey as sisters co-writing this book
If you’ve ever wanted to turn reading into a bonding experience—or if you just love discovering new ways to inspire kids through books—this episode is for you!
Where to Find Stefanie & Meghan & Their Book:
📘 Get The Mother-Daughter Book Club Guide:https://www.stefaniehohl.com/
🌎 Website: https://www.abcseeheardo.com/📷 Follow them on Instagram: @‌abcseeheardo @stefaniehohl @‌meghanvossstudio

The Magic of Loose Parts: Angela Odusanya on Unlocking Creativity in Early Learning

In this episode of the Inspiring ECE Podcast, host Marcia Nicole chats with Angela Odusanya, a dedicated early childhood educator and author of the popular Amelia’s Loose Part Art book series. Angela shares her journey into the world of early learning, how she fell in love with loose parts play, and why it’s so important for young children to have open-ended, exploratory experiences. Tune in to discover actionable strategies for bringing loose parts into your classroom or home, learn how Angela’s stories inspire both kids and adults, and hear why fostering creativity and problem-solving is more crucial than ever.
Guest info links
Website: www.angelaodusanya.com
Instagram/FB/TikTok @‌angelaodusanya
Amazon links:
Amelia's Loose Part Art-https://a.co/d/7IXcSXV
Amelia's Loose Part Art: A Day at the Beach-https://a.co/d/iOug0RT
Amelia's Easter Surprise- https://a.co/d/dM2I8jd

Empowering the ECE Workforce : Thriving in a Field Despite Its Challenges

In this episode of the Inspiring ECE Podcast, we tackle a topic that every early childhood educator has faced at some point: how do we stay empowered and passionate in a profession that sometimes feels undervalued?
With headlines about burnout, staffing shortages, and the challenges of the field, it’s easy to feel discouraged. But today, we’re flipping the script and focusing on how to reclaim your power, find fulfillment, and thrive in your role—not just survive it.
We’ll explore: ✅ Challenging the misconceptions about ECE and advocating for the profession ✅ New, practical strategies to prevent burnout (beyond just “self-care”) ✅ The importance of professional learning and growth—because evolving as an educator keeps the passion alive
If you’ve ever felt invisible, exhausted, or questioning your future in early childhood education, this episode is your pep talk and action plan rolled into one. Let’s reignite that spark together!
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Unlocking the Power of Multisensory Learning with Dr. Elizabeth DeWitt

In this enlightening episode of The Inspiring ECE Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Elizabeth DeWitt, Senior Adoptions & Curriculum Specialist at Learning Without Tears, to explore how multisensory instruction can transform the way children learn and grow. Dr. DeWitt shares practical strategies for integrating touch, movement, music, and more into daily lessons—helping young learners strengthen critical thinking, creativity, and social-emotional skills. We also discuss how to identify student strengths and needs, involve parents in the learning process, and use purposeful play to build a solid foundation for future success.
If you’re looking for engaging, research-backed methods to bring more joy and effectiveness into your classroom, this episode is a must-listen.
Show Notes
Main Topics Covered
Defining Multisensory InstructionDr. DeWitt explains the importance of engaging sight, sound, touch, and movement to enhance learning and retention.
Real-Life Classroom ExamplesDiscover simple, practical ways to embed multisensory moments—such as counting goldfish or mixing formula scoops—into daily routines.
Identifying Strengths & NeedsLearn about the assessments and observations that help educators pinpoint individual learning gaps and address them early.
Fostering Critical Thinking & CreativityHear how inviting curiosity and exploration lays the groundwork for deeper understanding and problem-solving.
Parent-Teacher CollaborationWhy modeling behaviors, sharing strategies, and inviting parents into the learning process boosts children’s development.
Learning Without Tears ResourcesExplore programs like Get Set for School, Handwriting Without Tears, Keyboarding Without Tears, and Phonics, Reading, and Me.
Connect with Dr. DeWitt & Learning Without Tears
Website: www.lwtears.com
Email: elizabeth.dewitt@lwtears.com

To Phone or Not to Phone: Navigating Personal Devices in the ECE Classroom

In this episode, host Marcia Nicole dives into one of the most debated issues in early childhood education: using personal devices on the job. She examines both sides—from the convenience of quick communication and handy apps to the pitfalls of distraction and privacy concerns. Marcia also shares tips on setting balanced policies that respect educators’ professional roles while acknowledging their real-life needs. Whether you’re a seasoned ECE professional or just starting out, this conversation helps you navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape in a way that keeps children’s best interests front and center.
Show Notes
Why It Matters: Personal device use in childcare settings can impact safety, supervision, and the overall classroom environment.
Pros & Cons: Phones can help with emergency calls, music, or documentation but can also become a distraction if not used responsibly.
Possible Solutions: Consider policies that allow device use for valid work reasons, designate phone-free zones, or implement work-issued devices to reduce personal phone dependence.
Balancing Compassion & Professionalism: Respect staff by explaining policy rationales, offering flexibility for real emergencies, and leading by example from the top.
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The Power of Advocacy: Elevating Early Childhood Education with AECEO

This episode is a special one. I had the honor of sitting down with members of the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario (AECEO)—an organization at the forefront of advocacy for ECE professionals. Their work is dedicated to empowering educators, pushing for systemic change, and ensuring that the voices of early childhood professionals are heard where it matters most.
Together, we explore:🔹 The power of advocacy—why it’s more than protests and petitions, and how it starts with everyday conversations.🔹 The real challenges facing ECEs—from wages and working conditions to professional recognition and sustainability.🔹 How educators can create change—practical steps to step into advocacy and make an impact.🔹 The AECEO’s role—how this organization is shaping policy, supporting ECEs, and building strong professional communities.
This conversation is inspiring, eye-opening, and essential for anyone passionate about early childhood education. Advocacy isn’t just for a select few—it’s something we can all be part of in our own way. If you’ve ever felt unsure about where to start, this episode will give you the motivation and tools to step into your voice.
🎧 Listen now—because our profession deserves to be seen, valued, and supported.
Guest Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_aeceo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AECEOntario/
Email: : info@aeceo.ca
Website: https://www.aeceo.ca/
Guest bio:The Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO) is the professional association for ECEs in Ontario. Our mission is to build and support a strong collective voice for ECEs so they can participate in and influence positive change that benefits children, families, communities, and ECEs. We advocate for respect, recognition, professional pay, and decent working conditions for all members of the early years workforce, while prioritizing the well-being of all early years professionals as the foundation for quality early learning and care.