GSRP teacher Katie Pannecouk reflects on her first year in the classroom and what helped her grow on the hard days.
Nothing quite prepares you for the first year of teaching. 
You’re learning who your students are, what they need and how to establish a good classroom flow all at the same time.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers talks with Katie Pannecouk after her first year teaching the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) at Heartfelt. Katie shares lessons learned, how she grew in confidence and what surprised her most.
[00:10:36] “I didn't realize it was gonna be this hard. . . . Everybody just has different needs that you don't really realize until you have them all presented out in front of you, and you just go with it.”
Katie found that leaning on experienced teachers and building relationships with families were indispensable.
[00:20:35] “I think it really helped that I have that prior relationship with these parents, that I know not every time that I'm gonna talk to them, it's gonna be something negative, . . . so when the hard conversations did come, it helped that I knew them personally.”
New teachers, a word to you: You do not need to have it all figured out. Give yourself time to grow and just keep showing up.

Lessons from a First Year Teacher

Kindergarten readiness goes beyond academics. Learn what to look for and how to help your child be in the classroom that’s right for them.
Deciding if your child is ready for kindergarten can feel so stressful. 
Is my child ready? Is kindergarten what’s best for my child right now? How do I know?
Rhonda Meyers talks with Young 5s teacher Teresa Thompson and kindergarten teacher Abby St. Aubin about those questions. They share decades of experience in what children need how parents can decide which classroom is the best fit.
Teresa and Abby share that choosing between Young 5s and kindergarten largely depends on the child’s confidence in a classroom setting. If a child can be without their parents, express what they need and work through frustrations with peers, they’re showing signs they may be ready for kindergarten.
[00:12:50] Abby: “You can have wonderful academic skills, but if you're not able to manage frustration or start to realize that not everyone thinks the same way as you . . . it's gonna be challenging in a classroom.”
Parents can help their child prepare for the classroom in the weeks before school by visiting new places, having lots of conversation, and reading together. If possible, visit the school and playground beforehand.
[00:27:58] Teresa: “Think about is your kid going to feel comfortable there? Make sure that you're doing what's best for them and not what looks good.”
Kindergarten-readiness ultimately is doing what’s best for your child. If you’re worried about making the right choice, ask the principal and teachers for insight. They want to partner with you to help your child succeed.

Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten?

Intentionality fuels strong teaching teams. Learn how trust, communication and shared responsibility create classrooms where everyone can thrive.
A strong teaching team sets the tone for the entire classroom. 
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers welcomes longtime early childhood educator, coach and former Heartfelt team member Wendy Malkiewicz to talk about how to build strong teaching teams.
Start by making the classroom shared. Divide responsibilities around each teacher’s strengths, plan together and make sure every adult is engaged in the life of the classroom. 
Wendy also recommends protecting 10 or 15 minutes every day for teachers to connect. Discuss what went well, what could be better and where children were most engaged that day. Collaboration creates opportunities to grow together.
[00:11:31] “There is something to be said about a sense of belonging, not just for the children, not just for the families, but you have to grow that together as adults.”
Strong teams also need room for honesty. Wendy remembers a time when her co-teacher recognized that something was wrong and created a safe space for a difficult conversation. Feeling heard changed the relationship.
[00:33:20] “When it comes to kiddos, we talk about behavior being communication. It is no different with adults.”
If a teammate’s behavior changes, Wendy urges teachers to pause, ask what is wrong and be willing to listen without filling in the story yourself.
Teaching teams grow stronger when people have time to communicate, permission to be vulnerable and confidence that the person beside them will have their back.

Building Strong Teaching Teams

Heartfelt summer campers share what they learned about creativity, starting a business and problem-solving.
Sometimes adults need to give children the space to see what they’re capable of. 
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers hands the microphone to Heartfelt’s fourth- and fifth-grade summer campers. What started as a few friends making bracelets grew into a student-run business complete with marketing, a written proposal and plans to donate proceeds to a local charity.
The campers shared how they learned to work with people who have different ideas. They disagreed over decisions and learned to compromise rather than abandon the project.
One of the campers donated over 50 origami ninja stars to the business that he and his friend made the previous summer. His takeaway:
[00:23:16] Gabe: “You can’t do much alone.”
When bracelets sold faster than they could make them, the children learned how to pivot. They practiced speaking up, listening to one another and recovering when things did not go as planned — lessons that go beyond their summer business.
[00: 27:19] Charlotte: “I'm most proud that everyone was working really hard and that they didn't force people to buy stuff.”
Give children room to create and lead, and they will show you they are capable of more than we imagined.

What Happens When We Let Children Lead

AI can take some of the mental load off parents. Listen for ways to save time on meals, schedules and everyday decisions.
So many little things have to happen to keep a family moving. 
Meals need to be planned, appointments remembered and calendars coordinated. 
AI expert, author and entrepreneur Ethan King joins Rhonda Meyers to share ways that AI can lighten parents’ mental load. 
[00:09:54] “We lose so much time and we burn so many mental calories due to decision fatigue. AI can just help tremendously with lifting that load.”
His first step is to teach AI about yourself. Share your preferences, give it feedback and use voice mode. The more context it has, the more helpful it will be.
Ethan also shares three ways parents can use AI to reduce stress and decision fatigue:

 Plan meals. Tell AI your family's preferences, allergies and schedule. Ask for meals and a grocery list, then connect it to Instacart for delivery.

 Plan vacations. Share your budget, travel preferences and what your family loves to do. AI can build an itinerary and packing list.

 Organize health information. Create a dedicated project in AI for health records to help you prepare for medical conversations. Ethan emphasized that AI does not replace your doctor.


[00:33:00] “Ask AI, ‘How else can you help me in my life? How can you help me achieve my goals? How can you help me have less stress? You tell me how to use you better.’”
Parenting is about making the best use of the support you have. Let AI take on some little things so you have more of yourself to give your family.

Resources
Ethan King’s <a href="https://ethanking.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">website</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Done-I-Your-Work-Live-ebook/dp/B0GX2VPF31">“Done: Let A.I. Do Your Work So You Can Live Your Life”</a> by Ethan King

5 Ways AI Can Give Back Your Time

Leadership isn’t about having every answer. Join Heartfelt’s Brittany Kay in the final episode of the Leadership Series on how to help leaders lead.
Brittany Kay, Heartfelt’s Executive Director of Program Quality, joins Rhonda Meyers in this final episode of the Leadership Series. They reflect on what it looks and feels like to develop leaders.
Brittany planned and ran Heartfelt’s leadership retreat this year. She learned from last year’s retreat that there needed to be more balance between fun and hard conversations — and enough time for both to unfold. 
[00:08:08] “People just want to be together, and people just want the positive outcomes that come from feeling safe with a group of individuals.”
Doing the best thing doesn’t necessarily mean doing the most elaborate thing. Brittany put this fact into action in the leadership retreat. Leadership development should help leaders know that they don’t have to have all the answers and it’s ok to slow down and be present and vulnerable with others.
[00:20:49] “Every moment had purpose. Every moment impacted others and . . . is the reason that we walked away from those days together a stronger team.”
As a leader, it can be hard to feel appreciated and to gauge your success. When you pour support and affirmation into your leadership team, you pour into staff, teachers, children and families too.

Leaders Need More Than Information | Leadership Series

Taking time away prevents leading in survival mode. Listen to this final episode in the leadership series.
The Heartfelt Way’s leadership series concludes in this conversation with Denise Palmer and Brooke Lewandowski on how and why to lead. 
Denise never thought of herself as a leader. But over the last few years, she’s grown to love sharing her knowledge with other teachers and celebrating their successes.
Brooke agreed.
[00:16:14] Brooke: "Being a leader has helped me grow as an individual. That’s helped me become more confident in myself, but it also has helped me to build those relationships.”
One of Heartfelt Impressions’ core values is “others before self but not at the expense of self.” This is one of Brooke’s favorite things about Heartfelt, and the leadership retreat is born directly from that value.
[00:17:39] Brooke: “When we step away as leadership for retreats, . . . it’s us investing in ourselves . . . to better the experience for families, for children, for everyone.”
Survival mode crushes passion. Stepping away allows leaders to make a clear plan, get on the same page and work towards shared goals.

Growing in Commitment and Passion | Leadership Series

The leadership series continues with a conversation about core values, leading by listening and building respectful, reciprocal relationships.
This episode of The Heartfelt Way continues the leadership series with Elizabeth Hall and Penny White, leaders from Heartfelt’s Rochester campus. They spoke with Rhonda Meyers about the core values, investment in teachers and community involvement that sets Heartfelt apart. 
Elizabeth came to Heartfelt after owning and running her own in-home daycare. It was difficult for her to decide to no longer be her own boss, but it was a step toward achieving her personal and leadership goals.
When Elizabeth first read Heartfelt’s core value statement, she was sold. She intentionally started in an entry-level position to learn the company from the ground up.
[00:12:36] Elizabeth: “I want to embody those core values. And I want to work with people where those values are just as important to them as [they] are to me, and that’s what the leadership team is.”
Fresh from the Heartfelt leadership retreat, Elizabeth and Penny are excited to build stronger relationships with families and the community in the coming year.
[00:30:45] Penny: “I want the children, and the parents, in my classroom to know they are a part of my life, and I want to be a part of their lives.”
Leaders are the foundation of good schools. Pour connection, support and education into your leaders and watch your organization flourish.

Core Values and Investing in People | Leadership Series

Leadership grows from vulnerability and hard conversations. Join two of Heartfelt’s leaders as they speak about growing in confidence and skill. 
There never is a right time to become a leader. Sometimes we think we’ll wait forever for the chance. Other times, we think we’ll never be ready.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers speaks with Heartfelt leaders Mayra Castro and Kiara Barahona. They reflect on their leadership journeys following Heartfelt's annual leadership retreat.
Mayra and Kiara say that the opportunity to share openly with other leaders is a big part of what made the retreat impactful.
[00:14:17] Mayra: “Being vulnerable with each other . . . shows the type of team we have.”
They speak about how they learned to have hard conversations as part of their leadership, the kind you’re tempted to put off because you think someone might abandon you. They share that most times, the result of the hard conversation looks better than they thought it would.
Looking ahead, Kiara and Mayra are excited from the growth that comes from being challenged.
[00:27:39] Kiara: “Because I’m being pushed, I want to help push others, too, to their full potential.”
True leaders are committed to growth. If you’re responsible for supporting leaders, pause and ask them how they’re doing. Time spent connecting with each other without a strategic goal is essential.

Growing Into Leadership Together | Leadership Series

Feeling unseen can take a quiet toll. Listen for five practices that help you reconnect with yourself.
What happens when you stop waiting for someone else to make you feel seen? 
In this solo episode, Rhonda shares five practices that changed the way she experienced her vacation and left her feeling more grounded as she returned to work.
Say what you want. Rhonda points out that amidst our roles as parents, leaders and friends we can forget that we have wants and preferences.
[00:02:43] “Sometimes it's hard to choose yourself, and it even sometimes feels selfish.” 
Even if it doesn’t come naturally, answer honestly when someone asks what you'd like to do. 
Keep things simple. Make a main dish and one side for dinner. Sit back and enjoy the people around you.
Read for pleasure. Rhonda admits that when she reads, it’s usually with a business or personal goal in mind. Ask your local bookstore for a recommendation and experience the emotional release of immersing yourself in a good story.
Act bravely and be fully present. Small choices like trying something difficult on your own or setting your phone aside create space to reconnect with yourself.
If you're feeling overlooked, this episode is for you. You might be the person who needs to see you.

Five Ways to Choose Yourself

Vacation can be exhausting with kids. Rhonda shares three ways to spark curiosity for kids and make vacation memories that reenergize the whole family.
Packing for vacation can leave parents feeling exhausted before they even leave the driveway. 
In this solo episode, Rhonda Meyers shares three ways to help children stay engaged on vacation without breaking the bank.

 Create a discovery challenge. It could be finding a feather or something older than them or digging the deepest hole on the beach. Discovery challenges help children strengthen observation, vocabulary and problem-solving skills and appreciate their surroundings. 


[00:12:01] “The possibilities are endless because when children create, their brains are doing incredible work.”

 Pack a creativity bag. A handful of everyday materials like tape, paper, markers and string gives children the freedom to experiment. As they plan, create and revise their ideas, they strengthen executive functioning skills they will use for the rest of their lives.

 Let your child tell the story. Hand them a Polaroid or disposable camera and invite them to capture their surroundings. Their perspective may surprise you!


[00:15:13] “Children notice details adults miss. . . . And at the end of vacation, print a few. Make that simple book. And now your child hasn't just gone on vacation. They've become a storyteller.”
Rhonda’s ideas help families create meaningful memories long after the suitcase is unpacked.

Three Vacation Hacks That Children Will Remember

Growth can begin with one honest conversation. Listen to Alissa’s story about confidence, resilience and choosing to believe in yourself.
If life does anything, it throws curveballs.
This episode is about the growth that comes from recognizing and honoring your needs, especially when life gets messy. Heartfelt director Alissa Russell joins Rhonda to speak about her hard-won success story. 
In her early 20’s Alissa was looking for a school for her daughter when she found Heartfelt. She started working there shortly after, and though she had command of the classroom, parents repeatedly expressed concern.
She realized that the belief that no one cared what she had to say kept her from connecting with parents.
Fast forward a few years, and life hit hard again. Alissa knew she couldn’t move forward alone. She needed support.
[00:31:36] “I knew what I needed, but I wasn't ready. I couldn't take the step myself. I needed somebody to help me take that step.”
Rhonda and Alissa share how coaching, therapy, mentorship and small daily commitments helped her confidence grow. She’s found exercise is essential to her physical and mental wellbeing.
[00:36:08] “You don't have to start off with a marathon. You can start off with a five-minute walk.”
Growth begins the moment you choose to believe a new story about yourself.
Mentioned in this Episode:
<a href="https://pod.link/1858704384/episode/ZGMzMWI4NWUtNjliNS0xMWYxLTljY2QtMzc0ZWQ4MjkyNjNm">Ep. 27 More Than a Classroom: The Paths to Early Childhood</a>

The Story You Tell Yourself Can Change

As Heartfelt celebrates 15 years, Rhonda reflects on gratitude, resilience and the people who made the journey possible.
As Heartfelt Impressions celebrates 15 years in business, Rhonda Meyers takes a moment to reflect on the people, relationships and lessons that have shaped its journey. 
Rhonda challenges the idea that successful organizations are built by a single person. Instead, she honors the teachers, families, leaders, support staff and the children who have been essential to creating the community of trust and belonging that defines Heartfelt.
[00:13:45] “People want to matter. Children, parents, teachers, leaders, every single person wants to know they make a difference . . . so we make space and time in our busy lives to make sure people know they matter.”
As she reflects on the difficult seasons, Rhonda shares that gratitude makes going forward possible.
[00:22:50] “Gratitude isn't something we do after we arrive. It is literally how we keep going. It's how we stay grounded when things are hard. It's how we remember what truly matters: people.”
Listen for more of Rhonda’s wisdom on resilience, leadership and how the real circumstances of our life help us become who we are meant to be.

15 Years Later: What Gratitude Built

Careers in childhood go far beyond the classroom. Listen to learn about early childhood career paths, mentorship, and shaping a meaningful life.
When most people think about a career in early childhood, they picture a classroom. 
That’s only the tip of the iceberg.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers sits down with longtime friend and educator Betsy Spiker to explore the many directions a career in early childhood can take.
Over four decades, Betsy has served as a kindergarten teacher, accreditation specialist, college instructor, coach and high school career and technical education teacher. 
[00:35:12] “All of the principles that I know to be true about early childhood—building a community, connection before correction, setting the tone, making them feel seen and heard—I apply to the high school classroom.”
Along the way, she has discovered that meaningful careers are built through relationships, curiosity and a willingness to ask for opportunities.
Betsy speaks about the value of mentorship, professional organizations, career setbacks and the courage to keep moving forward when plans change.
[00:43:57] “Whatever you're gonna do, do it because it fills you up.”
Whether you're just beginning your career or wondering what comes next, this episode is a reminder that the most meaningful opportunities often start with a conversation.

More Than a Classroom: The Paths to Early Childhood

Learn how to maintain balance and work toward kindergarten-readiness this summer with Mary Jo Cloutier.
Everything seems to happen during the last month of school.
After all of the field days, performances and graduations, this time of year can feel more like drowning than thriving.
Mary Jo Cloutier joins Rhonda for another episode to share three ways to bring more sanity to summer and help your child get ready for kindergarten.
 
1. Create a predictable routine together
Children thrive on predictability. Mary Jo recommends creating a visual schedule children can refer to throughout the day. It helps them develop a sense of time and build the executive functioning skills needed to plan ahead.
[00:14:25] Rhonda: “Children need to know they are capable."
Routines also give children the opportunity to be leaders. It’s amazing to see them take charge when they know what’s coming next.
 
2. Practice fine motor skills
No extra materials needed! Mary Jo and Rhonda share at-home activities to try. The important thing is to think about how to help the child use their whole body. Mary Jo points out that an important part of growing in fine motor skills is growing in patience, both for children and parents.
[00:15:25] Mary Jo: “We live in a microwave society. . . . We’re so used to everything being instant.”
 
3. Enjoy books together
This is a big one: Go to the library. Utilize the kid-friendly space, activities and programs. Mary Jo and Rhonda also recommend putting books in every room of your house and share practical tips for helping your child begin to fall in love with reading.
Summer is a chance to take a breath and remember that you are exactly who your child needs.

School’s Out: Three Tips for Summer Sanity

Children are shaped by every relationship. Learn how each adult has the power to help children feel valued, noticed and safe with Ryan Tedesco.
When we think about the adults who shape children, we often picture family members and teachers. 
But children are paying attention to everyone. 
They notice who smiles at them. Who remembers their name. Who waves goodbye.
And who makes them feel safe.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers sits down with Ryan Tedesco, a member of Heartfelt’s maintenance team and transportation staff, to explore the impact of the relationships children build with the adults they encounter every day.
Drawing from his experiences as a bus driver and volunteer firefighter, Ryan shares that trust forms through noticing — things, people, conversations — consistently.
[00:15:22] “One of the greatest privileges that I've ever had is when a parent says, ‘I trust you with my child.’ There's no greater gift to me than that.”
Whether he is helping a child buckle a seatbelt for the first time, asking about a treasured toy or listening after a difficult day at school, Ryan dedicates space for children’s needs and curiosity. For others to feel seen, you have to slow down.
[00:21:44] “Never pass up the opportunity when a child comes up to you and wants to know about something. Never pass that up. Your day is never too busy for a child. It never, ever is.”
Children remind us that every relationship matters, every interaction, and every person. 
And when a child grows up surrounded by adults who care, those moments become a part of who they are. And that's a real privilege.

More Than Maintenance: The Impact You Don’t Always See

Miss Charlene shares what 20 years in infant care has taught her about responsiveness, trust and knowing every baby deeply.
Infant care is relationship work. Every bottle, every diaper change, every moment on the floor is a chance to build trust.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers sits down with Miss Charlene, an infant teacher with 20 years of experience in the first year of life. Together they walk through what quality infant care looks like from the inside: responsive caregiving, individualized routines, calm presence in the chaos, and the kind of deep knowing that only comes from paying close attention.
 
[00:07:39] "Infant teaching, you are on the floor 95% of your day. You are on the floor with the children."
 
They cover the green flags parents should look for when touring a program and the red flags that deserve a second look. Charlene shares what it means to follow a baby’s lead, why containers limit development and how honest communication with families builds the trust every parent needs.
 
[00:38:00] "Babies don’t need perfect adults. They need responsive ones, predictable ones, and present ones."
 
Whether you're touring a program or reflecting on your own classroom, Charlene's perspective will stay with you.

On the Floor with Them: What Infant Care Should Feel Like

Early childhood leaders carry invisible pressure every day. Learn how to avoid burnout through rhythms and sustainable leadership with Chanie Wilschanski.
Behind every staffing call, difficult conversation and licensing visit, early childhood leaders carry an immense emotional weight that’s often invisible.
In this episode, Rhonda Meyers sits down with leadership coach, speaker and author Chanie Wilschanski to talk about burnout, relational leadership and the rhythms that help leaders stay grounded.
Chanie shares how years of caregiving and high-achievement led her to confront the exhaustion so many leaders normalize.
[00:08:24] "Leaders are not addicted to control. You are allergic to collapse. You are terrified of what will collapse if you stop." 
Things started to change when Chanie’s business mentor asked her: What if you don’t need to protect your energy; what if you can create it? She realized that leaders normalize the exhaustion they feel because they’ve decided that it’s the cost of success.  
Rhonda and Chanie discuss practical ways leaders can create rhythms of connection, gratitude and communication that strengthen teams and outperform traditional “standards” many schools set:
[00:23:55] “Your standards have to be able to be pressure-tested and not renegotiated in real time when things are tiring and overwhelming.”
This conversation is a reminder to leaders that building a sustainable culture while avoiding burnout is possible with the right perspective and support.
Resources mentioned in this episode
<a href="https://thiscantbenormal.com/">“This Can’t Be Normal”</a> by Chanie Wilschanski
*Email cw@chanie.me after purchasing the book for bonus training on the top five rhythms to install in your school
<a href="https://schoolsofexcellence.com/podcast/">Schools of Excellence podcast</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Your-Way-Through-Conflict/dp/1631984942">“Finding Your Way Through Conflict”</a> by Chris Amirault and Christine Snyder

Leadership, Burnout, and Creating Rhythms That Restore

Rhonda reflects on the beauty of motherhood, its emotional labor and the longing to feel seen.
Mothers notice things. They’re always scanning the room’s emotions, ready if someone’s in need.
In this solo episode, Rhonda reflects on the tension many mothers experience between trying to care for everyone around them and desiring to feel seen. 
Drawing from her own experiences as a mother and grandmother, she shares honest stories about balancing work, family, overwhelm, and the pressure to “do enough.”
[00:17:38] “Your children do not need a burned-out version of you to prove [you] love [them].”
Rhonda reminds listeners that children remember connection, emotional safety and presence more than extravagance or perfection.

You Matter Too: A Message for Mothers

Learn tools for responding to children’s grief and loss with Heidi Friedel.
It takes a quiet kind of courage to accompany a child who’s grieving.
We adults just want to make their pain go away. But we can’t. 
So, the work of just being with them starts. It’s hard, important work.
In this conversation, Heidi Friedel joins Rhonda Meyers to talk about how grief and loss show up in young children and what they need from the adults in their lives in those moments.
Children experience grief beyond the death of a loved one. It can come from the loss of a caregiver, a routine or even a beloved object. Rhonda explains that because many children don’t have the language to express what they’re feeling yet, their grief can show up in unexpected ways.
[00:15:07] “Grief doesn't always show up like sadness. Loss doesn't always show up like sadness. It sometimes shows up as defiance. It sometimes shows up as [behavioral] regression.”
Guiding children through loss means choosing to be present, connected and communicative. Heidi urges adults to use clear and honest language, acknowledge the child’s feelings and avoid trying to fix their grief.
[00:23:00] “When we deal with any kind of loss, . . . we have to make sure that we're present and that we don't shut ourselves down.”
This conversation is a reminder that when children are grieving, they’re asking if they’re safe to feel the way they’re feeling.

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