What happens when an American teacher who spent many years teaching English Language Development (ELD) students becomes an immigrant herself? In this deeply personal episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner records from Uruguay — her new home — and shares the raw, unfiltered reality of her first month as an American expat in a Spanish-speaking country where she doesn't speak the language. This isn't a polished relocation guide. It's Amanda sitting in her echoey Airbnb (...

I'm a Meditation Teacher Who Still Eats Doritos When She's Stressed: Nervous System Regulation for Real Life

Amanda has been a passionate full time classroom teacher for 16 years. She’s worked in a wide range of educational settings teaching students grades 3rd-8th. Amanda worked for a Title I, charter, magnet, and National Blue Ribbon school and now she homeschools her twice exceptional daughter.No matter what type of school or grade she’s taught, engaging and empowering students has always been at the forefront of her work as an educator and teacher author.Amanda understands that helping students find their voice is core to being an effective teacher and social justice advocate.Even with a teacher willing to listen, there are many barriers that exist and hinder movement towards more equitable schools. Amanda has experienced first hand the many problems that exist in K-12 education. Listening to students is only the first step on a long road ahead. Amanda’s website, courses, lesson resources, and podcast are dedicated to supporting teachers and students in this important work for change.