Controlled Chaos: How One Award-Winning Teacher Connects With Students Before Teaching the Curriculum

Controlled Chaos: How One Award-Winning Teacher Connects With Students Before Teaching the Curriculum

Author: Teacher Stories June 13, 2025 Duration: 25:10
Eric Hall, an award-winning elementary school teacher from Northern Michigan, shares a touching story about a fishing trip he took in the dark of night with one of his students. “That night,” he writes, “we didn't catch a single smelt, but we caught something better, a connection. And honestly, I'd wear that ridiculous headlamp again in a heartbeat, just maybe not next weekend." “Jerky, Headlamps, and One Loyal Teacher” is a story that reminds us of the importance of building connections with students and being present for them, even in unconventional or unexpected situations. In his conversation with host Ken Futernick, Mr. Hall says he encourages his students to take risks, step out of their comfort zones, and not be afraid of failure. He says cultivating curiosity and a willingness to try new things is crucial for students to become engaged and successful learners. Eric Hall and his students have been featured on several national outlets, including The Ellen DeGeneres Show. While the accolades are nice, Eric will tell you his greatest rewards come in the form of high-fives in the hallway, students who finally “get it,” and the joy of watching kids realize they are capable of more than they imagined.

Behind every person who learns, there is someone who taught them. Teacher Stories is a quiet space dedicated entirely to those someones. This podcast moves beyond the general appreciation for educators to share the specific, often overlooked moments that define a life in the classroom. Each episode features a different voice-sometimes a teacher recounting a breakthrough or a challenge, other times a former student sharing how an educator’s influence quietly shaped their path years later. You’ll hear the unscripted reality of the profession: the small victories that happen off the report card, the frustrations that never make it to a staff meeting, and the profound connections that form in the most unexpected ways. By listening to these personal narratives, we get a clearer, more human picture of the immense role teachers play in stitching the fabric of our communities together. The stories collected here are a testament to the lasting impact of a single dedicated individual. Tune in for a genuine, heartfelt exploration of education from the inside out, one story at a time. This podcast is an ongoing conversation about why these personal histories matter, inviting everyone to reflect on the educators who left a mark on their own lives.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 71

Teacher Stories
Podcast Episodes
Lisa Godwin shares a story that she had kept secret for 20 years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Lisa Godwin waited 20 years before telling anyone about a traumatic childhood experience. She credits a first grade teacher and a guidance counselor for helping her cope and eventually overcome this painful episode in he…
Teaching Abroad, Josh Gaston Learns to Navigate Cultural Divides [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Unsure what to do with his life, Josh Gaston decides to become a teacher of English -- first in Asia and then in other countries around the world. His stories are about navigating the striking, but sometimes subtle, diff…
Teaching History Through Troubled Times [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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An unexpected letter from one of her students reminds Tracy Barnett that her approach to teaching history, at least for this 8th grade student, has paid off. The student said she acquired a keen new interest in history a…
Victor Rios' Teacher Saved His Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:39
At age 14, Victor Rios' best friend is shot and killed. Afterwards, Victor thought, "I am going to end up dead like him or in prison for life." But Victor turns his life around after having a high school technology teach…
Never Again Will Kathryn Isaacs use the Phrase 'Merely a Teacher' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:44
When Kathryn Isaacs was in 8th grade she proudly read an essay aloud in class, comparing her very demanding teacher, Mr. Del Rossi, to the Wizard of Oz. At the end of her essay, she describes him as "merely a language te…
Award-Winning Filmmaker Pays Tribute to his High School Drama Teacher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:10
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