Teacher Talk

What truly transforms an educator’s journey? It’s those rare, unforgettable moments when a student lets down their guard and invites you into their world. Maybe it’s the kid who constantly pushes limits or the quiet one who never speaks up—until suddenly, they do. Whether it’s a breakthrough moment, a vulnerable story, or even just a smile that says “I trust you,” those glimpses into a student’s authentic self shift everything. It’s like those late-night parent chats where, out of nowhere, your child opens up—and you know something meaningful just happened. The second shift comes when educators realize they’re not just teaching content—they’re shaping humans. That realization often hits harder after becoming a parent, when you see your students through a new lens. Suddenly, you're not just a teacher, you're a role model, a safe space, and sometimes, the only adult who sees their hidden brilliance. The most humbling part? Our students teach us too—about life, about strength, and sometimes about loss. If a teacher ever saw something in you before you saw it in yourself, take a moment today to reflect. Then ask yourself: Who needs that same belief from me today? ✨ Books by Cathy Tooley 📖 Presale: A Gentle Walk: A Quarterly Faith Journal - https://www.warrenpublishing.net/store/p610/PRE-SALES_A_Gentle_Walk%3A_A_Quarterly_Faith_Journal_%28Soft_Cover%29_by_Cathy_Tooley.html 📖 Current book: The Education System is Broken: Strategies to Rebuilding Hope, Lives and Futures Amazon - http://amzn.to/1plBNFg Rowman & Littlefield (Publisher) - https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/education-system-is-broken-9781475827408/ 📅 Schedule a Call with Cathy: Book a time here - https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/46d83727/appointment/8522286/calendar/2631488?appointmentTypeIds[]=8522286 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Stay connected and get the latest updates: 🌐 Website: https://www.toolsforsuccessindy.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/TFSIndy 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-tooley-330133a9/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toolsforsuccessindy/ 📌 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ctooley19/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToolsForSuccessIndianapolis/
The Moment That Changed Everything
What truly transforms an educator’s journey? It’s those rare, unforgettable moments when a student lets down their guard and invites you into their world. Maybe it’s the kid who constantly pushes limits or the quiet one who never speaks up—until suddenly, they do. Whether it’s a breakthrough moment, a vulnerable story, or even just a smile that says “I trust you,” those glimpses into a student’s authentic self shift everything. It’s like those late-night parent chats where, out of nowhere, your child opens up—and you know something meaningful just happened. The second shift comes when educators realize they’re not just teaching content—they’re shaping humans. That realization often hits harder after becoming a parent, when you see your students through a new lens. Suddenly, you're not just a teacher, you're a role model, a safe space, and sometimes, the only adult who sees their hidden brilliance. The most humbling part? Our students teach us too—about life, about strength, and sometimes about loss. If a teacher ever saw something in you before you saw it in yourself, take a moment today to reflect. Then ask yourself: Who needs that same belief from me today? ✨ Books by Cathy Tooley 📖 Presale: A Gentle Walk: A Quarterly Faith Journal - https://www.warrenpublishing.net/store/p610/PRE-SALES_A_Gentle_Walk%3A_A_Quarterly_Faith_Journal_%28Soft_Cover%29_by_Cathy_Tooley.html 📖 Current book: The Education System is Broken: Strategies to Rebuilding Hope, Lives and Futures Amazon - http://amzn.to/1plBNFg Rowman & Littlefield (Publisher) - https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/education-system-is-broken-9781475827408/ 📅 Schedule a Call with Cathy: Book a time here - https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/46d83727/appointment/8522286/calendar/2631488?appointmentTypeIds[]=8522286 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Stay connected and get the latest updates: 🌐 Website: https://www.toolsforsuccessindy.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/TFSIndy 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-tooley-330133a9/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toolsforsuccessindy/ 📌 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ctooley19/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToolsForSuccessIndianapolis/
The Moment That Changed Everything
Rebecca Johnson’s story shows the bittersweet reality so many educators face. The same week she was honored as Teacher of the Year, she also received a reduction-in-force notice. After years of tutoring struggling students before and after school, she left education altogether—only to later receive a call that changed everything. A mother shared that her once-struggling son had become his class valedictorian, a reminder to Rebecca that her efforts had left a lasting mark even when she doubted their impact. Her years in Indianapolis Public Schools were full of both sacrifice and small triumphs. With frozen salaries, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of supplies, Rebecca often used her own money to make learning meaningful—buying pencils, numbering them individually, even purchasing kites so her first graders could write from real experience. Leaving a profession she dreamed of since childhood was painful, but she emphasizes there’s no single right path. Whether teachers stay decades or step away earlier, their ripple effects are real and lasting—even if they never fully get to see the results. ✨ Books by Cathy Tooley 📖 Presale: A Gentle Walk: A Quarterly Faith Journal - https://www.warrenpublishing.net/store/p610/PRE-SALES_A_Gentle_Walk%3A_A_Quarterly_Faith_Journal_%28Soft_Cover%29_by_Cathy_Tooley.html 📖 Current book: The Education System is Broken: Strategies to Rebuilding Hope, Lives and Futures Amazon - http://amzn.to/1plBNFg Rowman & Littlefield (Publisher) - https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/education-system-is-broken-9781475827408/ 📅 Schedule a Call with Cathy: Book a time here - https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/46d83727/appointment/8522286/calendar/2631488?appointmentTypeIds[]=8522286 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Stay connected and get the latest updates: 🌐 Website: https://www.toolsforsuccessindy.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/TFSIndy 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-tooley-330133a9/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toolsforsuccessindy/ 📌 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ctooley19/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToolsForSuccessIndianapolis/
Unexpected Thank Yous When Former Students Reach Out
Rebecca Johnson’s story shows the bittersweet reality so many educators face. The same week she was honored as Teacher of the Year, she also received a reduction-in-force notice. After years of tutoring struggling students before and after school, she left education altogether—only to later receive a call that changed everything. A mother shared that her once-struggling son had become his class valedictorian, a reminder to Rebecca that her efforts had left a lasting mark even when she doubted their impact. Her years in Indianapolis Public Schools were full of both sacrifice and small triumphs. With frozen salaries, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of supplies, Rebecca often used her own money to make learning meaningful—buying pencils, numbering them individually, even purchasing kites so her first graders could write from real experience. Leaving a profession she dreamed of since childhood was painful, but she emphasizes there’s no single right path. Whether teachers stay decades or step away earlier, their ripple effects are real and lasting—even if they never fully get to see the results. ✨ Books by Cathy Tooley 📖 Presale: A Gentle Walk: A Quarterly Faith Journal - https://www.warrenpublishing.net/store/p610/PRE-SALES_A_Gentle_Walk%3A_A_Quarterly_Faith_Journal_%28Soft_Cover%29_by_Cathy_Tooley.html 📖 Current book: The Education System is Broken: Strategies to Rebuilding Hope, Lives and Futures Amazon - http://amzn.to/1plBNFg Rowman & Littlefield (Publisher) - https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/education-system-is-broken-9781475827408/ 📅 Schedule a Call with Cathy: Book a time here - https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/46d83727/appointment/8522286/calendar/2631488?appointmentTypeIds[]=8522286 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Stay connected and get the latest updates: 🌐 Website: https://www.toolsforsuccessindy.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/TFSIndy 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-tooley-330133a9/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toolsforsuccessindy/ 📌 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ctooley19/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToolsForSuccessIndianapolis/
Unexpected Thank Yous When Former Students Reach Out
Rebecca Johnson’s story shows the bittersweet reality so many educators face. The same week she was honored as Teacher of the Year, she also received a reduction-in-force notice. After years of tutoring struggling students before and after school, she left education altogether—only to later receive a call that changed everything. A mother shared that her once-struggling son had become his class valedictorian, a reminder to Rebecca that her efforts had left a lasting mark even when she doubted their impact. Her years in Indianapolis Public Schools were full of both sacrifice and small triumphs. With frozen salaries, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of supplies, Rebecca often used her own money to make learning meaningful—buying pencils, numbering them individually, even purchasing kites so her first graders could write from real experience. Leaving a profession she dreamed of since childhood was painful, but she emphasizes there’s no single right path. Whether teachers stay decades or step away earlier, their ripple effects are real and lasting—even if they never fully get to see the results. ✨ Books by Cathy Tooley 📖 Presale: A Gentle Walk: A Quarterly Faith Journal - https://www.warrenpublishing.net/store/p610/PRE-SALES_A_Gentle_Walk%3A_A_Quarterly_Faith_Journal_%28Soft_Cover%29_by_Cathy_Tooley.html 📖 Current book: The Education System is Broken: Strategies to Rebuilding Hope, Lives and Futures Amazon - http://amzn.to/1plBNFg Rowman & Littlefield (Publisher) - https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/education-system-is-broken-9781475827408/ 📅 Schedule a Call with Cathy: Book a time here - https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/46d83727/appointment/8522286/calendar/2631488?appointmentTypeIds[]=8522286 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Stay connected and get the latest updates: 🌐 Website: https://www.toolsforsuccessindy.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/TFSIndy 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-tooley-330133a9/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toolsforsuccessindy/ 📌 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ctooley19/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToolsForSuccessIndianapolis/
Unexpected Thank Yous When Former Students Reach Out
Rebecca Johnson’s story shows the bittersweet reality so many educators face. The same week she was honored as Teacher of the Year, she also received a reduction-in-force notice. After years of tutoring struggling students before and after school, she left education altogether—only to later receive a call that changed everything. A mother shared that her once-struggling son had become his class valedictorian, a reminder to Rebecca that her efforts had left a lasting mark even when she doubted their impact. Her years in Indianapolis Public Schools were full of both sacrifice and small triumphs. With frozen salaries, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of supplies, Rebecca often used her own money to make learning meaningful—buying pencils, numbering them individually, even purchasing kites so her first graders could write from real experience. Leaving a profession she dreamed of since childhood was painful, but she emphasizes there’s no single right path. Whether teachers stay decades or step away earlier, their ripple effects are real and lasting—even if they never fully get to see the results. ✨ Books by Cathy Tooley 📖 Presale: A Gentle Walk: A Quarterly Faith Journal - https://www.warrenpublishing.net/store/p610/PRE-SALES_A_Gentle_Walk%3A_A_Quarterly_Faith_Journal_%28Soft_Cover%29_by_Cathy_Tooley.html 📖 Current book: The Education System is Broken: Strategies to Rebuilding Hope, Lives and Futures Amazon - http://amzn.to/1plBNFg Rowman & Littlefield (Publisher) - https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/education-system-is-broken-9781475827408/ 📅 Schedule a Call with Cathy: Book a time here - https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/46d83727/appointment/8522286/calendar/2631488?appointmentTypeIds[]=8522286 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Stay connected and get the latest updates: 🌐 Website: https://www.toolsforsuccessindy.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/TFSIndy 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-tooley-330133a9/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toolsforsuccessindy/ 📌 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ctooley19/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToolsForSuccessIndianapolis/
Unexpected Thank Yous When Former Students Reach Out | Epi 8
Rebecca Johnson’s story shows the bittersweet reality so many educators face. The same week she was honored as Teacher of the Year, she also received a reduction-in-force notice. After years of tutoring struggling students before and after school, she left education altogether—only to later receive a call that changed everything. A mother shared that her once-struggling son had become his class valedictorian, a reminder to Rebecca that her efforts had left a lasting mark even when she doubted their impact. Her years in Indianapolis Public Schools were full of both sacrifice and small triumphs. With frozen salaries, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of supplies, Rebecca often used her own money to make learning meaningful—buying pencils, numbering them individually, even purchasing kites so her first graders could write from real experience. Leaving a profession she dreamed of since childhood was painful, but she emphasizes there’s no single right path. Whether teachers stay decades or step away earlier, their ripple effects are real and lasting—even if they never fully get to see the results. ✨ Books by Cathy Tooley 📖 Presale: A Gentle Walk: A Quarterly Faith Journal - https://www.warrenpublishing.net/store/p610/PRE-SALES_A_Gentle_Walk%3A_A_Quarterly_Faith_Journal_%28Soft_Cover%29_by_Cathy_Tooley.html 📖 Current book: The Education System is Broken: Strategies to Rebuilding Hope, Lives and Futures Amazon - http://amzn.to/1plBNFg Rowman & Littlefield (Publisher) - https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/education-system-is-broken-9781475827408/ 📅 Schedule a Call with Cathy: Book a time here - https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/46d83727/appointment/8522286/calendar/2631488?appointmentTypeIds[]=8522286 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Stay connected and get the latest updates: 🌐 Website: https://www.toolsforsuccessindy.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/TFSIndy 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-tooley-330133a9/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toolsforsuccessindy/ 📌 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ctooley19/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToolsForSuccessIndianapolis/
Unexpected Thank Yous When Former Students Reach Out
Rebecca Johnson’s story shows the bittersweet reality so many educators face. The same week she was honored as Teacher of the Year, she also received a reduction-in-force notice. After years of tutoring struggling students before and after school, she left education altogether—only to later receive a call that changed everything. A mother shared that her once-struggling son had become his class valedictorian, a reminder to Rebecca that her efforts had left a lasting mark even when she doubted their impact. Her years in Indianapolis Public Schools were full of both sacrifice and small triumphs. With frozen salaries, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of supplies, Rebecca often used her own money to make learning meaningful—buying pencils, numbering them individually, even purchasing kites so her first graders could write from real experience. Leaving a profession she dreamed of since childhood was painful, but she emphasizes there’s no single right path. Whether teachers stay decades or step away earlier, their ripple effects are real and lasting—even if they never fully get to see the results. ✨ Books by Cathy Tooley 📖 Presale: A Gentle Walk: A Quarterly Faith Journal - https://www.warrenpublishing.net/store/p610/PRE-SALES_A_Gentle_Walk%3A_A_Quarterly_Faith_Journal_%28Soft_Cover%29_by_Cathy_Tooley.html 📖 Current book: The Education System is Broken: Strategies to Rebuilding Hope, Lives and Futures Amazon - http://amzn.to/1plBNFg Rowman & Littlefield (Publisher) - https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/education-system-is-broken-9781475827408/ 📅 Schedule a Call with Cathy: Book a time here - https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/46d83727/appointment/8522286/calendar/2631488?appointmentTypeIds[]=8522286 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Stay connected and get the latest updates: 🌐 Website: https://www.toolsforsuccessindy.com/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/TFSIndy 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-tooley-330133a9/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toolsforsuccessindy/ 📌 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ctooley19/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToolsForSuccessIndianapolis/
Unexpected Thank Yous When Former Students Reach Out
Teacher Appreciation #teacherappreciation #teaching #teachers #makingadifference #youmatter
Load More... Subscribe

Contact Us

Address

345 W Carlisle St #688
Mooresville, IN,  46158

Contact Us

(317) 961-1205
info@toolsforsuccessindy.com

Follow Us

Hey there! Ask me anything!