Welcome to Motivational May on The Inspiring ECE Podcast a month-long series created to uplift, recharge, and re-energize early childhood educators just like you.

May can be a whirlwind full of evaluations, transitions, celebrations, and big to-do lists that leave you running on empty. But this year, we’re shifting the energy. This is your invitation to pause, reflect, and refill your cup because you matter, and the work you do is nothing short of extraordinary.

Each week, Marcia Nicole brings you a joyful, real, and motivational pep talk to help you feel seen, supported, and inspired because you deserve it.

In this kickoff episode, Marcia dives into the unseen and uncelebrated moments the invisible victories that often go unnoticed in your day-to-day work. From wiping spills and calming tears, to observing growth and helping children through emotional challenges, these small wins are the heartbeat of early childhood education.

She reminds us that these tiny but powerful moments help build resiliency, confidence, and joy not just in the children you support, but in you as an educator. You won’t find trophies or applause for every one of them, but they are just as important maybe even more.

So today, take a deep breath. Celebrate the wins that no one sees. And remember you’re making magic in the everyday moments, and your impact is massive.

• Follow our Instagram: instagram.com/ispyrtoeducate/

• Connect on LinkedIn: LinkedIn

• Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join Our Newsletter

• Email: info@ispyrtoeducate.com

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.

• Follow our Instagram: instagram.com/ispyrtoeducate/

• Connect on LinkedIn: LinkedIn

• Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join Our Newsletter

• Email: info@ispyrtoeducate.com

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.

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).

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.

• 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

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.

• Follow our Instagram: instagram.com/ispyrtoeducate/

• Connect on LinkedIn: LinkedIn

• Email: info@ispyrtoeducate.com

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.

📚 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!

📘 Get The Mother-Daughter Book Club Guide:https://www.stefaniehohl.com/

🌎 Website: https://www.abcseeheardo.com/ 📷 Follow them on Instagram: @‌abcseeheardo @stefaniehohl @‌meghanvossstudio

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

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!

• Follow our Instagram: instagram.com/ispyrtoeducate/

• Connect on LinkedIn: LinkedIn

• Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join Our Newsletter

• Email: info@ispyrtoeducate.com