Welcome to Season 6 of the Pass the Baton podcast! As a new school year begins, Kathryn and Theresa kick off the season by looking beyond lesson plans, classroom setup, and first-day logistics to explore the invisible decisions that shape the entire year. Through five reflective questions, they discuss what teachers can truly control, what students should own, how classroom routines communicate trust, when compliance is necessary (and when it isn't), and which traditions are worth keeping—or reimagining. Together, they challenge listeners to create learning environments that prioritize student ownership, creativity, and meaningful engagement from day one.

Rather than offering another back-to-school checklist, this conversation encourages educators to begin the year with intentionality. Kathryn and Theresa share practical examples from their own classrooms while reminding listeners that small mindset shifts can have a lasting impact on students' confidence and growth. The episode concludes with a simple intentions exercise, inviting teachers to reflect on what they want students to leave their classroom believing, what they will stop doing this year, and what they want students to truly own as learners.

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