Join host Cate Tolnai as she sits down with Dr. Sarah Thomas, founder of EduMatch, for a powerful conversation about building authentic educator communities, finding balance beyond hustle culture, and discovering that true impact comes from connection, not scale.

🎯 What You'll Discover:

From One Voxer Chat to Global Community 🌍

• How a simple conversation sparked the creation of EduMatch—now a global professional learning network with 200+ facilitators
• Why starting small and personal creates more meaningful connections than chasing viral growth
• The evolution from tweets and hashtags to a thriving ecosystem of educator collaboration

The Power of Professional Learning Networks 🤝

• How finding (or creating) your PLN can reignite your passion and prevent burnout
• Why connecting with educators who share your interests matters more than connecting with everyone
• The bridges that sustain us: mentorship, community, and authentic belonging

The Starfish Story Philosophy ⭐

• Why small acts of impact matter—you don't have to save everyone to make a difference
• How Sarah's 20-year education journey taught her that connection trumps scale every time
• The ripple effect of kindness and collaboration in educational spaces

Introducing: The Softer Life for Educators 🌸

• Sarah's newest project designed to help educators move beyond hustle culture
• Creating space for balance, wellness, and purpose in both your 9-to-5 and 5-to-9 life
• Why the education community needs permission to rest, reflect, and recharge

Leading With Empathy and Grace 💝

• Lessons from career pivots and the importance of giving grace in community work
• How to sustain authentic community without burning out
• Building belonging through empathy rather than perfection

Key Takeaways:

✨ Impact isn't measured by scale—it's measured by connection. Even small acts can change lives
✨ Your professional learning network is your lifeline—find your people or create the space where they can find you
✨ You can't pour from an empty cup—embracing a softer life isn't selfish, it's sustainable
✨ Every educator who shows up matters, even if you're only reaching one starfish at a time
✨ Leading with grace and authenticity builds stronger communities than perfectionism ever could

🎯 Perfect For:

• Educators feeling isolated or searching for their professional community
• Teachers struggling with work-life balance and hustle culture burnout
• Leaders looking to build authentic, sustainable educator networks
• Anyone who's ever wondered if their small contributions really matter
• Educators ready to embrace wellness and purpose alongside professional growth

Resources & Mentions:

📚 Sarah's Books on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01MU55ZMU
💻 EduMatch website - https://www.edumatch.org/
❤️ The Softer Life for Educators Community and PLN - https://www.skool.com/softerlife/about?ref=52f4ee7258ea41fb9980106265ebc327

Connect With Dr. Sarah Thomas:

Twitter/X: @sarahdateechur
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-jane-thomas/
Website: https://www.edumatch.org/sarahthomasphd

About Dr. Sarah Thomas:

Sarah Thomas, PhD is the founder of EduMatch, an organization that empowers educators to make global connections across common areas of interest. She has spoken and presented internationally, participated in the Technical Working Group to refresh the 2017 ISTE Standards for Educators, and is a recipient of the ISTE Making IT Happen award. Sarah is a co-author of the ISTE digital equity series, Closing the Gap, the winner of the 2023 Maryland Society for Educational Technology Outstanding Leader Using Technology award, and the 2023 Leader of the Year as designated by the American Consortium for Equity in Education.

This episode is a reminder that you don't need to reach millions to make a meaningful impact—you just need to show up authentically, connect deeply, and give yourself the grace to build a life that honors both your professional calling and your personal wellbeing. Whether you're searching for your educator tribe or ready to create a softer, more sustainable teaching life, Sarah's wisdom will inspire you to lead with heart.

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