What happens when an educator is told they’re not coming back?

For many teachers and educators, non-renewal can bring embarrassment, self-doubt, anger, and the feeling that maybe they were never good enough in the first place. But what if the bigger story is about mentorship, leadership, workplace culture, power, and whether educators are actually being given a fair chance to succeed?

In this episode, Jamie sits down with Stephanie Panico, a classroom teacher of 15 years, certified mentor, and founder of Teach 4 Underdogs. Stephanie shares her own experience with multiple non-renewals early in her career, how those experiences shaped her work, and why she now supports educators navigating job loss, professional identity, workplace politics, and the road back to confidence.

Together, Jamie and Stephanie talk about what real mentorship looks like, how educators can recognize when they are unsupported, why workplace dynamics matter more than many people realize, and what leaders need to consider before deciding an educator simply “isn’t a fit.”

This conversation is for anyone who has ever questioned whether they belong in education — and for the leaders responsible for making sure good educators have a real opportunity to grow.

🍂 September is here — and before and after school programs are officially back in action.

And if your first week included missing belongings, transportation confusion, tired kindergarteners, changing schedules, new faces, and at least one moment where you wondered what day it was… welcome back, friends.

In September Hits Different, Jamie explores why the beginning of the school year deserves more than a new program plan and a freshly laminated set of rules.

September is a transition for everyone — children, families, educators, teachers, and programs — and how we approach these first few weeks can shape the relationships we build for the rest of the year.

In this episode:

🍁 Lead with curiosity. Before correcting behaviour or making assumptions about a child, get curious about what might be underneath it.

🎒 Remember how BIG September feels to children. For children entering kindergarten especially, virtually everything about their day may have changed. Sometimes what looks like “behaviour” is a child navigating an enormous transition.

✨ Look for micro moments. Relationship building doesn't always happen during some beautifully planned activity. It happens when you remember the soccer tryout. Ask about their dog. Sit beside them while they draw. Laugh at their joke. Notice when something feels different.

👀 Get to know the children before planning for the children. Their interests, personalities, strengths, quirks, needs, friendships and ideas should help shape the program. September is your opportunity to listen and observe.

💛 Find one genuinely good thing about every child. Especially the child you're finding difficult to connect with.

👨‍👩‍👧 Reconnect with families. A thirty-second conversation at pickup can matter more than we realize — particularly for families adjusting to having far less information about their child's school day.

🏫 Start fresh with school partners. Last year was last year. Say hello. Learn names. Ask how someone's summer was. Build the relationship before the day comes when you need to have a difficult conversation.

🙋 Give children ownership. Instead of immediately handing them seventeen rules and a laminated poster about respect, ask: What do you need from this space? What would make this a great year?

Your September Challenge

This week:

Learn something new about every child.

Look for the micro moments.

Remember something a child tells you — and ask them about it later.

Connect with a family.

Introduce yourself to someone in the school.

Notice a routine that isn't working and get curious about why instead of immediately trying to control it.

And ask your children:

“What would make this a really great year here?”

Then actually listen.

Join the Conversation

What does September look like in your before and after school program?

What's going amazingly well? What's chaotic? What made you laugh this week? And what already feels heavy?

Send Jamie a message and tell her what's happening in your program. Your questions, challenges and real-life experiences help shape future conversations on The Forgotten ECE.

Because this podcast isn't just about talking about school-age educators.

It's about talking with them.

🎙️ The Forgotten ECE is hosted by Jamie Wagler, RECE, OCT — international speaker, consultant, and school-age advocate.

In this heartfelt episode, Jamie celebrates the halfway point of summer childcare and emphasizes the importance of focusing on micro-moments that foster connection, trust, and belonging. Perfect for educators and caregivers navigating busy summer days, this episode reminds us why the small, genuine interactions are the true magic of early childhood education.

Key Topics:

• The challenges and joys of summer childcare programs
• The significance of micro-moments—small conversations, laughter, and shared experiences
• How presence, connection, and belonging leave lasting impacts on children
• Strategies to stay grounded and intentional during busy summer days
• The importance of self-compassion and celebrating small wins
• Creating meaningful relationships that children carry beyond summer

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Celebrating the halfway mark of summer childcare

00:21 - Recognizing the effort and resilience of educators during summer

00:50 - Challenges faced by summer staff and their dedication

01:20 - The emotional landscape of summer: excitement, overwhelm, and adjustment

01:49 - Children remember authentic interactions more than schedules

02:17 - The power of micro-moments in building relationships

02:46 - Focusing on one child and moment at a time

03:17 - Simple acts that create lasting memories

03:45 - Supporting children through small, meaningful interactions

04:15 - The importance of being present and intentional

04:44 - Giving grace and focusing on connection over perfection

05:11 - Building trust that lasts beyond summer

05:40 - Creating lifelong memories through everyday moments

06:10 - Encouragement to caregivers to acknowledge their impact

06:29 - Closing encouragement and gratitude