Kick off your year with a quick-start kit: capture attention in the opening minutes, teach ADHD brains with strategies that work, protect teachers from burnout, and launch a culture challenge that brings your school together—fast.
Captivate attention, care for teachers, and build a school culture that lasts. In this back-to-school episode, Jheri South, Dr. Marc Isseks, Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson (Dr. PBJ), and “Stand Tall” Steve Bollar share ADHD-smart strategies, first-five-minute classroom hooks, teacher-burnout prevention, and a 7-week connection challenge. Use these quick wins to start the year strong.
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Back to School Bonanza: Captivate, Care, and Culture
Listen to This as a Podcast
Segment Guide
Segment 1 — Jheri South (ADHD in the classroom): Clear common myths, understand rejection sensitivity, and use novelty, interest, challenge/competition, urgency, and passion to move learners from stuck to started.
Segment 2 — Dr. Marc Isseks (Captivate): Schools are for education, not regulation. Retire the “do now,” front-load your best, and design hooks that hold attention through the bell.
Segment 3 — Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson (Dr. PBJ): Name burnout, build micro-breaks, protect planning time, and set boundaries by deciding what you’re unwilling to lose.
Segment 4 — “Stand Tall” Steve Bollar: Launch a 7-week connection challenge and use the five levels of decision-making so people feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Vocabulary from This Episode 📚
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD): Intense emotional response to perceived rejection; protect confidence with private checks and clear feedback.
First-Five-Minute Hook: A deliberate, high-energy opening that creates curiosity and cognitive tension tied to your day’s most important learning.
Micro-breaks: Short, purposeful pauses that reduce stress and improve focus; schedule them and model them.
Seven-Week Connection Challenge: A low-cost, high-frequency routine to build belonging through names, quick compliments, friendly gestures, smiles/eye contact, light humor, and visible greetings.
Five Levels of Decision-Making: A clarity tool that signals how input will be used (from “I’ll decide” to “You decide within boundaries”) to boost trust and ownership.
Quick Wins to Try Monday 🧰
- Start with novelty or a short challenge; give time-boxed tasks and clear success criteria.
- Replace “do now” with a 3-minute hook; save the best for first (demo, dilemma, or story).
- Protect planning time with rotating coverage; schedule micro-breaks on purpose.
- Post the seven-week challenge where everyone can see it;
- If you are a principal, model the decision-making levels with real examples and teach them to your staff.
Guest Bios as Submitted
“Stand Tall” Steve Bollar
Steve Bollar, a.k.a. Stand Tall Steve, is an educational thought leader, former Superintendent of Schools, principal, author and a school culture and motivation expert. He is known for his quick wit, creative thought, and humorous personality.
Steve has been identified as one of the Top 30 Global Gurus In Education. He is the author of the leadership book Stand Tall Leadership, school culture book Just Do This… and is a co-author of the book series 10-Minute Classroom Starters.
Steve openly shares his knowledge, experiences and creativity with others. He currently speaks to students, staff and communities throughout the world about how to think differently about schools, education, and life.
Dr. Marc Isseks
Dr. Marc Isseks is a third-generation educator with 30 years of experience. He has served as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, and building administrator in Brooklyn and Long Island. Marc is passionate about sharing strategies to increase student engagement and ensuring that schools cultivate the nurturing and invigorating learning environment every student deserves. A self-proclaimed Educational Pyromaniac, Marc is dedicated to lighting fires under people who work and setting fire to systemic conventions that do not.
Blog: marcisseks.com
Twitter: @marcisseks
Linked In: @marcisseks
YouTube: @edupyro Podcast:
State of Ed Podcast www.stateofedpodcast.com
Dr. Patrice Bucker Jackson “Dr. PBJ”
Dr. Patrice Buckner Jackson, known in her community as Dr. PBJ, gives educators the strategies for accomplishing purposeful work without burnout. Dr. PBJ is an educator of almost 25 years and an Executive Coach for more than 10 years. She holds a doctoral degree in Education Administration, served in executive leadership at colleges and universities, and facilitated leadership training as a faculty member for the Center for Creative Leadership. Dr. Jackson worked in higher education at many levels, from student assistant to President’s Cabinet and is the recipient of several professional awards and accolades. Dr. Jackson founded EduCare Training and Consulting, LLC through a purpose of pouring in to those who pour out so much. Much of her work is specifically focused on equipping and refreshing educators. Compassionate work can carry a high price tag: your mind, body, spirit and relationships may be in distress as you serve the needs of others. Dr. Jackson leads her community to serve well without paying an ultimate price. Dr. PBJ is the creator and host of the Disrupting Burnout podcast as well as the author of the Amazon best-seller, Disrupting Burnout: The professional woman’s LIFELINE to finding purpose.
Blog: https://www.patricebucknerjackson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drpatricebucknerjackson
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrice-buckner-jackson-ed-d/
Podcast: https://www.patricebucknerjackson.com/podcast
Jheri South
Jheri South ADHD Specialist | Teen & Parent Coach | Headspace Hub Founder Jheri South is a Certified Teen & Parent Coach, Master ADHD Instructor, mom of 7 neurodivergent kids, and founder of Headspace Hub. Jheri supports individuals with ADHD using practical coaching strategies that work, no therapy, just real results. She also empowers teens, parents, and families to communicate better, build confidence, and overcome habits that hold them back. Creator of ADHD Simplified, Jheri offers 1:1 coaching, online courses, and in-person workshops to help people take control of their lives. Learn more + free resources:
🔹 Website: https://jherisouth.com/
🔹 ADHD Quiz: https://jherisouth.com/page/adhd-quiz
🔹 ADHD Webinar: https://jherisouth.com/page/adhd-emotions-webinar-opt-in
🔹 ADHD Simplified Course: https://jherisouth.com/page/adhd-simplifed
Blog: https://jherisouth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jherisouth
Disclosure of Material Connection 📄
This post may include affiliate links. If you choose to purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services I believe benefit educators.
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