Brighter Together

Brighter Together

Janet Courtney

Episodes 200
Avg. Duration 26m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.3 (6)
Since May 2025
Latest Episode Apr 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Every Few Days
Format
Episodic
Consistency
62%
Hosting
podcast.lighthouse-therapy.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Brighter Together with Janet L. Courtney is a podcast dedicated to real stories from the front lines of education leadership. Hosted by Janet L. Courtney, Founder and CEO of Lighthouse Therapy, the podcast highlights the voices of school leaders who are making a difference—sharing practical insights, creative solutions, and inspiring moments of growth.

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Recent Episodes

Why Lee Thennes Closed Buildings to Save His District

Apr 06, 2026 28m

Episode Description What do you do when your district has 1,200 fewer students than it did 25 years ago, but the same number of school buildings? For Lee Thennes, Superintendent of the Manitowoc…

The Students Nobody Expected to Thrive (And Why Virtual Changed Everything) - Jennifer Geyer

Apr 03, 2026 30m

The Students Nobody Expected to Thrive (And Why Virtual Changed Everything) What if the students struggling most in traditional classrooms are actually thriving in a completely different learning…

The 26% Secret: How One Director Cut Dropout Rates in Half - Jill Hudgel

Apr 02, 2026 24m

What if the missing piece to dramatically reducing dropout rates wasn't a new curriculum or more funding—but a fundamental reimagining of what school looks like? In this transformative episode, we…

Stop Sitting Across From Parents (Sit Beside Them Instead) - Derek Eccles

Apr 01, 2026 33m

The simple shift that transforms special education meetings from confrontational to collaborative. When Derek Eccles transitioned from the classroom to Special Education Director at Filer School…

The One Thing Lesley Russell Learned That Transformed Her Students' Identity

Mar 31, 2026 44m

Episode Description What if the education your students receive Monday through Friday is actually undermining what you're teaching them on Sunday? For Christian educators, this sobering reality has…

The One Question That Changed How I Lead Special Education - Mark Pfaff

Mar 30, 2026 23m

What if one powerful question could transform how you lead and support students with special needs? In this compelling episode, Mark Pfaff, Director of Special Education at Tehama County Office of…

The Follow-Up Problem: Why 90% of Teacher Support Fails - Dr. Anisha Mendez

Mar 27, 2026 22m

You invest thousands in professional development, but your teachers still struggle. Here's why it's probably not the training that's failing—it's what happens after. Schools pour resources into…

The Leadership Shift That Closes Learning Gaps (and Keeps Teachers) - Dr. Jibby Brown

Mar 26, 2026 27m

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Dr. Jibby Brown, the special education supervisor for grades four through eight at Winton Woods City School District in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr.…

The IEP Meeting That Changes Everything (What Top Districts Know) - Kristin Davis

Mar 25, 2026 23m

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Kristin Davis, a special education coordinator from Newnan, Georgia, to discuss transformative approaches to IEP meetings. Kristin shares her…

How One District Built 30 Job Partners (From Zero Planning) - Dr. Mike Ubbens

Mar 24, 2026 26m

Opening Hook What if your school district could create meaningful employment opportunities for students with disabilities—without a massive budget or years of planning? In this episode, discover how…

The Learning Coach Secret That Changes Virtual Special Ed - Erin Fatafehi & Rekha Manakkal

Mar 23, 2026 35m

Episode Description What if the key to transforming virtual special education outcomes wasn't another technology—but a person? In this powerful conversation, we uncover how one Ohio virtual academy…

The Grace Gap: Why Your Best Teachers Are Leaving (And How to Stop It) - Dr. Damita James

Mar 20, 2026 27m

The Grace Gap: Why Your Best Teachers Are Leaving (And How to Stop It) America's classrooms are hemorrhaging experienced educators—and the reasons might surprise you. In this eye-opening episode, we…

Why Top Districts Stop 'Fixing' Dysregulated Students - Cheala Herrera

Mar 19, 2026 25m

Episode Description: Why Top Districts Stop 'Fixing' Dysregulated Students What if everything we've been taught about supporting struggling students is fundamentally backwards? In this eye-opening…

The Collaboration Shift That 90% of Educators Actually Want - Dr. Ashley Ace

Mar 18, 2026 27m

In this episode of Brighter Together, I chat with Dr. Ashley Ace, the Alternative Education Coordinator at Montello School District in Wisconsin. We explore the collaboration shift that 90% of…

What Top Districts Know: The Secret to Keeping Special Ed Teachers - Dr. Ashley Kolb & Dr. Valerie Hurm

Mar 17, 2026 31m

In a profession where burnout is all too common, what if you could create a workplace that not only retains special education teachers but makes them thrive? The Neenah Joint School District has…

The Confidence Code: How One Charter School Transforms Student Potential - Sam Wakefield

Mar 16, 2026 32m

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Sam Wakefield, the executive director of AFSA Charter School in Minnesota. Sam shares his journey from a physical education teacher to an…

Why Catholic Schools Are Winning the Technology Battle - Dr. Kim Gorr

Mar 13, 2026 28m

In an era where digital distractions and screen time dominate young lives, one educational leader is transforming how schools approach technology. What if the solution to student digital wellness…

Stop Building Curricula: Become the Architect of Learning Instead - Taryn Miley

Mar 12, 2026 27m

In a landscape where educators are drowning in mandates and endless curriculum revisions, what if we could reimagine learning design as an art form of empowerment and innovation? Assistant…

What Christian Schools Know About Inclusive Learning That Others Miss - Emily Jeninga

Mar 11, 2026 31m

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Emily Jeninga, the Student Support Director at Rehoboth Christian School in New Mexico, to explore the transformative impact of inclusive…

Rural Districts: The Secret Funding Formula Nobody's Talking About - Dr. Bill Wilson

Mar 10, 2026 37m

In this episode of Brighter Together, I sit down with Dr. Bill Wilson, superintendent of Fremont School District RE-2 in Florence, Colorado. Dr. Wilson shares his insights on the unique challenges…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Brighter Together have?

Brighter Together has published 200 episodes since May 2025, covering topics in Education, Technology.

Is Brighter Together still active?

Brighter Together is currently highly active with new episodes every few days. Average episode length is 26m.

How do I contact Brighter Together for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Brighter Together, including email and social media links.

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