THE RCA MIX
The best ideas in education come from people who are doing the work and willing to talk honestly about it. On The RCA MiX, award-winning educator and Ron Clark Academy cofounder Kim Bearden sits down with teachers, school leaders, and changemakers for candid conversations about the issues that matter most in schools. From classroom management and student engagement to leadership, culture, and teacher well-being, each episode offers powerful stories, fresh perspectives, and practical ideas you can use right away.
Empowering Educators: Leadership, Culture, Joy, and Accountability | Dr. Aleli Vazquez
“I’m just a teacher.” It breaks my heart every time I hear those words.
Every person who works in a school is a leader. But how do we sustain that leadership when the work becomes challenging? How do we keep our sense of purpose alive year after year?
In this episode of The RCA Mix, Kim Bearden sits down with former Elementary Principal of the Year Dr. Aleli Vazquez to explore the six vital pillars of a thriving educator culture.
They tackle the difficult topics: the true cost of avoiding accountability, the import...
Are Your Students Ready? Teaching the Skills That Open Doors: Workforce Readiness | Kirk Brown
When opportunity knocks, will your students be ready?
They have talent. They have ideas. But can they introduce themselves with confidence, navigate conflict, ask for help, and contribute effectively to a team? These are the skills that open doors, and they can be taught.
In this episode of The RCA MiX, Kim Bearden sits down with Kirk Brown, RCA’s chief development and communications officer, to discuss workforce readiness and how educators can prepare students for opportunities beyond the classroom.
Soft skills, durable skills, workforce competencies—different names for the same essential abilities. Kim...
The Science of Reading Meets the Love of Reading | Korey Collins
Teaching kids how to read is only part of the job. How do we get them to actually WANT to read?
In this episode of The RCA Mix, I sit down with reading expert and father of six Korey Collins to talk about his own reading journey, the science of reading, and what happens after students have the skills.
Because decoding matters. Fluency matters. Comprehension matters. But if students rarely pick up a book once they can read, we still have work to do.
Korey shares practical...
School Excellence and Engagement: What the House System Really Does | Dr. Junior Bernadin
Want stronger student engagement, better behavior, improved attendance, and a school culture where people actually feel like they belong?
In this episode of The RCA Mix, I sit down with RCA house system expert Dr. Junior Bernadin to talk about how schools can intentionally create a culture of belonging through the RCA House System.
We dig into what the research says about belonging and its connection to academic achievement, student engagement, attendance, behavior, and teacher morale.
And yes, house systems can be fun...
How to Avoid Teacher Burnout and Enjoy the Work | Yolanda Boyd
Overwhelmed. Overworked. Underappreciated.
Educator burnout is real, but reaching the breaking point does not have to be inevitable.
In the very first episode of the RCA MiX, I sit down with RCA counselor Yolanda Boyd to talk about the stress educators are carrying and what we can actually do about it.
Yolanda shares practical strategies to help you manage stress, protect your energy, recognize the warning signs of burnout, and keep doing the work you love without losing yourself in the process.
Too many great educators are walking away from the...
The RCA MiX with Kim Bearden | Official Trailer
One guest. One topic. One honest conversation. Join RCA cofounder Kim Bearden as she talks with educators and changemakers about the issues that matter most in schools. Each conversation brings you candid stories, fresh perspectives, and practical ideas you can use tomorrow.
New episodes are released every other Wednesday.
