Episode 36: They Call Me Mom with Pete Springer

Posted on by Wynne Leon

When I think back to elementary school, the face of Mrs. Gertson comes to mind. Smart, warm, interested, she was absolutely wonderful, and made me feel safe enough to explore the subjects that came naturally and more importantly, the subjects that didn’t. I’m going to take a stab in the dark that most of us have that one elementary school teacher that made a difference.

So it was such an honor to be able to podcast with retired teacher, bogger, and author, Pete Springer. In this episode, co-host Vicki Atkinson and I talk with Pete about his book, They Call Me Mom: Making a Difference as an Elementary School Teacher

Pete, an elementary school educator for 31 years, tell us some heart-warming, and also some heart-breaking stories that came from his years in the classroom. As he worked to educate kids and helped to raise a generation of decent people, he captures all the lessons he learned from the unfiltered goodness of children.

He recalls his early days on the job – wanting to walk in and prove himself but also finding out how much on the job learning happens as a teacher. So he pays homage to how hard, and also necessary, it is for new teachers to be vulnerable and ask for help.

Pete speaks to the level of trust that’s necessary to connect with students to create a positive learning environment and it comes as no surprise that some of his former students still trust him enough to have their stories included in his book.

At the end, we ask Pete about his thoughts about the future of education and also what he’s working on. And he shows us that it’s possible to teach through writing.

This is a great episode about teachers, learning, and the best of community and collaboration when we come together to support both educators and students. I know you’ll love it.

Episode 64: Knowing a Person with Vicki and Wynne – Sharing the Heart of the Matter

In this episode, Wynne Leon is with co-host, Vicki Atkinson, and we are talking about the latest book from author David Brooks, How to Know a Person. We talk about his great encouragement to be vulnerable enough to be seen and his image of each of us as a creative artist who has a unique way of seeing the world. And we dive into the methods that help us listen well. We have a great conversation around what it takes to tell our own stories. Vicki also shares with us the wisdom she learned listening to David Brooks give a commencement speech when she was a faculty member. She explains why his approach was so much more meaningful than many of the others she heard in her 40 years in academia. This is a great episode about how we can be intentional about getting to know others. We know you’ll love it. Links for this podcast: Episode 64 show notes Vicki’s personal blog: Victoria Ponders Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith
  1. Episode 64: Knowing a Person with Vicki and Wynne
  2. Episode 63: Keys to Collaborative Success with Vicki and Wynne
  3. Episode 62: The Loop Files with Rick Kaempfer
  4. Episode 61: The Writers Conference with Cheryl Oreglia
  5. Episode 60: The Perils of Prediction with Dr. Gerald Stein

Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen on Anchor Episode 36: They Call Me Mom with Pete Springer

Links for this Episode:

If you want to be on the podcast, or have additional guests to suggest, please email us at sharingtheheartofthematter@gmail.com

Listen on Anchor Episode 36: They Call Me Mom with Pete Springer

They Call Me Mom: Making a Difference as an Elementary School Teacher on Amazon

Pete’s blog: Pete Springer

24 thoughts on “Episode 36: They Call Me Mom with Pete Springer”

    1. Thanks for the kind words, Dr. Stein. To be remembered fondly by my students is the ultimate compliment. Yes, we men aren’t all hopeless. 🤣 Kudos to teachers around the globe who give of themselves each day while flying under the radar.

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  3. Cheers and kudos to Pete…Mr. Springer…”mom”. And praise to teachers everywhere…especially one who wrote such beautiful book. A gift to those considering teaching as a career and a reminder for those ‘in the trenches’ of why they matter. xo! 🥰

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    1. I consider teaching to be the hardest yet most rewarding job I ever had. Sometimes the great payoff comes years later when we realize former students are making their mark in the world and paying it forward. It’s the best feeling in the world to see one’s “children” affecting the world in positive ways.

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    1. Thanks to you and your wife, Brian, for changing lives as educators. Each one of us has role models or teachers that we emulate and want to be like. What better compliment is there than that?

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      1. My wife is the educator. I’m just along for the ride. I’m like the holiday inn guy, I play one on tv and am a huge cheerleader for teachers. Ha ha, I know you’re retired from teaching but that’s got to be a cool feeling inside knowing the countless students you’ve helped over the years. Like an ob-gyn with pics of all the babies you’ve delivered. Yup, I taught her, had him too, etc., etc., very cool!!!

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      2. Ha! Great analogy. I imagine it is the same feeling. I taught many second generation students and often found it humorous how much certain children were like their parents. People like to talk about the physical resemblances, but I often saw familiar personality traits.

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    1. I encourage everyone, if they still have the means, to reach out to those impactful teachers. I try to support all of my former students if I can, and their words of praise mean the world to me.

      I live in the same town that I taught in and have the great pleasure of seeing children and adults around town (the students in my first class are nearly 50 now) who I’ve taught. One funny anecdote to share is I take turns going to three different hair stylists that I taught in elementary school. They all cut what little hair I have left. 🤣

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  6. Thanks so much for the opportunity to chat with you, Wynne and Vicki. You’re providing a terrific service by inviting others into the podcast world to share their stories. Life should always be about lifting others up and supporting one another. Long life community and collaboration!

    I’ve listened to several podcasts over the years, and I’m so impressed with the quality of yours. I’d love to have you appear on my blog as guests somewhere down the road.

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    1. It was our pleasure, Pete, in every way! Thank you for your kind words. You get us! Lifting others up and being supportive? Our goals – right there! And yes…cheers to more fun with you, Pete. Look forward to whatever you have in mind. 🥰

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  7. What a kind comment, Pete! Thanks for coming on to our podcast! Life long community and collaboration – we’re right there with you!

    I see my partner has already confirmed that we are up for whatever you have in mind. Ditto what Vicki said!!

    It was so fun to talk with you, Pete! Hope you enjoy the weekend!<3 ❤ ❤

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