In this deeply inspiring conversation, Dr. Riley Williams sits down with Cheri Dixon—a three-time bestselling author, turnaround school leader, and founder of Cheri Dixon Consulting, LLC.

With nearly three decades in education, Cheri shares the lessons behind her book The Heroes in Our Classrooms, her experiences rebuilding school culture after Hurricane Harvey, and why mindset—not just mandates—is the real key to transformation. Her vision is bold and refreshingly actionable.

💡 Whether you're a classroom teacher, aspiring leader, or veteran administrator, this episode will remind you why the work is hard—and why it’s worth it.

📚 Books: The Heros In Our Classrooms

She Said Yes...: And It Made All The Difference

Unleash Her: 30 Powerful Stories of Unleashing the Female Power Within

🎤 TEDx Talk: Cheri Dixon

🌐 Contact: Cheri Dixon

In this deeply inspiring conversation, Dr. Riley Williams sits down with Cheri Dixon—a three-time bestselling author, turnaround school leader, and founder of Cheri Dixon Consulting, LLC.

With nearly three decades in education, Cheri shares the lessons behind her book The Heroes in Our Classrooms, her experiences rebuilding school culture after Hurricane Harvey, and why mindset—not just mandates—is the real key to transformation. Her vision is bold and refreshingly actionable.

💡 Whether you're a classroom teacher, aspiring leader, or veteran administrator, this episode will remind you why the work is hard—and why it’s worth it.

📚 Books: The Heros In Our Classrooms

She Said Yes...: And It Made All The Difference

Unleash Her: 30 Powerful Stories of Unleashing the Female Power Within

🎤 TEDx Talk: Cheri Dixon

🌐 Contact: Cheri Dixon

This week, we’re joined by Dr. Valcine Brown — educator, researcher, literacy advocate, and author — for a transformative conversation that challenges everything we think we know about reading, credit recovery, and assessment in our schools.

Dr. Brown is the author of “Credit Recovery Through Demonstration of Mastery.” Her work focuses on reshaping the way we engage with students, empower educators, and structure recovery programs — not based on seat time, but on skills, growth, and demonstrated mastery.

Inside the episode: ✨ Why mastery-based learning must be teacher-led — not top-down 📚 How student choice in reading creates ownership, accountability, and joy 🧠 What her research reveals about mindset, mirror books, and literacy motivation 💡 How data, PLCs, and real conversations drive scalable, lasting change 🎧 And her passion project: the Drive Thru Lit Review podcast — decoding education research for time-strapped teachers

🔥 Whether you’re a district leader, classroom teacher, researcher, or equity advocate — this episode will leave you inspired and ready to act.

—

📘 Dr. Brown’s new book is out now: "Credit Recovery Through Demonstration of Mastery" A practical guide for student-centered learning and academic success. 📖 Available via Amazon and all major book platforms → 🔗 https://us.amazon.com/dp/B0DVPNWL2Q

🎧 Listen to her podcast: Drive Thru Lit Review Short, powerful episodes that break down the research behind impactful teaching. Now streaming on Apple, Spotify, Google, and more!

🌐 Connect with her at: www.drvalcinebrown.com

—

✅ Subscribe, comment, and share this episode with fellow educators and change-makers. Let’s keep rethinking, reimagining, and reinventing what learning can look like. 📢 Available now on all platforms!

#InnovatingEducation #MasteryBasedLearning #EducationPodcast #LiteracyMatters #StudentCenteredLearning #EquityInEducation #CreditRecovery #ReadingMindset #EdLeadership #EducationalInnovation #TeacherVoice #ReimaginingEducation