
The Surprising Power of Teaching as the Greatest Act of Optimism
From Educate U.S. by Leon Media Network
May 12, 2026 · 46 min · Episode 126
About this episode
This episode explores the resilience and optimism found in teaching through personal stories and the impact of mentorship.
Uncover the profound resilience and optimism rooted in the act of teaching. This episode reveals how educators, from middle school teachers to life-long mentors, transform lives, even in the face of grief, exhaustion, and life's toughest transitions. Join us as Brian Platzer shares a deeply personal story inspired by his former teacher, Rod Keating, navigating the weight of grief, legacy, and the unbreakable bond between teachers and students. Discover how this relationship inspired his heartfelt novel, The Optimists , a story that celebrates the extraordinary impact of one mentor’s influence and the cycle of growth, loss, and renewal. Find links to purchase the book: https://www.brianplatzer.com/the-optimists People Article mentioned: https://people.com/brian-platzer-the-optimists-exclusive-essay-11910548 The Educate U.S. podcast is presented by our friends over at Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC. & Positively Tea. Enjoy a cup of the best tasting coffee (and tea!) while listening to Stacey & Patrice break down the latest from the world of education & beyond! Visit this link - https://lddy.no/1k3n0 & use their promo code EDUCATEUS for 20% off…
People in this episode
Guest: Brian Platzer
Topics covered
- teaching
- optimism
- education
- mentorship
- grief
- personal stories
Keywords
- teaching
- optimism
- mentorship
- grief
- education
- The Optimists
Sponsors
Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC, Positively Tea
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Leon Media Network, Acast, People
Books & works: The Optimists
More episodes of Educate U.S.
- Doubling Teacher Planning Time: A Bold Strategy for Retention & Equity w/ Pablo Cesar Villavicencio · June 5, 2026 · 35 min
- The Hidden Power of Embracing All Parts of Ourselves to Heal and Connect · May 19, 2026 · 22 min
- Changes in higher education · May 4, 2026 · 22 min
- Leading Without Leaving: The Collective Revolution in Our Schools · March 23, 2026 · 17 min
- The Superhero Trap: Redesigning the Architecture of School Leadership · March 16, 2026 · 40 min
- Decoding the "Hidden Curriculum" of Success · March 10, 2026 · 20 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Educate U.S. podcast page.