What happens when the very systems meant to support education begin driving great teachers out of the profession? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Brad Gaynor to talk about the growing teacher retention crisis, the hidden emotional and psychological cost of teaching, and why so many good educators are…

What does it look like when a third grade STEM teacher from Houston uses comedy, creativity, and storytelling to pull back the curtain on the real life of an educator and build a community that refuses to feel alone?  In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with educator, podcaster, and doctoral student Brandon Jenkins to talk about the power of authentic storytelling in education and why laughter might be one of the most underrated tools in our profession. Brandon shares how social media became a lifeline for connection in a career that can feel deeply isolating, and how his comedic content gives educators permission to laugh at the hard stuff while sparking real conversations with people outside of education who had no idea what teachers actually face every day. He also unpacks why representation in schools goes far beyond skin tone and covers zip code, access to programs, arts, technology, and the profound impact of seeing yourself reflected in the adults who show up for you. The conversation goes deeper as Brandon shares his doctoral research on trust within Black and Brown communities in education, the inspiration behind his podcast Teaching in Color now in its third season, and a simple but powerful leadership challenge to sit down, grab a journal, and write your own story before someone else writes it for you. About Brandon Jenkins Brandon Jenkins is a 3rd grade Math and Science teacher in Houston, Texas and the creator of the Teaching in Color podcast, a platform dedicated to amplifying diverse voices and perspectives in education. As an educator, Brandon is passionate about creating engaging learning environments that empower students and…