The Ripple Effect of Teachers: Who is Cathy Tooley? | S1E1

Have you ever considered that there's only one profession every human being encounters regardless of wealth, background, or circumstance? After four decades in education, I've witnessed both the profound impact of teachers and the frustrating misrepresentation of our profession in media and public discourse.

My journey began like many educators—playing "school" as a child, assigning homework to my brothers at our kitchen table. Those childhood games evolved into twenty fulfilling years as a high school Spanish and English teacher, followed by roles as assistant principal and principal across multiple schools. When an unexpected job loss left me at a crossroads in 2014, I saw two paths: join the ranks of disillusioned educators leaving the field or become part of the solution. That's when Tools for Success was born—a company created to provide the face-to-face instructional support I had struggled to give my own teachers as a time-strapped principal.

This podcast represents the next evolution in that mission. Through our first series, "The Ripple Effect of a Teacher," we'll explore education's far-reaching influence through conversations with diverse guests who understand the unique power of educators. I'm driven by Romans 12:6-8—"If it is teaching, then teach"—and a conviction that our narrative should be defined by those who live it daily, not by soundbites or simplistic criticisms. Whether you're an educator seeking validation, a parent curious about what drives teachers, or someone interested in education's impact on society, subscribe now to join a conversation that celebrates the profession that shapes every life.

Step into growth and purpose! Discover my books and resources designed to help you lead, learn, and live with impact.

✨ Click here: https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/toolsforsuccess

//About

Cathy Tooley is the Founder & CEO of Tools for Success and a seasoned educator with over 40 years in K–12 classrooms and school leadership. From high school teacher to principal, Cathy has dedicated her life to supporting educators. In 2014, she launched Tools for Success to provide real, in-person instructional coaching—not just “PD in a box.” She’s the author of The Education System Is Broken, a national speaker, and a fierce advocate for teachers. Through this podcast, she’s spotlighting the ripple effect of great teaching.
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Transcript

Introduction and Personal Journey

Cathy Tooley 0:00

I created my company because I remembered my days as a principal being so frustrated that I was so busy every day in the management of my building that I was struggling to support my teachers' instruction . I am nervous and excited and honored and petrified and thrilled and all the emotions when it just goes to show their stupidity , because we don't need to teach kids to memorize facts , we need to teach kids to think , but they're still thinking back then and I get so tired of it . I watch it and it exhausts me . Or the next news story where this principal's being filleted because they actually made a decision . And I know that there are so many incredible professions out there in the world and many that make lots more money than a teacher , but there is no field in the world that not a single human being doesn't cross through except educators . I have a gift to teach , and so many of you that are watching this right now do too , and that's what led us to where we are today . Hi everybody , my name is Kathy Tooley . Welcome to my podcast . I am nervous and excited and honored and petrified and thrilled and all the emotions . It's been a long time coming , which I'll talk about here in just a minute , but I really want to take this episode to just kind of tell you who I am and specifically what the purpose of this series for the podcast is . So for those of you that are new to my YouTube channel or to me , as I said , my name is Kathy Tooley . I have built my life in education . I have I don't even want to tell you how young , because some of you are watching this is thinking she can't be over 30 now , and that's why I love you the most .

Cathy Tooley 1:45

But from as young as I understood what a teacher was , I knew I wanted to be a teacher . I remember when I was little , you know , I used to go in the backyard and play or whatever . We played school at my house . I had three brothers who , if they're watching this now , are rolling their eyes because they remember this . I would put them at the kitchen table and I would give them assignments and I would grade their papers and they were such troopers with it and I always knew I wanted to be a teacher .

Cathy Tooley 2:10

From as young as I think you can understand what a profession is , I knew that I wanted to be a teacher . Now , I didn't have any clue what that meant . I guess I just assumed that you just decided you were a teacher . You know you . Just I don't know . You wake up on Tuesday and you go to work . I had no clue . My parents weren't college graduates , so I didn't know what that meant at the time . And then , as I progressed through school and you know you have incredible teachers I remember watching this teacher or that teacher and thinking I'm going to be like her in this way or I'm not going to be like him in that way , or I'm not going to be like him in that way , or I'm going to be like him in this way but not like her in that way .

Cathy Tooley 2:48

I was always watching my teachers , less from a point of teaching , of course I was learning from them , but more of a point of what will that look like for me ? And so when I graduated from high school , by that time I'd figured out you actually have to go to college and get a degree . So I went to college , did all the right things go Marion College Back then now it's Marion University , but it was Marion College then Got my bachelor's degree and literally the school that I did my student teaching hired me . So off I went , and for the next 20 years I spent in the classroom teaching high school Spanish and English and I have to tell you , when I look back over my life , they were without question the 20 happiest years of my life . I have so many memories of kids who the Lord let me touch their lives . You know , I thought it was about teaching a content and I figured out really quickly that a content is just what I use through the relationship that I built , and so I loved what I was doing .

Cathy Tooley 3:51

I taught for 20 years , happy as a lark , had amazing colleagues . I'm not going to pretend there weren't bad days . There were bad days , but I loved it . I loved it . It allowed me to be an amazing mother and , have you know , summers off and spring breaks off and Christmas breaks off , and even though I spent a lot of time at home grading papers and things , I was happy . And then my superintendent at the time tapped me on the shoulder and said have you ever thought of being an administrator ? And frankly , I had .

Cathy Tooley 4:20

20 years ago , when I became a teacher , I thought , oh , I'll teach for a while and then I'll become an assistant principal , then a principal and then an assistant superintendent and then a superintendent . And then I got in the classroom and I loved it and I just thought , no , this is kind of good , I'm just I'm good . And so when he tapped me on the shoulder at the time , I thought well , he said I'm willing to pay for the courses . And those of you that are teachers that are watching this listen , remember when we used to get paid Some of you are a little older than me there were so many when you got so many hours above a bachelor's , you got more money . Or so many hours above a master's , you got more money . Well , listen , he's going to pay for the coursework and it's going to give me more hours and more money . I'd have scratched my mama to get more money . So that's just all there is to it . I immediately said yes , never really thinking I'd do anything with it . Well , be careful what you wish for . Two years later , when I finished , I became an assistant principal at that same building and left there later as one of their principals . I went on to be a principal then in two other buildings before .

Cathy Tooley 5:17

On November 14th of 2014 , I was at a charter school , called into the office for a meeting that I , frankly , never saw coming . I had been with my boss the day before and told , literally we are a million dollars in debt as a school system . You're the highest paid administrator , we'll give you two weeks package , but today's your last day . Never

From Teacher to Administrator

Cathy Tooley 5:35

saw it coming . In the public world , where I had built my life , that just doesn't happen . In order to remove a teacher , there's due process , there's time , there's . You know , no teacher ever gets removed that they don't know that that's coming . But in the charter school world where I had lived now for six months , that's just not the way it was . And so , november 14th of 2014 , I found myself unemployed , and those of you that are watching this that are educators understand what I'm about to say . And those of you that are watching it that are not educators , let me explain something . Understand what I'm about to say . And those of you that are watching it that are not educators , let me explain something . In education , unlike any field , we have an open door when you can get a job , and then , when the school year starts , the door closes for teachers . That doesn't mean that there isn't an occasional random situation , but overall , schools do their hiring over the summer and once schools start , we're in place . So in November , I'm pretty much done until the following school year , and so Tools for Success was born .

Cathy Tooley 6:29

I created

Birth of Tools for Success

Cathy Tooley 6:30

my company because I remembered my days as a principal being so frustrated that I was so busy every day in the management of my building that I was struggling to support my teachers instructionally . I didn't have time to get into the classroom . The days ticked away , the moments before I knew it were gone . I can remember each day going to school thinking today's going to be that day that I'm going to get in my teacher's classroom because I've hired that new teacher and they need support . Or I've got this teacher over here whose classroom management just needs a little tweaking . Or I've got this teacher over here . That's a little timid , but if I could just work with them a little bit longer , I know I could make them stronger because they're a great teacher . I had so many great teachers .

Cathy Tooley 7:14

But then the morning would turn into lunchtime , turn into after lunchtime and the bell would ring and they would leave . And I can remember , day after day , week after week , getting in my car thinking I'm going to lose that teacher if I don't go support them . I'm going to lose that teacher . And then , sure enough about spring , they would come to me and say I'm going to go ahead and quit , I'm not going to come back next year . And I knew that part not part , a big part of that was my fault .

Cathy Tooley 7:40

I knew that , at the end of the day , what we want as humans , we look for support . We look for someone to say am I doing this right ? Am I instructing students in a way that they can learn ? Some people innately have that , but others haven't . They just need a little coaching and they rely on that from me , their principal , and I wasn't giving them to it , giving it to them .

Cathy Tooley 8:08

So I decided when I started the company I remember it in my principal days , looking for a me I thought there's gotta be a company out there that's doing that . Somebody surely thought about this . And what I found is there were a lot of companies out there that did what they called professional development , but it's what I call PD in a box . You know they sell you those webinars where you sit there and you listen to this webinar that's pre-recorded or whatever . And come on , teachers , you and I both know what we do when we listen to a webinar . We hit play while we grade papers , or we hit play while we're straightening up our room . I wanted to go in person to our schools and work with teachers one-on-one , face-to-face , skin-to-skin , be in their classrooms , see what they were doing , support what they were doing , because I knew that would change things . And so , on November of 2014 , I decided that I could leave education and be part of this disheartened , disillusioned , disgruntled educators that walk away each and every day , or I could be part of the solution , and Tools for Success was born .

Cathy Tooley 9:11

I have a scripture that I remember then that I live through this company today , and it's Romans 12 , 6 through 8 , and it says we all have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us . If it is your gift of prophecy , then prophesize in accordance with your faith . If it is serving , then serve , and then hear this . If it is teaching , then teach . I knew I was meant to be a teacher . I told you that a few minutes ago . I have a gift to teach , and so many of you that are watching this right now do too , and that's what led us to where we are today . What led us to where we are today is about

Answering the Podcast Call

Cathy Tooley 9:57

a year ago . The company is doing fine . We're in lots and lots of schools helping lots and lots of teachers . Fine , we're in lots and lots of schools helping lots and lots of teachers , and I really live in that Romans verse where , if it is in accordance to teach , you teach .

Cathy Tooley 10:13

Anybody who knows me knows I am not a good cook . Do not come to my house . You wouldn't know by looking by me , but I can order out really well . I'm not a great gardener . Plants just see me and die they . Just look at them and go . You know what ? Let's save myself the long drive because you're going to kill us . Let's just die . I'm not a really gifted listener . My husband is , but I am not . I'm a gifted speaker and I'm a gifted teacher . And what I learned then ? About a year ago , I was away at a trip in Florida that was supposed to be with three other girlfriends and myself and it just so happened that both of the girlfriends that were supposed to go with me bailed out . I don't mean that in a bad way . The Lord knows what he's doing .

Cathy Tooley 10:57

I had been hearing so many people say to me Kathy , you should do a podcast , kathy , you should do a podcast . I would listen to your podcast , kathy , you should do a podcast . And I thought , look , we've got a YouTube video . Listen to that . I don't know what to tell you , even though I knew the YouTube video was mostly about our sales . I really just kind of thought you know , celebrities do podcasts . You know what I mean . Famous people do podcasts . A podcast who wants to do a podcast ? Why don't I want to do a podcast ?

Cathy Tooley 11:21

And so I did what any self-righteous adult does and I ignored the Lord saying that to me . I ignored it for a long time . So I went away a year ago , as I said , accidentally , by myself . Now I met a place in Florida , on the beach , by myself . I had some books that the Lord had really laid on my heart , some Bible journals and some motivational , and he would not let this podcast go . And I did what any you know toddler does and I continued to ignore him . Just continued to ignore , because I thought I hear you . But I don't think you mean podcast . What I think you mean is maybe you just want me to do more keynotes . Yeah , I'll do that . I'll do some more keynotes , I'll do some more of those , and I have . You want me to do more sessions with teachers , got it ? I'll do that . I made a sport , if you will of ignoring it .

Cathy Tooley 12:19

I talked to my VP of sales and marketing about it and she said well , I don't know much about podcasts , but we could research it . And I kind of said it to her . Like you know , research it wink , wink , nod , nod . I really don't want to do this , but now I can tell the Lord look , hey , I'm in movements , I'm doing something right . Because isn't that what we do ? When the Lord tells us , we pretend we're in movement . I wasn't in movement at all . I wanted my VP to drag her feet as long as she did . So I don't know , maybe six , eight months later a friend of a friend asked me to be on a podcast . I'd been on podcasts before , so it wasn't my first time on a podcast .

Cathy Tooley 12:56

Usually people want to talk about my company especially . They want to talk about , you know , woman-owned business . We've been very successful . Many companies don't get to the million-dollar mark and we have . I say that not in Kathy Tooley's bragging , but you're going to pick this up real quick . There are two things I am not shameful of , and that is my faith in Jesus Christ and why I sit here today and how much I adore education . And then we can get into my family , my friends and all those kind of things . So I met her . We did a podcast interview . It was a great interview . She's sitting as we speak now behind the camera . Because what was funny about that podcast was I'd done a billion of them like it before .

Cathy Tooley 13:37

Hers was nothing , I thought , any more abnormal than what I'd done . But the Lord kept saying in my head there's your producer , you keep looking for the how , you keep looking . I've told you I want it , but you keep looking for the how . And doesn't he do that in our lives ? He continues to bring things in our path and what we do is say , well , that doesn't serve me . And so I thought , well , I talked to her . She didn't have a studio yet , so see again . I tried , I moved forward , I did all the right steps , right , I'm listening to what the Lord says . And then she tells me how she's looking for a studio . And the Lord pressed on me to mention to her why isn't she getting one ? Why doesn't she have one ? And all of a sudden it hit me isn't she getting one ? Why doesn't she have one ? And all of a sudden it hit me when she reached out and said she had the studio . I really felt this immediate . It was almost like a trapped monkey , you know , like in a cage for a minute , like now where are .

Cathy Tooley 14:47

When I was let go , I knew that the world that I had lived , what I went to college for , what I studied , what I'd planned since I was a child , that chapter was closing . I would not go back to a brick-and-mortar building as a teacher , an assistant principal or a principal as a teacher , an assistant principal or a principal , no differently than I knew when I met Victoria , who is on the other side of this camera ,

The Purpose Behind This Podcast

Cathy Tooley 15:21

that my life would no longer be the same , because the Lord had now removed all barriers to put me sitting here in front of you today . So there's a reason that I wanted to do this intro , two reasons . One , I say this so often to people and if there's anything that I want you to hear , I want you to hear this I am no one special Now . I am perfectly special in his eyes , I am made in his image , but I am just a normal girl who had normal blue-collar parents .

Cathy Tooley 15:57

I was a first-generation college .

Cathy Tooley 15:59

I went off to college . Oh , I struggled . That's hard . That's hard . Those were four hard years , but I wasn't a brilliant student . I was a good student , but I wasn't a brilliant student . I wasn't valedictorian . And then I went on and got a master's degree and I taught . But every day that I taught I just felt like I got better and I don't mean better in . I was better , but I got into a rhythm . I felt this purpose in my life , that this is where I was meant to be , and every time I sit down in front of a camera , in front of what we're doing right now , I feel that exact same purpose , not because of what I have to say , because of what I know he has to say , and I am grateful to be able to be his voice .

Cathy Tooley 16:49

And so the intention of this podcast is this I have spent now 40 years in education . I know I started when I was four that's what some of you are thinking . I know I was four Actually I was three and a half , but we're not going to get there Started teaching when I was six , but anyway , I have spent my life in this career , life in this career , and I am so sick and tired of other people telling us who we are . I'm tired of it . I'm tired of the news stories , I'm tired of the quip , just those little quips out there about teachers aren't doing this and teachers aren't doing that . And if teachers just did this ? Or the oh , the late night talk show things who shove microphones in kids' faces or people's faces and make fun that they can't quote who the secretary of state is I don't know that I know or who the eighth president was , when it just goes to show their stupidity . Because we don't need to teach kids to memorize facts , we need to teach kids to think , but they're still thinking back then and I get so tired of it , I mean I watch it and it exhausts me . Or the next news story where this principle is being filleted because they actually made a decision . And I know that because I've been tonight's top news story more than once , more than once , and I remember watching those thinking there is a reason . This isn't trashing the news , they have a job to do too . But pay attention when they say tonight's top news story is and I remember or talking about this teacher .

Cathy Tooley 18:22

And I'm not also going to pretend that there aren't bad teachers out there that have done bad things . There are , but that is not my profession . That is not my profession . That is not the profession that I have spent my life in , and so I decided that God gave me a voice and I'm gonna use that voice . I'm gonna use that voice in this podcast .

Cathy Tooley 18:46

This podcast is intended to tell anyone who listens who we are as educators . Sometimes that may not be pretty , but the first series we're going to do that the Lord pressed

The Power of Educators' Influence

Cathy Tooley 19:00

on my heart is called the Ripple Effect of a Teacher . We're going to have a series of guests on . We're going to talk to lots of different people to talk about how what we do ripples into this world . I said something to a good good friend of mine the other day , and that is this there are so many incredible professions out there in the world , and many that make lots more money than a teacher , but there is no field in the world that not a single human being doesn't cross through except educators . None of you watching this today are where you are without a teacher . That's fact . We are the only profession that touches every single human being , whether they are the poorest of the poor , the richest of the rich , no matter what their ethnicity is , no matter what their sexual orientation is , no matter what their background is . They come through us , therefore , our power and our influence is something that cannot be undermined or understated . That's what this podcast is for . That's the intention of this podcast .

Cathy Tooley 20:04

So I'm going to leave you with a verse that another one of my favorites . It's from Peter 4.10 , and it says each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace in various forms . My gift , ladies and gentlemen , is speaking . My gift is telling you how great you are , and that's the intention of this podcast . Come along and join us for the journey . I can't wait to have you .