Why Teachers Should Volunteer at Get Your Teach On: Magic Squad Stories and Lessons

Why Teachers Volunteer for GYTO (And Why It Changes Everything)

If you have ever been to a Get Your Teach On conference, you have seen them.

The energy.
The encouragement.
The people making everything feel seamless.

That is the Magic Squad.

But what you may not see is what it really takes to be part of it.

On this episode of The Flip Side, I sat down with Ranyah Hindi, Bianca Pecina, and Barrett Duncan to talk about what volunteering for GYTO actually looks like and why so many educators say it changes their lives.

And what they shared goes far beyond helping at a conference.

It Is Not Just the Highlight Reel

From the outside, volunteering can look like nonstop fun.

Smiles.
Photos.
High energy moments.

But behind the scenes, it is real work.

Long days on your feet.
Constant problem solving.
Showing up for thousands of educators who need support.

There is no paycheck. No shortcut.

But there is something much more valuable.

Purpose.

You Do Not Have to “Fit the Mold”

One of the biggest misconceptions about the Magic Squad is that you have to be a certain type of person to belong.

Outgoing.
High energy.
Always on.

That is not true.

The Magic Squad is made up of educators from every background and personality type.

New teachers.
Veterans.
Introverts.
Extroverts.

What connects them is not personality.

It is a shared commitment to supporting other educators.

You do not have to become someone else to belong.

You just have to show up as yourself.

The Impact Is Bigger Than You Expect

When teachers talk about why they keep coming back, it is not about the event itself.

It is about the impact.

A quick conversation with an attendee.
Helping someone feel less alone.
Being part of a moment that reignites someone’s passion.

Those moments stay with people.

And they create a ripple effect.

What happens at GYTO does not stay there. It goes back into classrooms, schools, and entire districts.

The Challenges Are Real Too

This work is meaningful, but it is not easy.

It is physically demanding.
It is emotionally demanding.

Many volunteers are carrying their own challenges from their schools and lives.

But that is also what makes the community so powerful.

There is support.

People check in with each other.
They encourage each other.
They remind each other to take breaks and take care of themselves.

It is not just about giving.

It is also about being supported.

Do It Even If You Are Nervous

One of my favorite parts of this conversation was how many of them said the same thing.

They were nervous when they applied.

They did not know anyone.
They were unsure if they would fit in.

And they did it anyway.

That decision changed everything.

Sometimes the best opportunities are the ones that feel a little uncomfortable at first.

How to Make the Most of It

If you are thinking about volunteering, here is what matters most.

Go in with the right mindset.

Be ready to work.
Be ready to connect.
Be ready to grow.

Reach out to people who have done it before. Ask questions. Learn from their experiences.

And most importantly, focus on impact.

Every small interaction matters more than you think.

The Power of Community

At its core, the Magic Squad is not about an event.

It is about community.

A place where teachers feel seen.
A place where they are supported.
A place where they remember why they started.

When educators lift each other up, everything changes.

Not just for teachers.

For students too.

Final Encouragement

If you have ever felt alone in your school…

If you have ever wished for a stronger community…

If you have ever wanted to make a bigger impact…

This might be your next step.

You do not have to have it all figured out.

You just have to be willing to show up.

Because the magic is not in the conference.

It is in the people.

And there is a place for you in it.

Catch you on The Flip Side.