Aspire to Lead

Joshua Stamper provides an opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced and accomplished educational leaders. As we grow in our leadership skills, it’s imperative to learn from other leader’s successes, trials and misconceptions. Join us each week as my guests provide valuable stories, resources, and advice to enhance your leadership journey.

Recent Episodes

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June 13, 2026

Aspire Mailbag: Building Trust Through Leadership and Initiative Changes

In this Aspire Mailbag episode, Joshua Stamper and Jeff Gargas respond to listener questions about supporting an aspiring leader through a campus transition and helping teachers shift away from punitive discipline. They explo...

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June 6, 2026

384. Keeping Great Educators in the Profession: Featuring Brad Gaynor

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 ...

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May 30, 2026

383. Increasing Student Engagement with Purposeful Instruction: Featuring Megan Diede

In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper talks with Megan Diede about the power of connection, purposeful teaching, and the small instructional shifts that can create meaningful change in classrooms. Megan shares how...

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May 27, 2026

BONUS: The EQ Impact with Charle Peck

In this special bonus episode of Aspire to Lead , Josh and Charle share exciting news about their upcoming book project, EQ Impact . They explore why emotional intelligence matters more than ever in schools, workplaces, famil...

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May 23, 2026

382: Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success: Featuring Gretchen Bridgers

What if the biggest instructional breakthrough came from starting in the right place? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Gretchen Bridgers to talk about classroom instruction, teacher mentorship,...

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May 17, 2026

381. Leading With Hope When the Pressure Is Heavy: Featuring Dr. Brandi Kelly

What does it look like to lead with hope when life, leadership, and responsibility feel overwhelming? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Dr. Brandi Kelly for a powerful conversation about resilie...

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May 9, 2026

380. Every Student Needs a Chance to Win: Featuring James O’Neal Jr.

What if student success had less to do with talent and more to do with belief, access, and the way we design learning experiences? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with James O’Neal, Jr., founder of...

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May 3, 2026

379. The Hidden Work of Real School Leadership: Featuring Principal Kafele

What does it really mean to lead a school rather than simply manage one? In this powerful conversation, Joshua Stamper sits down with Principal Baruti Kafele to explore the deeper work of school leadership, instructional coac...

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April 30, 2026

BONUS: Professional Development Done Differently with Kim Gameroz

How can professional development feel energizing instead of exhausting? In this bonus episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Kim Gameroz to talk about the upcoming Vibe EDU event on July 31st in Anaheim, Cal...

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April 26, 2026

The School Leader’s Playbook for Tough Conversations with Erica Bear and Tiffany Burns

What does it take to have a tough conversation that is both clear and compassionate? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Erica Bear and Tiffany Burns to discuss their new book, The School Leader’s...

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April 18, 2026

377. Boredom, Frustration, and Task Avoidance Busters: Featuring Katie Powell

What happens when students are not just disengaged, but quietly deciding school is too hard, too boring, or too risky to try? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Katie Powell, Director of Middle L...

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April 17, 2026

NCMLE Bonus: Connection, Anxiety, & Student Engagement with Charlie Peck, Gretchen Bridgers, and Vernon Wright

Recorded live at NCMLE, Joshua Stamper sits down with Charlie Peck, Gretchen Bridgers, and Vernon Wright to talk about their presentations, their current projects, and the power of connection at a conference built on learning...

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April 11, 2026

376. Unlocking Social Emotional Learning with Hip Hop: Featuring David Spellmon

What if the key to unlocking social emotional learning for your students has been playing in their earbuds all along? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with David Spellman, also known as the Positive...

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April 9, 2026

NCMLE Bonus: The Motivation Equation & Leading with Hope with Frederick Buskey and Dr. Brandi Kelly

Recorded live at the NCMLE Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, Joshua sits down on the conference floor with two dynamic educational leaders, speakers, and authors, Frederick Buskey and Dr. Brandi Kelly.Frederick share...

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April 6, 2026

375. Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom: Featuring Sarah Oberle & Mitch Weathers

What if the reason so many young students struggle in the classroom has nothing to do with behavior, laziness, or defiance, and everything to do with emerging executive functions that have simply not been taught yet? In this ...

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April 3, 2026

NCMLE Bonus: Sustainable Leadership, Perseverance, and Motivation with Katie Powell, Ronnel Blackmon, & Charles Williams

What does it take to truly engage a middle schooler, build a classroom where every student feels like they belong, and sustain yourself as a leader for the long haul? In this second bonus episode recorded live at the NCMLE Mo...

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March 28, 2026

374. Teaching in Color: Featuring Brandon Jenkins

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 ...

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March 26, 2026

NCMLE Bonus: Resilience, AI, and Community with Julie Hasson, Brad Waid, and David James

What does it look and feel like to be surrounded by 400 passionate middle level educators for three days straight? In this first bonus episode recorded live at the NCMLE Moving the Middle Forward Conference in Charlotte, Nort...

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March 21, 2026

373. Why Emotional Intelligence Is the Missing Link in Teacher Retention: Featuring Katrina Huels

What if the burnout crisis in education is not just a workload problem but a skills gap? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Corwin author and educator Katrina Huels to unpack why 54% of K through...

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March 15, 2026

372. It Is Not Procrastination, It Is Executive Function: Featuring Carrie Bonnett

Why do some students sit and do “nothing” when we give them plenty of time to work, and why does “just get to work” rarely change anything? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper talks with executive function coach...

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March 7, 2026

371. Lead Where Your Feet Are: Featuring David James

What happens when a former assistant principal chooses to return to the middle school classroom and discovers a deeper, wider form of leadership than the front office ever offered? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua St...

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