Episodes

Why is it important for schools to develop many leaders? This week’s guest, Chris Legleiter, shares how he continues to build leadership capacity in his staff and build up their strengths. In this episode, we also discuss: The main focus of the upcoming school year Prioritizing areas we can control Increasing Student leadership Mentorship Practices About Chris Legleiter: Chris currently serves as a Middle School Principal at Leawood Middle School of the Blue Valley School District. The distric...

What does it mean to be equitable or inclusive in your school? This week’s guest, Traci Browder, shares powerful stories, actionable steps, and practices to ensure students have the same resources to be successful. In this episode, we also discuss: Why “just a teacher” is a lie Influence outside of the classroom INTELLIGOGY the Podcast And Traci’s new book from DBC inc.! About Traci Browder: Traci Browder is a trailblazer in education inspiring & mentoring teachers & changing the lives of chil...

In your lesson plans, outside of the content in the curriculum, what skills do you teach your students? This week’s guest, Dennis Mathew, shares how he goes beyond the curriculum to share essential life skills, such as conflict resolution simulations and social skills practice activities. In this episode, we also discuss: Leading with the “1” Social emotional learning tactics Equity in public schools And his new book, “How Grizzly Found Gratitude”! About Dennis Mathew: Dennis is an elementary ...

I had the amazing opportunity to moderate a segment for the Teach Better Team on mental health and trauma informed practices. In this bonus episode, Maurice Martin and I discuss important strategies to use to enhance our emotional well-being, practice mindfulness, and overcome failure. About Maurice Martin: Maurice F Martin is a sought after speaker, counselor, certified life coach, and co-host of the TV show “Getting The Word Out”. He also works with schools and businesses to take their cultu...

If you have thought about becoming a campus or district leader, what are the next steps in the process to get to the next leadership level? This week’s guest, Robert Breyer, shares steps to gain additional and necessary experiences, finding the right coach, and excelling in the interview process. In this episode, we also discuss: Preparing and guiding aspiring leaders to successfully attain leadership positions. The importance of leadership coaching. Impactful leadership experiences for aspirin...

In this bonus episode, Michelle Papa shares her five top leadership books and the reasons she loves these amazing resources. In addition, we discuss her new promotion and the transition to the new school year. About Michelle Papa: Michelle Papa is an Assistant Principal at Jefferson Township High School in Oak Ridge, New Jersey. She is passionate about the amplification of student’s voices, healthy school culture, trauma-informed education, and equity for all students. She has presented worksho...

With the stress of your leadership role, how do you take care of your mental health? This week’s guest, Lindsay Titus, shares important steps to take to improve your mental well-being, decrease anxiety and combat stress. In this episode, we also discuss: Administrative Certification Program Behavior Management Strategies for Students Gratitude Reflections And Lindsay’s 30 day journal, “Define YOUniversity”! About Lindsay Titus: Lindsay Titus is a passionate and energetic educator! She uses her...

What role and impact does your school culture have within your building? This week’s guest, Darrin Peppard, shares how the culture created by the leaders in the building impacts every aspect of the school, which could lead down the road to awesome! In this episode, we discuss: The importance of knowing the logistical management and the instructional development Surprises as a Superintendent How to improve your leadership skills through coaching And Darrin’s new book, Road to Awesome! About Dar...

In this bonus episode, Dr. Jill Siler shares her five top leadership books and the reasons she loves these amazing resources. In addition, we discuss the latest book award she received and her new position. About Dr. Jill Siler: Dr. Jill Siler has been serving as the Superintendent of Gunter ISD, a growing school district an hour north of Dallas, since 2012. Jill grew up in Rochester & Buffalo, NY and completed her undergraduate work at the University of Pittsburgh where she was a collegiate sw...

How would you describe a productive and effective Professional Learning Community (PLC)? In my experience in multiple schools and districts, this model has looked drastically different in each setting. This week’s guest, Chad Dumas, shares a practical guide for leaders on how to collaborate and get sustained results for students. In this episode, we discuss: The Steps Needed to Get the Correct Leadership Experience for Aspiring Leaders Tips to Create Effective Meetings How to Increase Your Prof...

What if, in the world of education, grades did not exist? This week’s guest, Starr Sackstein, shares how she removed grades from her classroom, focused on critical feedback to her students, and incorporated social emotional and equity components to the assessment process. In this episode, we discuss: Systems of evidence mastery Changing the way we assess The stigma that is attached to grades And Starr’s new book, Assessing with Respect: Everyday Practices That Meet Students' Social and Emotiona...

Have you ever interviewed for a job and not received the promotion you were seeking? In today’s episode featuring Alex Valencic, Sarah Johnson and Joshua Stamper discuss the topics of working through the disappointment, establishing your relationship with your new supervisor, and the way to have transparent conversations about your goals. About Alex Valencic: Alex Valencic is an educator, former small business owner, Boy Scout, volunteer drug prevention specialist, unrepentant bibliophile, and ...

How do we together dismantle barriers that exclude, recognize past trauma, and identify resources for those in need? This week’s guest, Marisol Quevedo Rerucha, shares how implementing restorative practices changed student behaviors, connected the community and recognized each person. In this episode, we discuss: The importance of Morning Check Ins Restorative practices and circles Collective agreements And Marisol’s new book, Beyond the Surface of Restorative Practices About Marisol Quevedo R...

In this 21st Aspire Mailbag episode, Evan Robb, Jeff Gargas and I answer questions on different leadership topics provided by the listeners. Please join us for this episode as we answer questions on how to build an email to introduce yourself to a potential employer, ways to prepare yourself for a leadership position, summative evaluation feedback, and the latest news with the Teach Better Team! Featuring Evan Robb, Jeff Gargas, and Joshua Stamper About Evan Robb: Evan Robb is presently Princip...

With the drastic changes occurring in education, how do we propel students, staff and leaders to grow and explore in new ways? This week’s guest, Lainie Rowell, shares how providing opportunities of discovery and social emotional learning will enhance targeted change and innovative ideas for everyone in the organization. In this episode, we discuss: Learning to Listen instead of Acting like the Expert The importance of Spending Time in Reflection “Evolving Learner” And Lainie’s new podcast, “Le...

I had the amazing opportunity to moderate a segment during the Teach Better 12 Hour Live Event on social emotional learning (SEL). In this bonus episode, Mandy Froelich and I discuss important strategies to use in the classroom and on the campus to help regulate student’s emotions and assess student needs. About Mandy Froehlich: Mandy Froehlich passionately encourages educators to create innovative change in their classrooms. A former Director of Innovation and Technology, technology integrator...

What is the highest level of learning in professional development? This week’s guest, Dr. Michele Schmidt Moore, shares how leaders can design professional learning environments that encourage and enhance teacher’s discovery, passion, and curiosity. In this episode, we discuss: Passion Projects for Educators Intentional PD Designs The Leader in You Series And Michele’s podcast, “Design Lessons” About Dr. Michele Schmidt Moore: Dr. Michele Schmidt Moore, host of the Design Lessons podcast is a ...

After creating and implementing new teaching strategies and building procedures, many educators are seeking to go back to “normal”. Should we keep any practices from this past year or should we go back to our previous strategies? This week’s guest, Thomas Murray, shares how we design learning experiences that impact all students, while creating future ready skills. In this episode, we discuss: Future Ready Leaders Future Ready Learners Going Back to “Normal” vs Continuing New Practices And Tom’...

In this bonus episode, Latrese Younger shares her five top leadership books and the reasons she loves these amazing resources. In addition, we discuss her school and how she is ending the school year strong. About Latrese Younger: Latrese D. Younger has over thirteen years of education experience across several different school districts. She began her journey as an English Language Arts teacher in Dinwiddie County, VA, which she credits with firming her foundation in education excellence. Thro...

Today, May 9th, is a special day for two reasons, 1. It’s mother’s day and 2. Today is the 3rd anniversary of the Aspire podcast! Join Todd Nesloney and I as we celebrate mothers day, the three year anniversary of the podcast and our discussion on classroom and campus culture! Featuring Todd Nesloney and Joshua Stamper About Todd Nesloney: Todd Nesloney is the Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership for the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). He was previously ...

As the school year comes to a close, we can all agree that we are exhausted mentally and physically. This past year and a half has been difficult in many ways and every educator's mental health has been affected. Just the other day, I was telling a staff member that COVID has made even the easiest decisions much harder. With this in mind, how are we taking care of ourselves? This week’s guest, Dan Tricarico shares how he uses the 5 “S”s, Which are stillness, silence, space, subtraction, and slow...

In your classrooms, are your students participating in one interactive lesson per unit or are they experiencing natural learning opportunities each day? This week’s guest, Becky Schnekser, shares how transforming her classroom allowed her students to explore, engage, and discover new learning opportunities to model interactive field experiences. In this episode, we discuss: Field Science Professional Development Flipping to an Outdoor Classroom Teach Better Speakers Network And Becky’s Upcoming...

On your campus or in your district, do you have a lot of initiatives being implemented? What is the impact of each of those initiatives or programs? This week’s guest, Peter DeWitt, shares how relationship building and collaboration with teachers are the most rich actions by a leader and how you can have a greater impact on campus culture. In this episode, we discuss: Collective Teacher Efficacy Flipped Meeting Model Instructional Leadership Tips New Book Announcement And Leaders Coaching Leade...

In this bonus episode, Brad Hughes shares his five top leadership books and the reasons he loves these amazing resources. In addition, we discuss his new podcast and some Teach Better event details. About Brad Hughes: Brad Hughes is the host of The Good News, Brad News Podcast. Brad is an elementary school principal in Ontario, Canada, with 25 years’ experience in education. Prior to becoming a school leader, Brad taught for 16 years from Kindergarten to eighth grade, most recently teaching mid...