Episodes

In your school or district, how is homework utilized and graded? Has your philosophy of homework changed during the pandemic and online learning? Today's guest, Dr. Erik Youngman, discusses the role of homework and shares strategies to make homework deliberate and valuable in our new educational settings. In this episode, we discuss: Homework and Grading Practices Growth Mindset as a student and leader Building Leaders through Coaching And “12 Characteristics of Deliberate Homework”. About Dr....

When you think of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), do you think about the procedures, curriculum, and skills needed for students? What about the adults in the building? How are they supported through your Social Emotional Learning structure? Today's guest, Tre Gammage, shares how the majority of schools don’t have programs for the adults in schools and strategies to help with mental health for all ages. In this episode, we discuss: Being Proactive vs Reactive SEL strategies for Adults Creating ...

As a teacher, have you ever received feedback from an administrator who only was in your classroom once, twice, maybe three times a year? And if you are the administrator, did you feel the time in the teacher’s class was enough to provide true feedback to help with their progress? This week’s guest, Craig Randall, shares how he struggled with the traditional teacher assessment process and the strategies he used to create a new trust based program. In this episode, we discuss: Teaching and leadi...

In this 18th Aspire Mailbag episode, Todd Nesloney, Jeff Gargas, and I answer questions on different leadership topics provided by the listeners. Please join us for this episode as we answer questions and discuss common mistakes by new leaders, how to gain student feedback, increase staff morale, learn about the Teach Better Podcast Network and the newest podcast addition! Featuring Todd Nesloney, Jeff Gargas, and Joshua Stamper About Todd Nesloney: Todd Nesloney is the Director of Culture and ...

As an administrator, there are days that can feel lonely and overwhelming, especially when you are new in the position. This week’s guest, Rachel George, shares her administrative struggles and humorous experiences to explain the key ingredients to flourish as a leader. In this episode, we discuss: Why it’s important to focus on our purpose Focusing and building on our strengths The keys to finding multiple mentors And her new book, “Principal Ed: The Educator’s Survival Guide” About Rachael G...

I had the amazing opportunity to moderate during the Teach Better 12 Hour Live Event with four amazing educators and podcasters. In this bonus episode, Jeffrey Prickett, Brittany Rincon, Robert Breyer, Deanna Lough, and I discuss the mission of our podcasts and how podcasts impact professional development. Follow Dr. Jeffry Prickett: Twitter: @jdprickett Instagram: jdprickett Facebook: Jeffry Prickett Linkedin: Dr. Jeffry Prickett Blog: Wordpress Blog Site Podcast: https://www.teachbetter.com/p...

In a time where current events have created strong emotions, how are we able to have conversations about racism, equity, and injustice? This week’s guest, Hedreich Nichols, shares strategies she uses to facilitate difficult conversations, empower student’s voices, and increase equity in schools. In this episode, we discuss: Asking important questions about who else was apart of our country’s history Making sure we have opportunities to share and celebrate people of color Hedreich’s books on Ant...

I had the amazing opportunity to moderate during the Teach Better 12 Hour Live Event with two amazing educators. In this bonus episode, Hans Appel, Tre Gammage, and I discuss how to incorporate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) strategies on the campus for teachers and students. Follow Hans Appel: Website: www.awardwinningculture.com Twitter: @HansNAppel @awculture Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awardwinningculture/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Award-Winning-Culture-102176471490533/?...

With the new experience of teaching virtually, many educators are struggling to teach in this new setting. What is the measure of success for teachers and students? What should our goal be as we teach online? This week’s guest, CJ Reynolds, shares his struggles with virtual teaching and his successful online tactics to build relationships, enhance digital tools, and create a safe environment. In this episode, we discuss: Digital Relationship Building Strategies How to Engage Students Online As ...

With the battle of teaching students from a variety of learning environments, our schools are challenged with uncovering and solving many community challenges at the same time. In today’s episode featuring Andrew Stanton, Sarah Johnson and Joshua Stamper tackle the topics of risk-taking and equity practices. In this episode, we discuss: Creating Change during a Pandemic Balancing Initiatives to Avoid Burn-Out Resources to Learn more about Equity About Andrew Stanton: Andrew is a middle schoo...

As our educational setting has shifted dramatically in a short period of time, the teaching strategies and educational tools needed to be successful have pushed educators to discover new ways to provide information and collaborate. This week’s guest, Jesse Lubinsky, shares some exciting emerging technology and innovative solutions to enhance student exploration, creativity and risk taking. In this Episode, we discuss: The Benefits of Esports in Schools AR and VR Tools in the Classroom Ready Lea...

In this 17th Aspire Mailbag episode, Jeff Gargas and I answer questions on different leadership topics provided by the listeners. Please join us for this episode as we answer questions and discuss how to coach the coaches, establish relationships with new staff members, keep staff on board through all the many changes that are occurring, and learn about one of the newest Teach Better podcast network additions! Featuring Jeff Gargas, Joshua Stamper and special guest, Brittany Rincon. Follow Brit...

As educators, we know what an IQ is but what is an EQ? This week’s guests, Dr. Adam Saenz shares the critical value of practicing Social Emotional Learning skills in the classroom, for both students and faculty, to decrease negative behavior and increase student academic performance, social skills, and relational engagement. In this Episode, we discuss: The Importance of Developing a Emotional Intelligence Strategies for Teachers to Improve Their Emotional Health The Impact of Trauma on the Bra...

Although my two guests have been in education and known each other since the mid 1990’s, this year has been the most challenging in their careers. This week’s guests, Adam Dewitt and Dr. Jeffry Prickett share how during this difficult time, they’ve leaned heavily on each other and their professional learning network to work through the daily adversity and grow as leaders. Join us as they share their connected leadership journey and how their friendship strengthened their skills, values and contr...

As we battle the trials of a pandemic, many leaders are asking one similar question. How do we create and maintain a positive school environment during a crisis? In today’s episode featuring Brianna Zwiefelhofer, Sarah Johnson and Joshua Stamper tackle this important and relevant topic on school culture. In this Episode, we discuss: Important Leadership Qualities Needed to Establish a Strong Culture Resources to Improve Communication And The Importance of Being Transparent in Your Conversatio...

In your current position, have you worked so hard for so long that you feel like you are going to crash and burn? This week, William D. Parker, shares how his first year as an Assistant Principal almost became his last. William provides strategies he used to take as a step back, reevaluate and focus on other unique areas in his life. In this episode, William also shares: Building trusting relationship for vulnerable moments Gathering Constructive Leadership Feedback Balancing Important Areas of...

In a previous Aspire episode, I had a wonderful conversation with Dr. Sheldon Eakins as we discussed the issues of racial justice, equity and implicit bias. After that conversation, I was convicted to assess not only my own practices, but the practices of my school to determine the biases that exist. I didn’t want to stop the conversation there. This week, I have an amazing leader, Andre Daughty, as we focus on the questions, what is the starting point for a school or a district to create equita...

As the year has progressed, the educational landscape has changed dramatically during the school year. Districts throughout the country have multiple learning environments from distance learning, face to face or a hybrid system. Regardless of how students are learning, educators everywhere are asking, “What technology tools are going to provide the most engagement, accurate assessments and organization of the curriculum. This week's guest, Jake Miller, shares how his journey from Technology Coac...

We are starting the season of teacher evaluations and there are many questions from the teacher and administrator perspectives. In this episode we are going to be answering many questions on this topic, such as: Have you ever had a terrible evaluation and wished you could have a redo? Or began your first administrative job to find you are extremely nervous to evaluate a teacher? What do you do if you observe a teacher that needs to grow in multiple areas? Evaluations for educators can be a tou...

In this 16th Aspire Mailbag episode, Jeff Gargas and I answer questions on different leadership topics provided by the listeners. Please join us for this episode as we answer questions and discuss preparing staff for changes, practices we would keep after virtual learning, goals for starting a new school and some exciting announcements! Featuring Jeff Gargas and Joshua Stamper NEW Aspire Swag with Discount Code: ASPIRE https://teachbetterswag.com/collections/aspire-the-leadership-development-...

Have you ever interviewed for a job only to find you were not selected for the position? This experience can be extremely painful and defeating. This week’s guest, Tim Cavey, shares how he overcame the disappointment, changed his mindset, and advanced to the next level. In this Episode, we discuss: The Key Aspects of Administration Unexpected Challenges of Teaching and Leading Tips to Balance Work and Family And the “Teachers on Fire” Podcast About Tim Cavey: Tim Cavey is a husband, stepfather...

I want to kick this episode off with a statement and I want to see if you agree. As a leader, you can grow and learn from creating content. Now, initially, you may think that to create content we have to have all the answers. In this episode I have two amazing teachers, Chey Cheney and Pav Wander, who share how through the content creation process, they became better leaders, inspired educators and connected to a greater community. In this Episode, we discuss: The Benefit of Genius Hour Persona...

It’s the chicken before the egg dilemma of career advancement. How does a person gain experience while not in the role they seek when aspiring up the proverbial career ladder? In today’s episode featuring Adam Cottos, we tackle the issue many aspiring leaders face. In this Episode, we discuss: The challenges Adam has faced in gaining experience for administrative positions Strategies has used to communicate his experience to prospective employers Suggested ways to navigate hearing no, gaining...