Episodes

May 21, 2023

240. Unveiling the Power of Genuine Connections: Featuring Dr. Tyler Cook

In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Dr. Tyler Cook discusses how there is a leader inside each one of us. Whether at work or inside the front doors of your home, you have influence and set an example through the life you l...
May 18, 2023

Bonus Episode: The Failure Files with Lindsay Titus

In this new BONUS episode, we learn from Lindsay Titus’ failure in building relationships with her new staff. Join us as we work through the resolution, the lesson learned through this new environment, and my five strategies ...
May 13, 2023

239. Challenging the Status Quo: Featuring Dave Schmittou

In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Dave Schmittou discusses ways to confront your own thinking and how to challenge the status quo. But the aim of our conversation is not to provide a step-by-step, one size fits all solut...
May 10, 2023

Toddle School Leaders Bootcamp: Featuring Danny Bauer

This BONUS episode is sponsored by Toddle. Toddle is an all-in-one teaching and learning platform used by over 40,000 educators around the world! On March 3rd and 4th, Toddle hosted the largest virtual gathering for school le...
May 6, 2023

238. The Playbook for Student Success in the Digital World: Featuring Stacey Cohen

In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Stacey Cohen shares the modern playbook that equips teens with strategies and tools to succeed in high school, college, and their first job. This episode is packed with sage advice, prac...
April 30, 2023

237. The Intersection of Leadership and Special Education: Featuring Dr. Amy Mathews-Perez

In this week’s episode, Dr. Amy Mathews-Perez shares how, as a Principal, she felt successful but unfulfilled. Join us as we talk about being authentic in our desires and mission, while not conforming to other people's assump...
April 26, 2023

Toddle School Leaders Bootcamp: Featuring Adriano Di Prato

This BONUS episode is sponsored by Toddle. Toddle is an all-in-one teaching and learning platform used by over 40,000 educators around the world! On March 3rd and 4th, Toddle hosted the largest virtual gathering for school le...
April 24, 2023

236. Adventures of New Leadership: Featuring Joshua Buckley

In this week’s episode, Joshua Buckley shares the surprises, misconceptions, and lessons learned as a new administrator of two elementary schools. In this episode, we discuss: The differences of teaching vs administration How...
April 20, 2023

Bonus Episode: The Failure Files with Dave Schmittou

In this new BONUS episode, we learn from Dave’s story of failure as he tried to be the only one to save the campus with ALL the answers. He quickly found out that this was a direct route to failure. About Dave Schmittou: As a...
April 17, 2023

235. The Helpful Guide to Teacher Retention: Featuring Martin Silverman

In this week’s episode, Martin Silverman shares the importance, as a leader, on focusing on the teachers so they can focus on the students. In this episode, we discuss: Improving Teacher Retention The Longevity of a Principal...
April 10, 2023

Aspire Mailbag: Questions about the Interview Process Featuring Brad Hughes

The Aspire Mailbag In this 28th 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 on the interview proc...
April 7, 2023

Toddle School Leaders Bootcamp: Featuring Ashleigh Woodward and Golfdan

This BONUS episode is sponsored by Toddle. Toddle is an all-in-one teaching and learning platform used by over 40,000 educators around the world! On March 3rd and 4th, Toddle hosted the largest virtual gathering for school le...
April 2, 2023

234. Important Leadership Principles: Featuring Bobby Pollicino

In this week’s episode, Bobby Pollicino shares how a transformation of self improvement practices allowed him to develop an important set of leadership principles. In this episode, we discuss: Relationship Principles Fitness:...
March 29, 2023

233. Change the Narrative: Featuring Henry J. Turner

In this week’s episode, Henry Turner shares his experience as a young leader and how he learned to listen to his students during a tough time in the community. As a building Principal, Henry has built a strong communication s...
March 26, 2023

Toddle School Leaders Bootcamp: Featuring Katie Ahmadzai

This BONUS episode is sponsored by Toddle. Toddle is an all-in-one teaching and learning platform used by over 40,000 educators around the world! On March 3rd and 4th, Toddle hosted the largest virtual gathering for school le...
March 18, 2023

232. The Emotional Attachment to Learning: Featuring Manny Curiel

In this week’s episode, Manny Curiel shares how he used his own experiences of overcoming a language barrier to construct emotional attachments to the reading content and lessons. In this episode, we discuss: Incorporating en...
March 11, 2023

231. Daily Classroom Management Strategies: Featuring CJ Reynolds

The #1 question CJ Reynolds gets from teachers is "What classroom management strategies do you use?" So here are some of his daily practices to make sure your classroom runs smoothly. He also threw in a few weird ones just to...
March 9, 2023

Toddle School Leaders Bootcamp: Featuring Adam Hill and Annette de Graaf

This BONUS episode is sponsored by Toddle. Toddle is an all-in-one teaching and learning platform used by over 40,000 educators around the world! On March 3rd and 4th, Toddle hosted the largest virtual gathering for school le...
March 4, 2023

230. Improving mental wellness in Schools: Featuring Maria Barrera

In this week’s episode, Maria Barrera shares how she discovered a mental health crisis and was determined to help solve the issues that were affecting students, teachers, and the community. In this episode, we discuss: Creati...
Feb. 28, 2023

Toddle School Leaders Bootcamp: Featuring Dr. Brenda Diaz

In this bonus episode, Dr. Brenda Diaz shares how traditional student discipline didn’t improve the students behavior and the shift her campus made to implement relationship building strategies and restorative practices. In t...
Feb. 22, 2023

Bonus Episode: The Failure Files with Kim Gameroz

In this new BONUS episode, we learn from Kim’s story of failure as she was honest and authentic with her Superintendent, which left her feeling disappointed and disheartened. About Kim Gameroz: Kim Gameroz is a change agent f...
Feb. 20, 2023

229. The Benefits of Emotional Regulation and Mindfulness: Featuring Ipek Williamson

In this week’s episode, Ipek Williamson shares the benefits and power of emotional regulation, mindfulness, and meditation, which creates peaceful and harmonious classrooms. In this episode, we discuss: Meditation’s support f...
Feb. 16, 2023

Toddle's School Leaders Bootcamp: Featuring Jim Laird

In this bonus episode, Jim Laird shares the story of Canyon Falls Middle School, an innovative, 21st-century learning school in Kelowna, and the purposeful educational transformation focus on engaging students and stakeholder...
Feb. 12, 2023

228. Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome: Featuring Alfonso Mendoza

In this week’s episode, Alfonso Mendoza shares his philosophies of improvising, adapting and overcoming obstacles in education. As a tech leader, Alfonso has seen a major shift the past few years and he continues to spread hi...