Episodes
July 8, 2023
246. Five Essential Elements to Being Your Best Self: Featuring Dan Wolfe
Welcome to this week's empowering episode of "Aspire to Lead" with Dan Wolfe. Join us as Dan shares his insightful journey of using the five Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) components to navigate a crucial decision in his...
July 2, 2023
245. How to Lead Well Without Losing Your Way: Featuring Bradley James Davies
In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Bradley James Davies shares how a panic attack and a near death experience enlightened him on how he was dealing with stress and mental health. Join us as we discuss the lessons learned ...
June 24, 2023
244. From Struggle to Strength: Featuring Amber Calderon
In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Amber Calderon shares about the importance of recovering emotionally over the summer and establishing health work boundaries to protect our emotional wellbeing. In this episode, we discu...
June 18, 2023
Bonus Episode: The Failure Files with Michael Vick and Sam Shropshire
In this new BONUS episode, we learn from Michael and Sam’s failure in expecting staff and students to be able to use technology well beyond their current ability. I also share 3 strategies on Building Capacity vs Enabling Sta...
June 10, 2023
243. Project Based Learning Simplified: Featuring Ryan Steuer
In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Ryan Steuer shares how, as a teacher, he struggled to connect real world concepts to his curriculum and how Project Based Learning (PBL) transformed his classroom and engaged his student...
June 4, 2023
242. Are you in the Correct Position?: Featuring Lindsay Titus
In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Lindsay Titus shares her experience as an Assistant Principal and how she realized it wasn’t the position that served her the best. Join us as Lindsay shares her important reflection pro...
May 27, 2023
241. Recipes for Resilience: Featuring Dr. Robert Martinez
In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Dr. Robert Martinez discusses how to make connections and be present in the lives of the people you serve, especially during the tough times. I n this episode, we discuss: Finding ways t...
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...