Episodes
April 23, 2022
188. Teach Your Class Off: Featuring CJ Reynolds
In today’s educational climate of budget shortages, rigid testing standards, and diminishing autonomy in the classroom, how can teachers bring creativity and passion back into their work? In this week’s episode, CJ Reynolds o...
April 17, 2022
187. Wisdom and Productivity: Featuring Dr. Efrain Martinez
This week’s guest, Dr. Efrain Martinez, shares his story of trauma and how it shaped him as a leader, impacted his productivity, and pushed him to focus on his mental health. In this episode, we also discuss: Using Emotional ...
April 9, 2022
186. Discipline Win: Featuring Dr. Andy Jacks
Why did we become school leaders and teachers? To educate, uplift, and inspire all students. So when things go wrong, why do schools seem to use exclusion as a first reaction, especially for kids that need to be in class the ...
April 5, 2022
Aspire to Lead Course Launch with the Teach Better Team
Aspire to Lead with Empathy, Creativity, and Passion I have a new book study course available for Aspire to Lead FREE on www.teachbetteracademy.com ! I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Jeff Gargas, the COO of the T...
April 3, 2022
185. Moving Beyond for Multilingual Learners: Featuring Carly Spina
This week’s guest, Carly Spina, shares how, when it comes to serving our multilingual learners, there are countless ways for us to serve their needs and strengthen our school practices. In this episode, we also discuss: Break...
March 27, 2022
184. Foundation of Skills: Featuring Matt Dunbar
This week’s guest, Matt Dunbar, shares how developing the foundational and essential skills of our students is important for their future success in our local communities. In this episode, we also discuss: Relationships and C...
March 19, 2022
Aspire Mailbag: How to Finish Strong and Stay Motivated
In this 25th 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 first year teachers, finding motivati...
March 12, 2022
183. Balancing Life as a Leader: Featuring Sarah Johnson
Is balancing the many things you are in charge of in your life too much? This week’s guest, Sarah Johnson, shares how a shift in her career forced her to learn how to lead without a title, balance multiple jobs, and explore h...
March 8, 2022
182. Personalizing Student Support Through Mastery Learning: Featuring Rae Hughart
This week’s guest, Rae Hughart, shares how she used mastery learning in her classroom, the creation of Dailey Drop In, and how she is providing teacher support as a member of the teach better team. In this episode, we also di...
Feb. 27, 2022
181. The Curation of Exploration: Featuring Evin Schwartz
What strategies do you use in the classroom to instill and enhance exploration on new subjects and real world connections? This week’s guest, Evin Schwartz, shares how his experience overseas led him to creating a business fo...
Feb. 19, 2022
180. Changing the Way We View Assessment: Featuring Natalie Vardabasso
How will we prepare young people to thrive in this uncertain future? This week’s guest, Natalie Vardabasso, shares how educators can use assessment, equity practices and social emotional strategies to enhance student experien...
Feb. 12, 2022
179. Transforming Learning with Technology: Featuring Debbie Tannenbaum
How are you using technology tools to empower students and give them ownership of their learning? This week’s guest, Debbie Tannenbaum, shares how educators can use technology tools to not only grow student achievement, but t...
Feb. 5, 2022
178. Lead From Where You Are: Featuring Dr. Joe Sanfelippo
School communities are full of people who have both the ability and desire to lead. Some lead without knowing it. Most lead without the recognition they deserve. Whether you lead in a classroom, department, building, or distr...
Jan. 29, 2022
177. One Tic at a Time: Featuring Britney Wolf
This week’s guest, Britney Wolf, shares her experience with Tourette Syndrome and how she is helping break the stigma of the disorder, providing awareness to educators, and motivating others to provide validation to those who...
Jan. 23, 2022
176. The Counter Narrative: Featuring Charles Williams
What is the narrative of each student group represented on your campus? This week’s guest, Charles Williams, shares his experiences as a student and how it inspired him to change the negative portrayals of the disenfranchise...
Jan. 20, 2022
Aspire Mailbag: Are We Providing Too Much Grace?
In this 24th Aspire Mailbag episode, Jeff Gargas, Brad Hughes, and I answer questions on different leadership topics provided by the listeners. Please join us for this episode as we answer questions on giving too much grace, ...
Jan. 15, 2022
175. The Gifts We Give: Featuring Livia Chan
Do you see every interaction with students, staff, and parents as a gift? This week’s guest, Livia Chan, shares how every interaction is an opportunity to uplift, inspire, encourage, and support others. In this episode, we a...
Jan. 9, 2022
174. Fired Up Teachership: Featuring Dr. Frank Rudnesky and Michelle Rispo Hill
Education is a difficult field and many teachers don’t continue after three years in the classroom. This week’s guest, Dr. Frank Rudnesky and Michelle Rispo Hill, share how to help new teachers, support veteran educators, an...
Jan. 3, 2022
Aspire to Lead Celebration with the Teach Better Team
In reflecting about 2021, my favorite day was when Aspire to Lead launched. I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with the Teach Better Team about the different aspects of this educational leadership resource and where the...
Dec. 30, 2021
173. The Foundation of Restorative Practices: Featuring Dr. Neil Gupta
Most often, when restorative practices are discussed, it is described as a reactive measure to help students fix the harm that was caused . This week’s guest, Dr. Neil Gupta, shares how the most important steps in restorative...
Dec. 27, 2021
Aspire Collaborative Conversation: Featuring Michael Earnshaw and Joshua Buckley
With the launch of The EduCulture Cookbook and Aspire to Lead , The Punk Rock podcasters joins me to share about leadership qualities and school culture. In this Episode, we also discuss: The Reflections Process as a Leader F...
Dec. 18, 2021
172. Developing Instructional Technology Coaches: Featuring Jeff Bradbury
How can an instructional technology coach be utilized on a campus to enhance student achievement and staff development ? This week’s guest, Jeff Bradbury, shares his instructional technology instructional roadmap to determine...
Dec. 12, 2021
171. Self Paced Mastery Learning: Featuring Chelsea Nicolino
In your school or classroom, do your students have an opportunity to solve real life problems in their community ? This week’s guest, Chelsea Nicolino, shares how she made a shift in her teaching to allow students to work at ...
Dec. 5, 2021
170. Save the Day: Featuring Maurice F Martin
Have you ever asked yourself, have I unlocked the potential that lies within myself? This week’s guest, Maurice F Martin, shares how he overcame the hurdles that had been holding him back from healing, succeeding, and thrivin...