NCMLE Bonus: Resilience, AI, and Community with Julie Hasson, Brad Waid, and David James
What does it look and feel like to be surrounded by 400 passionate middle level educators for three days straight?
In this first bonus episode recorded live at the NCMLE Moving the Middle Forward Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, Joshua Stamper brings you three powerful conversations straight from the conference floor, sponsored by New Horizons Global.
First, Joshua sits down with resilience researcher, speaker, and author Julie Hasson, who shares her message from her presentation "Recharge Your School Culture" and the simple, practical tools educators can weave into their school day to reduce stress, build individual resilience, and leave school with enough energy to actually have a life outside of it.
Next, Joshua talks with Brad Waid, founder of New Horizons Global, former third grade teacher, and passionate advocate for AI and Industry 4.0 in education. Brad breaks down what skills students will need for a workforce that is changing faster than most schools can keep up with, and why educators are more important than ever in helping young people find their place in it.
The series wraps up with a conversation with the man who built this incredible community, NCMLE Conference Director David James. David shares how he has grown the conference from a post-COVID rebuild to a 400 plus educator gathering that brings together the best voices in middle level education from across the country, and previews what is coming in 2027.
If you want professional development that makes an impact from day one for your school, district, conference, or organization, visit newhorizonseducation.net and click on Educational Speakers
About Dr. Julie Schmidt Hasson:
Dr. Julie Schmidt Hasson is an Associate Professor in School Administration at Appalachian State University and the founder of the Teacher Recharge project. Julie’s research on teacher resilience, engagement, and impact is the heart of her keynotes, training programs, and her TEDx Talk, The Teachers We Remember. Julie is the author of four books, including Pause, Ponder, and Persist in the Classroom. Julie is a former classroom teacher and school principal, now on a mission to help educators stay longer, grow stronger, and keep making an impact.
Follow Dr. Julie Schmidt Hasson
- Website:teacherrecharge.com
- Twitter (X): @julieshasson
- Instagram: @julieshasson
- Facebook: Julie Schmidt Hasson
- Linkedin: Julie Schmidt Hasson
- YouTube: Julie Schmidt Hasson
About Brad Waid:
Brad is an Award-winning Emerging Technology Leader, International Keynote Speaker, Futurist, Educator, Visionary, and Author specializing in AR/VR/XR, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Industry 4.0. He is tabbed as one of the top 20 Global Futurist & Keynote Speakers by TAFFD (Transdisciplinary Agora for Future Discussions), recognized as the #14 influencer world-wide in Augmented Reality by Onalytica as well as being recognized as one of the “20 to Watch” by the National School Board Association.
Follow Brad Waid
- Website:www.bradwaid.com
- Twitter (X): @techbradwaid
- Instagram: @techbradwaid
- Facebook: Brad Waid
- Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-waid-21187593/
- YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@bradwaid3790
- Other:www.newhorizonsglobal.net
About David James
David is an 18 year veteran of K-12 education. He started his teaching journey as a graduate of Ohio University in 2007. After moving to North Carolina in the fall of 2011, David became part of the inaugural teaching staff at the award winning Harold E. Winkler Middle School, a 6-8 International Baccalaureate school located in Concord, NC, 15 miles north of Charlotte. David currently serves in multiple teacher-leadership capacities at HWMS. As an English/Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher, Lead Mentor of the school’s highly successful beginning teacher mentoring program, School Leadership Team representative, and 7th grade level chair, David leans on his experience and enthusiasm in the classroom to influence kids, teachers, and parents in hopes of having a positive impact on student achievement. His student-first mindset in the classroom leading to positive results both academically and behaviorally with students, has been highlighted in multiple EDU publications including Culture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices That Transform Schools by Dr. Darrin Peppard and Katie Kinder. At the state level, David serves on the North Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Board of Directors as both the Marketing and Conference Directors. He is proud to organize and bring the annual conference to life that hosts 500+ middle school educators in a celebration of learning and growth. You can learn more about NCMLE at ncmle.org and on their social media outlets. All this to say, David’s favorite roles are as a husband to his beautiful wife Erin and father to his 8 year old son Aiden.
Follow David James
- Twitter (X): heroichistory22
- Instagram: heroichistory22
- Facebook: David James
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