Episodes
April 28, 2023
Episode 153: Interview w/ CJ " Real Rap" Reynolds
In this episode, I chat with CJ Reynolds, a West Philadelphia high school literature teacher, author, YouTuber, & public speaker. In his book, Teach Your Class Off, on his YouTube Channel, Real Rap With Reynolds, and on his P...
April 21, 2023
Episode 152: Pause to Ponder - Dashboard Warning Lights
For most of us, the dashboard warning lights in our vehicles are an indicator that something needs to be addressed. For some, those signals are ignored often leading to larger issues as time progresses. The same can be said f...
April 14, 2023
Episode 151: Interview with Andre St. George
In this episode, I chat with Andre St. George, an inspirational speaker, author, youth development coach, and business owner. He recently published a book titled: Living V.I.T.A.L - (From Adversity to Advantage). He has won n...
April 7, 2023
Episode 150: Pause to Ponder - The '89 Land Run
On April 22, 1889, thousands of settlers, or Sooners, rushed into modern day Oklahoma in an attempt to settle "unassigned lands" and continue the European westward expansion of America. A moment that is commemorated across Ok...
March 31, 2023
Episode 149: Interview with Sarah Said
In this episode, I chat with Sarah Said, an educator who has served in various roles including Teacher, Assistant Principal, Dean, Curriculum Coordinator, and Multilingual Coordinator. Sarah is an advocate for the students sh...
March 24, 2023
Episode 148: Pause to Ponder - All Brown All Around
In Sandra Cisneros' book, "House on Mango Street," there exists a passage that seemingly sticks out to most people who have read the text. "Those who don’t know any better come into our neighborhood scared. They think we’re d...
March 17, 2023
Episode 147 - Interview With Barbara Bray
In this episode, I chat with Barabara Bray, a coach, teacher, writer, disruptor, risk-taker, learning designer, connector, and visionary. She calls herself a creative learning strategist where others call her a “change-maker....
March 10, 2023
Episode 146: Pause to Ponder - What is Equitable Grading
Equitable grading has come to mean plenty of things but the problem with most of the approaches is that they have become excuses used to enable our most at-risk students. Join me as I reflect on a disagreement that I continue...
March 3, 2023
Episode 145: Interview with Rosalba Rodriguez
In this episode, I chat with Rosalba Rodriguez, an educator of 20 years as an instructional assistant, a substitute teacher, a teacher. She has served as an administrator for the past four years and is currently a Principal i...
Feb. 24, 2023
Episode 144: Pause to Ponder - Should African-Americans (and others) be Offered ELL Programming?
We know that African-Americans have struggled historically when in our academic spaces and there is a maintained gap between them and all other racial groups. When discussing these disparities, we often talk about access and ...
Feb. 17, 2023
Episode 143: Interview with Marcus Belin
In this episode, I chat with Marcus Belin, the Principal of Huntley High School, President of Illinois Principals Association, 2021 National Association of Secondary School Principals Digital Principal of the Year, and 2020 I...
Feb. 10, 2023
Episode 142: Pause to Ponder - Black Mental Health
What happens when trauma goes unaddressed? What happens when a community is denied the opportunity to access adequate health care? What happens when individuals are convinced that engaging in discussions around mental health ...
Feb. 3, 2023
Episode 141: Interview w/ Black, Brown, & Bilingue Podcast
In this episode, I chat with Lissette Jacobson and Maurice McDavid, the co-hosts of the Black, Brown, and Bilingue podcast, a show designed to unite the Black and Brown communities through education, storytelling, and communi...
Jan. 27, 2023
Episode 140: Pause to Ponder - Love + Work
Inspired by Episode 405 from the SuperCreativity Podcast hosted by James Taylor, this episode briefly shares some insights into Marcus Buckingham's newest book "Love + Work" and presents a challenge to all listeners for the m...
Jan. 20, 2023
Episode 139: Interview with Matthew Woods
In this episode, I chat with Matthew Woods, who has served for more than 12 years assisting students, educators, and schools in a variety of roles. His professional experience includes being a high school social studies teach...
Jan. 13, 2023
Episode 138: Pause to Ponder - 10 Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew
Based on the best-selling book by Ellen Notbohm, this episode provides a frank discussion on the gap between what we say and what we do. Yes, we say (and honestly believe) that all students can and deserve to learn and yet, d...
Jan. 6, 2023
Episode 137: Interview with Jonathan Alsheimer
In this episode, I chat with Jonathan Alsheimer, the unorthodox, energetic, and entertaining middle school teacher who refuses to live a life of limitations and works with UFC Fighters, Celebrities, and Clothing Brands and he...
Dec. 30, 2022
Episode 136: Pause to Ponder - Live 2023 PURPOSEfully
As long as I can remember, we have been following fads to accomplish most of our goals. The New Year is no exception. In fact, I once joked that my resolution would be to make no more resolutions and I am proud to say that I ...
Dec. 23, 2022
Episode 135: 2022 Student Holiday Special
For the past two years, I have hosted a holiday special as we explore various holiday traditions celebrated by educators. This year, I wanted to get the voice of students on the show and what better way to teach upcoming podc...
Dec. 16, 2022
Episode 134: Pause to Ponder - How Do We Heal Our Educators?
What systems exist to adequately provide our educators with the opportunity to heal in the light of a traumatic event? Join me as I reflect on how me and my team have been struggling to do this following the loss of a student...
Dec. 9, 2022
Episode 133: Interview with Bethany Hill
In this episode, I chat with Bethany Hill, an educator for 24 years. She has taught grades kindergarten, first, second and third grades, has been an instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. Bethany currently s...
Dec. 3, 2022
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Dec. 2, 2022
Episode 132: Pause to Ponder - Crafty Conservatorships
What Britney Spears, Sarah Rector, and the Osage Nation all have in common? They were all deemed incapable of handling their finances and thus court appointed a white male to oversee it for them. While the results are mixed, ...
Nov. 25, 2022
Episode 131: Interview with Marlena Gross-Taylor
In this episode, I chat with Marlena Gross-Taylor, the founder of EduGladiators and a nationally recognized ed leader with a proven track record of improving educational and operational performance through vision, strategic p...