Episodes

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

Trailer

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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...
Nov. 18, 2022

Episode 130: Pause to Ponder - Wakanda Worries

The #BlackPanther franchise has been a source of #inspiration for many fans of the #MCU. But what happens when a potentially damaging & divisive message is portrayed? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com...
Nov. 11, 2022

Episode 129: Interview with Connie Hamilton

In this episode, I chat with Connie Hamilton, who has served as a teacher, coach, principal, and central office leader. She continues to devote her time to supporting teachers and leaders to implement quality instructional me...
Nov. 4, 2022

Episode 128: Pause to Ponder - Lacoste ... Black or No?

Jean Lacoste was a French tennis player and business man who went by the nickname "The Crocodile" which ended up serving as the iconic logo on his clothing line. He was an accomplished tennis player having won several cups an...
Oct. 28, 2022

Episode 127: Interview with TaRael Kee

In this episode, I chat with TaRael Kee, an Assistant Principal at Collinsville High School, a site-based trainer for the American School Counselor Association, and the Past-President of the Illinois School Counselor Associat...
Oct. 21, 2022

Episode 126: Pause to Ponder - Principal Appreciation 2022

Leadership can be lonely ... but only if you are doing it wrong. Join me in this reflection as I urge our educational leaders to use this time to build their networks so that they are not moving through this journey alone. --...