Episodes

Joe Davis is the author of The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain. Joe is a Managing Director and Senior Partner at the Boston Consulting Group. He is a former Head of BCG in North America and member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He oversaw BCG’s operations in the US, Canada and Mexico and was recognized as one of the Top 25 Consultants of the year in 2011. He has 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Board chair of the Center for Inclusion and Equity. Find Joe onlin...

Debra Armstrong is an Educator, Trainer, and Coach (ETC) dedicated to guiding professionals and small business owners on their journeys to achieve professional growth and business success. With years of experience, she has honed the art of personalized coaching, offering tailored solutions that fit her clients' unique needs, goals, and personalities. Find Debra online: www.nexxtlevelcareers.com LinkedIn: @debraarmstrong

Rick Hess is a scholar, author, and educator. Pens “Rick Hess Straight Up” for Education Week and “Old School with Rick Hess” for Education Next. Senior contributor to Forbes, executive editor of Education Next, contributing editor to National Review, and author of books including A Search for Common Ground and The Great School Rethink. Dr. Hess started his career as a high school social studies teacher. He has taught at the University of Virginia, the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown Univ...

For over 20 years as a school principal, educator, author, and coach, Rob Owen has seen the deep impact that stress and burnout have on teachers. After a life-changing car accident at 17, Rob found healing through Tai Chi and Qigong, practices that became central to both his personal and professional life. Now, he shares these mindful practices through Move 2 Focus, helping educators and students—especially those with ADHD and anxiety—find calm, focus, and emotional balance in the classroom and ...

Dr. Shelby Kretz is the creator of Little Justice Leaders, an organization that provides social justice education resources for educators and families. Shelby earned her Ph.D. in Education from UCLA, and her research explores social justice education at the elementary school level. Over the past decade, Shelby has worked with thousands of parents, teachers, and school leaders to bring social justice education to elementary aged kids. Find Shelby online: Get her free guide for talking to kids a...

Scotty Aemis is passionate about helping parents navigate childhood trauma. After he and his wife adopted two children, they found themselves learning everything they could about helping their children thrive. Everything that felt instinctively “right” was actually not helpful for children trying to heal from trauma. That set him on a journey to develop his PSR (Positive Safe Relationships) Approach toparenting. It’s helpful for all children and parents, but especially those navigating childhood...

Renes Lophanor is a multilingual (speaks English, Haitian Creole, French, German, Spanish and Slovak) author and certified teacher (Spanish/French at secondary ages 11-18) with over two decades of experience in education. Has also taught music, drama, art. He is a musician and performs every weekend. He is the author of I Still Love Teaching Despite Having All The Reasons In The World To Quit: Observations Of The Education System. Find Renes online: https://reneslophanor.com/ https://www.faceboo...

Mike Anderson has been an educator for many years. A classroom teacher for 15 years, he has also coached swim teams, worked in preschools, and taught university graduate-level classes. In 2004, Anderson was awarded a national Milken Educator Award, and in 2005, he was a finalist for New Hampshire Teacher of the Year. Now an independent education consultant, Anderson works with schools in rural, urban, and suburban settings across the United States and beyond. A bestselling author, he has written...

Kass Minor is the co-founder of The Minor Collective, which fosters sustainable equity in schools. Author of Teaching Fiercely: Spreading Joy & Justice in Our Schools (ASCD). Bio: Kass Minor is an inclusive educator and author who is deeply involved in local, inquiry-based teacher research and school community development. She is the author of Teaching Fiercely: Spreading Joy and Justice in Our Schools and the co-founder and Chief Strategist of The Minor Collective, a community-based organizati...

Mark Windschitl is a professor of Science Teaching and Learning at the University of Washington. His research interests deal with the early career development of science teachers—in particular, their trajectories toward ambitious and equitable pedagogy. He is the lead author of Ambitious Science Teaching (Harvard Ed Press), along with Jessica Thompson and Melissa Braaten. His research has appeared in The American Educational Research Journal, Teachers College Record, Cognition and Instruction, P...

Steve Bollar, a.k.a. Stand Tall Steve, is an educational thought leader, former Superintendent of Schools, principal, author and a school culture and motivation expert. He is known for his quick wit, creative thought, and humorous personality. Find Steve online: LinkedIN, FB, Tiktok, YouTube @standtallsteve IG @stevenbollar

Dr. Almira Berry is a nationally recognized motivational speaker, author, podcast host, and consultant on the topic of culturally and linguistically diverse learners in America’s K12 education system. Her works and research focus on equity and academic achievement for marginalized learners – particularly in majority-of-color, low-wealth, large, urban school districts. Dr. Berry is host of the podcast, Educational Equity Emancipation and author of the books Effecting Change for Culturally and Li...

Andrea Terrero Gabbadon, PhD is an urban education and leadership scholar, speaker, consultant, and qualitative researcher. Dr. Gabbadon's work and research explore the intersection of culturally affirming leadership, school working conditions and racial climate, and educator diversity. Previously, Dr. Gabbadon served as a high school teacher, teacher leader, and assistant principal/director of curriculum and instruction in traditional public and charter schools. Dr. Gabbadon has also served as ...

Loren Brody is an elementary school principal on the East Coast. He is also a husband, father of two teenagers, amateur violinist, dedicated swimmer, vegetarian cook, mindfulness devotee, and new triathlete. Find Loren online LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-brody-622241141

Dana's personal trench story that took place over the period of the 23/24 school year and until mid-Sept. Dr. Dana Goodier has 25 years of experience in education. She has taught World Languages and English and has worked at the middle and elementary school level as an administrator. She completed her doctorate degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership in 2020. She often speaks at conferences, providing educators with techniques to minimize off-task behavior and to increase time on task. Current...

Dr. David Franklin: author of “Advice from the Principal’s Desk: 5 Pillars of School Leadership” Bio from website: Dr. David Franklin is an award winning school administrator, education professor, curriculum designer, and presenter. He earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University, East Bay, a Master’s Degree in Education Technology from National University, and holds a B.A. in Music from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Franklin is an Education Consul...

David K. Richards is the podcast host of Changemaker ED"U" who has spent his career working in various roles as a teacher, principal, superintendent, board member, consultant and school founder. Started 10 award winning schools. David’s life mission is to help changemakers usher in new paradigms for learning and leadership. He is the Founder & CEO of Changemaker Microschools, a network of innovative love-based microschools. He also coaches leaders through his Wise Warrior program and podcast, Ch...

Leroy Slanzi is an experienced educator with a remarkable 25-year career in education. As an author, he penned the influential book "Emotional Schools," delving into the importance of emotional intelligence and mental health in the education system. Leroy also excels as a facilitator of professional development sessions, has been on numerous podcasts and is a sought-after keynote speaker, helps parents, teachers and schools through the chaos life brings. Is principal at an Elementary school, has...

Dr. Lisa Lande has dedicated her professional endeavors to advocating for teachers and students around the globe. It is her aspiration that every classroom in every school is one that she would want her own three children to learn in. Dr. Lande is a former teacher, college professor, and director of several large-scale school reform projects. She currently serves as the Director of International Programs for the Quaglia Institute for School Voice and Aspirations. Dr. Lande is a co-author of Tea...

Matt McGee is the founder of MRM Education, an elite tutoring and college admissions consultancy that emphasizes academic curiosity and confidence in students with the ultimate goal of admission into a top university. His 15-year career included private tutoring, special education and admissions consulting before founding MRM Education in 2020. His student-first approach and intensive peer-adjacent mentorship method has helped hundreds of students raise their grades and gain admission to Ivy-Plu...

Tim Cusack, EdD has more than 30 years of experience as an educator and naval warfare officer with the Royal Canadian Navy (Reserve) and currently serves as Dean of Education at Concordia University of Edmonton. Vince Bustamante is an instructional coach, curriculum content developer, and author who resides in Calgary, Canada who has co-authored two bestselling books with Corwin, Great Teaching by Design and The Assessment Playbook for Distance and Blended Learning. Find Vince & Tim online: Vi...

Kim Strobel is a renowned motivational speaker and author of Teach Happy: Small Steps to Big Joy, sought after by schools, businesses, and organizations worldwide. With her powerful message about the impact of happiness on well-being and the pursuit of fulfillment, she traverses the globe, sharing her insights. Kim specializes in empowering educators and professionals, equipping them with the necessary tools and strategies to shift their mindsets, reclaim their happiness, reignite their passion,...

Adam Stolzer is the principal of Burwell Junior/Senior High School in Burwell, NE. Currently in his 2nd year as principal, he has been extraordinarily intentional about his approach to instructional leadership. In this episode, he talks about Instructional Leader Visibility & Presence. Find Adam online: X: #cornhuskerchats X: @adamstolzer28 FB: @adamstolzer

As a classroom teacher, Jay Schroder’s pursuit of excellence led the Oregon Council of Teachers of English to award him with the High School English Teacher of Excellence Award in 2021, and in 2022 he received the High School Teacher of Excellence Award from the National Council of Teachers of English. Jay is the founder of the Teach from Your Best Self professional learning program and author of Teach from Your Best Self: A Teacher’s Guide to Thriving in the Classroom. Find Jay online: www.te...