Episodes
Jan. 29, 2023
Episode #214: Baruti Kafele
As a highly regarded urban educator in New Jersey for over twenty years, Principal Baruti Kafele distinguished himself as a master teacher and a transformational school leader. As an elementary school teacher he was a New Jersey State Teacher of the ...
Jan. 25, 2023
Episode #213: Vernon Wright
Vernon Wright (@TheWrightLeader, TheWrightLeader.com, ZeroApologyZone.com Founder) is a speaker, author, consultant, and leader. He has over 18 years of experience in education working in large, urban school districts and has previously served in the...
Jan. 19, 2023
Episode #212: Brian Faulkner
Brian Faulkner is the principal of Kaneland Harter Middle School in Kaneland C.U.S.D. 302. He says "My focus has been simple from the very start of my career; give students what they need in order to be successful. I fully embrace teacher leadership ...
Jan. 15, 2023
Episode #211: Ashley Hubner
Ashley Hubner is an Instructional Coach and Curriculum Specialist who has served in many roles in education from elementary school teacher to Curriculum Lead. Her degrees include a Bachelor's in Elementary Education, a Master's in Curriculum and Inst...
Jan. 11, 2023
Episode #210: Brandi Kelly
Mrs. Brandi Kelly has been in the field of education for over 20 years. She has recently assumed the role of Superintendent at Mt. Olive CUSD #5 in Mt. Olive, IL. Mrs. Kelly has served as a Principal previously, over a 10 year period, in three distri...
Jan. 9, 2023
Episode #209: Rob Dunlop
Robert Dunlop is a middle school teacher and technology & assessment consultant. His experiences in the classroom and throughout his district have given him a deep insight into the importance of teacher happiness. He credits working with thousands of...
Jan. 1, 2023
Episode #208: Tre Gammage
Tre Gammage is the host of the Dash Podcast, does adult SEL & relationships workshops. Tre helps educators build social-emotional competence through in-person, virtual, and self-paced professional development. Because to impact students, you have to ...
Dec. 28, 2022
Episode #207: Megan Balduf
Megan Balduf is a middle school English teacher with nineteen years’ experience. Being a teacher has always been Megan's dream, and her dedication to students and their learning opened opportunities to become a teacher-leader. Megan continues to grow...
Dec. 22, 2022
Episode #206: Dr. Christopher Wyatt
Dr. Christopher Scott Wyatt is an autistic self-advocate and father of two neurodiverse daughters. He earned a doctorate while researching online education for students with autism spectrum disorders. His experiences living with physical and neurolog...
Dec. 18, 2022
Episode #205: Jay McTighe
Jay McTighe is a veteran education and accomplished author, having co-written 18 books, including the award-winning and best-selling Understanding by Design® series with Grant Wiggins. His books have been translated into fourteen languages. Jay has a...
Dec. 14, 2022
Episode #204: Dr. Anissa Reilly
Dr. Anissa Reilly is a success story. She received her doctorate in spite of suffering from Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from issues like those she discusses on the show. She has embraced the “Wounded Healer” archetype as described by psych...
Dec. 8, 2022
Episode #203: Dana Goodier & Darrin Peppard
This is a special episode where Darrin Peppard of Road to Awesome, LLC, interviews me about the release of my book ”Out of the Trenches: Stories of Resilient Educators”. Tune in to hear about the book, the writing process and...
Dec. 5, 2022
Episode #202: Portia Y. Clair
Portia Y. Clare has been privileged to serve in developing the minds and character of children for over thirty years. A graduate of Duke University and Regent University, she maintains her love of learning and earnestly desires to empower the childre...
Dec. 1, 2022
Episode #201: Mark Chartier
Every day, Mark mentors students who must overcome serious challenges. But he knows they can persevere, because he did. Growing up with Tourette’s syndrome, Mark had poor grades and demonstrated significant behaviors, but thanks to positive relations...
Nov. 24, 2022
Episode #200: Road to Awesome authors
Join me for a live (recording) of the 200th episode of Out of the Trenches with Darrin Peppard, Dan Wolfe, Ashley Hubner & Melissa Wright. My guests were all previous guests on Out of the Trenches and are all Road to Awesome authors.
Ashley Hubner: E...
Nov. 20, 2022
Episode #199: Dr. Kristen Eccleston
My next guest is Dr. Kristen C. Eccleston (aka The NeuroDiverse Teacher). Her areas of passion, expertise and research focus on examining adolescent mental health impairments in the education environment, and she is well versed in the needs of the ne...
Nov. 17, 2022
Episode #198: Dennis Matthew
Dennis is an elementary school speech pathologist, singer-songwriter and author. For over 20 years Dennis has had the joy and honor of working with children in public schools and through non profit work. In 2018, he launched his authorship, bringing ...
Nov. 13, 2022
Episode #197: Michael Fosberg
Chicago native Michael Fosberg has spoken at nearly a thousand high schools, colleges, government agencies, corporations, law firms and not-for-profits since 2005, utilizing his award-winning autobiographical story, told in the form of a one-man play...
Nov. 10, 2022
Episode #196: Brad Dude
Brad Dude was born in Joliet, Illinois in 1948 and grew up in Buena Park, California. In 1970 he joined the Peace Corps in Micronesia as a Volunteer English teacher and then served as a staff member in both Samoa and Micronesia. Since then, Brad has ...
Nov. 6, 2022
Episode #195: Jen Schwanke
Jen Schwanke has been an educator for 24 years, teaching or leading at all levels. She is the author of three ASCD books, including the just-released, "The Teacher's Principal: How School Leaders Can Support and Motivate Their Teachers." She has writ...
Oct. 30, 2022
Episode #194: Sheka Houston & Tammy Taylor
Dr. Sheka Houston and Principal Tammy Taylor are best-selling contributing authors of "Women Who Lead in Education Featuring School Principals", Volume 3, 2nd edition. They are also co-founders of Create and Educate, LLC an education and literary fir...
Oct. 27, 2022
Episode #193: Vicki Weber
Vicky Weber is a musician and an elementary educator with a love for children’s literature. As a Puerto Rican author of Taíno descent, she strives to create picture books that are fun, engaging, and educational. All her current titles are based on he...
Oct. 24, 2022
Episode #192: Jen Schwester
Jen Schwester, aka Jennyzenyoga, has been providing yoga services and trainings to many underserved populations for over four years, including special needs adults, senior citizens, first responders, and her high school French classes. Jennifer bring...
Oct. 17, 2022
Episode #191: Jeannie Moravits Smith
Jeannie Morivtz Smith is the founder of Dynamism Leadership, formerly HR-Rx, a Leadership Mindset and Organization Development Consulting firm established in 2005. Prior to becoming CEO, she held Executive Leadership roles at a variety of organizatio...