Podcasts about Educational leadership

In this episode, Jon Orr and Yvette Lehman unpack the difference between long-term objectives and short-term key results. Through a real coaching conversation, they explore how to define milestones that reflect real progress—even when the win is simply establishing a structure or doing what you said you'd do. Not all results have impact right away—and that's okay.In this episode, you'll discover:The difference between long-term objectives and short-term key resultsWhy short-term wins are sometimes structural—not just outcome-basedHow to define key results that align with your bigger goalsWhy documenting action (not just outcomes) matters in early stagesHow to avoid the trap of confusing big metrics with key milestonesNot sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Show Notes PageLove the show? Text us your big takeaway!Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Send us a textWelcome to the Empowered Educator podcast! In today's Power Surge, we're tackling the back-to-school stress head-on. As a leader, your mind is already spinning with tasks, responsibilities, and expectations—and it's easy to fall into reactive mode. But here's the truth: starting strong doesn't mean starting busy. It means starting clear.This mini-episode is your invitation to slow down just enough to recalibrate. We'll talk about managing stress and anxiety, protecting your mental space, and leading with intention before the first bell even rings.

School leaders everywhere face a critical decision as they plan for the upcoming year: tackle every problem that needs fixing or focus on what truly matters.    The pressure to improve student attendance, boost test scores, enhance behavior management systems, and implement multiple district initiatives simultaneously creates an impossible burden that leads to burnout and resentment across entire school communities. The reality is that while you can improve anything you want this year, you cannot improve everything you want.   This episode explores the fundamental difference between "everything planning" and "anything planning" - a distinction that could transform how you approach the 2025-26 school year.    Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/396

Power Quote: Behind every action is a beliefDescription:Today we dive into part 2 of my interview with Elena Aguilar. Part 1 was a must listen and we released in back on July 1 (260). A link to that episode and my two previous episodes from 2024 are in the show notes.In part 1 we talked about listening and I hope you've been able to exercise your listening muscle over the past couple weeks, and that you followed Elena's advice to dig into your own story and beliefs around leadership and teaching.Today we'll talk about purpose – both the school's and the teachers', and how to support and grow teachers even in such a stressful and chaotic time. I love this episode because it contains a call to dig deeply into ourselves as leaders and give some very practical advice on how to help teachers. And, as with part 1, I include Elena's closing words of wisdom – a call for us to slow down. It is so critical I wanted you to hear it again.Show IntroSponsor Spot 1:Being an assistant principal means that safety is a quadrant 1 activity – in your building and beyond its walls. So, when it's time for the school trip, choosing the right planning partner is absolutely critical! Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning travel beyond expectations since 1993. The Kaleidoscope team of experts has a robust understanding of what it takes to travel with students – including safety, liability, and parent concerns. When you travel with Kaleidoscope Adventures, you can trust that your students are in good hands. If you want to learn more about Kaleidoscope Adventures, check the link in the show notes Kaleidoscope Adventures…. travel beyond expectations! Guest Bio:Elena Aguilar is a writer, leader, teacher, coach and podcaster. She is the author of eight highly acclaimed books including: The Art of Coaching, The Art of Coaching Teams, The PD Book: 7 Habits that Transform Professional Development, and the newly released Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching. She has also been a frequent contributor to Edutopia, ASCD's Educational Leadership, and EdWeek Teacher.Elena is the founder and CEO of Bright Morning Consulting, an organization committed tohelping individuals and organizations create the conditions for transformation. She has taught tens of thousands of folks how to have conversations that build a more just and equitable world. Elena can be heard demonstrating these conversations on The Bright Morning Podcast.Elena was a guest on episodes 204 and 205, June 2024, and in Part 1 of this series, episode 260.Questions/Topics/PromptsContext: Stepping into a new school year, new leaders, new schools, new teachersIn 204, you talked about how an admin could be the person that helps teachers stay anchored to their north star… how we help people grow when they are in the midst of trauma - and is that even possible. This is particularly germane given the chaos and otherization which is so prevalent right now.Sponsor Spot 3:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.Closing questions:What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?If listeners could take just one thing away from today's podcast, what would it be?Before we go, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners?Where can people learn more about you and your work…Summary/wrap upPurpose requires knowing.Intersection between teacher and school purpose (might be harder than it should be)Can we better understand other people's stories by knowing our own?ZPD, meeting them where they are, AND helping them understand why they are where they are (limiting beliefs)What do you wish your students could do better?Incremental change and pain points (M=V/E)Sponsor Spot 5:Thank you to our sponsors!IXL: https://www.ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/digiCOACH: https://digicoach.com/ Elena's links:Elena's new book: Arise: The Art of Transformational CoachingSpecials for listeners:  Pre-Order Bonuses Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elena_aguilar_writer/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-aguilar/Book Shop: https://bookshop.org/lists/books-by-elena-aguilar/Bright Morning: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/The Bright Morning Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bright-morning-podcast-with-elena-aguilar/id1517537206Newsletter: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/resources/newsletterFrederick's Links:Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.comWebsite: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/ LinkedIn:

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Send us a textIn this quick Power Surge episode, Dr. Mel shares a personal reflection on how spiritual gifts can unexpectedly lead us into new roles and responsibilities—just like her new journey as a superintendent. Even when you're not looking, God is always positioning you when you're walking in alignment with your purpose. Get ready to explore how your gifts are making room for your next assignment.

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Life Equals Choices, Choices Equal Life, Kim Olver welcomes back Australian educator, consultant, and speaker Jane Newman for the powerful second part of their conversation about transformation in education and life. With over 25 years of experience in teaching and leadership, Jane has seen firsthand the toll modern education can take on the professionals within it—and she's made it her mission to help people realign with their purpose, values, and emotional well-being.Jane shares how she uses the principles of Choice Theory® to help educators reconnect with what truly matters—not just in the classroom, but in their lives. She talks about the importance of living in congruence with your inner beliefs, how self-awareness influences teaching effectiveness, and what happens when educators are no longer energized by the work they once loved. With compassion and clarity, Jane explains why leaving a profession doesn't mean failure—it can be the first step toward reclaiming joy and designing a more fulfilling life.You'll hear:Why educator burnout is often a sign of misalignment, not inadequacyThe difference between teaching from obligation vs. inspirationHow Mental Freedom® empowers individuals to choose the life they wantJane's own courageous story of stepping away from her role as principalThe ripple effect of aligned, joyful professionals on the next generationHow core values serve as a compass for personal and professional decisionsThe power of intentional living and giving yourself permission to evolveWhether you're an educator questioning your path, a leader wanting to reignite your purpose, or simply someone curious about the psychology of meaningful life change, this episode will challenge and inspire you. Learn more about Jane and her work, go to http://www.newcoreconsulting.com. You'll also find her link tree at https://linktr.ee/newcore?utm_source=qr_code. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs it today.

Send us a textThis episode is the first in a two-part series, a workshop-style discussion on organizing schools for success. My guests, Erica Glenn and Kim Bradley draw from the research of Larry Lezotte, focusing on his work on the seven correlates of effective schools. Seven Correlates of Effective Schools Strong Instructional Leadership: Emphasize the importance of effective leadership styles that empower and support staff. Clear & Focused Mission: Ensure the school's vision and values are well-defined, understood, and aligned with community expectations. Safe & Orderly Environment: Create a positive, welcoming, and secure school climate. Climate of High Expectations: Encourage a culture that fosters ambition, inclusivity, and achievable goals for all students. Frequent Monitoring of Student Progress: Highlight the significance of regular assessments and feedback to support student growth. Opportunity to Learn & Time on Task: Maximize learning time, minimize disruptions, and provide varied learning experiences. Home-School Relations: Stress the vital role of family and community engagement in school success. Youtube VideoWorkbookSummer ChecklistWebsitewww.linkedin.com/in/erica-glenn-76116b126 Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessGrab a complimentary POWER SessionWith Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.email: melinda@empowere...

In this episode of Just Schools, Jon Eckert sits down with Dr. Jeffery Cooks, a Baylor EdD graduate and host of the upcoming 745 Podcast, to talk about bridging the gap between schools and communities.Dr. Cooks shares his personal journey from corporate work to the classroom, the motivation behind earning his doctorate, and his desire to elevate every voice in the school ecosystem.Mentioned:745 PodcastSet Apart: Calling a Worldly Church to a Godly Life by R. Kent HughesJon Eckert:Dr. Cooks, it's great to have you here today. Tell us a little bit about what you're excited about as you launch your profession to a whole new level from where you started in education.Dr. Jeff Cooks:Well, first, Dr. Echo, I want to thank you for even having me on. Well, I know we've talked about this in the past, so I'm excited to actually be doing this with you. One thing I'm excited about really is finishing this doctorate. I'm-Jon Eckert:That's real.Dr. Jeff Cooks:... super excited about that because I do think it's very important to think ahead when you're doing this doctorate and how it's going to impact your career and others after you're finished. One way I've decided to do that is by the podcast that I'm getting started with, so excited about that.Jon Eckert:Well, and this doctorate, just for those of you listening, it's the Baylor K-12 Executive EdD in K-12 Educational Leadership. Jeff's been an amazing member of... What's your cohort number? Are you five?Dr. Jeff Cooks:Cohort five.Jon Eckert:Cohort five. Yeah, cohort five.Dr. Jeff Cooks:[inaudible 00:01:05].Jon Eckert:We're starting to recruit cohort 10.Dr. Jeff Cooks:That's crazy.Jon Eckert:Jeff's a great representative of Baylor. Love pouring into leaders like Dr. Cooks, and I think your experience... I think sometimes people think, "I'm not ready to do a doctorate. I'm maybe not even ready to do a master's degree," which you do have to do the master's degree then get into the doctoral work. What drew you into this? I mean, are you just a glutton for punishment? You love studying all the time and doing that on top of working? What led you educationally to think this is the right next step for you?Dr. Jeff Cooks:Well, when I graduated college, I had a friend of mine asked me if I was interested in teaching. It's probably the day after I graduated. I said, "No, it's not my thing. My wife's a teacher," but he told me that he wish he had known about Texas teachers. I looked into it, and I applied to it, and I got started with the internship out in Lufkin, Texas. Finished that, had an opportunity to actually work for Lufkin Middle School, but didn't pass that test the first time. I didn't know what I was doing, so I moved on and just started in corporate America, doing management in certain stores and stuff like that.It got to a point where when my first child came, I needed another source of income, something more consistent. He was actually born with a heart defect, and so I needed a schedule that would allow me to not only work but take care of him and my family. That led into me being a substitute, then an interventionist, and then a teacher. I kind of had a natural, I guess you could say talent, I guess, for speaking with students and teaching content. I did bible study as well when I was in college and youth ministry, and so it kind of went hand in hand. Long story short, my assistant principal at the time, Asia Presswood, she motivated me to take this thing a step further. She made me a chair the second year, which was way out of my league at the time, and she pushed me to get my master's.To that question of do I like pain, I guess I do, because once I finished that master's, I said, "You know what?" told my wife, "Maybe I'll get my doctorate." She was like, "I don't know about that one." From there, I decided to get my doctorate. I did some research and Baylor was a school that I always wanted to attend. Where I'm from, I'm from Dallas, so where I'm from, that's not a school necessarily that we go, and having that opportunity was awesome. That's kind of how I got here, a love for growth, found a love for students and teaching content.Jon Eckert:Yeah. Seeing you go through your dissertation process, it's a lot of work, and there are times where you wonder if you're going to make it. I think you even talked about the struggle with getting through with Dr. Gibson and how she helped pull you through, wouldn't let you quit.Dr. Jeff Cooks:Absolutely.Jon Eckert:That degree is as much a degree for your family as it is a symbol of the perseverance that it takes to get through, so if you feel called to do it, I think that doctoral degree opens up a whole world of possibilities, because you get years to pour into your profession, reading about, thinking about, and then working in cohorts with some amazing leaders from all over. I think your cohort is indicative of that, and there's a richness to it because there's joy in the struggle. I think knowing you, this isn't something I think based on... This is the same thing for me when I did my doctoral work. I would've never been like, "Oh, I'm going to do that," but it's like you feel called, it's the next step, and then when you're done, you're like, "Wow, I'm a different person because of the experiences that I've had." If you were to give two or three ways you feel like these last few years as you do this work, how has it changed you as a leader maybe? How are you different as a leader now than you were before?Dr. Jeff Cooks:Well, one is you see leadership from a different perspective. Baylor, this program did an excellent job in introducing us to superintendents and other leaders around the world. When you get to hear that feedback from them and how they have created this career for themselves and they're passionate, you understand more so what they go through, so you see things from a different lens, which helps you move through that academic space. That's one big thing that has impacted my leadership style. Another is seeing myself as a leader. I think when you move through this profession, sometimes you can kind of do it blindly and not really know the impact that you're having on people, and so I think it brings to light what are doing and how important it is and you develop this mission and vision for yourself and how it can impact others.Jon Eckert:No, that's a beautiful way to put it. As you move forward into this podcast, I'm assuming that's part of what you're trying to do, is trying to help elevate the profession, do the hard work in a way that's life-giving, so talk a little bit about what you hope to do with the podcast.Dr. Jeff Cooks:Right. The name of the podcast is 745 Podcast. It's a podcast that is attempting to bridge the gap between school culture and the community. We really want parents involved with this, and not only parents, we want custodian workers. We want the cafeteria workers. We want to make sure that we close that gap. There are a lot of moving pieces that are ignored in the school space, in the academic space, and we, for the most part, think about teachers, and administrators, and students, but we don't think about all the people that put this thing together. Whether you are a parent that's very active in your child's life or you're a parent that's lost, we want to cut out the excuses and say, "Hey, this is a place where you can not only learn but provide input," and hopefully, it impacts administrators and district leaders alike.Jon Eckert:I love that. Can you tell us a little bit about where you came up with the name 745 Podcast?Dr. Jeff Cooks:That's crazy. Actually, it started off at 730. I was thinking more so of the time that we arrive to work. I'm in the elementary space, and so by 7:45, teachers should be teaching at this time. The announcements should pretty much be over. I also, if you noticed, didn't put AM or PM, because a lot of teachers stay late. They're in traffic after work, they're leaving around 6:00, 6:30, making it home, trying to get dinner ready in the next day, and grading papers. That 745 is kind of play on the times in which we arrive and maybe make it home.Jon Eckert:Yes, yes. That's a long 12 hours. But again, life-giving, and I constantly go back to that. Our job is not super well-paid and it's not always appreciated, but that work is life-giving, especially when you have the encouragement of leaders like you, coming along, and highlighting it, and elevating it, and bringing people into it. I love the idea that you're trying to bring in everyone that's part of the school community. That's a beautiful way to look at this. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing educators, parents, kids today? What do you see? Because obviously, you have this desire to bring in the school community, what's the big challenge or one of the big challenges that you see that needs to be addressed as quickly as possible?Dr. Jeff Cooks:The fear of unknown. Some parents and staff members that I mentioned, some of them don't feel like they're smart enough to keep up with the teacher or that that's a teacher's job or the administrator's job. They're scared to put their input feeling like they might be rejected or that they're not held as equals. I did an interview yesterday just randomly in the store, and that'll be posted later. Now, mind you, this gentleman actually works in the school system in the maintenance department, so he sees things from a different perspective, but one thing he stated was that he sees that sometimes administrators and teachers are not very patient with children. Now, at what point does he get to say that?You see what I'm saying? At what point does he get to say that without feeling like his job is on the line or that his kid would be treated differently in class? It's that fear of speaking up and saying things. You'll see the board meetings packed with those same parents. The same parents come and they voice their opinion, and the board says, "Okay, great. Thank you for your time. Your time's up," and then it kind of vanishes. But if parents feel like, "I can say this," or, "I can reach out and ask questions about how to handle this situation," you might build better relationships in the school.Jon Eckert:I love that you're thinking about it this way, because so often, when I talk to administrators, particularly they talk about being effective communicators, what they mean is they want to disseminate information effectively, and being an effective communicator is at least as much about listening. How do you invite that feedback? Because communication has to go both ways. When you're super busy and you have the tyranny of the urgent feeding into your 7:45 to 7:45 day, it's sometimes hard to make the space to listen. There are so many people that have insights into the lives of kids, particularly parents who want the best for their kids, and then you have teachers who want the best for their kids, and coaches, and custodians, and the office workers, the nurses, the counselors, the administrators. There's a lot of people that have a vested interest in the lives of kids.How do we bring those voices together collectively in a way that those voices can be heard and then benefit the student? Because that's the goal of everything that we do. How do we benefit each student so they can become more of who they're created to be? I always feel that when I talk to you about kids, is there's a rich group of people supporting each kid. How do we do that well? How do you think you're going to get at your podcast? What's the way that you... Because that's a very broad audience. How are you going to bring those people into your audience?Dr. Jeff Cooks:I think it's very important to not only speak about things that administrators talk about, but things that parents can relate to. That means that they're going to have to hear from other parents. I'm not saying that this is going to be an easy task by any means, because it's not, and I think if it was easy, I wouldn't be doing it. If it was something that was general and something that you could find every day, I wouldn't be doing it. It's really about hearing the different voices but not being partial and actually having topics that parents say, "Okay, I can see that."I want the guy that just got off work going to the corner store to get whatever he needs for the end of the day to say, "Oh, I heard on his podcast that you could do this for your child, or you can download a report card like this, or you can get the test scores from their start test like this," or, "My baby has some symptoms that I've never seen before, I do need to get him tested." You just make it relatable and just be patient with the process, and hopefully, they'll hear it.Jon Eckert:Yeah. No, that's so good. We usually do a lightning round toward the end. I've got I think about five questions I want to ask you right now. Let's start with the worst advice you've ever given or received.Dr. Jeff Cooks:The worst advice I've ever received was not necessarily words. It was an idea. The idea that you have to catch the flow of the river and just let it take you wherever it takes you, that you have to have this many years of experience to do this or that you need to be in this position to try to reach a new goal. With this doctoral program, I was just getting into my specialist role. That, for some people, was like, "What are you doing, man? What are you doing?" Am I supposed to be doing this? I'm not going to lie to you and say that once I got into class, I didn't feel like I was less than at the time, because we had some hard heavy-hitters in the class. But at the time, it was something that I felt like I was breaking that chain of this is what I have to do in this order. It was more so of a feeling than the actual advice.Jon Eckert:Yes. That sentiment of staying in your lane, that's very prevalent in education where people feel like they're the imposter if they don't stay in this [inaudible 00:14:07].Dr. Jeff Cooks:I can hear you. I'm sorry.Jon Eckert:Oh, yeah. In education, people will be told, or it'll be kind of inferred, that they're to stay in their lane. That's one of the most damaging things we can do in education, because there's so much good work happening in the classroom, and we need to elevate that and learn from with people that are doing those hard things. I'm grateful that you did not stay in your lane. Even if it wasn't ever explicitly told to you, that is a message that feels like it comes down in education, that, "Hey, you're just a teacher." That completely robs us of the power that is in the profession that makes all others possible, so I love that you've leaned in and then modeled it. Now with the podcast and the ways you lead others, you want to elevate others in that, so great example. All right. Best advice you've either given or received?Dr. Jeff Cooks:Best advice I've ever been given. That's a good one, not going to lie to you. Be patient with others, especially as a leader. I mean, it sounds so simple, but you know, you have the experience, a lot of experience in this, and you know that there are times when your human nature wants to take over in how you respond to others. As a leader, you have to make sure that that is not the case. You have to make sure that you're genuine at the same time as being serious about whatever the topic is. That's very hard to do, especially day in and day out when there are so many different personalities that's coming your way. You have the teacher, you have the parent, you have the student, you have the boss, you have the district leaders, and then you just do not know which person you're going to get that day or in what order.What's crazy is I think that my practice and being patient with people started in the corporate America space or the service space, when I did custodial work, when I worked the registers at the stores, or just customer service in general, because that's quite the same. The difference is with this is that you actually get to learn a person, and then that relationship built this comfort zone for others to say things they normally wouldn't say to you. If you flip that, each human being, each person has their own things they're dealing with at home, so now how do you manage a safe space in your head, in your heart, in your spirit, and not try to push somebody to feel a certain way and actually understand where they're coming from?Being patient, I would say, is the greatest advice I received. That was actually from that same assistant principal that motivated me, because when I was... She told me this when I became team lead. I'm 24, and everybody on the team is 55, 53, 48. They're like, "Who's this little dude telling us what we need to do?" I mean, it blew my mind. I just thought we was going to work together, so you got to be patient.Jon Eckert:Well, I think Peter Drucker says, we need organized abandonment. So often in education, we will let go of someone or let go of an initiative out of impatience or just being overwhelmed, and so I think being really intentional as a leader of pouring into people, believing in them, listening to them, understanding their story, and then if it becomes evident that this person's not... You mentioned the custodian talking about educators in the building who were impatient with kids, if that doesn't change, then it may be time to help them find a different profession. At some point, you organize your abandonment. You're like, "Hey, this is now not going to work, so we need to move on because this person's not helpful to kids."We can never give up on the kids, but there is a place sometimes where you do have to move on and your patience has to run out because that patience is harming kids by allowing that person to stay there. But I think so often in education, we get it wrong with the impatience on initiatives. Things could work if we stuck with them for two or three years. Instead, we stick with them for two or three months, and then we're either overwhelmed or we're impatient and we move on. I think that's a great word. Good advice there. All right. Best book you've either read or are reading, something that you're interested in that you think might be helpful to others?Dr. Jeff Cooks:This book is by Charles Colson. It's called Set Apart: Calling a Worldly Church to a Godly Life. It's just basically what it means, to be distinct. I think that without that mindset in this field, you're not going to go far. This is a book that I'm just getting started on, so I'm excited to read this, but I've taken the principles of it and saying that how can not only I could be set apart in my spiritual life, but how can I be set apart in this space? Because every great thing happened from somebody doing something different.Jon Eckert:Yeah. No, that's great. Good word there. One word that you would use to describe education right now in the United States. What would be one word?Dr. Jeff Cooks:Political.Jon Eckert:Okay. Yeah. No, that's real. It's capital Politics and lowercase politics. Politics by definition is competition for scarce resources, and in Texas right now, that definitely feels real, and then you've got the national politics and then international politics. I mean, you've got layer upon layer of that. Yeah. In that context, what makes you most hopeful as you look ahead to what educators and communities are doing to support kids?Dr. Jeff Cooks:I think that since COVID, we've seen a huge deal with the certified teachers, the quality of teachers, and I think that those problems have highlighted where we need to go. We've tried to sit in that space of uncertified teachers and associate teachers, what we call them, and then we see that that doesn't work very well, not with all but a lot, quite a few, and now we're getting back to getting highly-qualified teachers. I think that a lot of administrators slid into the space of leadership through COVID. They shouldn't be administrators. It's not that they can't be one, but maybe they got into it too fast. I'm hopeful at this point that we are getting back to more so for backup, lack of a better word, old school, "Can you teach this? If you can't, we need to go with someone else, because if we do not do that, we're not prepping our students for success."Jon Eckert:That's a good word to end on, and so be listening for and looking for the release of the 745 Podcast. Dr. Jeff Cooks, thanks for your time. Thanks for all you do for kids.Dr. Jeff Cooks:Thank you. Yeah, all right.

Are you caught in the endless cycle of deadlines, to-do lists, and meetings?   If you're like most school leaders, you probably measure your success by how many tasks you complete and deadlines you meet. But here's the truth: that approach is keeping you stuck in a loop of doing without ever feeling truly accomplished.   As we enter a new school year, I'm inviting leaders to shift from purely deadline-driven planning to outcome-based vision that considers not just what needs to be done, but who we need to be while doing it.    Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/395

Jewish summer camp in the US is, for many, a key moment of rooting in Jewish identity that informs the path of young Jews for the rest of their lives. In this episode of the Z3 Podcast, Rabbi Amitai Fraiman is joined by Dr. Shelley Kedar of the Jewish Agency for Israel and Michael Schlank, CEO of NJY Camps. Together, they explore how bringing together Jews from Israel and America, across backgrounds, denominations, and identities to summer camp helps young people engage with questions of belonging, peoplehood, and their relationship to Israel. Since October 7, the presence of Israeli shlichim at camp has taken on new emotional meaning, as they carry the trauma of war while also offering a chance to build empathy and solidarity.This is a deep dive into how camp can serve as a foundation for raising a generation of Jews who are rooted, resilient, and prepared to navigate the complexities of Jewish life and identity today.About Our GuestsDr. Shelley Kedar is the director of Connecting the Jewish People Unit at the Jewish Agency for Israel, one of the three key missions called for by the Jewish Agency's vision. Connecting the Jewish people Unit focuses on four key strategies in which it holds a unique competitive advantage: partnerships, immersive experiences, peoplehood and pluralism, ‏and emissaries (Shlichim). She previously served as the founding director of The Adelson Shlichut Institute within the Jewish Agency, responsible for developing and implementing content and training for all shlichim worldwide. She served as the Director of the Jewish Agency Israel Fellows program and senior representative to Hillel. Kedar was Hillel International's first VP of Israel Education and Engagement and oversaw the creation of an Israel Action Program that strengthens and supports Hillel's Israel related programming on campus. Shelley Kedar served as Director of the International School for Jewish Peoplehood Studies at Beit Hatfutsot, was the Director of Professional Development at the Leo Baeck Education Center and the Jewish Agency for Israel educational emissary to Liberal Judaism in Great Britain. Kedar earned a BA in Political Science, Media and Jewish Studies and an MA in Leadership and Informal Education Institutions Management at Bar Ilan University and a Doctorate in Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York.Michael Schlank: In September 2020, Michael was appointed as CEO of NJY Camps- the largest residential Jewish summer camp organization in North America. NJY's innovative and groundbreaking work has been featured and recognized in: The Jewish Standard, The Jewish Link, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Jerusalem Post, and the Times of Israel. Michael was a member of Leading Edge's CEO Fellow Cohort IV and A Preside FellowMichael has served on the Security Committee, Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and as President of his synagogue. He is a member of the AIPAC Long Island Council and served on the Board of Hofstra Hillel. Michael's writing has appeared in the Jewish Standard, 1840, The Jerusalem Post, eJP, and on The Times of Israel Blogs. After graduating from SUNY Albany Michael earned an MA at Hofstra and an MS.Ed. from C.W. and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership from SUNY Stony Brook Post.(00:00) Introduction(07:04) Jewish Immersion and Identity Formation(08:51) The Role of Israelis at Camp(12:56) Navigating Cultural Interactions(16:55) The Dynamics of Israeli and American Campers(32:23) Navigating Difficult Conversations at Camp(32:51) The Impact of October 7th on Jewish Identity(38:01) Creating Safe Spaces for Difficult Conversations(46:00) The Importance of Community and Connection(50:52) The Disconnect Between Camp and Real Life(56:12) Enhancing the Camp Experience for Future Generations

Traditional L&D teams often struggle to prove their value—but at Comcast, Martha Soehren built a Talent Development function that drove measurable business impact at scale. In this episode, Martha shares how her team aligned with strategic priorities, built trusted stakeholder relationships, and embedded governance to keep L&D at the heart of business conversations. She also explains how data, storytelling, and a focus on succession planning helped elevate the function's credibility across the organisation. Packed with hard-won insights from leading L&D in one of the world's largest companies, this episode is essential listening for L&D leaders ready to lead with influence and impact. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS Build strategic alignment through an executive learning council. Design learning solutions with clear business metric analysis incorporated. For impact, use data in your storytelling. Once you get senior executives on side they will stand up for you when you are not at the table. At all levels, people should mentor others and develop talent. BEST MOMENTS "You can never over communicate to those senior executives." “By having that data and telling the story of the way things were being done, I got a lot of buy in." "Care about your people and the people around you, get the job done and do it right, and always act with integrity." Martha Soehren Bio Martha Soehren is the former Chief Talent Development Officer and SVP at Comcast Cable, where she led enterprise-wide learning and talent initiatives for nearly 15 years. With a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and a background that spans 25 years in the U.S. Army, Martha brings deep expertise in instructional design, workforce planning, and organisational effectiveness to her corporate roles. She has served on numerous boards, including ATD, the Wharton/UPenn Doctorate of Learning Advisory Board, and SCTE, and is a recognized industry leader—named one of CableFax's Most Powerful Women in Cable and a recipient of the WICT Liberty Award. Martha continues to contribute to the field through thought leadership, mentoring, and active participation in the Elliott Masie Learning Consortium. https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-soehren-phd-a012074/ VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. CONTACT METHOD https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Dr. Joe Joe McManus, a prominent scholar and advocate for diversity and inclusion in higher education, graces our podcast to share his profound insights on combating racism and fostering freedom. As a first-generation college student, Dr. McManus has traversed an extraordinary academic journey, culminating in a PhD in Educational Leadership and the authorship of his compelling new book, "A Brother's Insight: Guidance on Defeating Racism and Advancing Freedom." Throughout our discussion, we explore the pivotal role of mentorship and community in shaping one's path, as well as the intricate dynamics of race in contemporary America. Dr. McManus elucidates the transformative potential of inclusive practices in educational settings and underscores the necessity of dialogue in bridging societal divides. Join us as we explore these critical themes that resonate deeply with our collective responsibility towards equity and understanding.The discourse presented in this episode encapsulates the profound insights of Dr. Joe Joe McManus, whose extensive background in educational leadership and multicultural education serves as a foundation for a critical examination of race and equity in contemporary society. McManus, a first-generation college graduate, offers a narrative steeped in personal experience and professional expertise, illustrating the intersectionality of education and activism. His recent work, 'A Brother's Insight: Guidance on Defeating Racism and Advancing Freedom,' serves as a focal point for the conversation, addressing urgent issues surrounding racial justice and the imperative for systemic change within educational frameworks. The dialogue not only delves into the historical context of racism but also emphasizes the necessity of fostering mentorship and community support systems, particularly for those navigating the complexities of higher education without familial guidance. As he shares poignant anecdotes and reflections, McManus inspires listeners to consider their role in advocating for inclusivity and equity, prompting a collective commitment to dismantling barriers that perpetuate discrimination and inequity in society. His call to action resonates deeply, urging individuals to embrace their agency in the pursuit of a more just and equitable world.Takeaways: Dr. Joe Joe McManus, a first-generation college student, has an extensive academic background including degrees in Psychology, Multicultural Education, and Educational Leadership. McManus emphasizes the importance of mentorship, citing his first mentor who significantly impacted his academic journey and inspired his passion for education and advocacy. The discussion highlights how systemic barriers affect first-generation college students and the necessity for comprehensive support systems within educational institutions. McManus emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives being grounded in genuine understanding and commitment, rather than political expediency. The podcast underscores the connection between personal experiences with race and the broader societal implications of racism, particularly in educational contexts. Finally, McManus advocates for continuous innovation in the field of diversity and inclusion, urging professionals to collaborate and adapt in response to ever-changing societal dynamics.

Send us a textToo often, fear of failure keeps leaders stuck in comfort zones. But what if your greatest success is on the other side of one bold move? In this Power Surge, we're reframing fear and helping you step into possibility with courage.This episode will empower you to:Recognize the hidden cost of playing it safeChallenge worst-case thinking with best-case visionTake one brave step toward your next level of leadershipThis is your invitation to try—even if it's uncomfortable. Because what if you succeed?Power Surge Affirmation:  I'm not afraid to try. I believe in what's possible. What if I succeed? Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessGrab a complimentary POWER SessionWith Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.email: melinda@empowere...

Is your math coaching program truly transforming classroom practice—or just treading water?Many districts wrestle with whether coaching is worth the investment or how to maximize its impact. If you've ever wondered why some schools see real progress while others stall while striving for sustainable math improvement—despite similar coaching setups—this episode unpacks the hidden reasons behind that divide. Whether you're a district leader, math coach, or teacher leader, this conversation reveals the often-overlooked factors that can make or break your coaching strategy.In this episode, you'll discover:Why spreading math coaching support thin across many teachers often leads to minimal gains.The four critical phases of teacher change—and why math coaching is essential in the final, most powerful stage.How restructuring your math coaching model can build momentum and create a ripple effect across your district.Press play now to rethink your approach to math coaching and unlock deeper, more sustainable impact in your math classrooms.Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Show Notes PageLove the show? Text us your big takeaway! Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with educator, author, and girl-advocate Lindsay Sealey to unpack the real-life impact of “Super Girl Syndrome” — the pressure many girls feel to be perfect, polished, and pleasing at all times. Drawing on her experience working with thousands of girls, Lindsay shares insights from her new book and offers practical strategies to support girls facing societal, academic, digital, and emotional pressures. From navigating the expectations to “do it all” to reclaiming confidence, self-worth, and authenticity, this episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone who wants to raise empowered, resilient girls.Lindsay Sealey is an educator, academic strategist, and best-selling author dedicated to empowering girls through her work as the founder and CEO of Bold New Girls™, an organization that supports social-emotional learning and academic development. With a B.A. in English and Psychology from Simon Fraser University and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from San Diego State University, she brings over 15 years of experience in education, curriculum design, and youth coaching. Her books—including Growing Strong Girls, Rooted, Resilient and Ready, Made for More, and Super Girl Syndrome—have won numerous accolades such as the Eric Hoffer Montaigne Medal and Nautilus Book Award. Lindsay is a sought-after speaker and contributor to outlets like HuffPost and The Globe and Mail, known for addressing topics such as confidence, perfectionism, and mental health in girls.You can purchase her books here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textWhen leaders rush to speak, they often miss what matters most. In this episode of the Empowered Educator, we explore the power of pausing, listening, and learning—especially when you're uncertain.Inside this Power Surge, you'll discover:Why listening is one of your most powerful leadership toolsHow silence creates space for insight and trustThe leadership magic in asking, “Tell me more”If you're ready to shift from leading with answers to leading with awareness, this episode is for you.Power Surge Affirmation:  I don't have to know everything to lead well. I choose to listen, learn, and grow with purpose. Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessGrab a complimentary POWER SessionWith Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.email: melinda@empowere...

School leaders constantly face situations where they need to expand their skills, build new systems, or navigate challenging conversations. The natural response is often to look outside ourselves for answers, seeking the exact steps someone else took to achieve success. But this external search for solutions can actually limit our growth and keep us from tapping into the wisdom and expertise we already possess.   In this episode, I explore why we ask "how" questions and what they reveal about our beliefs in our own capabilities. I share three powerful options for handling those moments when your brain offers up questions like "How do I build culture?" or "How do I manage my time?" And you'll learn an approach that will transform the way you view your own expertise.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/394

Education consultant Joanne Lo explores how self-reflection and personal wellbeing are essential foundations for effective leadership in schools and early years settings. Drawing on mindfulness and social-emotional learning, she shares practical strategies for fostering resilience, building supportive cultures, and modelling wellbeing as an educational leader.   Read Joanne's article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/it-starts-with-us-looking-inwards-as-educational-leaders/   This episode is sponsored by Funding Loop   Funding Loop automates the process for nurseries of collecting funding forms from parents and typing that information into council portals. Funding Loop is used by over 2000 nurseries including over 80% of the top 25 nursery chains in the UK including Busy Bees.   To find out more visit: https://www.fundingloop.co.uk/home   Our 2026 conference info & tickets: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2026/   Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: ·       Accidental leadership in early years by Jenny Weidner: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/accidental-leadership-in-early-years/ ·       My experience of burnout as a Black manager by Lorraine Kara: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/my-experience-with-burnout-as-a-black-manager/ ·       Supporting employee wellbeing by Enya Last: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/supporting-employee-wellbeing/   Get in touch and share your voice: Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/   Episode break down: 00:00 – Introductions 03:00 – Invisible pressures carried by leaders 03:45 – Non-verbal communication 04:30 – Normalising every single emotion 09:00 – Giving yourself permission to just ‘be' 10:00 – Noticing how your emotions affect your body 12:00 – Setting goals for the week or day ahead, then reflect 14:00 – Stress-ees becoming stress-ors! 15:00 – Having a sunny disposition 16:30 – Using language that serves you, language of kindness 17:20 – Zone of control 19:00 – Children emotionally checking in with themselves 21:00 – Creating a safe space to just ‘be' 23:00 – Reflective practices 24:00 – Checking in with your team 25:30 – How do we ‘sell' this to our teams? 26:20 – Flattening the hierarchy & tuning into passions 27:00 – Connecting with each team member 28:00 – Toxic vs positive culture examples 29:00 – Creating a climate of belonging 31:00 – What are we doing that isn't supporting our teams? 33:00 – Understanding different cultural contexts 33:45 – Observing your teams as well as children 35:00 – Seeking to understand before judging 35:50 – Body language stats! 38:45 – As a leader you are developing people 40:00 – There's always a way to handle stress & difficult conversations 40:25 – When you're in charge you often neglect yourself 42:00 – 2-minute check-ins 42:45 – You can choose to be toxic or positive 44:00 – Shifting from how we were, to how we will be 44:45 – Building relational trust 45:20 – Equipping our feelings with vocabulary 46:30 – Joanne's childhood & professional journey 53:00 – Children's summer camps 54:00 – Asking for permission to help & allowing time 59:00 – Episode reflections 01:00:00 – Enquire about working with Joanne For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

Send us a textChuck Moss is back talking about community Engagement practices that breed a great school culture. Join me as I talk with Chuck about everything from Community Engagement and Social Media to Shredded Lettuce and Saturday Selfies. Connect with Chuck:X, FB, IG, Trends - @ChuckMossEDUDownload Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessGrab a complimentary POWER SessionWith Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.email: melinda@empowere...

In this episode, we reflect on a challenge many math leaders face: the risk of presenting ourselves with false authority. Whether we're facilitating professional learning, supporting instructional coaches, or engaging in school- or district-wide math conversations, strong convictions can easily be mistaken for certainty.But leading meaningful change in mathematics education requires something different—humility, curiosity, and a deep commitment to learning. We unpack what it means to hold space for growth (both for ourselves and those we support), how to notice when we may be signaling certainty instead of inquiry, and why leading in math from a place of openness—not ego—is essential.This is a reflective episode for anyone striving to lead math learning more authentically and build a culture where mathematical thinking, risk-taking, and professional growth are safe, shared, and ongoing.In this episode, you'll discover:Why presenting with false authority can unintentionally shut down curiosity and collaborationHow to lead from a place of learning, not knowingPractical ways to model humility and openness in your leadershipThe difference between strong conviction and rigid certaintyWhy reflecting on your privilege and positional power deepens your impact as a math leaderNot sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Show Notes PageLove the show? Text us your big takeaway!Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

Send us a textEvery interaction you have as a leader tells a story about your school. In this Power Surge, we dig into what it means to lead like an ambassador—not just inside your building, but in your community, online, and everywhere your leadership reaches.In this episode, you'll learn how to:Build trust through consistent leadership presenceRepresent your school's values and vision with integrityShift from managing a building to embodying a missionYour leadership voice is powerful—make sure it reflects the message you want to send.Power Surge Affirmation: You don't just lead your building. You represent your school's identity.”Download Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessGrab a complimentary POWER SessionWith Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.email: melinda@empowere...

Send us a textIn this Power Surge episode of The Empowered Educator podcast, we're kicking off the new school year with a challenge: lead with clarity, not comfort.With great opportunity comes great responsibility—and part of that responsibility is evaluating what you're bringing into the new year. From outdated routines to legacy systems that no longer serve your mission, now is the time to pause and recalibrate.In this episode, you'll discover:Why comfort can quietly stall leadership growthHow to recognize when familiar practices are no longer effectiveA practical framework to help you lead with clarity and intentionA mindset shift to help you embrace courageous leadership in real timeThis isn't about reinventing everything—it's about being bold enough to reflect, refine, and release what's no longer aligned.

Michael D. Finkley is a Grammy®-nominated, World Entertainment Award®-winning media personality, inspirational speaker, gospel artist, and the dynamic host and senior executive producer of the award-winning talk show, The Michael Finkley Show, powered by the CTR Media Network. Broadcasting to over 350 million households in more than 100 countries, the show features authentic, multidimensional conversations with entertainers and changemakers, all rooted in the inspiring question: “What is your next biggest dream?” A native of Mullins, South Carolina, Finkley's path in media and communication was inspired by his mother, a former disc jockey for JOY 1280 WJAY AM. He began his journey with internships at WFMV 96.1 FM in Columbia, SC, and went on to host the “I Love Mullins” radio series. Today, his vibrant presence continues to uplift and motivate audiences across generations. Finkley is an alumnus of Allen University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. He holds two graduate degrees Master of Education and a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration—from Southern New Hampshire University. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at South College. His talents extend beyond the screen into music. His show's theme song, “Biggest Dream Come True,” captures the essence of his message—hope, resilience, and limitless possibilities. The single is available on all streaming platforms and continues to inspire fans worldwide. His latest gospel single, “Smile,” is a spirit-filled anthem of faith and joy, born from personal experience and grounded in Proverbs 17:22. The lead single from his forthcoming worship album, Smile reflects Finkley's deep-rooted belief that joy, even in hardship, is a divine gift. Known for his charisma and ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Finkley has become a beloved voice in both media and ministry. His influence has led him to red carpets at the Grammys, the Oscars, the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, and more. Each Friday, he continues to serve his community as a voice on the Jamal Bates Morning Show's Community Spotlight Series on The Almighty 105.1 FM. With a mission to inspire others to pursue their biggest dreams—no matter their circumstances—Michael D. Finkley stands as a beacon of faith, ambition, and authentic storytelling in today's media landscape. James Lott Jr is the host of the show!

The chaos dial in your mind is turned all the way up. Your nervous system is hijacked by the latest crisis, your thoughts are racing through solutions that feel impossible, and your body is vibrating with an intensity that no amount of positive thinking can override.    This is the reality of school leadership - where the challenges pile up faster than the successes register, and where your mind's ability to coach itself through the overwhelm sometimes falls short.    In this special episode, I'm offering something completely different from my usual teaching and strategies. This is an empowerment meditation - a tool I've been using since 2022 when my own identity began to crumble in what I call an "identity quake.” This meditation is designed for those moments when your emotional reaction is more powerful than your ability to redirect your thoughts.

In this episode of the Leaning Into Leadership podcast, Darrin sits down with fellow high school principal and podcast host Jeff Linden, Principal of Hastings High School in Nebraska. With a shared passion for culture and leadership, Jeff and Darrin dive into what it really takes to build a thriving school environment—especially for those stepping into leadership roles for the first time.Jeff opens up about his unconventional path to school leadership, including his service in the U.S. Army Reserves, a career in coaching, and his early days as a rookie head football coach and math teacher. He shares what inspired his transition to administration and how a single conversation set him on a leadership journey grounded in systems thinking and relationship building.Topics covered include:The power of systems to reduce chaos and create consistencyA 60-90-30 day transition plan for new school leadersHow to foster collective buy-in to support schoolwide accountabilityJeff's approach to culture-first leadership and his school's cell phone policy journeyWhy listening is a non-negotiable skill for new administratorsHow podcasting helps Jeff sharpen his leadership skillsIf you're stepping into school leadership—or looking to sharpen your systems and culture-building strategies—this episode is packed with insight and practical takeaways. Plus, Jeff shares how his podcast, Educational Leadership with Principal JL, is helping leaders grow and connect.

Get the book, Grading Visible Learners: Learning with Fluidity Visit the website, www.CenterForCollaborativeExpertise.com About The Authors Dave Nagel and Bruce Potter are co-founders The Center for Collaborative Expertise.   Dave's work focuses on helping schools and districts implement Visible Learning research, assessment and feedback, and effective grading reform at both school and classroom levels. He has supported schools in building impactful PLCs and is a thought leader in the PLC+ framework. Dave has authored seven books, 4 of which are best sellers–aligned to the PLC+ Suite of publications, and contributed to publications such as Principal Leadership, Educational Leadership, and The Learning Professional. He regularly presents at national conferences. Bruce Potter is a school administrator with over 30 years experience. Bruce began his career as a classroom teacher and has held leadership roles at the building level as a principal and at the district level as a superintendent for 11 years. Bruce brings a wealth of experience in implementing Visible Learning research, guiding districts, schools, and teachers in transforming their practices. His schools have earned national recognition for innovative approaches that redefine success for traditionally underserved students.       This episode of Principal Center Radio is sponsored by IXL, the most widely used online learning and teaching platform for K-12. Discover the power of data-driven instruction in your school with IXL—it gives you everything you need to maximize learning, from a comprehensive curriculum to meaningful school-wide data. Visit IXL.com/center to lead your school towards data-driven excellence today.   

  On today's Coffee with Rich, we will be joined by T.C. Fuller. We will discuss what may be instore for 2025. JOIN US! T.C. Fuller is an experienced federal investigator and firearms trainer. He has spent his life carrying a firearm for the U.S. government. T.C. first served as an Army Infantry officer, Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer, before leaving the Army to accept an appointment as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He spent the next 20 years working in all areas of investigative interest within the FBI, and served for several years as an instructor in the FBI's Firearms Training Unit in Quantico, VA. T.C. holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology, as well as a Masters of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. As a published writer, T.C. has written an innovative book on the topic of improving law enforcement deadly force training, as well as having written for several print magazines on the areas of law enforcement procedures, explosives, firearms and edged weapons. Among T.C.'s personal achievements, he has been awarded the U.S. Army's highest peace-time award for heroism, the Soldier's Medal. Besides finding, capturing and convicting a fugitive on the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted list, T.C. has also been a successful competitive shooter for more than 20 years, earning a Master class certification from the International Defensive Pistol Association, winning numerous local, state and regional competitions along the way. He is now operating his own company, The Horus Group, LLC, which serves as a consultancy on firearms and training, as well as providing high-end, private firearms training for both armed professionals and citizens. T.C.'s Website: https://www.thehorusgroup.net/ T.C.'s recent article: https://americanwarriorsociety.com/may-you-live-in.../

When parents storm into your office demanding that you eliminate all conflict from their child's school experience, they're operating from a place of fierce love and limited perspective. They see their kindergartener struggling with a classmate or their fifth grader being harassed, and their protective instincts kick into overdrive.   Suddenly you're being asked to create an impossible reality where children never experience discomfort, rejection, or disagreement. These situations reveal a fundamental gap between what parents expect (no conflict ever) and what we know as educators about human development. So, as a school leader, what are your options here?   Tune in this week to explore how to shift conversations with parents from conflict elimination to conflict navigation, helping them understand that conflict serves a crucial developmental purpose when we equip children with the right tools to handle it. On top of that, what I share today can be applied to conflict at all levels, from kindergarteners through to your teaching staff.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/392

Joshua Ray - Finding Your Balance: Personal and Professional Wellness Strategies for Effective Educational Leadership. This is episode 770 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Joshua Ray, EdD, is an educational speaker and author who has led the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) at Work® process at the elementary, secondary, and district level. He is passionate about building healthy school cultures, the work of collaborative teams, systems of support, and educator well-being. As assistant superintendent, Dr. Ray helped schools collaboratively build district common assessments, unite around common expectations, and improve teaching and learning. He worked alongside principals and instructional coaches to make the PLC at Work process practical and meaningful. Previously, Dr. Ray was principal at Greenwood High School and East Pointe Elementary School. Under his leadership, both campuses were selected by the Arkansas Department of Education to participate in the Arkansas PLC at Work project. Greenwood High School became a destination for schools and educators across the state looking to learn how to implement PLC work on a secondary campus. Similarly, East Pointe Elementary went from a “B” school to a distinguished Arkansas campus in the top 5% of performance and growth, resulting in nearly $150,000 of reward funding from the state of Arkansas and East Pointe being recognized as a “Leader in Me Lighthouse School.” Dr. Ray also serves as a member of Arkansas's state guiding coalition focused on developing PLCs and serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Ray was chosen to represent the University of Arkansas at the American Educational Research Association Conference as a David L. Clark scholar for his work on the wellness practices of educational leaders. He has published research on PLCs and educator well-being in Principal Magazine, The Standard, AllThingsPLC Magazine, and the Journal of Educational Administration. Joshua holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Arkansas. He is a National Board-Certified Teacher and an Arkansas Master Principal graduate. Our focus today is Josh's latest book - Finding Your Balance: Personal and Professional Wellness Strategies for Effective Educational Leadership. Great conversation! Incredible focus. Powerful book. Thanks for listening! Thanks for sharing! Before you go... You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee. This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.  Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you! You are AWESOME! Connect & Learn More: jray711@gmail.com https://x.com/JoshRay711 https://www.instagram.com/joshray_consulting/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-ray-259426161/ https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Your-Balance-Professional-Educational/dp/1962188795 Length - 01:02:03

Power Quote: “How do you want me to listen?”Description:Today's guest is someone I consider to be a master at the art of coaching, which is appropriate as she wrote the best-selling book titled The Art of Coaching. I Had Elena Aguilar on the show a little over a year ago and we split the interview into two parts, episodes 204 and 205 (link in the show notes) because it was so rich and packed with powerful thoughts and techniques. This interview with Elena is even more dense – so much so that we are splitting it into three parts. In today's section Elena and I dive into listening and there is so much packed into the span of fifteen minutes that I decided to release it as a full episode. If you listen closely, you'll recognize that the discussion is embedded within the intro section of celebrations and stories. We didn't even get to the main interview before Elena shared some wisdom that I wanted to put on its own, for your benefit.After this conversation, I've added Elena's thoughts on “the one thing leaders should take away.” It is consistent with today's main topic, but I will also include it in each of the next two part of our discussion because it is so powerful I think we all, myself included, need to listen to it once a week.Sponsor Spot 1: I'd like to thank Kaleidoscope Adventures for sponsoring today's show. Lots of companies can help you organize class trips, but Kaleidoscope helps you organize adventures – because isn't that what student trips should be? Kaleidscope is a full-service tour company offering a range of adventure opportunities and they excel at customizing trips based on your unique context, needs, and goals. Kaleidoscope offers exceptional travel experiences for students (and their group leaders). Thinking about student travel? Reach out to Kaleidoscope using the link in the show notes.Show IntroGuest Bio:Elena Aguilar is a writer, leader, teacher, coach and podcaster. She is the author of eight highly acclaimed books including: The Art of Coaching, The Art of Coaching Teams, The PD Book: 7 Habits that Transform Professional Development, and the newly released Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching. She has also been a frequent contributor to Edutopia, ASCD's Educational Leadership, and EdWeek Teacher.Elena is the founder and CEO of Bright Morning Consulting, an organization committed tohelping individuals and organizations create the conditions for transformation. She has taught tens of thousands of folks how to have conversations that build a more just and equitable world. Elena can be heard demonstrating these conversations on The Bright Morning Podcast.Elena was a guest on episodes 204 and 205, June 2024Warmup questions:We always like to start with a celebration. What are you celebrating today?Is there a story that will help listeners understand why you are doing what you do?Sponsor Spot 3:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.Closing questions:What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?If listeners could take just one thing away from today's podcast, what would it be?Before we go, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners?Where can people learn more about you and your work…Summary/wrap upThe first step to listening is to understanding self: our beliefs, our ways of beingIs the simple answer to everything listening? And asking good questions (which we dive into more in part 3)?How do you want me to listen? Decreases power and increases trust.Listening as a muscle (and how I exercised mine this morning).We will release part 2 and 3 in back-to-back weeks at the end of July and first week of August, so consider today's episode to be a teaser of more incredible part of our discussion. Links to my previous 2024 episodes with Elena (204 and 205) are in the show notes.Our interview ended with “slow down” This July 4th week is a great time to practice that.Thank you to our sponsors!IXL: https://www.ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/Elena's links:Elena's new book: Arise: The Art of Transformational CoachingSpecials for listeners:  Pre-Order Bonuses Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elena_aguilar_writer/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-aguilar/Book Shop: https://bookshop.org/lists/books-by-elena-aguilar/Bright Morning: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/The Bright Morning Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bright-morning-podcast-with-elena-aguilar/id1517537206Newsletter: https://www.brightmorningteam.com/resources/newsletterFrederick's Links:Email: frederick@frederickbuskey.comWebsite: https://www.frederickbuskey.com/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/strategiclea...

Listen in as Daniel and I discuss 'thriving matters' in an education context. It was so good to have this conversation about the direct link between wellbeing and leadership - I do hope you enjoy this. Daniel shared his journey from being an educator to working in corporate communications and returning back to teaching, highlighting his experiences in diverse communities and the challenges of burnout. He emphasized the importance of exceptional leadership in his career and reflected on personal growth through various roles. Daniel's story underscores the rewards and challenges of teaching, as well as the value of pursuing one's passion despite setbacks. Daniel shared his personal insights gained from six months of corporate work to finding fulfillment in his education career that allows him to make a positive impact on young people and the community. He emphasized the importance of surrounding himself with the right people and supporting them to collaborate towards a common direction. Daniel also discussed how he learned to focus on the big picture rather than sweating the small stuff, and the need for self-care and a personal plan to maintain well-being in the demanding role of an educator. We focused in on Daniel's thriving strategies at MLC School, including the display of student artwork and team-building activities like morning tea with gratitude shout-outs. His approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of having a good team, building trust, and maintaining a balance between operational and strategic focus through structured meetings like the Square Table and Round Table meetings are simple and consistently effective. In 2024 Daniel attended Oxford University's high performance leadership program, which was a pivotal moment in his personal and professional life. He was selected for this week-long residential course after his principal encouraged him to pursue something outside his usual sector. Daniel gained valuable insights into global leadership and visited schools in London during his time in the UK. The program brought together leaders from 23 different countries, providing Daniel with unique opportunities for learning and connection. We also discussed the relationship between leadership and employee well-being, citing research from Oxford that showed a 60% improvement in employee health when they feel valued by leaders. We explored how feedback is crucial for leaders to provide, both to their teams and to seek themselves for improvement. The conversation concluded with Daniel emphasizing that future leadership must remain person-centered, even as AI and remote work change the learning environment, and Carrie noting the importance of educating young people about AI while developing their critical thinking skills. If you enjoyed this episode don't forget to subscribe and share with your people. Go gently, your thriving matters!   To Connect with Daniel: LI: linkedin.com/in/daniel-sandral-947b5131 EMAIL: daniel.sandral@gmail.com   To Connect with Carrie LI: linkedin.com/in/carriebenedet URL: carriebenedet.com  Email: carolinebenedet2@gmail.com

Send us a textBurnout doesn't serve your calling. If you've been running on empty or trying to balance all the things without leaving space for yourself, this is your nudge to pause, protect your peace, and lead from a place of wholeness.You'll walk away with:A fresh mindset around rest and sustainabilityPermission to protect your work-life balanceA bold I Will statement to anchor your weekRest isn't a reward—it's a requirement. Let's reset and lead on purpose.Work Life Balance Summit RegistrationDownload Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessGrab a complimentary POWER SessionWith Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.email: melinda@empowere...

  The Ruckus Report Quick take: The "lone wolf" leader is a toxic myth that's burning out school administrators and failing students. Veronica Holyoke proves that transformational leadership happens in community, not isolation — and one hour a week can change everything. Meet Your Fellow Ruckus Maker Veronica Holyoke is a 25-year education veteran and Utah's 2024 Assistant Principal of the Year. A former 5th grade teacher with master's degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership, she's spent her fourth year as an elementary Assistant Principal in Jordan School District. Beyond her accolades, Veronica has navigated supporting her husband through serious disability while excelling in her leadership role — proving that community support transforms both professional and personal resilience. Breaking Down the Old Rules

Send us a textAs a new school year approaches, school leaders are faced with endless decisions, data, and demands—but clinging to what's familiar can quietly stall progress. In this Power Surge episode, we're naming the real culprit: analysis paralysis.Whether it's outdated systems, overcomplicated routines, or fear of making the wrong move, the pressure to “get it right” can keep you stuck. But clarity is your superpower.Tune in as we unpack how to:Recognize habits that no longer serve your missionSimplify decision-making to regain momentumLet go of “what we've always done” in favor of purposeful leadershipReframe this season as one of bold reassessmentDownload Upside and use my code MELINDA35278 to get 15¢ per gallon extra cash back on your first gas fill-up and 10% extra cash on your first food purchase! Download Fetch app using this link, submit a receipt and we'll both score bonus points. Calling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. Join here: Empowered Educator Community Book: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessGrab a complimentary POWER SessionWith Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.email: melinda@empowere...

Disclaimer: Please be advised that this episode contains content related to crisis situations. If these topics are challenging for you, you may wish to skip this episode or seek support.   When students are struggling with everything from friendship drama to thoughts of self-harm, the gap between needing help and getting it can feel insurmountable. And school leaders carry the weight of hundreds or thousands of students' well-being on their shoulders, knowing they can't possibly reach every child who needs support.   In this episode, I'm joined by Iuri Melo, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of School Pulse, to discuss a proactive approach to student mental health that's transforming how schools support their students. After losing seven students to suicide in his Southern Utah community in 2017, Iuri and his team developed a text-based support system that connects students with trained professionals 365 days a year. The service emerged from a principal's desperate plea for tools that could reach students before crisis struck, not just react after tragedy occurred.   Listen in to hear how, through real-time text conversations initiated twice weekly, School Pulse creates a bridge between students and support that feels safe, accessible, and immediate.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/391

Marni Baker Stein is the Chief Content Officer at Coursera, the global learning platform with over 175 million learners and partnerships across 6,200 campuses, businesses, and governments. She leads Coursera's content and credential strategy and manages global partner relationships. Before joining Coursera, Marni was Chief Academic Officer and Provost at Western Governors University, where she oversaw programs for more than 135,000 students. She has also held leadership roles focused on access, student success, and program design at the University of Texas, Columbia University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Marni earned her PhD in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.In this conversation, we discuss:How AI is shifting education from one-size-fits-all to personalized, contextualized learning tailored to each studentWhy microcredentials and stackable learning are replacing traditional degrees as the new path for lifelong learnersThe role of educators in the AI era and why they should be part of the solution, not sidelined by automationWhat it means for universities to stay relevant as learning becomes more modular, flexible, and job-alignedWhy GenAI is fueling demand for both technical skills and enduring human abilities like critical thinking and communicationHow tools like AI tutors, instant translations, and proctoring are democratizing access and preserving integrity at scaleResources:Subscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with Marni on LinkedInAI fun fact articleOn How To Identify The Power of Product and Listening to Your Customers. Past episodes mentioned in this conversation:[With Dave Marchick, Dean of the Kogod School of Business] - On How AI is Changing Academia[Chris Caren, Turnitin CEO] - On using AI to prevent students from cheating plus lessons for leaders on innovation and team culture

Send us a textEmpowered Educator CommunityThe Confident ClassroomIn this enlightening episode of the Empowered Educator series, we tackle the pressing issues surrounding teacher struggles in today's educational landscape. Despite their passion and commitment, many educators find themselves feeling overwhelmed and unsupported, leading to alarming rates of attrition and vacancies in our schools.By the end of the episode, listeners will have a deeper understanding of the systemic changes needed to support educators, improve teacher retention, and ultimately enhance the educational experience for students. Whether you're an educator, school leader, or community member, this episode will inspire you to reflect on your role in fostering a supportive environment for our teachers.Key Takeaways:Understanding the root causes of teacher strugglesInsights into current trends in teacher attrition and vacanciesThe importance of empowering teachers through support and mentorshipPractical steps for school leaders to create a nurturing environmentResources Mentioned:National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reportsMissouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education dataThe Confident ClassroomEmpowered Educator CommunityCalling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. --> You can find it here: Empowered Educator CommunityBook: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessLet me help you determine the next steps in your career!Grab a complimentary POWER SessionWith Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.email: melinda@empowereducator.com

  Get your Challenge Coin! https://train.americanwarriorsociety.com/home     On today's Coffee with Rich, we will be joined by T.C. Fuller. We will discuss what may be instore for 2025. JOIN US!   T.C. Fuller is an experienced federal investigator and firearms trainer. He has spent his life carrying a firearm for the U.S. government. T.C. first served as an Army Infantry officer, Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer, before leaving the Army to accept an appointment as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He spent the next 20 years working in all areas of investigative interest within the FBI, and served for several years as an instructor in the FBI's Firearms Training Unit in Quantico, VA.   T.C. holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology, as well as a Masters of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. As a published writer, T.C. has written an innovative book on the topic of improving law enforcement deadly force training, as well as having written for several print magazines on the areas of law enforcement procedures, explosives, firearms and edged weapons. Among T.C.'s personal achievements, he has been awarded the U.S. Army's highest peace-time award for heroism, the Soldier's Medal. Besides finding, capturing and convicting a fugitive on the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted list, T.C. has also been a successful competitive shooter for more than 20 years, earning a Master class certification from the International Defensive Pistol Association, winning numerous local, state and regional competitions along the way. He is now operating his own company, The Horus Group, LLC, which serves as a consultancy on firearms and training, as well as providing high-end, private firearms training for both armed professionals and citizens.   T.C.'s Website: https://www.thehorusgroup.net/ T.C.'s recent article: https://americanwarriorsociety.com/may-you-live-in.../ Coffee with Rich Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rhodieusmc/videos American Warrior Show: https://americanwarriorshow.com/index.html SWAG: https://shop.americanwarriorsociety.com/ American Warrior Society please visit: https://americanwarriorsociety.com/ Rich's Coffee: Pete's Espresso Ristretto via a Nespresso by Delonghi Want to get alerts? Make sure you go to your settings and turn NOTIFICATIONS on for this page!

Send us a textYou've landed the leadership role—now what? In this week's Power Surge, Dr. Mel breaks down the real mindset shifts new administrators must make after stepping out of the classroom and into leadership. If you're still thinking like a teacher but expected to lead like a visionary, this 5-minute episode is the clarity check you need. Learn the top three shifts that will help you delegate with confidence, lead people instead of tasks, and build trust over popularity.Whether you're a first-year AP or just got the principal keys, this one's for you.Empowered Educator CommunityCalling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. --> You can find it here: Empowered Educator CommunityBook: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessLet me help you determine the next steps in your career!Grab a complimentary POWER SessionWith Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Throughout the first half of the year several colleges have announced hiring freezes and budget cuts in response to the Trump administration's slashing of federal researching funding and general financial instability across the sector.  And these cuts come after years of stagnating pay for faculty and staff. A recent CUPA HR analysis of salary data shows that across higher ed, employees are still being paid less in inflation-adjusted dollars than were before the pandemic. To help us understand what this environment means for the future of the higher ed workforce, Sara Custer, Inside Higher Ed's editor in chief, recently spoke with Kevin McClure professor of higher education and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He says there's no doubt the workforce is struggling and hasn't totally recovered from the great resignation spurred on by Covid. McClure is also seeing what he calls “ripple effects” on    working conditions. Can colleges hire students for summer jobs? Can faculty travel to conferences? Are there enough people on staff for colleges to keep doing what they're doing? And one big question – will the sector be able to attract the next generation of faculty and staff? McClure also talks about shared governance as a practice that people need to be trained to participate in and how one solution to some of the current workforce struggles could be right under our noses. Find out more about Kevin and his work here.  Thanks to Grammarly for sponsoring this episode.

Dr. Luke Woods was the Keynote speaker at the Givens Foundation's annual conference conference,  Dr. Luke Wood returned to his alma mater, Sacramento State to become its ninth president on July 16th, 2023. A nationally renowned scholar on racial equity with a specific focus on early childhood education and community colleges. Dr. Wood has authored or co-authored 16 books and published nearly 200 articles, focusing on racial inequity in education. Dr. Woods' bold vision for the university includes 23 strategic action items, including the creation of the Nation's First Black Honors College, which welcomed its inaugural class of scholars in the fall of 2024. President Wood holds a bachelor's degree in Black history and Politics and a Master's degree in higher education leadership from Sacramento State and a master of Education in Early Childhood Education, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with a higher education concentration from Arizona State University. “From Resistance to Resilience: The Evolution of African American Reading,” was an extraordinary opportunity to champion literacy, cultural equity, and social justice. Held on June 3, 2025, this event was made possible through the generous support of the Minnesota Humanities Center.  

Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Elfrieda “Freddy” Hiebert talks to us about language, learning to read, and authentic interactions with interesting texts. Freddy is known for her work addressing how fluency, vocabulary, and knowledge can be fostered through appropriate texts. Through documents such as Becoming a Nation of Readers, published by the Center for the Study of Reading in 1985 and Every Child a Reader, published by the Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement in 1999, she has contributed to making research accessible to educators. Her work has also appeared in journals such as The Reading Teacher, Reading and Writing, Reading Research Quarterly, Reading Psychology, Education Sciences, Literacy Research: Theory, Method, and Practice, Journal of Literacy Research, Educational Researcher, and Educational Leadership. She has also authored many books and book chapters. Her work has been recognized by a number of organizations, including the Oscar Causey Award for Outstanding Contributions to Reading Research from the Literacy Research Association in 2015. Freddy has had a long career as a literacy educator, first as a teacher's aide and teacher of primary-level students in California and, subsequently, as a teacher educator and researcher at the universities of Kentucky, Colorado-Boulder, Michigan, and California-Berkeley. Since 2011, she has served as President and CEO of TextProject, Inc, a non-profit corporation that prioritizes creating products and prototypes for student reading programs, primarily based on the TExT model of text complexity, providing teacher support resources and classroom reading activities, and supporting and disseminating related research.To cite this episode: Persohn, L. (Host). (2025, June 17). A conversation with Elfrieda “Freddy” Hiebert. (Season 5, No. 11) [Audio podcast episode]. In Classroom Caffeine Podcast series. https://www.classroomcaffeine.com/guests. DOI: 10.5240/4631-DA23-14D0-79DB-B764-KResources mentioned in this episode:Connect with Classroom Caffeine at www.classroomcaffeine.com or on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Leadership requires processing both professional and personal experiences, particularly when faced with injustice.   As school leaders, we encounter unfairness in various forms - from promotion decisions to resource allocation to systemic inequities affecting our students and families. I've found that managing these experiences requires understanding how our minds and bodies respond to perceived injustice.   In this episode, I share practical insights for acknowledging and safely expressing these difficult emotions without causing harm to ourselves or others. While solutions aren't always available, we can learn to validate our experiences, maintain our personal power, and find healthy ways to process these universal human experiences that impact us as leaders.   Find the full episode show notes and transcript, click here: https://angelakellycoaching.com/390

In The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, Robin Sharma tells the story of a high-powered lawyer who trades his fast-paced life for spiritual enlightenment in the Himalayas. This modern fable blends personal development with timeless wisdom, offering a roadmap to finding purpose, balance, and joy. Today's guest, Dr. Meghan Waldron, is a lifelong dreamer, writer, and educator who believes every student has a story to tell. With nearly two decades in K–12 and now in higher ed, she helps students find confidence and joy in writing through reflection, creativity, and honest feedback. Meghan is also a professional writer and recently earned her EdD in Educational Leadership from VCU. When she's not teaching or writing, she's out adventuring with her sons. Our drink this week is the Fountain of Youth. The book talks extensively about the “Fountain of Life,” which is essentially water—and as a proud water drinker, I say stay hydrated, friends! But for our more adventurous summer days, this cocktail—with its bright notes of lemon and elderflower—is a perfect treat. Cheers! Fountain of Youth Cocktail (from Rebecca Creek Distillery) 2 oz Vodka¾ oz Elderflower Liqueur¾ oz fresh lemon juice2 sprigs of mint leaves2 oz Prosecco Add Vodka along with Elderflower Liqueur and Lemon juice together in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.Shake vigorously for a few seconds and then strain into a rocks glass filled with iceTop off with Prosecco.Garnish with the two sprigs of mint leaves. In this Episode https://www.smartsolutionsva.com/ - Meghan's Tutoring Company The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma The Camino The Way Film The Alchemist by Paula Coelho

Education seems to always be on the public mind.School Choice. School Funding. School Politics. School Performance. And on and on it goes.Today on "I'm Glad You Said That", I'm privileged to chat with Dr. Jessica Parker, the Superintendent of Mountain City Christian Academy about many of these important issues.Dr. Parker is an educational leader with 25+ years of public school experience. She has a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Communication and Administration from Dallas Baptist University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.Dr. Parker stays actively involved in the ASL teaching field and serves as the National ASL Honor Society Coordinator along with being an executive board member of the American Sign Language Teacher Association (ASLTA).She and her husband, Jeremy, have 3 children. Hope you can tune in.Support the show

Get the book, Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching Visit Elena's website, www.BrightMorningTeam.com About The Guest Elena Aguilar is a writer, leader, teacher, coach and podcaster. Elena is the founder and CEO of Bright Morning Consulting, an organization committed to helping individuals and organizations create the conditions for transformation. She has taught tens of thousands of folks how to have conversations that build a more just and equitable world. Elena can be heard demonstrating these conversations on The Bright Morning Podcast.   Elena is a frequent contributor to Edutopia, ASCD's Educational Leadership, and EdWeek Teacher, and is the author of eight highly acclaimed books, including The Art of Coaching, The Art of Coaching Teams, Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators, Coaching for Equity, and her new book Arise: The Art of Transformational Coaching.    

Send us a textIn this episode, Mel Vandevort dives into a captivating discussion with Katie Kinder and Dr. Darrin Peppard about their book "Culture First Classrooms" and their extensive experience as education consultants and speakers. The book, originally conceived as a guide to classroom management, evolved into a comprehensive exploration of fostering positive classroom cultures. With insights from 24 educators, Katie and Darrin explore essential topics such as leadership, relationship-building, and effective teaching practices that enhance student engagement and trust. They also share practical strategies for new teachers and insights into transitioning from classroom roles to successful educational consulting careers. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation that promises to empower educators at all career stages!Key Takeaways:Strategies for building a positive classroom cultureImportance of student engagement and trust-buildingPractical tips for new teachers and those transitioning into consulting rolesTopics Covered:Evolution of the book from classroom management to culture-focusedInsights into effective leadership and inclusive environmentsStrategies for enhancing student engagement and supporting new teachersCulture First Classrooms: Leadership, Relationships, and Practices that Transform SchoolsKatie KinderKatie Kinder WebsiteLinkedInDr. Darrin PeppardRoad to AwesomeLinkedInInnovative Schools SummitEmpowered Educator CommunityCalling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. --> You can find it here: Empowered Educator CommunityBook: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessLet me help you determine the next steps in your career!Grab a complimentary POWER SessionWith Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Send us a textBefore the school year even starts, it's time to rehearse your leadership mindset. In this episode, I'll walk you through a simple reflection practice to mentally prepare for the kind of leader you want to be this year. Grab a journal, find a quiet space, and let's get your mind in tune. Theme: Social Recharge + Leadership CircleSong Connection: Good Day - ForrestLeadership Book ListSummer Soundtrack Series Companion GuideEmpowered Educator CommunityCalling All Educators! I started a community with resources, courses, articles, networking, and more. I am looking for members to help me build it with the most valuable resources. I would really appreciate your input as a teacher, leader, administrator, or consultant. --> You can find it here: Empowered Educator CommunityBook: Educator to Entrepreneur: IGNITE Your Path to Freelance SuccessLet me help you determine the next steps in your career!Grab a complimentary POWER SessionWith Rubi.ai, you'll experience cutting-edge technology, research-driven insights, and efficient content delivery.email: melinda@empowereducator.com

Planning a full-day professional development session for math can feel like a golden opportunity—and a daunting challenge. How do you make the most of extended time with educators while keeping energy high, engagement strong, and math learning impactful? In this episode, we reflect on our most recent full-day math PD session and unpack the choices we made—what paid off and what we'd do differently next time. From structuring the day to managing pacing, promoting interaction, and avoiding afternoon burnout, we share the small and big moves that helped (or hindered) the experience. Whether you're a math coach, consultant, or school leader planning your next full-day math session, this episode offers honest insights to help you design math professional learning that's worth every minute.In this episode, you'll discover:Why the structure and flow of the day matter as much as the math content itself.Strategies to maintain engagement and energy when fatigue kicks in.Lessons we learned about creating space for reflection, collaboration, and impact.Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units Show Notes PageLove the show? Text us your big takeaway!Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you'll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.