POPULARITY
Episode #119 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Christina Hidek joins Dr. Woods to share how school administration and PTO partnerships are key for healthy school communities. Additionally, Christina shares strategies to boost family and community engagement. Visit her website at https://ptoanswers.com/ to learn more about her work.
Throwback Thursday! Do You Have Meeting Goals? featuring Dr. Thomas Van SoelenOriginally Released On: 10-21-22This week, we're revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Dr. Van Soelen discusses why schools chronically experience poorly-facilitated meetings.✅ Dr. Van Soelen shares strategies to effectively and efficiently use time wisely when meeting.Whether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.
Throwback Thursday!Title: School Law featuring Dr. John DaytonOriginally Released On: 1-29-21This week, we're revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Dr. Dayton dives into a variety of school law topics that teachers and administrators deal with on a daily basis.✅ Dr. Dayton shares tips and strategies from his renowned educational leadership book, Education Law: Principles, Policies, and Practice.Whether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.
Throwback Thursday! Title: Art of In-School Suspension featuring Johnathan CranfordOriginally Released On: 6-16-2023This week, we're revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Johnathan discusses his strategies on implementing a successful in-school suspension program at his school.✅ Johnathan details how the success led to his book, "The Art of In-School Suspension: A Discipline Program that Benefits Staff and Students."Whether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.
Throwback Thursday! Authentic Literature featuring Dr. Donyall DickeyOriginally Released On: 5-7-2021This week, we're revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Dr. Dickey shares what authentic literature and how it should be used in teaching and learning.✅ Dr. Dickey discusses his book, Mitigating Curricular Chaos, which shares strategies on constructing and procuring core content curricula that addresses and mitigates the achievement gap.Whether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.
Episode #117 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Mike Henrich joins Dr. Woods to discuss his book Teacher Boy. In this episode, Mr. Henrich shares his motivation and overarching message in the book. Additionally, he offers strategies and insight on improving the student/teacher experience in classrooms.Grab your copy of 'Teacher Boy' on Amazon! Connect with Mike via Instagram @classroom_clamor and his website teacherboy.com
Throwback Thursday!Title: Teachers of Promise featuring Wade WhiteheadOriginally Released On: 09-09-2022This week, we're revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Wade discusses what the Teachers of Promise Institute is and the impact it has made on education.✅ As a Milken Award Winner and National Teachers Hall of Fame Inductee, Wade shares proven classroom practices and strategies that enhance student achievement and foster a positive, engaging learning environment.Whether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.
Throwback Thursday!Rural Education featuring Dr. Jamon FlowersOriginally Released On: 05-08-2020This week, we're revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Dr. Flowers discusses what rural education looks like for educators.✅ Dr. Flowers explains why this topic needs to have more attention brought towards it to help educators navigate this space.
Anchor Chat #15: Mentorship vs CoachingIn this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods reflects on Mentorship vs. Coaching, examining the key differences between the two and their impact on professional growth. He discusses how both roles support educators in unique ways and emphasizes the importance of knowing when to mentor, when to coach, and how to leverage each approach effectively.
Throwback Thursday!Cultivating a Sense of Belonging featuring Dr. Terrel StrayhornOriginally Released On: 12-24-2020This week, we're revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Dr. Strayhorn discusses how his work focuses on four categories: 1) community, 2) support system, 3) membership, and 4) acceptance.✅ Dr. Strayhorn shares strategies on cultivating a sense of belonging with students in your classrooms and schools.
Episode #116 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Kenneth Williams joins Dr. Woods to discuss his book Ruthless Equity: Disrupt the Status Quo and Ensure Learning for ALL Students. In this episode, Mr. Williams explores how educators can become equity warriors; committed to delivering excellence, achievement, and learning opportunities for all students, regardless of their backgrounds.Connect with Mr. Williams via his website https://unfoldthesoul.com/
Throwback Thursday!Title: Episode #27_Staff Motivation & Morale featuring Dr. Todd Whitaker Originally Released On: 2-26-21This week, we're revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode, we:✅ discuss the importance of staff motivation and morale in school management,✅ provide tips on what you can do to ensure this is happening in your school.Whether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.
Throwback Thursday!Title: Episode #46_The Art of Delegation featuring Dr. Marcus BelinOriginally Released On: 11-19-21This week, we're revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode, we explore:✅ How ‘Delegation' is an essential concept of leadership.✅ Empowering colleagues to complete tasks unsupervised.Whether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.
Anchor Chat #13: Managing Student Behavior without PunishmentIn this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods reflects on Managing Student Behavior without Punishment, sharing alternative strategies for addressing behavior proactively. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of behavior and using preventative approaches to create a positive and supportive classroom environment.
Episode #114 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Dr. Krystal Clemons, Founder and CEO of Our Village Education Consulting LLC, joins Dr. Woods on episode #114 of Leading Out The Woods to discuss The Village Model of Community Engagement. In this episode, they explore her innovative framework, strategies for overcoming barriers to engagement, best practices for fostering involvement, and building impactful community partnerships.Connect with Dr. Clemons via Instagram: ourvillageconsulting or LinkedIn: Dr. Krystal Clemons
Anchor Chat #12: Artificial Intelligence in the ClassroomIn this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods reflects on Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom, sharing insights on how AI is transforming teaching and learning. He discusses its potential to personalize instruction, streamline administrative tasks, and foster innovation in education. Dr. Woods encourages educators to explore ways to integrate AI responsibly, ensuring it enhances student engagement and supports equitable learning opportunities.
Episode #113 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Ja'Quez D. Taylor, North Carolina's Youngest School Board Chair, joins Dr. Woods to discuss how effective collaboration among these key stakeholders can drive student success and strengthen school communities.
Episode #112 is up! Check it out!!!Media Literacy in the ClassroomSpecial Guest Bill Selak, Director of Technology and NAMLE Board Member, joins Dr. Woods to discuss the importance of media literacy in the classroom. In this episode, they explore practical strategies for teaching students to critically evaluate media sources and become responsible digital citizens.Connect with Bill via X: @billselak, Instagram: BillSelak or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billselak
Anchor Chat #10: Data Driven InstructionIn this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods discusses the importance of leveraging data to guide instructional decisions, track student progress, and refine teaching strategies for greater effectiveness. Dr. Woods shares insights on how educators can leverage data to make informed choices that improve student outcomes and support individualized learning.
Anchor Chat #9: Time ManagementIn this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods breaks down the essential skills and strategies for effective time management in education. From prioritizing tasks to maintaining work-life balance, Dr. Woods provides actionable insights for educators striving to optimize their daily schedules.
Anchor Chat #8: Understanding CurriculumIn this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods delves into understanding curriculum and its impact on student success. Learn how to navigate and implement curriculum effectively to ensure alignment with educational goals and maximize learning outcomes.
Episode #108 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Dr. Colleen Kelley, Creator and Founder of Kids' Chemical Solutions, joins Dr. Woods to discuss molecular literacy and how it is an essential component for a variety of career fields for students. Additionally, Dr. Kelley shares how she is creating comic books and other ways to get children engaged with chemistry.Visit Dr. Kelley's website https://kidschemicalsolutions.com/ and her social media links @chemistrycolleen on Instagram and X.
Anchor Chat #6: Dressing for SuccessIn this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods explores the concept of "Dressing for Success" and its impact on both educators and students.
Episode #107 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Danielle Nuhfer, instructional coach, author of The Path of the Mindful Teacher and founder of Teaching Well joins Dr. Woods to share her 3 simple steps for bringing mindfulness awareness into the classroom for educators.Connect with Danielle via email at danielle@teachingwell.life and via her website https://teachingwell.life/
Episode #106 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Sofia Gonzalez, Nationally Recognized Educator of the Year & Nonprofit Leader of Project 214, joins Matt to discuss the importance of addressing, honoring, and supporting our English language learners. Additionally, Ms. Gonzalez shares tips on creating inclusive classrooms for all students to shine and thrive.Connect with Sofia via X (formerly Twitter) @sofiaspeaks and LinkedIn Sofia Gonzalez M.Ed., MA
Anchor Chat #4: Digital Citizenship In this episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods discusses digital citizenship and the need for educators to think about the way they incorporate it in their daily instruction.
Episode #105 is up! Check it out!!!Join Dr. Woods as he engages with special guest, Mr. Dion Jones, national award-winning educator and 2022 Milken Award Recipient. Mr. Jones shares the ways in which he leverages various methodologies to analyze data effectively, drive high-quality instruction and make informed decisions in his classroom and school community.Connect with Dion via email at dtjones29.dtj@gmail.com and on X (formerly Twitter) @dtjones29
Episode #104 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Dr. Renee Meeks, Principal of Sea Isle Elementary School and 2023-2024 Tennessee Principal of the Year Finalist, joins Matt to discuss her book, and the power of reflection and pause.Connect with Dr. Meeks via X (formerly Twitter) @ReneeMeeks and pick up her book, “The Seesaw Effect: Navigating the Ups and Downs of Life with Purpose, Wisdom, and Resilience.”
Episode #103 is up! Check it out!!!Join Dr. Woods as he sits down with Mr. Ryan Stein, Principal at Greenwood Elementary School, who shares his inspiring philosophy of "Win the Morning" and some of his strategies cultivating a positive school culture. Discover how his approach has not only substantially increased attendance but also fueled remarkable academic growth in the school.
Episode #101 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Dr. Montserrat Fuentes, President of St. Edward's University, joins Matt on the show to discuss ways to support and cultivate minority leadership and representation. Connect with Dr. Fuentes via the university's website www.stewards.edu or her LinkedIn page.
Episode #99 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Allison Zmuda, Education Consultant, returns on the show to discuss the difference between formative and summative assessments, and strategies to implement summative assessments more efficiently. Connect with Allison via her website www.allisonzmuda.com
Episode #94 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Richard Bourque, Chief Marketing Officer of Educational Epiphany, joins Matt to discuss how Educational Epiphany collaborates with school districts across the country to promote student achievement and professional development for educators. Additionally, Richard highlights his role in publishing and how he helps educators expand their impact.Connect with Richard at educationalepiphany@gmail.com and visit https://educationalepiphany.com/ to check out their amazing resources!
Episode #92 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Dr. Samantha Fecich, Professor and Author, joins Matt to discuss her work related to pre-service teachers. Additionally, Dr. Fecich shares ways schools and districts can support their growth.Connect with Dr. Fecich via her website: www.sfecich.com
Episode #90 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Chris Singleton, Motivational Speaker and Author, joins Matt to share his inspirational message of resilience, unity, and forgiveness. Visit www.chrissingleton.com for more information!
Episode #83 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Dr. Brandon Ross, High School Principal in South Carolina, joins Matt to talk about his experiences and role as a first year building principal, his 5 cornerstones for success, and the idea of the Millennial Principal.Connect with Dr. Ross via instagram and Twitter @BrandonRoss
Episode #82 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Dr. Aundrea Smiley, Owner/Operator of Valor & Grace Literacy Cove, adjunct professor and district literacy coach, joins Matt to discuss what restorative justice should look like in schools, and ways to involve all stakeholders to shift mindsets.Connect with Dr. Smiley via email aundrea.smiley@emu.edu and her website www.valorandgrace.net
Episode #81 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Tavis Myrick, Executive Director of the Gentlemen's Quest of Tampa Inc., joins Matt to discuss the importance of mentoring programs and the impact they have on our students.Connect with Mr. Myrick on Twitter @MyrickTavis and via his website www.mrmyrick.com
Episode #80 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guests Dr. Lacey Seaton and Dr. Jon Becker, Professors of Educational Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University, joins Matt to discuss the ways schools and districts can engage students in policy development, and strategies for navigating conflict that can arise between student voice and parent's wishes.Connect with Dr. Seaton on Twitter @lacey_seaton and via email seatonle@vcu.edu and Dr. Becker on Twitter @jonbecker and via email jbecker@vcu.edu.
The microbiome has gotten a lot of attention recently, with gut health being emphasised in everything from digestion to mental health. But when is the last time you thought about the microbiome in your lungs? Here to tell us all about the fascinating environment that is our lungs is Jack Thomas Sumner, a Northwestern University PhD candidate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:This TED Talk on the human microbiomeIf you're feeling a longer read, Ed Yong's I Contain Multitudes is a great deep dive into the topic (non-affiliate link)If you're feeling extra science-y, here's a review on the lung microbiomeTo find out more of the research at Northwestern, check out SCRIPT's homepageDon't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438
Episode #75 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Starr Sackstein, Chief Operating Officer of Mastery Portfolio, joins Matt to discuss how traditional grading practices overlook many learners, and ways educators can shift towards an asset-based model for all students to thrive academically. Connect with Starr on Twitter @mssackstein and via her website www.mssackstein.com
The human body is capable of some amazing things, including the magic of regeneration! And biomedical engineers are doing some fascinating things to magnify that power. Northwestern University PhD student Rebecca Keate shares more about how how healing can be controlled through electricity and her insights on how medical device regulation can keep up with the pace of new medical devices. If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:The Center for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE) at Northwestern UniversityMore on the FDA's Right to Try Act Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry's exhibit, "You! The Experience"Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438
Episode #71 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest David Frangiosa, Science teacher and Co-Author of Going Gradeless: Shifting the Focus to Student Learning, joins Matt to discuss how educators can remove the negative stigmas of grading and still hold students to a high level of accountability. Connect with David on Twitter @DavidFrangiosa and his website www.reimaginedschools.com
Welcome back to In the Spotlight! For our season 4 premiere, we'll be talking all about the struggle between humans and pathogens -- one we're, unfortunately, all too familiar with. Here to talk us through one of the many ways bacteria outsmart our immune system is Northwestern PhD student Alexandra Karagiaridi, from the Department of Molecular Biosciences. Alexandra gives us a fascinating insight into her graduate school, the significance of her work, and how she goes about solving the problem.If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in this episode, check out:A nice summary by the American Society for MicrobiologyA report on NTHI infection by Nationwide Children's HospitalIf you're feeling up for it, a scientific review on ABC transporters and how they help pathogens infect usDon't forget to follow us on Twitter @SpotlightThePod to stay up-to-date on all news and episode releases!Learn more about Northwestern University SPOT on Twitter @SPOTForceNU or at our website spot.northwestern.eduPodcast artwork created by Edie Jiang, available at her website https://ediejiang.weebly.com/ or on Instagram @ediejiangMusic in this episode: Earth by MusicbyAden https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/_earthMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/5yIbZVOv438
Episode #70 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Dr. Thomas Van Soelen, President of Van Soelen & Associates, joins Matt to discuss why schools chronically experience poorly-facilitated meetings, and shares strategies to effectively and efficiently use their time.You can connect with Dr. Van Soelen via Twitter @tvansoelen and his website www.vansolenassociates.com
Episode #69 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Dr. Harold McCray, Elementary Principal in Metro DC, joins Matt to discuss the issues many black male educators face in the profession, and shares advice on recruiting and retaining them in our schools and districts.Connect with Dr. McCray on Twitter and Instagram @drhspeaks
Episode #68 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Ryan James, middle school teacher, and Milken Award Winner (VA '17), joins Matt to share his strategies on building positive relationships with students, setting goals for improvement, and self-reflecting tips to grow as an educator.You can connect with Ryan via Twitter and Instagram @aye_mrjames
Episode #65 is up! Check it out!!!Special Guest Yaritza Villalba, Educator Innovation Lead at Flipgrid, joins Matt to discuss the importance of culturally relevant resources being embedded in daily instruction, and share the impact on student development when they are not exposed to diverse literature.You can connect with Yaritza on Twitter @inc_yv or her website at www.mckenziesadventures.com.
Episode #64 is up! Check it out!!!I Choose To StaySpecial Guest Dr. Salome Thomas-EL, K-8 Principal, author, and national speaker, joins Matt to share his inspirational message and story behind why ‘he chose to stay' in education. Additionally, Dr. Thomas-EL discusses his thoughts on improving staff morale and capacity.You can connect with Dr. Thomas-EL via Twitter @Principal_EL and his website: www.principalEL.com
Episode #63 is up! Check it out!!!Is Financial Literacy Working?Special Guest Dr. Michael Thomas, Professor at the University of Georgia & Accredited Financial Counselor, joins Matt to share how we should conceptualize financial literacy, and discusses barriers students and families face.You can connect with Dr. Thomas on Instagram @modomsolutions or via email modomsolutions@gmail.com. Additionally, you can check out his financially themed t-shirts at www.blackfinancialculture.com
Episode #62 is up! Transforming Learning with TechnologySpecial Guest Ms. Debbie Tannenbaum, school technology specialist, joins Matt to share ways technology and associated routines can be used to promote student engagement in the classroom. Additionally, Debbie shares some of the strategies from her book, TRANSFORM-Techy Notes to Make Learning Sticky.You can connect with Debbie via Twitter @TannenbaumTech or her website at https://www.tannenbaumtech.com