184. Foundation of Skills: Featuring Matt Dunbar

This week’s guest, Matt Dunbar, shares how developing the foundational and essential skills of our students is important for their future success in our local communities.  In this episode, we also discuss: Relationships and Cultural Competency  Professional Growth culture  And the Vision 25 Model  About Matt Dunbar: As the East Hall Administrator at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Matt Dunbar works daily to build lasting relationships through service, authenticity, and humor. A 2007 product of Franklin County High School, Matt returned in 2012 to teach World History and Government to 9th and 12th grade students. In 2015 he began his work with the Franklin County Public Schools Cultural Competence committee and helped to develop staff within that division through self-reflection and deep, intentional conversation. In 2017 Matt received his Masters from Virginia Tech in Educational Leadership and took an Assistant Principal position with Roanoke City Public Schools at William Fleming High School. While at Fleming, working under the incredible leadership of Archie Freeman, Matt used restorative practices to engage with students and better support the staff of Coulter Hall. He credits his year at William Fleming with developing him as a clear communicator and confident decision maker. After having a daughter in 2018 he returned to Franklin County as the 8th grade administrator at Benjamin Franklin Middle. While at BFMS, Matt has continued his work with the Cultural Competence committee, helped to develop the division's Profile of a Graduate, and Franklin County’s Vision25. Matt is married to Kelly, a 2nd grade teacher at Lee M. Waid Elementary and the division’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Matt and Kelly have a 4 year old daughter, Charleigh, 2 year old son, Palmer, and in June will have baby number 3!  Matt Dunbar:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattDunbar_VT  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattdunbar5/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.dunbar.33   Are you a superfan of the Aspire podcast? Well, now you can show off your support with the new Aspire swag, featuring tee shirts, hoodies and a variety of drinkware. You can find all your Aspire Swag at www.teachbetter.com/swag [caption id="attachment_3508" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast Swag, Joshua Stamper, Teach Better[/caption] Use Discount Code: ASPIRE for 25% OFF Tee-Shirts, Hoodies, and Drinkware: ASPIRE: The Leadership Development Podcast   This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through these links, The Aspire Podcast gets a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Need a Presenter for a conference or school PD? Contact Joshua Stamper  for presentations on Restorative Practices, Leadership Development, and Innovative campus systems. Watch my session on Trauma Informed, restorative and social emotional practices at www.teachsummit.com/stamper Follow the Host, Joshua Stamper: Contact: https://joshstamper.com/contact/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/Joshua__Stamper Instagram: www.instagram.com/joshua__stamper Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-stamper Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AspirePodcast Subscribe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aspire-the-leadership-development-podcast/id1384210762?mt=2   Aspire to Lead made it to the Best New Education Books I'm happy to announce that my book, "Aspire to Lead", made it to BookAuthority's Best New Education Books. [caption id="attachment_3718" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper, Book Authority Award, Best new book[/caption] BookAuthority collects and ranks the best books in the world, and it is a great honor to get this kind of recognition. Thank you for all your support! The book is available for purchase on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1953852386/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1953852386&linkCode=as2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=0d9c336e3db6ab16cbb08421ef3e4175 Review the Podcast I want to give a huge shout out to those who have taken the time to provide a review on Apple, Spotify or any other podcast platform. It truly means the world to me that you would take the 30- 90 seconds to share how the podcast has positively impacted you or why other educators should check out the show. [caption id="attachment_3022" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Teach Better Podcast Network, Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast[/caption]