The Out of the Trenches Podcast

Jeanette Mihalchik is a National Board Certified Elementary General Music Specialist with over 2 decades of experience teaching general music, choir, and music ensembles from PreK to 8th grade. She is a certified music educator and has a Master of Science in Elementary Education with a Specialization in Literacy and has her Orff Certification. Jeanette has spent her career studying and growing as a music teacher. She studied Arts Integration at The Kennedy Center through their CETA program and at workshops through the Florida Alliance for the Arts. She is constantly trying new methods to help create her happy classroom. She has presented at the county and state level at general music, literacy, and arts integration workshops and has also presented at Artie and Denise Symposiums. Jeanette is the author of Stories That Sing and Stories That Sing Too! Find her online: website: https://thehappymusicteacher.com @thehappymusicteacher on all Socials & on YouTube. @mrsmsclassroom (has lots of songs there for any teacher). She has word family songs, etc. on her website

Paris Woods is an award-winning education leader and bestselling author of The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom. Her recently published book, The Student’s Guide to Financial Freedom, speaks directly to a growing concern across K–12 and higher education: how students’ financial instability undermines retention and long-term success. Dr. Woods has held senior leadership roles across multiple education nonprofits, including College Beyond, where, as Co-Founder and Executive Director, she addressed the critical need for college success among low-income youth. Most recently, she was the Chief Program Officer at Strive Together. She is an adjunct faculty member of educational leadership at Tulane University. A first-generation college student who grew up working class, Dr. Woods earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Harvard University and her doctorate in education from The University of Texas at Austin. Her work has been featured in Essence, CNN, and Insider, among others. Find her online: https://pariswoods.com/media/ Paris Woods, Ed.D. | LinkedIn Paris Woods | Author & Educator (@authorpariswoods) Instagram TikTok & FB @authorpariswoods Author Paris Woods - YouTube Transcription

Repeat guest Craig Randall is the developer and author of Trust-Based Observations, an Amazon number one best seller in five countries. Craig has spent the last 30 plus years in education working as a counselor, coach, teacher, and principal. Craig spends the majority of his time training school leaders in Trust-Based Observations (TBO), building mastery, and transforming the world of teacher observations to a model of trust and support that fosters growth mindsets, cultures of trust, and creates collective teacher efficacy in action. In addition, Craig speaks at conferences, is working on a new book, and hosts the 20 Minutes of Teaching Brilliance (On the Road with Trust-Based Observations) podcast, where he and some of the amazing teachers he observes engage in meaningful dialog about what makes for good teaching and learning. Find him online: @trustbasedcraig on all socials FB: https://www.facebook.com/craig.randall.7311 Website: www.trustbased.com

Dr. Robb Kelly provides mentorship and guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs. He invests & encourages others to invest in startup ventures. He devotes countless hours sharing his expertise through conferences and workshops, utilizing others who've also overcome the challenges associated with lifestyle changes, habit formation, childhood traumas, startup obstacles, etc. He has created educational programs on business fundamentals. He also fosters a culture of innovation and responsible risk-taking. Dr. Kelly participated in the Entrepreneur Conference with Ken Joslin in Atlanta, Georgia as a speaker alongside Gary Brecka, John Maxwell, Ed Mylett and other amazing people. Dr. Kelly is a renowned Addiction Expert. Born and raised in Manchester, UK, who is eccentric, no holds bar, successful, and places his patients first kind of man. Robb is Meadows Trained in Trauma and holds a double Ph.D. It is necessary for the family to work along with the patient- we uncover the family chaos and dynamics to better resolve addiction. Find him online: https://www.therobbkellyfoundation.org/ https://www.robbkelly.com Dr Robb Kelly Official: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter | on Linktree

Tim Shanahan is distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He served as the director of reading for the Chicago Public Schools, is the former president of the International Literacy Association, and served on the advisory board of the National Institute for Literacy under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. In 2007, he was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame & is a former first-grade teacher. He is the author of the recently published book Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives: How Students’ Reading Achievement Has Been Held Back and What We Can Do About It. Find him online: https://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/ -has literacy blogs w/ teachers’ comments. FB, X, Linkedin, Bluesky @shanahanonliteracy

Patty McGee is a nationally recognized literacy consultant, speaker, and educator with a passion for transforming classrooms into spaces where language and learning come alive. With decades of experience as a teacher, coach, and advocate for delightful literacy practices, Patty has worked alongside educators across the country, partnering to unlock the full potential of their students through innovative and practical teaching strategies. "Not Your Granny’s Grammar" is her third book. Connect with Patty at www.pattymcgee.org or on LinkedIn & IG: @pmgmcgee

Brig Leane is an education consultant and former principal of Fruita Middle School in Colorado, which under his leadership became a national Model Professional Learning Community. A veteran of the United States Coast Guard, he began his 2nd career as an educator in 2000, and has served as a principal, assistant principal, and teacher at the middle and high school levels in inner-city, suburban, and rural schools. He has also been an adjunct professor at Colorado Christian University. Brig's work has been published in Phi Delta Kappan, Principal Leadership, and elsewhere, and he's the author of Singletons in a PLC At Work as well as the new book The PLC Dashboard: Implementing, Leading, and Sustaining Your Professional Learning Community at Work. Visit Brig's website, www.BrigLeane.com Follow Brig on X, IG @BrigLeane

Return guest Andrea Bitner is an English Language Learner (ELL) educator, author, and speaker based in Philadelphia, PA. With 25 years in public education, she has taught K–12 students from around the world. Her debut book, Take Me Home (2021), shares the powerful true stories of 11 former EL students navigating bilingualism in America, while her second book, When Niagara Falls, inspires resilience, belonging, and growth for students and educators alike. Andrea also co-authored The Impact of Influence – Volume 3: 100 No-Nonsense Things ALL School Leaders Should STOP Doing, and contributed to Culture First Classrooms and other works by Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld. Recognized by the state of Pennsylvania for her innovative teaching, she was featured in PSEA’s The Voice for her work with EL learners. Currently, Andrea teaches EL students daily while traveling nationally to train educators on confidently supporting EL learners, connecting with families, and creating inclusive school communities. Find her online: Connect with Andrea at www.andreabitnerbooks.com or on LinkedIn, IG and Twitter @andreabitnerbooks

Jen Otte is an innovative educational leader with over 20 years of experience as both a teacher and an administrator. After teaching high school social studies for 17 years, Jen stepped into her current role as a high school associate principal. In both positions, and as a stepmom of two teenagers for over a decade, Jen began to realize there was a lot that she - and her fellow educators - needed to learn and understand about the teenage brain. She is the founder of The Teenage Brain Thing, a resource and professional development framework and action plan to help educators tap into the potential of the teenage brain. Jen believes that if teachers understand and embrace the unique needs of the teenagers sitting before them, then they will increase their job satisfaction, fall in love with teaching again, and see more academic success from their students. Find Jen online: www.theteenagebrainthing.com @the_teenage_brain_thing on IG

Decoteau J. Irby, PhD's life work focuses on creating and sustaining organizations that contribute to Black people’s self-determined well-being, development, and positive life outcomes. He is Professor at University of Illinois at Chicago in the Department of Educational Policy Studies. He is the author of Stuck Improving: Racial Equity and School Leadership. Dr. Ann M. Ishimaru is an award-winning scholar, writer, educator and the Killinger Endowed Chair and Professor of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Policy at the University of Washington College of Education. Through her work, she cultivates the leadership and solidarities of educators, organizational leaders and racially minoritized youth, families and communities to realize more transformative futures. In addition to many peer-reviewed articles in top-tier educational research journals, she is also the author of Just Schools: Building Equitable Collaborations with Families and Communities. They are the editors of the new volume Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change. Find them online: Visit Dr. Decoteau Irby's website, www.DecoteauIrby.com IG, LinkedIn, Fb @decoteauirby IG @decoteaublack Visit Dr. Ann Ishimaru's website, www.AnnIshimaru.com LinkedIn, IG, Bluesky @prof_ishimaru for IG/bluesky

Josh Tovar is the Principal at Memorial Pathway Academy (6-12) in Garland Independent School District NE of Dallas since 2016 & the Host of the #PGPPODCAST Sundays 5 pm CST. Find Josh online: Twitter/X: @MPA_GOJAGUARS @JTSOTLIGHTS IG: @jtspotlightd FB: @Mpa Jaguars LinkedIn YOUTUBE @ JOSH TOVAR

Brenna Muldoon is in her 23rd year in education. She is currently the K-12 Director for World Languages and ENL in the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District in upstate New York and serves as the co-director of the NYCAL Exam Consortium and Chair of the Capital Area Language Leaders. She started her career as a German teacher in the North Colonie School District. She is the recipient of the 2025 NYSAFLT Remunda Cadoux Award for Leadership in World Language Supervision. She has co-presented with her colleague Christine Connor on the Seal of Biliteracy at the Day of European Languages at the Goethe Institute New York. She and Christine also presented at the 2024 and 2025 ACTFL National Conferences and the 2024 NYSAFLT Regional Conference in New York. Christine Connor spent her childhood and most of her young adult life in Germany. That is also where she completed her college education and teacher training. She received her Master’s degree in German, English and American Literature and Linguistics and Education from the Saarland University. After her student teaching she relocated to Upstate New York in 2008. For 18 years, she has been teaching German at the Middle, High School Level in the NYS public school system. As a Goethe Institute GEM, she has had the opportunity for the past 5 years to support fellow German teachers with their professional growth and expertise. In her capacity as a GEM, she offers workshops online or at conferences. She presented at the 2023, 2024 and 2025 ACTFL conferences along with other GEMs Brenna Muldoon. Brenna and Christine also co-presented on the Seal of Biliteracy at the Day of European Languages at the Goethe Institute New York and at the 2024 NYSAFLT Regional Conference in New York. Find them online: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/spr/unt/ffd/opd/gem/oge.html Instragram: @connorfrau  https://www.instagram.com/connorfrau/

Barbara Oakley, PhD is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan; Michigan’s Distinguished Professor of the Year; and Coursera’s inaugural “Innovation Instructor.” Her work focuses on the complex relationship between neuroscience and social behavior. Dr. Oakley’s research has been described as “revolutionary” in the Wall Street Journal. She is a New York Times best-selling author who has published in outlets as varied as the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. Her book A Mind for Numbers, on effective learning in STEM disciplines, has sold over a million copies worldwide; Uncommon Sense Teaching is a critically praised guide to teaching based on insights from neuroscience. Dr. Oakley has won numerous teaching awards, including the American Society of Engineering Education’s Chester F. Carlson Award for technical innovation in engineering education and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers William E. Sayle II Award for Achievement in Education. Together with Terrence Sejnowski, the Francis Crick Professor at the Salk Institute, she co-teaches Coursera’s “Learning How to Learn,” one of the world’s most popular massive open online courses with some four million registered students, along with a number of other leading MOOCs. Dr. Oakley has adventured widely through her lifetime. She rose from the ranks of Private to Captain in the U.S. Army, during which time she was recognized as a Distinguished Military Scholar. She also worked as a communications expert at the South Pole Station in Antarctica, and has served as a Russian translator on board Soviet trawlers on the Bering Sea. Dr. Oakley is an elected Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Find her online: www.barbaraoakley.com

Michelle has taught elementary/middle school students for 27 years, four of those years, she was an administrator. She holds certifications in Michigan, Nevada, and Georgia. She's taught in private, public, charter, and magnet school arenas across the country. Although she has retired, her life’s mission is dedicated to Generation Alpha. She wrote "52 Insights for Gen Alpha: A Conscious Curriculum to place in schools" which talks about the tools of Social and Emotional Intelligence needed to navigate THEIR world. This is a program created by a teacher for leaders to empower middle and high school students to become conscious thinkers and creators. Follow Queen D Michelle online: https://www.fulaamerican.org/ - houses her history & genealogy society info, click on 52 insights tab, tab w/ her books/writing, “my soul’s journey home”- it's a 16-chapter blog about her trips to Egypt & Guinea, Africa. https://www.facebook.com/qdmichele/ @fulaamerican on all socials https://x.com/1Light1Luv https://www.youtube.com/@MovingInwardOnward https://www.instagram.com/considerations2020/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cots/

During the live stream of the 400th episode, yours truly was having some connectivity issues so my guests took over and had a great conversation! They were: Dr. Robert A. Martinez, most recently Superintendent/Chief of Human Resources - has retired from the Antioch Unified School District after 38 years in public education. Dr. Martinez has continually focused on improving and expanding educational opportunities for students. He strives to advance understanding of resiliency research for all his employees, students, and their families. He frequently says, “Let the lives we help others live be the measure of our success”. Dr. Tim Cusack is the Dean of Education at Concordia University of Edmonton and the Commanding Officer of HMCS Nonsuch in the Canadian Naval Reserve. With extensive experience in educational leadership, teacher development, and mentorship, Tim has dedicated his career to supporting educators and leaders at every stage of their professional journey. Josh Tovar is the Memorial Pathway Academy Principal in Garland Independent School District NE of Dallas since 2016 & Host of the #PGPPODCAST Sundays 5 pm. Find them online: Rob: @ResiliencyGuy on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn Tim: @CusackTim or find me on Linked IN Josh: X @MPA_GOJAGUARS or X @JTSPOTLIGHTS YouTube @ Josh Tovar IG @jtspotlights

Lulu Buck is a children’s Book author who is currently serving as a coordinator for a local school district in Northern CO. Previously, Lulu held the position of English Language Development and World Language Senior Consultant at the Colorado Department of Education, where she also contributed her expertise to the Standards and Instructional Support Office. Notably, she served as a state trainer for cultural responsiveness, impacting thirty-eight Colorado school districts. Lulu's teaching journey spans a decade, during which she passionately taught English and Spanish in public secondary schools. "Sue's Sky," Lulu's debut book, recently translated into Spanish as "El Cielo de Susana," delves into the important themes of acceptance and friendship. Find Lulu online: Twitter/X: @c_lu_lu FB: @Bucks Books Consulting Insta: @lulubuckster Website: https://lulubuck.org/

Dr. James Lane is a dynamic leader in education whose journey—from classroom teacher and band director to state superintendent and senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Education—is as inspiring as it is impactful. Now serving as Managing Director of K–16 at ETS, Dr. Lane is at the forefront of transforming how we connect high school, college, and career readiness. His insights span leadership, policy, equity, and innovation—making him an ideal guest for podcasts focused on education, leadership, public service, or personal growth. A former principal, band director, and lifelong trumpet player, Dr. Lane is also a Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame inductee with The Castaways. Find James online: https://www.instagram.com/drjameslane/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesflane  His book is called Leading with Laser Focus- avail on Amazon now. www.laserfocus.education

Dave Nagel and Bruce Potter are co-founders of 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. Find them online: www.centerforcollaborativeexpertise.com & on LinkedIn

Dr. Michelle Chanda Singh is a National Board Certified Teacher, CEO of LCT-E Learning Solutions®, and founder of Restful Teacher® and Empty2Empowered™. A globally recognized education leader, Michelle champions equity, innovation, and well-being in education. Her EQUAL Methodology™ equips educators and leaders with research-based strategies and emerging technologies to create inclusive and engaging learning environments. Find Michelle online: www.connectwithmichelle.com it will email you all the resources. www.Restfulteacher.com

Russell Van Brocklen- aka the Dyslexia Professor, shifts daily reading frustrations into confident academic wins for students facing dyslexia.Dyslexia touches as many as 15–20 % of all learners, yet most families still hear “wait and see.” He flips that script. As the Dyslexia Professor, he translates structured-literacy methods proven most effective for struggling readers into bite-size actions parents can use right away. Find Russell online: website: www.dyslexiaclasses.com https://www.facebook.com/dyslexiaclasses/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_cqwfxn9FqFx1Idl0YbeHg https://www.instagram.com/dyslexiaclassesus/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-van-brocklen-2007ab87

Dr. Anthony Muhammad is a highly sought-after educational speaker and presenter. With nearly 20 years of experience as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, he has transformed school cultures and student proficiency globally. He was named the Michigan Middle School Principal of the Year in 2005. Dr. Muhammad has also been honored by the Global Gurus organization as one of the 30 Most Influential Educators in the world in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. His most recent books include The Way Forward: PLC at Work and the Bright Future of Education (2024), Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work, 4th Edition (2024). Find him online: www.newfrontier21.com there you will find links to upcoming events, books, videos, etc. He is on FB & LinkedIn.

Jackie Pelegrin is an Instructional Designer and Adjunct Instructor. Jackie leverages decades of experience as an instructional designer within both higher education and the corporate world. She holds an MBA and a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology, both acquired through online learning. In addition to her full-time role as a curriculum writer, Jackie serves as an adjunct instructor, teaching online courses at Grand Canyon University. Find Jackie online: https://designingwithlove.buzzsprout.com/ Website: https://sites.google.com/view/instructorpelegrin/home

Dr. Janet Patti wrote Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders a former school leader, is CEO of Star Factor Coaching, a founding member of CASEL, and professor emeritus at Hunter College School of Education at City University of New York, where her teaching and research concentrated on educational leadership. Dr. Robin Stern is the cofounder and senior advisor to the director at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, a licensed psychoanalyst with 30 years of experience, and the author of The Gaslight Effect. They are cocreators of the STAR Factor Coaching model, which helps educational leaders enhance their emotional intelligence skills. Find them online: www.starfactorcoaching.com they have online courses Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (YCEI). https://medicine.yale.edu/childstudy/services/community-and-schools-programs/center-for-emotional-intelligence/

Shira Wolff Cohen brings 25 years of experience in youth workforce development and education. Over a decade of her career was spent in school leadership at a Philadelphia charter school. As a Teacher, Program Director, Dean, Vice Principal, and Principal, she championed student engagement, innovative instruction, and strong community partnerships to create impactful learning experiences. Shira is the co-founder of Innovageous, where she focuses on building partnerships, designing programs, and improving instruction in both school-based and out-of-school settings. She wrote Leading Future-Focused Schools- came out July 2025. Find her online: www.innovageous.com to set up a meeting Linked in, IG, FB both her & @innovageous

Josh See is a former teacher, academic advisor, and principal of 13 years. With the average cost of college more than six figures, he has set out to show families how to save tens of thousands of dollars in future college costs by starting college early, in high school. He has helped over 3,000 families create their own college-in-high-school strategy using resources readily available to them, such as earning college credit and graduating with a college degree before graduating from high school. He works 1:1 with families and also has a step-by-step course: The College Fast-Track Start Kit that walks a family through the exact process to start their college journey in high school. Find Josh online: https://stan.store/joshsee  (this is more of a site to buy his products or book a consultation). He has a free Klepp guide. On Thursdays 12 EST, he has a power hour reimaging HS. It’s on Tik Tok. Refer to his LinkedIn also for links.  https://www.facebook.com/collegeinhighschool1/ https://www.instagram.com/collegeinhighschool/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-see/ Tik Tok: @collegeinhighschool1

Glenn Forbes is a school principal and school improvement coach in Queensland, Australia. Forbes has been an educator since 2000 moving from classroom teaching to principalship over the span of his career. His principal experience ranges from small, one-teacher rural schools through to leading large, diverse and complex metropolitan schools. Glenn’s strong belief in cultivating collective teacher efficacy and establishing a culture of high expectations has resulted in marked improvement in various schools. Glenn is a member of the Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP). He chairs the curriculum subcommittee and serves as president of the Ipswich Branch. He has been the recipient of the QASSP Travelling Scholars grant which he used to further his knowledge of collective teacher efficacy construct. His schools have been recognized at the Showcase Awards for Excellence in schools for Excellence in Parent and Community Engagement and Excellence in Early & Primary Years Education. Glenn has presented at the World Education Summit with Jenni Donohoo and has been a keynote speaker at several conferences. Several of Glenn’s articles have been published in The Queensland Principal journal. Glenn has been a member of the Menzies School Leadership Incubator Advisory Board which has been tasked with building a pipeline of school leaders equipped to lead and grow collective efficacy. Jenni Donohoo, PhD, is a professional learning facilitator, author, and researcher. Jenni has been an educator for more than twenty-five years, with experience in elementary, secondary, and postsecondary settings. She has multiyear partnerships with numerous organizations and government agencies where she works alongside system and school leaders supporting high-quality professional learning designed to improve outcomes for all students. Her areas of focus include collective teacher efficacy, collaborative inquiry, and metacognition. Jenni is a five-time best-selling author and her books have been translated into several languages. As the director of the Jenni Donohoo Center for Collective Efficacy, she has been recognized internationally as an educational thought leader. Jenni has been a keynote speaker at conferences including WorldEduLead, Raising Student Achievement, Annual Visible Learning, Corwin’s Women in Education, and the LEAP Conference in Australia. Find them online Glenn: https://glennforbes.com.au/ Jenni: https://www.jennidonohoo.com

Return guest Dr. Chad M.V. Dumas is a Solution Tree PLC at Work®, RTI at Work®, Assessment, and Priority Schools associate and international consultant, presenter and award-winning researcher whose primary focus is collaborating to develop capacity for continuous improvement. Having been a successful teacher, principal, central office administrator, professional developer and consultant in a variety of school districts, he brings his passion, expertise, and skills to his writing and speaking as he engages participants in meaningful and practical learning. In his Amazon best-selling books, Let’s Put the C in PLC, An Action Guide to Put the C in PLC, and The Teacher Team Leader Handbook, Chad offers readers and audiences educational research, engaging stories, hands-on tools, and useful knowledge and skills they can implement immediately. The results of Chad’s work speak for themselves. One district was identified as “Persistently Lowest Achieving” upon his arrival, and within a few years multiple schools were recognized as National PLC Models for improving student learning. Chad has served on and led accreditation visits for Cognia around the United States and world, presented nationally and internationally, and collaborated with school boards, intermediate service agencies, state departments of education, and professional associations. Find Chad on his website: https://www.nextlearningsolutions.com/ X, FB, LinkedIn @chaddumas His books have free reproducibles

Jeff Linden brings energy, real-world experience, and actionable strategies that can inspire educational leaders at all levels. Whether discussing school improvement, leadership development, or the challenges facing modern educators, his insights are engaging and impactful. From experiences working in a variety of school settings such as small rural schools, urban districts, and suburban schools, he's found one universal truth: everyone in education is working toward the same goal to help students learn and grow. And while the challenges may differ depending on the setting, the single most important thing you can do as an educational leader, no matter where you are, is to build a culture of collaboration. Find Jeff online: Facebook: @PrincipalJL X: @ThePrincipal_JL Instagram: @principal_jl Tik Tok: @principal_jl Threads: @principal_jl BlueSky: @principal_jl

Michelle Seijas, Ed.D. is a Latina leader on a mission to honor the generations before her and to liberate the generations to come. Her passions and values led her to begin her career as a bilingual education teacher. Over her 15 years in K-12 schools, she was an instructional coach, elementary school vice principal, district coordinator, and high school principal. Eventually, she moved into the non-profit world as the Founding Executive Director of the Surge Institute in Oakland. There, she established and led a team focused on developing Black and Latinx education leaders to create transformative change for the youth and communities they served. As a trauma-informed certified coach, experienced consultant, education leader, and former nonprofit executive, she has learned to be her authentic self in various contexts. She partners with leaders to grow their confidence, value their strengths, create a clear vision for their life and career, and learn practices to make leadership sustainable. Michelle has a special gift of facilitating engaging experiences for people to step into their power and identify how they will live and lead with purpose. Find Michelle online: https://www.michelleseijas.com/ IG: @thrivingchingona LinkedIn @michelleseijasedd She has a weekly newsletter w/ coaching tips- sign up on her website

Dr. Clay Cook is the Chief Development Officer at CharacterStrong and is an implementation scientist, psychologist, and former paraprofessional and middle school math teacher. He has spent the past 15 years working in partnership with school systems across the country to support the implementation of effective practices that promote better and more equitable outcomes for students. He has been a professor and researcher at three universities (Louisiana State University, University of Washington and University of Minnesota) studying topics such as implementation of evidence-based practices, educator well-being and resilience, social-emotional learning, and youth mental health. He has obtained over 20 million dollars in grant funding for his research and published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles. For his work, he has been invited to the White House and served on expert panels with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Department of Education. Find Clay online: www.characterstrong.com

Mr. Todd Bloomer, with 29 years in public education and 18 in administration, recently retired from a high school principal leading a campus of over 2,500 students. His extensive experience across middle and high school levels, talent for building positive campus cultures, and exceptional hiring practices set him apart. As an author and coach, he offers valuable insights on educational leadership and effective communication. Mr. Bloomer's commitment to creating a supportive, family-like atmosphere ensures a dynamic and transformative coaching experience. Contact him using the form below for more information on his coaching services. Find Todd online: #theblueprint, Todd Bloomer IG @todd_bloomer_ author Has been creating IG reels. X @bloomer LinkedIn @toddbloomer www.toddmbloomer.com

Dr. Nancy Parkes is an educational consultant and lecturer. Much of her work is focused on helping Jewish educators and directors integrate social, emotional, and spiritual learning in their settings. Several of her articles on the topic have appeared in Jewishphilanthropy and she is currently working on an SESL book and toolkit for Jewish educators. Nancy is a lecturer at the Jewish Theological Seminar and is currently teaching an online certificate program in Social, Emotional, and Spiritual Learning for Jewish educators. She is also a founding member of SESL4Jewished, which is a collaborative for promoting holistic growth for learners and educators in all Jewish settings. Nancy served as the Director of Congregational Learning at Temple Israel Center in White Plains for ten years, and is an outspoken advocate for the partnership between Rabbis and educators in bringing about innovation and change in the congregational (edit out flub) school setting. Nancy earned her doctorate in Education and her M.A. degree in Jewish Studies and Education in the William Davidson School of Education at JTS. Find Nancy online: https://www.nancyparkesconsulting.com

Richard Bernato, Ed.D. enters his fifty-third year in schooling, that spans higher education, research, in doctoral and graduate levels like Stony Brook, St. John’s University, Molloy University, and CUNY Queens College, many K-12 leadership roles, and consulting with and presenting to many school districts. His interests include catalyzing interactive and research-based effective curricula that are a result of futuring systems, planning, decision making, and high engagement of all stakeholders to ensure systemically healthy schooling and organizational practices. His latest book, Co-Creating the Future, a Simulation to Catalyze School Change (2024) Solution Tree, is a unique offering to those interested in innovative professional development principles and planning. His books, Futures-Based Change Leadership (2017), Planning as Futuring, Futuring as Planning, (2020) also capture those ideas. He is also co-author of The Collective Mindset (2022), blogs, podcasting and articles that are devoted to that vision. An expert on the uses of and how to design simulations for learning and organizational improvement Dr. Bernato, supports all efforts to reform schools for futures they have yet to consider and supports these through his efforts as Editor in Chief of the SCOPE Journal for Leadership and Instruction. Find Rich online: https://www.facebook.com/richard.bernato.3 @richDis48 X,  Bluesky/LinkedIn rbernato_simulation_educator (Instagram) [email protected]    [email protected] www.linkedin.com/in/richard-bernato-1658854  https://www.solutiontree.com/richard-bernato.html

Matthew Rhoads, EdD, is an expert and innovator in educational technology and instructional strategy integration within online, blended, and traditional in-person classroom settings. With a special education background, Dr. Rhoads co-taught for many years at the high school level in the areas of English, mathematics, and social sciences. He continues to co-teach regularly while coaching teachers and presenting professional development. As a practicing technology and instructional leader, trainer, integrationist, and coach in adult education, K–12, and higher education, he develops instructional integrations of edtech tools with research-based strategies to drive instruction. He is a coach and professional learning specialist for new and experienced teachers within the consortium and at a local university. Dr. Rhoads is also a doctoral dissertation chair who coaches doctoral students to conduct their research, write, and defend their dissertations. Dr. Rhoads eight books focus on integrating instructional strategies with edtech and AI tools to amplify student learning within in-person, online, and blended learning classrooms. His latest books include Crush It From the Start: 50 Tips for New Teachers, Instruction Without Boundaries: Enhance Your Teaching Strategies With Technology Tools in Any Setting, Amplify Learning: A Global Collaborative series, and Navigating the Toggled Term: A Guide for K–12 Classroom and School Leaders. His blog on his website has 75+ posts on all things related to education, instruction, Special Education, and more. He also has his podcast, Navigating Education, which discusses all topics related to education and instruction. Belinda Dunnick Karge (j) PhD, is a professor in the doctoral studies program at Concordia University Irvine and a professor emeritus at California State University, Fullerton. She taught both general education and special education and served in administrative roles in elementary and high school prior to teaching in higher education. Her interest in co-teaching began when she was originally in the classroom; she has co taught at several levels. Belinda’s professional record demonstrates a consistent pattern of research publications; she has produced five textbooks, five curriculum texts, four book chapters, several educational tools, and more than 150 articles. Her latest book is Watch, Listen, Ask, Learn: How School Leaders Can Create an Inclusive Environment for Students With Disabilities. She has made numerous presentations to international, state, and local groups of school district employees and has keynoted several conferences. She serves as a consultant for the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Overseas Schools and travels extensively around the world. Research-based instructional strategies, schoolwide change, co-teaching, and inclusive practices are a few areas she consults on. Belinda received the Council for Exceptional Children’s Susan Phillips Gorin Award. She was also honored with the Council for Learning Disabilities’ Floyd G. Hudson Outstanding Service Award and the Association for Childhood Education International service award. Belinda’s PhD is in quantitative methods, special education, and educational psychology and her master’s degree is in special education and reading. She received both from the University of California, Riverside. Find them online:  X, LinkedIn, IG, Bluesky, FB Contact Solution Tree for consulting opportunities www.matthewrhoads.com, www.coteachingevolved.com  Social Media X - @mattrhoads1990  Instagram/Threads - @DrRhoadsEdu https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-rhoads-ed-d-95772120/ Bluesky - matthewrhoads.com Belinda: Linkedin @BelindaKarge

Walter Cullin Jr. is a dedicated educator, higher education administrator, consultant, and podcast host with a diverse background spanning healthcare administration, teaching, coaching, and leadership roles such as dean and associate principal. He holds a B.S. in Healthcare Administration, an M.A. in Urban Education, and an M.S. in Educational Leadership. Walter champions intrinsic motivation, accountability, and student empowerment through his motto: "Intrinsically motivated with no excuses." Passionate about building authentic educator-student relationships, Walter fosters inclusive learning environments and equips educators with strategies to connect meaningfully with students, particularly in urban education. His book, Intrinsically Motivated With No Excuses, inspires minority youth to develop self-confidence, self-awareness, and resilience. Find Walter online: FB @instrinsticallymotivated @IG YouTube @whatsyourmotive

Dr. Cecelia Gillam is a native of New Orleans who has earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University of Hammond. Dr. Gillam has been a Science teacher for nineteen years. She has helped write science district curriculum and assessments for Environmental Science. She is an advocate for the National Equity Project by being selected as a board member for the Black Teacher Project. She is an ambassador for Pear Deck and Edpuzzle.Dr. Gillam has earned the distinction of being an ISTE Certified Educator. She is a member of the inaugural group of Trendsetters for Vernier. She also serves as a coach for Screencastify. Her involvement in the EdTech world does not stop with her role as an ambassador and coach; she is also a Distinguished Modern Classroom Educator and Expert Mentor for Modern Classroom. Cecelia is a Teacher Leader Advisor in EdTech content for the Louisiana Department of Education. She serves as an ambassador for EcoRise. She has attended and presented at multiple national conferences including ISTE and NSTA to train teachers on how to incorporate EdTech tools in their classrooms. Cecelia created a step team to engage at-risk youth in a positive community service-based organization. She has published a motivational children’s book that can be found on Amazon. The book is Black Girl, Black Girl you are AMAZING!. She is a National Grand Prize Winner for the Shell Lab Grant and a recent recipient of the Shell Urban Educator Development award. Dr. Gillam comes with a wealth of knowledge that can benefit all science teachers across the nation. She has served as an Affinity Group Leader for the State of Louisiana with the goal of helping to retain and preserve new science teachers. Her knowledge and skill sets will be very beneficial for the science community. Find Cecelia online on X,IG: @Cecelia21082  FB: @Ceceliagillam TikTok: @Cece210

As president of Kelly® Education, Nicola Soares believes that education is the bedrock of a thriving society and that the talented people who work in our schools, colleges, and universities are crucial to powering the future of learning and unlocking student potential. Nicola has successfully led the expansion of Kelly Education from providing substitute teachers in K-12 schools across the U.S., to providing specialized talent solutions­––including adjuncts, paraprofessionals, tutors, therapists, and nurses­­––in academic settings from early childhood through higher education, making Kelly Education the nation’s largest and most trusted education talent solutions provider.She recently led the acquisition of the premier executive search agency, Greenwood/Asher & Associates. The firm’s reputation for inclusion and diversity in academic leadership placements in higher education is unrivaled. A champion of women in the workforce, Nicola serves as the executive sponsor for the Kelly Leadership in Action program—which began with a focus on women, and is now dedicated to developing successful leaders of all genders in the global marketplace. She’s also the executive sponsor of the Kelly LatinX Affinity Group, an employee-led community focused on building a more inclusive workplace. Find Nicola online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasoares/ https://twitter.com/NSoares_KellyEd

Repeat guest Dr. Brandi Kelly brings over 20 years of heart, hustle, and hands-on experience to the world of education. A licensed clinical social worker and Maxwell Certified Coach, she’s worn many hats — from school social worker to principal to superintendent. Along the way, she’s been honored with the NAESP Distinguished Elementary School Principal Award (2014) and Middle School Principal of the Year (2021). Dr. Kelly is proud to be part of inspiring networks like the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), Teach Better Network, Illinois Principals Association (IPA), and the Educational League of Illinois (ELI). She loves sparking change through speaking, writing, and hosting the Lead with HOPE podcast — where she shares real conversations about leadership, resilience, and growth. When she's not leading with hope, you’ll find Brandi spending time with her family, getting lost in a good book, or exploring new places. Follow her journey at www.sparkhopeedu.com and on your favorite social media platforms @brandinashkelly or @leadwithhope

Dr. Teresa Hill is a speaker, author, and leader whose work focuses on underserved communities and making the system work for every child. She is devoted to eliminating achievement gaps and ending what she terms “failure as a default”. Her motto is “All children can learn . . . Period.” Dr. Hill began her career teaching thirty-one kindergarten students in Peoria, IL, has served as a principal and assistant superintendent, and has served as Superintendent in South Holland, IL since 2012. Find Dr. Hill online: @tdhilledd LinkedIn X, IG website: www.TDhilledd.com

Peter Marshall has more than thirty-five years of experience as an educator. He has served as a teacher, school administrator, and system leader in Ontario, working in leadership and staff development as well as opening a new school. He currently serves as a Solution Tree Assessment Center Associate. Wrote Today’s Teachers, Tomorrow’s Leaders: A Guide to Identifying and Developing Future Administrators. Find Peter online: www.petermarschallconsulting.com @petermarshall on Solution Tree

Eugene Williams, Jr. received a B.A. in English from Emory University in 1991, and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from The University of Mary Washington in 2007. He is a writer, speaker, educator, and former child actor who has appeared on stage, screen, and television with such celebrities as Ray Charles, Pearl Bailey, and Stephanie Mills. In 1978, he became the first black child in a major, recurring role on the highly acclaimed CBS soap opera, "Search For Tomorrow". Eugene has authored six books including IT'S A READING THING... HELP YOUR CHILD UNDERSTAND, THE RAISIN-IN MILK SYNDROME, REFLECTIONS OF A CONFUSED MIDDLE CLASS BLACK YOUTH, and GROUNDED IN THE WORD. a SAT verbal prep guide based on the vocabulary found in the King James Version of the Bible. Eugene's books and opinions have been featured in JET, BLACK EXCELLENCE, The Washington Post and various national publications. He has also been a guest and contributor on NBC, CBS, CNN, and BET. Eugene spent 27 years as a public school educator. He has served as a teacher in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. He has been an assistant principal at both the middle and high school levels and, most recently, spent five years as a high school principal. Eugene lives in Virginia with his wife Jewel, a former elementary school principal. Their daughter, Paige is a professional artist and entrepreneur with a Master's Degree in Journalism from Georgetown University. Find Eugene online: https://www.instagram.com/eugwilljr?igsh=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg== https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugene-williams-jr-m-ed-34bb2375 https://www.tiktok.com/@ewill521?t=8kRVvKTzUEg&_r=1 https://www.eugenewilliamsjr.com/ 

Christine is an experienced educator with a wide range of experience in both private and public school settings with a focus in special education. She is passionate about equipping educators with knowledge & confidence to create engaging & welcoming classrooms. She brings her conscientious & ambitious mindset to the Making The Grade team. Find Christine online: Website: www.makingthegradeproject.com Instagram/TikTok: @makingthegradeproject and IG: @executivefunctionfix LinkedIn @christinezuppa Executive Function Info: www.Makingthegradeproject.com/executive-function-for-educators-start with the quiz to learn your learning style.

Dr. Valcine Brown is a veteran teacher of high school English Language Arts serving in public education. Dr Brown holds a BA in English Literature, an MFA in Humanities: Creative Writing, an MFA in English Literature, and a PhD in Education: Curriculum and Instruction. Understanding the connection between literacy and economic prosperity, her passion is increasing literacy in adolescents, an often neglected topic. Dr. Brown was born and raised in So. California where she still resides. Find her online: FB @valcinebrown  website:  https://drvalcinebrown.live-website.com/  

John is a Professor of Education in the College of Education at James Madison University. In 2015, John was awarded the inaugural Sarah Miller Luck Endowed Professorship. In 2021, John was honored with an Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia. Most recently, he was named a Madison Scholar in the College of Education and awarded the Madison Vision Teaching Award. At James Madison University, he continues to work with pre service teachers and graduate students, as well as actively pursues his research interests including the science of learning and the design and measurement of classroom environments that promote the greatest gains in student learning. John works closely with John Hattie’s Visible Learning research, The Visible Learning® research base represents more than 2,103 meta-analyses comprising more than 132,000 studies involving more than 300 million students around the world. The Visible Learning research has identified more than 350 factors that influence student achievement. Find John online: X, FB, website www.johnalmarode.com you can send him an email there. Look him up at JMU website.

Jill Handley & Lara Donnelly are the authors of "What Can I Take Off Your Plate? A Structural—and Sustainable—Approach to Countering Teacher Burnout" Lara Donnelly, EdD, is a veteran teacher and school counselor in Jefferson County Public Schools (Kentucky). She is an education consultant, speaker, and author supporting schools and administrators with burnout, family engagement, and multilingual learners with trauma and mental health concerns. Donnelly has been featured in podcasts, news articles, and televised interviews for her expertise in supporting mental health. In addition, she has presented at numerous national conferences, including ASCD, ESEA, and the Whole School REACH conference. Jill Handley, EdD, is the assistant superintendent of multilingual learners in Jefferson County Public Schools (Kentucky). Prior to this role, she was the award-winning principal of Kenwood Elementary. During her 16-year tenure as principal, she led her school to be recognized for several achievements, including National School of Character, National Distinguished ESEA School, and the first Family Friendly Certified school in the state of Kentucky.  

Casey Watts is the founder of Casey Watts Coaching & Consulting, LLC, and a Team Leadership Expert. She has over 20 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, adjunct professor, academic coordinator, and district instructional specialist. She is passionate about empowering teams to move beyond silos and transform into cohesive, vision- driven powerhouses. Through strategic guidance and practical tools, Casey helps leaders cultivate clarity, collaboration, and a collective purpose that drives meaningful results. Find Casey online: get from her website www.catchingupwithcasey.com @catchupwithcasey on LinkedIn

Dr. John Chanaca is the founder of MJChanacapublishing LLC, a family-owned publishing company dedicated to creating heartwarming, educational stories that emphasize positive family values and parenting. He is the author of several children's books, including The Keymaker, Annie's Flutterflies, Color Your Own Story Books, and the Humor & Heart collection, which earned a Silver Medal in the Global Book Awards 2024. Dr. Chanaca has devoted his career to inspiring and educating both young readers and parents through literature. A Licensed Professional Family Counselor since 1985, Dr. Chanaca has supported countless families and individuals in navigating life’s challenges. This experience led him to author the three-part series A Survival Guide for Parents: Nurturing Super Students in a Modern World, with a follow-up book, Power Parenting: Nurturing Successful Students in the Modern World, soon to be released. find you online: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089699787125 https://twitter.com/mjchanacapubish https://www.youtube.com/@mjchanacapublishing/videos https://www.instagram.com/mjchanacapublishing/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-chanaca-04b7a7175/ www.mjchanacapublishing.com Free e-book In Canva style:  https://www.canva.com/design/DAFo1cW4Qno/uwNG2Rx_PUjzDOexhQx6kw/edit?utm_content=DAFo1cW4Qno&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton Survival Guide Part 1 https://mjchanacapublishingllc.aiinteractivebooks.com/book-view/1794   

Jessica Haxhi has been the Supervisor of World Languages for New Haven Public Schools in Connecticut since 2013, overseeing 85 teachers of Arabic, ASL, Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Pashto, and Spanish. She also teaches one Japanese class at James Hillhouse High School. Jessica was President of ACTFL in 2021 and is a past President of the American Association of Teachers of Japanese. She served on the Northeast Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Board from 2006-2010, the ACTFL-NCSSFL Can-Do Statements Committee, and the original National Standards Committee for Japanese. Previously, Jessica taught Japanese for 20 years in a PreK-5 program and has taught world language methods as an adjunct instructor at local universities in CT. She has received the Milken Family Foundation National Teacher Award (2002), the U.S.-Japan Foundation Elgin Heinz Outstanding Japanese Teacher Award (2008), and the International Women’s Day New Haven Award for Outstanding Public Service (2019). Find Jessica online: @jhaxhi on Bluesky, X, LinkedIn and via her district website: https://sites.google.com/a/nhps.net/nhpswl/home

As Lead Leader and Co-Founder of Jigsaw Learning, Kurtis has championed the call for collaborative structures in schools to ensure success for all students and enhance the collective efficacy of those dedicated educators working in classrooms. Kurtis works to establish responsive relationships with districts and system level leaders to design collaborative frameworks for educators and develop leadership capacity at all levels. He has over 25 years of experience in the classroom, including over a decade as an award-winning school administrator. An engaging speaker and facilitator, Kurtis interacts with thousands of educators and educational stakeholders annually to ensure Collaborative Response is foundational to how schools work together to ensure success for all students. Find Kurtis online: http://jigsawlearning.ca/  https://www.facebook.com/JigsawLearningAB/ https://www.twitter.com/Jigsaw_Learning https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3U_RKp7yxQhckpKaQur7ow https://www.linkedin.com/company/jigsaw-learning-inc/?viewAsMember=true https://www.instagram.com/jigsawlearningab/

Starr Sackstein is a recovering perfectionist who is an assessment reforming enthusiast. Starr just started her role as Massachusetts State Coordinator for Educators Rising and is the COO of Mastery Portfolio, an Edtech Startup committed to helping schools move to Standard-Based communication. Additionally, she works with teacher teams to engage students in the learning process, advocate for personal growth, and effectively use student data to drive instruction. She was a high school English and journalism teacher for 16 years, a lead Humanities learner for 2 years, a publisher and developmental editor, and social media manager. Starr is an author, blogger, and speaker committed to changing the way we do assessment nationally and globally. You can learn more about her work on her website MsSackstein.com. When Starr isn’t advocating for students and educators, she is a mom and partner looking for the next adventure. Find Starr online: @Starrsackstein LinkedIn, Bluesky website: www.mrssackstein.com