Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast

In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Amber Calderon shares about the importance of recovering emotionally over the summer and establishing health work boundaries to protect our emotional wellbeing.  In this episode, we discuss: Creative professional development and communities Accelerating learning Are you emotionally safe at work? And about Classroom Champions! About Amber Calderon: Amber attended Baylor University with a degree in Psychology & Rhetoric and Argumentation. During that time I worked alongside the Dean of Psychology as his research assistant. She decided to get certified to be a teacher and taught elementary for four years! During that time, Amber managed the suicide hotline and was a Sexual Assault Crime Victims Advocate for 6 years.  While teaching, she quickly realized how lonely the profession was in addition to lack of resources. Amber started creating her own lesson plans and when searching Pinterest, discovered that there was a whole community of teachers just lik

In this new BONUS episode, we learn from Michael and Sam’s failure in expecting staff and students to be able to use technology well beyond their current ability. I also share 3 strategies on Building Capacity vs Enabling Staff.  About Michael Vick: I have been an educator for 12 years. I’ve been a Digital Learning Coach, Instructional Technology Facilitator, Online Algebra Teacher, 8th Grade Math Teacher, and Special Education Resource Teacher. For the last 7 years, I’ve been involved with digital learning.  I pride myself on always helping teachers get to the next step in their digital learning journey. Whether that means becoming proficient in a specific digital tool, an idea for making a lesson more meaningful for students, or ways to integrate more technology into the day to day classroom activities - I’m always willing to help however I can.  When I’m not immersed in the digital learning world, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, listening to podcasts, and playing a variety of sports. 

In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Ryan Steuer shares how, as a teacher, he struggled to connect real world concepts to his curriculum and how Project Based Learning (PBL) transformed his classroom and engaged his students immediately.   In this episode, we discuss: What not to do when implementing PBL The benefits of using this structure campus wide Strategies to kick off PBL on a campus And Ryan's book and podcast, PBL Simplified!  About Ryan Steuer: Ryan Steuer sees Project Based Learning as a way to change the world and is the founder of Magnify Learning, a PBL professional development organization that equips teachers, instructional coaches, and principals across the country to engage learners, tackle boredom, and transform classrooms. Prior to founding Magnify Learning, Ryan was an engineer for a Fortune 50 company, 8th grade English teacher, and missionary. He shares his education and leadership insights on YouTube and on the PBL Simplified podcast. Follow Ryan Steuer: Website: https:

In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Lindsay Titus shares her experience as an Assistant Principal and how she realized it wasn’t the position that served her the best. Join us as Lindsay shares her important reflection process to sort through her tough decisions.  In this episode, we discuss: Teach Better Conference Transition back behavior specialist Strategies for the end of the year stress  And the Eduprenuer Mastermind! About Lindsay Titus: Lindsay Titus is a passionate and energetic educator! She uses her expertise as a board certified behavior analyst and a former classroom teacher, to ignite the passion of any educator. She is eager to transform the mindset educators hold about behavior, and use this dynamic shift to increase connections with all students! Lindsay is a speaker, coach, podcaster, author, and founder of DEFINE YOUniversity where she offers weekly podcast episodes, courses, coaching, and events for educators to help guide them through the journey of finding relief from the o

In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Dr. Robert Martinez discusses how to make connections and be present in the lives of the people you serve, especially during the tough times.  In this episode, we discuss: Finding ways to remember and celebrate our successes Preparing children for the adversities that will come their way And his new book, Recipes for Resilience About Dr. Robert Martinez: Dr. Robert A. Martinez is currently the Chief of Human Resources for the Antioch Unified School District. He previously served as Superintendent/CEO of Griffin Technology Academies, and the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. He was the Assistant Superintendent in the Fairfield-Suisun Communities where he worked for 32 years. 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 seeks to support all District personnel with advancing their personal an

In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Dr. Tyler Cook discusses how there is a leader inside each one of us. Whether at work or inside the front doors of your home, you have influence and set an example through the life you live. That is why the call for true authentic leaders is greater than ever.  Join us as we discuss: Understanding your core values Increasing self-awareness Building relational support systems Welcoming feedback into your life Fostering growth within those you lead Prioritizing your life And his new book, Building Authenticity About Dr. Tyler Cook: Dr. Tyler Cook is the Principal of Klein Elementary School in the Harbor Creek School District in Erie, PA. He is also a speaker, coach, and the co-author of “Building Authenticity: A Blueprint for the Leader Inside You,” written with Todd Nesloney.   Tyler is passionate about developing high-impact leaders who will grow their schools and students into their fullest potential. From fostering healthy cultures to empower others t

In this new BONUS episode, we learn from Lindsay Titus’ failure in building relationships with her new staff. Join us as we work through the resolution, the lesson learned through this new environment, and my five strategies to enhance building relationships: Foster a positive and inclusive culture Show appreciation and recognition Support professional growth and development Building relationships through collaboration Practicing transparent and effective communication About Lindsay Titus: Lindsay Titus is a passionate and energetic educator! She uses her expertise as a board certified behavior analyst and a former classroom teacher, to ignite the passion of any educator. She is eager to transform the mindset educators hold about behavior, and use this dynamic shift to increase connections with all students! Lindsay is a speaker, coach, podcaster, author, and founder of DEFINE YOUniversity where she offers weekly podcast episodes, courses, coaching, and events for educators to help guide them thro

In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Dave Schmittou discusses ways to confront your own thinking and how to challenge the status quo. But the aim of our conversation is not to provide a step-by-step, one size fits all solution. Instead, the goal is to create a spark that inspires you to engage in difficult conversations. In this episode, we discuss: Why an “open door policy” doesn’t work Ways to push past the fear of uncomfortable situations And his new book, Poking the Bear About Dave Schmittou: As an educator for more than two decades, Dave has earned a reputation for being a disruptor of the status quo, an innovator, and a change agent. Having served as a classroom teacher, school-based administrator, central office director, and professor of Educational Leadership, he often uses real-life stories and examples of his own life and career to describe why and how we need to confront “the way we have always done it.” He is now the Director of Leadership and Development with the Teach Better Team whe

This BONUS episode is sponsored by Toddle. Toddle is an all-in-one teaching and learning platform used by over 40,000 educators around the world! On March 3rd and 4th, Toddle hosted the largest virtual gathering for school leaders across the globe with 5000+ school leaders in attendance. Today, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to Danny Bauer about his fantastic presentation on building leadership momentum and how to become a Ruckus Maker! Get your FREE pass to the Toddle recordings today! – https://bit.ly/3WgLHYe About Danny Bauer: Daniel Bauer is an unorthodox Ruckus Maker who has mentored thousands of school leaders through his Better Leaders Better Schools blog, books, podcasts, and powerful coaching experiences.  Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader is a book that reimagines what professional development for school administrators looks like in order to meet the needs of all school leaders who currently feel isolated and overwhelmed.  Follow Danny Bauer: Website: https://bet

In this week’s Aspire to lead episode, Stacey Cohen shares the modern playbook that equips teens with strategies and tools to succeed in high school, college, and their first job. This episode is packed with sage advice, practical tips and in-depth skill-building guidance for networking, interviewing, entrepreneurship, and social media. In this episode, we discuss: Building your students a positive digital footprint Teaching students how to interview and professional norms And her new book, Brand Up: The Ultimate Playbook for College & Career Success in the Digital World! About Stacey Cohen: In the world of branding, few experts possess the savvy and instinct of Stacey Ross Cohen. An award-winning brand professional who earned her stripes on Madison Avenue and at major television networks before launching her own agency, Stacey specializes in "everything" branding. She is the CEO and founder of Co-Communications, a public relations, marketing, and design agency headquartered in New York. Since 19

In this week’s episode, Dr. Amy Mathews-Perez shares how, as a Principal, she felt successful but unfulfilled. Join us as we talk about being authentic in our desires and mission, while not conforming to other people's assumptions and expectations.   In this episode, we discuss: Supporting special education as a leader Teaching those we serve how to collaborate And her upcoming projects!  About Dr. Amy Mathews-Perez: Texas-born & raised, I am currently in my 30th year of public education where I have served as a General Ed. Teacher, an SLP, a Diagnostician, a SPED Supervisor, Assistant Principal, Principal and a Director of Special Programs. My passions are communication, laughter and using those things to inspire & empower others. As a learner, I consider myself an "Experience Expert." Life is short but our influence is never ending, so I seek joy and create smiles through connecting, sharing, and highlighting the best in others. Follow Dr. Amy Mathews-Perez: Twitter: https://twitter.com

This BONUS episode is sponsored by Toddle. Toddle is an all-in-one teaching and learning platform used by over 40,000 educators around the world! On March 3rd and 4th, Toddle hosted the largest virtual gathering for school leaders across the globe with 5000+ school leaders in attendance. Today, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to Adriano Di Prato about his fantastic presentation on thriving high performing schools and how to become a Game Changer! Get your FREE pass to the Toddle recordings today! – https://bit.ly/3WgLHYe   Adriano Di Prato Adriano is the Academic Operations Manager at LCI Melbourne, a leading art and design private higher education institute part of a global network of 23 campuses founded as LaSalle College International in Montreal Canada over 60 years ago. He is co-host of one of Australia's leading educational podcasts Game Changers, and co-author of the Hawker Brownlow Education bestseller, Game Changers: Leading Today’s Learning for Tomorrow’s World. Adriano is a former

In this week’s episode, Joshua Buckley shares the surprises, misconceptions, and lessons learned as a new administrator of two elementary schools.  In this episode, we discuss: The differences of teaching vs administration How to create the “Scene” on your campus And his podcast, Punk Rock Classrooms.  About Joshua Buckley: Joshua Buckley is an Elementary Assistant Principal in Mesa, Arizona and co-host of the Punk Rock Classrooms podcast. He has been in public education for 17 years as a classroom teacher, local union president, Title I Specialist, and Assistant Principal. Punk Rock Classrooms is currently in its Fourth Season of sharing the power of a punk rock mindset in education. As a teacher and now an administrator Josh has always brought the punk ethos of passion, unity, and DIY to his classrooms and school. Follow Joshua Buckley: Website: www.punkrockclassrooms.com  Twitter: www.twitter.com/joshrbuckley   Instagram: www.instagram.com/joshrbuckley     Follow Punk Rock Classrooms T

In this new BONUS episode, we learn from Dave’s story of failure as he tried to be the only one to save the campus with ALL the answers. He quickly found out that this was a direct route to failure.  About Dave Schmittou: As an educator for more than two decades, Dave has earned a reputation for being a disruptor of the status quo, an innovator, and a change agent. Having served as a classroom teacher, school-based administrator, central office director, and professor of Educational Leadership, he often uses real-life stories and examples of his own life and career to describe why and how we need to confront “the way we have always done it.” He is now the Director of Leadership and Development with the Teach Better Team where he speaks, consults, and partners with districts around the country.  He has written multiple books, including “It’s Like Riding a Bike: How to make learning last a lifetime”,  “Bold Humility”,  “Making Assessment Work for Educators Who Hate Data but Love Kids”, and “Poking the Bear”.

In this week’s episode, Martin Silverman shares the importance, as a leader, on focusing on the teachers so they can focus on the students.  In this episode, we discuss: Improving Teacher Retention The Longevity of a Principal And his upcoming book.  About Martin Silverman: Martin Silverman is a father, grandfather, husband, and long-time educator in beautiful San Antonio, Texas.  He is committed to providing the best educational experience for the students and families at Salinas Elementary school where he is the principal.  Martin has worked as a teacher and administrator in urban, suburban, and rural districts.  His interests are creating and nurturing school culture, providing enriching experiences for students and families, and developing future teachers and administrators.  As a former bilingual teacher and administrator,  Martin is committed to providing ELL students with quality programs to develop their unique skills.  He hosts a podcast called The Second Question, which highlights educators

The Aspire Mailbag In this 28th Aspire Mailbag episode, Jeff Gargas and I answer questions on different leadership topics provided by the listeners. Please join us for this episode as we answer questions on the interview process and the latest news with the Teach Better Team! Featuring Jeff Gargas and Joshua Stamper Follow Jeff Gargas: Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeffgargas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jeffgargas/ Follow 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 Teach Better Conference: www.teachbetterconference.com Use Coupon Code "ASPIRE" for $50 dollars off your registration Follow The Teach Better Team: Twitter: https://twitter.com/teachbetterteam Website: https://www.te

This BONUS episode is sponsored by Toddle. Toddle is an all-in-one teaching and learning platform used by over 40,000 educators around the world! On March 3rd and 4th, Toddle hosted the largest virtual gathering for school leaders across the globe with 5000+ school leaders in attendance. Today we are going to speak to a fantastic leader who was in attendance to provide their takeaways and insights from the many wonderful presentations offered.  I have two guests this episode and both are Principals who participated in Toddles School Leaders Bootcamps! My first guest is Ashleigh Woodard, who is located in Canada, and right after that I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Golfdan, who is located in Egypt.  Follow Ashleigh Goodward Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsWoodward337 OFFICIAL Sponsor of the Aspire to Lead Podcast! This episode is sponsored by Toddle. Toddle is an all-in-one teaching and learning platform used by over 40,000 educators around the world! If you want to learn more, head over to Tod

In this week’s episode, Bobby Pollicino shares how a transformation of self improvement practices allowed him to develop an important set of leadership principles.  In this episode, we discuss: Relationship Principles Fitness: Mental, Physical, Spiritual Decision Making as a leader And his book, Principled Leader About Bobby Pollicino: Bobby Pollicino is the Head of Upper School at Bullis School in Potomac, MD. He has served as a school administrator for over 15 years, also in dean of students and assistant principal roles. He has taught high school courses in science, leadership, and public speaking while also serving as a varsity assistant soccer coach and varsity head coach of the lacrosse program at Bullis School. Bobby’s academic leadership career is grounded in a healthy interest in leadership which has led to conferences with Stanley King Institute, Garnder, Carney Leadership Institute, and a fellowship with Leadership+Design. Bobby has presented for local and national organizations

In this week’s episode, Henry Turner shares his experience as a young leader and how he learned to listen to his students during a tough time in the community. As a building Principal, Henry has built a strong communication systems to enhance the voices of his students, parents, and community members. In this episode, we discuss: Strategies to Empower Students Evaluation for Culturally Responsive Practices And his book, Change the Narrative: How to Foster an Antiracist Culture in Your School About Henry J. Turner: Henry J. Turner is an award-winning high school principal, author, and nationally renowned speaker.  He is most proud of the collaborative community he works within to empower students to fight hate and bigotry in their school. Pointing to his unwavering commitment to equity and a student-centered culture, Henry was named 2020 K12 Principal of the Year by K–12 Dive. Henry is the author of the newly released book, Change the Narrative: How to Foster an Antiracist Culture in Your School, pub

This BONUS episode is sponsored by Toddle. Toddle is an all-in-one teaching and learning platform used by over 40,000 educators around the world! On March 3rd and 4th, Toddle hosted the largest virtual gathering for school leaders across the globe with 5000+ school leaders in attendance. Today we are going to speak to a fantastic leader who was in attendance to provide their takeaways and insights from the many wonderful presentations offered.  My guest, Katie Ahmadzai, is a Principal located in the United States and attended the Toddle School Leaders Bootcamp. We will be learning about her journey as a young leader of an international virtual school, which serves students from all over the world. Follow Katie Ahmadzai: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AhmadzaiKatie New OFFICIAL Sponsor of the Aspire to Lead Podcast! This episode is sponsored by Toddle. Toddle is an all-in-one teaching and learning platform used by over 40,000 educators around the world! This year, Toddle hosted the largest virtual gatherin