Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast

Education is a difficult field and many teachers don’t continue after three years in the classroom.  This week’s guest, Dr. Frank Rudnesky and Michelle Rispo Hill, share how to help new teachers, support veteran educators, and stay passionate in a long career.  In this episode, we also discuss: Creating a Positive School Culture How to Help the Teacher Shortage And Fired Up Teachership About Michelle Rispo Hill: Michele Rispo Hill is a passionate educator who has dedicated a lifetime to the education profession as a teacher, author, and presenter of professional development. During her tenure in the classroom, Michele was honored as the teacher of the Year in 2014. She served on numerous committees, mentored new staff and was an advisor for the classes of 2009 and 2018 and the Jostens Renaissance program.  Today, she serves as the Coordinator of Admissions and Strategic Marketing and  Equity Specialist for a career and technical school in New Jersey. Michele also serves on the advisory board for S

In reflecting about 2021, my favorite day was when Aspire to Lead launched. I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with the Teach Better Team about the different aspects of this educational leadership resource and where the idea came from.  In this Episode, we also discuss: The A.S.P.I.R.E. Model  Why I wrote this book and how it will help current and aspiring leaders Funny stories about the writing process 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=37fc099b08ff439ddab453d9a993a9e7 Follow The Teach Better Team: Twitter:https://twitter.com/teachbetterteam ( https://twitter.com/teachbetterteam) Website:https://www.teachbetter.com/ ( https://www.teachbetter.com/) Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/teachbetterteam ( https://www.facebook.com/teachbetterteam) Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/teachbetterteam ( https://www.instagram.com/teachbetterteam)

Most often, when restorative practices are discussed, it is described as a reactive measure to help students fix the harm that was caused. This week’s guest, Dr. Neil Gupta, shares how the most important steps in restorative practices are proactive practices to create a foundation of love and care.  In this episode, we also discuss: Creating Healthy Collaborative teams Mental Health for Staff and Students And Coaching as an Associate with Creative Leadership Solutions  Dr. Neil Gupta: Dr. Neil Gupta serves as the Director of Secondary Education for Worthington Schools in Columbus, Ohio.  With over 15 years of experience as a district administrator in rural and suburban settings, he has a passion for leadership, building culture, and coaching leaders. Neil presents at the state and national level, and consults building and district leaders in building collaborative teams for student learning.  Dr. Gupta also serves as President on the Board of Directors for ASCD and is an Associate with Creative Le

With the launch of The EduCulture Cookbook and Aspire to Lead, The Punk Rock podcasters joins me to share about leadership qualities and school culture. In this Episode, we also discuss: The Reflections Process as a Leader Finding our Identity And the “EduCulture Cookbook” and “Aspire to Lead” EduMatch Holiday Bundle: http://www.bit.ly/edumatchholiday (www.bit.ly/edumatchholiday) About Michael Earnshaw: Michael Earnshaw, The Punk Rock Principal, is helping to change the game of education. By implementing a mobile office, Mr. Earnshaw has been able to be “all in” working with students and staff. Mike builds relationships with all and pushes staff to get out of their comfort zones and bring meaningful learning experiences to their students. This has helped to keep staff retention at a high, a collaborative productive culture, and student success climbing. Follow Michael Earnshaw: Twitter: https://twitter.com/EduChefEarnshaw (https://twitter.com/EduChefEarnshaw) Instagram: https://www.instagram.

How can an instructional technology coach be utilized on a campus to enhance student achievement and staff development?  This week’s guest, Jeff Bradbury, shares his instructional technology instructional roadmap to determine the effectiveness of an instructional coach department and to help with instructional practices.   In this episode, we also discuss: Lessons Learned as an Instructional Coach How to Build a Department of Coaches And Ask the Tech Coach Podcast Jeff Bradbury: Jeff Bradbury is an ISTE Award Winning and globally-recognized educator, educational broadcaster, public speaker, and entrepreneur whose powerful message has inspired thousands of educators through the TeacherCast Educational Network. Follow Jeff Bradbury: Website: https://www.teachercast.net (https://www.teachercast.net)  Twitter:  https://www.teachercast.net/twitter (https://www.teachercast.net/twitter) Linkedin: https://www.teachercast.net/linkedin (https://www.teachercast.net/linkedin) Facebook: https://www.teacherc

In your school or classroom, do your students have an opportunity to solve real life problems in their community?  This week’s guest, Chelsea Nicolino, shares how she made a shift in her teaching to allow students to work at their own pace, partner with city leaders, and utilize the Grid Method.  In this episode, we also discuss: Assessing student mastery  Daily student check-ins And the Teach Better Ambassador Program About Chelsea Nicolino: Chelsea Nicolino is an eighth grade integrated science teacher in Akron, Ohio. She has a passion for embedding mastery learning and STEM education into her classroom. Chelsea also enjoys creating engaging inquiry-based lessons for her students to foster their love of science. In her free time, Chelsea loves connecting with other educators on social media, listening to podcasts, reading a good book, and spending time with her husband and two young children. Follow Chelsea Nicolino: Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ChelseaNicolino (https://twitter.com/ChelseaNicol

Have you ever asked yourself, have I unlocked the potential that lies within myself?  This week’s guest, Maurice F Martin, shares how he overcame the hurdles that had been holding him back from healing, succeeding, and thriving in daily life. In this episode, we also discuss: Reflection and Learning Practices Self Help Strategies And his new book, Save the Day: Learning to Embrace Your Inner Hero About Maurice F Martin: Maurice F. Martin is an American entrepreneur and author. He is a premier inspirational speaker, chemical dependency counselor, and a certified life coach. In 2020 Maurice released his Color Blind video to national acclaim. It was featured on the YouTube Original production Bear Witness Take Action and has been seen by over 4 million people. Maurice is a man of many talents. He is an award-winning vocalist and songwriter who has had his work licensed to VH-1, MTV, the Discovery Network, E!, and ABC. He is currently focusing attention on his second novel, Your But Is Too Big. Mauric

Low teacher retention rates in schools negatively impact student achievement for all the students in a school, not just those in a new teacher’s classroom. This week’s guest, Dr. Joseph Jones and Dr. T.J. Vari, give precise strategies for motivating, inspiring, and energizing a staff.  In this episode, we also discuss: Leadership Qualities Needed in an Evolving Education Model Teacher Retention Strategies And their book, Candid and Compassionate Feedback: Transforming Everyday Practice in Schools About Dr. Joseph Jones: Dr. Joseph Jones is the Superintendent of Schools in the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District. He is the co-author of Candid and Compassionate Feedback: Transforming Everyday Practice in Schools. Joe is a former high school teacher, assistant principal and principal. As principal, he was named the Delaware Secondary Principal of the Year and during his tenure, Delcastle Technical High School was the first high school to receive the state’s Outstanding Academic Ach

This week’s guest, Trevor Timmerberg, shares how his experience in the military shaped his self discipline and changed his perspective on leadership. As a student who had labels placed on him, Trevor is determined to teach his students that mistakes don’t define who you are as a person.  In this episode, we also discuss: Cafeteria as a Temperature Check  Restorative Practices built on Relationships And Constructing a Leadership Mission Statement About Trevor Timmerberg: Trevor is a High School Administrator, Commissioned Officer, YMCA Downtown Board of Directors and Ed.D Leadership Student.  Follow Trevor Timmerberg: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Trevor_Tberg (https://twitter.com/Trevor_Tberg) @Trevor_Tberg Linkedin: Trevor Timmerberg   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 athttp://www.teachbetter.com/swag ( www.teachbetter.com/sw

It’s time to leave behind practices that don’t best serve all learners and educators, and to prioritize what matters most: relationships, connection, purpose, flexibility, agency, and authentic learning. Education must evolve. Looking to learners will help us see what’s working, what’s challenging, and, ultimately, what’s possible. To ensure that all of those learners thrive, we’ll need to use insight from our own experiences, research from the field, and new tools and approaches to adapt our practices. This week’s guest, Dr. Katie Martin, advocates for a much-needed shift to a learner-centered teaching model. Learner-centered education creates purposeful, personalized, authentic, and competency-based experiences that help students develop skills that empower them to learn, grow, and solve problems that matter to them and others.  In this episode, we also discuss: Instructional Practices that Enhance Essential Skills  Changing Grading Practices And Katie’s New Book, Evolving Education About Dr. K

After two years of new educational practices, are we trying to get back to normal or a way to get better? This week’s guest, Tom Burton, shares how going back to the way things were is not the best mindset. In his district, during the pandemic, they uncovered many inequitable practices that needed to be addressed and they are determined to find better practices moving forward.  In this episode, we also discuss: Creating diverse leadership teams Leading regardless of your title And partnering with businesses to serve the community  About Tom Burton: Mr. Tom Burton is the Superintendent of Princeton City Schools, located just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. Tom has been in administration since 1995 and has been in the Princeton district since 2015.  He is the author of “Mark of Leadership: Strategies for Leading with Purpose, Plans, and Passion.” Additionally, Tom has written articles for publications both in Ohio and nationally and a columnist for Middle Ground Magazine. As superintendent, Tom lives

Aspire to Lead with Empathy, Creativity, and Passion With the launch of my new book, Aspire to Lead, Evan Robb joins me to share about his author contribution. In this Episode, we also discuss: Activating and Taking Initiative The 10 Pillars of Leadership Delegation for Leadership Development About Evan Robb: Evan Robb is presently Principal of Johnson-Williams Middle School in Berryville, Virginia. He has over twenty years of experience serving as a building level principal. Prior to being a school principal, he was an English teacher, department chair, and Assistant Principal. Evan is a recipient of the Horace Mann Educator of the Year Award. In addition, the NCTE Commission on Reading selected him to serve on its national board. A TEDx Speaker, Evan offers inspirational keynotes, workshops, and on-going professional learning opportunities across the country on leadership, mindset, culture, impactful change and how to improve literacy in schools. Evan has shared his ideas with thousands of educ

How do you define student engagement in your classroom? This week’s guest, Heather Lyon, shares a common understanding of what engagement looks and sounds like so that anyone can design and gauge instruction using this understanding. More importantly, with this knowledge, educators can make changes to instruction to truly increase student engagement.  In this episode, we also discuss: Grading practices that need to be assessed The teacher and resource shortage in education  And her books, Engagement in Not a Unicorn (It’s a Narwhal) and The Big Book of Engagement Strategies About Heather Lyon: Heather Lyon is author of https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HLB6SJJ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1 (Engagement is not a Unicorn (It’s a Narwhal)) and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09DTQRJP9/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 (The BIG Book of Engagement Strategies.)  Heather is a former English teacher and has a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and an Ed.M. in Reading from the University at Buffalo. Sh

Aspire Mailbag: New School Year ProblemsIn this 23rd 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 how to shift the mindset of educators on social emotional learning, how to lead when there are positions not hired, professional learning days, and the latest news with the Teach Better Team! Featuring Jeff Gargas and Joshua StamperFollow Jeff Gargas:Twitter:https://twitter.com/jeffgargas ( https://twitter.com/jeffgargas) Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/_jeffgargas/ ( https://www.instagram.com/_jeffgargas/) Follow Joshua Stamper:Contact:https://joshstamper.com/contact/ ( https://joshstamper.com/contact/) Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/Joshua__Stamper ( www.twitter.com/Joshua__Stamper) Instagram:http://www.instagram.com/joshua__stamper ( www.instagram.com/joshua__stamper) Linkedin:http://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-stamper/ ( www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-stamper) Facebook:https://www.f

Aspire to Lead with Empathy, Creativity, and Passion With the upcoming launch of my new book, Aspire to Lead, Allyson Apsey joins me to share about her author contribution. In this Episode, we also discuss: Creativity in Leadership 3 tools to use to enhance your creative ideas Confidence in leadership to be innovative 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=e8d9d99a618db4fe94fa92873d5f7723 () About Allyson Apsey: Allyson Apsey has been an educator for more than twenty years; a school leader for sixteen of those years. She is passionate about having a serendipity mindset, looking for the beautiful lessons that every experience holds. She tries to be transparent, vulnerable and supportive, and she doesn't ask questions unless she wants the answers. Despite the fact that she never wanted to set foot in a school again after high school graduation, there is nowhere

EduMatch Celebration for Aspire to Lead On the day my new book, Aspire to Lead, launched, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Mandy Froehlick and Todd Nesloney about the different aspects of this educational leadership resource. Join us as we share some strategies, insights on leadership, and funny stories about the process.  In this Episode, we also discuss: The A.S.P.I.R.E. Model  Why I wrote this book and how it will help current and aspiring leaders Stories with Todd Nesloney about his foreword 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=37fc099b08ff439ddab453d9a993a9e7 About Mandy Froehloch:Mandy Froehlich passionately encourages educators to create innovative change in their classrooms. A former Director of Innovation and Technology, technology integrator, and teacher, she has experience at many levels of the organizational structure. Her interes

Aspire to Lead with Empathy, Creativity, and PassionWith the launch of my new book, Aspire to Lead, Jill Siler joins me to share about her author contribution on executing as a leader. In this Episode, we also discuss: The top ways we can execute in an interview Examples of what districts are looking for in a candidate Mistakes in the interview process About Jill Siler:Dr. Jill Siler has been serving as the Superintendent of Gunter ISD, a growing school district an hour north of Dallas, since 2012. Jill grew up in Rochester & Buffalo, NY and completed her undergraduate work at the University of Pittsburgh where she was a collegiate swimmer. She moved to Austin in 1996 and began serving as a high school World Geography teacher and swim coach at John B. Connally High School in Pflugerville ISD. Jill earned her Masters from Texas State University and began her administrative career in Marble Falls ISD where she served as the Assistant Principal for Instruction. In 2004, Jill went to Lake Travis ISD where she

In this week’s episode, classroom teacher and edtech expert Jake Miller equips us to overcome the paradox of choice and select the right edtech tools for your classroom so you can start using them tomorrow. Jake offers anecdote-induced stories and explanations that actually make sense for all educators. In addition, we discuss comparisons of tools for formative assessment, student self-assessment, student blogging, audio projects, video creation, student-paced coursework, and lesson delivery, and more! In this episode, we also discuss: Additional video resources Leaders as tech specialists And his books, Educational Duct Tape: An EdTech Integration Mindset About Jake Miller:Jake Miller is an edtech and learning enthusiast who hosts the Educational Duct Tape podcast and shares #EduGIFs at @JakeMillerTech and on JakeMiller.net. He works as a science teacher for the Orange City School District in Ohio and previously spent 5 years as a technology integration specialist and an additional 12 years in the classroom

Aspire to Lead with Empathy, Creativity, and PassionWith the upcoming launch of my new book, Aspire to Lead, Sarah Thomas joins me to share about her author contribution. In this Episode, we also discuss: Reflection as a Leadership Tool Blogging to gather feedback New projects by EduMatch About Sarah Thomas: I am a Regional Technology Coordinator in Prince Georges County, MD, and Affiliate Faculty at Loyola University. While I am still passionate about best practices, such as flipped/blended learning and gamification, my passion has also expanded to helping educators connect globally. This is the rationale behind the EduMatch project, which I founded in September 2014. The project belongs to all EduMatchers, and together we have grown it to include publishing, Voxer, guest blogging, and a weekly Twitter chat/podcast. Follow Sarah Thomas:Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahdateechur (https://twitter.com/sarahdateechur) Follow EduMatch:Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdumatchBooks (https://twitter.com/Edum

A fast-track colleague is elbowing their way up the professional ladder in your organization by faking reports. Your boss asks you to lie to a stakeholder. The team leader is a serial sexual harasser. What should you do? Nobody prepared you for this part of professional life. You face a gut-wrenching choice: "go along to get along" or risk negatively impacting your career by speaking up for what you know is right. In this week’s episode, Richard Shell shares his value model and how this structure has helped so many people find solutions to extremely difficult experiences.  In this episode, we also discuss: Leading From Any Position The Role of a Professor  And his books, The Conscience Code: Lead with Your Values. Advance Your Career  About G. Richard Shell:Richard Shell is Professor of Legal Studies, Business Ethics, and Management – and former Chair of its Legal Studies and Business Ethics Department -- at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Over his 30-year career, he