Podcast Episodes

Episode 120 features Manny Scott (@ManuelScott), an original Freedom Writer whose story is told in part in the hit movie, Freedom Writers, inspirational author and speaker. His latest book, Teacher Secrets Every Educator Must Know to Empower Students in a Diverse, Digital World, shows what an individual teacher can do to reach, teach, and empower all students to succeed in school, work, and life. During the episode, we discuss how educators can reach students who are embattled by trauma and how educators can stay positive through the trials and tribulations of the past couple of years. We also discuss Manny’s upcoming Turning the Page Tour.

Episode 119 features Dr. Adam Drummond (@AdamDDrummond), Associate Partner & Author for the International Center for Leadership in Education and author of the book, “The Instructional Change Agent: 48 Ways to Be the Leader Your School Needs.” During the episode, we discuss differences between education change agents and disruptors, turnaround leadership, leadership to impact school culture, and how to shape culture at the end of this difficult school year and heading into next school year.

In this episode of the “Devil’s EDvocate” series, co-hosts Dr. Dan Kreiness (@dr_kreiness) and Rachelle Dene Poth (@rdene915) tackle the topic of teacher professional development. During the episode, we discuss the best practices, opportunities, and methods of acquiring and delivering professional learning. We also share some of our tips for professional development over the summer after the school year is over.

Episode 117 features Debbie Tannenbaum (@TannenbaumTech), an elementary school technology specialist in Fairfax County, VA and author of the upcoming book, “TRANSFORM: Techy Notes to Make Learning Sticky.” During the episode, we discuss best practices for implementing instructional technologies, the ability for technology coaches to make a major instructional impact at their schools, and how true leaders inspire and empower those around them.

Episode 116 features Dr. Lori Baker-Schena (@DoctorBS), CEO and founder of Baker Schena Communications, a leadership coach and professional speaker who works with individuals, academic institutions, entrepreneurs, small businesses and large corporations to strengthen their management and team-building skills. During the episode, we discuss how successful educators must develop professional leadership brands to create a successful presence, how a leadership brand conveys one’s identity and distinctiveness as a leader/educator, and how your reputation is about your past while your leadership brand is about who you are now and who you want to be in the future.

Episode 115 features John Davis (@JDActionHero), a professional fight director and stuntman for stage and screen, artistic director for three regional theme parks, sword-fighting comedian, college professor, and a motivational speaker, author and coach. During the episode, we discuss how educators are true action heroes, how to make students feel like action heroes, and how to focus on delivering positive praise and feedback to staff and students.

Episode 114 features Aaron Pribble (@AaronPribble), an educator and author of “Teacherland: Inside the Myth of the American Educator” and “Writing in the Social Studies: A Practical Guide for Teaching an Essential Skill.” During the episode, we discuss building meaningful relationships with students outside of the classroom, dealing with myths about education and educators, and how students can write and create real-world-relevant content for more authentic audiences.

Episode 112 features Brian Tobal (@BrianTobal), an educator and CEO of SchoolHouse, whose mission is to connect teachers with amazing families in Micro Schools and learning pods. SchoolHouse strives to provide our children's generation with the focused and personalized education that they are unable to receive in today's educational environment. During the episode, we discuss the concept of Micro Schools and the importance of high quality teachers, an autonomous curriculum, and innovative teaching and learning.

Episode 111 features Dr. Chad Dumas (@ChadDumas), an educational consultant, international presenter and award-winning researcher whose primary focus is collaborating to develop capacity for continuous improvement. During the episode, we discuss Chad’s book “Let’s Put the C in PLC” and the accompanying “An Action Guide to Put the C in PLC.” We also discuss relevant topics including building a collaborative environment for teachers and how to improve our effectiveness in order to achieve better results for students.