Episodes #264-271 - Dana Goodier

Episode #264: 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 lacrosse coach.

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 on topics including meeting culture, digital wellness and hiring practices.

A native of Upstate New York, Bobby attributes many of his life lessons to observing the work ethic and commitment of his parents and older brother. He played high school and college lacrosse, winning a National Championship at the collegiate level. He has used many leadership lessons passed on from his high school and college coaches.

When not working or studying leadership, he spends time with his wife and three children. He has coached all three in various youth sports over the years. Bobby also enjoys running and cycling as well as training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He strives to be a better husband, father, leader, and person every day. A graduate of Washington College and William and , Bobby lives with his family in Poolesville, MD.

Trench story: time teaching environ. science. Focus on moment. talked to them about understanding of environment. Kids did assignments, projects, He evaluated on grammar, spelling. He thought about writing skills. stepped back and though about how he was assessing them. Evaluate them & materials.

Talk about your book, released late December, Principled Leader: here are lessons about leadership for both your professional and personal life. As Bobby learned, two different philosophies will result in cognitive dissonance and a lack of growth in either area. This book is for current and aspiring leaders Are they racing to put out fires? He breaks fitness down to mental, spiritual and physical. Yoga, meditation, rtc.

Talk about your guiding principles /core values? his are courage, integrity, discipline. Guide them in decision-making. Diff for all. Define what your core values are. Respect, demonstrating trust. listening. fitness, mental, physical, spiritual.

Blog, other writing, conference sessions? puts out Principled Leader newsletter instead. He was on George Curus’ podcast, talked about putting out content. Wrote for “Evolving with Gratitude”. Isn’t booked anywhere right now to speak. It’s where things fall b/w working in indep. vs. public schools. Role of edu. leader thru transparency. As a leader you don’t need exterior “show”, be vulnerable. Know areas you want to get better at. Gratitude-dad served in Vietnam, brother & him did as told. Express gratitude to staff, see value them. Esp. on days that are hardest. Hasn’t blogged since book came out.. Can subscribe- newsletter, he shares principles on how to guide your work as a new leader.

Out of everything? everyday provides us w/ an opportunity to grow, develop, every decision we make is a step towards who we can be or where we’re falling short. Failures are stepping stones on the path to success to get better every day.

Where can ppl find you online? https://bobbypollicino.com/ share email: bobbypollicino@gmail.com twitter, linkedIn: @bobbypollicino

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EpkqRh6Z0sU

Episode #265: Natalie Vardabasso

Listen here

Natalie Vardabasso is an Education Consultant, Speaker, Podcast Host who has served as a high school and middle school teacher, instructional coach, and assessment lead in a K-12 context where she led her community through assessment and grading transformation. Her mission is to reimagine education through a liberating praxis, and she is currently doing that as a full-time consultant, host of the #EduCrush podcast and by founding a program called the Empowerment Ecosystem that helps the “middle children” of education to step into their power as visionary catalysts. Left the classroom 5 years ago, taught English and SS, different electives (musical theatre). Mostly in the same school also did instr. coaching, assessment leadership. Over a 3 year period transitioned to outcomes-based grading (SBG). Now works as a consultant. Does content creation. Is in Calgary, Alberta. Got recruited by Solution Tree, does work w/ schools all over.

Trench story: in many ways “trenches” is transgressive space. Moving to “middle child” role that was supposed to make change as instr. coach. Didn’t have issues in CR, move when moved to instr. coaching role. One particularly bad day-PD Day, there were complaints about her passion-principal said, “tone it down a bit”. Reimagined what leadership truly means. She’s more honest about this since she left her school-based role.

How do we actually transform this? Transformation in a complex system like education. Unpacking what is meant by complexity. Grading change is “so complex”. It’s not impossible. With the complexity we have a large diversity of perspective. Story is a good tool. We often say get rid of stories after E.S. Take writing f.ex. It doesn’t need to become critical process in H.S. Thomas Neukirk “Minds made for stories”-inquiry-based writing. Create the need for a thesis & write to it. Writing to pictures like Storybird or pictures from history. So often t’s just teach to standards & state assessment with essay prompts. What are other means of writing to show knowledge?

Empowerment ecosystem & The VOICE method of assessment came out of her trenches moment, last May started reflecting on how she could be catalyst for change. Interviewed folks across N. America & co-designed program. Hosted summit in Vancouver. VOICE method is at the core of it. V-vision O-optimize I-invite rethinking C-cultivate evidence of learning E-expand.

Make a profile of a learner. What does it mean to develop creativity? How do we invite students to rethink? It shouldn’t end in evaluation. St’s can tell their own story of learning. She goes into districts as train the trainer model. Admin turnover causes so many change efforts.

Is writing a book with Tom Schimmer. Working title “Rehumanizing Assessment through Story” Can talk about it-how empowerment can be a reliable means of assessment. Manuscript was due Aug. ‘23- can take a year to publish with Solution Tree. In her perfect VOICE vision-students are the voice that’s telling the story. Tons of opportunities for micro stories. Evidence of learning.

Is hosting a Grading from the Inside Out workshop in St. Louis in Dec. Can find out more on the Solution Tree website. 3 mindset shifts-giving students credit for what they know, redefining accountability. How can we ensure accountability? Repurposing HW-how do we look @ it as a formative practice? Assessing student attributes-how do we define that-it’s like “work habits” grade. Citizenship grade.

Most of her work is booked through schools & districts. Solution Tree does her booking. Email her directly.

Out of everything? Big idea around assessment-upload in minds around verb rather than noun. Expand around assessment more as a verb.

Where can ppl find you online? Twitter: @natabasso IG: @natabasso Email: nvardabasso@gmail.com Website: www.solutiontree.com

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qQZ6HXnE7QE

Episode #266: Kyle Hill

Trench story: time teaching environ. science. Focus on moment. talked to them about understanding of environment. Kids did assignments, projects, He evaluated on grammar, spelling. He thought about writing skills. stepped back and though about how he was assessing them. Evaluate them & materials.

Talk about your guiding principles /core values? his are courage, integrity, discipline. Guide them in decision-making. Diff for all. Define what your core values are. Respect, demonstrating trust. listening. fitness, mental, physical, spiritual. 

Out of everything? everyday provides us w/ an opportunity to grow, develop, every decision we make is a step towards who we can be or where we’re falling short. Failures are stepping stones on the path to success to get better every day. 

Where can ppl find you online? https://bobbypollicino.com/ share email: bobbypollicino@gmail.com twitter, linkedIn: @bobbypollicino

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EpkqRh6Z0sU

Episode #265: Natalie Vardabasso

Listen here

$\"\"$

Natalie Vardabasso is an Education Consultant, Speaker, Podcast Host who has served as a high school and middle school teacher, instructional coach, and assessment lead in a K-12 context where she led her community through assessment and grading transformation. Her mission is to reimagine education through a liberating praxis, and she is currently doing that as a full-time consultant, host of the #EduCrush podcast and by founding a program called the Empowerment Ecosystem that helps the “middle children” of education to step into their power as visionary catalysts. Left the classroom 5 years ago, taught English and SS, different electives (musical theatre). Mostly in the same school also did instr. coaching, assessment leadership. Over a 3 year period transitioned to outcomes-based grading (SBG). Now works as a consultant. Does content creation. Is in Calgary, Alberta. Got recruited by Solution Tree, does work w/ schools all over. 

Empowerment ecosystem & The VOICE method of assessment came out of her trenches moment, last May started reflecting on how she could be catalyst for change. Interviewed folks across N. America & co-designed program. Hosted summit in Vancouver. VOICE method is at the core of it. V-vision O-optimize I-invite rethinking C-cultivate evidence of learning E-expand.

 Most of her work is booked through schools & districts. Solution Tree does her booking. Email her directly.

Out of everything? Big idea around assessment-upload in minds around verb rather than noun. Expand around assessment more as a verb.

Where can ppl find you online? Twitter:  @natabasso    IG:    @natabasso            Email: nvardabasso@gmail.com     Website: www.solutiontree.com 

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qQZ6HXnE7QE

Episode #266: Kyle Hill

https://outofthetrenches.podbean.com/e/episode-266-kyle-hill/

$\"\"$

Kyle Hill is a District Special Education Resource Lead / Founder of RechargED Family. He is an award-winning educator who has worked in special education for 25 years in the state of Delaware.  His first 20 years teaching was as a special education teacher in an elementary school, but since, he has been working as a district-wide Resource Lead, in an attempt to help teachers and paraeducators support all the students within their diverse classrooms.  His role involves academic and behavioral support, overseeing first year teacher mentor programs, and leading all special education intervention curriculum programs for the entire school district.  His greatest passion and job though is being a father of 3 kids who all have their own unique needs.  Because of his experiences in education and parenting, Kyle became the founder of the RechargED Family.  In this organization he aims to provide resources and content for both parents and educators in hopes to help youth reach their goals. He’s the podcast host of the Xhausted Educators and the Parents RechargED shows as well as a content creator on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Kyle is currently working on multiple large projects. This summer he is partnering up with education leaders from across North America, who will be providing educators with over 50 workshops before the start of the 23-24 school year, and he is also in the process of creating a student mentor program where community members come into the schools to meet with individual students and make a positive impact.  This mentor program is being created on the idea that a paraeducator or parent can oversee the entire program, because in many cases campus leaders do not have enough time to oversee an additional student mentoring program.  

Trenches story: most of his time as student. Had academic/behavioral challenges. ADHD undiagnosed. Didn’t have motivation until college. Was sped teacher because he wanted to work with students who had academic & behavior needs.1 year in particular, his son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The same year, they had 2 y.o. twins. Learned a lot about self. “Keeping the main thing the main thing”. 

I am extremely passionate about trying to connect parents and the community with schools.  It benefits everyone, especially the students.  Student mentoring programs are known to improve student behaviors, attendance, engagement, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Because of this, I have been working on promoting student mentor programs where volunteers come to schools to meet with students for about 20 minutes a week in order to connect and provide another consistent positive role model for students who need extra support. Wife & him are passionate about it. Have kids with ADHD, 504 plans, hearing impairment. Parents outside of education don’t understand educational jargon. Wife was just elected to the school board. He spent a lot of time with behavior support at 1 school. That school turned towards student mentoring program. Recruited community members. It’s inspirational for students.   

The RechargED Family is in the editing and publishing phase of a brand new student mentoring program that will be out later this summer.  It will provide trainings and resources for everyone involved.  The idea is that the leadership team at a school designates a “Site Leader” who is in charge of overseeing the program.  This person receives all of the appropriate information and resources through our training modules. This Site Leader can be a parent(s) or paraeducator(s), since building leaders and teachers rarely have enough time to monitor an entire program like this. Needs to recruit people. Teachers and principals don’t have time. Site leaders can be parent, para, help with recruiting. RechargED will give ppl the framework. He went down list of retired paras & t’s. Also ppl @ district office. It was their favorite part of the week. Can also link up with businesses. 1 day/wk employees can use lunch hour to visit/mentor kids. 

I’m also putting together a collaboration of education leaders who will be providing over 50 ED workshops for educators heading into the 23-24 school year.  The RechargED Family Back To School Virtual Workshops opened for registration on July 1st and the workshops opened on August 1st.  Those registered will be able to access these workshops all year long. Bringing things educators are passionate about for low cost-$10. Good businesses are endorsing & bringing out freebies. Extra food for thought. Paras also want more PD-they don’t make enough to pay for PD.  

Out of everything? passionate about community. Lift in public schools is too much to do on own. Missing big piece of puzzle. Meeting parents where they’re at. These pieces crumbled during the pandemic. Lean on other community members.

Where can ppl find you online:

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/rechargedfamily

IG:  https://www.instagram.com/rechargedfamily/              

FB: https://www.facebook.com/kylehillcr/

Website: https://www.rechargedfamily.com/

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MVbjWnYX1LA

Episode #267: Nicole S. Brown

https://outofthetrenches.podbean.com/e/episode-267-nicole-s-brown/

$\"\"$

Nicole S. Brown is the author of School Days, Holidays, and All Days That Lie Between, More School Days, Holidays,and All Days That Lie Between, Many More School Days, Holidays,and All Days That Lie Between, Who Do You Love? Love Story in Poetry, Who Do You Love? Love Story in Poetry (clean cut), God’s Calling You to Live a Life That’s True, All About Slime, All About Slime (clean cut), Trials of a Northeast Louisiana Child, The School of Hard Knocks, Life Support, and The Refusal to Return to Slime, Are You Still in Love With Who?, The Diminishing of Slime, and Wet Dreams. 

Nicole is a native of Monroe, LA. Nicole is a Louisiana, Tennessee, Missouri, and Mississippi-certified, K-12 teacher who holds certifications in the following subject areas: Chemistry, Physics, General Science, Music, and Reading. She holds a B.S., in Chemistry Education from the University of Louisiana-Monroe, a MEd in Reading Education from Alcorn State University, and an EdS in Educational Leadership from Delta State University. (she’ll send me a doc). Is about to start an EdD program in Ed Leadership. Also wants to get a PhD in math edu. Loves to cook & bake. 

She’s been teaching since ‘05 off and on. She was off a while, was certified in 6 subjects in 4 states. Also has an admin license. 4 of her books are around education. Other are about love, erotica. Wants to get into sci-fi. Wrote horror when she was younger. Has 17 y.o. and 6 y.o. 

Trench story: she says all was learning experience. She’s had issues w/ personal life/prof. life boundaries. Isn’t the type of teacher who yells, teaches kids to have positive affirmations. She wants kids to feel like they want to be there. 

Your School Days & More School Days books, are they YA novels? She went room to room doing diff. interventions. She did poetry about breaking down music. Can integrate during poetry month (April). Grew into a compilation of many things. Target audience is early childhood to college. Can also be used as a teaching tool. Was in the running to be a supplemental text at Teacher Ed program @ Univ. of Missouri-2 locations, is in special collections. (she shows the text on video)

How do you find time to write so much with FT teaching & 2 kids? She doesn’t have to have a quiet time. She can tune it out. Grew up youngest of 7 kids. Had to be home @ a certain time, before 5:00. She has more time to unwind & write. Wrote a lot between 2012-17. Wrote 7 books in 1 yr while still working. Makes a point to write every day. Self-published. Uses an editor & her own software to edit.   

What would you like to do in the future with your admin certification/EdD? She’s been a department chair for special content area, most of the time in it was with COVID. She did her admin internship on zoom. Wants to do an academic coach first rather than being a principal. When her kids are older, wants her own tutoring service or summer program for underprivileged kids. 

She likes to stress the importance of the arts in edu and STEM. Statistical data goes into finding st’s have more cooperative skills if they take these electives. Bring in guest speakers, ppl who make electric cars, get hands-on experience. Should take the opportunity. She has a poem piece called “Don’t Stop the Music” she reads & sings. It’s from her newest book.

Out of everything: no matter what field you choose to go into, you’ll always have a teacher. Her parents told her “Your attitude determines your altitude”. You can have OK academics. Some ppl may take a positive attitude the wrong way.  

Where can ppl find you online: she’ll send social media links / headshot  (email) Nicole S. Brown Social Media Sites: 

https://www.facebook.com/outstandingauthornicolesbrown/   Facebook Fanpage

https://www.facebook.com/authornicole.brown  Personal Facebook

https://www.tiktok.com/@authornicolesbrown  TikTok

https://www.instagram.com/authornicolesbrown/   Instagram

https://www.tumblr.com/authornicolesbrown     Tumblr

https://twitter.com/NikkisSecret                Twitter

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4066097.Nicole_S_Brown Good Reads

https://www.youtube.com/@NikkisSecret/videos  YouTube

Here are some links to her books: authornicolesbrown.yolasite.com

etsy.com/shop/PoetryatBest  w/ all her books and swag

https://www.amazon.com/Nicole-S-Brown/e/B005Z51AK4%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VwheSz___HA

Episode #268: Katie Trowbridge

Episode #268: Katie Trowbridge | The Out of the Trenches Podcast (podbean.com)

$\"\"$

Katie Trowbridge has over two decades of experience as a teacher and mentor.  She is President and CEO of Curiosity 2 CREATE, a nonprofit organization focused on helping educators incorporate creative and critical thinking strategies into their existing curricula and build creative classroom environments.  Katie is also co-founder of the Creative Thinking Network, an online network to assist teachers in adding creative thinking into their curriculum.  Katie has won several Teacher of Excellence and Outstanding Educator awards, has a Master’s in Teaching and a Master’s in Education Administration, and is pursuing her ED.D at Northeastern University in Boston.  She currently travels around the nation, speaking at conferences and training educators.

Trench story:  Most of her trenches were when struggling with student engagement. Loved teaching. Things shifted. Connection was dwindling. Thought “I don’t want to be @ the school”. Figured she needed to change things up. Did research into shift of why t’s are changing, students are changing. Creative & critical thinking. Pulled her out of that slump. 

Why are teachers struggling so much now? She focuses in on how teachers are unhappy, we’re doing way more than we need to be doing. #1 think is to collaborate. Their dept. are very competitive. don’t share lessons. We’re all struggling. There’s power when t’s work together. It can change the way edu is going. Don’t be in a bubble in your own classroom. Get out & talk to admin, coaches. As far as st’s are concerned. Look @ curriculum & make choices. “Why am I learning this” is what st’s often think. Make the curriculum more interested. During her workshops, for resistant t’s. Eventually they come around. 

Why are creative and critical thinking important K-12? They separate creative and critical thinking. LinkedIn, Adobe, have reports on what employers are looking for. Collaboration, critical thinking. Employment-ppl have to be problem solvers. Kids aren’t being allowed to be creative. They still do rote memorization. We often see the 2 as separate. She sees them as 2 sides of the same coin. When we creatively think-it’s more divergent. Critical-which ideas do we want to try? How do you know? Why do we think this way?

What does it mean to infuse curriculum with creative and critical thinking? Biggest think is that is goes w/ everything-needs to be in every aspect. Helps t’s walk thru what they need in a curriculum. As why we’re learning to spell, why we’re learning about WWI. What if the outcomes of WWI were different. What could the future have held?

What are the benefits of incorporating critical and creative thinking into your class & helping t’s get out of the trenches? Just say “what do you think” to st’s. #1: the workload shifts. You’re not the “sage on the stage”. It becomes more st centered. Ask a lot of ?’s. If st’s have others they can depend on, in groups, it helps. Belonging & connection. Makes a CR much more fun. We’re keeping open-minded, taking risks. Observe others in your PLC teach. Defer judgement. The other t may teach differently. Embrace it. St’s may not agree w/ each other either.

How does a teacher start creating a thinking classroom? Go thru your current unit. T’s are tired of “we have a new initiative”. Look @ this as a new way of thinking & doing instead of initiative. Look @ points where we can allow st’s to take ownership. Where am I allowing them to work together. Rewrite curriculum, personal flair. Make sure t’s don’t do all the work. Don’t grade everything! Don’t need to rewrite the whole thing. Say “be creative” to st’s. Ask what they think. You give them permission to do something different. 

Can talk about EDD research: Teachers and how adding creative thinking into curriculum can help improve classrooms K-12, mostly HS- experience-action research.What does research show about the need for creative and critical thinking? A little research and also with dissertation. Everyone knows about it but mot how to do it.our perception hasn’t changed in 20 yrs. ESP. when we’re not getting at st. engagement. It’s not an initiative. Her doctorate will be in innovative teaching strategies. Wants to look at how it will change t’s attitudes/experiences as t’s. How does this help ME? None of the research shows HOW. Will be finished around Dec. ‘24.

Does creative and critical thinking help us with social emotional learning? How can creativity help relieve your stress and anxiety. We need to stop thinking it’s just a small lesson on respect. SEL needs to be incorporated & infused. If a st knows we’re going to celebrate their failures, it helps them come out of their shell. A lot of anxiety comes from “what if I’m wrong”. Have open-mindedness. It has to do w/ the classroom climate too. 

How does creative/critical thinking transfer to soft skills? They’re essential skills. The younger employees often want to just google the right answer. It’s about expanding your knowledge. When you go to post-secondary options, it’s about knowing how to think thru a problem on your own. Ppl have to work together to find ways to solve problems. We need to adapt to how employment is changing. Find out what they REALLY need to know. Real world skills. Communication is an essential skill. We need to help t’s find more joy w/ what they’re doing.

Out of everything? The best thing we can do is collaborate w/ each other, it’s OK to look to others for advice. Work in your PLCs. Let go of your stuff. There’s great power in that. 

Where can ppl find you online? the creative thinking network (experts, lesson plans, etc) Curiosity2create hosts workshops. Email (include in show notes). They’re very active on social too.

https://curiosity2create.org and www.creativethinkingnet.com/

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9lyg7zPlLes

Episode #269: Grace Stevens

https://outofthetrenches.podbean.com/e/episode-269-grace-stevens/

$\"\"$

A former corporate girl, Grace quit VP life to pursue her dream job as a public school teacher. After 20 years in the classroom, she now focuses full-time on helping educators have a more positive teaching experience. Grace combines her signature mantra, \"Your energy teaches more than your lesson plans,\" with two decades of study in behavioral therapy, positive psychology, and NLP to create science-based habits for overwhelmed educators. She has authored three books on teaching including the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers and also the One New Habit book series.

In addition to being an elementary school teacher for 20 years, she is the author of the popular book Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers.

Trench story: was in the trench 17 years into career (2019). Hid in the closet during lunch, sobbing, overwhelmed. Had 10m to get herself together. Knew something had to change. Was in a new district with people policing teachers. Was very reactive. School was really a business there. It was before Th-giving. Daughter visited her CR. Noticed she was so overwhelmed. She took break to reflect. Kept telling herself- “they’re out to get you”. Decided to teach the way she wanted to teach, which lasted into Covid. Teachers helped each other out. AM teaching, PM office hrs. District data-focused, had most participation on zoom due to community building after Th-giving. You need to be intentional with your energy. Her Habits books were written in 2012. Quit corporate career b/c she wanted something with purpose. She had low energy, wasn’t being the teacher she wanted to be. Still got “best teacher” love notes (3rd grade). 

Please share a little bit about who you are and what you do related to your book? Does teacher PD virtually. Book The Happy Habit was about 10 habits that you can cultivate. She turned journal into book in 2015. Her 2nd book Post-Covid was written 2021. Last year, other book on setting boundaries was published. She does virtual PD because in her corporate career was flying a lot. She offers courses, works on science of happiness. Overcoming the myth of balance. There’s never the perfect balance. She does some coaching for admin on boundaries. Helps educators reframe their beliefs around boundaries in a way that’s professional while being student-focused.

What are some ways teachers can feel more empowered? She has a 4-part framework she’ll talk about. ECHO framework: E-energy speaks more than your lesson plans. C-control what you can control. Stop being victims. You’ll feel more empowered that way. Don’t get dragged into other ppl’s drama. H-Happiness can be synthesized. Establish habits that can boost happiness. We need to have our own experience of kids, not what the last t experienced. O-other people’s experience. 

Talk about the difference between what you’ve outlined in your book and toxic positivity. when you ignore the issues and are being a cheerleader. Instead, ask “what’s w/in our control?” Her pet peeve was “do the best you can”. Invest in a campus culture that doesn’t always celebrate f.ex. staff members w/ perfect attendance.

You coach teachers on setting better boundaries. What are some common misconceptions teachers have about boundaries? One is about other ppl’s behavior. It’s about what YOU will do different. She had a boundary that if a parent was hostile, she’d end the call. 2nd- ppl see you as “inflexible” if you have boundaries. People who fear judgment. 3rd- someone who says an inappropriate comment about another staff member. Setting boundaries make you a better teacher!

She has a free video training on her website. She likes to tell ppl about stuff she has from free, to courses. Is starting a podcast Balance Your Teacher Life Podcast (gracestevens.com) EmpowerEd, about hacking teacher balance. She calls herself a Teacher Empowerment Coach. http://www.GraceStevens.com/happy -5 habits of most productive educators.

Out of everything: Other people’s experience doesn’t need to be yours. Isolate yourself from negative narrative. Be mindful of what you put in your body, what you watch, listen to, etc. Listen to things that will help you feel empowered. Albert Einstein- “The most important decision you have to make is whether you’re in a friendly or hostile universe.” 

Where can ppl find you online:You can learn more about her on-line courses and coaching at www.GraceStevens.com This is a link to a free video training to help teachers stress-proof their teaching beyond the cliched advice of  investing in self-care and connecting with students. It’s a quick training any teacher could finish on their prep period. 

Youtube: Love Your Teacher Life with Grace Stevens – YouTube

FB: https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher

Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/loveyourteacherlife

TicToc: http://tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vjDfE7QcnUs

Episode #270: Beth Napleton

Episode #270: Beth Napleton | The Out of the Trenches Podcast (podbean.com)

  $\"\"$

Chicago-based Beth Napleton is an executive leadership coach, consultant and the owner and founder of Beth Napleton Consulting. She offers senior leaders in education and at mission-driven organizations a clear path to excellence through individual, executive and group coaching experiences. 

Additionally, she offers busy leaders a container and her expertise so they can expand their capacity in all areas. Beth leverages her extensive experience in education to work with senior leaders in education and mission-driven organizations to help them clear out the “adult problems” that get in the way of student success. 

Beth is a national award-winning teacher and has been in the education field for over 20 years. She served as Founder and CEO of a small charter school network on the South Side of Chicago that opened in 2013.  She is a solo parent who lives in Chicago with her three amazing kids.

Trenches story: can talk about school with ratings, also about divorce and then death of ex. In Aug. 2018, school had been open 5 years. Lots of complexity at work. Had been running into enrollment prob. Had gotten poor test results. Was in the middle of opening schools. Personally in the middle of a divorce. Dad was being treated with colon cancer. Helped her with the real challenges of leadership. Came out of it inch by inch. Dad came out of it. Board didn’t authorize expansion of K. Led to a lot of soul-searching. Grew HS, 100% college acceptance. Stabilized the staff. Beth just focused on the next thing. 

Talk about your journey as Founder and CEO/principal of a small charter school network on the South Side of Chicago that opened in 2013 *until 2021, started process in 2011*. 1 MS, 1 HS. Was interested in it a long time. Didn’t realize all operational implications. 2011-fellowship that took her around country, she learned about charter authorization process. Opened w/ 4-5th graders. 2nd yr of opening separated her role into 2. Roseland community. Great to hear from those kids now in college. It’s not the kids it’s the adults! Engaged a coach/brought in a consultant. Needed addt. perspective. 

Tell about the work you do w/ helping organizations clear out the “adult problems” that get in the way of student success: Leaders come to her and say “I want to get to this place” she does a current analysis. She diagnoses their needs. Often, staff turnover is high, ppl don’t know how to fix it. Both private, charter, and regular public, alternative, early childhood. Works w/ supt., feeder area DOS. She works on external basic work, meets where they’re at. 6 mos process. Can talk about how ppl can see themselves. She tells them it’s “coach-sulting”. She charts out customized course. Interviews, focus groups, surveys. Align key stakeholders. Doesn’t want the plan to gather dust. She’s helping a leader write a slidedeck, f.ex.

Talk about your own podcast episodes, general resources on YouTube, website. she did live LinkedIn interviews, they turned into a podcast called Live on Leadership. She has a leadership quiz she can highlight. 

Out of everything: there’s always a way, when in her trench she didn’t know how. When you want to make a change, you don’t need to answers, but do get help. 

Where can people find you online?

Social media links:

Website: www.bethnapleton.com  www.leadership.quiz.com also directs to her website.

Instagram- @beth.napleton

Facebook- @bethnapletonconsulting

LinkedIn @bethnapleton

The resource page of her website.

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cqALVMxl2IQ

Episode #271: AJ Crabill

https://outofthetrenches.podbean.com/e/episode-271-aj-crabhill/

$\"\"$

AJ Crabill serves as Governance Director at Director of Governance, Council of the Great City Schools (national membership organization of the largest urban school districts) Conservator, DeSoto ISD (small school district on the south side of Dallas). AJ works nationwide to focus school boards on student outcomes governance. His book, Great On Their Behalf, published in March, discusses this. He also provides support to schools implementing Student Led Restorative Practices. He supports districts when a school is having challenging w/ its governance.

Trenches story: his biggest are examples as a student, instructor, board member. His ? is when we’re in the trenches. During his childhood, didn’t have skillset to see way out. Talented educators who inspired him career-wise. Ensured that for school system. Was working w/ st’s who were struggling-had made bad decisions. He didn’t manage the expectations they had of him how they deserved. Very dreadful. Had plenty of excuses. Rebuilt relationships. First was humble enough to acknowledge it- didn’t honor their expectations. Did the work to honor his word. He does better job these days. Recently, he wants to take group to conference but flights weren’t covered.

Talk about book Great on their Behalf: love letter to every school board member in country. Not in ? is the intention on heart of members. Method about changes ppl have to make in behaviors. Book is for ppl who want to serve on school board- or other advocacies. Not good to chase needs of ind. community members. In his book, he lays out why some board members fall into pitfalls of what feels good for 1 person but doesn’t help school system at large. What are the steps in living out aspirations for being an effective board member? Lays out 5 steps. 

Can talk about trials and tribulations of being a school board member, he does a lot of work fixing issues when there are controversies: he had no idea what he was getting himself into. Didn’t know the mechanism.  Ppl in community have different/weird ideas of what school board members can do. 

Work with supt’s and school boards: many systems are institutions of ppl. Providing serves to kids. Tons of ppl involved. How do we keep everyone aligned? In DeSoto, there are only 10 principal. Another district is 200K st’s. More we scale up, it’s harder to maintain a vision. Such as curricular alignment. How do we keep ppl rowing in the same direction? We have to declare our priorities. Next step is getting clear about if your behavior is in alignment or not. System needs to be in place to see that. Need benchmarks in place to align resources w/ priorities.Discipline around resource allocation.

Support to schools implementing Student Led Restorative Practices: he wants t’s to be responsible for doing the work for culturally responsible pedagogy. Essentially we don’t get training for this, but ppl figure it out. He focuses on the quality of instruction st’s are experiencing. St’s and him are traveling to Chicago this week for that. We like to sit st’s down & create a safe space to have them gain a sense of connection. Doing a short RJ circle doesn’t fix things in the long term. Convo still needs to be had. Laboratory space to navigate conflict. St-led RP- st’s will process through situation. Train st’s to facilitate convos. We can pull st’s to lead this work. Strength multiplier. Person facilitating is gaining more skills about conflict mediation. Students are becoming stronger & stronger-st’s need a robust toolkit for this. It’s best for st’s to hear it peers.

Read his policy brief dropped in August about what educators can do if their school board is a mess: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/chiefs-for-change_as-part-of-our-new-brief-we-spoke-to-school-activity-709031536

2184949760-GGAu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

We can talk about board elections/who should/shouldn’t be running, how to identify best candidates? Helpful for voters to understand the job of the board. It’s like any hiring process. What is the job aligned to do? School systems exist to improve st’s outcomes #1. There’s things st’s do, but this is WHY they exist. School boards exists to represent vision of the community. They shouldn’t do things outside that vision. You should vote for those who represent the vision/values of the community. You don’t have to be an education expert or legal expert. Board members need training on what the representation looks like. 

Out of everything: all communities have a role to play in service to st’s. Not all community members have. St’s need to find a role to serve. He calls on all of us to think through what they can do in their community.

Where can ppl find you? email ajcrabil@ajcrabil.com Greatontheirbehalf.com Twitter, FB, IG@ajcrabill

site with school board related media/YouTube links  View this episode on YoubTube: https://youtu.be/9kISR2YR2Fk

","drop_cap":"","text_columns":"","text_columns_tablet":"","text_columns_mobile":"","column_gap":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"column_gap_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"column_gap_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"align":"justify","align_tablet":"","align_mobile":"","text_color":"","typography_typography":"custom","typography_font_family":"Noto Sans","typography_font_size":{"unit":"px","size":10,"sizes":[]},"typography_font_size_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"typography_font_size_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"typography_font_weight":"400","typography_text_transform":"","typography_font_style":"","typography_text_decoration":"","typography_line_height":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"typography_line_height_tablet":{"unit":"em","size":"","sizes":[]},"typography_line_height_mobile":{"unit":"em","size":"","sizes":[]},"typography_letter_spacing":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"typography_letter_spacing_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"typography_letter_spacing_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"typography_word_spacing":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"typography_word_spacing_tablet":{"unit":"em","size":"","sizes":[]},"typography_word_spacing_mobile":{"unit":"em","size":"","sizes":[]},"text_shadow_text_shadow_type":"","text_shadow_text_shadow":{"horizontal":0,"vertical":0,"blur":10,"color":"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)"},"drop_cap_view":"default","drop_cap_primary_color":"","drop_cap_secondary_color":"","drop_cap_shadow_text_shadow_type":"","drop_cap_shadow_text_shadow":{"horizontal":0,"vertical":0,"blur":10,"color":"rgba(0,0,0,0.3)"},"drop_cap_size":{"unit":"px","size":5,"sizes":[]},"drop_cap_space":{"unit":"px","size":10,"sizes":[]},"drop_cap_border_radius":{"unit":"%","size":"","sizes":[]},"drop_cap_border_width":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"drop_cap_typography_typography":"","drop_cap_typography_font_family":"","drop_cap_typography_font_size":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"drop_cap_typography_font_size_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"drop_cap_typography_font_size_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"drop_cap_typography_font_weight":"","drop_cap_typography_text_transform":"","drop_cap_typography_font_style":"","drop_cap_typography_text_decoration":"","drop_cap_typography_line_height":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"drop_cap_typography_line_height_tablet":{"unit":"em","size":"","sizes":[]},"drop_cap_typography_line_height_mobile":{"unit":"em","size":"","sizes":[]},"drop_cap_typography_word_spacing":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"drop_cap_typography_word_spacing_tablet":{"unit":"em","size":"","sizes":[]},"drop_cap_typography_word_spacing_mobile":{"unit":"em","size":"","sizes":[]},"_title":"","_margin":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_margin_tablet":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_margin_mobile":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_padding":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_padding_tablet":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_padding_mobile":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_element_width":"","_element_width_tablet":"","_element_width_mobile":"","_element_custom_width":{"unit":"%","size":"","sizes":[]},"_element_custom_width_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_element_custom_width_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_flex_align_self":"","_flex_align_self_tablet":"","_flex_align_self_mobile":"","_flex_order":"","_flex_order_tablet":"","_flex_order_mobile":"","_flex_order_custom":"","_flex_order_custom_tablet":"","_flex_order_custom_mobile":"","_flex_size":"","_flex_size_tablet":"","_flex_size_mobile":"","_flex_grow":1,"_flex_grow_tablet":"","_flex_grow_mobile":"","_flex_shrink":1,"_flex_shrink_tablet":"","_flex_shrink_mobile":"","_element_vertical_align":"","_element_vertical_align_tablet":"","_element_vertical_align_mobile":"","_position":"","_offset_orientation_h":"start","_offset_x":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_offset_x_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_offset_x_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_offset_x_end":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_offset_x_end_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_offset_x_end_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_offset_orientation_v":"start","_offset_y":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_offset_y_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_offset_y_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_offset_y_end":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_offset_y_end_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_offset_y_end_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_z_index":"","_z_index_tablet":"","_z_index_mobile":"","_element_id":"","_css_classes":"","_animation":"","_animation_tablet":"","_animation_mobile":"","animation_duration":"","_animation_delay":"","_transform_rotate_popover":"","_transform_rotateZ_effect":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateZ_effect_tablet":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateZ_effect_mobile":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotate_3d":"","_transform_rotateX_effect":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateX_effect_tablet":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateX_effect_mobile":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateY_effect":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateY_effect_tablet":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateY_effect_mobile":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_perspective_effect":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_perspective_effect_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_perspective_effect_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translate_popover":"","_transform_translateX_effect":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translateX_effect_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translateX_effect_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translateY_effect":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translateY_effect_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translateY_effect_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scale_popover":"","_transform_keep_proportions":"yes","_transform_scale_effect":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scale_effect_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scale_effect_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scaleX_effect":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scaleX_effect_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scaleX_effect_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scaleY_effect":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scaleY_effect_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scaleY_effect_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_skew_popover":"","_transform_skewX_effect":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_skewX_effect_tablet":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_skewX_effect_mobile":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_skewY_effect":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_skewY_effect_tablet":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_skewY_effect_mobile":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_flipX_effect":"","_transform_flipY_effect":"","_transform_rotate_popover_hover":"","_transform_rotateZ_effect_hover":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateZ_effect_hover_tablet":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateZ_effect_hover_mobile":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotate_3d_hover":"","_transform_rotateX_effect_hover":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateX_effect_hover_tablet":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateX_effect_hover_mobile":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateY_effect_hover":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateY_effect_hover_tablet":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_rotateY_effect_hover_mobile":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_perspective_effect_hover":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_perspective_effect_hover_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_perspective_effect_hover_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translate_popover_hover":"","_transform_translateX_effect_hover":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translateX_effect_hover_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translateX_effect_hover_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translateY_effect_hover":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translateY_effect_hover_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translateY_effect_hover_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scale_popover_hover":"","_transform_keep_proportions_hover":"yes","_transform_scale_effect_hover":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scale_effect_hover_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scale_effect_hover_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scaleX_effect_hover":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scaleX_effect_hover_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scaleX_effect_hover_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scaleY_effect_hover":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scaleY_effect_hover_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_scaleY_effect_hover_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_skew_popover_hover":"","_transform_skewX_effect_hover":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_skewX_effect_hover_tablet":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_skewX_effect_hover_mobile":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_skewY_effect_hover":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_skewY_effect_hover_tablet":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_skewY_effect_hover_mobile":{"unit":"deg","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_flipX_effect_hover":"","_transform_flipY_effect_hover":"","_transform_transition_hover":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"motion_fx_transform_x_anchor_point":"","motion_fx_transform_x_anchor_point_tablet":"","motion_fx_transform_x_anchor_point_mobile":"","motion_fx_transform_y_anchor_point":"","motion_fx_transform_y_anchor_point_tablet":"","motion_fx_transform_y_anchor_point_mobile":"","_background_background":"","_background_color":"","_background_color_stop":{"unit":"%","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_color_stop_tablet":{"unit":"%"},"_background_color_stop_mobile":{"unit":"%"},"_background_color_b":"#f2295b","_background_color_b_stop":{"unit":"%","size":100,"sizes":[]},"_background_color_b_stop_tablet":{"unit":"%"},"_background_color_b_stop_mobile":{"unit":"%"},"_background_gradient_type":"linear","_background_gradient_angle":{"unit":"deg","size":180,"sizes":[]},"_background_gradient_angle_tablet":{"unit":"deg"},"_background_gradient_angle_mobile":{"unit":"deg"},"_background_gradient_position":"center center","_background_gradient_position_tablet":"","_background_gradient_position_mobile":"","_background_image":{"url":"","id":"","size":""},"_background_image_tablet":{"url":"","id":"","size":""},"_background_image_mobile":{"url":"","id":"","size":""},"_background_position":"","_background_position_tablet":"","_background_position_mobile":"","_background_xpos":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_xpos_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_xpos_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_ypos":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_ypos_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_ypos_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_attachment":"","_background_repeat":"","_background_repeat_tablet":"","_background_repeat_mobile":"","_background_size":"","_background_size_tablet":"","_background_size_mobile":"","_background_bg_width":{"unit":"%","size":100,"sizes":[]},"_background_bg_width_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_background_bg_width_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_background_video_link":"","_background_video_start":"","_background_video_end":"","_background_play_once":"","_background_play_on_mobile":"","_background_privacy_mode":"","_background_video_fallback":{"url":"","id":"","size":""},"_background_slideshow_gallery":[],"_background_slideshow_loop":"yes","_background_slideshow_slide_duration":5000,"_background_slideshow_slide_transition":"fade","_background_slideshow_transition_duration":500,"_background_slideshow_background_size":"","_background_slideshow_background_size_tablet":"","_background_slideshow_background_size_mobile":"","_background_slideshow_background_position":"","_background_slideshow_background_position_tablet":"","_background_slideshow_background_position_mobile":"","_background_slideshow_lazyload":"","_background_slideshow_ken_burns":"","_background_slideshow_ken_burns_zoom_direction":"in","_background_hover_background":"","_background_hover_color":"","_background_hover_color_stop":{"unit":"%","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_hover_color_stop_tablet":{"unit":"%"},"_background_hover_color_stop_mobile":{"unit":"%"},"_background_hover_color_b":"#f2295b","_background_hover_color_b_stop":{"unit":"%","size":100,"sizes":[]},"_background_hover_color_b_stop_tablet":{"unit":"%"},"_background_hover_color_b_stop_mobile":{"unit":"%"},"_background_hover_gradient_type":"linear","_background_hover_gradient_angle":{"unit":"deg","size":180,"sizes":[]},"_background_hover_gradient_angle_tablet":{"unit":"deg"},"_background_hover_gradient_angle_mobile":{"unit":"deg"},"_background_hover_gradient_position":"center center","_background_hover_gradient_position_tablet":"","_background_hover_gradient_position_mobile":"","_background_hover_image":{"url":"","id":"","size":""},"_background_hover_image_tablet":{"url":"","id":"","size":""},"_background_hover_image_mobile":{"url":"","id":"","size":""},"_background_hover_position":"","_background_hover_position_tablet":"","_background_hover_position_mobile":"","_background_hover_xpos":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_hover_xpos_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_hover_xpos_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_hover_ypos":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_hover_ypos_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_hover_ypos_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_background_hover_attachment":"","_background_hover_repeat":"","_background_hover_repeat_tablet":"","_background_hover_repeat_mobile":"","_background_hover_size":"","_background_hover_size_tablet":"","_background_hover_size_mobile":"","_background_hover_bg_width":{"unit":"%","size":100,"sizes":[]},"_background_hover_bg_width_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_background_hover_bg_width_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_background_hover_video_link":"","_background_hover_video_start":"","_background_hover_video_end":"","_background_hover_play_once":"","_background_hover_play_on_mobile":"","_background_hover_privacy_mode":"","_background_hover_video_fallback":{"url":"","id":"","size":""},"_background_hover_slideshow_gallery":[],"_background_hover_slideshow_loop":"yes","_background_hover_slideshow_slide_duration":5000,"_background_hover_slideshow_slide_transition":"fade","_background_hover_slideshow_transition_duration":500,"_background_hover_slideshow_background_size":"","_background_hover_slideshow_background_size_tablet":"","_background_hover_slideshow_background_size_mobile":"","_background_hover_slideshow_background_position":"","_background_hover_slideshow_background_position_tablet":"","_background_hover_slideshow_background_position_mobile":"","_background_hover_slideshow_lazyload":"","_background_hover_slideshow_ken_burns":"","_background_hover_slideshow_ken_burns_zoom_direction":"in","_background_hover_transition":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_border_border":"","_border_width":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_border_width_tablet":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_border_width_mobile":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_border_color":"","_border_radius":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_border_radius_tablet":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_border_radius_mobile":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_box_shadow_box_shadow_type":"","_box_shadow_box_shadow":{"horizontal":0,"vertical":0,"blur":10,"spread":0,"color":"rgba(0,0,0,0.5)"},"_box_shadow_box_shadow_position":" ","_border_hover_border":"","_border_hover_width":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_border_hover_width_tablet":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_border_hover_width_mobile":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_border_hover_color":"","_border_radius_hover":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_border_radius_hover_tablet":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_border_radius_hover_mobile":{"unit":"px","top":"","right":"","bottom":"","left":"","isLinked":true},"_box_shadow_hover_box_shadow_type":"","_box_shadow_hover_box_shadow":{"horizontal":0,"vertical":0,"blur":10,"spread":0,"color":"rgba(0,0,0,0.5)"},"_box_shadow_hover_box_shadow_position":" ","_border_hover_transition":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_mask_switch":"","_mask_shape":"circle","_mask_image":{"url":"","id":"","size":""},"_mask_notice":"","_mask_size":"contain","_mask_size_tablet":"","_mask_size_mobile":"","_mask_size_scale":{"unit":"%","size":100,"sizes":[]},"_mask_size_scale_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_mask_size_scale_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_mask_position":"center center","_mask_position_tablet":"","_mask_position_mobile":"","_mask_position_x":{"unit":"%","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_mask_position_x_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_mask_position_x_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_mask_position_y":{"unit":"%","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_mask_position_y_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_mask_position_y_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_mask_repeat":"no-repeat","_mask_repeat_tablet":"","_mask_repeat_mobile":"","hide_desktop":"","hide_tablet":"","hide_mobile":""},"defaultEditSettings":{"defaultEditRoute":"content"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor","htmlCache":"","editSettings":{"defaultEditRoute":"content","panel":{"activeTab":"style","activeSection":"section_style"}}}]}”>Listen here

Kyle Hill is a District Special Education Resource Lead / Founder of RechargED Family. He is an award-winning educator who has worked in special education for 25 years in the state of Delaware. His first 20 years teaching was as a special education teacher in an elementary school, but since, he has been working as a district-wide Resource Lead, in an attempt to help teachers and paraeducators support all the students within their diverse classrooms. His role involves academic and behavioral support, overseeing first year teacher mentor programs, and leading all special education intervention curriculum programs for the entire school district. His greatest passion and job though is being a father of 3 kids who all have their own unique needs. Because of his experiences in education and parenting, Kyle became the founder of the RechargED Family. In this organization he aims to provide resources and content for both parents and educators in hopes to help youth reach their goals. He’s the podcast host of the Xhausted Educators and the Parents RechargED shows as well as a content creator on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Kyle is currently working on multiple large projects. This summer he is partnering up with education leaders from across North America, who will be providing educators with over 50 workshops before the start of the 23-24 school year, and he is also in the process of creating a student mentor program where community members come into the schools to meet with individual students and make a positive impact. This mentor program is being created on the idea that a paraeducator or parent can oversee the entire program, because in many cases campus leaders do not have enough time to oversee an additional student mentoring program.

I am extremely passionate about trying to connect parents and the community with schools. It benefits everyone, especially the students. Student mentoring programs are known to improve student behaviors, attendance, engagement, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Because of this, I have been working on promoting student mentor programs where volunteers come to schools to meet with students for about 20 minutes a week in order to connect and provide another consistent positive role model for students who need extra support. Wife & him are passionate about it. Have kids with ADHD, 504 plans, hearing impairment. Parents outside of education don’t understand educational jargon. Wife was just elected to the school board. He spent a lot of time with behavior support at 1 school. That school turned towards student mentoring program. Recruited community members. It’s inspirational for students.

The RechargED Family is in the editing and publishing phase of a brand new student mentoring program that will be out later this summer. It will provide trainings and resources for everyone involved. The idea is that the leadership team at a school designates a “Site Leader” who is in charge of overseeing the program. This person receives all of the appropriate information and resources through our training modules. This Site Leader can be a parent(s) or paraeducator(s), since building leaders and teachers rarely have enough time to monitor an entire program like this. Needs to recruit people. Teachers and principals don’t have time. Site leaders can be parent, para, help with recruiting. RechargED will give ppl the framework. He went down list of retired paras & t’s. Also ppl @ district office. It was their favorite part of the week. Can also link up with businesses. 1 day/wk employees can use lunch hour to visit/mentor kids.

I’m also putting together a collaboration of education leaders who will be providing over 50 ED workshops for educators heading into the 23-24 school year. The RechargED Family Back To School Virtual Workshops opened for registration on July 1st and the workshops opened on August 1st. Those registered will be able to access these workshops all year long. Bringing things educators are passionate about for low cost-$10. Good businesses are endorsing & bringing out freebies. Extra food for thought. Paras also want more PD-they don’t make enough to pay for PD.

Where can ppl find you online:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rechargedfamily

IG: https://www.instagram.com/rechargedfamily/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/kylehillcr/

Website: https://www.rechargedfamily.com/

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MVbjWnYX1LA

Episode #267: Nicole S. Brown

Listen here

Where can ppl find you online: she’ll send social media links / headshot (email) Nicole S. Brown Social Media Sites:

https://www.facebook.com/outstandingauthornicolesbrown/ Facebook Fanpage

https://www.facebook.com/authornicole.brown Personal Facebook

https://www.tiktok.com/@authornicolesbrown TikTok

https://www.instagram.com/authornicolesbrown/ Instagram

https://www.tumblr.com/authornicolesbrown Tumblr

https://twitter.com/NikkisSecret Twitter

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4066097.Nicole_S_Brown Good Reads

https://www.youtube.com/@NikkisSecret/videos YouTube

Here are some links to her books: authornicolesbrown.yolasite.com

etsy.com/shop/PoetryatBest w/ all her books and swag

https://www.amazon.com/Nicole-S-Brown/e/B005Z51AK4%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VwheSz___HA

Episode #268: Katie Trowbridge

Episode #268: Katie Trowbridge | The Out of the Trenches Podcast (podbean.com)

Katie Trowbridge has over two decades of experience as a teacher and mentor. She is President and CEO of Curiosity 2 CREATE, a nonprofit organization focused on helping educators incorporate creative and critical thinking strategies into their existing curricula and build creative classroom environments. Katie is also co-founder of the Creative Thinking Network, an online network to assist teachers in adding creative thinking into their curriculum. Katie has won several Teacher of Excellence and Outstanding Educator awards, has a Master’s in Teaching and a Master’s in Education Administration, and is pursuing her ED.D at Northeastern University in Boston. She currently travels around the nation, speaking at conferences and training educators.

Trench story: Most of her trenches were when struggling with student engagement. Loved teaching. Things shifted. Connection was dwindling. Thought “I don’t want to be @ the school”. Figured she needed to change things up. Did research into shift of why t’s are changing, students are changing. Creative & critical thinking. Pulled her out of that slump.

Out of everything? The best thing we can do is collaborate w/ each other, it’s OK to look to others for advice. Work in your PLCs. Let go of your stuff. There’s great power in that.

Where can ppl find you online? the creative thinking network (experts, lesson plans, etc) Curiosity2create hosts workshops. Email (include in show notes). They’re very active on social too.

https://curiosity2create.org and www.creativethinkingnet.com/

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9lyg7zPlLes

Episode #269: Grace Stevens

Listen here

A former corporate girl, Grace quit VP life to pursue her dream job as a public school teacher. After 20 years in the classroom, she now focuses full-time on helping educators have a more positive teaching experience. Grace combines her signature mantra, “Your energy teaches more than your lesson plans,” with two decades of study in behavioral therapy, positive psychology, and NLP to create science-based habits for overwhelmed educators. She has authored three books on teaching including the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers and also the One New Habit book series.

In addition to being an elementary school teacher for 20 years, she is the author of the popular book Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers.

Where can ppl find you online:You can learn more about her on-line courses and coaching at www.GraceStevens.com This is a link to a free video training to help teachers stress-proof their teaching beyond the cliched advice of investing in self-care and connecting with students. It’s a quick training any teacher could finish on their prep period.

Youtube: Love Your Teacher Life with Grace Stevens – YouTube

FB: https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher

Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/loveyourteacherlife

TicToc: http://tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vjDfE7QcnUs

Episode #270: Beth Napleton

Episode #270: Beth Napleton | The Out of the Trenches Podcast (podbean.com)

Beth is a national award-winning teacher and has been in the education field for over 20 years. She served as Founder and CEO of a small charter school network on the South Side of Chicago that opened in 2013. She is a solo parent who lives in Chicago with her three amazing kids.

Out of everything: there’s always a way, when in her trench she didn’t know how. When you want to make a change, you don’t need to answers, but do get help.

Where can people find you online?

Social media links:

Website: www.bethnapleton.com www.leadership.quiz.com also directs to her website.

Instagram- @beth.napleton

Facebook- @bethnapletonconsulting

LinkedIn @bethnapleton

The resource page of her website.

View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cqALVMxl2IQ

Episode #271: AJ Crabill

Listen here

Can talk about trials and tribulations of being a school board member, he does a lot of work fixing issues when there are controversies: he had no idea what he was getting himself into. Didn’t know the mechanism. Ppl in community have different/weird ideas of what school board members can do.

Support to schools implementing Student Led Restorative Practices: he wants t’s to be responsible for doing the work for culturally responsible pedagogy. Essentially we don’t get training for this, but ppl figure it out. He focuses on the quality of instruction st’s are experiencing. St’s and him are traveling to Chicago this week for that. We like to sit st’s down & create a safe space to have them gain a sense of connection. Doing a short RJ circle doesn’t fix things in the long term. Convo still needs to be had. Laboratory space to navigate conflict. St-led RP- st’s will process through situation. Train st’s to facilitate convos. We can pull st’s to lead this work. Strength multiplier. Person facilitating is gaining more skills about conflict mediation. Students are becoming stronger & stronger-st’s need a robust toolkit for this. It’s best for st’s to hear it peers.

2184949760-GGAu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Where can ppl find you? email ajcrabil@ajcrabil.com Greatontheirbehalf.com Twitter, FB, IG@ajcrabill

site with school board related media/YouTube links View this episode on YoubTube: https://youtu.be/9kISR2YR2Fk

Episode #264: Bobby Pollicino

Episode #265: Natalie Vardabasso

Episode #266: Kyle Hill

Episode #265: Natalie Vardabasso

Episode #266: Kyle Hill

Episode #267: Nicole S. Brown

Episode #268: Katie Trowbridge

Episode #269: Grace Stevens

Episode #270: Beth Napleton

Episode #271: AJ Crabill

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and Get a free chapter of my book OUT OF TRENCHES

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and
Get a free chapter of my book
OUT OF TRENCHES