Episodes

6 hours ago
Episode #361: Priscila Prestes
6 hours ago
6 hours ago
Priscila Prestes is a Brazilian teacher with 15 years of experience at all levels and grades. She graduated in Pedagogy at the Federal University of Paraná and moved to the United States in 2015 to teach DLI Portuguese. She taught first grade for 5 years. She is starting her fifth year this fall as a Middle School DLI teacher and she loves it. She has presented at several Education and Language Conferences because she loves sharing what she has learned. She is currently trying to find a balance between full-time work, family, and finishing her MA in Portuguese Pedagogy at BYU.
Find Priscila online via her website: http://sites.google.com/alpinedistrict.org/pprestes/about-me

Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Episode #360: Dr. Cynthia Rapaido
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Dr. Cynthia Rapaido, a highly accomplished educator, holds an Ed.D. in International and Multicultural Education and an M.A. in Educational Administration from the University of San Francisco. She earned her B.S. in Applied Arts and Sciences Biology from San Diego State University. With over 30 years of experience in K–12 education, she has served as a high school principal, assistant principal, and teacher, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape across various schools and districts in California. Find Cynthia online: https://www.amazon.com/Step-Your-School-Leadership-Game/dp/B0D6HLQZ2B
(her book) LinkedIn @CynthiaRapaido reach out to her if you’d want coaching virtually. See her @NAASP- Seattle mid July.

Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Episode #359: Sarah Wysocki
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Sarah Wysocki is a longtime educator, child advocate, author, and mom, living in Annandale, Virginia. She is a lifelong learner who has a Bachelor of Science in health psychology, a master's in teaching, and a post-graduate certificate in TESOL. Sarah is driven to support the growth and development of the whole child, with a special interest in social and emotional well-being. When she's not busy sparking the love of learning in her students, she can be found volunteering in her neighborhood or out on the pickleball courts building friendship and community.
Find Sarah online: X: sarahwysocki10 , LinkedIn @sarahwysicki
Edutopia: https://www.edutopia.org/profile/sarah-wysocki

Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Episode # 358: Dr. Chris Jochum
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Christopher J. Jochum, Ph.D. currently serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) where he leads a large teacher preparation program, serving on-campus and virtual students across the country. Jochum’s previous professional appointments include the University of Nebraska at Kearney as an Associate Professor of Foreign Language Education and Spanish, the University of Central Missouri as an Assistant Professor of Secondary Education, Salina High School South (Kansas) as a secondary Spanish teacher and Chair of the World Languages Department and Kearney Public Schools (Nebraska) as a K-12 English as a Second Language teacher.
Dr. Jochum is the author of “The Department Chair: A Practical Guide to Effective Leadership” (Rowman & Littlefield) and serves as the Co-Chair of the Advisory Board for the Academic Chairpersons Conference, where he is also one of the facilitators for the New Chair Alliance. Chris was recently elected as a Commissioner for the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and was one of the founding Directors of The National Center for Clinical Practice in Educator Preparation.
Find Chris online: https://cjleadership.com/ links from there to podcast, LinkedIn, Tik Tok

Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Episode #357: Alyssa Gallagher
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Alyssa Gallagher is the Head of BTS Spark, America (West & Central), Speaker & Facilitator in Leadership Development, Multipliers, Design Thinking and co-author of MESSY Leadership. She is a passionate and experienced education leader, author, speaker, and consultant. She has over 20 years of leadership experience in various educational settings, from district administration to non-profit management. She is currently the Head of BTS Spark, America (West/Central), a global education non-profit that empowers educators to transform their schools and communities. Alyssa's mission is to unleash the intelligence and potential of everyone on her team and in her network.
She is a certified Multiplier practitioner and collaborator, as well as a co-author of two books on design thinking for school leaders and educators and a book on embracing the messiness of leadership. She designs and delivers engaging and impactful learning experiences that help leaders and educators foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and well-being. She is also a sought-after speaker and facilitator who shares her insights and best practices on leadership, learning, and change.
Find Alyssa online: BTS Spark & @LinkedIn www.btsspark.org
They share a lot of free resources via website

Wednesday May 28, 2025
Episode # 356: Roni Habib
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Roni Habib author of Happy & Resilient: The Complete Guide to Joyful Teaching, Learning & Living. He is an expert in helping leaders, educators, and parents become happier, more resilient, more connected to their purpose, and more playful. The founder of EQ Schools, he leads workshops and speaks in organizations nationally and abroad.
Follow Roni on FB, X, IG, Bluesky @roninhabib

Wednesday May 21, 2025
Episode #355: Matt Sherrill
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Matt Sherrill is a Regional Educational Technology Coordinator for the Learning Technology Center, serving Illinois’ East Central region. Always an early adopter, Matt is passionate about utilizing technology to drive impactful learning and supporting fellow educators as they grow fluent in new tech. An educator with 15 years of classroom experience, Matt previously worked as an ELA teacher and department chair in McLean County Unit 5 schools. Matt also holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning and a Technology Specialist endorsement on his Illinois Professional Educator License. In addition to his classroom work, Matt has served on his district’s AI Advisory Team where he developed and delivered AI-focused professional development to the district’s staff. He has also shared his insights as a guest speaker on AI literacy for Illinois State University’s pre-service teachers.
Find Matt online: on LinkedIn or use the website www.LTCIllinios.org & email him.

Wednesday May 14, 2025
Episode #354: Brenda Yoho
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Brenda Yoho is the author of Lead with Two Rules: Feeling Good and Feeling Safe. Her career in public education spanned more than 25 years, as a teacher, elementary principal, middle school principal, and director. She provides encouragement and leadership advice. As an educational consultant with over two decades of experience in the education sector, she partners with the Illinois Principals Association to support K-12 principals, educational leaders, and staff members in rural and urban settings. She helps them develop their skills and competencies in areas such as school improvement, curriculum, staff development, crisis planning, school culture, family involvement, grants, bullying, and goal setting. She also provides mentoring and coaching to aspiring, new, and seasoned administrators, building trusting relationships and facilitating professional growth. Contact her via www.BrendaYoho.com she publishes blogs every Wednesday Socials: @BrendaYoho X, IG, FB, but she isn’t super active. On LinkedIn she's most active.

Wednesday May 07, 2025
Episode #353: Tom Pesce
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Tom Pesce is an international speaker, educator, emcee, and motivational entertainer. His long client list includes companies such NASA, Amazon, Google, NBC, Nasdaq, Formula 1, and more. He’s been a 4th & 6th teacher for 20 yrs. Tom has toured as a headliner for Princess Cruises and regularly works with professional sports teams and Fortune 500 companies around the world. Recently named “Entertainer of the Year” and honored by the Site Crystal Awards as “Standalone Celebratory Event of the Year”, Tom’s mission is clear: to make a lasting, positive impact wherever he goes. In addition to his award-winning stage work, Tom is also a distinguished educator with over twenty years' experience. He has earned multiple graduate degrees in the fields of elementary education, school district administration, and advanced leadership studies.
Today, Tom shares his passion worldwide, helping individuals and organizations discover their own magic in both their personal and professional lives. Tom possesses an intimate understanding of the daily trials and triumphs educators face. His captivating and personalized presentations aren't merely designed to prevent teacher burnout; they ultimately leave participants equipped and inspired to take action.
Tom lives in Ridgefield, CT with his wife, Becky, and their three children.
Find Tom on most socials but Tik Tok, IG, X @tompesceoffical or via his website: www.tompesce.com

Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Episode #351: Zach Groshell
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Zach Groshell, PhD is a highly distinguished teacher, instructional coach, and education consultant. Zach is based in Seattle, WA and works with schools nationwide and internationally to develop high quality instruction based on the science of how kids learn. Zach hosts the podcast, Progressively Incorrect.
Find Zach online: Twitter, Threads, BlueSky (@mrzachg) @scienceofmath He has a FB group. Visit his blog, www.educationrickshaw.com