The Out of the Trenches Podcast

Episode # 384: Todd Bloomer

Mr. Todd Bloomer, with 29 years in public education and 18 in administration, recently retired from a high school principal leading a campus of over 2,500 students. His extensive experience across middle and high school levels, talent for building positive campus cultures, and exceptional hiring practices set him apart. As an author and coach, he offers valuable insights on educational leadership and effective communication. Mr. Bloomer's commitment to creating a supportive, family-like atmosphere ensures a dynamic and transformative coaching experience. Contact him using the form below for more information on his coaching services.

Find Todd online: #theblueprint, Todd Bloomer IG @todd_bloomer_ author Has been creating IG reels. X @bloomer LinkedIn @toddbloomer www.toddmbloomer.com

Episode # 383: Nancy Parkes

Dr. Nancy Parkes is an educational consultant and lecturer. Much of her work is focused on helping Jewish educators and directors integrate social, emotional, and spiritual learning in their settings. Several of her articles on the topic have appeared in Jewishphilanthropy and she is currently working on an SESL book and toolkit for Jewish educators. Nancy is a lecturer at the Jewish Theological Seminar and is currently teaching an online certificate program in Social, Emotional, and Spiritual Learning for Jewish educators. She is also a founding member of SESL4Jewished, which is a collaborative for promoting holistic growth for learners and educators in all Jewish settings. Nancy served as the Director of Congregational Learning at Temple Israel Center in White Plains for ten years, and is an outspoken advocate for the partnership between Rabbis and educators in bringing about innovation and change in the congregational (edit out flub) school setting. Nancy earned her doctorate in Education and her M.A. degree in Jewish Studies and Education in the William Davidson School of Education at JTS.

Find Nancy online: https://www.nancyparkesconsulting.com

Episode # 382: Rich Bernato

Richard Bernato, Ed.D. enters his fifty-third year in schooling, that spans higher education, research, in doctoral and graduate levels like Stony Brook, St. John’s University, Molloy University, and CUNY Queens College, many K-12 leadership roles, and consulting with and presenting to many school districts. His interests include catalyzing interactive and research-based effective curricula that are a result of futuring systems, planning, decision making, and high engagement of all stakeholders to ensure systemically healthy schooling and organizational practices. His latest book, Co-Creating the Future, a Simulation to Catalyze School Change (2024) Solution Tree, is a unique offering to those interested in innovative professional development principles and planning. His books, Futures-Based Change Leadership (2017), Planning as Futuring, Futuring as Planning, (2020) also capture those ideas. He is also co-author of The Collective Mindset (2022), blogs, podcasting and articles that are devoted to that vision. An expert on the uses of and how to design simulations for learning and organizational improvement Dr. Bernato, supports all efforts to reform schools for futures they have yet to consider and supports these through his efforts as Editor in Chief of the SCOPE Journal for Leadership and Instruction.

Find Rich online:

https://www.facebook.com/richard.bernato.3

@richDis48 X,  Bluesky/LinkedIn

rbernato_simulation_educator (Instagram)

Rbernato@gmail.com    Richard.bernato@scopeonline.us

www.linkedin.com/in/richard-bernato-1658854

 https://www.solutiontree.com/richard-bernato.html

Episode # 381: Matt Rhoades & Belinda Karge

Matthew Rhoads, EdD, is an expert and innovator in educational technology and instructional strategy integration within online, blended, and traditional in-person classroom settings. With a special education background, Dr. Rhoads co-taught for many years at the high school level in the areas of English, mathematics, and social sciences. He continues to co-teach regularly while coaching teachers and presenting professional development.

As a practicing technology and instructional leader, trainer, integrationist, and coach in adult education, K–12, and higher education, he develops instructional integrations of edtech tools with research-based strategies to drive instruction. He is a coach and professional learning
specialist for new and experienced teachers within the consortium and at a local university. Dr. Rhoads is also a doctoral dissertation chair who coaches doctoral students to conduct their research, write, and defend their dissertations. Dr. Rhoads eight books focus on integrating instructional strategies with edtech and AI tools to amplify student learning within in-person, online, and blended learning classrooms. His latest books include Crush It From the Start: 50 Tips for New Teachers, Instruction Without Boundaries: Enhance Your Teaching Strategies With Technology Tools in Any Setting, Amplify Learning: A Global Collaborative series, and Navigating the Toggled Term: A Guide for K–12 Classroom and School Leaders. His blog on his website has 75+ posts on all things related to education, instruction, Special Education, and more. He also has his podcast, Navigating Education, which discusses all topics related to education and instruction.

Belinda Dunnick Karge (j) PhD, is a professor in the doctoral studies program at Concordia University Irvine and a professor emeritus at California State University, Fullerton. She taught both general education and special education and served in administrative roles in elementary and high school prior to teaching in higher education. Her interest in co-teaching began when she was originally in the classroom; she has co taught at several levels.

Belinda’s professional record demonstrates a consistent pattern of research publications; she has produced five textbooks, five curriculum texts, four book chapters, several educational tools, and more than 150 articles. Her latest book is Watch, Listen, Ask, Learn: How School Leaders Can Create an Inclusive Environment for Students With Disabilities. She has made numerous presentations to international, state, and local groups of school
district employees and has keynoted several conferences. She serves as a consultant for the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Overseas Schools and travels extensively around the world. Research-based instructional strategies, schoolwide change, co-teaching, and inclusive practices are a few areas she consults on.

Belinda received the Council for Exceptional Children’s Susan Phillips Gorin Award. She was also honored with the Council for Learning Disabilities’ Floyd G. Hudson Outstanding Service Award and the Association for Childhood Education International service award. Belinda’s PhD is in quantitative methods, special education, and educational psychology and her
master’s degree is in special education and reading. She received both from the University of California, Riverside.

Find them online:

 X, LinkedIn, IG, Bluesky, FB Contact Solution Tree for consulting opportunities

www.matthewrhoads.com, www.coteachingevolved.com 

Social Media

X - @mattrhoads1990 

Instagram/Threads - @DrRhoadsEdu

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-rhoads-ed-d-95772120/

Bluesky - matthewrhoads.com

Belinda: Linkedin @BelindaKarge

Episode # 380: Walter Cullin

Walter Cullin Jr. is a dedicated educator, higher education administrator, consultant, and podcast host with a diverse background spanning healthcare administration, teaching, coaching, and leadership roles such as dean and associate principal. He holds a B.S. in Healthcare Administration, an M.A. in Urban Education, and an M.S. in Educational Leadership. Walter champions intrinsic motivation, accountability, and student empowerment through his motto: "Intrinsically motivated with no excuses." Passionate about building authentic educator-student relationships, Walter fosters inclusive learning environments and equips educators with strategies to connect meaningfully with students, particularly in urban education. His book, Intrinsically Motivated With No Excuses, inspires minority youth to develop self-confidence, self-awareness, and resilience.

Find Walter online: FB @instrinsticallymotivated @IG YouTube @whatsyourmotive

Episode # 379: Dr. Cecelia Gillam

Dr. Cecelia Gillam is a native of New Orleans who has earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University of Hammond. Dr. Gillam has been a Science teacher for nineteen years. She has helped write science district curriculum and assessments for Environmental Science. She is an advocate for the National Equity Project by being selected as a board member for the Black Teacher Project. She is an ambassador for Pear Deck and Edpuzzle.Dr. Gillam has earned the distinction of being an ISTE Certified Educator. She is a member of the inaugural group of Trendsetters for Vernier. She also serves as a coach for Screencastify. Her involvement in the EdTech world does not stop with her role as an ambassador and coach; she is also a Distinguished Modern Classroom Educator and Expert Mentor for Modern Classroom. Cecelia is a Teacher Leader Advisor in EdTech content for the Louisiana Department of Education. She serves as an ambassador for EcoRise. She has attended and presented at multiple national conferences including ISTE and NSTA to train teachers on how to incorporate EdTech tools in their classrooms. Cecelia created a step team to engage at-risk youth in a positive community service-based organization. She has published a motivational children’s book that can be found on Amazon. The book is Black Girl, Black Girl you are AMAZING!. She is a National Grand Prize Winner for the Shell Lab Grant and a recent recipient of the Shell Urban Educator Development award. Dr. Gillam comes with a wealth of knowledge that can benefit all science teachers across the nation. She has served as an Affinity Group Leader for the State of Louisiana with the goal of helping to retain and preserve new science teachers. Her knowledge and skill sets will be very beneficial for the science community.

Find Cecelia online on X,IG: @Cecelia21082  FB: @Ceceliagillam TikTok: @Cece210

Episode # 378: Nicola Soares

As president of Kelly® Education, Nicola Soares believes that education is the bedrock of a thriving society and that the talented people who work in our schools, colleges, and universities are crucial to powering the future of learning and unlocking student potential. Nicola has successfully led the expansion of Kelly Education from providing substitute teachers in K-12 schools across the U.S., to providing specialized talent solutions­––including adjuncts, paraprofessionals, tutors, therapists, and nurses­­––in academic settings from early childhood through higher education, making Kelly Education the nation’s largest and most trusted education talent solutions provider.She recently led the acquisition of the premier executive search agency, Greenwood/Asher & Associates. The firm’s reputation for inclusion and diversity in academic leadership placements in higher education is unrivaled.

A champion of women in the workforce, Nicola serves as the executive sponsor for the Kelly Leadership in Action program—which began with a focus on women, and is now dedicated to developing successful leaders of all genders in the global marketplace. She’s also the executive sponsor of the Kelly LatinX Affinity Group, an employee-led community focused on building a more inclusive workplace.

Find Nicola online:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasoares/

https://twitter.com/NSoares_KellyEd

Episode # 377: Dr. Brandi Kelly

Repeat guest Dr. Brandi Kelly brings over 20 years of heart, hustle, and hands-on experience to the world of education. A licensed clinical social worker and Maxwell Certified Coach, she’s worn many hats — from school social worker to principal to superintendent. Along the way, she’s been honored with the NAESP Distinguished Elementary School Principal Award (2014) and Middle School Principal of the Year (2021). Dr. Kelly is proud to be part of inspiring networks like the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), Teach Better Network, Illinois Principals Association (IPA), and the Educational League of Illinois (ELI). She loves sparking change through speaking, writing, and hosting the Lead with HOPE podcast — where she shares real conversations about leadership, resilience, and growth. When she's not leading with hope, you’ll find Brandi spending time with her family, getting lost in a good book, or exploring new places.

Follow her journey at www.sparkhopeedu.com and on your favorite social media platforms @brandinashkelly or @leadwithhope

Episode # 376: Dr. Teresa Hill

Dr. Teresa Hill is a speaker, author, and leader whose work focuses on underserved communities and making the system work for every child. She is devoted to eliminating achievement gaps and ending what she terms “failure as a default”. Her motto is “All children can learn . . . Period.” Dr. Hill began her career teaching thirty-one kindergarten students in Peoria, IL, has served as a principal and assistant superintendent, and has served as Superintendent in South Holland, IL since 2012.

Find Dr. Hill online: @tdhilledd LinkedIn X, IG website: www.TDhilledd.com

Episode # 375: Peter Marshall

Peter Marshall has more than thirty-five years of experience as an educator. He has served as a teacher, school administrator, and system leader in Ontario, working in leadership and staff development as well as opening a new school. He currently serves as a Solution Tree Assessment Center Associate. Wrote Today’s Teachers, Tomorrow’s Leaders: A Guide to Identifying and Developing Future Administrators.

Find Peter online: www.petermarschallconsulting.com @petermarshall on Solution Tree