The Out of the Trenches Podcast

Episode #215: Aaron Else

Aaron Else has been a principal since 2014, AP since 2008. Also, he works as an Adjunct Prof at U of N Texas. He is an enthusiastic optimist entering his 23rd year in education. During his time in education, he has taught 1st, 2nd, and 5th grades. He is principal at Hosp Elementary in Frisco ISD. Aaron is married to Heather, and they have five kids combined and two dogs. He loves to read, work out, and watch sports. Twitter @principalelse & LinkedIn.

Episode #214: Baruti Kafele

As a highly regarded urban educator in New Jersey for over twenty years, Principal Baruti Kafele distinguished himself as a master teacher and a transformational school leader. As an elementary school teacher he was a New Jersey State Teacher of the Year finalist, and a recipient of the New Jersey Education Association Award of Excellence. As a middle and high school principal, Principal Kafele led the turnaround of four different New Jersey urban schools.

One of the most sought-after school leadership and classroom equity presenters in America, Principal Kafele is impacting America’s schools! He has delivered over two thousand conference and program keynotes and professional development workshops. Principal Kafele is the leading authority for providing effective classroom and school leadership strategies toward closing what he coined, the "Attitude Gap.” He has authored twelve books, including his seven ASCD best sellers - Motivating Black Males to Achieve in School & in Life, Closing the Attitude Gap, Is My School a Better School BECAUSE I Lead It?, The Teacher 50, The Principal 50, The Assistant Principal 50 and his newest release, The Equity & Social Justice Education 50.

Principal Kafele is also the creator and host of the popular Virtual Assistant Principal Leadership Academy, streamed live every Saturday morning on his Virtual AP Leadership Academy YouTube channel and his other social media platforms at 10:55 EST.

Find Principal Kafele online: www.principalkafele.com @principlalkafele on FB & LinkedIn &Twitter. IG: @millionmileman

Episode #213: Vernon Wright

Vernon Wright (@TheWrightLeader, TheWrightLeader.com, ZeroApologyZone.com Founder) is a speaker, author, consultant, and leader. He has over 18 years of experience in education working in large, urban school districts and has previously served in the roles of teacher, teacher leader, campus leadership team member, and district-level support. Vernon has shared his experiences as a speaker numerous times over the years at the campus, district, regional, state levels, and beyond garnering acclaim and accolades from recognized industry leaders and colleagues. Vernon has brought his unique style and combination of insight, storytelling, experience, humor, authenticity, and epiphanies to audiences for years. Vernon has an established presence on social media (@TheWrightLeader across all platforms), and he unabashedly stands as a voice for the people with zero apologies (ZeroApologyZone.com).

You can connect with Vernon’s previous speaking and podcast appearances at TheWrightLeader.com. He is committed to a life of inspiring and elevating others.

Episode #212: Brian Faulkner

Brian Faulkner is the principal of Kaneland Harter Middle School in Kaneland C.U.S.D. 302. He says "My focus has been simple from the very start of my career; give students what they need in order to be successful. I fully embrace teacher leadership and a shared leadership philosophy and look for creative ways our staff can collaborate, share, observe one-another, and continuously improve their craft. Saying I love what I do is an understatement. I'm on a mission to make a difference in the lives of each member of our learning community.”

Find Brian online: #kanelandpride & @brianfaulkner44 on Twitter

Episode #211: Ashley Hubner

Ashley Hubner is an Instructional Coach and Curriculum Specialist who has served in many roles in education from elementary school teacher to Curriculum Lead. Her degrees include a Bachelor's in Elementary Education, a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction, and Principal Certification. She served 13 years in the public school system, then transitioned into an educational consultant role where she has worked with curriculum companies to build quality educational experiences for students and with school districts to build instructional capacity among staff.

Find Ashley online by visiting her website: https://coachingaccess.net/

Social Media: FB Business Page https://www.facebook.com/coaching.access FB Private Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/confe... Insta https://www.instagram.com/coaching_ac... Twitter https://twitter.com/coaching_access Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/accesscoach/

Episode #210: Brandi Kelly

Mrs. Brandi Kelly has been in the field of education for over 20 years. She has recently assumed the role of Superintendent at Mt. Olive CUSD #5 in Mt. Olive, IL. Mrs. Kelly has served as a Principal previously, over a 10 year period, in three districts: Ramsey School District (Pre-K-8), Mt. Zion School District (Pre-K-1), and Sangamon Valley Middle School (6-8). Prior to going into administration, Mrs. Kelly was a school social worker/counselor for Effingham Unit #40 in Effingham, IL.

Mrs. Kelly's goal is to build teacher and student capacity by providing tools and strategies that empower and inspire others toward greatness! As a life long learner, Mrs. Kelly believes that everyone can learn and has the potential for greatness. Relationships are incredibly important to the learning process. It is necessary for educators to invest time in students to build relationships in an effort to maximize their influence and impact. Education is a powerful tool for empowering others to realize their full potential!

Find Mrs. Kelly online: @jbmrkelly Twitter, LinkedIn, FB for Mt. Olive School District

Episode #209: Rob Dunlop

Robert Dunlop is a middle school teacher and technology & assessment consultant. His experiences in the classroom and throughout his district have given him a deep insight into the importance of teacher happiness. He credits working with thousands of educators as paramount to his research for this book. Robert's teaching journey has been one of peaks and valleys. His work in schools and his role in creating the Terry Fox Lesson Plans for educators around the world, led to him being honored with the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence. Although Robert has enjoyed many peaks throughout his career, he credits his valleys for his greatest learning. The message he shares in this book, online and through his speaking comes from his passion to reconnect to his love of teaching. Robert looks forward to inspiring many more educators to find Happiness in Education. Lives in St. Catherines, ON.

Follow Rob on Twitter @robdunlopedu & on LinkedIn Visit his website: www.motivatedu.com He has a staff wellness section with media staff can use for meetings.

Episode #208: Tre Gammage

Tre Gammage is the host of the Dash Podcast, does adult SEL & relationships workshops. Tre helps educators build social-emotional competence through in-person, virtual, and self-paced professional development. Because to impact students, you have to support teachers. His greatest strength is helping make it easier for educators to do what they love. Educators who practice SEL report higher levels of well-being, less stress, and improved student social-emotional and academic outcomes. Tre was a dean of students for 2 years until summer 2022. He now serves as a full-time consultant with Gammage Consulting Group.

Find Tre online on Twitter, LinkedIn & IG: @tregammage Visit his website https://www.seleducators.com/ for more details on his services.

Episode #207: Megan Balduf

Megan Balduf is a middle school English teacher with nineteen years’ experience. Being a teacher has always been Megan's dream, and her dedication to students and their learning opened opportunities to become a teacher-leader. Megan continues to grow and learn to be a better teacher today than she was yesterday. Since entering the classroom, Megan has earned an MA in Gifted Education, an MA in English for Language Arts Teachers, and became a National Board Certified Teacher.

Find Megan online on Twitter @mbalduf

Episode #206: Dr. Christopher Wyatt

Dr. Christopher Scott Wyatt is an autistic self-advocate and father of two neurodiverse daughters. He earned a doctorate while researching online education for students with autism spectrum disorders. His experiences living with physical and neurological differences shape his parenting. Wyatt consults with schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations on issues of autism, Neurodiversity, and active inclusion.

Find Chris online @theausticicme, on FB @autisticme and listen to Perspectives on Neurodiversity podcast here: Perspectives on Neurodiversity on Apple Podcasts