The Out of the Trenches Podcast

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

Episode #205: Jay McTighe

Jay McTighe is a veteran education and accomplished author, having co-written 18 books, including the award-winning and best-selling Understanding by Design® series with Grant Wiggins. His books have been translated into fourteen languages. Jay has also written more than 50 book chapters, articles and blogs, and been published in leading journals, including Educational Leadership (ASCD), Edutopia and Education Week. Jay has an extensive background in professional development and is a regular speaker at state, national and international conferences. He has made presentations in 47 states within the United States, in 7 Canadian provinces, and internationally in 38 countries on six continents.

Find Jay online by visiting his website: www.jaymctighe.com which has a lot of links to articles, and podcasts. Twitter @jaymctighe

Episode #204: Dr. Anissa Reilly

Dr. Anissa Reilly is a success story. She received her doctorate in spite of suffering from Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from issues like those she discusses on the show. She has embraced the “Wounded Healer” archetype as described by psychologist Carl Jung. As a result, her soon-to-be-released book, “The Wounded Healer: Turning Life’s Messes into Messages of Hope-From Violence to Victory” is bound to be a best seller.

Find Dr. Reilly online at www.askdrreilly.com info@giantstep6llc.com for educational inquiries and for leadership development with schools.

For ministry info@askdrreilly.com Social media handle: @askdrreilly on FB, IG, Twitter

Episode #203: Dana Goodier & Darrin Peppard

Episode #202: Portia Y. Clair

Portia Y. Clare has been privileged to serve in developing the minds and character of children for over thirty years. A graduate of Duke University and Regent University, she maintains her love of learning and earnestly desires to empower the children who have been entrusted to her care. Simply put, Portia teaches because she values children. Her love of children and family compel her to write stories that will help them to recognize their importance, appreciate their value, and navigate through difficult life experiences. Creative writing has always brought her joy and writing children’s books has been her passion since childhood. Her most recent publication is Best Friends Forever: A Puppy’s Tale. Portia is the only child of the late Randolph George Clare, Jr. and Jane Easterling Clare. She was born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, and raised in Nassau, Bahamas. Her family relocated to Bennettsville, South Carolina in 2015, where she and her mother currently reside.

For more information about her books, school visits, presentations, and activities, please visit Portia’s website at www. portiayclare.com.

FB author pg @portiayclare IG: @portiay.clare

Episode #201: Mark Chartier

Every day, Mark mentors students who must overcome serious challenges. But he knows they can persevere, because he did. Growing up with Tourette’s syndrome, Mark had poor grades and demonstrated significant behaviors, but thanks to positive relationships with his educators, he was able to defy expectations and succeed in school. As an adult, he sustained a brain injury and developed a significant stutter that made life exasperating. Despite these challenges, he went on to earn two master's degrees and make an impact as a special education teacher. He is a walking success story. Despite challenging disabilities, he built a prosperous career in education. Now, he wants to see others triumph over their individual obstacles. By sharing his journey through motivational speaking and his poetry, he educates others about diversity, advocates for individuals with disabilities, and motivates people to overcome serious challenges. He lives in Pueblo, Co.

Find Mark online: www.markchartier.com

www.teacherwithtourettes.com https://www.facebook.com/TeacherWithTourettes/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-chartier-69821962/