The Out of the Trenches Podcast

Episode #76: Jennifer Abrams

Jennifer Abrams is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, hospitals, universities and non-profits. Jennifer trains and coaches teachers, administrators, nurses, hospital personnel, and others on new employee support, supervision, being generationally savvy, having hard conversations and collaboration skills. Jennifer’s publications include "Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicating", "Collaborating & Creating Community and Hard Conversations Unpacked – the Whos, the Whens and the What Ifs". Her most recent book, "Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives", was published in 2019. Jennifer writes a monthly newsletter, Voice Lessons, available for reading at and subscribing to on her website, www.jenniferabrams.com and is a featured columnist, writing about personal development at www.eschoolnews.com. Jennifer holds a Master’s degree in Education from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s degree in English from Tufts University. She lives in Palo Alto, California. Follow Jennifer on Twitter @jenniferabrams and IG @jenniferbethabrams

Episode #75: Teresa Sanders

Dr. Teresa Sanders earned a doctorate degree in 2012 Educational Leadership/Adult Education and a masters degree in Education Curriculum and instruction. She has 14 years of teaching experience as a Special Education Behavior Adjustment teacher (sped cert, kids who were placed in the behavior program, mostly kids with ED-she loathes that diagnosis because it doesn’t look at the reason to explain it) and 20 years of intensive mental health and social services experience. She has developed a micro-school Safari Small Schools to meet the needs of students with significant behaviors or who were otherwise left behind in public schools. Follow Teresa on Twitter & FB @drteresasanders There are both FB & IG pages for her school @SafariSmall

Episode #74: Brad Gustafson

Dr. Brad Gustafson is an elementary principal, author, and speaker. He believes schools can be spaces where creativity and innovation thrive, but only when we prioritize relationships and a relevant, connected pedagogy. His latest book is Reclaiming our Calling. His previously published books include Renegade Leadership. His podcast, School Leadership Unearthed, can be found on BAM Radio Network's TweetED Channel. Brad was recognized as a “20 to Watch” by the National School Boards Association and he was named Minnesota’s Principal of the Year in 2016. He presents keynotes and breakout sessions on a variety of topics related to innovative leadership. Follow Brad on Twitter @GustafsonBrad and visit his website: BradGustafson.com

Episode #73: Casey Jakubowski

Casey Jakubowski, Ph.D. is Education researcher in rural schools and former social studies teacher. He is interested in Leadership and improvement. Casey is the author of Thinking About Teaching: A Rural Social Studies Teacher’s Path to Strive for Excellence and is currently finishing a new book, A Cog In the Machine.  He is also the founder of CTJ Solutions, an education consultancy. Follow Casey on Twitter @caseyj_edu

Episode #72:Dan Edwards

Dan Edwards is the Principal of a large primary school in Leicester, England. Prior to working in primary education, Dan has had leadership experience in both the middle school and high school system. He is keen on developing positive school culture within his school and wants to ensure that no pupil is left behind in their learning. He believes positive relationships across all sectors of school life are integral to its success. Outside of teaching, Dan maintains a blog and is a regular writer for Teach Primary and Primary Leaders magazine in the UK. Follow Dan's school on Twitter @woodstockacad and his personal handle is @danedwards_77 Visit his blog at: leadinginthenow.org

Episode #71:Joe Pizzo

The AMLE National Middle Level Educator of the Year for 2020, Joe Pizzo teaches Integrated Language Arts and serves as the drama co-director at the Black River Middle School in Chester, NJ. A veteran middle school teacher of 47 years and an adjunct professor formerly with Union County College and the College of Saint Elizabeth, Joe has been with Centenary University since 1992. He has been previously named the NJCTE and NJAMLE Educator of the Year as well. He is a published poet and author who has presented PD workshops across the country. Follow Joe on Twitter @profJPizzo

Episode #70: Trent Clark

Trent Clark is the CEO of Leadershipity. Having spent his adult livelihood among top 1% producers in sports and business, Trent is dedicated to empowering people to reach their go, peak performance, and attain their dreams. Having started twelve businesses, his dedication and energy given to his team’s and the entrepreneurs he works with is infectious. But most folks know Trent for his 12+ years in Major League Baseball and coaching in three World Series. Trent is married to his wife of 25 years, they have five children and live in the Midwest.

Follow Trent on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrentMClark​ IG: https://instagram.com/leadershipity​ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentmclark​ and visit his website: www.leadershipity.com

Episode #69: Chad Dumas

Chad Dumas, Ed.D., is an educational consultant with Next Learning Solutions, international presenter and award-winning researcher whose primary focus is collaborating to develop capacity for continuous improvement. Having been a successful teacher, principal, central office administrator, professional developer and consultant in a variety of school districts, he brings his passion, expertise, and skills to his writing and speaking as he engages participants in meaningful and practical learning. Get the book, "Let's Put the C in PLC: A Practical Guide for School Leaders" on amazon. Visit Chad's website: www.nextlearningsolutions.com and follow him on Twitter @chaddumas and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChadDumasNextLearningSolution

Episode #68: Kyle Hamstra, part 2

Kyle was named a 2016 ASCD Emerging Leader, he is a member of the Wake Science Core Leadership Team, and a member of the North Carolina Digital Leaders Coaching Network. He enjoys presenting at conferences like ISTE, NCTIES, NSTA, and ASCD. In May 2020, he earned his Masters in School Administration (MSA) degree from East Carolina University. Currently, he serves as a STEM Specialist while aspiring to be an administrator and author. Follow Kyle on Twitter @Kylehamstra and visit his website: www.kylehamstra.com

Episode #67: Dr.Markeyna Williams

Dr. Markenya L. Williams is a Chicagoan, with great Southside pride. She has been an educator since 2005 and is an active member of the NAACP, NAN, and a proud Board Member of the Illinois Princip Association (Kishwaukee Region,) Burst Into Books Inc. (Chicago,) & St. James Community Church (Chicago). Dr. Williams has held multiple positions and titles throughout her career: teacher’s assistant, teacher, grade level team leader, private tutor, preschool site director, technology coordinator, Local School Council (LSC) member, PBIS coach, attendance team leader, MTSS co-coordinator, assistant principal, diversity & equity chairperson, CEO, and much more. Follow Dr. Williams on Twitter @markenyaw IG: markenyawilliams, and subscribe to her Youtube channel: Dr. Markenya L. Williams - YouTube