The Out of the Trenches Podcast

Episode #46: Alexis Shepard

Alexis Shepard (aka The Afro Educator) is a 9th year educator in Upstate, South Carolina, with both middle level and elementary experience. After multiple encounters with burn-out, a desire to take steps towards self-care led to the creation of her brand, #TheAfroEducator​. Originally intended to facilitate connections with like-minded educators, a passion was ignited in Alexis to empower teachers towards wellness. In her work, Alexis seeks to create pervasive perceptions of wellness that will improve teacher outlook and sustainability. She champions teacher self-care through education, reflection, and dialogue. Alexis believes that by sharing stories, she can inspire and empower teachers to take control of their own narratives so that they can teach and live with joy. Follow Alexis on Twitter, Facebook & IG @theafroeducator

Episode #45: Jessica Cabeen

Jessica Cabeen was named the 2017 Minnesota Principal of the Year. Jessica is the Principal of Ellis Middle School in Austin, Minnesota. She is the author of "Leading with Grace", "Hacking Early Learning", “Unconvential Leadership” & co-author of "Balance like a Pirate". Follow Jessica on Twitter/IG @jessicacabeen & FB: principalinbalance  Visit her website: www.jessicacabeen.com to sign up for her monthly newsletter

Episode #44: William Winfield

William Winfield is a young millennial certified professional speaker, Educational consultant, Minister, Author, and DISC consultant. William is also a father of two wonderful sons, and beautiful daughter, a husband to Jennifer. William has over 5 years of experience in public speaking, mentoring and coaching. He is one of the most sought-after motivational speakers for inspiring and activating students and educators in America. His own life experiences such as being in Foster care, homelessness, losing a football scholarship, raised by a single mother, and being molested have prepared him well and have made him an expert in his field. His transparency, honesty and heart-felt desire to inspire people to achieve greatness is what sets William apart. Follow William on Twitter @willisblessed38 IG: @willisblessed FB: williamwinfield View his YouTube channel @williamwinfield which has episodes from his speaking.

Episode 43: Darrin Peppard

Dr. Darrin Peppard is a school district superintendent, speaker, author, and consultant focused on what matters most in leadership. Darrin’s an expert in school culture and climate as well as coaching and growing emerging leaders. He is known for his keen insight, culture-first leadership style, and dynamic personality. Darrin shares his experiences from over 25 years in education, specifically those learned as an education leader during the past 13 years. As a ‘recovering’ high school principal, Darrin talks about lessons learned and effective strategies to help leaders of all experience levels become more effective at their craft. #roadtoawesome #codebreaker Follow Darrin on Twitter: @DarrinMPeppard IG: @darrinpeppard FB: darrinmpeppard or visit his website: www.roadtoawesome.net

Episode 42: Danny Bauer

Danny Bauer is the Founder of Better Leaders, Better Schools, podcast host, and author of the #BLBSRoadmap. Danny provides coaching to leaders, aka “ruckus makers” to bring them out of the isolation that is often found in school leadership in order to help them #levelup their leadership. A former principal and English teacher, Danny hosts masterminds with school leaders across the globe, as well as providing them with tools such as vivid vision and ideal week. Follow Danny on Twitter @alienearbud or visit his website at www.betterleadersbetterschools.com

Episode #41: Sherianna Boyle

Sherianna Boyle is an international, Emotional Detox Coach®, author of eight books, including her most recent "Emotional Detox" and "Emotional Detox for Anxiety". Sherianna has been featured in over eighty-five articles, and a featured presenter for renowned organizations such as: PESI® Behavioral and Mental Health Education, Kripalu Health & Yoga Center, 1440 Multiversity University and more. She is an adjunct Psychology Professor and founder of Emotional Detox Coaching® servicing clients (of all ages background and abilities) virtually world wide. She is the co-founder of CLEANSElife.com, which features her CLEANSE Yoga® virtual video collection, Emotional Detox courses and Corporate Wellness. Sherianna is a featured expert on Simple Habit App, and host of Emotional Detox Radio Show on Healthylife.net. Follow her on Twitter: @SheriannaBoyle IG: @Sherianna.boyle Visit her website: www.sheriannaboyle.com

Episode# 40: Adam Kotowski

Adam Kotowski, aka Coach Adam, is a husband and father to four amazing children. He created The Extraordinary Me Program out of a need to transform. Realizing how limited perceptions and beliefs are, being heavily influenced by his acceptance of other's opinions regarding his ADD/ADHD, brought him to a critical point in his life. He created the program and was an intern in that very program for 16 years. Mentoring many Student/Athletes on how to be in the moment, handle emotions, create a feeling of certainty, and permit your Extraordinary Self to take over. He’s Coached over 1,000 student/athletes through the years, including his own children. Being part of the process in their transformation from youth, to teenagers, and then to adults, he's had the honor of working with these Extraordinary mentees through their life cycles and journeys to Endure. He’s a Certified Master Practitioner of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and Certified Hypnotherapist along with holding an MBA from Capella University. His book “You Are Extraordinary” was published in Nov. ‘19. Follow Adam on Twitter: @Coachadam34 IG: @Coachadam34 FB: Coachadam34 Visit his website: www.Coachadam34.com

Episode 39: Tyler Christensen

Tyler Christensen or Mr. C as his students call him, is a teacher, author, speaker, entrepreneur and family man. He has spent 15 years in classrooms as an elementary, middle school, and university instructor. His educational research stems from his own 100 lb. weight loss journey and explores the role of exercise in cognitive development and long-term memory. Tyler is the founder of a national recruiting service for student-athletes as well as an academic journal for those preparing to teach, and he is the host of Virtual School Assembly (VSA). Episodes can be found at https://www.youtube.com/c/VirtualScho.... When he's not teaching, working on his businesses, or training for a race Tyler is doing his most important work--spending time with his incredible wife and four amazing kids. Visit Tyler's website: www.tylerchristensen.com . Follow him on  Twitter & IG @TylerTheSpeaker. 

Episode #38: Evan Whitehead

Evan Whitehead has been an educator for more than 20 years spanning three decades. Over the course of his career, he has held the following positions: special education paraprofessional, special education high school teacher, Latino parent outreach coordinator, dean of student discipline, community outreach coordinator, director of special services, director of bilingual education and English learners, Title I director, and assistant superintendent of special services. Currently Evan is the director of special services for a PK–8 school district in Illinois. In his current role, Evan oversees all federal programs (special education, McKinney-Vento, English learners, and Title I); early childhood education; multi-tiered system of support (MTSS); social emotional learning, equity, diversity, and cultural competency. Follow Evan on Twitter @evanwhitehead0

Episode 37: Traci Nicole Smith

Dr. Traci Nicole Smith is a former public-school teacher, and holds a B.A. in Psychology, B.A. in Journalism, and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (Early Childhood Education), and a Ph.D. in Special Education. She has transformed the lives of countless families for over two decades through her educational expertise and intuitive wisdom. In 2019, she formed The Educational Epist-olary, LLC, a consultancy specializing in the navigation of education through a spiritual lens. Over the past year, her vision has evolved. She incorporates spiritual education into her teaching practices to assist others as they awaken and search for their true life purpose. She lives in New Orleans, Louisiana. Follow Traci on Twitter @theedepistolary and visit her website: www.tracinicolesmith.com