The Out of the Trenches Podcast

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

Episode #66: Kyle Hamstra, part 1

Originally from DeMotte, Indiana, Kyle Hamstra moved to North Carolina in 2002. After teaching fifth grade math/science for over fourteen years at Davis Drive Elementary in Cary, NC, Kyle is now an elementary STEM Specialist, serving 1,000 students weekly. Kyle is very interested in all-things STEM, curriculum design, leadership, and being a connected educator to learn from his professional learning network daily. Follow Kyle on Twitter: @Kylehamstra and visit his website: https://kylehamstra.com

**Tune in next week for part two of my conversation with Kyle, in episode #68.**

Episode #65: Dave Schmittou

Dave Schmittou, Ed.D., is the author of 4 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬, has 4 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬, ran 5 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐬, has done 2 ultras, 2014 Principal of the Year; 2018 College Educator of the Year #𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠​ and an active contributor to #TeachBetterTeam. Dave is currently a professor of Educational Leadership at Central Michigan University, a former elementary school principal, former middle school principal, assistant principal, coach, and teacher. His books on Amazon: “Making Assessment Work”, “Bold Humility”-leadership book, “It’s like Riding a Bike" & “Omniscient. ”He hosts a blog and podcast “The Lasting Learning podcast”. Find Dave online on Twitter: @daveschmittou IG: @daveschmittou Visit his website: www.schmittou.net

Episode # 64: Steven Gupton

Steven Gupton is a CTE Teacher at James E. Shepard IB Magnet Middle School in Durham Public Schools. Steven is a son, brother, paramedic, educator, coach, and member of the NCAE Educators of Color Cohort. He has served his community his entire life. In high school, he began volunteering in his local fire department and his love for public service began to grow. 16 years later, he is still going. Four years ago, he walked away from his role as an EMS administrator to join the Black men that made up the 2% of educators in our profession and he’s glad he did. He believes EVERY child can learn, and he will always fight for those that are underserved and underrepresented. Follow Steven on Twitter @guptonteaches

Episode 63:Tara Linney

Tara Linney is an award-winning educator who has helped several schools nationally and internationally with launching and sustaining effective 1:1 programs over the course of the last decade. She holds a certification as an Instructional Technology Specialist. In 2016, she received the 21st Century Learning Award for Innovation in Educational Coaching. Since the start of her career in Education, Tara has played an active role in many professional communities. In 2017, she served as the ISTE Global Collaboration PLN President, where she led an organizational pivot to focus on SDGs in Education. In addition to her work in the PLN teams, Tara is an ISTE Certified Educator. In 2018, Tara authored and published the book, "Code Equity: Keying Girls into Coding", as a guide for educators looking to make a more equitable learning environment for their students, particularly in the teaching of computer science topics. Follow Tara online on Twitter & IG, LinkedIn @taralinney and visit her website: www.TLspecialists.com

Episode #62: Mark Brown

Mark Brown is an educational leader, leadership and team development facilitator, author, speaker, coach, student, and mental health and wellness advocate. He is known for his passion and dedication for inspiring others to #ChooseToBeYou​ by living life as their best self! Mark serves as a high school administrator in Newberg, Oregon, where his primary focus and responsibility is centered around school climate and culture. Mark shares openly about his life experience and how the highs and lows throughout his life have molded him into who he is today. His goal is to use his experience to encourage others to face their fears and challenges head on, and to learn to love themselves for who they are! Visit Mark online at: https://www.heymarkbrown.com/​ and follow him on Twitter & IG: @heymarkbrown

Episode #61: Jen Cort

Jen Cort is a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice consultant working with schools and organizations in multiple countries. As an educator and clinical social worker, Jen has served as an assistant head of lower school, head of a middle school, and senior administrator as well as a counselor in lower, middle and upper schools and private practice. As the founder of Jen Cort Consulting, Jen works with groups to create sustainable and systemic change and to live out their missions regarding diversity and inclusion. Her goal is to create spaces where students, and all community members, can be seen and heard while learning to be visible and use their voices in productive ways. Find Jen online Twitter: @JenCortEdCon IG: @jencortedcon FB: @JenCortConsulting and visit her website: www.jencort.com

Episode #60: Ken Williams

Kenneth C. Williams shares his experience and expertise as a nationally recognized trainer, speaker, coach and consultant in leadership and school culture. A practitioner for nearly two decades, Ken led the improvement efforts at two schools by leveraging the Professional Learning Communities at Work process. Skilled in joining the why of the work to the how of the work, Ken is known for his powerful and engaging combinations of “heart, humor, and hammer.” He is an expert at helping schools build capacity in the collective commitments required of learning for all cultures. He is the author of "Starting A Movement: Building Culture from the Inside Out in Professional Learning Communities", "Creating Physical and Emotional Safety In Schools", and a contributor to "The Collaborative Administrator". To learn more about Ken’s work, visit his website at www.unfoldthesoul.com, and follow @unfoldthesoul on Twitter.