The Out of the Trenches Podcast

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

Episode#36: Mandy Froehlich

Mandy Froehlich passionately encourages educators to create innovative change in their classrooms. A former Director of Innovation and Technology, technology integrator, and teacher, she has experience at many levels of the organizational structure. Her interest lies in reinvigorating and re-engaging teachers back into their profession, as well as what’s needed to support teachers in their pursuit of innovative and divergent thinking and teaching. Her books, "The Fire Within" and "Reignite the Flames" discusses mental health awareness for educators and educator engagement and disengagement. Her latest book, "Divergent EDU", is based on an organizational structure she developed to address the support necessary for innovative thinking. Follow Mandy on Twitter at @froehlichm IG: @divergentedu or visit her website: www.divergentedu.com

Episode 35: Todd Whitaker

Dr. Todd Whitaker is recognized as a leading presenter in the field of education, with a message about the importance of teaching that has resonated with hundreds of thousands of educators around the world. Todd is a professor of educational leadership at the University of Missouri and professor emeritus at Indiana State University. He has spent his life pursuing his love of education by researching and studying effective teachers and principals. Todd then served as a principal at the middle school, junior high, and high school levels. Todd has written over 50 books including the national best seller, "What Great Teachers Do Differently". Other titles include: "Dealing With Difficult Teachers", "Ten-Minute Inservice", "Your First Year", "What Great Principals Do Differently", "Motivating & Inspiring Teachers", and "Dealing With Difficult Parents". Connect with Todd on Twitter @ToddWhitaker or visit his website: www.toddwhitaker.com

Episode 34: Brandon Beck

Brandon Beck, Ed.D. is the Author of “Unlocking Unlimited Potential: Understanding the Infinite Power within to Guide any student toward success.” His primary purpose as an educator and teacher leader is a simple one: “To inspire people (adults and children) to have faith in themselves and believe in their inner genius.” He has been an elementary teacher for 15 years and a dual language teacher (English Zone) for the past 10. Brandon is also a Mutt-i-grees teacher and National Trainer. Mutt-i-grees is a program designed by Yale University’s 21st Century in partnership with North Shore Animal League. The Mutt-i-grees curriculum is an innovative Pre-K-12 social emotional learning program that brings adopted shelter dogs into schools. Follow him Twitter & IG @BrandonBeckEDU FB: Brandon Beck Visit his website: brandonbeckedu.com

Episode #33: Jeff Prickett

Dr. Jeff Prickett currently serves as a High School Principal in McHenry, IL. Prior to assuming his current role, he served as middle school principal in both Crystal Lake, IL, and Round Lake, IL, for five years, as well as principal at the elementary level in Round Lake for eight years. Currently in his 23rd year in public education, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Judson University, a Master’s degree from Aurora University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from National Louis University. He lives with his wife and 6 kids, 4 of whom are adopted.

Follow Jeff on Twitter & IG @jdprickett FB: Jeffry Prickett Visit his blog "Notes from the Principal" on blogspot and The Principal Leadership Lab podcast: https://anchor.fm/principalleadershiplab

Episode #32: Don Goble

Don Goble is an award-winning Multimedia Instructor at Ladue High School in St. Louis, MO. Don is also an adjunct university professor for online courses at Loyola University in New Orleans. Don has published numerous digital media resources for students and educators all over the world. He is an Apple Distinguished Educator and Adobe Education Leader, who speaks internationally at conferences, conventions, and provides professional development workshops and webinars. Don specializes in offering educators innovative ways to incorporate video, multimedia skills, and media literacy into the K-12+ classroom. The National Journalism Education Association named Don as their Broadcast Adviser of the Year 2015. Connect with Don at www.DonGoble.com or on Twitter & IG: @dgoble2001.

Episode 31: Brad Hughes

Brad Hughes is an elementary school Principal with 25 years’ experience in education. He is currently at Forest Hill Public School in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, designated a HERO Generation school in the Waterloo Region District School Board. Brad is a certified “Self-Reg School Champion” and has an ongoing commitment to reframing the joys and challenges of school life through a Self-Reg lens. Follow him on Twitter @Brad_Hughes

Episode 30: Suzannah Calvery

Suzannah Calvery, Ph.D. has followed a circuitous route to her current role in EdTech innovation. She has worked in non-profit, corporate, K-12, and higher education. She currently works as an EdTech Specialist for a pre-school - 12 independent school and as a member of the i2e Microsoft Global Training Partner Team. She delights in outdoor activity and engaging her body and mind in gratitude to center herself. In this episode, we discuss #selfcare, #hobbies, #interests and how to decompress by spending time in #nature. Follos Suzannah on Twitter @Suzteaches