The Out of the Trenches Podcast

Episode 17: Kevin Leichtman

Kevin Leichtman is the Director of Academicmindset  and an ELA teacher. Kevin holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instructional from Florida Atlantic University. He has been studying teacher burnout & mindset training since he shifted his dissertation topic 1 year into his Ph.D. Academic Mindset is a systematic approach to strengthening your mindset and preparing you to reach the highest levels of academics. Kevin is the author of Teacher's Guide to the Mental Edge. He lives in S. Florida with his family. Find him on Twitter @Academicmindset and @KevinLeuchtman

Episode 16:Nick Holtvluwer

Nick Holtvluwer is the principal at Mammoth Heights Elementary School in Parker, CO. Nick taught 6 years 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade in Tampa, FL, before he earned his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida. Soon after earning his Master’s degree, he moved within the district to another  Elementary School where he served as the Assistant Principal for three years. From there, he accepted the Principal position at Woodside Elementary back in his hometown area of Holland, Michigan, where he served for three years. He is starting his 5th year as principal at MHES. Three years ago, MHES adopted the Energy Bus curriculum.  

Nick is an active poster on Twitter of TikTok videos documenting his #dadsasprincipals and #fitleaders experience as dad to three young kids during the pandemic school closures and currently, daily happenings at MHES. 

Follow Nick on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok (@NickHoltvluwer) and subscribe to @magParker MMES’ YouTube channel (Mammoth Heights) to learn all about the amazing things that are happening every day at MHE! #lovemhe 

Episode 15: Amber Harper

Amber Harper is an author, educator, Google Certified Trainer, and Teacher Burnout Coach whose mission is to activate Teacher Self-Empowerment to beat burnout and live a happy, fulfilled life. She’s the founder of www.burnedinteacher.com, author of "Hacking Teacher Burnout" (coming SOON in 2020) and is obsessed with helping educators go from burned-out to BURNED-IN. She also hosts a weekly podcast dedicated to action, inspiration, and support for teachers dealing with teacher burnout called "The Burned-In Teacher Podcast". Follow Amber on Twitter @ @burnedinteacher  Watch this episode on YouTube @https://youtu.be/C4K3p2KdfbA

Episode 14: Jessica Johnson

Jessica Johnson is an Author, Speaker, Secondary School Principal and District Assessment Coordinator in Wisconsin. Jessica was named 2014 Wisconsin Elementary Principal of the Year, and is the co-Author of "The Coach Approach" and "Balance Like a Pirate", and co-moderator of #PrincipalPLN. She also taught and worked as an instructional coach and assistant principal in Arizona, earning her master’s degree at Arizona State University. She has been in education for 18 years and is starting her 13th year in her current school. You can follow Jessica on Twitter at @PrincipalJ.

Episode 13: Nicole Biscotti

Nicole Biscotti is an educator who believes that everyone should have access to a quality education that connects them with their purpose.  She seeks to bridge understanding, spark conversations, and inspire through her writing. Nicole is an upcoming #EduMatch Author and CoFounder of @the_edu_table  She leads global Twitter chats- #ADHDGlobalConvo #ADHD. She and her family live in Yuma, AZ. She is currently a Spanish Teacher in a public high school. She is also a certified Translator & Interpreter. Visit Nicole's website: www.nicolebiscotti.com and follow her on Twitter @biscottinicole

Episode 12: Jessica Holloway

Jessica Holloway is an instructional coach, ASCD 2019 Emerging Leader and STEM policy/leadership fellow for her local association-the Chattanooga Public Education Association. She is also a Google Certified Educator Level 1. She and her family live in the Chattanooga,TN area. Connect with Jessica on Twitter @holloywayreader  View this episode on YouTube @ https://youtu.be/lE8NX6WpHbs

Episode 11:Diana Graber

Diana Graber is a digital literacy educator, advocate and author of Raising Humans in a Digital World, a tool for educators and parents in helping kids build healthy relationships with technology. Her Cyber Civics program has been adopted by schools in 40 U.S. states and many other countries. Founder of the CyberWise website, which is a huge resource for parents on digital literacy. She lives in Southern California. Find Diana online at www.dianagraber.com   Her curriculum can be found at: www.cybercivics.com Her website with resources for parents is found at : www.cyberwise.org

Episode 10: Phyllis Fagell

Phyllis Fagell has worked in both public and private schools with students in grades K-12. She currently works full time as the school counselor for Sheridan School in Washington, D.C. and provides therapy to children, teens and adults in private practice.  Phyllis is the author of “Middle School Matters” and a journalist. Phyllis’ website is: https://phyllisfagell.com/ Follow Phyllis on Twitter@pfagell

Episode 9: Frank DeAngelis

Frank DeAngelis is the retired principal of Columbine High School in Littleton, CO, where he served as principal between 1996-2014. He is presently serving as a consultant for safety and emergency management for the Jeffco School District in Colorado and for Safe and Sound schools. He has transformed the school safety conversation world-wide. Frank has addressed numerous professional and school audiences on the topic of recovery after a school-based tragedy. Follow Frank on Twitter @FrankDiane72 and learn more about his work @www.safeandsoundschools.org You can buy his book They Call Me Mr. De here. Proceeds from the book go to Columbine memorial in Littleton.

Episode 8: Hans Appel

Hans Appel is an Educator, Speaker, Podcaster, Director of Culture @teachbetterteam, Co-Creator @awculture, Author of #AwardWinningCulture, the perfect tool for building whole child intentionality and action through kindness, empathy, and service. Hans has worked as a counselor in the Richland School District for the past 19 years. 2 years ago, Hans launched his own blog about School Culture and rolled out a student-led leadership podcast called Award Winning Culture: Hosted by Wildcat Nation