The Out of the Trenches Podcast

Episode #297: Alex Kajitani

Alex Kajitani is the 2009 California Teacher of the Year, and a Top-4 Finalist for National Teacher of the Year. He is the author of several books, including Owning It, which was named “Recommended Reading” by the U.S. Department of Education, and his newest book (for new teachers!), You’re a Teacher Now! What’s Next? is receiving rave reviews! A highly sought after education speaker, Alex is known around the world as “The Rappin’ Mathematician. He has a popular TED Talk, and was honored at The White House.

Find Alex online:   / alexkajitani      / @alexkajitani     / alex.kajitani   IG @alexkajitani Multiplication Nation- sign up on his website

Website: https://alexkajitani.com

Episode #296: Josh Korb

Josh Korb is the author of “Be the Cause: Educator’s Guide to EFFECTive Instruction”-recently published by Road to Awesome. He's a dynamic and multifaceted educator, passionately strives to revolutionize the world of education. Beginning his career as a math teacher, Josh's innate drive to innovate led him to become a Director of Technology and Innovation. This role allowed him to merge his love for teaching with his profound experience in instructional technology, in hopes of transforming the educational landscape. As an accomplished author, educational consultant, and captivating speaker, Josh shares his insights on the intersection of technology and education, inspiring audiences and unboxing potential. His ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and conviction has cemented his reputation as a thought leader in his educational community.

Find Josh online: www.youcanbethecause.com is on social @mrjkorb on X IG: @MrJoshKorb he can keynote/lead PD. website: www.joshkorb.org

Episode #295: Bradley James Davies

Bradley James Davies is a school leadership consultant and coach with two decades of experience teaching, coaching, and leading independent schools across all grade levels as a dean, division head, and head of school. He invests in leaders dedicated to becoming their best selves and living their best lives. His clients span all sectors, from technology and entertainment to government and education, and all levels of leadership, from rising stars to c-suite veterans. Specializing in life-transitions, work-life balance, team dynamics, leadership wellness, and adult development, he blends a light-hearted style with a keen ability to get to the heart of the matter. He brings to the table a unique capacity to simplify and summarize the complex and the confidence to compassionately challenge when needed. As a result, he successfully helps clients expand their self awareness, leverage their strengths, and implement best practices designed to optimize life both at work and at home. In addition to coaching leaders, she also speaks and facilitates workshops on “Next Level Listening” and “Leadership Wellness 101.”

Find Bradley online: IG @bradley.james.davies, LinkedIn, @Bradley James Davies, or TikTok @bradleyjamesdavies.

Episode #294: Tamara Fyke

Tamara Fyke is a creative entrepreneur with a passion for kids, families, and urban communities. She is the creator and founder of BlueWonder Creative which focuses on children’s mental health and wellness in education through Love In A Big World and healthcare through Brav3Up. She is a leader for community programs as well as in-school support services, program development, and research.

Tamara received her master’s degree in education from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development and worked at Vanderbilt’s Center for Safe & Supportive Schools. She is editor of Building People: SEL for Kids, Families, Schools and Communities which will be re-released in June 2023 and author of Family Matters: Thriving as One which will be released in July. She is the proud mother of three grown children and resides in Nashville, TN.

Find Tamara online: www.loveinabigworld.com Email: Info@loveinabigworld.com

Episode #293: Dr. Chris Hartley

Dr. Chris Hartley serves as a Deputy Executive Director at the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE). His primary role is leading and supporting the CCEE Center of Transformative Systems for Equitable Educational Outcomes and efforts to build capacity and improve accessibility within the CA Statewide System of Support.

With 32 years in education, Chris originally began as a teacher in high school level alternative education programs, and ultimately transitioned to high school principal, founder and principal of a charter school, and Superintendent for the Northern Humboldt Union High School District. Every student must have accessibility to a rich and meaningful learning experience. Serving and advocating for the needs of students in rural communities with a focus on building relationships among diverse community members and educators has proven instrumental in successful program design and implementation during his career.

Find Chris online: https://ccee-ca.org/member/chris-hartley/

Episode # 292: Bradlee W. Skinner

Bradlee W. Skinner is an educational thought leader, entertainer, former administrator, author, playwright, perspective giving speaker, and an expert in school culture and climate. He is known for his quick wit, creative thought, and humorous personality. Bradlee was recognized as the 2018 Wyoming Theatre Director of the Year; the current District Teacher of the Year, and in summer of 2019 Bradlee was honored by the Jostens company as their National Educator of the Year. Bradlee is the host of “The Stark Realization” Podcast, and co-host of the web series, “The Empower Half Hour” both focusing on current trends and best practices in the world of education.

Bradlee recently added movie producer to his resume with his first film hitting theaters later this summer. Bradlee openly shares his knowledge, experiences and creativity with others. He currently speaks to students, staff and communities throughout the country about how to think differently about schools, education, and life. Focusing on positive school culture and climate, determination, grit, and social-emotional learning.

Bradlee currently lives in Southwest Wyoming with his wife, Melissa and their three daughters.

Find Bradlee online: https://bradleeskinner1.wixsite.com/website IG, X, FB, TikTok @bradleewskinner

Episode # 291: Dr. Kathleen Corley

Dr. Kathleen Corley has served as an elementary school principal and Academic Improvement Officer who has received an Elementary School Principal of the Year, Beaufort County Schools in 2021. She has been a teacher, assistant principal, and district office administrator, but the best job on earth and the one she has held for over 30 years, is elementary school principal. Dr. Corley is an authority on school culture, and the charismatic principal at Red Cedar Elementary School in Bluffton, South Carolina. She was previously the inaugural principal at "The Salts," AKA Saltonstall School, in Salem, Massachusetts.

Find Kathleen online: IG & Theads @corleykathy, FB/LinkedIn @kathycorley

Episode #290: Jeffrey Benson

Jeffrey Benson has over forty years of experience as a teacher, mentor, and school administrator. His passion is supporting schools to be more successful with more students. He is an internationally known author, including the books “Hanging In-- Strategies for Working with the Students Who Challenge Us Most;” “Ten Steps for Managing Change in Schools;” “Teaching the Whole Teen: Everyday Practices that Promote Success and Resilience in School and Life;” “Improve Every Lesson Plan with SEL;” and his newest book, “Hacking School Discipline Together.” Jeffrey leads school change initiatives, facilitating interdisciplinary teams that convert long-standing dilemmas into cutting edge growth and community building, and creating more inclusive school and classroom cultures. He is a member of the ASCD faculty, is frequently published in education journals, and speaks at conference on such topics as working with challenging students, integrating SEL into everyday practices, restorative practices, decision-making skills for leaders, and the science of learning and teaching.

Find Jeffrey online: www.Jeffreybenson.org LinkedIn info@jeffreybenson.org

Episode #289: Andrea Haas

Andrea Haas has over two decades of experience in education and a desire to keep good teachers in the profession, Andrea founded Elm Tree Education. Elm Tree is dedicated to providing accessible, ongoing, online professional development customized to meet the diverse needs of students. Andrea, a Nationally Board Certified teacher in Literacy, has an extensive background in designing professional development programs for teachers and mentoring educators. Her unwavering passion lies in literacy instruction, particularly in cultivating practices that embrace the whole child and prioritize cultural responsiveness and inclusivity.

Find Andrea online:

https://www.elmtreeed.com/joinus

If listeners join her mailing list, they will receive weekly updates on free teaching tips (she calls these Lit Bits), new resources, courses, & coaching offers.  Those on the mailing list will get discounted pricing on any course or coaching offerings. 

https://www.facebook.com/andrea.w.haas

 

https://www.instagram.com/elmtreeed/

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-nw-haas/

 

https://www.youtube.com/@elmtreeeducation

 

Episode #288: Dr. Kristina Mattis

Dr. Kristina V. Mattis advises statewide educational technology efforts as the Digital Equity Broadband Coordinator for the California Department of Education addressing Superintendent Thurmond’s Closing the Digital Divide Initiative. Kristina’s experience in education spans roles from classroom teaching to executive director to leading change and project management across public and private schools. She is an ESL multilingual speaker and published author. Kristina’s expansive expertise fosters her collaborative and holistic approach to propel instructional opportunities so that “we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world” as per the CA DOE mission.

Find Kristina online: @ConsultED Development (google.com)

LinkedIn @KristinaMattis