Teaching Learning Leading K-12

Eileen J. Donovan: A Lady Newspaperman's Dilemma. This is episode 515 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Today I am talking with Eileen J. Donovan. Although born in New York City, where she spent most of her life, she has lived in six states and has visited most of the others. She earned her MA in English at Northern Arizona University. In one way or another, she has been writing her entire life, whether it was imaginative stories for her friends, or advertising copy for industrial clients. She never felt her stories were “good enough” to be published. At the persistent urging of her late husband, she finally agreed to seriously edit and revise one of them and take the plunge. Although accepted for publication, the book never made it all the way to print. However, she had the courage to pursue her dream of becoming a published author. Years later, her persistence paid off. Her traditionally published debut historical novel, Promises, won the 2019 Marie M Irvine Award for Literary Excellence

Richard Owens & Anthony Cook: How can we make the college prep process more equitable? This is episode 514 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Today I’m talking with Anthony Cook and Richard Owens: Anthony is currently the Coordinator of College and Career Counseling at Osceola County School District in Kissimmee Florida. The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) recently named Cook one of 15 College and Career Readiness Fellows across the United States and the sole Fellow from Florida. Cook earned a Master of Science (M.S.) focused in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling from Stetson University. Richard Owens, The Managing Director of Programs at Tarrant To & Through Partnership (T3 Partnership), began his career in the classroom teaching fifth-grade math and science, and later joined Teach for America in a variety of roles.  As a senior managing director for Teach for America he built a community of more than 600 equity-driven corps members and alumni. With a focus on the p

Vicki Cody talks about her books Army Wife: A Story of Love and Family in the Heart of the Army and Fly Safe: Letters From the Gulf War and Reflections from Back Home. This is episode 513 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.  Vicki Cody grew up in Burlington, Vermont and graduated from the University of Vermont in 1975, with a BS degree in education. For the next 33 years she was an Army wife, supporting her husband in his career. While raising their two sons and moving all over the United States and overseas, she served as a coach and mentor for Army spouses and as an advocate for Army families. Vicki has received numerous awards for her work on behalf of military families. In 2007, she was written into the Congressional Record in a tribute to her by Congressman Sylvestre Reyes, for her writings about Army life and her contributions to the nation as an Army wife and Army mom. In 2021, Vicki, along with her husband Dick, received the General Creighton Abrams Medal for Service from the Associ

Barbara R. Blackburn talks about her books Rigor in the K-5 Math and Science Classroom and Rigor in the 6-12 Math and Science Classroom. This is episode 512 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Barbara R. Blackburn, named a Top 30 Global Guru in Education, has dedicated her life to raising the level of rigor and motivation for professional educators and students alike. What differentiates Barbara’s over 30 books are her easily executable concrete examples based on decades of experience as a teacher, professor and consultant.  Barbara’s dedication to education was inspired in her early years by her parents. Her father’s doctorate and lifetime career as a professor taught her the importance of professional training. Her mother’s career as a school secretary shaped Barbara’s appreciation of the effort all staff play in the education of every student.  Barbara has taught early childhood, elementary, middle and high school students and has served as an educational consultant for three publishing

  Walter Stephen Geeding shares his award winning novel - Endless Times - Volume One: The Path of Kokopelli. This is episode 511 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Walter Stephen Geeding, ever since he ran away from home as a teen-ager to gallivant across North America with his best friend, has always been a curious man of adventure who has lived his life as wildly as the characters in his books.  In fact, it is hard to separate Walter from the exploits his characters unveil on the pages of his books.  At age 17, Walter was a hippie who traveled all over the nation and Canada in an old convertible. He did odd jobs – YMCA instructor, painted water towers, built homes, photo lab technician – and got himself into all kinds of brushes with the law. He even shot himself – twice – accidentally. Eventually he turned his life around, and at age 38 earned a BA in English from Missouri Southern State University. In 1996 he earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa. He became a prosecutor

Gisela Bengfort shares her children's book series: Wolfy's Adventure. This is episode 510 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Gisela Bengfort-Piatti frequently tells stories to her kids and grandkids about animals, empathy, making decisions, and unlimited possibilities. Camryn, one of her grandkids, inspired her to write down some of these family stories and true events from her past to the present.  Her children’s book series covers topics of trust, friendship, fortitude, overcoming challenges, resilience, and love. The stories show that it takes courage to live life fully, that we can’t always win but to not try guarantees a loss, that every failure makes us grow bigger, and that nothing is static for long. Gisela loves the outdoors and all animals. You can find her on many Bay Area trails, sharing her laughter with family and friends. She was born in Switzerland, where she met the love of her life, Joe Bengfort, in 1997. Six months later, they got married in the USA, and she moved with he

Dr. Jamie Weiner - The Quest for Legitimacy: How Children of Prominent Families Discover Their Unique Place in the World. This is episode 509 of the audio podcast Teaching Learning Leading K12. Jamie Weiner is a psychologist and co-founder of Inheriting Wisdom, a consultancy for high-net-worth families. Jamie works on all the problems that exist behind the money. Co-founder of Inheriting Wisdom with his wife, Dr. Carolyn Friend, he excels in activating families to become high performance families. Dr. Weiner is the co-author of The Legacy Conversation, a book designed to encourage families to have meaningful dialogues about the impact of money and the importance of intentionality for families of means. He has authored numerous articles and speaks frequently. Intrigued with the experiences of rising-gen family members, Jamie initiated an ongoing qualitative research study called “The Land of the Giants”. The purpose of the study is to understand what it is like growing up in the shadows of other’s successes.

Jeremy S. Adams: The State of Education in the U.S. Today. This is episode 508 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Jeremy S. Adams is a high school and University teacher living in Bakersfield, California. He and his writing have appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, C-Span, The Sacramento Bee, and numerous national education podcasts.  Mr. Adams has won numerous accolades for his teaching and writing efforts including the 2014 California State Teacher of the Year Award (Daughters of the American Revolution), the 2012 Kern County Teacher of the Year Award, was a 2013 semi-finalist for the California Department of Education's California Teacher of the Year Award, and was a finalist in 2014 for the Carlston Family Foundation National Teacher Award.  He was recognized in 2014 by the California State Senate for his achievements in education. He was a 2018 CSUB (California State University, Bakersfield) Hall of Fame inductee--the first classroom teacher ever

Dan E. Hendrickson Discusses His Novel - The Living Legend: A Last Enemy Prequel, Writing Techniques, and Influences on His Writing. This is episode 507 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Dan Hendrickson was born in Sheridan Wyoming in 1962 near the rustic Big Horn mountain range to Carl and Helen Hendrickson. He went to school in the Sheridan School District graduating from Sheridan High School in 1981. He was an avid participant in boxing, martial arts, wrestling, and track. His father owned a small eight lane bowling alley that he ran until Dan was 12 years old. Carl also had a master’s degree in English and loved to write poetry and plays. Dan picked up on his father’s love for the written word and enrolled in Casper Community College in 1982 majoring in journalism. Although he found that he had an aptitude for investigative reporting, he decided that his interests were in other areas. He went on to do much volunteer Christian ministry work throughout the United States most of his adult

Mike Schloff - Maplewoodshop.com: Woodworking to Help Kids Learn Engineering Concepts, Design Thinking, and Life Skills. This is episode 506 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Mike Schloff created Maplewoodshop in 2016 to help all children develop life skills through woodworking. The company achieves this mission by providing a safe, portable and easy-to-implement woodworking program to schools, out-of-school time programs and camps nationwide. Nothing like the aroma of fresh cut wood.... So much to learn... But wait... By the way, the new intro and outro music was written and performed by Brian K. Buffington. Connect with Brian at briankbuffington@gmail.com or go to his website at  https://briankbuffington.com/ He is an awesome musician, comedic power, teacher, trainer, technology guru, and overall creator of all that is cool. Thanks, Brian! Oh, yeah... Could you do me a favor? Please go to my website at https://www.stevenmiletto.com/reviews/ or open the podcast app that you are listenin

Monte Schulz discusses his novel Metropolis, writing techniques, reading other writers, and influences on his writing. This is episode 505 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Monte Schulz received his M.A. in American Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. He published his first novel, Down by the River, in 1990, and spent the next twelve years writing a novel about the Jazz Age. Monte is endlessly curious and well versed in world history and theology. He is fascinated by the style and use of innovative language, and can be caught engaging in provocative, philosophical conversations about big, far-reaching, imaginative, ideas and worldly perspectives. His father is the late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. He lives in Santa Barbara, CA. A little about Metropolis Regency College senior Julian Brehm’s uneventful student life is derailed when he falls for Nina Rinaldi, a beautiful young revolutionary engaged in political activism against the authoritarian regime that rules the count

Ari Mittleman talks with me about his book Paths of the Righteous: Stories of Humanity, Heroism, and Hope. This is episode 504 of Teaching Learning Leading K12 an audio podcast. As a native Pennsylvanian deeply involved in the pro-Israel community, the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh deeply affected him. That tragic event spurred Mittleman to write his book, with the hope of it helping to showcase the good in the world that is done for others by those outside their religion, race, or nationality. He works at the nexus of politics, policymaking and the press in Washington, DC. Mittleman has run a public affairs and strategic communications firm, Keystone Strategy + Advocacy, LLC serving internationally known clients that have ranged from heads of state, celebrities, and global business leaders. Prior to that, he served as a senior advisor to a United States senator for eight years. He also earlier had served as a grant writer at a Croatia-based NGO. He is a columnist for The Times o

Doreen Gehry Nelson talks with me about her book Cultivating Curiosity: Teaching and Learning Redesigned. This is episode 503 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Doreen Gehry Nelson is Professor Emerita of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, School of Education and Integrative Studies; Adjunct Professor in the Cal Poly College of Environmental  Design; was Professor at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, from 2002-present; and in 2019 was named Founding Director of the Design-Based Learning Project by the UCLA School of Education & Information Studies–Center X.  An award-winning, 50-year veteran educator and published author in the field of education, Nelson began developing her Design-Based Learning methodology (formerly called City Building Education) in the late 1960s to ignite creativity, promote high-level transfer of learning, and foster cross-curricular critical thinking skills among K-12 students using the spatial domain.  She was named one of the 3

Samuel DePaul, PhD talks with me about his book Perspectives & Reflections for the Superintendent: What Can Be Learned From Experience? This is episode 502 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Sam  DePaul, PhD  was a school district superintendent for thirty-one years leading five school districts, serving in three states; and he recently completed his sixth year as the executive director of the North GA RESA in Ellijay, GA, and retired effective June 1, 2022.  DePaul began his career as a biology and chemistry teacher, moved into building-level administration, and his first position as superintendent.  DePaul is and has been a member of AASA since 1988. DePaul’s education was all in the Pittsburgh, PA area where he and his wife were born and raised.  His B.S. degree was from Geneva College, his M.Ed. from Westminster College, and his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. DePaul and his wife Megan, reside in Carrabelle, FL; and they have a son, daughter-in-law, and two beautiful grandd

Dr. Sabrina J. Ellis talks with me about her book Wife Life: Securing Your Future. This is episode 501 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. After receiving the prestigious 2016 President Barack Obama’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Sabrina J. Ellis became the Chief Visionary Officer of Free to Thrive, which was developed to “challenge the leader within for positive transformations without.”   Free to Thrive focuses on guiding organizations through meaningful change for the greatest impact to employee satisfaction, improved leadership, better resource, and financial management, and heightened awareness for the best customer service.  As part of this initiative, she established the Recherché Mentoring Program to influence the lives of adolescent females to reach their potential through philosophical approaches to mental, physical, and spiritual change.  Dr. Ellis, the author of three books, is a proven organizational development and leadership transformation change agent for corporations and

Ed Davis Talks About Riding Freight Cars Across the US & Canada and his book - The Last Professional. This is episode 500 of the audio podcast Teaching Learning Leading K12. Ed Davis began his writing career over forty years ago, pausing in boxcars, under street lamps, and in hobo jungles to capture the beats and rhythms of the road as he caught freight trains and vagabonded around the Pacific Northwest and Canada.  As Ed illustrates in Forty Years from Boxcar to Book Launch - The Last Professional was born on the rails. His short stories have appeared in numerous literary journals. His novella, In All Things, and his collection of travel pieces, Road Stories, have both been Amazon Top Ten bestsellers.  Ed’s death row thriller, A Matter of Time, was written in real-time, twenty-four hours, as the last day of the hero’s life unfolds. His work has appeared in Gris-Gris, New English Review, and The Penman Review among others.   Ed and his wife Jan live in Northern California, not far from Jack London’s Be

Danielle Nuhfer - The Path of the Mindful Teacher: How to Choose Calm Over Chaos and Serenity Over Stress, One Step at a Time. This is episode 499 of Teaching Learning Leading K12. Danielle Nuhfer is a teacher wellness coach (and a fellow teacher!) and she helps time-crunched teachers find time for self-care. She works with teachers who love what they do (most of the time) but don’t love how they feel (some of the time): teachers who want to find balance in all areas of their lives without leaving a profession that they love. Her specialty is supporting teachers in building their resilience by saying “NO” to what isn’t working and saying “YES” to the real and achievable possibility of balance both inside and outside of the classroom. This is done without focusing on what’s wrong and instead focusing on what is, building on your unique lived experience, school situation, and personal needs. She teaches you how to fill your own self-care and teacher wellness buckets through a variety of different tools and te

  Stephen Furlich shares his book Sex Talk: How Biological Sex Influences Gender Communication Differences Throughout Life's Stages. This is Episode 498 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.   Dr. Stephen Furlich is the author of a breakthrough book, Sex Talk: How Biological Sex Influences Gender Communication Differences Throughout Life’s Stages.  He has taught and researched communication at the university level for over 20 years. He has taught a variety of communication courses with the main focus of better understanding oneself and others. Often, his research projects and the courses that he taught, complemented each other and led into innovative directions.  Dr. Furlich has been an associate professor at Texas A & M University since 2018 and served as an assistant professor there for five years prior to that.  He has presented at many conferences, including: DFW Metroplex Linguistics Conference, Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Conference, E-Learning Conference

  Kieran O'Mahony - The Brain-Based Classroom: Accessing Every Child's Potential Through Educational Neuroscience. This is episode 497 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. After a long career in education, Dr. Kieran O’Mahony consistently found himself questioning the status quo. While in the faculty room we spoke in forward-looking platitudes and used phrases like “equality of educational opportunity, but he realized that neither “equality” nor “opportunity” were associated with the education they were doling out. He couldn’t help but wonder why our school systems were driving our children into bleak futures? So, he decided to spend his career seeking the solution to one of the biggest problems we face today: how can we give every student an equal opportunity to love learning? That question led Kieran to develop the cognitive learning model taught in The Brain-Based Classroom and the Brain-Based Solutions training programs. Now, you can develop the same understanding of the brain, and use th

Laurel Schmidt talks about her novel How to Be Dead: A Love Story. This is episode 496 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Laurel Schmidt is a lifelong educator (teacher, principal, district director), art lover, and writer. She's the author of a critically-acclaimed novel, How to Be Dead – A Love Story, and four non-fiction books on art, learning, and brain development.  She's a nationally recognized expert who has helped thousands of docents and museum educators master the art of leading dynamic inquiry-based conversations that have museum visitors and students longing for more.  Laurel also works with the education departments of numerous museums in Los Angeles and New York. She is a consultant to The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), and co-author of Contemporary Art Start: A Curriculum Guide to Contemporary Art and Culture, published by MOCA in 1985. It is the centerpiece of an inquiry-based art education program. She is a consultant to the Guggenheim Museum, The Met and MoMA in New Yo