Teach Like A Rock Star Podcast

Blake Minor is a life-long theatre artist in his 9th year as a teacher. Prior to teaching, Blake spent 3 years as the lighting designer with Straight No Chaser. Blake is also the host of the popular Minor Wisdom Podcast.

Holli Merkel currently serves as the elementary principal for Itasca ISD. She's also a counselor and teach parenting at the Johnson County Crisis Center. Holli has an amazing daughter who, she says, "is my life." Her passion is helping others and she feels blessed to be able to pursue her love for advocating for others.

I'll let Annie Possis introduce herself: "I’ve been teaching for 30 years. I’ve taught every grade level in elementary - kinder through 5th grade as a classroom teacher. Currently, I am a Physical Education Teacher for elementary students, serving kinder -5th . I am an IFBB Pro Bikini Competitor. I’m a mother of three boys. Nick is an Engineering graduate of the University of Texas. Nate is a Business graduate from Texas Tech. And Michael is a graduate of Cedar Park high school planning to attend UT Dallas in the fall. I’m the dog mom of Gracie, the most precious Bulldog."

Kris Bowers has been teaching for 21 years. According to Kristi, "I wanted to be a teacher entire life.... after earning my first gold star in preschool, I was hooked. I would line up my stuffed animals and teach my little heart out. Twenty one years later, nothing has changed. Although real life students come with a bit more baggage and a lot more attitude than my teddy bears did, the feeling I get standing in front of those students each day is the same as way back then. I am doing what I was born to do."

Ben Toalson is a filmmaker from San Antonio, TX. He's passionate about telling stories and when he's not booked with commercial video projects, he's alwaays looking for a story he can tell through documentary film. Outside of work, Ben loves dreaming, planning, and building with his wife and hanging out with his 6 boys.

Kayse Morris is a former English and Language Arts teacher that now specializes in helping teachers transition from the classroom to online marketers by selling their teaching resources online.She’s been featured on Amazon LIVE, Georgia Public Television, and Sirius XM radio. She speaks to teachers all over the world and inspires them to start living again by turning their passion into purpose.

Bret Beitler is the owner/operator of 2 Kids R Kids Learning Academies. Bret is recently married to Paige Beitler as working to show up everyday and get better than yesterday as a leader.

Just over a year ago, following the Florida school shootings, Debbie Scott was moved and inspired to do something to make a difference in the lives of teachers and their kids. As a result, she reached out to a handful of teachers who she knew and asked what supplies they needed for their classrooms. After fulfilling their requests and being touched by the deep appreciation of those teachers, Debbie became convinced there were more educators who needed supplies and people around the world who would love to help. So, she created the Help A Teacher Facebook page. Since that first small gesture to help a few teachers, the Help A Teacher community has grown into a 100K+ member force committed to providing teachers around the world with supplies, encouragement, and support. Today, fueled by faith and passion and love for teachers, Debbie and the Help A Teacher team are more committed than ever to playing a significant role in supporting teachers to make a difference in the lives of their kids. Follow Debbie and Hel

Travis Niemeyer was a collegiate athlete in springboard diving. After a couple years at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, he took time off college to be with his family, but didn't quit training. He eventually returned to college at the University of Nebraska to complete his degree in Elementary Education. During that time, he was a member of 7 National Teams, representing the USA around the world and competing for an Olympic birth at the Olympic Diving Trials. And when one journey ended, another began in teaching. After getting married and moving to Billings, Montana, Mr. Niemeyer started teaching 1st grade, then moved to 5th, and finally 6th grade. In 2006, he was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math Teaching by President George W. Bush and the National Science Foundation in Washington DC. After 11 years teaching, he turned to the principalship to extend his impact with children. He is currently in his 8th year as a K-5 principal. Join Travis on Social Media: Twitter | @NiemeyerMr406

Jen Henson ( a.k.a “The GOAL DIGGER”) is a nationally sought after test prep expert specializing in the ACT test. Jen, who was an Ohio Teacher of the Year in 2014, holds a Master of Education degree with a Bachelor’s in English from Xavier University where she competed as a division 1 varsity tennis player.  For more than 2 decades, she has been a decorated teacher and ACT prep coach. Today, she speaks to educators, parents, and students and has an army of teachers trained to assist her requests for tutorials. Her former ACT students now attend notable higher learning institutions, including Notre Dame, The Ohio State University, Texas A&M, The Naval Academy, Dartmouth, Columbia, Miami University, and the University of Kentucky — among others. Web: jenhensonactprep.com Join Jen on Social Media: Facebook | Jen Henson ACT-Prep Twitter | @JenniferHenso17 Instagram | @goaldigger_act_prep

Rick Ramirez is a secondary educator, AVID sponsor, and a recent Teacher of the Year Award winner in El Paso, Texas. Subscribe on itunes | Subscribe on Google Born in El Paso, Texas, Rick Ramirez was raised without his biological father along with his 6 siblings in the projects while on every government assistance program available. Following high school, Rick joined the Marine Corps where he realized he wanted to be a teacher. He's a graduate from The University of Texas at El Paso, with a BA in history and education and a Master's in Educational Leadership and has received his principal's certification. In addition to teaching, Rick is a 3x Golden Glove champion and current trainer. Rick also started a non-profit organization designed to give back to the neighborhood he grew up in and still live in. Recently, he has been giving speeches to 7-12 graders for 1 1/2 years now as an aspiring educational consultant and youth speaker. Website | rickramirezspeaks.com Email | ramirezricky86@gmail.com Join Rick on S

The Dynamic Duo of Teaching: Jacob Chastain and Kecia Dennis Subscribe on itunes | Subscribe on Google Jacob Chastain is the creator and host of the Teach Me, Teacher Podcast, and a Literacy Coach 6-8th / 7th ELA Teacher. Jacob sees himself as a professional teacher affirmer and explorer of all things education. His memoir about how teachers changed his life and how he uses those lessons in his teaching today can be found in his book coming out later this year. Email: jacob.chastain@yahoo.com Twitter: @jacobchastain_ Facebook: /teachmeteache Instagram: @teachmeteacherhost TeachMeTeacherPodcast.com Kecia Dennis is a 10 year veteran teacher, set on teaching students not only valuable English skills, but how to change the world around them. She currently teaches at Richland Middle School. She's a mom of two exceptional daughters and a complete “word nerd.” Email: keciadenni@gmail.com Instagram: @readennis2read Watch on Youtube >>

Pamela Davis is a teacher with an amazing story of transformation and sacrifice. Subscribe on itunes | Subscribe on Google In this episode, Pamela share's her story of transformation and sacrifice. Over the last 12 months, she's lost over 150lbs and donated a kidney to save the life of a friend. Pamela graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an ECE specialization. Having worked predominantly with low income students, Pamela's taught Prek for 10 years and kinder for 5. She has two kids of her own, a son and a daughter. Watch the video on YouTube >> Follow Pamela on Social Media: Twitter: @SASpursteacher Facebook: /pamela.martindavis Instagram: @spurskinderteacher

Dawn Warren is a Rock Star teacher In Magnolia ISD in Magnolia, TX. Subscribe on itunes | Subscribe on Google I know in education we're not supposed to play favorites. But, I do. Dawn warren is one of my favorite teachers that I've met. She's passionate about her content and even more passionate about making a difference in the lives of her kids. After teaching for over a quarter century, Dawn is an excellent educator. Yet, as you'll hear, she's still excited to be on the journey to becoming even better. Oh, and again with the favorites: Dawn is currently a history teacher at one of my favorite schools - Bear Branch Junior High in Magnolia ISD in Magnolia, Texas.

Jim McCarthy | Voiceover Dude & Media Coach Subscribe on itunes | Subscribe on Google "Like most VO folks, I started out in radio. I worked in Connecticut, Las Vegas and ended up settling in Nashville since 2005. Over that time I voiced and produced literally thousands of ads for almost every type of business from the local smoke shop on up to Coca Cola and Jose Cuervo." Watch the video on YouTube>> Follow Jim everywhere! Instagram: @jimmccarthyvos Twitter: @jimmccarthyvos Facebook: Mccarthy.media Web: www.jimmccarthyvoiceovers.com Subscribe to Jim's Podcast: JMVO Weekly Primer

Subscribe on itunes | Subscribe on Google Mike and NIta Creekmore are a married couple both in the field of education. Mike has been in the field of counseling for about 11+ years and Nita has been in education for 15 years. Nita and Mike have 4 children and have a very busy life inside and outside of school. They love what we do. They love having a large family. Yet, they believe that having a work/life balance is so important. Watch on YouTube >>

Subscribe on itunes | Subscribe on Google Seth Hopkins-Federman’s career as a teacher started as a way to make sure he wasn’t a starving actor. Through the years, he has taught English and Reading at several different levels and has presented at both state and national conferences. He has finally found a way to substitute his love for the stage with a profound and passionate love for the classroom. He is currently working on his doctorate in Education Leadership with the goal of becoming a striving force in education reform or finding a way to successfully pay off all of the student loans. Watch on YouTube>>

Human Connection Matters! In 2019 this simple yet incredibly powerful message is arguably the single most important concept for our society to grasp. Joe Beckman speaks to the heart of this message. As a youth speaker for the last 17 years, Joe has shared his energy, humor, authenticity, and message on Human Connection to over 1 million students, educators, and parents. Joe’s message, or maybe better said, the delivery of Joe's message resonates deeply with his audiences. Which is why he's so often told, "dude...you're the best speaker our school has EVER brought in." ~ kid who thought the speaker was going to be dumb Joe lives in Minneapolis, MN, with his 3 children (Sophia, Finn and Jonah) and incredibly beautiful, patient, kind, patient, loving, and very very patient wife Jess. To learn more about Joe to inquire about a live event at your school or conference visit, www.joebeckman.com. Connect with Joe on Social Media: Fb | papagio2009 Ig | @joe_beckman Tw | @Joe_Beckman

Subscribe on itunes | Subscribe on Google Misty Malone is the founder of Genius Power Productions and the EMPOWER Educators Conference. She is a passionate advocate for educational change and student success. She is a risk taker and loves to develop leaders and educators in a variety of key areas that promote teacher support and student achievement. The EMPOWER Educators Conference is a celebration of educators that also develops and empowers them with ideas and resources to do what is best for students. She donates 100% of the net proceeds to the attendees to support their classrooms. Misty joined Education 5+ years ago with 10+ years of Leadership and Training and Development experience. As Training Director, Misty focused on building and developing trainers and curriculum for multiple industries and positions. She has studied and practiced Servant Leadership with incredible mentors. Misty is certified in Servant Leadership, Principles of Management, Coaching and Mentoring Skills for Leadership Success,

Casey Olearnick is a lifelong learner and educator currently serving as an Assistant Principal at Oakville High School in the Mehlville School District. A father, husband, son, and brother, Casey enjoys music, learning, creating, and tabletop RPGs.