Education Leadership and Beyond

Meet Mildre Feliz Brunot-- co-founder & managing director of EtPic Wear Brand, a sportswear brand with island style...As the EpTic website says: "blending island style with performance to create sportswear." Mildre is a former track-and-field champion from Azua, Dominican Republic. Mildre spent a decade competing, collecting medals across national competitions, and struggling to access quality...

Pumped to join the incredible team from the 2026 Fall Wide Open Spaces today, Monday, 10/12/26, at 12:10 pm PT/3:10 EST. We'll talk with amazing friends, leaders, and educators from WOS: the WOS creator/organizer, Dr. Eric Nichols; Dr. Casey Hallgarth, Superintendent @ Baker Schools;   / casey-hallgarth   Kevin Spainhour- 1st-time presenter at WOS, my very close friend/college roommate & my co...

Congrats to Tom Murray on his latest book: How You Show Up: Change the Belief, Change the Outcome. Tom is a national motivational speaker, multiple-book author, husband, father--& one who is making a positive difference in the education world and beyond. Learn more at https://www.thomascmurray.com/ Join us LIVE on the #ELB Podcast, Tuesday 9/29 at 4:30 PM ESTBefore his national work, Murray se...

Meet Dr. David Wiedlich, the proud Principal of Radnor MS in Wayne, PA. Dave is the PA Principal of the Year for Middle Schools and was a finalist for National MS Principal of the Year. Congrats, Dave, his family, and staff & students at Radnor MS.  Dave will join us tomorrow, Thursday, 9/17, at 5:00 pm EST as a guest on  #ELB  & beyond. Dr. Wiedlich leads with passion, excitement, and enc...

Meet Danielle Kalinski, the Principal at Big Picture Academy at Frontier Central School District in Western NY. Danielle was a guest on the #ELB podcast over five years ago and continues to grow in her leadership journey at Frontier. We'll discuss her current role as Principal at Big Picture Academy, her family, leadership & more. Join us LIVE on the #ELB podcast on Tuesday, 9/8/26 at 4:15 EST...

Meet the remarkable Franci Paz Pienda, a sophomore at Amityville HS in Long Island, NY. At the recent school administrators' summer leadership retreat, Superintendent Dr. Gina Talbert invited a number of stakeholders, including student representatives, one of whom was Franci. He was outstanding- spoke up, participated, stayed up front, and was a star at the event. I said, "I gotta get him on the p...

Meet Yankee Todd--the awesome Todd Bloomer--school leader, speaker, and 2x author--out with his newest book, Finding Your Red Bench! A month-by-month guide, a coach, and a trusted friend offering advice from the bench, the book focuses on campus operations, campus culture, and your own self-care, which look different each month. It also provides a look ahead to each month to allow leaders not to c...

SOLO Podcast with the host Andrew Marotta- opening the school year, ABRACADABRA, and dealing with conflict! #BAM ! Looking for high-performance leadership coaching? Let's connect--PPC coaching: https://andrewmarotta.com/ppc/ This podcast is sponsored by IXL Personalized Learning. IXL is used by more than 1 million teachers each day. It is also the most widely used online learning and teaching plat...

Meet the Superintendent/Principal of Harmony Township School District Daryle Weiss. Daryle is a lifelong NJ resident--and has had a unique and creative background--coaching, farming, building--and even acting & comedy! We'll talk all things leadership, NJ, and dominating the day! Join us LIVE on the #ELB podcast on Tuesday, 8/11 at 4:10 ESTThis podcast is sponsored by IXL Personalized Learning...

Meet Principal Joey Horn from Lincoln Elementary in Princeton, IL. Joey and I connected years ago at IPA- Illinois Principals Association. Joey is a leader, husband, father, and one who is passionate about bringing positive energy to his family, school, and community. He'll join us LIVE on the #ELB podcast on Thursday, 8/6 at 4:15 EST. Join us! Follow Joey @joeydean_ and on X @Joey_Horn_Joey is al...

Meet Priscilla Mendez, special education teacher at East Lake Middle School in the Socorro School District in El Paso, Texas. Priscilla was the campus teacher of the year in 2026! She is a wife, mom of 3 boys, and the director of the HOPE worldwide SW Chapter — a nonprofit that serves the community. She loves to exercise, eat well, and is passionate about serving her students and the school commun...

Meet Matt Booth, the Director of Strength and Conditioning, Dean of Athletics, and Leadership Teacher at Canterbury School in Fort Myers, FL. Matt is a passionate leader who is looking to motivate and inspire others on his journey. Join us today, Tuesday, June 23rd, LIVE on the #ELB podcast at 4:15 EST.We'll discuss fatherhood, leadership, and his 1st book--coming out soon: Being Champions before...

Meet April Knight, NAESP President & Principal at Avondale Elementary School in Columbus, OH. Mrs. Knight is just wrapping up her year as NAESP President, and she will join us LIVE today, Monday, 6/22/26, on the  #ELB  Podcast @  4:15  EST. We'll discuss all she has learned through this experience--the places she has traveled and the wonderful leaders she's met as NAESP President. She has been...

Meet Dr. Marcus Belin--Distinguished Principal of Hunley High School in Huntley, IL. Dr. Belin was the 2021 National Digital Principal of the Year and the 2025 Illinois Principal of the Year. Marcus serves on the NASSP Board and one day wants to be the Secretary of Education. Join us on the #ELB podcast LIVE, Saturday, June 13th, 2026, at 9 am EST, 8 am CT. He is a husband, father, podcaster, spea...

Meet the awesome Sam Demma, the top-selling author & keynote speaker. Sam speaks around the globe to students, educators, and more--sharing his message of hope, kindness, empathy--through powerful stories, backpacks, and tacos! Excited to meet him on the #ELB podcast--Today, Monday, June 1st @ 4:10 PM EST. We'll talk leadership, engaging others--and carrying his positive message to many! This...

Meet Dr. Jess Quinter, the Principal at Park Forest Elementary in PA. Jess is a PA native, has been a Principal for 16 years, 26 years in education and serves on the Board of Directors for Zone 2 for NAESP. Join us LIVE today, Tuesday, 5/26/26 at 5pm EST for the #ELB podcast--we'll talk leadership, learning being in the moment, and leading with heart and intention. #SurviveThrive This podcast is s...

Meet the super amazing Jim Stroker from NJ- a lifelong teacher and coach. Jim is an incredible speaker and presenter- and a life coach. He and his family have an incredible story together. We'll discuss his family's journey, his TED Talk, his book, his 36-year teaching career, and more...LIVE on the #ELB podcast, Wednesday, May 20 at 4:15 ESTJim's TED Talk is awesome. You can watch it here:    • A...

Meet Dr. Rob Wottawa--educator, podcaster, leader--and one of the founders of the LIE: Long Island Educators Summit. He'll join me on the #ELB podcast tomorrow, Friday, May 14th, 2026 LIVE at 4:10 pm ESTWe'll talk leadership,family, his new book, mentorship, and life in Huntington as the Director of Fine and Performing Arts. We'll also talk about the upcoming 2nd annual LIE on May 29th at St. Jose...

Meet Jim Cameron, the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at West Islip Schools in Long Island, NY. Jim is a veteran NY education leader and also an executive committee member with SAANYS, NY's administrators' leadership group. He is an active husband and father, and one looking to make a positive impact on those he works with and within the NY leadership circles. He is running the 2nd ann...

Meet Brianna Lanoye, the Principal at Buff Sci 2 Elementary School in Buffalo, NY. Brianna is in her 6th year as Principal and is a lifelong Buffalo resident. She and her team have grown the school from 60 students to 400. In October 2025, Brianna made the national news when her school surprised her by throwing a wedding reception at the school--AND EVERYONE WAS INVITED, and the ceremony was offic...

Meet Erika Bare, the Superintendent at South Umpqua Schools in Myrtle Creek, OR. Erika is a proud educator for over 20 years, serving in many roles, now as the educator in S. Umpqua. She is also an author and presenter. She most recently co-authored with Tiffany Burns, Connecting Through Conversation: A Playbook for Talking with StudentsErika lives in Southern Oregon with her extremely supportive...

Excited to talk with Coach John Perry. Coach Perry runs the super awesome & amazing Never Stop Getting Better Podcast, that you can find here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... John is the HFC at Nixa HS in Nixa, MO, for years: https://nixaathletics.net/staff-direc... and won a State Championship at Pearl HS in MS in 2017. He is a speaker, presenter, and leadership coach, also https://n...

Take 2 with the NYS Principal and the National Principal of the year of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, Pierre Orbe. We had some tech difficulties last week --and just like in school, when something doesn't go right, you do it again and make it work. We'll be LIVE together on the podcast today, Sunday, 4/12 at 1 pm EST. We'll talk leadership and learning, and hear Pie...

Meet authors & educators Dr. Bill Truesdale & Vinni M. Hall--authors of Question Power: How they can change and influence instruction practices. Both are lifelong educators serving in the Chicago area--Bill is a retired Principal and now a leadership coach and consultant--Vinni is an adjunct professor and instructional coach. Join us LIVE on the #ELB Podcast tomorrow, March 17th, 2026 at 4...

Meet authors & educators Dr. Bill Truesdale & Vinni M. Hall--authors of Question Power: How they can change and influence instruction practices. Both are lifelong educators serving in the Chicago area--Bill is a retired Principal and now a leadership coach and consultant--Vinni is an adjunct professor and instructional coach. Join us LIVE on the #ELB Podcast tomorrow, March 17th, 2026 at 4...