Leading Out The Woods

Episode #103 is up! Check it out!!! Join Dr. Woods as he sits down with Mr. Ryan Stein, Principal at Greenwood Elementary School, who shares his inspiring philosophy of "Win the Morning" and some of his strategies cultivating a positive school culture. Discover how his approach has not only substantially increased attendance but also fueled remarkable academic growth in the school.

Anchor Chat #1: Where I Wanna Be In the inaugural episode of Anchor Chats, Dr. Woods engages in a reflective dialogue, encouraging educators to be honest with themselves about internal biases, likes and dislikes, and the places where they truly feel comfortable in their profession.

Episode #102 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Crystal Frommert, Deputy Head of Secondary at Awty International School, joins Matt to discuss her book, When Calling Parents Isn't Your Calling, and effective ways to partner with families for student success. Connect with Crystal via her email at cfrommert@gmail.com or her LinkedIn Page.

Episode #101 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Montserrat Fuentes, President of St. Edward’s University, joins Matt on the show to discuss ways to support and cultivate minority leadership and representation. Connect with Dr. Fuentes via the university’s website www.stewards.edu or her LinkedIn page .

Episode #100 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Sarah Kirk, CEO of Yoga 4 Classrooms, LLC and Oklahoma's 2018 School Counselor of the Year, joins Matt to discuss how wrap-around supports can improve a student’s academic, social-emotional, and overall well-being in school.

Episode #99 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Allison Zmuda, Education Consultant, returns on the show to discuss the difference between formative and summative assessments, and strategies to implement summative assessments more efficiently. Connect with Allison via her website www.allisonzmuda.com

Episode #98 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Jodie Soracco, Director of the Virginia Tiered System of Supports, Research and Implementation Center, joins Matt to discuss the way she assists with building state and division-level capacity for supporting the sustained and broad-scale implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additionally, D...

Episode #97 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Lisa Reddel, Executive Principal of School Improvement, joins Matt to discuss the power of professional learning communities, and why they are important to help educators grow. Connect with Lisa via www.solutiontree.com/lisa-m-reddel.html

Episode #96 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Edmond Hally, Associate Professor of Political Science at Ferrum College, joins Matt to discuss the positive effects of games on student success. Additionally, Dr. Hally shares elements of gaming design, and how he has implemented them in his classes. Connect with Dr. Hally via email at ehally@ferrum.edu and check out the book, “Simulations in t...

Episode #95 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Megan Surso, Elementary Special Education Coordinator and Preschool Director, joins Matt to share what authentic inclusive education looks like in classrooms, and strategies for effective tier 1 support for all students. Connect with Megan via email at megan.surso@gmail.com

Episode #94 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Richard Bourque, Chief Marketing Officer of Educational Epiphany, joins Matt to discuss how Educational Epiphany collaborates with school districts across the country to promote student achievement and professional development for educators. Additionally, Richard highlights his role in publishing and how he helps educators expand their impact. Conne...

Episode #93 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Leighangela Brady, Superintendent of National School District, joins Matt to share the work her team is doing in National School District to develop exceptionally prepared learners, and innovative, compassionate world citizens. Learn more about the work at www.nsd.us and connect with Dr. Brady on twitter at @nsdleighangela and https://leighangel...

Episode #92 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Samantha Fecich, Professor and Author, joins Matt to discuss her work related to pre-service teachers. Additionally, Dr. Fecich shares ways schools and districts can support their growth. Connect with Dr. Fecich via her website: www.sfecich.com

Episode #91 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Chase Mielke, Speaker, Author, and Professor, joins Matt to discuss ways educators can address burnout, and why self-care is not enough to prevent this from occurring. Connect with Chase at https://topyouthspeakers.com/speakers-topics/chase-mielke

Episode #90 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Chris Singleton, Motivational Speaker and Author, joins Matt to share his inspirational message of resilience, unity, and forgiveness. Visit www.chrissingleton.com for more information!

Episode #89 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Charle Peck, Speaker, Author, and Consultant, joins Matt to discuss ways to scaffold support in schools for long-term, sustainable, mental health solutions. Connect with Charle on Twitter @CharlePeck or visit www.thrivingschool.org for more information.

Episode #88 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Ne’Andre’ Broussard, Founder and CEO of Black Menswear, joins Matt to discuss why educators should be mindful of their attire when working with students, and the role positive male affirmations play in the development of children. Connect with Ne’Andre’ via social media @blacksmenwear, and his website www.blackmenswear.com

Episode #87 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Johnathan Cranford, ISS Teacher and Author, joins Matt to discuss his strategies on implementing a successful in-school suspension program at his school, and how the success led to his book , "The Art of In-School Suspension: A Discipline Program that Benefits Staff and Students." Connect with Jonathan via twitter @jmoneycranford, and his website ht...

Episode #86 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Dana Goodier, assistant principal and author, joins Matt to discuss her book, "Out of the Trenches: Stories of Resilient Educators", featuring educators who share their stories of resiliency. Connect with Dr. Goodier via Twitter @danagoodier and her website www.danagoodier.com

Episode #85 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Robert Harvey, President of FoodCorps, joins Matt to discuss the impact nutrition has on students. Connect with Dr. Harvey via instagram and Twitter @therobharvey, and the following websites www.roberrtsharvey.com or www.foodcorps.org

Episode #84 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Sarah Thomas, Regional Technology Coordinator and Founder of EduMatch, joins Matt to discuss the origins of EduMatch and the importance of building a professional learning network. Connect with Dr. Thomas via social media (instagram, twitter, etc.) @sarahdatechur and www.edumatch.org

Episode #83 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Brandon Ross, High School Principal in South Carolina, joins Matt to talk about his experiences and role as a first year building principal, his 5 cornerstones for success, and the idea of the Millennial Principal. Connect with Dr. Ross via instagram and Twitter @BrandonRoss

Episode #82 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Aundrea Smiley, Owner/Operator of Valor & Grace Literacy Cove, adjunct professor and district literacy coach, joins Matt to discuss what restorative justice should look like in schools, and ways to involve all stakeholders to shift mindsets. Connect with Dr. Smiley via email aundrea.smiley@emu.edu and her website www.valorandgrace.net

Episode #81 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Tavis Myrick, Executive Director of the Gentlemen’s Quest of Tampa Inc., joins Matt to discuss the importance of mentoring programs and the impact they have on our students. Connect with Mr. Myrick on Twitter @MyrickTavis and via his website www.mrmyrick.com

Episode #80 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guests Dr. Lacey Seaton and Dr. Jon Becker, Professors of Educational Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University, joins Matt to discuss the ways schools and districts can engage students in policy development, and strategies for navigating conflict that can arise between student voice and parent’s wishes. Connect with Dr. Seaton on Twitter @lacey_seat...