Leading Out The Woods

Episode #79 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Alfonso Mendoza, Instructional Technologist, Host of ‘My EdTech Life,’ & Google Innovator, joins Matt to discuss hybrid teaching, and the most effective ways to accomplish it. You can connect with Fonz via Twitter @myedtechlife or his website at https://www.myedtech.life

Episode #78 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. DeAnna Moreau, Curriculum Specialist for Elementary Mathematics in Chesterfield County Public Schools (VA), joins Matt to discuss strategies for making math instruction more relevant to students. Connect with Dr. Moreau on Twitter @MoreauDeanna

Episode #77 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Andrae Townsel, Superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools (MD), joins Matt to discuss his journey through education as a student-athlete, teacher, building administrator, and district leader. Connect with Dr. Townsel on Twitter @draetown

Episode #76 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Pamela Gunther, CEO & Founder of Fit & Fun Playscapes, joins Matt to discuss the relationship between active movement and social emotional learning. Additionally, Pamela offers tips on incorporating movement and physical activity in classrooms. You can connect with Pamela via her company's website: www.fitandfunplayscapes.com or via email at...

Episode #75 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Starr Sackstein, Chief Operating Officer of Mastery Portfolio, joins Matt to discuss how traditional grading practices overlook many learners, and ways educators can shift towards an asset-based model for all students to thrive academically. Connect with Starr on Twitter @mssackstein and via her website www.mssackstein.com

Episode #74 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Robert Canida II, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence at the University of Lynchburg, joins Matt to discuss the systemic barriers preventing academic freedom, and the pros and cons to both sides. You can connect with Dr. Canida via email robert.canida.phd@gmail.com or LinkedIn @ Robert Canida

Episode #73 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Leslie Hazle Bussey, CEO/Executive Director, GLISI (Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement), joins Matt to discuss what makes leadership development ‘effective,’ the most pressing leadership needs post-pandemic, and strategies to help school leaders thrive. Connect with Dr. Bussey on Twitter @hazlebussey and via website www.glisi.or...

Episode #72 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Jen Baldwin, Coordinator of Social-Emotional-Behavioral Supports & Family Engagement for T/TAC at VT, joins Matt to discuss the influx of mental health concerns schools are seeing due to the pandemic, and offers strategies to address them in a holistic way.

Episode #71 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest David Frangiosa, Science teacher and Co-Author of Going Gradeless: Shifting the Focus to Student Learning, joins Matt to discuss how educators can remove the negative stigmas of grading and still hold students to a high level of accountability. Connect with David on Twitter @DavidFrangiosa and his website www.reimaginedschools.com

Episode #70 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Thomas Van Soelen, President of Van Soelen & Associates, joins Matt to discuss why schools chronically experience poorly-facilitated meetings, and shares strategies to effectively and efficiently use their time. You can connect with Dr. Van Soelen via Twitter @tvansoelen and his website www.vansolenassociates.com

Episode #69 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Dr. Harold McCray, Elementary Principal in Metro DC, joins Matt to discuss the issues many black male educators face in the profession, and shares advice on recruiting and retaining them in our schools and districts. Connect with Dr. McCray on Twitter and Instagram @drhspeaks

Episode #68 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Ryan James, middle school teacher, and Milken Award Winner (VA '17), joins Matt to share his strategies on building positive relationships with students, setting goals for improvement, and self-reflecting tips to grow as an educator. You can connect with Ryan via Twitter and Instagram @aye_mrjames

Episode #67 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Wade Whitehead, Executive Director of the Teachers of Promise Institute, and classroom teacher, joins Matt to discuss the cornerstones of effective classroom practices, and shares his amazing journey that led his team to create the Teachers of Promise Institute. You can connect with Wade on Twitter @wadewhitehead or check out his website www.wadewhi...

Episode #66 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Lindsay Prendergast, Leadership Coach, NWEA & former High School Principal, joins Matt to share the major issues facing current school and district leaders. Additionally, Lindsay shares advice on targeted support for leaders to be successful. You can connect with Lindsay via Twitter @Lindspren and her website: www.lindsayprendergast.com

Episode #65 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Yaritza Villalba, Educator Innovation Lead at Flipgrid, joins Matt to discuss the importance of culturally relevant resources being embedded in daily instruction, and share the impact on student development when they are not exposed to diverse literature. You can connect with Yaritza on Twitter @inc_yv or her website at www.mckenziesadventures.com .

Episode #64 is up! Check it out!!! I Choose To Stay Special Guest Dr. Salome Thomas-EL, K-8 Principal, author, and national speaker, joins Matt to share his inspirational message and story behind why ‘he chose to stay’ in education. Additionally, Dr. Thomas-EL discusses his thoughts on improving staff morale and capacity. You can connect with Dr. Thomas-EL via Twitter @Principal_EL and his website...

Episode #63 is up! Check it out!!! Is Financial Literacy Working? Special Guest Dr. Michael Thomas, Professor at the University of Georgia & Accredited Financial Counselor, joins Matt to share how we should conceptualize financial literacy, and discusses barriers students and families face. You can connect with Dr. Thomas on Instagram @modomsolutions or via email modomsolutions@gmail.com . Additio...

Episode #62 is up! Transforming Learning with Technology Special Guest Ms. Debbie Tannenbaum, school technology specialist, joins Matt to share ways technology and associated routines can be used to promote student engagement in the classroom. Additionally, Debbie shares some of the strategies from her book, TRANSFORM-Techy Notes to Make Learning Sticky. You can connect with Debbie via Twitter @Ta...

Episode #61 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Ms. Krista Leh, Founder of Resonance Educational Consulting, joins Matt to discuss the misconceptions regarding SEL, and how it should be addressed and implemented with fidelity. You can connect with Krista via Twitter @Resonance_Ed or her website at www.resonanceed.com

Episode #60 is up! Check it out!!! Transforming Systems through Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Special Guest Dr. Nikole Hollins-Sims, Educational Consultant, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Education in Pennsylvania, & 2021 PA School Psychologist of the Year, joins Matt to share ways on transforming systems in schools incorporating intentionality regarding equity, inclusion, & belonging for a...

Episode #59 is up! Leveraging Leadership: Three Keys to Successful School Leadership Special Guest Dr. Robert Thornell, Director of Leadership Development in Lewisville ISD (Texas), & School Improvement Coach for NWEA, joins Matt to share the 5 distinct activities he recommends for all building leaders to be successful from his co-authored book “Inside the Principal’s Office.” You can connect with...

Episode #58 is up! Special Guest Ms. Tamera Musiowsky-Borneman, Professional Learning Facilitator at Plan Z Professional Learning Services, and co-author of the book, ‘The Minimalist Teacher,’ joins Matt to discuss her career teaching abroad, and offers guidance to other educators interested in pursuing the same thing. You can connect with Tamera via Twitter @TMus_Ed & purchase her book at https:/...

Episode #57 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Ms. Michelle Hill, Coordinator of Admissions & Strategic Marketing, & co-author of ‘Fired Up Teachership,’ joins Matt to discuss what’s happening in education right now with teacher vacancies at all levels, why everyone (educators & non-educators) should be concerned, & shares some long-term strategies for improvement. You can connect with Michelle...

Episode #56 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Janelle McLaughlin, Education Consultant for Advanced Learning Partnerships, joins Matt to discuss her book, Leadership At Every Level: Five Qualities of Effective Classroom. School, and District Leaders. Additionally, Janelle shares tips for educators to grow in leadership capacities inside and outside of the classroom. Connect with Janelle via Twi...

Episode #55 is up! Check it out!!! Special Guest Steve Bollar, Speaker, Trainer, Consultant & Owner of Stand Tall Enterprises, joins Matt to discuss how educators & leaders can start to develop & maintain a positive culture & climate in their schools & classrooms. You can connect with Steve via Twitter @StandTallSteve or his website at https://www.standtallsteve.com