Leading Out The Woods

Episode #29: Children learn best when they engage in experiences through trial and error. Play allows students to simulate discovery, problem-solving, creativity, and a host of other active learning skills. Special Guest Dr. Michael Hynes joins Matt to share why he is so passionate about this topic. Additionally, Dr. Hynes gives listeners tips on how he embedded this learning style within his scho...

Episode #28: When students are given autonomy to be creative, they develop more ownership of their learning. Special Guest Rachelle Dene Poth joins Matt to discuss the strategies she employs in her classroom, and offers advice to other educators trying to get their students to perform in this manner. Follow Rachelle on Twitter @Rdene915 & check out her website www. Rdene915.com

Episode #27: Having positive staff members is critical to the success of every school and district. When teachers and corresponding staff are taken care of, student achievement improves. Special Guest Dr. Todd Whitaker joins Matt to discuss the importance of staff motivation and morale. Additionally, Dr. Whitaker provides tips on what you can do to ensure this is happening in your school. Follow D...

Episode #26: Special Guest Dr. LaGarrett King joins Matt to discuss the 'history' behind Black History Month. Additionally, Dr. King offers advice on the ways educators can reflect on their practices and mindsets regarding this topic. Follow Dr. King on Twitter @DrLaGarrettKing & check out the website https://www.teachingblackhistory.org for resources!

Episode #25: In response to the overwhelming feedback about Episode #6 School Law: What all educators need to know to be safe & successful, Special Guest Dr. John Dayton joins Matt to discuss a variety of other school law topics that teachers and administrators deal with on a daily basis. Legal issues discussed include: free speech, freedom of religion, and the equal protection of the laws (in the...

Special Bonus Episode #24: Dr. Luvelle Brown, Superintendent of Ithaca City School District, joins Matt to discuss his book, Culture of Love: Cultivating a Positive and Transformational Organizational Culture. Additionally, Dr. Brown provides some key strategies for cultivating equity in our schools, and with the stakeholders we serve. You can connect with Dr. Brown on Twitter: @luvelleb & his web...

Episode #23: Formative assessments help educators differentiate their instruction to meet the needs of their students. Special guest Ms. Allison Zmuda, Educational Consultant, joins Matt to share some of the most effective ways to engage and assess students. Allison can be reached at Twitter: @allison_zmuda, www.learningpersonalized.com & her Linkedin Page: Allison Zmuda

Episode #22: Our students constantly enter our schools with a host of things weighing them down. As educators, we must be mindful of these items, while allowing students to engage in dialogue that helps them process these emotions. Special guest Dr. Reuben Faloughi, Licensed Psychologist at the University of South Florida, joins Matt to offer listeners a model for structuring productive critical c...

Episode #21: As an administrator, we know one of our primary goals is to be the instructional leader within our school buildings. Unfortunately, the complexities of school management can get in the way of this function. Instructional coaches can bridge the gap for administrators when leading a school to academic achievement by utilizing them in an efficient manner. Joining Matt for this discussion...

Episode #20: Dr. Strayhorn’s pioneering research on college students’ sense of belonging has informed state policy reform, transformed campus/school practices, and advanced theory and intervention testing. Dr. Strayhorn joins Matt to discuss his research, and provide steps to our listeners so they can cultivate a sense of belonging with their students in their classrooms.

Episode #19: Everyone is trying to wrap their minds around this shift from traditional ‘old-school’ teaching, to utilizing technology in embedded fashions. Special Guest Scott Kinney, President of K12 Education for Discovery Education, joins Matt to offer insight on the changes he has witnessed in education, and advice to school systems in this virtual landscape.

Special Bonus Episode #18: Professional Learning Networks are opportunities for educators to meet one another & share ideas. With the ever-changing needs of our students, communities, and instructional delivery methods, PLN's are great ways for educators to stay current on best practices. Special Guests Jennifer Hall (Educational Technology Specialist in Atlanta, GA), Brandon Wislocki (5th Grade T...

Episode #17: According to John Hattie, collective teacher efficacy has the largest effect size on student achievement. Special guest Dr. Katie Novak, internationally renowned education consultant and practicing leader in education in Massachusetts, joins Matt to share her work on implementing these inclusive practices, and offers tips on creating collective efficacy in our learning environments.

Episode #16: Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports promote strategies and mindsets that lead to positive behaviors in classrooms and schools. Special Guest Dr. Eva Allen, Learning Environment Specialist for Student Support Services with the Pittsburgh Public School District, Founder of Culturally Connected Education, joins Matt to share examples on how it should be correctly implemented for...

Special Bonus Episode #15: Educators tend to put their students' needs above their own. However, we must all remember that we are no good to our students if we do not practice self-care. Special Guest Rebecca Day, CEO/Owner Health Solutions Associates LLC & Creator of H.E.A.R.T. Method of Self Care for Educators, joins Matt to talk about the impact self-care can have on student learning, and ways...

Episode #14: Equity is becoming the buzzword in education. While it should always be at the forefront for all educators, recent events have caused this work to grow exponentially. This has led many educators to reflect and ask themselves, how are we putting measures in place to sustain and promote equity in our schools? Special guest Leah Walker, Director for Equity and Community Engagement at the...

Episode #13: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 76% of teachers are female, compared to 24% being male. Additionally, only two out of every ten teachers are a minority. Special Guest Ryan Bell, CEO of The Bell Effect, joins Matt to discuss how he works with schools and other organizations to recruit male role models for children. Mr. Bell also offers tips for schools to inc...

Episode #12: Within education, the relationships between students, teachers, administrators, and community members are always at play. Establishing positive relationships leads to a culture of trust within your classroom and school environment. Special Guest Lori Wimbush, joins Matt to share her experiences and strategies she has used to accomplish this in her various roles.

Episode #11: Ask any teacher, and they can tell you what STEM stands for. However, many differ on the best way to implement STEM in a productive and authentic way. Special Guest Seidah Armstrong, Vice President of Performance Management Services, joins Matt to talk about the changes STEM has endured over the last several years, and what role it should play to increase student achievement.

Episode #10: The phrase ‘growing your own’ is synonymous in many school districts and organizations. However, the mounting stress and increasing demands on administrators is causing the pool of applicants to shrink, causing districts to recruit and bring in potential leaders from outside their communities. Special Guest Steven Lin, Principal at Fort Zeller Elementary School in PA, joins Matt to di...

Episode #9: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, online professional development for educators has become more important than ever. Helping K-12 educators adjust to this new ‘norm’ is paramount if we want to ensure a continuity of instruction for our students during this time. Special Guest Dr. Sandra Via, Director of the School of Graduate and Online Education Studies at Ferrum College, joins Matt...

Episode #8: Special Guest Lonice Harris, 2019 Virginia School Social Worker of the Year, joins Matt to discuss the impact traumatic experiences & ACES can have on a student’s ability to learn. Additionally, Mrs. Harris provides a host of helpful strategies & resources that all educators can use in their classrooms to help these students succeed.

Episode #7: What does it take from going good to great? How does one transition from being an average teacher, to an exceptional one? Joining Matt for this discussion is 2009 Virginia Teacher of the Year and Virginia Teacher of the Year Network Founder, Mrs. Stephanie Doyle. Mrs. Doyle offers valuable insight, and gives suggestions that all educators can use to become better at their craft.

Episode #6: (School Law: What all educators need to know to be safe & successful): Poet Bertolt Brecht once said, “The law was made for one thing alone, for the exploitation of those who don't understand it.” This episode examines four of the most common items that come up in K-12 surrounding school law: Open Records Act, Title IX concerns, Special Education, & Discipline Issues. Joining Matt for...

Episode #5: Community Partnerships are avenues that spark innovation, & promote academic performance. Special Guest Joanie Petty (Chief Executive Officer at Boys and Girls Clubs of the Blue Ridge) joins Matt to delve into the ways community partnerships support schools, while providing insight on leveraging these partnerships for maximum potential.