LEADS Lounge

Together, Taylor, Leah, and John bring more than five decades of combined experience in education. Since their last appearances on the LEADS Lounge, each has continued to influence the profession in unique ways—through classroom teaching, educational leadership, advocacy, public speaking, and even public service. Join us as we catch up on their journeys, discuss the current state of education, and...

In this episode of Leads Lounge , we’re joined by members of the Kansas Teacher of the Year Team—an elite group of educators representing classrooms from every corner of Kansas. They’re in schools across the state sharing a unified message, learning from educators, and seeing firsthand what’s happening in classrooms right now. From powerful innovations to real challenges, this episode pulls back t...

In this episode of Leads Lounge , we sit down with District Elementary Instructional Coach Hailey Couch, an educator whose impact stretches from the kindergarten classroom to statewide educational leadership. With over a decade in education, Hailey shares her journey from teacher to coach, her passion for supporting early career educators, and her mission to strengthen teacher retention and instru...

What would leadership look like if Walt Disney were leading today? In this return visit to the LEADS Lounge, Dr. Barnes—best-selling author, international speaker, and known worldwide as Dr. Disneyland—helps us revisit Disney’s leadership principles through a modern lens. Building on our earlier conversation, we dive deeper into vision, culture, storytelling, and the intentional choices that turn...

What if leadership, learning, and legacy could be taught in line for a ride? In this episode of the LEADS Lounge, we welcome Jeff Barnes best-selling author, international speaker, and famously known as Dr. Disneyland . As the only professor teaching an accredited college course on the history of Disneyland, Jeff sees Disney parks as living classrooms filled with powerful lessons about people, pur...

How do we recruit the next generation of educators—and make sure they stay ? In this episode of the LEADS Lounge , we’re joined by Amy Hillman and Todd Roberts , two leaders working at the heart of Kansas’ educator pipeline. Together, they bring nearly 50 years of experience in teaching, leadership, recruitment, and teacher preparation. Amy Hillman, Recruiter Liaison for USD 233 and Assistant Dire...

In this energizing episode of LEADS Lounge, Jordan and Dwayne sits down with educator and encourager Leah Carper, a North Carolina Teacher of the year, to explore what it really means to bring joy back to education. Leah shares her passion for joyful teaching, what fuels her work, and why joy isn’t just a feeling—it’s a powerful instructional strategy. Together, they dig into practical ways teache...

In this powerful episode of LEADS Lounge, we sit down with John Arthur, a nationally recognized educator and passionate advocate for equity, student leadership, and authentic learning. John teaches sixth grade at Meadowlark Elementary, a Title I school in Salt Lake City, Utah, where his students have gained national attention through the impactful videos they create and share on their YouTube chan...

Join us on LEADS Lounge for an insightful conversation with the Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson. We dive into the latest initiatives, policies, and priorities shaping education across the state. Learn about strategies to support teachers, students, and schools, and gain a behind-the-scenes look at the decisions that impact classrooms every day. Whether you’re an educator, adminis...

Join us on LEADS Lounge as we sit down with Taylor Bussinger, an innovative educator making a difference in education. Taylor shares insights on education, offering practical tips and inspiration for educators at every level. Tune in to hear Taylor’s story, challenges, and successes, and discover actionable ideas you can bring to your own classroom or school leadership journey.

In this episode of LEADS Lounge, we sit down with Benjamin Eckelberry, Kansas Teacher of the Year finalist and an outstanding 1st grade teacher from Tecumseh, Kansas. Benjamin shares the heart behind his classroom, the practices that fuel student success, and what it truly means to create a joyful, supportive learning environment for our youngest learners. From building relationships to embracing...