The High Performing Educator Podcast

Janessa and Hailey are two extremely passionate educators from a small rural school in Alberta - Ecole Plamondon School.  We met at a teachers convention and I thought it was very fitting that we bring them on the podcast today to share a little bit about their stories in education.  --------- Want to join the High Performing Educator Network: www.highperformingeducator.com   More information on S...

Jackie is a Teacher, Coach, Sports Fan, and Outdoor Enthusiast who loves inspiring Leadership through action.  Jackie is also involved in the Alberta Association of Students' Councils and Advisors as the Social Media Director.  --------- Want to join the High Performing Educator Network: www.highperformingeducator.com   More information on Sam:  www.samdemma.com

Jenn Lemieux feels blessed to serve the staff and students at St. Peter's Catholic Secondary School in Barrie, Ontario (SMCDSB).   As an educator for the past 22 years she continues to be inspired by the students and staff she works with.  Her favourite quote is by John Quincy Adams, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader."  The action...

Kristina is a retired teacher/administrator in the beautiful Bulkley Valley of Northern British Columbia. In her 38 joy-filled years as an educator, she has taught in BC, Alberta and Manitoba in almost all subject areas from Kindergarten to Grade 12; she loves helping kids reach for their goals and dreams. In her "retirement", Kristina is the team lead on Northern School District and Rotary Distri...

Tom Yonge is the Department head of Leadership at Strathcona High School in Edmonton, AB.   The heart of his leadership model is service work and in the last 12 years, the program has raised over $3.5 million dollars for local and global charitable organizations.    Through these initiatives, the students have learned important life lessons and the emotional reward of giving back.     ------------...

Chris McCullough is a Teacher / Vice-Principal in beautiful Red Deer, Alberta.  Chris has a broad range of educational experiences, having taught in elementary, middle school, and high school in mainstream programming, as well as in inclusive education and behaviour management programs.  Chris is actively involved in the community by volunteering his time to coach hockey, ringette and baseball. Ad...

Breanne teaches grade 7/8 in a smaller town in Alberta.  Instead of giving you a formal bio here, take a moment to read the below email highlighting the story she shared with me over email... "Sam,   Thank you for an amazing session today.  It was emotional and I loved how you had us all involved.  The way you presented made it feel like we were actually together, which I think many of us needed t...

Nadia Hasan's educational background is in Environmental Studies focusing on Sustainable Development and Urban Planning. She pursued a career in Art & Design working in Magazine Print Design and web design for a decade before opening her first early learning school. She is the Founder and CEO of Academics Educational Systems; The Academics Edge System that incorporates proprietary curriculum, prog...

Darrell Bergmann is extremely passionate about athletics and keeping himself and his students healthy.  We met after he watched me speak at a teacher's convention and as a result, this episode was created!  Enjoy.  ------------ Want to join the High Performing Educator Network: www.highperformingeducator.com   More information on Sam:  www.samdemma.com

Lisa Spencer was born and raised in North Bay Ontario. Inspired by amazing educators, she dreamt of one day having the chance to teach. Early entry to Nipissing University's Orientation to Teaching Program, she was able to start her undergraduate degree in Environmental Geography learning through the lens of an educator. Following passion for Special Education, alternative and experiential learnin...

Margot Arnold is an outstanding choice for the Women of the Year Workplace Excellence Award. She continually develops an exceptionally supportive, innovative, and creative class environment for her students in the Entrepreneurship 30 class (Junior Achievement program) and actively contributes to the caring and welcoming environment at school for her fellow teachers at the Weyburn Comprehensive Sch...

Alina is a passionate Canadianist, energetic English Coach Confidence, Positivity Purveyor, and Passionate Home Cook. She has Silesian-Polish roots, fell in love with Canada, and currently,  lives in Berlin with her husband where they enjoy the German cultural diversity and share Canadian values. Her mission is to inspire and empower today's young Europeans to leave a positive impact on our world...

Michael Kelly currently teaches at Michael Power St. Joseph at the TCDSB. Michael is a highly motivated, passionate, inclusive Catholic educator, coach, world traveller, hockey fan and student leadership advisor interested in expanding his professional network and collaborating with like-minded teachers.   He is a passionate and dynamic young educator and life-long learner who works in west end of...

Lara is a s econdary school educator and administrator.  She taught me when I was in high school!  She has her Master of Education - MEd focused in Educational Leadership and Policy Development from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto.   Her passions include Analytical Skills, E-Learning, Student Counseling, Critical Thinking, and Social Justice Pedagogy. --...

Avni Soni is the secondary science teacher at centennial high school in Calgary.  We talk about her passion for the sciences and how she got into teaching!  Want to join the High Performing Educator Network: www.highperformingeducator.com   More information on Sam:  www.samdemma.com

Trevor Small teaches at the High School that I grew up at.  He has a huge passion for Drama and Dance.  In today's episode, he shares some ideas about how you can continue your teaching practice in the arts virtually.  Want to join the High Performing Educator Network: www.highperformingeducator.com   More information on Sam:  www.samdemma.com

Andrew Hall is a drummer and started a junior and senior worship band at St. Johns College. He challenges students to write a worship song every year and then takes them to a studio to record it. This year with all restrictions, he can't do worship band but am still finding ways to give students opportunities. Want to join the High Performing Educator Network: www.highperformingeducator.com   More...

Cortnie has been teaching for the past 12 years with the Durham Catholic District School Board. Her passion for teaching drives from a growth mindset that no one is ever done learning.   Cortnie currently teaches at the AMP Arts School in Durham where her passion for dance and teaching continues to grow as she develops young dancers to be all that they dream to become one day.   -------- Want to j...

Matteo Cianfrone is a second-year Health and Physical Education teacher at Bayview Glen. Being a Health and Physical Education teacher, as well as a high-performance soccer coach, Matteo explores the similarities and differences in both professions. Along with sharing his motivations and journey through education, Matteo also shares a couple of fun and basic activities he uses to increase online e...

Sarah   Daintrey has been teaching and doing student activities for 15 years at Clayton Heights Secondary in Surrey BC. She is extremely passionate about service education whether that be inside the classroom or in extracurriculars. The time to do something good is always now.  ---------- Want to join the High Performing Educator Network: www.highperformingeducator.com   More information on Sam: ...

Educated at St. Michael's College-University of Toronto and the University of Western Sydney, Australia. 
 Diana is committed to a life of learning, inspiring students to be engaged in the learning process, building strong relationships, ensuring that all voices are heard, and working hard to help the underdog and the most vulnerable. As a secondary administrator in DPCDSB Diana works hard to crea...

Nicholas McCowan teaches at St. Joan of Arc Academy in the Toronto Catholic District School board and teaches Science, Leadership and Student Success. In 2019, Nicholas was the winner of Lenovo's prestigious visionary teacher's award which earned him a set of VR headsets for his classroom.  You can read more about that here. Instagram:  @mccowanroad  and  @teachmetoolbox Twitter:  @NJMcCowan -----...

Karl Mercuri is the Social and Emotional Coordinator at The Priory School and a grade 4 teacher. This allows him to actively implement innovative SEL practices amongst the students, staff, and community at The Priory. -------- Want to join the High Performing Educator Network: www.highperformingeducator.com   More information on Sam:  www.samdemma.com

Jade is an Undergraduate Student at Western University and the First-Year Representative for the Social Science Students' Council.  In high school, she was a student trustee and the President of the Ontario Student Trustee Association.  In today's episode, she shares what she believes educators should focus on and do to make their students feel appreciated, seen and heard!  ------ Want to join the...

Greg Firth is an experienced educator with a demonstrated history of working in special education and with at-risk youth. Skilled in educational leadership, coaching, Secondary and Elementary Education, Assessment, and Team Building. Strong education professional with a Bachelor's Degree focused in Elementary Education and Teaching from the University of Canberra. ------ Want to join the High Perf...