Out In The Hall

This week Keri and Tim meet with Neal and Shai with the Center of Excellence for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation. They are doing some fantastic work on expanding access to mental health consultants by, get this idea, making more of them. Anyone who works in ECE sees this incredible need. Join us for this great episode with actual solutions to a complex problem.

This week, Keri and Tim reconnect with our old friend Dr. El Brown, whom we first met last year at the NHSA Parent and Families Conference. After catching up, Dr. Brown jumps right into the deep organizational thinking that makes Head Start one of a kind — and what matters most to you as practitioners and leaders. BOOM!

This week, Keri and Tim sit down with Andrea Tauteoli to talk family services. Most everyone agrees that strong parents build great kids and Andrea believes this wholeheartedly, sharing her expertise and wisdom with programs like Keri's. This is great stuff.

This week, Keri and Tim sit down with NHSA's own Bob Bissen, Senior Director of Government Affairs, who leads much of our legislative outreach. With so much happening on the administrative front right now, this conversation couldn't be timelier as we dig into why Congress remains such a vital ally for Head Start. And as a bonus, Bob is just a blast to talk to.

This week, Keri and Tim sit down with Jonas Royster , who's turned hard-won life experience into a mission: leadership for the people who need it most. Jonas works hand-in-hand with programs serving communities much like Head Start's, and he brings real perspective on what it takes to show up for people.

This week, Keri and Tim sit down with the most timely guest yet, Monica Rollins. Monica is an experienced ECE teacher who has found her calling in yoga and self-help helping both staff and students center themselves. With the program year starting for most, now is the time to start practicing what we preach. Monica is offering some great resources for free, here . Namaste!

Keri and Tim dive deep into the human psyche with leadership and HR expert Craig Lloyd. Craig walks us through why he finds the Predictive Index invaluable for building strong Head Start teams, and how to use it to create a safe and productive workspace.

This week, Keri and Tim sit down with longtime fatherhood expert Mike Hall to talk about what it really takes to run an impactful fatherhood program — and why strong dads matter more than ever. Plus, a few dad jokes make their way into the conversation (you've been warned).

Keri and Tim sit down with Trauma Informed Care expert Keri Jones-Fonnesbeck to unpack why the Head Start workforce carries such relatable lived experience — and how trauma-informed practice shows up at work and at home. Bonus: the two Keris had never met before this recording, and they hit it off instantly.

This week Keri and Tim return and sit down with Genein Letford, M.Ed. of Lyrics 'N Leadership Institute to explore how young brains develop and why hands-on, sensory experience still matters in an AI-saturated world. Genein unpacks concepts like the brain as an "analog organ," vocabulary-building through word substitution, emotional granularity, and how music and the arts build lifelong "cognitive...

This week Keri and Tim catch up with Ron Shuali. Ron has been a compelling presence in Head Start for a number years with his Yogarati antics and unconventional approach to early childhood education. Through it all Ron shines with  his dedication to our work. Enjoy this one!

This week Keri and Tim have the have a great conversation with two outstanding Head Start program directors. Both of the guys run rural programs have surprise, surprise come across some of the same issue. Join Mark and Jim as we all try to figure

There are some directors that have done the job so well for so long that it’s hard to notice how they made the work so effortless. This week Keri and Tim have a chance to sit down with our old friend, Madonna Princer. We talk a little about how she gets it done and a lot about how we all fit in Head Start.

This week Keri and Tim have a great conversation with a mom who proves the Head Start model works. She was able to get her three children through Head Start while she grew as both a Policy Council member and later a Councilwoman in her own community. If you need a bit of inspiration to pull you through some rough days…listen to this.

This week, after what seemed a long hiatus, Keri and Tim talk to Linda Meredith. Linda just retired from a long career in Head Start that culminated in her being the Chair of the NHSA Board of Directors. Linda has always been among calmest voices in our world and represents the kind of person Head Start creates…the best.

This week Keri and Tim chat with our old friend Kristina Ellis. Kristina is fortunate enough to have seen much of Early Childhood Education from different angles. First working for a highly regarded Head Start grantee in Oklahoma, then a stint with NSHA where she helped launched the Academy, and most recently with a childcare program where she spends her day’s chasing grants. She is always delight...

This week Keri and Tim sit down with parent engagement specialist Mills Rodgers to talk about the importance of fathers in children’s lives. Early Childhood professionals may need a different tack when working with fathers and Mills has some ideas. Listen in.

This week Keri and Tim speak with one of Head Start favorite writers, educators, and lavender farmers; Erin Ramsey. Erin takes us through some important exercises to get you through your day and re-energize your spirit. You will love her like we do.

Policy Council is one of the three legs of governance for Head Start, and this week, Keri and Tim chat with Ashley about her journey. Ashley, who later joined the board of directors, shares a special perspective on what she learned and how Head Start boosted her confidence to reach new heights. It’s a truly insightful conversation.

You’ve probably seen Dr. Bergeron’s work with the NHSA Academy. We’re excited to welcome her this week as she shares some stories from her time as Director of the Office of Head Start and how she embraces any great idea.

Keri and Tim sit down with NHSA’s own Deputy Director, Tommy Sheridan. We discuss the year the that was, the bright spots ( that didn’t seem that bright at the time), and why when the Head Start community comes together we are a tremendous force. Tommy reminds us our mission is more important than ever. Find out more.

Keri and Tim discuss their declining mental health with expert therapist Donna Motte. Donna has a long history in Head Start and helps us look at what’s going on for us and families. You know, it will probably work out. Join us.

Keri and Tim share a, too quick, conversation with our long time friend Dru O’Connor.  Dru has a thirty-plus history in Head Start and sees every day the impact that staff have on children and parent…and she is big part of the NHSA conferences Dream Team.

Keri and Tim sit down with Ashley Willams, a new program director and Head Start alumni, as she talks about her journey and experience with her FA1 review that she just had and how system building is the key to everything Also, we all hate copiers.

Some of the fundamental issues with Head Start or any pre-k program are the policies that govern and fund it. Keri and Tim discuss this with author and policy expert Dan Wuori. We dive in to what he is thinking and what may be ahead.