Get the book, New Era - New Urgency: The Case for Repurposing Education Visit the New Era - New Urgency Website About The AuthorF. Joseph Merlino is President of The 21st Century Partnership for STEM Education, a Philadelphia area non-profit research and action organization he co-founded in 2007. For the past 35 years, he has served as the principa…

Get the book, Inquiring Minds Want To Learn: Posing Good Questions To Promote Student Inquiry Visit Erik's Website, MaverikEducation.com Follow Erik on X @maverikedu12 About The AuthorErik Francis an international author and presenter with over 25 years of experience working in education as a classroom teacher, a site administrator, an education pr…

Get the book, The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management Visit Jen's Website, JenSchwanke.com About The Author Jen Schwanke, Ed.D., is a longtime educator, teaching and leading at all levels. She is the author of four ASCD books, including the just-released, The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management. She has written and presented for multiple …

Get the book, Transforming Schools for Multilingual Learners: A Comprehensive Guide for Educators Visit Debbie's website, www.ZacarianConsulting.com Contact Debbie via email About The AuthorDr. Debbie Zacarian is the founder of Zacarian & Associates, where she provides professional development, strategic planning, and technical assistance for K-16 …

Get the book, Qualities of Effective Principals About The Author James Stronge, PhD is the Heritage Professor of Education in the School of Education at William & Mary, in Williamsburg, Virginia and the President and CEO of Stronge and Associates Educational Consulting. His research interests include policy and practice related to teacher quality a…

Clay Cromer Summary Andy and Clay engage in a friendly conversation, discussing their backgrounds, military experiences, and callings to ministry. Clay shares his journey from the Coast Guard Academy to his time at sea during Hurricane Katrina, his transition from active duty to seminary and his current role in the JROTC program. They also discuss …

Get the book, Teach Happy: Small Steps to Big Joy Download the Gratitude Tracker About The AuthorKim Strobel is an internationally-known motivational speaker for educators and organizations and travels the globe sharing the impact of happiness on teacher well-being and student achievement. This episode of Principal Center Radio is sponsored by IXL,…

Clayton Sampson Summary: Clay shares his humble beginnings in Trinidad and Tobago and reflects on the opportunities and success he found in the United States. He also discusses his retirement and how he now lives life on his own terms, emphasizing the importance of family and enjoying his passions. The episode then shifts to the critical role of mi…

Get the book, Right From The Start: The Essential Guide to Implementing School Initiatives Visit James' Website www.JamesMMarshall.com About The Author James Marshall, PhD is Professor of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University, where he serves as the Senior Director for the Ed.D. program in PK-12 School Leadership. With over 200 publi…

Justin Baeder, PhD Summary: In this episode, Andy and Justin discuss their backgrounds and experiences in education, highlighting their interest in leadership, learning, and technology in education. They also discuss the challenges in education, such as discipline reform, special education, grading reform, and the mass exodus of teachers. They emph…

Get the book, Still Learning: Strengthening Professional and Organizational Learning Visit the Learning Loop website, www.TheLearningLoop.com About The AuthorAllison Rodman is the Founder and Chief Learning Officer of The Learning Loop, and is an ASCD Faculty Member. Her work focuses on adult learners, and she has written for Educational Leadership…

Jay Lee Summary: Jay shared his personal journey from being an introverted, shy kid to finding faith and being called into ministry, despite challenges and resistance, particularly from his parents. He achieved significant success in church planting and evangelism, impacting thousands of lives. His story served as a testament to resilience, faith, …

Get the book, Qualities of Effective Teachers About The Author James Stronge, PhD is the Heritage Professor of Education in the School of Education at William & Mary, in Williamsburg, Virginia and the President and CEO of Stronge and Associates Educational Consulting. His research interests include policy and practice related to teacher quality and…

Dee Larsen Summary: Dee Larsen and Andy Bennetts discuss a range of topics related to their professional experiences and interests. The two friends discuss their personal and professional journeys, expressing gratitude for the support and influence they received from each other and their colleague, Steve. They reflect on the changes and growth they…

Get the book, The Great Engagement: How CEOs Create Exceptional Cultures Visit the PheonixPerform website www. PhoenixPerform.com/principalcenter About The Author Tom Willis is a former classroom teacher and superintendent, and is cofounder of Phoenix Performance Partners, where he helps leaders create exceptional organizational cultures. He has pr…

Meg Stevens Summary: Andy and Meg engage in a conversation about Meg's professional journey, including her experiences in leadership development, consulting, and organizational change. Meg shares her insights on the importance of mental health in the workplace and the need to connect individual needs with business needs during organizational change…

Get the book, Leader Ready: Four Pathways to Prepare Aspiring School Leaders on Amazon Get the book, Leader Ready: Four Pathways to Prepare Aspiring School Leaders on Corwin (US) Get the book, Leader Ready: Four Pathways to Prepare Aspiring School Leaders on Corwin (CAN) Visit Tim's Website, www.TimothyCusack.com Follow Tim on X @CusackTim Visit Vi…

Darrel Porter SUMMARY: This episode between Andy and Darrell focuses on various topics, including Darrell's military service, his journey to becoming a minister, and his experiences with Kingdom Wealth Group. They also discuss the history of currency, the Federal Reserve, and the life cycle of money. Darrell shares his insights on the importance of…

Visit the National Archery in the Schools Program website, NASPSchools.org About Dr. Tommy Floyd Dr. Tommy Floyd is the President of the National Archery in the Schools Program. Tommy served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent in public education in Kentucky schools for over 30 years. Tommy was hired in 2015 to serve as NASP®’s first Vice P…

Gordon Duncan Summary: Andy and Gordon cover their experiences as teachers, reflecting on the complexities of teaching multiple grades in challenging environments. They emphasize the significance of understanding and accommodating diverse learning styles to facilitate student progress. The episode includes a compelling anecdote about a student who …

Follow Adam on X @CornhuskerChats About Adam Stolzer Adam Stolzer is principal of Burwell Junior/Senior High School in Burwell, NE. Currently in his 2nd year as principal, he has been extraordinarily intentional about his approach to instructional leadership.By Justin Baeder

Billy Akers Description: Billy shares insights into his early years, his journey from studying electrical engineering to his current semi-retired life, and his thoughts on communication skills in the digital age. The conversation also touches on the importance of discipline, high standards, and objective truths, as well as the impact of Billy’s tim…

Get the book, On the Same Team: Bringing Educators and Underrepresented Families Together Visit Ari's Solution Tree page www.SolutionTree.com/ari/ Connect with Ari Gerzon-Kessler or access Families and Educators Together Consulting resources About the Author Ari Gerzon-Kessler leads the Family Partnerships department for the Boulder Valley School D…

Dr. Steve Huff Description: Join host, Andy Bennetts for a SPECIAL conversation with his long-time friend, mentor and previous boss, Dr. Steve Huff. The episode covers a wide range of topics, including Steve's career evolution, the use of training simulators, personal development for teens through a framework called Soul Map, and the value of savor…

Amanda Robinson Description: The episode begins with Amanda sharing her journey into education, emphasizing the importance of connecting classroom learning to real-life applications and nurturing relationships with students. Andy commends her for deeply caring for students and raised the question of how to manage the delicate balance between caring…

Get the book, AI and the Future of Education: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence Follow Priten on X @pritenhshah Visit Priten's website www.PritenShah.com Visit the Pedagogy.Cloud website, www.pedagogy.cloud Find Pedagogy.Cloud on Instagram About the Author Priten Shah is a serial entrepreneur whose projects aim to drive change and inno…

Shayne Mims Description: Shayne and Andy engage in personal conversations about their life journeys, musical history, and experiences with setbacks and resilience. The conversation emphasizes the importance of humility, continuous learning, and personal growth in navigating life's challenges and serving others. Shayne shares his experiences of faci…

Get the book, The Remarkable Vision Formula: A Guided School Leader Retreat (The School Leadership Success Series) Visit the Better Leaders Better Schools website www.betterleadersbetterschools.com About the Author Daniel Bauer is a principal development and retention expert, a bestselling author of four books and the host of two of the world's mos…

Tommi Sue Cox Summary: Join host Andy Bennetts with his special guest Tommi Sue Cox for a lighthearted and reflective conversation about their experiences in education and leadership. They discussed their backgrounds, challenges, and successes in Title I schools, emphasizing the need for qualified teachers and resources for students in high-poverty…

Get the book, Redefining Student Accountability: A Proactive Approach to Teaching Behavior Outside the Gradebook Follow Tom on X @tomschimmer About the Author Tom Schimmer is an author and a speaker with expertise in assessment, grading, leadership, and behavioral support. An educator for more than 20 years, Tom is a former district-level leader, s…

Dani Goeppert Summary: Dani speaks on her background, including her Canadian roots, life in Europe, and her journey as the CEO and founder of Risen Events. The conversation sets the stage for an engaging and informative podcast interview. Andy and Dani engage in a detailed exploration of virtual events and their variations. Dani emphasizes the sign…

Get the book, Crisis-Proofing Today's Learners: Reimagining Career Education to Prepare Kids for Tomorrow's World Visit the American Student Assistance website, www.ASA.org About the Author Jean Eddy is the president and CEO of American Student Assistance, where she has pivoted ASA from a sixty-five-year history of helping students with college fin…

George Welsh Summary: George shares his personal and professional journey, highlighting his experiences as superintendent of schools in Center, Colorado, and his involvement in advocating for adequate funding in Colorado. He also discusses his current role at the Colorado Education Initiative and the Rural Superintendent’s Academy, which aims to pr…

Get the book, Smart from the Start: 100 Tools for Teaching with Confidence Visit James' website StrongeAndAssociates.com About the Author James Stronge, PhD is the Heritage Professor of Education in the School of Education at William & Mary, in Williamsburg, Virginia and the President and CEO of Stronge and Associates Educational Consulting. His re…

Kelsey Elizabeth Matthews Description: Kelsey Elizabeth Matthews discusses her challenging upbringing, her resilience, and her journey to becoming an ordained chaplain in Nevada. She also shares her experiences with institutional abuse in healthcare, religious organizations, and academia, and the impact of her faith as a source of strength. Kelsey …

LTC Robert F. Barrow Description: LTC (Ret) Robert Barrow and Andy Bennetts discussed various aspects of the JROTC program, including its expansion to include a middle school component, its commitment to STEM education and workforce development, and its impact on students' lives. They also touched on the challenges faced by students today and the r…

Get the book, The Antiracist School Leader: What to Know, Say, and Do Visit the BONDCast website Follow Daman on X @daman_harris About the Author Daman Harris, PhD has been a public educator for a quarter of a century, currently serving as the manager of higher education partnerships for a school district in Maryland. Dr. Harris is also the cofound…

Dr. Scott Cooper Summary: Scott Cooper and Andy Bennetts discuss various topics related to education and leadership. They talk about the financial aspects of college education and career choices for their children, reflecting on their own experiences and the factors that influenced their decisions to pursue leadership roles. They also discuss innov…

Check out this quick 1-min video looking back at the first 10 episodes of the Empowered Learning Podcast AND to see a sneak peak of some of the incredible guests in the queue! Thank you for your support!By Andy Bennetts

Dale Yim Andy and Dale discuss a range of topics, including the significance of emotional intelligence and the need for men to expand their emotional spectrum. The two explore the role of a coach in fostering better conversations and guiding individuals towards their desired outcomes. The conversation also touches on the societal impact of emotiona…

Nikkie Handy Summary Nikkie Handy shares her personal story of facing discrimination from a teacher and how it shaped her understanding of minority and economically disadvantaged populations in education. She discussed how her own experiences have fueled her empathy in working with minority communities. Nikkie's personal story sheds light on the ne…

Cris Baker Description: Andy Bennetts and Cris Baker talk about the impact of teachers on students and the transition from teaching to administration. Cris shares her experience of starting as a mentor teacher and eventually becoming a full-time mentor staff developer before realizing that administration wasn't for her. They also discuss the traits…

Get the book, Power Engage: Seven Power Moves for Building Strong Relationships to Increase Engagement With Students and Parents Visit Carlos' website, www.CarlosJohnson.org Follow Carlos on X @coachcarlosj About the Author Coach Carlos Johnson is a professional speaker, trainer, author, and school administrator who focuses on school culture and th…

Get the book, Lead with Two Rules: Feeling Good and Feeling Safe Visit Brenda's website, www.BrendaYoho.com About the Author Brenda Yoho's career in public education spanned more than 25 years, as a teacher, elementary principal, middle school principal, and director. She provides encouragement and leadership advice at BrendaYoho.com, and coaches a…

Summary: In this episode, Kristian shares insights into his upbringing, his innovative solutions in the AI space, and his thoughts on the future of work and education. He and Andy also discuss the features of smart systems, including EZ Messenger and a voice call AI system. The two also discussed the potential impact of AI on society, emphasizing t…

Get the book, Be the Driving Force: Leading Your School on the Road to Equity Visit Don's website, www.DrDonParker.com Follow Don on X @DrDonParker1 About the Author Dr. Don Parker, is a highly sought-after speaker and professional development provider who specializes in supporting teachers to build trusting relationships with students and improvin…

Luke Tevebaugh Description: Luke discusses his career path from K-12 EdTech sales to commercial photography, his love for travel and adventure, and his passion for eGlass technology. The conversation also touches on Luke's personal life, including his relationship with his wife Lindsay and his admiration for her leadership qualities. The importance…

Get the book, The Principal's Backpack: Tips and Tools for Managing Yourself (So You Can Manage Everything Else) Visit the LeadersHike website About the Author Nancy Karlin Flynn, EdD, has been an administrator in the Saint Paul Public Schools for twenty-four years, serving as an elementary, junior high, and middle school principal. She is passiona…

Jeff Peterson Description: Jeff briefly discusses his background in education and his appreciation for teachers and the calling it takes to be an effective educator. Jeff shares his thoughts on his father's motivations and encouraging them to become anything BUT teachers! He believes that his father's desire for an easier life for his children and …

Andy Smith Description: During this episode, host Andy Bennetts, and his good friend Andy Smith discuss a range of topics, including teaching abroad, the value of education, travel, Innovative Education Global (IEG), and leadership. The conversation also highlights the potential for technology to connect people across borders and the importance of …