An Educator's Legacy

Todd is an award-winning author for his work in co-authoring Kids Deserve It! and Sparks in the Dark. He has also written the book Stories from Webb and published a children’s book, Spruce & Lucy. Todd has been recognized by John C. Maxwell as a Top 10 Finalist for the 2018 Transformational Leadership Award, by the White House as a Connected Educator “Champion of Change”, the National School Board Association as one of the “20 to Watch” in Education, the Center for Digital Education as one of their “Top 40 Innovators in Education”, the BAMMYs as the “National Elementary Principal of the Year” and the “National Elementary Teacher of the Year”, and the Texas Computer Education Association as their “Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year”.

Todd also travels and speaks about his innovative practices and how we have to stop making excuses on why we can’t do things for our students. Todd also speaks about his use of technology in the classroom and with his school and gives all educators ideas on how to continually utilize the tools at our disposal to create the best possible learning environment for children. He is also a 2x TEDx Speaker.

Currently, Todd Nesloney is the Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership for the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). Previously, he was previously a Principal/Lead Learner at a PreK-5 school in Texas.  You can reach Todd at www.ToddNesloney.com or through Twitter. If you would like more information about Camp Lead On, you can click here!

Mandy Cross is beginning her 13th year teaching in a large school district in north Texas. She brings a truly fresh perspective as a middle school teacher that has focused on the electives students LOVE to take-yearbook, broadcast journalism, photography, leadership, athletics and even english (7-11 grades). 

Mandy coordinated the completion and delivery of more than 500 yearbooks this past spring during a socially-distanced pandemic! She has a BA and MA in English with a minor in Speech as well as a M Ed in Sports Administration. She would welcome opportunities to consult, coach or train/staff development using her vast experience in yearbook, journalism and photography. You may contact her through email: [email protected]

Holly began her teaching career in 2000 as a class size reduction teacher for a large school district in south Texas. She worked with third grade reading classrooms with pull out and push in small groups to help improve reading development. She went on to become an ELAR second grade teacher for three years. Next, she completed training at Region IV to be a dyslexia interventionist. Holly was a dyslexia interventionist for a year before becoming a Grades 2-3 district level Elementary Curriculum Specialist.

After the birth of her first child she returned to a campus for dyslexia and reading intervention for about a year and a half. Her husband's job moved them to the North Dallas area where she taught first and second grade. She was blessed to take a year off with her second child, but the teacher life was calling her. Again, Holly's husband's job moved them south and she worked as a first grade, third grade, fifth grade teacher and as a middle school reading interventionist. While there, she completed her master's degree in leadership and policy studies, as well as, earning her principal certification. Holly then changed districts  to be an ELA Campus Instructional Coach for two years. Recently, she changed districts again to be an Early Literacy Coordinator for Comal ISD after passing the state's reading academy cohort leader screening process.

If you would like to get in touch with Holly, you can reach her at [email protected] or on twitter @holly_stripling

Whitney Ahern is a 11 year diagnostician that has a heart for children. Her biggest passion is in teaching students to be their own self-advocate. She has spent her career helping students identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop strategies to become successful students, not only in the classroom, but also in life.

Whitney has a BA in psychology with a minor in religion and a M Ed in special education with the diagnostician certification. she spent 13 years as a special education and resource teacher before beginning her current role as a diagnostician. If you would like to reach out to Whitney for coaching on interpreting assessments and developing plans for students specific needs, you can reach her through email: [email protected]. 

In this week's episode of An Educator's Legacy, we meet two elementary school teachers with vastly different experiences. 

Karl Dunn is a 36 year educator currently teaching 3rd grade Language Arts in a large district. He has previous experience in Miami and New Orleans teaching at private Lutheran schools. Karl is an amazing teacher that connects with his students through baseball and other things that interest them. Karl offers tutoring in 2nd-5th grade language arts and teaches adults english. If you would like to get in touch with Karl, you may reach him at [email protected] or 346-204-0300.

Miguel Hernandez is a 7 year educator currently teaching 5th grade math in a large district. He has previous experience teaching 4th LA, 5th LA, 2nd MS, 5th MS, and 3rd LA. Miguel has dreams of someday being an administrator so he can expand his impact bringing students, schools and communities together. If you would like to connect with Miguel, you may reach him at [email protected] or 832-952-6699.

Listen to this week's episode to hear the passions of these two different men and how they are difference makers!

Jisha Iyer spent the last 14 years as a resource teacher in a large district in Texas. Previously, she was a teacher in India before she decided to Jump! 

Jisha is currently the owner and operator of Sleek Creperie and Cafe in Fairfield, 28610 Hwy 290, Suite F02, Cypress, TX 77433. She decided to follow her dream of owning a restaurant to expand her impact within the special needs community to employ special needs students! Her heart lies with her special children.

Listen to her insight into the joys and the frustrations of being a resource teacher and how she feels about life now that she owns her own business! 

I highly recommend her sugar free chocolate candy. It is AH-MAZING! There is none of the icky aftertaste you usually experience with sugar free candy. My grandkids and husband love SLEEK! 

Sleek Creperie & Cafe Fairfield

28610 Hwy 290, Suite F02

Cypress, TX 77433

281-213-2108

Kim Gilson has had a "long and winding road" in her educational career. She began as a high school band director (just ask her about the  prop that ate the marching band!) and moved on to be a math teacher after having her first child. This led to a 5-year stint as a high school assistant principal, followed by a central office position where she worked with curriculum, data, and accountability. On July 1st, 2014, she began working at the Region 10 Education Service Center in Richardson, Texas, a 45-mile commute through the heart of Dallas. The very next day, her husband died of a blood clot. Kim powered through the grief process while commuting up Central Expressway for 5 years and currently works as the Chief Academic Officer at Advantage Academy. Kim is a certified Zig Ziglar trainer and coach. Her passion is encouraging women to pursue their giftings with courage and purpose, while making them laugh in the process. You might see her at church, and Kroger afterwards, wearing a tiara to signify she IS a daughter of the King. Kim has 2 grown sons, Trent and Cade, and 4-legged canine children, Duchess and Cosmo. Her life motto is, "Go Big or Go Home."

Kim is available for leadership coaching and can be reached on FaceBook by searching Kim Stephenson Gilson or Atomic Joy.

Adrienne discusses how she supported educator's during the pandemic as well as her love of reading and history and all things books!

Join us for an interesting look at a librarian's perspective! If you would like to contact Adrienne, feel free to contact me and I will connect you!

Charmion Mohning is a secondary reading coordinator for one of the largest districts in the state of Texas. She was raised on a farm in Iowa but moved to Texas as quick as she could! She has a degree in elementary education and psychology, as well as a masters degree in library science with an administration certification. She has taught 4-6 grade, was a curriculum coach for ESL, loves to garden, bake, run and be around kids.

Charmion is a literacy expert for intermediate grades and is a consultant, coach and trainer. Her specialty is reaching the unreachable and giving teachers strategies to help struggling readers. The bigger the challenge, the more excited and animated she becomes. Charmion loves ALL students!

With her diverse experiences, big bold personality and quirky sense of humor, Charmion is an entertaining, engaging and informative trainers, speaker and coach. You can reach her on Twitter @cmohning. 

Listen to this week's podcast by Erin Jones as she explains "white privilege". It is enlightening and will give you the tools and insights to better understand the racial biases people of color are facing. (We even talk about the term "people of color"!) 

Erin shared with us that she has provided resources on her FB page - Erin Jones LLC - a list of resources to help white people gain a better understanding of the plight of our black and brown friends. 

Erin has a 2nd cohort for educating white leaders in order to more accurately and empathetically address the racial tensions that have enveloped our nation. She is available at this time only to leaders. You may reach her at [email protected] for more information or reach out to her on any social media channel.