This episode of #Between2BlueDevils features Tallmadge resident/business owner, and THS assistant soccer coach Dr. Serif Krkic. To most of us he is known as Dr. K.

Dr. K's story is an amazing story. He begins sharing what it was like to grow up in Bosnia during the Bosnian War. You have got to listen to what it was like moving to the United States in 2001...without knowing how to speak English!

In 2008 Dr. K graduated from Firestone High School. After high school he decided to stay local and become a Zip!

Dr. K graduated from The University of Akron and then decided he wanted to become a chiropractor...a profession he calls an "accidental profession." Once he made the decision he set off to go to school in Illinois called the National University of Health Sciences.

Serif (pronounces Sheriff) loves to snowboard, coach soccer, train and mentor young athletes, and serve the city he lives in...Tallmadge, Ohio.

He is a proud member of the Tallmadge Rotary and Tallmadge Chamber of Commerce. As you listen to Serif passionately share about his role in these two community groups you will hear him talk about Operation Christmas Child. The story of the role this organization played in his life as a child and the role it now plays in his adult life is truly inspiring.

I left this interview feeling so uplifted and inspired. Ironically after ending the interview and cleaning up my equipment I went down to the weight room to get my work out in. There was Dr. K with 6 young men who came in to work out with him on a Saturday morning. Staying true to his calling he was giving of his time to help our students become better versions of themselves. 

Truly an inspiration...Dr. K is one of a kind.

To connect with Dr. K and learn more about Tallmadge Chiropractic click on the website link below and follow them on all socials!

https://www.tallmadgechiro.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tallmadgechiro/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tallmadge-chiropractic/about/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tallmadgechiro/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tallmadge-chiropractic-tallmadge

Dr. K's favorite books:

Spark

How To Win Friends And Influence People

Welcome to Season 4 of #Between2BlueDevils! To launch this new season I am actually going back to an interview from last April. Not gonna lie, in the chaos of wrapping up last school year I kind of forgot about this interview. It wasn't until a few days ago that Madame Metzger and I were chatting and she asked me whatever happened to her interview with me. My response..."We haven't recorded and I can't wait to interview you!" She then proceeded to tell me all kinds of details from our interview that I had forgotten. Sure enough, when I pulled up my files on my computer there it was...the missing Metzger Files!

I just finished listening to it before posting it and just hearing her share her story brings so much joy to the room.

Part of the reason it has taken some time to launch season 4 of the podcast is because I have taken on a new role as assistant principal at THS. In my new position one of the perks is that I get to hop into classrooms everyday and observe our incredible teachers. On the very first day of school I happened to be walking past Julie's room and all I heard was her singing in French to her new students. On day one she was creating a culture of joy and positivity in her classroom. It is no wonder why her students love her so much.

Julie's story is one of passion for her craft, passion for her family, and passion for her faith and it is inspiring. 

It is an honor to share this interview with you. Sit back and enjoy it. Grab a cup of coffee, prop your feet up, and prepare to smile.

Remember, everyone has a story worth telling. Would you like to tell yours? Please reach out by filling out this Google Form.

Thanks for listening.

Facts about Julie:

-You can follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juliemetzger75

-Teacher at THS for 24 years

-Teaches French

-Been to Europe multiple times

-Proud wife to Dave

-Proud mom

-Currently has a daughter, Cara, who is a junior at THS

-Favorite book: The Bible

-Favorite music: Def Leppard, Zach Brown Band, TobyMac, Taylor Swift

-Favorite movie: Limitless, 13 Going On 30

-Favorite hobby: hiking and traveling

Advice to her students and listeners:

"Get out there in the world and travel as much as possible. See the many different landscapes this world has and meet lots of beautiful people. Oh, and take French if you are still in high school."

A few months ago I emailed out a Google Form to our entire district asking if anyone wanted to sit down and share their stories with me for the podcast. Lianna was one of the first to respond. She said she had a story and that it needed to be told. So we set up a date for the interview.

Prepare yourself for this episode. It is deeply moving. I walked out of this interview changed. I walked out better. Lianna is one of the most courageous young women I have ever met and I am so honored she shared her story with me and with the listeners of #Between2BlueDevils.

Lianna is a proud mother and Tallmadge Elementary School Counselor. You can follow her on Twitter: @MrsDauberman

Thank you for listening. 

Way back in the day I had the honor of having Dustin in class. He and I share a passion for basketball. When I say that Dustin loves basketball, I mean HE LOVES BASKETBALL. His story is amazing. How does one go from riding the bench, to playing college basketball, to owning your own European basketball team? Listen and find out!!!

His story is an inspiration. Pursue what you are passionate about no matter what others may say or what obstacles may get in the way. Enjoy this episode and be sure to share it out!

Follow Dustin's journey on Facebook: Dustin Simcox

This is the first time I have had a guest on for the second time. Mrs. Whitman first made an appearance in season 1 episode 5. Her story is amazing and I highly recommend listening to that episode to hear all about it. Fun fact...Mrs. Whitman's season 1 interview is the second most popular episode of the podcast!! But this interview is a special one because, after 32 years in the classroom, Mrs. Whitman has retired. 

Hard to believe that the West Wing (the 1100 hallway at Tallmadge High School that houses the Social Studies Department) will be absent Mrs. Whitman next year. For so many years she has been a bright and shining star in our hallway. She has taught AP Gov for more years than I can count. Thousands of students have been under mentorship.

Mrs. Whitman is a rock star. She is a passionate educator who has dedicated her life to serving and pouring into others. 

Retirement is well deserved. She will be busy telling her story, volunteering, and taking care of her many, many grandchildren.

Mrs. Whitman, please consider this episode a small tribute to the amazing person that you are. 

On behalf of Tallmadge High School I say THANK YOU for your time in the classroom, THANK YOU for pouring into our kids, THANK YOU for loving what you do and showing up daily for so many years, and THANK YOU for your friendship. 

You are truly an amazing person.

Happy Repurposing!

Episode 43 is the very first episode where I get the chance to sit down and interview a published author! Jeff Swindell is many things: proud husband and father, wiser older brother to Mark Swindell, die hard KISS fan, and so much more! And...he is a PUBLISHED AUTHOR.

I was first introduced to our guest last year when he subbed in our building. If you are in the world of education you know that good subs are very, very hard to come by. Jeff is one of those subs who every teacher loves. He comes right in, honors the lesson plans, leaves kind notes, and loves the kids. But still, he is a sub and we teachers always have questions about the subs who are in our building. 

Not only did Jeff and I talk about why he is a sub, I was honored to have also read his story. This is a special episode. Jeff shared his story with my 4th block Psychology class. This class is made up of half juniors and half seniors. This also happened to be the seniors last day. What a treat for them it was.

I am thankful that Jeff has embraced vulnerability and I am thankful my seniors got to hear the lessons of his life.

Please share this story out. There is something here for all of us to learn.

Thanks for listening. Thanks for subscribing. Thanks for sharing.

If you would like to purchase Jeff's book you can here: 

https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Mental-Time-Machine-Swindell/dp/B09LGPMTQV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LPDN0AY44VIZ&keywords=heavy+mental+time+machine+jeff+swindell&qid=1652563734&sprefix=jeff+swindell%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-1

Episode 42 features Mr. Alan Miller, 4th grade educator at Tallmadge Elementary School. Alan is a passionate educator, committed soccer coach, and reflective thinker. You are going to love this episode. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode. 

For episode 41 I sit down with the new principal of Tallmadge Elementary School Mr. Adam Booth. Up until this interview I had heard so many good things about this newest member of Tallmadge City School System. As a matter of fact shortly before the interview I sent out a request to a bunch of educators from TES and asked their thoughts on their new administrator. It was amazing how many of them sent messages back to me that were essentially the same:

"He is one of the most positive leaders I have ever met."

"He greets every teacher, every morning with a smile."

"He loves each and everyone of our students."

"Mr. Booth makes it a point to celebrate every birthday in the building."

After reading these, and so many more descriptions of this leader I could not wait to sit down and chat. This conversation did not disappoint. He and I chatted for a little over an hour, and honestly it felt like a few minutes.

Adam has such a heart for his family and his building. He was in the classroom for 16 years before transitioning into administration. He loved the classroom but his vison of leadership led him to become and assistant principal. In his own words on why he became a principal...

”How can I have a bigger impact, not just working with kids in the classroom but with people in the community, teachers around me, and share the experiences I have had and help impact others.”

As you listen you will sense his passion and enthusiasm for his family, his faith, and for his school. You will also pick up on why he practices being a servant leader and having an open office...

“You are going to have an impact on people one way or the other whether its positive or negative so sometimes I see leadership in my life and I say ‘well I don’t want to do it that way, I don’t know exactly what it looks like or I do want to do it this way,’ and those people that I noticed are the listeners who take a step back and hear and at least take peoples opinions into account and I really feel like that working together is the best way to go.”

This guy is simply amazing.

Be sure to share out this episode. While you are at it give Mr. Booth a follow on Twitter and keep track of all the amazing things going on at TES!

https://twitter.com/misterboothTES

For this episode of #between2bluedevils I have the joy of sitting down with an educator who seems to be involved in everything! Mrs. Julie Headrick is a life long resident of Tallmadge. She grew up in Tallmadge City Schools and her dream was to come back to her alma mater as a teacher. Right out of college she was fortunate enough to be brought in to replace her mentor in the classroom. Wait until you hear that story. It is amazing.

As an educator her ultimate goal is to make sure that every single student leaves Tallmadge with a memory. Julie clings to tradition and rights of passage and believes that these events help carve out a student experience. Through all of COVID she and her team have done the best that they can to create a sense of normalcy for our students. And WOW…what she has been able to accomplish has been amazing.

Mrs. Headrick is an English and Journalism teacher. In the classroom she encourages students to be life long learners, to read, and to reflect on a daily basis. In her journalism class she has guided her young journalists to share their stories and voice in many ways, both in print and on line. Be sure to give their Twitter a follow as well as their podcast.

Julie and her husband, Tom, are extensively involved in all things Tallmadge! On any given day you will see at least one Headrick out and about, involved in baseball, softball, football, basketball, and just about anything! Julie and Tom, and their three children, LOVE Tallmadge.

After listening to this episode there is no doubt that you will understand why Julie is an educator who has influenced countless lives, and why so many former students make it a point to stay in contact with her. She makes her students feel valued and loved.

You can follow all the great things that Mrs. Headrick is doing on Twitter: @jsheadrick

You can follow The Devils Tale on Twitter at: @thstale

And The Devils Tale Podcast at: The Devils Tale

Please be sure to share this episode out. And be sure to subscribe so you don’t ever miss an episode. I would be honored if you would rate and review the podcast. This helps me get the message out about how incredible our Tallmadge educators are.

Thanks for listening.

**WARNING: This episode is a bit emotional. Mrs. Headrick has played a huge role in my daughters life. I am eternally grateful for her willingness to lead and mentor Kelsie. So, yeah…I get a little emotional, but that’s okay!

Kicking off the New Year I sit down with Mr. David Hungerford, Tallmadge High School Language Arts and Speech teacher. This educator has a story! He has been in the world of education for over 20 years. 7 years ago he made his way to Tallmadge High School and our school hasn't been the same since. Immediately upon his arrival in Tallmadge he was determined to get as involved as he possibly could in the lives of our students. As a result he has established relationships with students that extend way outside the classroom!

One particular part of this interview really jumped out at me. David will share an experience he had when he was in school where he came to an intersection in his life that "gave him pause." He had to make a difficult and life changing choice. This turns out to be a major turning point for him. Wait until you hear our conversation about it.

Described by his students as being...

"A very deliberate and patient teacher..."

"A teacher who constantly engages his students..."

"Personable, enjoyable, and pretty cool..."

"A teacher who has a great taste in music and some serious drip..."

But most importantly:

"A teacher who cares and who is a wonderful human being."

Get ready to learn more about this amazing educator.

Introducing to you the amazing and incredible Mr. David Hungerford!