Sally Nellson Barrett is the director and executive producer for Nebraska Loves Public Schools. Since 2011, she has interviewed more than 500 people and directed more than 40 films to raise awareness about the high-quality public education in Nebraska. Most recently she has turned her attention to creating longer-form I Love Public Schools films, documentaries focused on the ways societal issues impact public schools and what schools are doing to protect, understand, and empower students to be successful. Prior to this role, Sally ran a successful practice providing creative direction and story development for many of the largest banks and investment managers in the country.

In this episode, Shane Haggerty talks to Sally about what inspired her to go from telling the stories of banks and investment managers to focusing on the stories of students, teachers, families and communities, all centered on public education. We learn more about the creative energy Sally brings to the table, what Nebraska Loves Public Schools is all about, what is in store for the future, and we talk about their incredible new film, “The Mind Inside”. “The Mind Inside” is a new multi-episode docuseries about mental health in public schools. Audiences learn about the challenges students face, the social, emotional, and behavioral resources available for students who struggle, and the short- and long-term solutions communities provide.

Nebraska Loves Public Schools: https://iloveps.org/

Diana Patton has committed her life to helping those in need, specifically young women and youth. Her unique background has helped her to assist in leading diversity efforts within two large corporations and to become the VP, General Counsel and COO of the Toledo Fair Housing Center. Diana is a speaker, an author of two books, an attorney and a social justice advocate who works hard to eliminate racism, empower women, and to promote dignity for humanity. She works with students and teachers in school districts, including her RISE program, which starts with a simple premise: In order to successfully teach students to care about themselves and for others, educators must first practice personal self-care.

In this episode, Shane talks to Diana about what inspired her to go from lawyer to what she is doing now--speaking, writing, and working for social good. She also dives into how she works with schools and the key issues students and teachers are facing today. 

Diana Patton’s website: www.dianarpatton.com

Diana Patton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianap_patton

Don Wettrick is currently the Innovation Coordinator at Noblesville High School, and is the author of "Pure Genius: Building a Culture of Innovation and Taking 20% Time to the Next Level." Wettrick has worked as a middle school and high school teacher; educational and innovation consultant; CEO, and podcast host. He is also the founder of StartEdUp, an organization dedicated to helping transform the school culture toward innovation and enable student-led entrepreneurship.

His podcast, StartEdUp, has featured some of the most successful entrepreneurs, authors, and thought leaders in the world- focusing on educational change. Most importantly Don works with educators, students, and entrepreneurs to bring innovation and collaborative skills into education.

In this episode, Shane talks to Don about all of this work he does, we learn about the future of the StartEdUp Foundation, and hear a great story about the time he landed an interview with Gary Vaynerchuk...and about how it went awry, but led to some other great opportunities. 

StartEdUp Foundation: https://startedupfoundation.org/

Google Plus Hangout On Air: https://youtu.be/NF13CUSHzlQ

Dr. Dixon grew up in Oxford, Mississippi, and she graduated from Oxford High School, after which she attended Mississippi Valley State University. She began her professional career as an instructor at the University of Akron, before becoming an assistant principal with the Akron City Schools. She's had stints as an assistant principal and principal in several districts and in July 2014, Dr. Dixon became Superintendent of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District.

On March 4, 2019, she began her new role as the school chief of Ohio's largest school district, Columbus City Schools. In this episode, recorded in her office in University Heights just weeks before she left CHUH to start at CCS, Dr. Dixon sits down to discuss what drives her, motivates her, and definitely what made her decide to take on the heavy challenge of leading Ohio’s biggest district. 

It’s the season one finale! Shane goes on the other side of the microphone in this episode allowing himself to be interviewed instead of the interviewer. Lee Wirick, a former colleague, interviews him. Why is he interviewing Shane? Well, Shane hired Lee to be the admissions coordinator at the same school back in 2014 and the two worked hard to increase applications to the district by nearly 40% during their three years working together. Shane could think of no one better to interview him for this episode because Lee challenges him, makes him better, but also pushes his buttons. Definitely makes for an interesting conversation and a fun and interesting way to end the first season.