Doug's Front Porch

In this episode we welcome former student and dear friend, Merit Patterson, onto the front porch. We discuss his high school cross country days, his transition to becoming a "rat" at the Virginia Military Institute, to fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a United States Marine. Merit tells us what service means to him and what the attributes of a good leader are. 

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In this episode we welcome former colleague and friend, Angela Harding, onto the Front Porch. Ang is currently serving as one of the County Commissioners for Clinton County, PA. We get a civics lesson on just what do County Commissioners do and the importance of following and understanding local government. We also discuss Ang's son, Von, and his success on the Penn State football field and what that experience was like for Mamma Harding. 

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In this episode I welcome Steven Perrin on to the front porch. We discuss his epiphany that led him to the Emergency Medical Services life. He tells us about his time as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic to his new role as the manager of a local EMS center. We also learn how he deals with the stress that accompanies his line of work. 

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This month we welcome Chelsea Grieb on to the front porch. Chelsea is currently the Health Occupations teacher at the school where I teach. We discuss her journey to becoming a nurse and then her transition from nursing to teaching future nurses and health care workers. We discuss the shared skills between the two professions and close out with our 10 quick questions. 

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In this episode I welcome Tyler Barth, Principal of Robb Elementary School in Lock Haven, PA, on to the front porch. We discuss his childhood that was heavily influenced by both his parents and his grandparents. We also discuss why he went into education, his transition from the classroom to the principal's office, and how he builds and maintains a culture of caring and excellence in his building. [Originally aired 01 September 2024].

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In this episode we welcome Kevin Macomber on to the front porch. Kevin is the author of the book: Walking from the Shadows: My Journey with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. We discuss his long battle with PTSD and what drove him to write his book. We also discuss his advocacy for all people suffering with PTSD. 

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Yahoo! Throw your straw hats up in the air because we are celebrating. This episode marks the 100th episode of Doug's Front Porch. For such an event, I felt obliged to turn the interview table around and instead of asking the questions, I would answer them. A special thanks goes out to Kevin Shock for interviewing me and Dustin Shirk for asking me my 10 quick questions. Here's to the next 100!

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This month I continue the tradition of sitting down with some of my graduating seniors. This year I welcome Avah Rafter, Michael Britten, Victoria Guthrie, and Ricky Fantaski onto the Front Porch. They discuss what they did in high school, what they are feeling as they prepare to graduate, what they are afraid of, what they are proud of, and what their future plans are. 

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In this episode I welcome Lara Thomas on to the Front Porch. We discuss Lara's childhood, being the daughter of two educators and a mother who instilled a love of genealogy in her. We also discuss Lara's work with the Berks County Association for Graveyard Preservation. Lara tells us about the great things that they do and what she has learned and experienced helping to take care of centuries old cemeteries in south-eastern Pennsylvania.

Learn more about the Berks County Association for Graveyard Preservation!

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In this episode we welcome Dr. Francis (Frank) Redmon on to the Front Porch. Frank is currently the superintendent of schools for the Keystone Central School District in Mill Hall, PA...and my boss. We discuss his childhood growing up the son of a Marine father and all of the many places that he moved to and lived in. We also discuss his path to becoming a teacher, a principal and finally to the role of being a superintendent. We discuss his philosophy on leadership and how he envisions public ed moving in the future.

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