EdLeader

In the latest episode of EdLeader, Dr. Jackson sits down with 6th Grade Science Teacher Mr. Christopher Murray to discuss authentic student relationships. Recently, when the principal announced that Mr. Murray was recognized for Excellence in Teaching, the entire sixth grade erupted in enthusiastic excitement for their beloved teacher. From holding doors for students to saying 'Yes, ma'am' and 'Yes sir' to adolescents, Mr. Murray treats students, even those he doesn't personally teach, with the same respect he treats everyone else. His authentic respect for students results in authentic relationships with them as well.

Mr. Christopher Murray is a 6th grade Science Teacher at Broad Creek Middle School who also helps to coach the boys' basketball team. He earned his Bachelors in Middle Grades Education at East Carolina University. Mr. Murray teaches in the same classrooms that he attended and learned in 20 years ago. He has dedicated his achievements to his mother and father,  who gave him a strong work ethic and determination that still drives him daily. Mr. Murray strives to help every student and wants each and everyone to receive the greatest education they possibly can. He also wants every student that he teaches to enjoy school.

For the latest episode of the Edleader podcast, Dr. Jackson is joined by two outstanding EdLeaders who are making a difference serving and supporting schools and school systems in their implementation of Multi-tier Systems of Support. But what is MTSS and what is it not? As a framework used by many schools to improve core instruction and provide targeted support to struggling students, it focuses on the “whole child.” MTSS supports academic growth and achievement, but it also supports many other areas, including behavior, social and emotional needs, and absenteeism.

Mrs. BriAnne Hall serves the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as the Integrated Academic and Behavior Systems Consultant for the Northwest Region of North Carolina. She is a passionate educator who enjoys her role of supporting districts in their implementation of an MTSS framework to promote total school improvement to maximize growth for all. With her background in mental health, exceptional children’s programming, and K-12 education, she is a strong advocate for integrated systems to support the needs of the whole child. BriAnne earned a bachelor's degree in Human Services and a master's in executive leadership studies from Gardner-Webb University. BriAnne is married to Steve Hall, who is also an educator. Together they enjoy life on the Little River with their two sons, Elliot and Kameron.

Mrs. Heather Boston serves as the Director of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) services for Carteret County Public Schools.  After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she received her M.Ed, and Ed.S degree in School Psychology from Seattle University.  Her career in education began as a School Psychologist in Illinois, where she worked for 4 years specializing in Positive Behavioral Interventions in Schools (PBIS), Responsiveness to Instruction (RtI), and Gifted Services prior to moving to North Carolina as a proud military spouse. For the last 10 years, Heather has served in the role of MTSS Coordinator/Director, adding AIG services to her title in 2016.  The 2020-2021 school year marks her 17th year working in education. She is proud to serve beside the many great teachers and educators in Carteret County Public Schools and is honored to have 2 children that are a part of the CPPS family!

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On the latest episode of the Edleader podcast, Dr. Jackson is joined by two outstanding Media Specialists who are impacting the lives of students and teachers on a daily basis. Both bring their experiences in the classroom to their work in the Media Center. The flexibility and innovation of Media Specialists Mrs. Emily Golightly and Mrs. Amanda McCall are connecting their Media Centers to students and teachers in new ways and making a difference in the lives of students as readers and learners.

Mrs. Emily Golightly serves as the Media Specialist at Newport Elementary School, a school serving grades Prekindergarten through fifth grade in Newport, NC. A former classroom teacher, she is in her seventeenth year in education. She has taught kindergarten, first, second, and third grades, reading and math intervention, and English to speakers of other languages before becoming a media coordinator. She received her bachelor's degree from East Carolina University in Elementary Education. Mrs. Golightly completed a master's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language through UNCW and is currently pursuing a second master's degree in Media and Library Sciences (MLS) through Appalachian State University.

Mrs. Amanda McCall serves as the Media Specialist at Morehead City Primary School, a school serving grades Prekindergarten through third grade in Morehead City, NC. She is also a former classroom teacher and also serving in her seventeenth year in education. She taught 2nd grade for 5 years and 3rd grade for 10 years. She has also served as an Academically-Intellectually Gifted Specialist. She is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher. She graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and is currently attending NC Central University to obtain a Master’s Degree in Library Science.

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In the latest episode of EdLeader, Dr. Jackson sits down with Dr. Anna Egalite, coauthor of the recently released Wallace Foundation Report, "How Principals Affect Students and Schools: A Systematic Synthesis of Two Decades of Research." The researchers found that "an effective principal’s impact is stronger and broader than previously thought, making it “difficult to envision” a higher return on investment in K-12 education than the cultivation of high-quality school leadership, according to this research synthesis."

Dr. Anna Egalite has once again been ranked by Education Week’s 2021 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings as one of the Top 200 education scholars who had the biggest influence on educational practice and policy in 2020. This is the second year that Dr. Egalite has earned this ranking. She was selected from a pool of more than 20,000 qualified scholars to be ranked among the Top 200. 

A native of Ireland, Dr. Anna Egalite is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development in the College of Education at North Carolina State University. She holds a Ph.D. in Education Policy from the University of Arkansas, a master's degree in elementary education from the University of Notre Dame, and a bachelor's degree in elementary education and history from St. Patrick's College in Dublin, Ireland. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in the Program on Education Policy and Governance at Harvard University. In fall 2017, she served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Public Policy at Duke University.

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In the latest episode of EdLeader, Dr. Jackson sits down with Sarah Johnson, an author, speaker, coach, and EdLeader who is dedicated to adding value to others through sharing a message of balance, resiliency, and faith. Sarah is passionate about leadership and developing educators into the best version of themselves to lead at home, work, and life. She says this message is the only thing that would have called her away from the daily work as a school principal.

Mrs. Johnson has been serving in educational leadership in Northwest Wisconsin since 2004, first as an English Teacher and then as a building principal. She is a co-author of Balance Like a Pirate: Going Beyond Work-Life Balance to Ignite Passion and Thrive as an Educator and contributed to Peter DeWitt’s Collaborative Leadership: Six Influences that Matter Most and Adam Welcome’s Run Like a Pirate. She is a state and national conference speaker around topics of balance, resilience, faith and is passionate about amplifying and empowering women through the IN AWE Podcast, which she hosts.

Mrs. Johnson holds an unwavering belief in the importance of the message she shares with audiences and readers of her leadership books about seeking balance, building resiliency, and transforming within their own lives to be the best leaders they can be at home, work, and life.

In this episode of EdLeader, Dr. Rob Jackson sits down with Dr. Jeff McDaris, Superintendent of the Transylvania Public School System to discuss leadership that lasts. Dr. McDaris promotes leadership through Conversation, Community, and Credibility.  Leadership depends on frequent and authentic communication and stands on the strength of the relationships a leader has built throughout the community. Honesty, a caring approach, and compassion lend credibility to a leader's work and allow a leader to sustain in the work. 

Dr. Jeff McDaris began his teaching career in 1983 after graduating from NC State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Arts Education. He taught Middle School and coached on the high school level before becoming an administrator in 1998. He is the 2011 Western Carolina University Peak Performer Award Winner and a 2017 recipient of the William and Ida Friday Award from The Friday Institute at NC State University for Innovation.

Dr. McDaris was named the Superintendent of the Transylvania Public School System in 2009 and is now one of the longest-tenured superintendents in the state of North Carolina. A graduate of the school system he now serves, Dr. McDaris has been described as one of the kindest people you will meet.

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In this episode of EdLeader, Dr. Jackson sits down with Ms. Erika Garcia.  For over 20 years Ms. Garcia has served as a teacher, teacher-leader, and teacher coach in Missouri. Appropriately described as a Social Media Influencer based on the number of followers she has gained on Twitter, Ms. Garcia uses her social media platform to learn, grow, and document her journey as an educator. She has found real power in connecting with other educators who have taught her much through sharing their experiences and expertise. Armed with a sharp wit, a ready laugh, and a welcoming presence, Ms. Garcia has brought joy and laughter to all around her.

Ms. Garcia believes that human potential is limitless and describes herself as relentless in building relationships, multiplying leadership, and promoting equity. She is a contributor to Education Weekly and Edutopia and is a National Board Certified Teacher.

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In this episode of EdLeader, Dr. Rob Jackson sits down with Dr. Donyall Dickey, Chief Executive Officer of Educational Epiphany, to discuss the critical need to prioritize literacy in all curriculum areas. Dr. Dickey shares that the conceptual understanding of academic language is arguably the most significant accelerator of student achievement. Dr. Dickey’s ideas for school improvement and organizational effectiveness are used to improve the lived schooling experience for children across the nation.

Dr. Donyall Dickey is a nationally recognized authority on curriculum, instruction, organizational development, and administration of schools. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Loyola University – Maryland, and George Washington University – D.C., where he earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership & Policy and wrote a ground-breaking dissertation on resilience in African American males. Dr. Dickey began his career as a third grade teacher in the Baltimore City Schools before becoming a high school English literature/SAT prep teacher and assistant principal. Dr. Dickey served as a principal in the Howard County Public School System. Unparalleled levels of student achievement and school improvement characterized his career as a site-based, instructional leader, including having led the lowest performing middle school in Howard County to the most significant gains on the Maryland School Assessment, outgaining more than 3,000 schools.

Dr. Dickey served as the Chief Academic Officer of the School District of Philadelphia. Later, Dr. Dickey served students and families in Atlanta as the Chief Schools Officer and Chief Academic Officer of the Atlanta Public Schools. He has authored and published 33 books.

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In the latest episode of the special Leadership Development series, "Lessons from the Lightkeeper," Dr. Jackson discusses the importance of teamwork. Based on the book, "Talent is Never Enough" by John Maxwell, "Lessons from the Lightkeeper offers a weekly leadership reflection for leaders who want to keep growing and improving.

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In the latest episode of the special Leadership Development series, "Lessons from the Lightkeeper," Dr. Jackson discusses the importance of taking responsibility for leaders. Based on the book, "Talent is Never Enough" by John Maxwell, "Lessons from the Lightkeeper offers a weekly leadership reflection for leaders who want to keep growing and improving.

www.drrobjackson.com
@Dr_Rob_Jackson
@EdLeaderPod