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Gilbert, Dave and Michael take a look back at some of their favorite moments from Season 1. Pulling snippets from select episodes they reflect on the learning that they have experienced throughout the season.

For the On Tap segment they select one song that reminds them of summer. They conclude the episode by giving a Top 10 List of vacations for educators.

Website: www.edleadershipontap.com

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The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they are affiliated with. This podcast is not intended to replace professional advice, mentorship, or official training programs. Listeners are encouraged to adapt the strategies discussed to their unique contexts and consult with relevant experts when making decisions.

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In this "Leadership Unplugged" episode, Gilbert, Dave and Michael welcome Matt Criner, Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor for Grapevine Parks and Recreation. Matt, a true relationship builder, shares leadership lessons from his 18-year career in education and coaching, emphasizing leading from the front, and admitting mistakes. Matt explains the philosophy of "We not me" for success and the "Me not we" for failures.  The discussion also covers his current work in community recreation. 

For the On Tap segment Gilbert, Dave, Michael and Matt discuss their desired sports superpowers. 

Website: www.edleadershipontap.com

Email: [email protected]

The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they are affiliated with. This podcast is not intended to replace professional advice, mentorship, or official training programs. Listeners are encouraged to adapt the strategies discussed to their unique contexts and consult with relevant experts when making decisions.

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In this episode, Gilbert, Dave and Michael dive into the complex and rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence in schools. Moving beyond the "hype vs. fear" debate, they outline five core responsibilities for leaders ready to guide their communities through this technological shift:

Building Shared Literacy: The hosts explore what AI can do—like personalizing math problems and automating administrative drudgery—and, more importantly, what it cannot do, such as managing classroom culture or making final high-stakes disciplinary decisions.
Designing for Equity First: AI has the potential to either close the achievement gap or widen it into a canyon. Gilbert, Dave and Michael discuss how to support under-resourced schools that lack basic digital infrastructure and how to protect marginalized communities from biased algorithms.
Revising the Learning Mission: What is the point of a test if an AI can pass it? The hosts explore shifting our instructional focus toward uniquely human traits: "slow learning," grit, empathy, and the ability to navigate deep ambiguity that data alone cannot solve.
Establishing Ethical Guardrails: Protecting student data is the non-negotiable foundation of AI adoption. The conversation covers the necessity of prohibiting the input of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and demanding transparency from tech vendors.
Modeling Adaptive Learning: Finally, they discuss how leaders and teachers can "walk the talk." By using AI to enhance their own productivity and accessibility, educators can model a healthy, curious, and critical relationship with these new tools.

For the On Tap segment, Gilbert, Dave and Michael share what two non-work related chores they would relinquish to their own personal AI robot.

Website: www.edleadershipontap.com

Email: [email protected]

The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they are affiliated with. This podcast is not intended to replace professional advice, mentorship, or official training programs. Listeners are encouraged to adapt the strategies discussed to their unique contexts and consult with relevant experts when making decisions.

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In this "In The Chair" segment of EdLeadership on Tap, Gilbert, Dave and Michael sit down with veteran educator Mary Smith to pull back the curtain on the Assistant/Associate Principal role. Often seen as the bridge between vision and execution, the AP position requires a unique blend of agility, empathy, and strategic thinking.
Mary dives into the essential skills and competencies needed to thrive in the role today, from mastering difficult conversations to managing the daily pulse of a school building. But beyond the logistics, Mary’s core message is clear: student success is a direct result of teacher support.
Tune in as we discuss how APs can move beyond being "the disciplinarian" to becoming the ultimate advocate for their staff, ensuring every teacher has the tools and confidence to help their students win.

For the On Tap segment of the show, the co-hosts and Mary discuss a trend from their younger days that they would bring back.

Website: www.edleadershipontap.com

Email: [email protected]

The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they are affiliated with. This podcast is not intended to replace professional advice, mentorship, or official training programs. Listeners are encouraged to adapt the strategies discussed to their unique contexts and consult with relevant experts when making decisions.

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Gilbert, Dave and Micahel pull back the curtain on effective hiring practices that go far beyond standard interview checklists. While a strong resume is the starting point, the conversation shifts quickly to the "un-fakeable" qualities that define a truly great educator.

In this episode, they discuss:

• The Resume Deep Dive: What to look for between the lines to identify high-potential talent.
• The Core Four: Why empathy, growth mindset, grit, and resilience are non-negotiable traits in a modern school environment.

The hosts wrap up with a toolkit of sample interview questions specifically designed to bypass rehearsed answers and reveal a candidate’s true character and pedagogical heart.

For the On Tap segment the hosts discuss their 2 favorite classical video games. Find out how Gilbert, Dave and Michael spent some of their childhood.

Website: www.edleadershipontap.com

Email: [email protected]

The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they are affiliated with. This podcast is not intended to replace professional advice, mentorship, or official training programs. Listeners are encouraged to adapt the strategies discussed to their unique contexts and consult with relevant experts when making decisions.

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Gilbert, Dave, and Michael sit down with Dr. Mike Finnegan from Oklahoma State University for a candid, "unplugged" look at the leadership journey. Dr. Finnegan shares personal stories from his career, illustrating that leadership is a continuous evolution rather than a destination. The group explores essential leadership traits, emphasizing the non-negotiable roles of ethics and inclusion in building modern, healthy organizations. They then take a deep dive into the leader’s responsibility to foster confidence and capacity in others, ensuring the next generation of talent is prepared to step up. Dr. Finnegan also shares practical advice on identifying and avoiding common leadership mistakes that can derail a team's culture.

To wrap things up, the hosts and Dr. Finnegan get personal with a unique scenario. They reveal the one song and one movie they would choose to keep if they were restricted to just one of each for the rest of their lives.

Website: www.edleadershipontap.com

Email: [email protected]

The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they are affiliated with. This podcast is not intended to replace professional advice, mentorship, or official training programs. Listeners are encouraged to adapt the strategies discussed to their unique contexts and consult with relevant experts when making decisions.

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In this episode of EdLeadership on Tap, "Building a Collaborative School Culture," Gilbert, Dave and Michael break down the essential ingredients for moving a school from isolated silos to a unified team.

They emphasize the necessity of a shared collaborative vision. It’s not enough to just say "work together"; leaders must clearly define what collaboration looks like in practice to ensure everyone is moving in the same direction.

Accountability can be a dirty word in education, but the hosts argue that holding staff to high standards is an act of kindness. They discuss strategies for maintaining clear expectations without sacrificing professional relationships.

Collaboration doesn't happen by accident. The co-hosts emphasize that if a leader values teamwork, they must reflect that priority in the master schedule by protecting and prioritizing time for educators to meet.

For the On Tap segment Gilbert, Dave and Michael reveal which car best describes their personality and leadership style, leading to some fun (and surprisingly revealing) comparisons.

Website: www.edleadershipontap.com

Email: [email protected]

The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they are affiliated with. This podcast is not intended to replace professional advice, mentorship, or official training programs. Listeners are encouraged to adapt the strategies discussed to their unique contexts and consult with relevant experts when making decisions.

By leaving a voicemail, you consent to the recording, editing, and broadcast of your voice and message in future episodes of EdLeadership on Tap. Standard editing for time and content may apply.

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In this episode Gilbert, Dave and Michael dive into the chaotic reality of leadership during a crisis. When the pressure is on and the stakes are high, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. The hosts break down the essential mindset shifts and actionable strategies needed to steer your school or organization through turbulent times.

The hosts talk about the importance of grounding yourself in your purpose, communicating clearly and often, embracing adaptability, building collective resiliency and above all, supporting your people.

For the On Tap segment Gilbert, Dave and Michael share what would be their last meal. Can you tie Hamburger Helper, Bloomin' Onion and Blue Bell Butter Pecan ice cream to the host that selected it?

Website: www.edleadershipontap.com

Email: [email protected]

The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they are affiliated with. This podcast is not intended to replace professional advice, mentorship, or official training programs. Listeners are encouraged to adapt the strategies discussed to their unique contexts and consult with relevant experts when making decisions.

By leaving a voicemail, you consent to the recording, editing, and broadcast of your voice and message in future episodes of EdLeadership on Tap. Standard editing for time and content may apply.

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In this episode of EdLeadership on Tap, co-hosts Gilbert Gonzalez, Dave Denning, and Michael Crow are joined by guest Chansi Shope, a Licensed Professional Counselor and experienced school counselor. The discussion centers on the vital intersection of leadership and mental health in the high-stakes environment of school administration. The team explores how the unique pressures of school leadership—ranging from crisis management to staff morale—impact the mental well-being of administrators. Chansi shares insights on how leaders can navigate these demands without compromising their effectiveness, emphasizing that a leader's mental health is a foundational element of a positive school culture. The episode outlines actionable ways to maintain a healthy mindset. 

The episode concludes with the "On Tap" segment, where the hosts and Chansi step away from professional talk to share their most iconic characters from a movie or TV series.

Website: www.edleadershipontap.com

Email: [email protected]

The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they are affiliated with. This podcast is not intended to replace professional advice, mentorship, or official training programs. Listeners are encouraged to adapt the strategies discussed to their unique contexts and consult with relevant experts when making decisions.

By leaving a voicemail, you consent to the recording, editing, and broadcast of your voice and message in future episodes of EdLeadership on Tap. Standard editing for time and content may apply.

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In this In The Chair episode we sit down with Dr. Cody Koontz the veteran educator who is the principal of Marcus High School in the Lewisville ISD. Drawing on his experience as the founding principal of Coppell High School's 9th grade campus, Dr. Koontz explores the foundational elements of transformative school leadership. Dr. Koontz shares his commitment to a "servant leadership" model that helps create an environment where every student and staff member feels at home and genuinely cared for. Dr. Koontz reflects on the people who shaped his career from his early days to his current role.

For the On Tap segment we discuss our most impressive sports records. Find out who Cecil Isbell is and why he was in the conversation. Let us know if you agree on who we include in this segment.

Website: www.edleadershipontap.com

Email: [email protected]

The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they are affiliated with. This podcast is not intended to replace professional advice, mentorship, or official training programs. Listeners are encouraged to adapt the strategies discussed to their unique contexts and consult with relevant experts when making decisions.

By leaving a voicemail, you consent to the recording, editing, and broadcast of your voice and message in future episodes of EdLeadership on Tap. Standard editing for time and content may apply.