Education With An Edge

"I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and have struggled with being obese since 10 yrs old. I didn't realize I had a problem with food until I got to middle school. I spent 30 yrs losing weight and putting it back on. As a mother of 6, you can imagine how the lbs added up over the years. I took it to Jesus and got wisdom. I didn't wake up until my husband left my six kids and me. I knew I had to get healthy and start looking out for myself at that moment. My brother, my oldest son, and I are all physical trainers and teach how to exercise and eat healthier. As a marathon runner, I'm in awe of how wisdom and knowledge trump any addiction. So now I share my story with the world to get off the yo-yo diets and see what works for you."

We have monthly health challenges like Keto/intermittent Fasting/Green Smoothie Challenge, and so much more. We skate on Thursday, Run/Walk daily, and play Basketball/Volleyball on Friday during the summer. The group is close to 400 now but keeps getting bigger and bigger. The best thing I like about Team Beautiful is that all ages and cultures welcome men and women. We have other trainers that assist us, Tim Rexius and Rod Ketchens Lamont Gilchrist, to name a few. Medical Dr. Travis Lee and many more who have connected to help us. Team Beautiful is a movement to get people to live a healthier lifestyle, not a diet and exercise.

A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.

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Lee Perez is a 5th-8th grade English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School in Omaha, Nebraska. Perez holds an Associate of Arts degree from Mid-Plains Community College and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He holds two teaching endorsements: grades 7-12 Social Sciences and PK-12 ESL. Perez has taught for 15 years in the very diverse urban Omaha Public Schools district. He started his career at Marrs Magnet Middle School, teaching 7th grade World Studies for the Dual Language program for 12 years. He has spent the last three years teaching ESL at Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School. Perez also coaches boys’ Cross-Country and Track and Field at Buffett. Perez has received several recognitions for his efforts as a teacher. He received the 2021 Award for Teaching Excellence through the Nebraska State Education Association and was also named a Cox Communication Omaha area Education Hero. He is also a part of the Commissioners of Education’s Teacher Advisory Committee, the Hispanic/Chicano representative for the Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee, and a member of the National Education Association’s Teachers of color cohort. Perez is passionate about multilingual education, culturally responsive teaching pedagogy, and being an advocate for more English Learner training and awareness for all teachers. Perez also believes in diversifying the teaching workforce in Nebraska and nationwide by recruiting and retaining more teachers of color.

Perez began his teaching career in 2008 at Marrs Magnet Middle School in Omaha, where he taught the 7th grade World Studies-Dual Language Program until 2019. He then moved to Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, where he teaches 5-8th grade English as a Second Language.

In addition to his classroom experience, Perez is an active member in the community belonging to many organizations, including the Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee, the Omaha Education Association Metro Board, the Nebraska State Education Association, and the English Learner Curriculum Pathway Committee for Omaha Public Schools. Perez has also been honored with several teaching awards and featured in several publications for his work as a teacher.

 In the classroom, Perez has unique challenges teaching English Language Learners. He takes a comprehensive approach to reach his students by combining culturally responsive teaching and language learning engagement strategies. In doing this, Perez teaches his students a new language and a new culture while celebrating their backgrounds and cultures in the classroom.

 "It is important to embrace diversity. We should acknowledge that being different is special, and these differences should be showcased during learning," Perez said in his application. "Good teaching isn't always about effective lesson planning, data, assessments, or observations with administrators. It’s about empowering our students to strive to be the best versions of themselves socially, emotionally, intellectually, and academically."

Perez said his message to teachers is to be kind, culturally aware, and tolerant and that kindness should be our new 'pandemic.'

Perez has been a teacher for 13 years and earned a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Perez represented Nebraska in the National Teacher of the Year competition in 2022.

A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.

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Maria Corpuz has been exploring ways to utilize the power of collaborative conversation to improve her community. Her work spans multiple platforms in efforts such as grassroots journalism, GOTV campaigns, tour management, and branded merchandise. Working to redefine an “influencer” as someone who influences change, she has found her passion in fostering a relationship between art, social movements, and the Omaha community.

In 2018, she founded Nite Caps, a late-night show that impacts the community culture by hosting conversations for those that hold diverse influences and perspectives within the Omaha community. Non-profit community leaders, artists, politicians, and activists gather to discuss topics relevant to today’s socio-political climate.

Maria has helped community projects such as Farnam Festival, NOISE Omaha, the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards, and Start-Up Week Omaha. She currently works at Peeq, a skincare start-up, as the Chief of Staff.

Maria is a dedicated novice seamstress, film photographer, and mezcal inquirer in her minimal free time.

A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Marquisha Frost is an ambitious and creative woman, wife, and mother. She is originally from Omaha, Nebraska, though currently resides in middle Georgia where she serves as a higher education professional, professor, and certified life coach and wellness counselor.

Marquisha received her undergraduate and first master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and thereafter relocated to Southern California to pursue and complete her doctoral degree in Educational Administration. After graduating with her Ph.D. in 2018, Dr. Frost held several leadership roles across the Claremont Colleges before relocating to Middle Georgia where she’s worked as a professor and entrepreneur.

She owns and manages the non-profit organization, Queens Do Things Inc., a community organization focused on highlighting the voices, experiences, and needs of women and girls of color. The organization has become known for its annual academic and entrepreneurial scholarship, monthly girl chats, and it’s recently launched mentorship program. Marquisha is dedicated to creating spaces of hope, healing, happiness, and holistic wellness. She believes self-improvement should be a priority for all people at all stations in life and recently launched Marquisha&Co. coaching, counseling, and consulting collective for the betterment of others. The focus of M&Co. is to empower successful development of those in need of support to successfully navigate life, transitions, and relationships. Through Marquisha&Co. she offers 1:1, group and organizational coaching, counseling and consulting. Her desire through this platform is to create opportunities for people to access the services meant to help them create and navigate the lives they ultimately want to lead.

Marquisha has received several awards and honors for her leadership, mentorship, and service to others. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, The American Education Research Association, the Association for the Study of Higher Education, and the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators.

When she’s not serving others via Queens Do Things Inc., Marquisha&Co., or in the classroom, Dr. Frost enjoys reading, shopping, scrapbooking, and spending time with family. She and her husband Dell share three children: Ma’Kye, Myles, and Delaney. You can support the work she’s doing and learn more about the services she provides by visiting her online at: www.marquishaandco.com, or by following her socials: @__thedocisin on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter.

A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After serving 30 years in the military working as an RN in the medical field, I was forced to make life and death decisions daily. I witnessed trauma- mentally and physically, collaborating with patients with severe medical injuries, accidents, and suicide attempts,-with some people losing their lives. I have learned to suppress my emotions with an ‘invisible Shield of Armor’ which enabled me to prevent patients from seeing my emotions. I lived by an unspoken rule of silence, not showing weakness. Today, I still feel guilty about patients that have committed suicide who I could not save- multiple wives blamed me as a nurse for not being able to save their husbands. I often think back on what I could have done differently to help save their lives.

Over the years I have struggled with my own pain of survivor’s guilt and personal trauma from witnessing so much suffering, but I hid my feelings and my PTSD disorder in multiple little pockets on the inside of my armor because in the Military, we do not talk about our pain. Our training is to be strong to ‘march on smartly, the mission comes first.’ In the medical community, front-line workers are “secondary victims” since we do not have time to process what has happened, or to cry or talk about our experiences. My job was to clean up the room, console the family and put a smile on for the next patient needing medical care. I still carry survivors’ guilt for my first boss who committed suicide despite my attempts to prevent it.

Over time, my mental health fell into a downward spiral, and I went from a high-achieving performer who received multiple accolades, to fearing everything and everyone. I decided to take a medical leave and began collaborating with a therapist who has helped me achieve leaps and bounds so that I could heal and be better able to help others.

Today, I am proud to have turned my trauma into triumph by mentoring women who need to heal emotional hurts. As a member of the Board of Directors, a Medical Advisor and fundraiser forReformations at the Crossroads, a non-profit for women, I help them overcome their past, create a supportive community, and to gain mental wellness for a successful future. My personal experience of feeling broken mentally and physically has made me a perfect fit to empower women with Hope, Love, and Freedom from pain- transforming their minds, bodies, and spirits to create the life they deserve!

A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.

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Kail Walker is an Omaha native growing up in Bellevue. He attended Midland University on an academic and football scholarship and majored in Human Health Performance. After graduating, he was in the health and fitness industry before discovering his love and passion for real estate. After a few years of helping people with their physical health, it was time to move in another direction, and real estate was calling his name. While getting into real estate, he also created riseOMA, a networking event experience connecting Omaha area leaders and entrepreneurs. After two years in real estate, he Co-founded the riseOMA Real Estate Group with his mother, DeDee Oliver, a successful real estate agent of 25 years and best friend, Keaton. Kail was named #1 on social media in Nebraska by Property Spark, Yahoo Finance Top 10 Real Estate Agents to look out for in 2021, and featured in Real Producers Magazine. He also was recently named #1 at PJ Morgan Real Estate in the number of sales transactions in 2021 and #2 for volume sold.

A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Biography: Ken was raised in the trucking industry. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all truck drivers. He joined the team at Custom Diesel Drivers Training, Inc. in 2013. He currently serves as CDDT's Vice President, an instructor, and a 3rd Party Examiner.

"What I enjoy the most about what we get done as a team has the opportunity to work with individuals and instill a skill that will change their lives forever. That said, it also allows employers to grow their services to their customers. And that keeps America moving forward, and everyone wins. It is vital to keep creating new SAFE drivers with the proper skill set to overcome everyday tasks and keep everyone safe around them. We have the best team in my opinion and not only in training. Our team Genuinely cares about people and their success entering into this industry and works extremely hard for our client's success. I am incredibly grateful to be able to Represent Custom diesel drivers training for what exceptional staff continues to do daily."

Custom Diesel Drivers Training, Inc. was founded in 1971 in Omaha, Nebraska. For over fifty years, CDDT has been helping to make the roads and highways of America a safer place. Custom Diesel Drivers Training, Inc. has eight ( licensed instructors; out of that eight, we have six (6) licensed third-party examiners. They're each approved by the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. Locally owned, CDDT continues to meet the needs of the expanding trucking industry by successfully graduating thousands of educated and trained professional truck drivers for many local and national trucking companies. Today, CDDT offers its students up-to-date classroom and field training designed to provide the skills needed in the trucking industry. We at Custom Diesel Drivers Training, Inc. are particularly proud of our history. Our pride lies not so much in that we are an old school but in the fact that we are both an experienced school and a growing school. Join us at CDDT and start your new driving career today!

A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Beth Merkel is a People Leader and a Potential Maximizer. Beth is fascinated with the human experience – What motivates us? What connects us? What differentiates us? And how does this all come together in the intricate system we call "The Workplace". She's a leadership professor who believes that Love and Compassion play as much (actually, more) of a role in leadership as do spreadsheets and process analyses. Beth spent many years as a successful entrepreneur and Training and Development consultant before completely switching careers for new adventures in the world of higher education.

She earned her Doctorate in Leadership Studies from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and currently, she is the director of the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership program at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska. This is where real-life leadership meets leadership theory and research - and the results are pure magic!

A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Entrepreneur, author, speaker, coach, dynamic connector, life-long learner, passionate about empowering people to live courageously, developing distinctive cultures and teams. I will always strive to make courageous decisions to "Be the Light" in my own life and the lives of others. In over 25 years of experience in launching and running businesses, record-breaking sales, leading highly successful teams, and developing phenomenal cultures, she has learned it all starts with leading yourself well.

Angela's sales success began with Cutco knives in high school (if we don't count selling 1000 + boxes of Girl Scout Cookies each year starting at age 10) when she first became obsessed with not just setting big goals but breaking records and achieving what others thought impossible. After college, she launched a dance and gymnastics studio and soon added business consulting. After moving to Omaha, Angela leads a highly successful networking marketing team. She had the privilege of leading a global team through a pandemic building a phenomenal business culture, and training internationally to help others do the same.

Angela is the author of The Courageous Mind and enjoys speaking to and training groups and teams who desire to increase their success, influence, and impact. Today's most successful and happiest people train themselves to embrace uncertainty and thrive in an ever-changing world. We all have the opportunity to grow our courage and grow our lives by surrounding ourselves with people and environments that support facing our fears, taking risks, and growing our courage. Angela is also the founder of Courageous Solutions & Strategies, which empowers business professionals to operate in their unique genius and delegate everything else using a virtual team to grow their businesses and lives exponentially faster.

A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Deborah Neary has devoted her personal and professional life to the betterment of vulnerable populations across our community. Deborah spent the last 20 years working as the Executive Director of several education-focused nonprofits. Based on her experiences, Deborah, a former foster parent to eight youth, decided she wanted to make an even larger impact across our state as a policymaker, and ran for and was elected to the Nebraska State Board of Education (SBoE) for District 8. In her role with the State Board of Education—Deborah tackles systemic issues to ensure we are developing youth who are well-prepared for not only post high school careers and college—but also for life.

In Deborah’s free time, she has served on several boards including Madonna School and on the board of the Omaha Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. Deborah was appointed by Governor Ricketts to the ServeNebraska board in 2016 and again in 2020, and she is also a Trustee for the Business Ethics Alliance. Deborah is a long-time member of both Rotary and the League of Women Voters, as well as an active mentor to many youth and young adults. In 2016, Deborah was the Recipient of the Integrity Award presented by the Better Business Bureau; in 2015 she was the recipient of Gallup's Can Do Award presented by Kids Can Community Center; and in 2014 Deborah received the Catalyst Award presented by the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands. Most recently, in 2019, Deborah received the Hollands Hero award from Dick Holland’s family foundation. Today she looks forward to sharing some of the hot topics in the news about education issues in Nebraska.

A Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.