Inspiration, Influence and Impact

Our guest this episode, Barbara Gruener, shares her mission for connecting by heart to make a world of difference, by helping elevate empathy, compassion and kindness in everyone she meets, while modeling what it means to stay centered by and rooted in gratitude, hope and love. Her passion for people is evident in her many acts of service during her 38 years in education, and in life.  Barbara is a role model for learning from life’s experiences and seeking joy every day. Her genuine connections with others brings light into the world, and her passion, enthusiasm and energy leave others feeling equipped and empowered to pay it forward and keep the ripple alive … her goal is that when those ripples eventually touch … our world will be covered in a blanket of connection and love. Barbara truly is a HOPE-dealer, who makes the world a kinder, more compassionate, empathetic and loving place. 

Barbara's Inspirational, Influential or Impactful recommendations:

People -  Laurie McIntosh, Roman Nowak, Vernon Wright, Michele Borba, Lisa Currie just to name a few role models.

Book - The Negativity Remedy by Nicole J. Phillips

Podcast - The Happiness Lab by Dr. Laurie Santos

Cause - Donors Choose because it helps teachers and, in turn, supports our most precious natural resource, the children

Dream Travel Destination - Australia

Connect with Barbara:

Twitter - @BarbaraGruener

Instagram - @BarbaraGruenerAuthor

Website or Blog - corneroncharacter.blogspot.com

Facebook Page - mrquigleyskeys

Podcast - CharacterSpeaks

Author page - barbaragruenerauthor.com

Barbara is a bilingual educator, author, mentor, coach, speaker, and veteran school counselor, who has spent 38 years in education.

Our guest this episode, Dr. Stephanie Smith, shares her passion for empowering our young people, and how she has embraced every change as a learning opportunity. Stephanie's diverse and rich experiences have not only shaped her passion and practice, but now inspire other educators to provide opportunities for learners to have their voices heard. Stephanie truly embodies the spirit and values of a life long learner. 

Stephanie's Inspirational, Influential and Impactful recommendations:

People - Connect with Young People; Pivot Learning

Book - Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace; The School in the Cloud by Sugata Mitra

Podcast - Game Changers with Phil Cummins and Adriano Di Prato

Cause - The Foundation for Young Australians 

Dream Travel Destination - Egypt

Connect with Stephanie:

Twitter - @SmilesStephi @MoAD_Canberra

Instagram - @Stephi_Smith_Inquirer_ @oldparliamenthouse

Website - Museum of Australian Democracy

Facebook - Inspiring Picture Book Ideas and Australian Civics Educators Network

Stephanie is an experienced primary school teacher who has tight in multiple states and territories, and has transferred her knowledge, skills and expertise into an education role at the Museum of Australian Democracy. She has a PhD in play-based learning in primary classrooms, the significance of developing 21st Century skills and teacher PD around science and mathematics.

Our guest this episode, Craig Ladek, shares the impact of service on his life - the inspiration the service of others provided and how his own service has influenced his own and other's lives. He also opens up about his mental health challenges and experiences with PTSD. Craig is a role model for many, who has gone from serving our country to serving our community, and has impacted many lives along the way. 

Craig's Inspirational, Influential and Impactful recommendations:

Books - Exit Wounds by Major John Cantwell; The Crossroads by Mark Donaldson VC; Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.

Podcast -  The Unforgiving60 with Tim Curtis and Ben Pronk

Cause - Movember and the ANZAC Day Appeal

Dream travel destination - anywhere in Australia that is remote

Connect with Craig:

Instagram - @teamtemperedcoach or @crossfittemperedormeau

Facebook - Crossfit Tempered Ormeau

Craig is an Australian Defence Force veteran, and a Level 2 CrossFit Coach, who owns and runs CrossFit Tempered Ormeau. He is currently studying Clinical Exercise Physiology full time and is a dad to three amazing girls. Craig spent 15 years in total in the Australian Army, with postings in Darwin, Sydney and Albury/Wodonga, and Operational Service in Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan 2010. Prior to the Army, Craig was a heavy diesel fitter working in Melbourne, Perth, Yalara (Uluru) and in remote gold mines.

Our guest this episode, Fi Morrison, is a passionate advocate for STEM and the Early Years, and was named the ICTENSW Young Educator of the Year for 2020. She is an inspirational role model for taking a risk and sharing your passions with the world. Fi's passion for STEM in the Early Years and engaging student's curiosities and imaginations is evident. We thank Fi for her dedication to assisting others with STEM and inquiry integration into learning, and for highlighting others and providing platforms to connect and share ideas so we all learn and grow. 

Fi's Inspirational, Influential and Impactful recommendations:

People - Trevor MacKenzie; Kath Murdoch; COUNTLESS educators (all can be found on the STEM ED podcast or in the STEM ED magazines)

Books - Inquiry Mindset by Trevor MacKenzie; Invent to Learn by Sylvia Libow Martinez and Gary Stager; Daily STEM by Chris Woods

Podcasts - STEM Everyday podcast with Chris Woods; Game Changers with Phil Cummins and Adriano Di Prato; The Teacher Takeaway Podcast 

Cause - Deadly Science

Travel Destination - Maldives; Europe

Connect with Fi:

Twitter - @stemedmagazine @FiMorrison2

Instagram - @stemedmagazine @teach.edtech

Website or Blog - stemedmagazine.com

Facebook Page - facebook.com/stemedmagazine

Podcast - STEM ED Podcast

Fi Morrison is the Founder of STEM ED Magazine. She has 15 years of  experience working with children in a range of fields and is currently a  full-time Primary School Teacher in Sydney, Australia.

Fi is  passionate about early years education, innovation, inquiry and  implementing authentic STEM pedagogy into the classroom. She strongly  believes in supporting others, and empowering teachers to further  develop their skills and evolve their classroom practice.

Fi is a highly accomplished presenter and the host of a successful podcast that includes a number of international guest speakers. She frequently  presents at events, as well as delivers webinars and collaborates with  other educators to share her knowledge, experiences and expertise.

Our guest this episode, Tamara Letter, shares where she finds inspiration to be a Kindness Cultivator, and how she aims to never miss an opportunity to show compassion, empathy and gratitude, intentionally starting each day with a kindness mindset. Tamara’s passion for kindness is inspiring. Her gift for showing love, compassion and gratitude is a lesson to us all. Just like the ripples in a pond, or the seeds of a dandelion, her influence and positive impact on the world will continue to spread for many years to come.

Tamara's Inspirational, Influential and Impactful recommendations: 

People - Akilah Ellison, Roman Nowak, Barbara Gruener, Cathy O’Grady,  Laurie McIntosh, Kate Lapetino, Kelly Pace, Melanie Korach, Melinda Forward

Book - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

Podcast - Ted Talks Daily and KindSight 101 with 

Cause - Random Acts of Kindness Foundation

Travel Destination - Australia

Connect with Tamara:

Website or Blog - tamaraletter.com

Twitter - @tamaraletter

Instagram - @tamaraletter

Facebook Page - Group: “A Passion for Kindness”

TikTok - @tamaraletter

Tamara Letter is an enthusiastic presenter, writer, and kindness cultivator who strives each day to add a little good to the world. She is a passionate educator with more than two decades of  experience as an elementary teacher, differentiation specialist,  technology integrator, and instructional coach. Her messages of positivity and joy inspire educators in all levels of  service to create a culture of kindness through social-emotional  learning and character education.

Our guest this episode, Trevor Mackenzie, shares the many sources of inspiration for his inquiry journey, and discusses his ‘big dream’ for all children. Trevor’s commitment to transforming education and his passion for student centred learning for children around the world is evident in all he says and does. We are grateful for Trevor’s generosity in the way he shares his time and expertise to assist others, and are confident his positive impact will continue to grow.

Trevor's Inspirational, Influential and Impactful recommendations:

Person - Fi Morrison - STEM Ed Magazine and Podcast

Book - The Self Driven Child: The Science of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives - William Stixrud, Ned Johnson

Podcast - Educational Duct Tape - Jake Miller

Cause - Mental Health

Travel Destination - Australia; The Netherlands; South Africa

Connect with Trevor:

Website - trevormackenzie.com

Twitter - @trev_mackenzie

Instagram - @tntmackenzie

Trevor MacKenzie is an experienced teacher, author, keynote speaker and inquiry consultant who has worked in schools throughout Australia, Asia, North America, South Africa and Europe. Trevor’s passion is  supporting schools in implementing inquiry-based learning practices. He is a highly regarded speaker known for his heartfelt storytelling, kind demeanour, and student-first philosophy.

Trevor’s graduate research focused on identifying and removing the barriers to implementing inquiry-based learning in the K-12  setting. He is an inquiry practitioner currently as a teacher with the Greater Victoria School District in Victoria, Canada. He has two publications: Dive into Inquiry and Inquiry Mindset, both published by Elevate Books Edu. He has vast experience supporting schools across several years in implementation strategies in public schools, international schools, and International Baccalaureate programmes (PYP/MYP/DP).

Our guest this episode, Dave Burgess, shares how he uses many sources to 'Discover Wide'. Dave is so inspirational and we are grateful he chose to share his manifesto, and that his influence continues as he encourages and empowers others, and amplifies their passions, stories and powerful work. We are thankful for the impact he has had on us, and the world.

Dave's Inspirational, Influential and Impactful recommendations:

People - Find a community

Books - Thrive Through the Five by Jill Siler; Ryan Holiday series

Podcasts - Ryan Holiday; Rich Roll; Tim Ferris; DBC Inc Authors

Cause - Our fellow educators

Travel Destination - Hawaii; Australia; Russia 

Connect with Dave:

Website - Dave Burgess; Dave Burgess Consulting

Twitter - @burgessdave

Instagram - @dbc_inc

Podcast - The Dave Burgess Show

Dave Burgess is the New York Times Best-Selling author of Teach Like a PIRATE, co-author of P is for PIRATE, and the president of Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. which delivers  powerful, inspirational, and innovative books, keynotes, and professional development.

Welcome to Inspiration, Influence and Impact: The Podcast. In our introductory episode, learn a little about hosts Karen and Catherine, and our passions and purpose.