Lead with HOPE

Alex T. Valencic is a fellow Teach Better Colleague! Tune in to hear our conversation about shared vision, systems, and the power of mentoring and professional learning! Alex will inspire you to invest in yourself through professional learning as you lead with hope!

Alex T. Valencic is an educator, former small business owner, Boy Scout, volunteer drug prevention specialist, unrepentant bibliophile, and geek of all things. He worked as a substitute teacher for three years in Champaign, Mahomet, and Urbana, Illinois, before achieving his lifelong dream in 2012 of teaching fourth grade. In 2018 he accepted the position of Curriculum Coordinator for 21st Century Teaching and Learning in Freeport, Illinois, where he not only supported innovative educational practices in the classroom but also oversaw the social studies, career and technical education, physical education, health, art, and music programs in the district. Since July 2021, he has been serving as Freeport's Professional Learning Coordinator, organising summer learning institutes, new teacher academies, district institute days, and supporting ongoing professional learning for all staff through differentiated learning pathways. He has also served as FSD’s Elementary Summer Learning Administrator since 2021.

Today, on the Lead with HOPE Podcast, it is my honor to introduce Katie Kinder. She is fun, engaging, and this episode is a must listen! I hope you enjoy it!

Katie Kinder, author of Untold Teaching Truths and Hallway Leadership, is a professional learning facilitator, and she has been an educator since 2006. She brings her message of hope, fun, and real strategies to educators all over the nation.  She believes that life is fun, and learning should most definitely be fun. A teacher of the year, Speaker, Author, Professional Development Leader, a Mom, a Wife, a Fierce Advocate for Education, and grant award winner, Katie has learned a trick or two in the classroom, so come on in, and have some fun, and hook your students from day one!

Katie's Ted Talk: https://youtu.be/_HjfL88dD6c?si=QlB-5ocraX9YkFAG

Jill Siler is the guest on the Lead with HOPE Podcast this morning! We talk about being a female in the superintendency and leading with faith, hope, and love. Jill is an inspirational leader who is truly leading with hope!

Dr. Jill Siler is a leader, author, and speaker. She has been serving as an educator for 25 years, beginning her career as a high school social studies teacher and coach before she became a campus and district leader. Jill has a passion for impacting others and has been a frequent speaker to teachers and leaders alike. 

Connect with Jill!

Website: jillmsiler.com

Email: [email protected] 

Thrive Through the Five:  Amazon  I  Barnes & Noble

Twitter: @jillmsiler 

LinkedIn: @jillmsiler

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jillmsileredu

Instagram: @jillmsiler 

Zac Bauermaster is an educational leader and author passionate about people. Zac’s mission field is public education. One of his main tag lines is, “It’s all about people.” His leadership style exemplifies a people-first approach as he seeks to glorify God in all he does. Zac currently serves as an elementary school principal in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. 

Zac has the tremendous opportunity to lead teachers, support staff, families, and, most importantly, the next generation daily. His greatest joy in education is seeing adults leverage their God-given talents and abilities through inspiring kids to find and use their gifts. Zac also enjoys writing and is the author of two books, "Leading with a Humble Heart: A 40-Day Devotional for Leaders and Leading with People: A Six Pillar Framework for Fruitful Leadership. Before becoming a principal, Zac served public education in various K-12 roles such as assistant principal, administrator of online learning, teacher, and coach. These experiences in school leadership, writing, and speaking have grown Zac’s sphere of influence and allowed him the opportunity to develop and maintain lifelong relationships. First and foremost, Zac believes in leading his family first and is married to his wife Carly and they have three kids, ages 11, 8, and 6. 

Lead with HOPE Podcast (website): https://leadwithhope.net/podcast-interviews

Jill is a redesigned educator who has been in the elementary classroom for over 20 years. She is currently a Professional Learning Specialist with Forward Edge/Edge•U. Jill is passionate about infusing joy in educational leadership by focusing on service and using her voice to foster hope by celebrating diversity.

Jill is a published author and illustrator of several children's books with social-emotional learning messages. She is also the Chief Optimistic Originator of Imparted Joy LLC, in Clearwater, Florida. In this role, Jill guides others to spark their goals with heart and confidence.

Dr. Joe Sanfelippo is an educator, author and speaker. He inspires others to build intention, connection and direction in our schools. Joe is an inspiration, and you will not want to miss this episode!

Dr. Joe Sanfelippo an educator, author and speaker. Joe has taught Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, and 5th Grade. He was also a school counselor and high school coach prior to taking on an elementary principal position in 2005. Joe started the #1minwalk2work Leadership Challenge and co-authored The Power of Branding-Telling Your School's Story, Principal Professional Development: Leading Learning in a Digital Age and Hacking Leadership: 10 Ways Great Leaders Inspire Learning That Teachers, Students and Parents Love. He was selected as 1 of 117 Future Ready Superintendents in 2014 and 1 of 50 Superintendents as a Personalized Learning Leader in 2016 by the US Department of Education. He attended summits at the White House for both distinctions. Education Dive named Joe 1 of 5 K-12 administrators to watch in 2018 and their National Superintendent of the Year in 2019.

Welcome to the Lead with HOPE Podcast. I’m Brandi Kelly, a superintendent on a mission to lead with hope and to help my fellow educators do the same!! The Lead with HOPE podcast is a bi weekly podcast that will inspire and empower you to Lead with HOPE! Check out my website at leadwithhope.net

Dr. Tron Young has almost two decades of combined experience as a middle school teacher, elementary principal, and middle school principal.  He is the building principal at Joseph Arthur Middle School in the Central 104 School District in O'Fallon, IL.  He is the 2020 Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year and Illinois NASSP National Distinguished Principal of the Year.  He has also been awarded the Pacesetter Award through Kaskaskia College, the Illinois Education Association Bob Haisman “Teacher of the Year,” 100 Black Men United Educator of the Year, and the Regional Middle School Principal of the Year Awards. Recently, he was one of the 2023 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Leadership Finalists.

Dr. Young is the founder and organizer of the Illinois Grow Summit to grow, retain, and recruit more educational teachers and leaders of color. He is the founder and host of the Be The Thermostat Podcast. Dr. Young has served as an adjunct professional at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville. He has been a featured speaker and presenter at local, state, and national conferences. He emphasizes the importance of goal setting, school culture, teacher professional development, staff motivation, and leadership coaching.  He has been a motivational speaker at middle and high schools, speaking on perseverance, making good choices, setting goals, and youth leadership development.  

Dr. Young believes you have to do the things that others do not think to do to get the results that others are not able to get. He wants to inspire you to be the thermostat and not the thermometer.

Social Media

Website: www.tronyoung.com

Twitter: tron2teach4u

Instagram: tron2teach4u

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tron-young/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiUWkAPuRWgRx4j77PlgA4Q

Dan Wolfe is our guest on today's episode of Lead with HOPE. Dan has served in a variety of educational roles in Florida for more than 25 years. He is currently an Assistant Principal at Sunray Elementary and  was selected as Pasco County’s District Teacher of the Year in 2011-2012 school year. For the past three years Dan has  written a blog called Becoming The Change, and his first book recently came out in June 2022 called Becoming the Change. 

Social Media Links:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/daniel.wolfe.50702/ 

Twitter - @ServLeadInspire 

Instagram - @serveleadinspirealways 

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-wolfe-45390a43/ 

Website: https://becoming-the-change.com/

Amazon link for book: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Change-Essential-Elements-Being/dp/B0B2TW64X7

Kip Shubert is a seasoned speaker, educator, school counselor, and coach with over three decades of experience. With his empowering style, Kip helps people with their struggles and turns them into strengths, their very own "Secret Sauce", which becomes their superpower in achieving success for students and staff. Kip's powerful story is inspiring and full of hope! Tune in as Kip shares about his journey through addition. He shares his story and how he uses his Secret Sauce to Lead with HOPE!! You can connect with Kip on Twitter or X @SecretSauceEDU