Leaning into Leadership

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year!

Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us here

Grab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose

Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideas

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And now...about our guest this week on the show:

Kim Strobel is a renowned motivational speaker and author of Teach Happy: Small Steps to Big Joy, sought after by schools, businesses, and organizations worldwide. With her powerful message about the impact of happiness on well-being and the pursuit of fulfillment, she traverses the globe, sharing her insights. Kim specializes in empowering educators and professionals, equipping them with the necessary tools and strategies to shift their mindsets, reclaim their happiness, reignite their passion, and lead with purpose. 

Drawing from her extensive background as a teacher and curriculum director, Kim’s ultimate aim is to inspire her audience. Through her engaging talks, she presents captivating research, heartwarming anecdotes, and practical steps for achieving life-altering results.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Kim is a devoted animal rescuer, having rescued 187 dogs. She is also an avid runner and has an unwavering love for life.

Connect with Kim on Facebook or Instagram

Email Kim: [email protected]

Order your copy of Kim's book Teach Happy: Small Steps to BIG JOY

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year!

Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us here

Grab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose

Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideas

Sign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletter

Have a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

And now...about our guest this week on the show:

Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket is a wife, mother, principal, public speaker, and author. With decades as a teacher and leader in public education, she has earned the reputation as a strong instructional leader, passionate educational advocate, and dedicated mentor. As the Principal of a top ranked school in Maryland, she is a life-long learner who strives for excellence not only for herself, but also for everyone she serves. 

Dr. Edoho-Eket’s belief in fostering meaningful relationships serves as the foundation for everything she does. During her educational career, she has proudly served as a classroom teacher, instructional team leader, mentor teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Her new book, “The Principal’s Journey: Navigating the Path to School Leadership” provides a helpful and practical blueprint for educators to follow as they transition into new leadership roles. 

Dr. Edoho-Eket holds a B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Temple University, a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College, and a Doctorate in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University.

Connect with Dr. Edoho-Eket:

Twitter: @racheledohoeket

Instagram: @the_principals_journey

Youtube: @racheledoho-eket

Linkedin: Rachel Edoho-Eket

Website: https://bio.site/the_principals_journey

Grab Rachel's book here: The Principal's Journey: Navigating the Path to School Leadership

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year!

Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us here

Grab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose

Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideas

Sign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletter

Have a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

And now...about our guest this week on the show:

Frederick Buskey’s purpose is to help school leaders live and lead better. Building on 33 years of k-12 and higher education leadership experience, Frederick provides simple frameworks and tools to improve life and leadership. His new book, A School Leader’s Guide to Reclaiming Purpose, helps leaders master the six steps to move from spending time putting out fires to investing time in growing teachers. Frederick hosts The Assistant Principal Podcast, writes a daily leadership email, and develops short powerful courses for teachers and those who serve them.

Connect with Frederick on LinkedIn

Learn more about Frederick on his website at frederickbuskey.com.

Order your copy of his new book A School Leader's Guide to Reclaiming Purpose

Contact him via email at: [email protected]

Let's get your High Performance Leadership Retreat scheduled today! Reach out to me [email protected] to set up the conversation and get your team on the Road to Awesome for the upcoming year!

Dr. Melinda Vandevort has been an educator for well over 20 years, dedicating herself to shaping the educational landscape. In 2016, she transitioned into administration driven by her passion for professional learning and a desire to empower fellow teachers. Recognizing the need for guidance in the journey from teacher to leader, Melinda is now a career transition coach.

Her commitment to education extends into the digital realm, where she explores the intersection of technology and teaching. In 2019, she launched the Empowered Educator podcast, catering to teachers yearning for professional learning on the go and the desire for transition into leadership. Melinda's insightful discussions cover leadership mindset, career options, and the knowledge needed for a successful transition.

Furthering her mission to empower others, Dr. Melinda Vandevort is the driving force behind the Empowered Pathways Network. This network serves as a dynamic platform for fostering growth in two different paths. The Coaching Path designed for individuals aspiring to embark on a purpose-driven career journey. The Consulting Path designed for educational institutions interested in harnessing data to identify and foster growth within their teaching staff.

Grab Dr. Vandevort's FREEBIE here

Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us here

Grab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose

Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideas

Sign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletter

Have a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

In this special collaborative episode, I'm sitting down with Brian Miller from the Schurtz & Ties Podcast. Brian T Miller is a middle school principal, writer, speaker, and podcaster who is dedicated to building and maintaining healthy school cultures and encouraging all to #DoGreatThings!

For more on this episode, visit Brian's blog here

Interview season is here! And we’d love to help.

Below are a few lessons and tricks we have picked up along the way and share in this episode

• What word or idea do you want your audience to know/think about you and what stories can you share that embody them? Write them down, rehearse them to the windshield, then confidently share them in the interview. Be intentional. It is what your audience will remember most.

• No matter the position you are applying for, show yourself as a leader willing to do and be more than that position. Sure, they need you as an English teacher, but how else might you impact or help the building, the district, or the community? Be the go-to person on something other than the position you are applying for.

• There are things worse than not getting the job . . . getting a job under pretense. Be who you are, fully and confidently. If they love you they’ll hire YOU! Showing up to work and trying to be someone you’re not sounds miserable. Quality educators are not looking for someone to fit in the box. So be confident. Be you.

• Sure, you’re the one sitting in the hot seat, but they also need the position filled. Take the opportunity to learn about the district, the school, and the leaders. Ask some questions, take notes, and ask yourself if YOU want to hire THEM! Not only does this relieve some pressure, but it can also put a little confidence in your spine. And confidence is always attractive.

• Nobody has the perfect resume. And although we don’t want to spend too much time speaking to our weaknesses, it is okay to acknowledge them. But also, and more importantly, it is imperative that we highlight our strengths, talents, and abilities. Again, BE CONFIDENT! Just don’t brag. Instead, share how your badassness will help students, staff, and the community. Use who you are to protect and support others.

• Don’t forget that at the root of all of this are students. They are impacted MOST by your interview for they either get to have you in their building or miss out. So ask about them. Make them the focus. For you, as well as those who are sitting around the table.

• Don’t talk too long. Remember, those sitting at the table will be there all. day. long. Give them little hooks they can hang your answers on, and maybe select one or two questions where you dive a bit deeper. Otherwise, be prepared, and be concise.
• Don’t highlight your weaknesses. You can and should address them, but don’t continually remind your audience of them.
• Don’t speak negatively of previous experiences. Even if they were awful or taught you valuable lessons, you can address them honestly without being destructive. Negative talk about other schools or personnel comes across poorly. Always. Avoid at all costs.
• Don’t ask about $$$. At least not from the gate. We all need to make money and pay bills, so the question isn’t bad, but it shouldn’t be the first. And, probably, HR or a website will answer this question for you.

If you have any questions or would like to chat more, please reach out to Darrin Peppard or Brian T. Miller. We’d love to hear from you and offer whatever guidance we can.

Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us here

Grab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose

Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideas

Sign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletter

Have a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

Got a question for us? Submit it here or hit us up on social media

Episode 128 is a special mid-week collaboration with elementary principal Dominic Armano and high school principal Todd Bloomer. Continuing our special series, Dom, Todd, and I sit down and share our insights on March Madness, not basketball, just simply the craziness that is March in our schools. Listen in as we talk hiring, budget, recruitment and retention, staff support, and more.

Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us here

Grab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose

Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideas

Sign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletter

Have a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

Meghan Lawson is a thought leader who studies and implements the conditions and systems needed for transformational change. A lover of learning who believes in the goodness of people, Meghan works to cultivate spaces that honor the humanity of all people. She promotes storytelling, the exchange of ideas, and risk-taking. She is passionate about disrupting the status quo and creating kinder, forward-thinking communities of action. Meghan is also intensely curious about how to enhance the customer experience in schools. Meghan began her career in the English Language Arts classroom. So, inevitably, her mantra is “Words matter”. She has worked in all levels of K–12 education as a teacher, school administrator, district administrator, and educational consultant.

Connect with Meghan:

X: meghan_lawson

Instagram: MeghanLawsonBlog

Email/contact info:  [email protected]

Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us here

Grab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose

Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideas

Sign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletter

Have a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

Phil Januszewski is a tattoo covered, Netflix baking-show flopping, high-energy chemistry/physics teaching professional speaker.  He is on a mission to create and spread happiness through education, motivation, and entertainment.

Phil is a nationally known dynamic speaker of 10+ years and a public school educator since 2005 with a masters in teaching leadership and a certification in positive education. His personal mission is to empower others to overcome burnout and work towards a more flourishing life.

When not teaching, speaking, or supporting educators, Phil enjoys everyday adventures with his wife and two children and pursuing his personal passions of fitness, baking, networking,  and personal development. If you ever meet Phil, be prepared for a great deal of positive energy, love, and passion.

Connect with Phil on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/philjanuszewski/

https://www.facebook.com/PhilJanuszewskiSpeaks

https://www.tiktok.com/@philjanuszewski

https://twitter.com/philjanuszewski

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9XP-J4f6vdFuY-0WlV27yg

Website: www.PhilJanuszewski.com

Email: [email protected]

Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us here

Grab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose

Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideas

Sign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletter

Have a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

Claire Chandler, President and founder of Talent Boost, deeply believes that leaders shape cultures, and stronger cultures drive greater success. Leveraging 30 years of experience in people leadership, human resources, and business ownership, Claire helps organizations expand their business without losing their best talent using her proven “Growth on Purpose” methodology.

Claire holds a certificate in strategic HR leadership from Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, a master’s degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University. She has appeared as a guest on more than 150 podcasts, is the author of several books on leadership and business strategy, and is a contributing writer for Forbes.

Get Claire's free ebook, The Culture Effect, here

Connect with Claire:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairechandlersphr/

https://www.clairechandler.net

https://www.talentboost.net

Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us here

Grab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose

Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideas

Sign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletter

Have a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here

Dr. Kristina V. Mattis advises statewide educational technology efforts for the California Department of Education, specifically addressing the Closing the Digital Divide Initiative to achieve digital equity. Kristina’s 20+ years in education spans roles from classroom teaching to executive director, and from strategic plan development to leading change and project management across public and private instructional institutions. She is an ESL multilingual speaker and published author. Kristina’s expansive experience and expertise in educational initiatives allow for her collaborative and holistic systems-thinking approach to examine the needs for high-quality equitable access to necessary technologies that propel instructional opportunities and operational effectiveness so that “we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world” as per the CA DOE mission.

Order your copy of Dr. Mattis' book: Guiding Transformational Change in Education

Connect with Dr. Mattis:

Website: www.consulteddevelopment.org 

Twitter: @kristinamattis

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinamattis/

Book Darrin to speak at your school or conference contact us here

Grab your copy of Darrin's FREE e-book Walk in Your Purpose

Check out Darrin's blog for great leadership tips and ideas

Sign up for the Road to Awesome email list and newsletter

Have a book idea you'd like to submit to Road to Awesome? Click here