Leaning into Leadership

Maria Barrera is the founder of Clayful, a company on a mission to help kids build the skills and resilience to tackle anything that comes their way. Clayful is saving some pilot spots for the Leading into Leadership Podcast community! To learn more go to clayful.co/leadership.

Throughout her career in education, technology, and human resources, she has always been focused on solving big problems in complex systems. Now, she is tackling the biggest problem of all - the mental health crisis. 

Maria's dedication to helping others is rooted in her own experiences. She ran her first coaching session when she was just 15, and has always found joy in coaching others through everyday life stressors and challenges. Her passion for education led her to start a tutoring company while getting her engineering degrees at Stanford University, and to working with thousands of districts as a member of the founding team at Nearpod. 

With Clayful, Maria is bringing together education, technology, and healthcare in a way that is helping kids improve their mental wellness, regardless of socio-economic status.

Connect with Maria and Clayful on social media:

linkedin.com/in/maria-barrera-42033427/ 

twitter.com/mariabarrera__

instagram.com/clayfulhealth 

twitter.com/clayfulhealth

facebook.com/clayfulhealth

Get your autographed copy of Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader 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

Want PD that's like a Master Class for Teachers? Connect with Peer Driven PD at Connect with Peer Driven PD at https://peerdrivenpd.com/ to learn more. Make sure you tell them the Leaning into Leadership podcast sent you and get your FREE trial access!

Aaron Keith Hawkins is an author, motivational leadership and success keynote speaker, and personal performance mentor. He's an internationally recognized podcast host, and has been featured as a subject matter expert on dozens of podcasts, radio shows, and other media outlets.

Aaron is a retired Police Captain with decades of leadership experience. He's been a teacher, mentor, coach and speaker since the 1990’s. Aaron holds a Master's Degree in Administrative Leadership with a focus on Professional Coaching from the University of Oklahoma, he's a certified NLP Practitioner, and is a proud alumnus of the 255th session of the invitation-only FBI National Academy where he engaged in advanced leadership studies alongside his fellow hand-picked delegates from dozens of countries.

As is often the case, Aaron's believes his greatest education has come from life itself, including fatherhood, and his journey of marriage to his best friend and wife, Cathy, with whom he’s been sharing life since 1996. His book Million Dollar Influence gives actionable and research-backed insights on create life-changing connection, trust, and impact in your business and life. Grab a copy today, read it, then share with a friend. 

Connect with Aaron at https://aaronkeithhawkins.com/ or email him at [email protected]

Get your autographed copy of Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader 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

Michelle Osterhoudt is a wife, mother, and 24-year educator and community leader.  Active in civil rights work within her community, Michelle serves as the Vice President of the Oneonta Area NAACP. Michelle has also served on the Commission on Community Relations and Human Rights for the City of Oneonta and was the first African American Council member for the city of Oneonta serving the 4th Ward. A project Michelle is most proud of is her Collaboration with Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown and Dr. Eddy Franciso Alvarez of SUNY Oneonta, to create grades 6-12 draft ELA Curriculum for the original libretto "Stomping Grounds," by Paige Hernandez and Victor Simonson. This project fused hip hop culture and music with Opera in the classroom. The project was one of many that focused on her teaching style of addressing issues of social justice in the classroom. She continues to lead through a social justice lens, ensuring equity and access for students. Currently, Michelle enjoys her role as Superintendent of Margaretville Central School District.

Connect with Michelle: Twitter Facebook Instagram

Check out Michelle's Journalist Portfolio

Get your autographed copy of Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader 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

Brian T. Miller is a husband, father of five, reader, writer, blogger, public speaker, podcaster, and proud principal of Chief Joseph Elementary. Samwise Gamge is his hero.

Check out Brian's Schurtz & Ties podcast here

Connect with Brian:

Website: Millerbrian.com

Facebook: Brian T. Miller

Twitter: @Miller_brian_ or @SchurtzandTies

TikTok: miller_brian_

Get your autographed copy of Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader here

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

Grab your copy of Walk in Your Purpose here

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

Welcome to a special mid-week episode of Leaning into Leadership. I was once an aspiring administrator and know how challenging the job search process can be. As someone who believes so strongly in supporting and coaching early career leaders, I think these mid-week episodes (and yes, there will be more) can have a great impact on those just starting or getting ready to start a career in leadership.

On this episode, I will share three tips for aspiring leaders to consider.

1. Think about the opportunities that may exist in your prospective new role and district.
2. Think about the fit of the community and school in your prospective new role and district.
3. Think about the support you'll be getting in your prospective new role and district.

Grab a copy of Robert Breyer's book, Taking the Leap

Got questions, contact Darrin at [email protected]

Jamin Heppell is the a co-creator and leadership coach of Mountains and Marathons, which is a revolutionary leadership development company that focuses on holistic transformation and completes each program with an epic physical challenge, such as running a marathon or climbing a mountain in iconic locations around the world.

Jamin’s clients have included senior executives of Fortune 500 companies, leaders of international non-profits, founders of multi-million dollar start-ups, leaders in Network Marketing companies, ex-military, industry leaders of real-estate, stay-at-home Mom’s and everyone in between.

Jamin has been traveling and living nomadically for the last 5 years, visiting and living in over 40 countries and spending most of his time in Asia, Africa and Central America. Jamin has ran a marathon in 6 continents, climbed Mt Everest Base Camp in Nepal, summited Mt Kilimanjaro 8 times, completed 3 ultramarathons, and is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the world's highest obstacle course race. Jamin is passionate about adventure, authentic relating, healing generational trauma, and exploring what it means to be a leader in this moment in time.

Connect with Jamin: Instagram Jamin - @jaminheppell

Instagram MM - @mountainsandmarathons

Facebook Jamin  - /jamin.heppell

FB MM - /mountainsandmarathons

LinkedIn Jamin - /jamin-heppell

Linkedin MM - https://www.linkedin.com/company/13673941/

Website - www.mountainsandmarathons.world/australia23

Get your autographed copy of Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader here

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

Grab your copy of Walk in Your Purpose here

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

Hal Bowman can see the future, and he is determined to do all he can to change it for the better, one life at a time. He is certain that schools are the key to a better world down the road. “Every school can be a phenomenal school” is his mantra, and it shows in his actions. Most days, you are likely to find him with his shirtsleeves rolled up and doing at least one thing to make it so. He is constantly mulling over the possibilities while designing programs, road maps, and materials to help make it happen. Hal has dedicated his life to helping the nation’s best teachers and schools reach a new level of excellence.

Hal's book recommendations:

Scott Galloway: Adrift in America

Richard Reeves: Of Boys and Men

William Farrell: The Boy Crisis

Check out Hal:

YouTube, Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Men in Education FB Group

Email Hal: [email protected]

Get your autographed copy of Road to Awesome: The Journey of a Leader now!!

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

Grab your copy of Walk in Your Purpose here

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

Professional learning for leaders doesn’t have to be a mystery. As leaders there are times when learning alongside your staff is very important. You have to know what is expected of them and what strategies and processes should be evident in the classroom. However, we often overlook professional learning specifically for leaders designed to help them be…BETTER LEADERS. This is what we do at Road to Awesome. Working with leadership teams to be their most effective and efficient, one on one coaching for leaders, collaborative leader cohorts, or specific and job-embedded supports each have their own specific processes. I want to work with you to support YOU, your TEAM, or your district on growing leaders to their peak level of performance.

Mark Herschberg is the author of The Career Toolkit: Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You and creator of the Brain Bump app. From tracking criminals and terrorists on the dark web to creating marketplaces and new authentication systems, Mark has spent his career launching and developing new ventures at startups and Fortune 500s and in academia, with over a dozen patents to his name. He helped to start the Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program, dubbed MIT’s “career success accelerator,” where he teaches annually.

Catch Mark on Social Media:

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

https://www.instagram.com/thecareertoolkit/

https://www.facebook.com/TheCareerToolkitBook

https://twitter.com/CareerToolkitBk

Contact Mark: https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com/contact

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

Grab your copy of Walk in Your Purpose here

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

Professional learning for leaders doesn’t have to be a mystery. As leaders there are times when learning alongside your staff is very important. You have to know what is expected of them and what strategies and processes should be evident in the classroom. However, we often overlook professional learning specifically for leaders designed to help them be…BETTER LEADERS. This is what we do at Road to Awesome. Working with leadership teams to be their most effective and efficient, one on one coaching for leaders, collaborative leader cohorts, or specific and job-embedded supports each have their own specific processes. I want to work with you to support YOU, your TEAM, or your district on growing leaders to their peak level of performance.

Thomas Annunziata is the Director of Student Activities at Freedom High School in Woodbridge, Virginia. Mr. Annunziata is a 3-time Teacher of the Year and recent addition to the Freedom Eagles Administration team. In the short time since accepting the role as Freedom’s Activities Director in August , Mr. Annunziata has brought Wrestling, Swim, Golf, and Baseball back to the school expanding the opportunities available to the students. He continues to look for ways to increase opportunities for students to succeed through athletics and clubs, increasing their involvement in the school, to truly make Freedom HS a place where Eagles Soar. 

Follow Thomas on Twitter: @Mr_Annunziata

Grab your copy of Walk in Your Purpose here

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

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

Professional learning for leaders doesn’t have to be a mystery. As leaders there are times when learning alongside your staff is very important. You have to know what is expected of them and what strategies and processes should be evident in the classroom. However, we often overlook professional learning specifically for leaders designed to help them be…BETTER LEADERS. This is what we do at Road to Awesome. Working with leadership teams to be their most effective and efficient, one on one coaching for leaders, collaborative leader cohorts, or specific and job-embedded supports each have their own specific processes. I want to work with you to support YOU, your TEAM, or your district on growing leaders to their peak level of performance.

John VanDusen is currently an 8th grade U.S. History teacher in Kingsford, Michigan where he also enjoys coaching football and being involved in his church along with his wife and son. John served as a military police and infantry platoon leader in Baghdad, Iraq. When he returned, he began his teaching and coaching career while continuing with the military. He is also an instructor in the Army reserves where he teaches Army Majors masters level courses as part of their professional military education.

In his free time, you can often find John hanging out with his wife or trekking through the woods, riding his four-wheeler, or taking the boat out enjoying nature with his son.

John's book: Lesson 1: Leveraging Leadership in Everyday Life

Website: www.johnvandusen.com

Check out John's YouTube channel as well for all kinds of great stuff!!

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

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

Professional learning for leaders doesn’t have to be a mystery. As leaders there are times when learning alongside your staff is very important. You have to know what is expected of them and what strategies and processes should be evident in the classroom. However, we often overlook professional learning specifically for leaders designed to help them be…BETTER LEADERS. This is what we do at Road to Awesome. Working with leadership teams to be their most effective and efficient, one on one coaching for leaders, collaborative leader cohorts, or specific and job-embedded supports each have their own specific processes. I want to work with you to support YOU, your TEAM, or your district on growing leaders to their peak level of performance.