Mission Driven With Dr. AC Cristales

On this episode of Mission Driven, author and speaker A.C. Cristales is joined by educational leader and assistant principal, Lauren Gladu. In this episode, Lauren shares some of the things she has put into place on her campus that the support social and emotional learning of her high school students. This is an episode that will provide educators with tips on how they can support their students during these trying times that most of the world is dealing with due to COVID-19. Lauren also shares some words of advice for students. For more information about what Lauren is doing on her campus, you can reach her on Google number 708-808-0513, email her at [email protected] or on TikTok @laureng94. Also, you can contact A.C. for more information if needed at http://acspeaks.com.

On this episode of Mission Driven, author and speaker A.C. Cristales is joined by Durale Harper and Jeff Marcel, the founders of D & J Empowerment Group. D & J Empowerment Group is more than just about motivating people. "They want to provide people with the tools and knowledge to sustain it and help elevate their lives into new heights." In this episode, Durale and Jeff share a bit of their life experiences and how they led them to form an empowerment group and a non-profit organization that is committed to impacting lives.  For more information about D & J Empowerment Group, visit their website, http://djempowerment.com and their non-profit organization's website is http://straightupnation.org You can also contact A.C. for more information, if needed.

On this episode of the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales talks about the power of self-reflection and shares his entrepreneurial journey of being a keynote speaker. A.C. shares some of his experiences, both good and bad, that have led him to where he is now. This is an honest and raw conversation that will empower you on your journey of pursuing your goals and dreams. It is important to reflect where you are in life because it is only through self-reflection that you realize the things you should be grateful for, and also the changes that must occur in your life to take it to the next level. For as Socrates once said, "The unexamined life is not worth living."  For more information about A.C., visit his website, http://acspeaks.com

On this episode of Mission Driven, author and speaker A.C. Cristales talks about the untimely death of Kobe Bryant and why it impacted him, and also about the passing of one of his former students. "What is your life? It is just a vapor, appearing for a little while, and then vanishing."

On this episode of Mission Driven, author and speaker A.C. Cristales is joined by Dr. Elaine Vallie, middle school teacher in Texas. In this episode, Dr. Vallie shares about several educators who impacted her life, and also about her dissertation study on Middle School Librarians' Perceptions and Promotion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) books. This is an episode that will challenge educators to ask themselves whether or not their campus or classroom is welcoming to students who may have beliefs and values that are opposed to theirs. Dr. Vallie shares insightful information about why it is imperative to provide support to these students. If we truly believe, "every child, every day," then it is important that our daily interactions with all students reflect that. For more information about Dr. Elaine Vallie, you can follow her on Twitter at @KEVallie_Read7. Also, you can contact A.C. for more information if needed at http://acspeaks.com

On this episode of Mission Driven, author and speaker A.C. Cristales is joined by Dr. Adam Saenz, author of the best selling book, The Power of a Teacher, and also the developer of the Educator Assessment of Social and Emotional Learning (EASEL), which is a measure of personality and emotional intelligence that is central to the work and curriculum associated with his new book, The EQ Intervention: Shaping a Self-Aware Generation Through Social and Emotional Learning. He currently serves as the clinical director of the Oakwood Collaborative, the counseling and assessment clinic he founded in 2003.  In this episode, Adam shares about how his life was impacted by teachers, provides details about his new book, and the importance of self-care for educators. This is an episode where you will want to take notes on all the wisdom that Adam provides. His new book can be purchased on Amazon. For more information about Dr. Adam Saenz, visit his website, http://appliedeqgroup.com. Also, you can contact A.C. for more information if needed.

On this episode of Mission Driven, author and speaker A.C. Cristales is joined by Josh Tovar, principal of Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas. Socorro High School currently enrolls over 2,400 students, and what Josh and his staff have done to make sure that every student feels that they are cared for is nothing short of spectacular. In this episode, Josh opens up a bit about his journey to become principal, and also about how schools of today can utilize social media platforms to showcase the positive things that students and staff are doing. This is an episode where you will want to take notes on what you can use on your own campus to create a culture that will lead to success for all of its stakeholders.  And it all begins with how much you value your students. As Josh likes to say, "kids don't care how much know until they know how much you care." For more information about Josh Tovar and Socorro High School, follow him on Twitter at Socorro_HS. Also, you can contact A.C. for more information if needed. Visit A.C. at his website, http://acspeaks.com

On the first episode of 2020 for the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales talks about taking ownership of your life and future. Using some dialogue from the film, The Godfather Part II, A.C. provides 3 steps that you can use today to take ownership of your future.  You only have one life. Don't spend it living someone else's dreams or plans for your life. This is an episode where you will want to take notes and one you'll definitely want to share with a friend. It is packed with wisdom to help you own your future in 2020. For more information about A.C., check out his website, http://acspeaks.com

On this episode of the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales talks about the importance of optimism for your personal and professional growth. Using a few lines of dialogue from the film, The Godfather, A.C. outlines 3 ways optimism can help you on your journey of success. Some of you are not reaching your goals because of pessimistic thoughts. This is an episode where you will want to take notes and one you'll definitely want to share with a friend. It is packed with wisdom to help you crush your goals because when you're optimistic, you'll find a way to see opportunity, even in the midst of difficulties. For more information about A.C., check out his website, http://acspeaks.com

On this episode of the Mission Driven Podcast, author and speaker A.C. Cristales is joined by Destiny Chavarria, Educational Specialist at the Region 17 Education Service Center in Lubbock, Texas.  Destiny works with Migrant Education, which has the goal to ensure that all migrant students reach challenging academic standards and graduate with a high school diploma (or complete a GED), and also that the students are prepared to be responsible citizens in our communities, are prepared to further their learning, and are prepared for productive employment. In this episode, Destiny shares how she builds capacity not only with migrant students, but also with parents. She details the power of communicating with parents so that they are aware of all the opportunities and resources to support them and their children. This is an episode where you will want to take notes on what you can utilize to strengthen your parent/school relationships. It is packed with information to assist you to better serve your students and parents so that they are set up to succeed academically and personally. For more information about Destiny, contact A.C. and he will provide you with Destiny's information. Visit A.C. at his website, http://acspeaks.com