Skip to main content
Can't Make This Up

Can't Make This Up

By Matthew Joseph

Educators are driven, intelligent, and creative. We go 100 miles an hour and have to schedule our bathroom breaks. We talk about lessons, data, and all sorts of Buzz words. We also have stories people outside the profession would not believe. We say, "You can't make this up." This podcast dives into those untold stories in education meant to make you laugh or shake your head...or BOTH.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

E11: Lizardpops with Jillian DuBois

Can't Make This UpDec 20, 2020

00:00
20:45
Kicking off 2022 with Joseph Jones and T.J. Vari

Kicking off 2022 with Joseph Jones and T.J. Vari

Learn all about Joseph and T.J. here https://theschoolhouse302.com/about-the-school-house-302/

Jan 02, 202218:54
S2 Ep 1: Xello CEO Jeff Harris

S2 Ep 1: Xello CEO Jeff Harris

Jeff Harris is the president and co-founder of Xello. Upon graduating with a degree in economics, Jeff realized that he hadn't given serious consideration to his future beyond university. Looking around, he found his fellow graduates in a similar predicament. This experience sparked research and exploration that led to collaboration on a vision for what would become Xello. As president and co-founder of Xello, Jeff has spent over 25 years dedicated to helping educators make their students future-ready.

Click here to learn more

Visit: @xellofuture to follow them on Twitter.

What makes Xello stand apart is that while they are about "college and career readiness," they're really more focused on "future readiness." Some districts begin using the program as early as elementary school. Unlike many college readiness platforms, Xello tries to help ALL students, regardless of whether or not they are on the 4-year college track. Perhaps their future might be better served by exploring a trade program, associate's degree or military -- the point is about engaging a student in envisioning their future, and equipping them with the tools to successfully get there. The founders started Xello because they graduated from college with no idea what to do next. So they're trying to help all students envision and plan in advance to ensure their best futures.

Oct 25, 202125:36
E38: ABC Gum with Phil Stringer
Sep 27, 202122:53
E37: Doug Roberts Shares his Impact on Education and The Power of Karaoke

E37: Doug Roberts Shares his Impact on Education and The Power of Karaoke

Doug Roberts, Founder and CEO, Institute for Education Innovation

Doug has worked with leading ed-tech entrepreneurs and district administrators for almost 20 years, developing partnerships that improve outcomes for students and help nascent organizations get their "sea legs."

As Founder and President of Educational Solutions Consulting, Doug found that there was a piece of the puzzle missing, a barrier between those who run school districts and those who start companies to help school districts. He partnered with some of the nation's most innovative educational leaders to form IEI to bridge that gap.

A Princeton graduate, Doug is a former public high school social studies teacher and ed-tech business development executive who earned his Ed.M. in Teaching and Curriculum from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

About IEI: https://www.instituteforedinnovation.com/about

The Institute for Education Innovation, an organization that serves as the bridge between district leaders and organizations driving change to support the greatest challenges in K-12 education, announced the inaugural Supes' Choice Awards in August 2021.Supes' Choice Awards

As the only industry award judged exclusively by school district superintendents, Supes’ Choice is an opportunity for education companies to not only showcase their products but also to secure the undivided attention of superintendents across the nation.

More info: https://instituteforedinnovation.hubspotpagebuilder.com/supes-choice-awards-2021


Follow IEI at: @IEI_K12

Follow Doug at: @DougRoberts_IEI

Sep 17, 202128:17
E36: Wardrobe Malfunction with Dr. Chris Jones

E36: Wardrobe Malfunction with Dr. Chris Jones

Chris Jones has been an educator in Massachusetts for 22 years.  He has just finished his 14th year as a building administrator.  True to his "why" of improving the educational experience for as many people as possible, he is currently the Principal of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School in Whitman, Massachusetts.

Chris is passionate about continuous improvement and the idea that success is not a destination, but a process.  Chris is a teacher-centered Principal and his beliefs around the importance of a positive work environment, continuous growth, and a healthy family work-life integration can be seen in the presentations/workshops he has given for the Massachusetts School Administrators Association (MSAA), Massachusetts Computer Using Educators (MassCUE), Massachusetts Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (MASCD), the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP); and his participation in the Better Leaders Better Schools Mastermind group.

Chris is described by his past Superintendent as being “...wholly invested in the success of the school…a creative problem-solver who is able to deliberate yet be decisive, be creative yet accountable…calm and clear-headed even under the most trying of times…has built a strong collaborative and collegial school culture…he is a positive influence on teachers, teaching, and learning.”  Having been a guest on multiple podcasts, Chris also blogs, is active on Twitter, and vlogs on a weekly basis as a way to reflect on his progress, share his story, and get others to think about different perspectives.  His overarching goal is to positively model continuous improvement in all facets of life by being purposeful, acting with integrity, and building character.

Links

Twitter: @DrCSJones

Insta: @drcsjones

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChristopherJonesDr

Professional Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCSJones/

Blog: drcsjones.blog

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ggQyKZrXSOoiQ3TH6WCBq?si=8RtDBTYhSr-A46P6z8407A&dl_branch=1

Aug 26, 202122:37
E35 Lisa Toebben shows she will anything for students

E35 Lisa Toebben shows she will anything for students

Lisa Toebben is a wife, mom, and teacher who resides in rural Missouri. She has taught in grades K-12 in the Special Education Applied Setting as well as the co-teaching setting. She found herself in teacher burnout in 2018 and has since relit her passion for teaching through instilling soul fuel habits into her day.  She loves to share her enthusiasm and passion for life by helping others learn to sift through their overwhelm so they can shift it into purpose driven action to enable them to elevate their vibe and not just survive.  Through creating a magical action planning system, soon to be published by Road to Awesome LLC., Lisa has become a podcast host of the SheELEVATES Podcast, blogger, public speaker, and is currently working on her Personal Training License so she can coach others how to build and maintain a healthy lifestyle.  She is a firm believer that the root to success professionally and personally stems from building a solid foundation for oneself through a healthy maintainable lifestyle. She is on a mission to elevate others by inspiring and providing action driven tools  to start messy and go for it.

Twitter: @teach_n_boots

Instagram: lisa_toebben

Podacst: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-elevates/id1528179238

Jul 08, 202119:25
E34: Matthew J Bowerman shares a truly "stinky" situation
Jun 24, 202116:40
E33 - A situation you don't wnt to be in as a new teacher wit Casey Jakubowski

E33 - A situation you don't wnt to be in as a new teacher wit Casey Jakubowski

#teamdynamics consulting; #keynote speaker conflict management; Education policy; Civics Educator; Leadership and life coaching

Colonie, NY Website: ctjakubowski.weebly.com

Jun 19, 202119:05
E32: Adam Bold Survives his conversations with students

E32: Adam Bold Survives his conversations with students

Adam Bold (@MrBold05)

Husband, Father, Instructional Equity Coach, Educator, Gamification, Genius Hour, Design Thinking, Flipgrid&Waklete Ambassador, Presenter, aspiring administrator!

Jun 01, 202112:26
E31: Dominic Armano Getting taken to school by 3rd grader

E31: Dominic Armano Getting taken to school by 3rd grader

Dominic Armano (@DominicArmano) is a proud educator, a loving husband and father, and a public school

advocate.

Dominic has an undergraduate degree in elementary education and graduate degrees in both

special education and school district leadership. He currently works as an assistant principal at

P.S. 84, Steinway Elementary School in New York.


Through his years as an assistant principal, Dominic has become passionate about social-

emotional learning and has had the opportunity to highlight and build upon ongoing programs


that help promote a positive culture for students, staff and the community. Dominic has started


several initiatives that promote respect and focus on bully prevention, intimidation and bias-

based harassment. As a result, his school was awarded the “Respect for All” award for the 2018-


2019 school year.

As an educator, he feels that every child deserves to have fun, feel excited to learn and is happy

to go to school. His main goal is to develop programs that encourage schools to educate children

through a social-emotional pathway that creates a healthy school climate. He believes that by

doing this, you strengthen the core of instruction and build a community of eager, enthusiastic

and passionate learners.

Dominic was appointed to the Board of Trustees for the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying

in 2018 and was inducted into the New York Academy of Public Education in 2019.

Dominic loves spending time with his family and closest friends. He currently lives on Long

Island with his wife Sara and their daughter, soon to be big sister, Maria.

May 28, 202117:51
E30: Becky Lin Breaks some bad news to a 3rd grader
May 24, 202116:09
E29: Day Dancing with Sandra Donaghue

E29: Day Dancing with Sandra Donaghue

Current Role:  Elementary Principal

An educator with Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board in Mississauga ON, Canada for 26 years

Passionate about learning, innovating, mentoring and servant leadership

Instructor working for our Provincial Principal association (CPCO) instructing future leaders in obtaining their Principal Qualifications for over 10 years

Contributor to Professional Connections Leadership Magazine for our CPCO Association

Former Roles:  Kindergarten, Gr. 1,5,7 & Special Education & ESL teacher, Special Education Consultant, Vice-Principal

Current Projects & Passions:  Vlogging, Writing, Journalling, Connecting with equity & innovative minded educators across the globe

Social Presence:  Twitter: @sandra_donaghue & @StMargaretDP     YouTube: sandradonaghue

Apr 13, 202114:22
E28: With Bee Keeper Dr. Kevin Leichtman
Apr 05, 202115:47
E27: You did what with a stapler Andrew J. Canlé
Apr 01, 202113:43
E26: The parent did what? With Charles Williams
Mar 07, 202117:01
E25: With Michelle N. Moore "Yes Mr. Superintendent, YOU have to wear mask too"
Feb 25, 202115:01
E24: Holy Cow, is that a cow? with Lori Koerner
Feb 07, 202112:54
E23: Is that a fire truck? With Bobbie French
Feb 03, 202113:08
E22: What was your name? With Michelle Blanchet
Jan 29, 202109:09
E21: Barbara Bray reminds us why we never leave a video camera around
Jan 23, 202113:05
E19: Kids say the Darnedest Things with Darrin M Peppard
Jan 19, 202114:28
E 20: Bag on Stick with Chad M. LeDune
Jan 15, 202117:16
E18: The F word with Lindsay Titus

E18: The F word with Lindsay Titus

She has been in the field of education for 15 years now! She is a certified general and special education teacher for students birth through sixth grade and a board-certified behavior analyst, licensed in New York State. She has experience as a K-2 self-contained teacher, and in addition, she has worked for a residential program, a not-for-profit learning agency, and an in-home private ABA company. Most recently She is a K-12 Behavior Specialist for a local district in Rochester, NY.  She is also the CEO and founder of DEFINE YOUniversity, an educational coaching company focused on training educators to define who they are so they can bring all of who they are into the classroom and into their life with confidence every day!


Follow her at: @ltitus828

Check out her website: https://www.defineyouniversity.com/

Jan 11, 202111:41
E17 Sharing Stories with Jim Hambel
Jan 09, 202117:29
E 16: Bathroom stories always make us laugh with Daphne McMenemy
Jan 06, 202117:26
E15: Oh the fun of bikes with Dr. Chris Hobbs

E15: Oh the fun of bikes with Dr. Chris Hobbs

 Director of Athletics @tkalions 2019, @varsitybrands Natn’l HS AD of the Year, 2018

@coach_ad top 40 under 40 Sport Leader

From Royal Palm Beach, FL


Check out Dr. Hobbs' work here: bitedownanddontletgo.blogspot.com/?m=1

Jan 03, 202118:40
E14: "What" did she say with 𝐵𝓇𝒶𝒹𝓁𝑒𝑒 𝒲. 𝒮𝓀𝒾𝓃𝓃𝑒𝓇
Jan 01, 202119:46
E13 - You won't beLEAF how Dr. Frank Rudnesky came back from a fire drill #BeEpic
Dec 29, 202021:51
E12: Going fishing with Traci Nicole Smith
Dec 22, 202020:14
E11: Lizardpops with Jillian DuBois
Dec 20, 202020:45
E10: You Get what you pay for with Bonnie Nieves
Dec 18, 202015:58
E9: Might be too HOT for you with Kellie Bahri
Dec 15, 202017:25
E8: Abby French reminds us to always preview a video

E8: Abby French reminds us to always preview a video

Today I talk with #TheEduSisters Abigail French (@awfrench1) who is an advocate of Public Education, an amplifier of stories, explorer of the Natural World. Teacher. Presenter. Coach. #ELASCDClass2020. @UnisonEDU.

Check out all her amazing work at @awfrench1

Dec 14, 202016:02
E7 Takes Flight with Dr. Brandon Beck

E7 Takes Flight with Dr. Brandon Beck

Dr. Brandon Beck is the author of Unlocking Unlimited Potential: Understanding the Infinite Power Within to Guide Any Student Toward Success. He is a  National Board Certified teacher and also holds a Doctorate in  Educational Leadership. His primary purpose as an educator and teacher  leader is a simple one: “To inspire people (adults and children) to have  faith in themselves and believe in their inner genius.”


Connect with Dr. Beck at https://brandonbeckedu.com/ and follow him at @BrandonBeckEDU

Dec 05, 202017:53
E6: Somethings you Never want to forget with Mike R. Earnshaw
Dec 03, 202011:60
E5: Will Make you FLIP with Josh Buckley
Dec 01, 202013:38
E4: Your order is up with Rob Elia
Nov 27, 202011:51
E3: Craig Shapiro Treating his students to some Gangsta Rap

E3: Craig Shapiro Treating his students to some Gangsta Rap

Craig Shapiro (@Shapiro_WTHS) is a 30-year educator. He is a Health and Physical Education teacher, who always posts about fitness, nutrition, and all things wellness related.  He is driven to help fellow educators. Check him out on Twitter or his website at https://cmsdreambig.com/

Nov 22, 202008:51
E2: Extra time? Not on my watch with Hedreich Nichols
Nov 15, 202007:52
Episode 1: Here we go - Baby we are kicking off Podcast

Episode 1: Here we go - Baby we are kicking off Podcast

In this intro episode, I share a story about my first parent conference. Oh, "baby," it was a surprise

Nov 06, 202008:47