EdUp Edge K-12

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge Dr. Stacey Gonzales speaks with Loni Bergqvist, a teacher who founded Imagine If which focuses on change-work through project-based learning. She has worked both in the US and internationally.

In this episode, we explore how seeing the "ripples" in education can be viewed to make even larger waves of change. Even though you may not see each ripple at its inception, Loni knows how to make just the right amount of ripples to make large waves in the education space. 

Loni imagines how falling in love with the idea that school can look and feel different is not only a powerful way to change the education system, but it is also a way to make large waves that result in different outcomes. In this dynamic episode, we explore how to “find your tribe,” create a positive leadership culture, and start a global conversation to bring wave-crashing change to education.

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Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales!

Check out our other episodes at The EdUp Edge!

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Contact information for Loni Bergqvist:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loniatimagineif/
• Website: https://www.imagineif.dk/

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge Dr. Stacey Gonzales speaks with Gretchen Kadillak, a mom, author, and self-care coach.

In this episode, Gretchen talks about how to do self-care without the guilt, why getting a “bigger plate” isn’t the answer, and recognizing how to use your voice.

She shares, “What is my why? Where do I need to focus my time and intention? How do I need to be a role model for my children, so they learn to take care of themselves and to learn how to say no, too.”

Thanks so much for tuning in!

Contact us:

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales!

Check out our other episodes at The EdUp Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Contact information for Gretchen Kadillak:

• Website: https://apowerfulyou.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchen-kadillak-b1379220/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/799881107220550/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge Dr. Stacey Gonzales speaks with Dr. Matt Silver, CEO of Pathways Education and creator of Meaningful Mastery.

In this episode, Dr. Silver shares about the coffee shops they build to empower young adults with special needs. He explores the ideas of adding real meaning to project-based learning, building curriculum on the self-determination theory, and the trust model in coaching.

“We create pathways. We don’t wait for them to appear,” he said.

The purpose of Pathways Education is to support young people and their families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and to encourage a change in the existing systems to ensure that young people, regardless of their circumstances, aren’t left behind.

Dr. Matt Silver has also created Meaningful Mastery, a project-based learning curriculum for today's world which has impactful results on schools country-wide.

Thanks so much for tuning in!

Contact us:

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales!

Check out our other episodes at The EdUp Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Contact information for Matt Silver:

• Website: https://www.pathways-ed.org/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-matt-silver-npqel-frsa-078b405a/

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge Dr. Stacey Gonzales speaks with James Bailey and Randy Weiner, respected leaders in education who, together, are on a mission to help improve the lives of educational leaders.

In this episode, Mr. Bailey and Mr. Weiner discuss their recently published book, The Daily SEL Leader: A Guided Journal, which is a first-of-its-kind hybrid resource designed by education leaders for education leaders. They discuss what it means to be a SEL leader, why it’s important to have an emphasis on H2H (human-to-human) relationships, and why it’s critical for students and adults to develop SEL skills together.

James Bailey’s career has encompassed teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, school turnaround leaders, consultant, and superintendent roles.

Randy Weiner has worked in education and education technology and consulting throughout his career.

Thanks so much for tuning in!

Contact us:

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales!

Check out our other episodes at The EdUp Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Contact information for James Bailey and Randy Weiner:

The Daily SEL Leader: A Guided Journal website: https://www.dailysel.com/

Email: info@brasstacksinnovations.com

Website: https://www.brasstacksinnovations.com/

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge Dr. Stacey Gonzales speaks with founder and educator Dr. Ashley Fico. In this episode, Dr. Fico discusses her newest adventure as founder of InnoQuests, an app where people can use exploration as a way of connecting with their communities. As a life-long educator, Ashley uses her knowledge and expertise to increase communication in health contexts and beyond. In this awesome conversation we discuss how aspiring creators can use academic skills to build and design creative experiences and even businesses. Through real-world exploration, Ashely has developed an app to connect communities and individuals where authentic experiences can be shared and explored.

Dr. Ashley Fico, is a researcher, educator, founder, and business owner.

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge Dr. Stacey Gonzales and co-host Morgan Joseph speak with educator and consultant Darlene Axtell. Darlene's admits she is 78 years young and dedicated her career to helping teachers become more effective teachers and creating meaningful moments. She shares the discrimination she faced early on in her career as a young, pregnant teacher. She shares how to create cultures of learning for teachers. Listen in as she shares a beautiful essay she wrote as a young student that inspired her. There won't be a dry eye in the place.

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge Dr. Stacey Gonzales speaks with author and educator Tania Farran. In this episode, Tania discusses her newest book "Raising the Well Adjusted Child: A Parent's Handbook." As a life-long educator and mother, Tania's has taken the many lessons she has learned from both working with children and raising her own to help support parents on this life-long journey. We discuss how everything really is "fixable." Tania's book will teach busy parents how to stay engaged to really lean in, decided what new habits they will create, and how to ensure we nurture each other and our children post-pandemic.

Tania Farran is an author, educational administrator, and a business owner. 

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge Dr. Stacey Gonzales speaks with Greg Schermbeck, founder and president of SchermCo.  In this episode, we discuss the educational system, supporting stakeholders in various ways as schools return and the supports needed to make sure instruction and learning continue to offer responsive options. Listen to the great insights about "ownership" when it comes to students and schools and what "school choice" really means. We also discuss the possibility of a Boys II Men and Springsteen collaboration concert :)

Greg Schermbeck is the founder and principal of SchermCo, a social-impact implementation firm that offers School & Community Support services. Their mission is to work alongside Foundations, Schools, and Nonprofits to achieve audacious results for students & adults. SchermCo has a social-impact focus and works with partners to reinvest 1% of time/funds from each project back into the communities they serve. 

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge Dr. Stacey Gonzales speaks with Michelle Blanchet, educational consultant and author of The Startup Teacher.  In this episode, we discuss the need to reinvent the education system. The Startup Teacher provides educators with an education canvas (modeled after a business canvas) in order to intentionally design creative learning experiences for students. We discuss how polarization is impacting learning in classrooms across the U.S. and the distrust many teachers are facing but lack autonomy. Michelle is an educator striving to improve how we treat, train, and value our teachers. After ten years of experience working with young people, she founded the Educators’ Lab, which supports teacher-driven solutions to educational challenges. 

Michelle earned a master’s in international relations from Instituto de Empresa in Madrid. She has taught social studies in Switzerland and the U.S. and has presented at numerous events, including SXSWedu and TEDxLausanne. Michelle is a part of the Global Shaper Community of the World Economic Forum. She has worked with organizations like PBS Education, the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning, Ashoka, and the Center for Curriculum Redesign. She is the co-author of The Startup Teacher Playbook. Her new book Preventing Polarization: How any teacher can promote civic-mindedness and constructive dialogue is expected to come out Fall of 2021.

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge we talk with Dr. Rhonda Key, Assistant Superintendent.  This week, Dr. Stacey Gonzales and her guest co-host Morgan Joseph, discuss how to Dr. Key has been supporting students for over 30 years. She creates learning environments where students develop respect and joy as Dr. Key helps stretch them beyond what they think is possible. Dr. Key has also built amazing programs which provide real research opportunities in STEM areas for under-represented students.

Grab your headphones. This is one episode you won't want to miss!

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Connect with co-host - Morgan Joseph

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge we talk with Komal Shah, educational consultant and writer.  In this episode, we discuss the need to bring a greater awareness and consciousnesses to the educational system. How Komal realized, early on, as a new educator that the system was killing the creativity and inspiration out of children. She learned to bring performance, creativity and technicality to the design of educational experiences for her students that is built with the belief that she could evolve the educational system. 

Everything that Komal does is from a heart and mindset of bringing a new vision of education to bring a greater awareness and consciousness to each student, every day. She discusses how teachers can bring a greater sense of humanity to the learning experience, not as an add-on but as the center of the student's learning experience. She discusses how policy makers are missing the most important priorities and can learn from those who are creating space for true learning with a focus on consciousness to occur. She welcomes others to help change the narrative around public education to take the next steps and join the collation to be a part of the change movement in education.

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier education podcast! In this amazing episode of The EdUp Edge we hear from Dr. Evisha Ford, Founder of the iCan Dream Center, a private school for exceptional students. Dr. Ford and Dr. Gonzales go one-on-one - in-person - discussing how to build to build a psychologically safe working environment, ways to build an honorable culture that thrives, how to boldly lead as a woman of color, and how to build a culture of social justice.

Dr. Evisha Ford designed the iCan Dream Center to address the recreational, emotional, and post-secondary needs of youth with disabilities along with their families.  She supported the development of other professionals in her role as an Assistant Professor and Special Education Leadership Program Coordinator at Concordia University Chicago, in the Graduate College. In 2015, she accepted the role of Assistant Superintendent in the Posen-Robbins School District where she served successfully through 2019.

Additionally, Dr. Ford serves on the Board of Directors for The New Roseland Community Hospital, HeartLife Ministries and The Cradle Foundation- Sayer Center. She was also appointed as President of the Board for the United Way Blue Island/Robbins Neighborhood Network. In March 2018, Dr. Ford was awarded Woman of the Year by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. In July 2018, she was honored as one of the influential “100 Black Women in Chicago” for her educational contributions. Dr. Ford was recognized by the Professional Women’s Network as a “Community Ignitor” In July 2019. In Winter 2019, she received the Paige Award for her impact within the special needs community.  In her spare time Dr. Ford enjoys traveling with her two sons, scuba diving & participating in book clubs

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge we talk with Ben Suro, principal at Dwight Morrow High School in New Jersey.  This week, Dr. Stacey Gonzales and her guest co-host Jerry Sanchez, discuss how to support students and professionals in his care. At Dwight Morrow, they have successfully implemented mindfulness strategies to support students mental health and wellbeing through the LG Experience Happiness program. This is a wide-ranging discussion on how to make sure we keep students at the center of the work we do on a daily basis.

Principal Ben Suro has an extensive background in public education, with experience in both urban school settings and highly selective magnet school academies. He most recently served as Vice Principal of the S.T.E.M. Academy at John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson in addition to previously working as the District Supervisor of Science for the City of Orange School District, teaching Biology at the prestigious Bergen County Technical Schools and many other relevant positions.Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Connect with co-host - Jerry Sanchez 

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge we talk with Tara O'Brien, Partner at BTS Spark, a coaching organization dedicated to supporting educators.  This week, Dr. Stacey Gonzales discusses the emotional needs of the adult educators, the ways which they can be supported, and how to develop a more socially connected and emotionally supported learning community in our schools. This is a wide-ranging discussion on the implications of emotional supports for our adult educators.

Tara has helped over 13,000 school leaders across the globe which has the potential to make impact on over 7 million children. She works with entire school districts to support professional wellbeing and a sense of togetherness. She helps new and aspiring leaders develop their mindsets and sills for career advancement and longevity from pre-K through university.

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge we talk with Dan Carroll, Founder of Clever,  an educational technology company that simplifies digital learning.  This week, Dr. Stacey Gonzales and her guest co-host, Mike Yates discuss the complexities teachers face using digital tools, designing the organization and platform for equity, and the future of Clever. This is a wide-ranging discussion on the current and future state of technology in education.

Clever was born of co-founder Dan Carroll’s frustration as a school tech director in Denver. His plans to use technology to save teachers time and personalize learning were hindered by countless CSV files and forgotten passwords – he knew software could create new ways to learn, but only if everyone can log in quickly and securely. With a team of former teachers, district administrators and edtech developers, Dan drove Clever to build a single sign-on portal that now helps 65% of U.S. K-12 schools spend more time learning and less time logging in.

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!

Welcome back to America‘s premier K12 education podcast! In this fantastic episode of The EdUp Edge we talk with Dr. Lorea Martinez, Founder of HEART in Mind Consulting and faculty at Columbia University Teachers College.  Dr. Gonzales and Dr. Martinez go one-on-one discussing supporting adult SEL in education, supporting students SEL, how to practice good mental/emotional health, and how to build good SEL skills.  This is a wide-ranging discussion on the current and future state of SEL in education and you'll hear about the amazing work Dr. Martinez is doing to help educators across the world.

Dr. Lorea Martinez is the award-winning Founder of HEART in Mind Consulting, a company dedicated to helping schools and organizations integrate social emotional learning in their practices, products, and learning communities. Dr. Martínez is a faculty member at Columbia University Teachers College, educating aspiring principals in Emotional Intelligence. Previously, she was a special education teacher and administrator.

Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next time for another episode!  Contact Us!

Connect with the host - Dr. Stacey Gonzales

Check out our other episodes at The Ed Up Edge!

Join the EdUp community at The EdUp Experience!