Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast

What happens when students are not just disengaged, but quietly deciding school is too hard, too boring, or too risky to try? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Katie Powell, Director of Middle Level Programs for AMLE, to unpack the realities of middle school learning, the brain science behind engagement, and how teachers can better support students who struggle with boredom, frustration, and task avoidance. About Katie Powell Katie Powell is the Director for Middle Level Programs for AMLE and author of the books Boredom Busters and Frustration Busters. As part of her role with AMLE, Katie works closely with schools, districts, and affiliate organizations through the Successful Middle School book study, assessment, and Schools of Distinction programs as well as providing professional development and coaching on a variety of middle grades topics. Follow Katie Powell Website: teachbeyondthedesk.comTwitter (X): @beyond_the_deskInstagram: @teach_beyond_the_deskLinkedin: katiepo

Recorded live at NCMLE, Joshua Stamper sits down with Charlie Peck, Gretchen Bridgers, and Vernon Wright to talk about their presentations, their current projects, and the power of connection at a conference built on learning and community. Charlie shares practical tools for addressing anxiety and avoidance, Gretchen focuses on the essentials of instruction, and Vernon explores influence, action, and what it means to be a coachable leader. About Charle Peck Charle Peck is the co-creator of Thriving School Community, a revolutionary program designed for schools to improve mental health. She holds an MS in Education and an MS in Social Work as a 20+ year veteran in education (K-12). As a global keynote speaker, she delivers powerful messages of hope to educators and facilitates meaningful professional development. Charle successfully equips school staff with practical tools to mitigate teacher burnout and the youth mental health crisis providing relief to schools all across the country. Her unique lens as a h

What if the key to unlocking social emotional learning for your students has been playing in their earbuds all along? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with David Spellman, also known as the Positive Archer, an unorthodox educator who built a unique book and curriculum called Just Like Music: Social Emotional Learning Inspired by Hip Hop after years of recognizing a deep disconnect between the SEL strategies schools were using and the students they were trying to reach. David unpacks the powerful connection between the five elements of hip hop and the core competencies of social emotional learning, walking through how his curriculum uses hip hop lyrics from artists like Common, Jay Electronica, and A Tribe Called Quest to teach self-awareness, relationship skills, reading comprehension, and so much more. Each chapter of the curriculum is structured as a workshop built around a city, an artist, a lyric, and activities that bring SEL to life in a culturally responsive and deeply eng

Recorded live at the NCMLE Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, Joshua sits down on the conference floor with two dynamic educational leaders, speakers, and authors, Frederick Buskey and Dr. Brandi Kelly. Frederick shares his work building a Leadership Excellence Network in partnership with the North Carolina Middle Level Education Association and dives into his conference presentation on the Motivation Equation, a framework that moves leaders and teachers from a place of judgment to curiosity when students or staff aren't showing up the way we expect. Dr. Brandi Kelly shares the heart behind her book and her powerful session, Leading with Hope: A Blueprint for Resilient Leadership, unpacking her HOPE framework of Habits, Optimistic Outlook, Purpose, and Excellence, and why cultivating hope is the key to addressing the leadership crisis in education today. About Frederick Buskey: Frederick is the founder of Strategic Leadership Consulting, and the host of The Assistant Principal Podcast. He is passion

What if the reason so many young students struggle in the classroom has nothing to do with behavior, laziness, or defiance, and everything to do with emerging executive functions that have simply not been taught yet? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper welcomes back two familiar faces, executive functioning expert Mitch Weathers and primary educator and researcher Sarah Oberle, to celebrate the release of their brand new co-authored book Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom: Promoting Self-Regulation for a Strong Start. Mitch and Sarah share the story behind the book, including how Sarah tracked Mitch down through a contact form after realizing his first book, which covered grades three through twelve, left primary teachers without the tools they desperately needed for the youngest learners in the building. Together they explain why working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility look completely different in a five, six, or seven year old, and why what looks like defiance or inat

What does it take to truly engage a middle schooler, build a classroom where every student feels like they belong, and sustain yourself as a leader for the long haul? In this second bonus episode recorded live at the NCMLE Moving the Middle Forward Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, Joshua Stamper brings you three more energizing conversations straight from the conference floor, sponsored by New Horizons Global. First, Joshua sits down with educator, speaker, and author Katie Powell to talk about her two books, Boredom Busters and Frustration Busters, and the powerful message from her conference sessions on why lack of motivation is not a behavior problem. Katie unpacks the psychology behind task avoidance and work resistance, shares why empowering students with agency and classroom jobs can transform the culture of a room, and explains how teachers can build engagement strategies that honor both student needs and their own frustration in the process. Next, Joshua connects with the high energy Ronell

What does it look like when a third grade STEM teacher from Houston uses comedy, creativity, and storytelling to pull back the curtain on the real life of an educator and build a community that refuses to feel alone?  In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with educator, podcaster, and doctoral student Brandon Jenkins to talk about the power of authentic storytelling in education and why laughter might be one of the most underrated tools in our profession. Brandon shares how social media became a lifeline for connection in a career that can feel deeply isolating, and how his comedic content gives educators permission to laugh at the hard stuff while sparking real conversations with people outside of education who had no idea what teachers actually face every day. He also unpacks why representation in schools goes far beyond skin tone and covers zip code, access to programs, arts, technology, and the profound impact of seeing yourself reflected in the adults who show up for you. The con

What does it look and feel like to be surrounded by 400 passionate middle level educators for three days straight? In this first bonus episode recorded live at the NCMLE Moving the Middle Forward Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, Joshua Stamper brings you three powerful conversations straight from the conference floor, sponsored by New Horizons Global.​ First, Joshua sits down with resilience researcher, speaker, and author Julie Hasson, who shares her message from her presentation "Recharge Your School Culture" and the simple, practical tools educators can weave into their school day to reduce stress, build individual resilience, and leave school with enough energy to actually have a life outside of it.​ Next, Joshua talks with Brad Waid, founder of New Horizons Global, former third grade teacher, and passionate advocate for AI and Industry 4.0 in education. Brad breaks down what skills students will need for a workforce that is changing faster than most schools can keep up with, and why educators 

What if the burnout crisis in education is not just a workload problem but a skills gap? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Corwin author and educator Katrina Huels to unpack why 54% of K through 12 educators report feeling burnt out often or always, and what leaders and teachers can actually do about it.​ Katrina draws on her 14 years of leadership experience across special education, assistant director, and executive director roles to explain how emotional intelligence development across five domains (self awareness, self regulation, internal motivation, empathy, and social skills) can reduce turnover, increase job satisfaction, and help educators shift from a reactive stress response into their thinking brain. She also breaks down the neuroscience behind neuroplasticity and explains why consistently practicing EQ tools, including breathwork, gratitude practices, and cognitive reframing, actually rewires the brain so that calm and clarity become the default rather than frustra

Why do some students sit and do “nothing” when we give them plenty of time to work, and why does “just get to work” rarely change anything? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper talks with executive function coach Carrie Bonnett about task initiation as a teachable brain based skill rather than a character flaw. Drawing on her years as a middle and high school teacher and her current coaching practice with students, families, and schools, Carrie explains how to reframe “procrastination,” “laziness,” and “defiance” as executive function challenges that show up when tasks feel boring, overwhelming, or too big.​ Carrie shares practical strategies from her free Task Initiation Toolkit, including chunking work by task and by time, using timers as “dopamine tools,” and making the invisible visible with clear routines and visual cues so the environment does more of the prompting than the adult. She also offers concrete language shifts educators can use, such as moving from “You are lazy” to “Your brai

What happens when a former assistant principal chooses to return to the middle school classroom and discovers a deeper, wider form of leadership than the front office ever offered? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper talks with David James, seventh grade social studies teacher, lead mentor, and conference director for the North Carolina Association for Middle Level Education, about what it really means to lead where your feet are.​ David shares how his journey from substitute teacher to AP and back to the classroom reshaped his view of growth mindset, professional learning, and influence, and why he now sees every student in his 1,200 student building as “his kid.” He breaks down the BT support structures at Harold E. Winkler Middle School, including a non evaluative mentoring model and weekly Wolf Pack Workshop PD that is led by teachers for teachers, and explains why consistency, clear structures, and teaming are non negotiables in middle level education.​ The conversation closes with a pr

Educators are exhausted, overextended, and still trying to show up fully for kids. So what does it actually look like to build a sustainable life and career in schools instead of just surviving the year?​ In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Kim Gameroz to celebrate the launch of her new book Becoming the BISON and explore how teachers can "be intentional so others notice" in ways that protect their wellness, elevate their impact, and spark real change on campus.​ Kim shares why she believes educators are like bison. They move bravely into the storm rather than away from it. She unpacks her core shifts: courage over comfort, clarity over compliance, and connection over control, especially in the face of student behavior, burnout, and broken systems.​ She also pulls back the curtain on her Celebrate Good Times community, the Vibe EDU podcast, and the high energy Vibe EDU live event in Anaheim, designed to surround teachers with a herd that refuses to let them do this work alone.

Aspiring leaders asked: How do you lead with emotional intelligence (EQ) instead of ego, and navigate school politics without getting burned? In this bonus Aspire Mailbag with Jeff Gargas (COO, Teach Better), Joshua Stamper dives into self-awareness, empathy, humility, and building feedback loops to ditch ego-driven decisions for people-first leadership.​They also tackle the politics game: map power dynamics, build advisory circles, watch before acting, and strategically invite influencers to witness your wins—without losing your authenticity. Perfect for teachers eyeing admin roles or current leaders refining their approach. Plus, Jeff shares updates on the Teach Better Academy relaunch.Featuring Jeff Gargas and Joshua StamperFollow Jeff Gargas:Twitter:https://twitter.com/jeffgargasInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/_jeffgargas/Follow Joshua Stamper:Contact:https://joshstamper.com/contact/Twitter:www.twitter.com/Joshua__StamperInstagram:www.instagram.com/joshua__stamperLinkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-st

What happens when discipline shifts from punishment to teaching? In this important conversation, Joshua Stamper and Nathan Maynard unpack the ideas behind Nathan’s new book The Science of Discipline, exploring how schools can move from compliance-driven systems to accountable, trauma-informed practices that actually change behavior. Nathan shares what he has learned working with struggling schools in all 50 states, why generic consequences fail, and how to design clear, sustainable discipline frameworks that support educators while honoring each student’s uniqueness and neurodiversity. About Nathan Maynard Nathan Maynard is best known for translating complex human behavior into practical systems that educators can use under real-world pressure. He is a leading voice in the global movement to reimagine school discipline with 17 years experience working in complex learning environments. Through his writings and hands-on work across most of the US and 30+ countries, he helps educators with a question he has

How can schools ensure every student benefits from collective expertise without overwhelming teachers with endless meetings? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper talks with Kurtis Hewson, co author of Collaborative Response and co founder of Jigsaw Learning, about a school wide model that replaces fragmented teams with purposeful, layered collaborative structures centered on data, evidence, and a clear continuum of supports.​Kurtis explains how to shift from “tiering students” to “tiering supports,” where Tier 1 defines non negotiable universal practices, Tier 2 offers classroom based options, and higher tiers coordinate beyond classroom resources without labeling kids. He breaks down the game changing collaborative team meeting format that reduces overall meetings by adding one intentional space where teachers share celebrations, generate solutions for common issues, and build capacity across the building.About Kurtis Hewson Kurtis Hewson is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, author and prof

What happens when we decide to be present, patient, and kind in the middle of one of the hardest stretches of the school year? In this week's episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper welcomes back Dr. Christopher Culver to explore the science of kindness and belonging, the impact of chronic stress on educators, and why self compassion must come before we can sustain compassion for others.​Dr. Culver shares vulnerable pieces of his own story, including seasons of deep darkness and imposter syndrome, and explains how those experiences shaped his work on kindness, his bilingual children’s book about belonging, his new book Be the Light, and his Science of Kindness podcast. Listeners will gain practical strategies to lead with presence and patience, protect their own mental health in high stress seasons, and create school cultures where every person feels seen, valued, and included.About Dr. Christopher Culver:Dr. Christopher Culver is a proud product of Oklahoma education and has served educational communities

This bonus Aspire to Lead episode brings you a featured segment from the Thriving Educators Summit, where Mitch Weathers facilitates a fast paced conversation with TJ Vari and Joshua Stamper about what it truly means to lead well in today’s schools, whether you are an aspiring leader, assistant principal, principal, or district administrator. The trio digs into mindset shifts from classroom to leadership, why every leader deserves a coach, how to build influence before you have a title, and why community based supports like the Aspire to Lead Cohort and Schoolhouse 302’s induction and coaching work are essential for combating isolation, burnout, and “trial by fire” leadership transitions.About T.J. Vari:Dr. T.J. Vari is the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools and District Operations in the Appoquinimink School District. He is the co-author of Candid and Compassionate Feedback: Transforming Everyday Practice in Schools. T.J. is a former middle school assistant principal and principal and former high

What if students’ “attention problems” were really a mismatch between how the brain works and how we structure learning?In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper talks with first grade teacher, cognitive science scholar, and author Sarah Oberle about what executive functions actually are, core and higher order cognitive processes like working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility, and why they are so often misunderstood as behaviors in schools.​Sarah describes how explosive development in these skills during the K–3 years should shape our pedagogy, from how we orient attention and chunk directions to how we design routines, structure independent work, and set up the physical and acoustic environment so students can think instead of just “look busy”. Drawing from her upcoming book with Mitch Weathers, she shares concrete classroom moves—mini check ins, EF informed routines, visual and sound management, and tools like dividers and voice recorders—that any teacher can use to promote self regulati

What if the strongest leaders in your school are already in classrooms, waiting for permission to step up? In this week's episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper reconnects with longtime friend and former Teach Better teammate Brad Hughes, elementary principal in Ontario, Canada, to explore how aspiring leaders can build confidence, prepare for interviews, and maintain personal and professional balance without rushing into formal roles.​ Brad shares stories from his 30+ year journey, from classroom teaching to principalship, and reflects on the value of district aspiring leaders programs, responding to interview setbacks with humility, and investing in physical, emotional, and relational wellbeing to avoid burnout. Listeners will hear practical advice for educators ready to expand their influence, including the power of one-word intentions like “allow,” seeking candid feedback, and recognizing the leadership already happening every day in classrooms. About Brad Hughes: Brad Hughes is the host of The Good

In this special conversation on Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper, Kim Gameroz, and Mitch Weathers share everything you need to know about the Thriving Educators Summit 2026 and how it was born from a desire to help teachers move from surviving to truly thriving after years of running hard and lean in schools. Listeners will hear the story behind the free virtual summit, what makes its fast paced, highly practical sessions different from typical PD, and how districts are using past summit recordings as a no cost professional learning library all year long.​ The crew also spotlights Kim’s Becoming the Bison session on intentional teaching and leading, Joshua and TJ’s new leadership focused session, and the growing speaker lineup that blends inspiration with concrete next steps educators can act on immediately. Finally, they preview the in person VIBE Edu event at the ARTIC in Anaheim, California and explain how both gatherings are designed to give educators community, clarity, and energy heading into a new school