Aspire to Lead

What would change if educators treated joy, connection, and mental wellness as essential parts of the work instead of extras? In this episode, Joshua Stamper welcomes back educator, author, speaker, and Teach Class Off creator CJ Reynolds. CJ reflects on more than 20 years in education, from teaching in West Philadelphia to serving students in New Mexico, and shares why his purpose has remained rooted in one simple belief: kids come first. Joshua and CJ discuss building meaningful relationship

You have reflected on your leadership experiences, clarified your leadership identity, identified the people in your corner, and recognized the gaps you still need to fill. Now it is time to turn that insight into action. In the final episode of the Aspiring Leaders Bonus Series, Joshua Stamper shares a practical framework for creating an intentional leadership action plan. Learn how to choose a leadership focus, pursue one meaningful experience, connect with a person who can support your growt

Are you building meaningful leadership experience, or are you simply staying busy? In Part 4 of the Aspiring Leaders Bonus Series, Joshua Stamper helps aspiring leaders identify the experiences they still need before stepping into their next role. Saying yes to every committee, project, or extra duty may show initiative, but not every opportunity builds the skills, relationships, and leadership evidence that hiring teams want to see. This episode explores key areas of school leadership, includ

What kind of leader do you want to be when the title finally arrives? In Part 3 of the Aspiring Leaders Bonus Series, Joshua Stamper helps aspiring leaders move beyond simply naming the role they want and begin defining the values, mission, vision, and commitments that will guide their leadership. A title may change, responsibilities may shift, and your career path may take unexpected turns, but your leadership identity can serve as the compass that keeps you grounded. In this episode, you will

Leadership growth does not happen in isolation. While your experiences, credentials, and drive all matter, the right relationships can help you gain perspective, identify meaningful opportunities, and take the next step in your leadership journey. In this episode, Joshua Stamper explores why aspiring leaders need a strong network of support and introduces four people who can make a meaningful difference: a mentor, a coach, a campus advocate, and a district connector. You will reflect on who cur

If you are considering a future leadership role, have recently joined a principal preparation program, or simply feel ready to make a greater impact on your campus, this series will help you take practical next steps. In this first episode, Joshua Stamper challenges aspiring leaders to look beyond the title and recognize the leadership experiences they may already have. You will reflect on the committees, initiatives, relationships, and problems you have helped lead, while also identifying gaps

What if the strongest school cultures are not built through big initiatives, catchy slogans, or another binder of expectations, but through small actions repeated every day? In this episode, Tom Walls shares lessons from more than 30 years in education and coaching across four continents. He explains why culture must be treated as a system, not a slogan, and how leaders can create genuine buy-in by helping people feel seen, valued, and connected. Tom introduces the idea of micro-inclusions: si

What might change in your school if students felt safe enough to say they were not okay? In this episode, Ashanti Branch shares how his own journey as a student, engineer, and educator led him to create the Ever Forward Club, a nonprofit dedicated to helping young men build connection, emotional awareness, character, and leadership skills. He explains why many students learn to hide behind masks, what it takes to earn trust, and how schools can create spaces where young people feel seen, heard,

What does it really take to lead well when school life is messy, fast-moving, and full of real challenges? In this week's episode, Adam Dovico shares a grounded and practical conversation about what educators and school leaders are facing right now, from supporting new teachers and building school culture to developing future leaders and creating meaningful learning experiences. He talks about the changing realities of the teaching profession, why confidence matters in leadership, and how small

What if resistance in your school is not a sign of defiance, but a signal that something deeper needs attention? In this episode, Becca Silver shares a research-informed approach to understanding resistance in K-12 education and why it is often rooted in unmet needs rather than unwillingness to change. She explains how school leaders and instructional coaches can move from reacting to resistance to diagnosing it with more intention, clarity, and empathy. Becca also breaks down the five needs th

Why is it still so common for people to say, “I’m not a math person,” and how can school leaders help change that narrative? In this week's episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Thomas O’Brien to explore why leaders are uniquely positioned to shape math culture, support stronger instruction, and create environments where both teachers and students see themselves as capable math learners. Thomas also shares why leading math instruction does not require a math background, and h

In this Aspire Mailbag episode, Joshua Stamper and Jeff Gargas tackle two leadership topics that are on a lot of educators’ minds right now: how to hire great people when applicant pools are shrinking, and how to rethink student discipline in ways that actually build skills. They explore why culture matters in attracting the right staff, how leaders can look beyond interview answers to find the right fit, and what it means to create a school or district people genuinely want to be part of. The

In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Darrin Peppard to explore how organizations can intentionally develop future leaders. Darrin shares practical ideas for identifying leadership potential early, creating meaningful growth opportunities, and building the kind of trust and support that helps emerging leaders step into new roles with confidence. Together, they discuss why leadership development cannot be left to chance, how mentorship and coaching shape long-term grow

What if vulnerability is not a weakness, but the very thing that helps leaders build trust, connection, and courage? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper talks with Chris Valli, a New Zealand author, keynote speaker, former journalist, educator, and founder of the VOIC framework, Vulnerability Opens Inner Courage. Chris shares how a highly publicized turning point in his teaching career became the catalyst for a deeper understanding of authentic leadership, emotional intelligence, a

What if the biggest key to better leadership is not focusing on the lagging measures, but learning how to measure what truly matters? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Dave Schmittou to talk about leadership, priority management, and the difference between lead measures and lagging measures. Dave shares practical insight from his work with schools, districts, and organizations, and explains why leaders must clarify the results they want before they can effectively

In this Aspire Mailbag episode, Joshua Stamper and Jeff Gargas respond to listener questions about supporting an aspiring leader through a campus transition and helping teachers shift away from punitive discipline. They explore how new leadership can create both uncertainty and opportunity, and what aspiring leaders can do to build trust, stay visible, and align themselves with a new principal’s vision without losing momentum in their own leadership journey. The conversation also digs into one

What happens when the very systems meant to support education begin driving great teachers out of the profession? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Brad Gaynor to talk about the growing teacher retention crisis, the hidden emotional and psychological cost of teaching, and why so many good educators are leaving the profession. Brad shares insights from his leadership journey and his own experience with burnout, offering a powerful look at the pressures shaping scho

In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper talks with Megan Diede about the power of connection, purposeful teaching, and the small instructional shifts that can create meaningful change in classrooms. Megan shares how her seven pathways to learning help educators design lessons that are more engaging, accessible, and effective for students while also reducing overwhelm for teachers. Throughout the conversation, Megan explains how educators can move beyond compliance driven instruction a

In this special bonus episode of Aspire to Lead, Josh and Charle share exciting news about their upcoming book project, EQ Impact. They explore why emotional intelligence matters more than ever in schools, workplaces, families, and relationships, and why lasting change depends on giving people practical skills they can use to respond to stress, conflict, and reactivity. Josh and Charle also discuss how this new resource expands their work beyond behavior and into the creation of emotionally int

What if the biggest instructional breakthrough came from starting in the right place? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Gretchen Bridgers to talk about classroom instruction, teacher mentorship, and the mindset shifts that help educators build more sustainable and effective learning experiences. Gretchen shares her journey from classroom teacher to instructional coach, author, and podcaster, and reflects on how connection, curiosity, and the right support changed

What does it look like to lead with hope when life, leadership, and responsibility feel overwhelming? In this episode of Aspire to Lead, Joshua Stamper sits down with Dr. Brandi Kelly for a powerful conversation about resilience, self-awareness, purpose, and the daily choices that help leaders thrive. Brandi opens up about her personal journey through loss, stress, and major life transitions, and shares how those experiences shaped the way she now leads, coaches, writes, and supports others. A