Inspirational Shorts Episodes

Our guest, Todd Nesloney, is the Director of Culture and Strategic Leadership for the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). He has also served as an award-winning principal of a PreK-5th Grade campus of over 775 students in a rural town inTexas. He has been recognized by the White House, John C Maxwell, the Center for Digital Education, National School Board Association, the BAMMYS, and more for his work in education and with children. Todd has written six books, inclu...

Our guest, Aashna Khurana, is a PhD student at The Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Boston College. Aashna is a contributor to the 2025 ICSEI Dialogic. She shares her insights on “Systems Change Efforts for Inclusive Education: Lessons from Effective Districts (AUDIO).” This Inspirational Short was recorded during the 2025 International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement in Melbourne Australia. The 2025 ICSEI Dialogic centers the work of th...

Our guest, Dr. Costonzo Bryant-Martin is Assistant Professor of Education and Director of the Call Me MiSTER Program at South Carolina State University (SCSU). For this Inspirational Short recorded during the fall 2024 CAEPCon convening in Arlington, VA, Costonzo describes the unique SCSU student experience, explaining that students are transformed through a family-oriented approach. He is also a third-generation graduate and employee of SCSU. As a first-time attendee of CAEPCon, Costonzo expl...

Guest, Dr. Alisha Pollard, is President of Warriors Helping Achieve Triumph (or “WHAT”). What is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to empowering individuals of all ages through enriching experiences and knowledge-sharing sessions, while encouraging self-confidence and the desire to excel. Dr. Pollard, describes how WHAT supports students and their families achieve financial literacy. Recording during the Education 2.0 Conference, 2024, Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Pollard shares how authent...

Meet Ty-Quan Payne, Dean of School Culture at Ivy Hill Prep in Brooklyn, NY. Ivy Hill Prep is a small charter school serving grades K-5. Mr. Payne is also an artist and founder of #LovePayne Productions offering independent executive producer services for theatrical productions, as well as photography, dramaturgy, and acting coaching services. He shares how the use of martial arts at Ivy Hill Prep is married to the social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum to aid in students’ holistic develop....

Meet Dr. Christopher Bonn, President and CEO of BonFire Leadership Solutions LLC. He is a former school district superintendent, the author of Igniting Change: The BonFire Principles for Transforming Toxic Organizations, and a university faculty member. Chris works with the technology industry and school systems to achieve greater efficiencies for educational outcomes through the use of assistive and other forms of technology. Recorded during the Education 2.0 Conference, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV,...

Guest Jeannette Eastin is the founder of Refound Education. Her passion for democratizing education lends itself to supporting families, educators, and communities with innovations and connecting them to vital resources. Jeannette sat down with EDUP Xcelerated Excellence during the Education 2.0 Conference, 2024, Las Vegas, NV. She appreciates the opportunities for networking and growing the reach of her organization. She reminds all educators, innovators, and entrepreneurs to never give up in...

Guest Rodney Toulson, owner of Restorative Consulting Services, shares the importance of systemic restorative practices for schools and school districts. The outcome is a transformed learning community. Recorded at the Education 2.0 Conference, 2024, Las Vegas, NV. Rodney speaks on the multi-generational composition of conference participants as an environment for new learning. He urges community members of color to join the education profession as agents for positive change. Join Rodney Toul...

Our guest, Sylvia Badwi of Agora Prep Academy discusses a unique learning environment that disrupts the traditional, factory-model of education. Agrora Prep in Canada professes a learner-centered educational approach that is a compilation of several models to support neurodivergent and gifted learners. Sylvia explains her experience during the Education 2.0 Conference, 2024, as one that buttresses education revolution! She encourages educational leaders and entrepreneurs to engage in networkin...

Guest ⁠Casanova Green⁠, director of First-Year experience at ⁠Hocking College⁠, shares his professional knowledge and passion for ensuring community college student success beginning day one. The first-year experience is vital in supporting students for academic success, retention, and persistence. Participating students range from high school age to 60+ years of age. Mr. Green expresses the need for faculty and staff to pour into and nurture the development of students with intentionality. Re...

Meet Dr. Ruth Best, Assist Dean at the California School of Education (SOE) of Alliant International University. Dr. Best participated in our Inspirational Shorts recorded during the Education 2.0 Conference, 2024 in Las Vegas Nevada. She shares insights into the growing enrollment for the SOE and online education. She inspires motivated individuals of color and from historically underrepresented communities to pursue career in education. #onlineeducation #higheredenrollment #highered #equity

Guest Elizabeth Power of The Trauma Informed Academy shares inspirational thoughts on how to support students and school staff who experience trauma. Her brilliant insights demystify trauma, explaining it as a human condition. Recorded during the Education 2.0 Conference, 2024, Elizabeth shares national and international impacts of The Trauma Inform Academy. Did you know that in Japan, there was no word for Trauma? Tune in to learn more. #Self-care #Resilience #Trauma #SEL #educationalequity #co...