Meet Our Authors
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Jeffry Prickett, Ed.D.
Jeffry Prickett, Ed.D.
Jeffry Prickett, Ed.D.
Dr. Jeff Prickett is a professional educator who has served as an elementary, middle and high school principal. Over the course of his 26 years of public school service, Prickett also has experience as an assistant principal, dean of students, and classroom teacher.
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Judson University, a Master's de
Dr. Jeff Prickett is a professional educator who has served as an elementary, middle and high school principal. Over the course of his 26 years of public school service, Prickett also has experience as an assistant principal, dean of students, and classroom teacher.
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Judson University, a Master's degree from Aurora University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from National Louis University. He lives in McHenry, IL, where he and his wife, Michelle, stay busy with their four adult biological children, as well as their four adopted children.
In addition to his work as an educator, Jeff runs "The Principal Leadership Lab" podcast with his longtime friend and colleague, Adam DeWitt, serves as the co-publications chair for the Illinois Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ILASCD), the professional development chair for the Kishwaukee Region of the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) and spends a lot of time writing, reading and following his beloved Chicago Cubs.
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John VanDusen
Jeffry Prickett, Ed.D.
Jeffry Prickett, Ed.D.
John was born into a Navy family and attended eight different schools while crisscrossing the country. After graduating high school, John went to Northern Michigan University where he earned a degree in Elementary Education while serving in the Michigan Army National Guard and completing ROTC requirements to become a second lieutenant.
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John was born into a Navy family and attended eight different schools while crisscrossing the country. After graduating high school, John went to Northern Michigan University where he earned a degree in Elementary Education while serving in the Michigan Army National Guard and completing ROTC requirements to become a second lieutenant.
Upon graduation, John served as a military police and infantry platoon leader in Baghdad, Iraq. When he returned, he began his teaching and coaching career while continuing with the military.
John is currently an 8th grade U.S. History teacher in Kingsford, Michigan where he also enjoys coaching football and being involved in his church along with his wife and son. He is also an instructor in the Army reserves where he teaches Army Majors masters level courses as part of their professional military education.
In his free time, you can often find John hanging out with his wife or trekking through the woods, riding his four-wheeler, or taking the boat out enjoying nature with his son.
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Jillian DuBois
Jeffry Prickett, Ed.D.
Jillian DuBois
Jillian DuBois serves as an elementary educator in Clearwater, FL. She has been in the field of education for two decades. She is the recently published author and illustrator of “Liv’s Seashells”.
Jillian’s journey continues to bring much JOY and fulfillment as she thrives on building authentic relationships with her students and guiding
Jillian DuBois serves as an elementary educator in Clearwater, FL. She has been in the field of education for two decades. She is the recently published author and illustrator of “Liv’s Seashells”.
Jillian’s journey continues to bring much JOY and fulfillment as she thrives on building authentic relationships with her students and guiding their curiosity and wonder. She uses her voice to foster hope for student equity and empathy.
Her passion is to initiate and infuse joy to those in education by focusing efforts on learning and growing alongside colleagues and friends.
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Chris Young
Debbie Tannenbaum
Debbie Tannenbaum
Chris Young is the Strategic Learning Coordinator for Southern Hancock Schools. Chris is passionate about showing his love of teaching, so students love to learn. Chris is the President Elect for Indiana Connected Educators, which is the Indiana International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) affiliate. He manages the #INeLearn T
Chris Young is the Strategic Learning Coordinator for Southern Hancock Schools. Chris is passionate about showing his love of teaching, so students love to learn. Chris is the President Elect for Indiana Connected Educators, which is the Indiana International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) affiliate. He manages the #INeLearn Twitter chat for Indiana Educators. He is a Google Certified Innovator, Google Certified Trainer, and Apple Certified Teacher.
His passion for educational technology has lead him to be selected as a keynote speaker for the Summer of eLearning conference series, hosted by the Indiana Department of Education. He has also worked with schools across the country in edtech consulting. Chris is also an avid sneaker collector and fantasy football player!
Debbie Tannenbaum
Debbie Tannenbaum
Debbie Tannenbaum
Debbie Tannenbaum is an Elementary School Technology Specialist in Fairfax County, VA. An educator with over twenty years of experience, Debbie supports both staff and students to integrate technology tools into instruction through both co teaching sessions and weekly technology classes.
Debbie Tannenbaum is also an avid blogger and share
Debbie Tannenbaum is an Elementary School Technology Specialist in Fairfax County, VA. An educator with over twenty years of experience, Debbie supports both staff and students to integrate technology tools into instruction through both co teaching sessions and weekly technology classes.
Debbie Tannenbaum is also an avid blogger and shares her thoughts and reflections regularly on her website: www.TannenbaumTech.com. Her work focuses on working collaboratively with other educators to use technology tools to amplify student learning and empower student voice. She presents on these topics at conferences and hopes that her TRANSFORM message helps other educators as it has helped her.
Outside of work, Debbie has four teenagers, an adorable dog and a wonderful husband to support her.
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Robert Breyer
Debbie Tannenbaum
Robert Breyer
Robert Breyer currently serves as the proud principal of Cameron Elementary School located in the Sandhills region of North Carolina.
When Robert made the transition from classroom teacher to school administrator, he made a promise to himself as well as the teachers, students, and parents with whom he would interact on a daily basis. Tha
Robert Breyer currently serves as the proud principal of Cameron Elementary School located in the Sandhills region of North Carolina.
When Robert made the transition from classroom teacher to school administrator, he made a promise to himself as well as the teachers, students, and parents with whom he would interact on a daily basis. That promise was to go beyond the desk and become an active school leader who would engage with the school community both inside and outside the building. To accomplish this, he drew upon his pre-service experience in leading teams in the private sector and his principal preparation program with the Sandhills Leadership Academy. Both of these experiences helped shape his philosophy: leading and managing are two completely different mentalities. He would choose to be a transformative leader who works alongside his staff to implement positive change.
Robert continues to lead in schools, and also makes time to coach aspiring leaders who are looking to make the transition from teacher to administrator. He is also the host of The Guiding Principals Podcast, where he allows visionary school leaders to share the story of their own leadership journey, and celebrates their success. His hope is this will inspire future school leaders and provide them with resources they will be able to implement in their own schools.
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Alyssa Schmidt
Bobby Pollicino
Alyssa Schmidt
Alyssa graduated from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and an emphasis in Language Arts. After graduation she taught 3-5 year old preschool and worked as the Director of Education for a local tutoring center, serving students from Kindergarten-12th grade. She spe
Alyssa graduated from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and an emphasis in Language Arts. After graduation she taught 3-5 year old preschool and worked as the Director of Education for a local tutoring center, serving students from Kindergarten-12th grade. She spent most of her career in the nonprofit world working with and advocating for adults with various physical and cognitive disabilities. In late 2016 she stepped away from her career to be a stay-at-home mom. For the past five years, Alyssa has enjoyed watching her son grow and develop into a really amazing kid!
Alyssa has been married for 14 years to her husband, Andy. They have one son, one dog, two cats, and one fish. Alyssa & her family reside in Wisconsin on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. As a family they love to spend time outdoors hiking and fishing, enjoy weekly family movie nights, playing games, and snuggling their pets.
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Ashley Hubner
Bobby Pollicino
Alyssa Schmidt
Ashley Hubner started her educational career as an elementary teacher. After completing her master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction, she moved into a role of Instructional Coaching where she found her passion for people and instruction. She became dedicated to improving learning communities by building capacity within teachers and ins
Ashley Hubner started her educational career as an elementary teacher. After completing her master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction, she moved into a role of Instructional Coaching where she found her passion for people and instruction. She became dedicated to improving learning communities by building capacity within teachers and instructional leaders. After her 14th year in public education, Ashley transitioned into her current role as an Educational Consultant. As a consultant, Ashley supports campus leaders in building instructional effectiveness within their schools through professional development, coaching, and mentoring.
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Bobby Pollicino
Bobby Pollicino
Bobby Pollicino
Bobby Pollicino is the Head of Upper School at Bullis School in Potomac, MD. He has served as a school administrator for over 15 years, also in dean of students and assistant principal roles. He has taught high school courses in science, leadership, and public speaking while also serving as a varsity assistant soccer coach and varsity hea
Bobby Pollicino is the Head of Upper School at Bullis School in Potomac, MD. He has served as a school administrator for over 15 years, also in dean of students and assistant principal roles. He has taught high school courses in science, leadership, and public speaking while also serving as a varsity assistant soccer coach and varsity head coach of the lacrosse program at Bullis School.
Bobby’s academic leadership career is grounded in a healthy interest in leadership which has led to conferences with Stanley King Institute, Garnder, Carney Leadership Institute, and a fellowship with Leadership+Design. Bobby has presented for local and national organizations on topics including meeting culture, digital wellness and hiring practices.
A native of Upstate New York, Bobby attributes many of his life lessons to observing the work ethic and commitment of his parents and older brother. He played high school and college lacrosse, winning a National Championship at the collegiate level. He has used many leadership lessons passed on from his high school and college coaches.
When not working or studying leadership, he spends time with his wife and three children. He has coached all three in various youth sports over the years. Bobby also enjoys running, cycling and training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He strives to be a better husband, father, leader, and person every day. A graduate of Washington College and William and Mary, Bobby lives with his family in Poolesville, MD.
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Melissa Wright
Michael P Nagler, Ed.D.
Bobby Pollicino
Melissa Wright is a passionate educator driven to help schools create a place where students belong and everyone feels like they matter.
By sharing ideas that work in her school, she helps educators and students see they can improve their culture and climate. She is known for her desire to see students succeed, and to help them find their
Melissa Wright is a passionate educator driven to help schools create a place where students belong and everyone feels like they matter.
By sharing ideas that work in her school, she helps educators and students see they can improve their culture and climate. She is known for her desire to see students succeed, and to help them find their inner leader.
Melissa is the current president of the New Brunswick Student Leadership association and a co-chair of the 2022 Canadian Student Leadership conference. She is also a mathematics teacher at Kennebecasis
Valley High School, in Quispamsis, NB, Canada and is the Jostens Renaissance co-advisor at her school. Melissa shares her knowledge and experiences with students and educators alike.
She currently speaks to educators and students about proven ideas that help improve school culture and climate and how to implement Jostens Renaissance schools.
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Jay Dostal, Ed.D.
Michael P Nagler, Ed.D.
Michael P Nagler, Ed.D.
Dr. Jay Dostal has served as a high school principal in both Nebraska and Arkansas. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney where he received endorsements in English and Physical Education. He holds a Masters and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of N
Dr. Jay Dostal has served as a high school principal in both Nebraska and Arkansas. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney where he received endorsements in English and Physical Education. He holds a Masters and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Nebraska. In 2013, he was named the Nebraska Association of Student Councils Principal of the Year, in 2016 was named the Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals (NSASSP) Principal of the Year, and in 2021 was named the Arkansas Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) Principal of the Year.
Dr. Dostal has presented at a variety of conferences on the topics of improving school culture, improving graduation rates, the value of career and technical education in today’s high schools, and leveraging the power of technology in school administration. His bride, Melanie, is a special education teacher and they have two children who remind them on a daily basis why the field of education is the noblest of professions with the greatest impact to change the world.
Dr. Dostal’s passion in life is to listen and share stories that enable others to find relevance and purpose. His #OwnYourEpic hashtag on Twitter provides regular encouragement to others to tell their stories and be proud of the person they are and who they can become. He believes that we alone need to travel our own paths, but along the way, we will meet a number of characters that will fill out our life story.
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Michael P Nagler, Ed.D.
Michael P Nagler, Ed.D.
Michael P Nagler, Ed.D.
Michael P. Nagler, Ed.D., has held many positions in his 34 years in education. Before assuming his current position as Superintendent of the Mineola Public schools, he began his career as a school teacher in NYC while completing his Master’s and earning his professional diploma. Dr. Nagler then went on to earn his doctorate from Columbia
Michael P. Nagler, Ed.D., has held many positions in his 34 years in education. Before assuming his current position as Superintendent of the Mineola Public schools, he began his career as a school teacher in NYC while completing his Master’s and earning his professional diploma. Dr. Nagler then went on to earn his doctorate from Columbia University and accepted an administrative position with Mineola in 1999. Believing strongly in the district’s mission to create lifelong learners who contribute positively to a global society, Dr. Nagler rooted himself in the Mineola School District and never left.
During his twenty+ years with the district, he has been a big proponent of using technology to engage students in rigorous content. Mineola was one of the first Districts to implement a 1:1 iPad initiative. Mineola’s innovative use of the iPad has led to the rare feat of having all five Mineola schools to be recognized as Apple Distinguished Schools. Mineola is a member of the League of Innovative schools; one of only 104 districts nationwide. Being a member affords Mineola the ability to be at the forefront of nationwide initiatives such as Open Educational Resources (OER), the Maker Movement and computer science for all, #CSforall.
Mineola was one of the first schools in the State to implement a comprehensive computer science curriculum starting in kindergarten. Mineola is also at the forefront of digital student portfolios. Dr. Nagler recently utilized the Districts coding platform to create his own digital portfolio.
Dr. Nagler was the 2020 New York State Superintendent of the Year and was a Finalist for the 2020 National Superintendent of the Year.
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Lisa Toebben
Lisa Toebben
Lisa Toebben
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 re lit her passion for teaching through instilling soul fuel habits into her day. She loves to share
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 re lit 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.
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Livia Chan
Lisa Toebben
Lisa Toebben
Livia Chan is an educator passionate about community, teaching, leading with her heart, and lifelong learning. She truly believes in the power of connection and thoroughly enjoys building relationships by reaching out with kindness and gratitude. Livia lives by the belief that it is through every interaction that we have the opportunity t
Livia Chan is an educator passionate about community, teaching, leading with her heart, and lifelong learning. She truly believes in the power of connection and thoroughly enjoys building relationships by reaching out with kindness and gratitude. Livia lives by the belief that it is through every interaction that we have the opportunity to appreciate and uplift others to help make their day a brighter one. Her other passions include family and ringette as a volunteer coach, Executive member, referee, and player.
For over 20 years, Livia has continued to experience the joy of teaching in the Greater Vancouver area in BC, Canada and loves her role as a Head Teacher and classroom teacher. Previously, she served on the District Staff Development Team in Learning Technologies supporting K-12 educators. Currently, Livia is honored to be the Digital Content Editor and Ambassador for the Teach Better Team and loves being a part of this family! Her motto is “Working together to better ourselves, each other, and the world around us.”
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Kim Collazo
Lisa Toebben
Dana Goodier
Kim Collazo has been an educator for 30 years. She has experience as a 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classroom teacher as well as an elementary STEM Specialist and Digital Integration Facilitator. She holds North Carolina licensure in Regular Ed, Special Ed, and Academically/Intellectually Gifted, and has her National Board Certification. Throu
Kim Collazo has been an educator for 30 years. She has experience as a 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classroom teacher as well as an elementary STEM Specialist and Digital Integration Facilitator. She holds North Carolina licensure in Regular Ed, Special Ed, and Academically/Intellectually Gifted, and has her National Board Certification. Through an NC State Kenan Fellowship, Kim has worked with educational researchers to create multi-user immersive science games for elementary students. Her passion is integrating technology and engineering in relevant ways at the elementary level, and she has always tried to find ways to share her love of science with her students and colleagues. Her life-long dream to become a picture book author has led her to write the Emersyn Blake series, named after her first grandchild. Kim spends her spare time reading and enjoying the beach with her husband, three grown sons and their families.
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Dana Goodier
Crystal Frommert
Dana Goodier
Dana Goodier is an edupreneur, podcast host, and school leader with 22 years of experience in education. She lives in Lone Tree, CO. She spent most of her career teaching World Languages and English, along with working as a middle school administrator. She completed her doctorate degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership in early 2020. Bu
Dana Goodier is an edupreneur, podcast host, and school leader with 22 years of experience in education. She lives in Lone Tree, CO. She spent most of her career teaching World Languages and English, along with working as a middle school administrator. She completed her doctorate degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership in early 2020. Building off of her own growth as a teacher, she dedicates much of her time to providing educators with professional development sessions on techniques to minimize off-task behavior and to increase time on task. She is also the host of the podcast for educators “Out of the Trenches”, which features those who have been in the trenches and have managed to crawl out.
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Crystal Frommert
Crystal Frommert
Crystal Frommert
Crystal Frommert, M.Ed, has 20 years experience as an educator in middle and high school. Crystal has taught math, computer science, and social justice in public, parochial, and international schools. Beyond teaching, she has served as an instructional coach, school board member, adjunct college instructor, and technology coordinator. She
Crystal Frommert, M.Ed, has 20 years experience as an educator in middle and high school. Crystal has taught math, computer science, and social justice in public, parochial, and international schools. Beyond teaching, she has served as an instructional coach, school board member, adjunct college instructor, and technology coordinator. She has presented at local, national, and international educational conferences on topics ranging from social-emotional learning to technology integration. She currently serves as assistant head of middle school in Houston, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and two rescue dogs.
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Dan Wolfe
Crystal Frommert
Crystal Frommert
Dan Wolfe has served in Pasco County, Florida for more than 20 years. During this time, he has held roles as a teacher, instructional coach and administrator. He is currently an Assistant Principal at Cotee River Elementary. He was selected as Pasco County’s District Teacher of the Year in 2011-2012 school year. He is a part of the distri
Dan Wolfe has served in Pasco County, Florida for more than 20 years. During this time, he has held roles as a teacher, instructional coach and administrator. He is currently an Assistant Principal at Cotee River Elementary. He was selected as Pasco County’s District Teacher of the Year in 2011-2012 school year. He is a part of the district’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Committee that recently established Pre-K through Grade 12 SEL standards.
For the past two years Dan has written a blog called Becoming The Change (formerly Our Moral Compass) which focuses on a different quote each day and how we can best apply it towards becoming the change through our own moral compass and the five areas in SEL.
During his spare time Dan enjoys spending his time reading, listening to podcasts, and going to Disney with his wife and daughter.
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Jamie Brown
Kristina Mattis
Kristina Mattis
Jamie is a champion of Social-Emotional care and Character Education. His passion for promoting student-driven leadership led to the development of the 1st District-Wide PEER Leadership program in NJ Public School education. Jamie earned a National Promising Practice from Character.org for ACCEPT University, a three-tiered SEL assembly s
Jamie is a champion of Social-Emotional care and Character Education. His passion for promoting student-driven leadership led to the development of the 1st District-Wide PEER Leadership program in NJ Public School education. Jamie earned a National Promising Practice from Character.org for ACCEPT University, a three-tiered SEL assembly series promoting inclusion, acceptance, empathy and citizenship in schools. Jamie’s career includes working at a State and National School and District of Character, where he earned Teacher of the Year. Jamie is a proud author for Road to Awesome Publishing LLC, speaker and leadership coach.
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Kristina Mattis
Kristina Mattis
Kristina Mattis
With 20 years of experience working in a variety of roles in education, Kristina’s focus on coaching transformational change integrates an empathy-centered approach to improve pedagogical and productivity environments. Her goal is to empower educators with sustainable toolkits as a way to achieve strategic visioning, planning, and imple
With 20 years of experience working in a variety of roles in education, Kristina’s focus on coaching transformational change integrates an empathy-centered approach to improve pedagogical and productivity environments. Her goal is to empower educators with sustainable toolkits as a way to achieve strategic visioning, planning, and implementation. Holding multiple degrees and various certifications, Kristina continues to stay current on trends through her professional affiliations, podcast listening, and reading scholars before her.
In her attempt to stay balanced, you’ll find Kristina spending time between the Bay Area and the “real” Northern California where she explores trails, cooks way too many servings, soaks up the rivers, lakes, and waterfalls, and above all, hangs out with the three coolest people she knows who allow her to be V3MAMA - her kids, and of course their chiweenie, Vinny. Kristina still holds onto her Chicago roots for so many things, and a lazy Sunday allows her to laugh along with Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, though she misses Prairie Home Companion.
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Kip Shubert
Kristina Mattis
Kip Shubert
Kip is an educator and coach who is driven to lead and love staff and students to believe and discover that they are the greatest miracle in the world. Having almost thirty years’ experience in education, Kip is sharing that secret sauce as an educator, coach, author, speaker, and as a podcast host of The Secret Sauce with Kip Shubert. K
Kip is an educator and coach who is driven to lead and love staff and students to believe and discover that they are the greatest miracle in the world. Having almost thirty years’ experience in education, Kip is sharing that secret sauce as an educator, coach, author, speaker, and as a podcast host of The Secret Sauce with Kip Shubert. Kip recently moved from Oklahoma to the mountains of Colorado where he now teaches and coaches for the Woodland Park School District.
Kip has climbed mountains that once seemed impossible to him. He uses his experiences of being homeless, an alcoholic, losing custody of his daughter, and his wife’s diagnosis with an incurable blood cancer to share how he used adversity to find his advantage, his secret sauce. His WHY is to use those powerful stories, combined with building real, authentic relationships to reach back over the mountains he has climbed so that he can be that sherpa to guide and empower others.
Kip is fierce in his belief that our school’s culture and success depends on us being all in and all together in cultivating connections that ensures all stakeholders are seen, heard and valued.
Kip is a proud father of four great kids, three amazing grandchildren and blessed husband to his wife Cindy. He loves to be outdoors, hiking, and especially college football season and Italian food. He is excited to be joining the Road To Awesome family and is grateful that each day he “gets to” share that secret sauce and make a difference in the lives of staff and students.
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