Our brains are hardwired for connection and stories. This podcast is all about amplifying both. Now more than ever our stories matter. Today I am privileged to have a conversation with Dr. Dina Hernandez & Dr. Tricia Thompson.

Dr. Dina Hernandez has over 25 years of service in K–12 education. She has dedicated her career to advancing equity, championing historically marginalized youth, and empowering educators to lead with purpose. Today, her work also extends to adjudicated youth in halls and camps, students too often underestimated, mislabeled, or silenced. For her, equity is not an afterthought; it is the foundation.

Dr. Tricia Thompson started in education in 2001 as a Special Day Class Teacher for the Corona Norco Unified School District. She has held various positions within education. She has been a Special Day Class Teacher, a Resource Teacher, a Title 1 Teacher on Special Assignment, Elementary Assistant Principal, Elementary Principal, Administrative Director of Special Education, Administrative Director of Student Services, and is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services and will be the assistant superintendent of human resources for the Lake Elsinore Unified School District in the fall. She has passions and skills in curriculum, inclusion, special education, human resources, and leadership development.

As two of five co-authors of Promotion Power: Five Disruptive Career Moves for Modern Women, they share research-driven, actionable strategies that help women disrupt barriers, rise with confidence, and lead unapologetically. This work bridges academic research with real-world practices, giving both women and organizations the tools to thrive.

I am so excited for you to learn about and from Dr. Dina Hernandez & Dr. Tricia Thompson today!

Dr. Tricia Thompson

Dr. Dina Hernandez

DelMar Publishing: Promotion Power

Our brains are hardwired for connection and stories. This podcast is all about amplifying both. Now more than ever our stories matter. Each week The Your Story Matters Podcast will feature a new guest sharing their "why" and stories. This week I am privileged to have a conversation with Adam Todd. From his early days working in the Geraldo Rivera mail room, to NY Mets scouting position, to his current work as a media arts and technology educator, author, content creator and "Classroom Dynamics, A Teacher Podcast" host, Adam Todd is always innovating and leveraging his media and sports entertainment background for the benefit of the scholars, staff, families, communities and profession he serves. You can catch his scholars doing the weather report on BeeTV, as well as ABC and CBS. If you are at SXSW on March 12th, visit Adam Todd, see him present and hop on his podcast to discuss #AI in the classroom. I am excited for you to get to know and learn from Adam Todd today!

LI: Adam Todd

Classroom Dynamics, A Teacher Podcast

BeeTV

Our brains are hardwired for connection and stories. This podcast is all about amplifying both. Now more than ever our stories matter. On this episode of the Your Story Matters Podcast I am excited to have a conversation with Dr. Dena Kiouses. Dr. Dena Kiouses is the superintendent of Gorman Learning Charter Network, an innovative, personalized learning based TK-12th grade public charter that spans seven counties. I am so excited for you to learn about and from Dr. Dena Kiouses today!

LI: Dr. Dena Kiouses

Gorman Learning Charter Network

Our brains are hardwired for connection and stories. This podcast is all about amplifying both. Now more than ever our stories matter. Each week The Your Story Matters Podcast will feature a new guest sharing their "why" and stories. On this episode of The Your Story Matters Podcast I am privileged to have a conversation with Sri Narayanan. Sri is the founder of Kodely, the co-founder and CEO of Nala AI, the host of the Education Unlocked Podcast, and was one of Forbes 30 under 30.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/snarayanan27/

https://www.kodely.io/

Our brains are hardwired for connection and stories. This podcast is all about amplifying both. Now more than ever our stories matter. On this episode of The Your Story Matters Podcast I have a conversation with Dr. Shana Matamala and Dr. Martin Yousef. Dr. Shana Matamala serves as the Chair of the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program and Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at the LaFetra College of Education, University of La Verne. With 30 years of experience spanning P–12 education and higher education leadership, she brings a practitioner-informed perspective to doctoral studies. Her research focuses on inclusive leadership, fieldwork design, women leadership, and program development. Dr. Matamala is committed to preparing future leaders to navigate complex educational systems with innovation and purpose. Dr. Martin Yousef is the Associate Dean at the University of La Verne’s LaFetra College of Education. With more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, Dr. Yousef brings a unique blend of academic, operational, and human resources expertise to his work. His career spans key roles including professor, academic administrator, chief operating officer, and HR leader, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of how institutions function and thrive. Dr. Yousef has led major initiatives in academic operations, curriculum innovation, and program development, with a focus on designing high-quality, student-centered learning experiences across modalities. He is deeply committed to building and sustaining strategic partnerships, particularly with community colleges, K–12 districts, and regional organizations, to expand pathways, strengthen leadership pipelines, and advance educational equity. His research interests include online learning, generational preferences in education delivery, leadership styles, change management, and the role of HR in talent development and retention. I am so excited for you to get to know and learn from Dr. Shana Matamala and Dr. Martin Yousef today!

Dr. Shana Matamala

Dr. Martin Yousef

University of La Verne Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Program

On this episode of the Your Story Matters Podcast I have a conversation with Superintendent Maria Libby from Maine. Superintendent Libby is the superintendent of not one but two districts: Camden Rockport Schools (PreK-8) and Five Town CSD (9th-12th). She is an author of a non-fiction educational leadership book entitled An Impossible Assignment and a children’s book called Waiting for Walter, as well as the podcast host of Super Story: Inside Education. She has served as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and before her education career was a solo boat driver and served as the Narragansett Baykeeper. I am so excited for you to get to know and learn from Superintendent Maria Libby today!

LinkedIn: Superintendent Maria Libby

Super Story: Inside Education Podcast

Website: Maria Libby

Our brains are hardwired for connection and stories. This podcast is all about amplifying both. Now more than ever our stories matter. Each week The Your Story Matters Podcast will feature a new guest sharing their "why" and stories. On this episode of The Your Story Matters Podcast I am privileged to have a conversation with Dr. David Calvo. Dr. Calvo has served as an educator and leader for 30 years, including as a teacher in Florida and then principal both in Florida and California. He most recently served the Director of Development and before that the Director of Family and Community Engagement with the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE). He has served as a school board member and in elected positions in both Florida and California. I am so excited for you to get to know and learn from Dr. David Calvo today!

LI: Dr. David Calvo

On this episode of the Your Story Matters Podcast I have a conversation with not one but two incredible leaders, Cheryl Abla and Lisa Maxfield. Long time educators, Cheryl and Lisa co-wrote, Teachables: Bite-Size Strategies that Make Major Impact in the Classroom.

Cheryl Abla is a passionate and results-driven consultant dedicated to creating learning environments where both educators and students thrive. With expertise in student engagement, instructional best practices, and leadership support, she helps schools turn research into action.

Her work spans from coaching educators on effective teaching strategies to guiding administrators in using classroom walkthrough data to drive meaningful change. She specializes in making complex instructional concepts accessible, ensuring that every learner, especially multilingual students, feels valued, motivated, and successful.

Lisa Maxfield helps organizations implement tools and strategies that drive adoption, retention, and measurable success. With over ten years of experience leading complex SaaS rollouts, training initiatives, and cross-functional projects, she partners with leaders to turn challenges into outcomes.

Her approach is rooted in authentic relationships. she listens, asks thoughtful questions, and collaborates with clients to build clear success plans, anticipate needs, and provide proactive support. By strengthening trust through consistency and follow-through, she creates partnerships that drive engagement and long-term results.

I am excited for you all to get to know and learn from Lisa and Cheryl.

LI: Lisa Maxfield

LI: Cheryl Abla