Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast

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