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Wellness Checklist

Leadership Coaching Cohort

In this episode of Data in Education, I'm chatting with Dr. Brandi Kelly, a dear friend and the founder of Spark Hope Edu. With over 20 years of experience, Brandi's unique perspective on leadership is shaped by her background in social work and a doctorate in educational leadership. She believes that data should go beyond test scores and start with leaders themselves, and that's exactly what her transformative H.O.P.E system is all about. We dove deep into how leaders can use their own data to lead with more clarity, courage, and compassion.

Learn more about Brandi Kelly at sparkhopeedu.com

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Connect with Brandi Kelly

Email: sparkhopeedu@gmail.com

X: https://x.com/jbmrkelly

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandi-kelly-ed-d-lcsw/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LTW24

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandinashkelly/

Connect with Jessica

Email: jess@data-informedimpact.com

X: @informedimpact

Instagram: @informedimpact

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/informedimpact

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Executive Functioning Guide: drkarendudekbrannan.com/efschools
7-Day Course: drkarendudekbrannan.com/schoolleaders
Karen’s Podcast: defactoleaders.com

In this episode, I interview Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan, a speech pathologist with a wide range of experience in education, from one-on-one student evaluations to designing state-level data systems. The conversation centers on the challenge of balancing large-scale data with the individual stories of students, particularly for difficult-to-measure skills like executive functioning. We discuss why many people are skeptical of data in education, often due to its historical misuse for punitive accountability rather than for growth and support. The conversation highlights the difference between "data-driven" and "data-informed" approaches, emphasizing that data should serve as a starting point to ask questions, not a final verdict. We also explore how to build a culture of trust and collaboration around data, especially when implementing new systems and protocols.

Learn more about Karen Dudek-Brannan at drkarenspeech.com, drkarendudekbrannan.com

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Connect with Karen Dudek-Brannan
Email: drkarenspeech@gmail.com
X: @drkaren2014
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-dudek-brannan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drkarenspeech
Podcast: defactoleaders.com

Connect with Jessica
Email: jess@data-informedimpact.com
X: @informedimpact
Instagram: @informedimpact
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/informedimpact

Send us a text

This episode is a testament to the power of authentic collaboration and the joy that comes from seeing real student growth. Jen, with her 27 years of special education experience, and Shana, with 20 years in general education, are a perfect blend of old school wisdom and new-school data strategy, proving that it's never too late to learn new tricks, even if you started with a chalkboard.

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Connect with Jennifer Johnson
Email: jjohnson3339.jj@gmail.com
Learn more about Logic at www.logicreading.com
(You can also join the facebook group - LOGIC)
Literacy through Orton Gill for Improved Competency

Connect with Jessica
Email: jess@data-informedimpact.com
X: @informedimpact
Instagram: @informedimpact
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/informedimpact

Send us a text

In this episode, I talk with Maricha Matthews, Assistant Principal of Attendance and Discipline at Alan B. Shepherd High School, about her journey as an educator and her passion for using data to build supportive school cultures. With a background spanning special education and MTSS leadership, Maricha explains how she demystifies data for teachers and overcomes the common "data anxiety" in schools. We dive deep into her innovative strategies like "BAG reports" (Behavior, Attendance, and Grades) and "Data Cafes," a unique approach to gathering qualitative data and building trust with at-risk students. Maricha breaks down the logistics of these initiatives and shares how they lead to more collaborative, effective, and people-driven student support systems. This episode is packed with practical examples of how to use both quantitative and qualitative data to foster real relationships and make a tangible impact on student behavior, attendance, and well-being.

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Connect with Maricha Matthews
Email: mariteaches4@gmail.com
X: @MrsMMatthews
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marichamatthews
Instagram: @Mdmconsultinggrp

Connect with Jessica
Email: jess@data-informedimpact.com
X: @informedimpact
Instagram: @informedimpact
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/informedimpact

Send us a text

Clarity Over Clutter Freebie
http://www.catchingupwithcasey.com/clarityoverclutter

In this episode, I chat with Casey Watts, CEO of Casey Watts Coaching and Consulting, about her extensive 20-year journey in education as a teacher, leader, and professor. We discuss Casey’s focus on helping leaders gain clarity within their organizations and the importance of building a thriving data culture with clarity at its core. Casey shares her experiences from various educational roles and introduces her book, 'The Craft of Clarity,' which outlines six steps for school improvement. We dive into her strategies for creating environments where staff can move beyond silos and foster a culture of collaboration. Casey also provides insights into overcoming common obstacles in data conversations, emphasizing the need for structured systems and continuous clarity. This episode is packed with practical advice on creating a clarity-driven data culture, applicable to educators and leaders alike.

Learn more about Casey Watts at www.clarity-driven.com

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Connect with Casey Watts
Email: catchingupwithcasey@gmail.com
LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/catchupwithcasey


Connect with Jessica
Email: jess@data-informedimpact.com
X: @informedimpact
Instagram: @informedimpact
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/informedimpact

Send us a text

Learn more about WeCollab at jigsawlearning.ca/wecollab

In this episode of Data in Education, Jessica interviews Jennifer Ferguson, founder of Sapience Educational Services, shares her 20-year journey in education from teaching to district leadership. She discusses her passion for data-informed decision-making in education and collaboration with Kurtis and Lorna Hewson on the WeCollab software. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of a supportive data culture, celebrating small wins, and creating a psychologically safe environment for educators. She highlights specific success stories in improving educational outcomes for English language learners and encourages further conversations on data and education.

Learn more about Jennifer Ferguson at http://www.sapience-ed.com/

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Connect with Jennifer Ferguson
Email: jennifer.ferguson@sapience-ed.com
X: https://x.com/_MrsFerguson_
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-dickson-ferguson
jennifer.ferguson@sapience-ed.com

Connect with Jessica
Email: jess@data-informedimpact.com
X: @informedimpact
Instagram: @informedimpact
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/informedimpact

Send us a text

Check out Data in Education: A Virtual Summit - bit.ly/datasummit2025

In this bonus episode, we're joined by Dr. Sarah K. Richter, an Instructional Coach from Springfield City Schools with over two decades in diverse educational settings. Sarah’s unique journey into data analysis, sparked at a pivotal moment in her career, has fueled her impactful work supporting teachers across all subjects. She’s now using those skills to drive measurable success and help educators truly reflect on their practice.


Learn more about Sarah Richter at https://sarahkrichter.weebly.com/

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Connect with Sarah Richter
Email: skj7668@gmail.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sarah-k-richter-824987120


Connect with Jessica
Email: jess@data-informedimpact.com
X: @informedimpact
Instagram: @informedimpact
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/informedimpact

Send us a text

Check out Data in Education: A Virtual Summit - bit.ly/datasummit2025

In this bonus episode, we have Emily Mulcahey, an Instructional Coach from North College Hill City Schools with 29 years in the education trenches. Emily’s seen how bringing teachers together around data, not just handing it to them, sparks incredible student growth. She's living proof that collaboration makes data less scary and way more impactful.


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Connect with Emily Mulcahey
Email: mulcahey.e@nchcityschools.org
X: @MulcaheyEmily
Facebook: Emily Russo Mulcahey


Connect with Jessica
Email: jess@data-informedimpact.com
X: @informedimpact
Instagram: @informedimpact
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/informedimpact