Dr. Bob Nelson has been an educator for 33 years, with over a ten as a superintendent, having served in both small rural and major urban school districts in California's Central Valley! With over 7 years at the helm of Fresno Unified, California's 3rd largest school district, Bob introduces you to incredible educators from across our nation, shares leadership lessons learned, and talks about great local people and places across the Valley! Please invite the educators in your life, along with their family and friends to Listen, comment, and SUBSCRIBE!
In this episode of the Militant Positivity Podcast, host Bob Nelson speaks with Joe Martinez and Claudia Ceballos about their nonprofit initiative, Making Spirits Brighter, which aims to provide a joyful Christmas experience for families in need, particularly those connected to the foster care system. The conversation delves into the origins of the initiative, the selection process for families, the logistics of the event, and the importance of community support and volunteer involvement. They also discuss the future aspirations of the organization and the lasting impact it has on the lives of children and families.
Takeaways:
The initiative has been running for 31 years, impacting over 3,300 children.
Christmas experiences can be profoundly affected by childhood circumstances, especially in foster care.
Community involvement and support are crucial for the success of nonprofit initiatives.
The selection process for families ensures that those in genuine need are served.
Volunteers play a vital role in making the event successful and enjoyable for families.
Sustaining the nonprofit relies heavily on community generosity and funding.
Future plans include expanding the initiative to serve more families and communities.
Personal experiences of the founders highlight the importance of giving back.
The event aims to create lasting memories for families during the holiday season.
Acts of kindness can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to give back.
19 Sept 2024
Episode 11! Meet Jesus Garcia of High Performance Academy!
In this episode of the #MilitantPositivity Podcast, host Bob Nelson interviews Jesus Garcia, founder of High Performance Academy.
They discuss Jesus's journey from a professional soccer player to a youth developer, the challenges he faced growing up, and the mission of his organization to empower youth through sports.
Jesus shares insights on leadership, mentorship, and the importance of community engagement, as well as advice for young people facing challenges. The conversation highlights the transformative power of sports and the impact of High Performance Academy in the Fresno community.
Key Takeaways:
Jesus Garcia emphasizes the importance of community support in youth development.
Sports can serve as a powerful outlet for personal growth and connection.
High Performance Academy aims to empower youth through sports and life skills.
Building relationships and partnerships is crucial for organizational success.
Mentorship plays a vital role in developing future leaders.
Perseverance and teamwork are essential skills learned through sports.
Surrounding oneself with positive influences can shape one's identity.
Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The goal of High Performance Academy is to serve 1 million lives by 2030.
Community engagement is key to addressing the needs of underserved youth.
Quotes:
"Soccer was my outlet."
"We serve over a thousand kids every day."
"Sports empowers individuals and youth."
10 Sept 2024
Episode 10: Incredible Local Author Armida Espinoza!
Armida Espinoza, author of Brave Lolis Learns English, shares her personal journey as a second language learner and the challenges she faced. She emphasizes the importance of changing negative self-talk to positive thoughts and encourages students to be resilient. Armida also advises teachers to listen to their students and have conversations about their struggles, rather than just labeling them as resilient. For parents, she suggests opening up books, reading with their children, and having conversations about their thoughts and fears. Armida's mission is to raise awareness about the challenges students face and promote understanding and support in schools. A must listen for every Valley educator!
6 Sept 2024
Episode 9: Lowell Ens! President and CEO of Exceptional Parents Unlimited in Fresno!
Summary
In this episode of the #MilitantPositivity Podcast, Dr. Bob Nelson interviews Lowell Ens, the leader of Exceptional Parents Unlimited (EPU), an organization that supports families with children facing exceptionality. Lowell shares his background and how he ended up in the nonprofit sector. He explains EPU's mission to guide and strengthen families and children with unique needs through early intervention and supportive services. The conversation covers topics such as the challenges of navigating the special education system, the importance of early intervention, and the need for cultural sensitivity in serving diverse communities. Lowell also shares a heartwarming success story of a father who found support and advocacy through EPU. The episode concludes with ways that listeners can support EPU and get involved in their work.
19 Aug 2024
Episode#8: Dr. Shelley Jones-Holt of Leadership Legacy Consulting!
Dr. Shelley Jones-Holt, CEO of Leadership Legacy Consulting, discusses the importance of reflective leadership and family leadership. She emphasizes the need for leaders to be self-aware and willing to admit their mistakes in order to gain respect from their colleagues.
Dr. Jones-Holt also shares strategies for developing leadership skills in children, including getting to know them as individuals, setting goals, and checking biases. She highlights the significance of addressing tough topics and having open conversations with children in a non-biased and factual manner.
Dr. Jones-Holt shares a story of a teacher who gained a new understanding of African-American history and biases, demonstrating the impact of creating a safe environment for learning and reflection.
Keywords: Leadership, reflective leadership, family leadership, self-awareness, respect, children, goals, biases, tough topics, open conversations, African-American history
Takeaways:
Reflective leadership involves self-awareness and the willingness to admit mistakes.
Developing leadership skills in children requires getting to know them as individuals, setting goals, and checking biases.
Addressing tough topics and having open conversations with children in a non-biased and factual manner is crucial.
Creating a safe environment for learning and reflection can lead to a better understanding of history and biases.
Sound Bites:
"No one who's on this journey is gonna say, oh, it was all peaches and cream and roses and rainbows."
"Clarity is kindness."
"Don't skirt the issues. Let's stick to the facts."
23 Jul 2024
Episode#7: Embracing the Haters! You CAN Lead Well Even When Others Complain!
Summary
In this episode of the Militant Positivity Podcast, Dr. Bob Nelson discusses the importance of not always being liked as a leader. He shares his personal experience of being a chronic people pleaser and how he learned to navigate the challenges of leadership. Dr. Nelson emphasizes the need to prioritize the well-being of children and make decisions that may not always be popular. He advises leaders to ignore negativity and focus on serving others. Ultimately, being disliked by the right people can be a sign of staying true to one's core values.
Takeaways:
Leadership requires accepting that not everyone will like you.
Prioritize the well-being of children and make decisions that align with your core values.
Ignore negativity and focus on serving others.
Being disliked by the right people can be a sign of staying true to your values.
19 Jul 2024
Episode #6: Meet the Amazing Scott Buell, CEO of Drone Legends!
Come meet amazing visionary and human being, Scott Buell, the Founder and CEO of Drone Legends! (And, perhaps more importantly, the self-proclaimed embarrassing drone lacrosse Dad of South Jersey!)
Scott is an incredible leader who left the pharmaceutical grind and followed his passion for drones into a pathway of changing the lives of young people through project-based earning, STEM career exploration, and 21st Century deeper learning!
Scott has created a curriculum for nearly all grades K-12 that changes permanently, how excited kids are about school and how they see themselves and their own abilities! He is actively on the mission of unlocking the "Legend" inherent is EVERY SINGLE CHILD. And we are so thankful that he found the Central Valley early in his drone journey!
And for any adult who feels trapped in their current career path- his is a MUST HEAR story of taking life into one's own hands, and living with joy, passion, and zero regret! An amazing episode with a newly-minted, long-term friend! Thanks Scott, and thanks to our ever-increasing listener base!
14 Jul 2024
Episode #5- Wilma Tom Hashimoto of CASA Fresno/Madera County!
Come partake in this awesome episode in which Wilma and her colleagues at CASA share how they are positively impacting the lives of foster youth across the Valley! Find out what they do to show loving support as well as how you can help- as an advocate, as a donor, or as a full-fledged champion of our kids for whom there in the greatest need... Our kids need love and adults whom they can trust!
And STAY TUNED TO THE END WHERE WILMA LAUNCHES HER BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Remember, you heard it here FIRST and ONLY on the #MilitantPositivity podcast! Thanks for listening, rating, sharing, and subscribing! We continue to grow with your help and engagement! THANK YOU!
6 Jul 2024
Episode #4- It's Crucial to Build Your Brand!!!
We tend to associate "building a brand" with our friends in the private sector, but it is incredibly crucial for educational leaders to build their own brand that can build trust and predictability. People don't follow people whom they don't trust. It is that simple. Why are we likely to have so much angst in the leadup to the 2024 Presidential Election? It's ALL ABOUT STAYING ON BRAND... So come check it out!
3 Jul 2024
Episode #3: Connie Cha and Fresno's Journey of Expanded Learning!
Connie Cha leads a team of 22 leaders who expand the world view of Fresno Students everyday! In collaboration with school counselors and college and career leaders, she helps in providing students in the city of Fresno with life experiences that they would not have by any other means! She is one of the many leaders that makes the Valley great! Come listen to her leadership journey and learn her crucial role in shaping the lives of kids for good!
26 Jun 2024
Episode 2- It All Starts with Self-Awareness!
It is critical for any educator, and any leader in any career sector for that matter, to begin their journey by coming to know themselves better. Good leaders know inherently that they don't have everything figured out. And when they receive feedback from others that may jar them off center a little bit, their first reaction is never to deflect or worse still, to lash back... We all have a need to improve. Here are some practical self-awareness strategies for your consideration. And thanks again for supporting the #MilitantPositivity podcast!
24 Jun 2024
Episode 1- Welcome to the #MilitantPositivity Podcast!
Just taking this opportunity to invite all of you to join me for the #MilitantPositivity Podcast! A couple of times each week, we will meet incredible educators from across our community, state and nation, and to think through some of the necessities in being an educational leader in today's ever-increasingly political world! Unapologetically from California's Central Valley, there is a very high probability we will talk about great food too... Come join us! Share with your friends and family and SUBSCRIBE!
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