Inside the Treehouse

Hedreich Nichols is a woman with many talents. Not only has she gifted the music world with her vocal prowess, this international sensation has also devoted much of her professional career to advocating for students and the educators who serve them. 

 Tune in to hear more about Nichols’ experiences as an artist, teacher, award-winning author, and renowned expert in equitable education and ed tech. From the Grammy Awards to the world...

Dr. Cameron Rains doesn’t shy away from digging in to investigate instructional practices that will raise levels of learning for all students. This passion for improving systems and structures to better serve students and teachers defined his former career as an educator and drives his daily work as executive vice president of Solution Tree. 

Join Jeff Jones in a candid conversation with Dr. Rains. As they traverse a range...

Ed Ackerman, president and COO of Solution Tree, sits down with Jeff Jones to talk about how the experiences in his life impacted his journey toward, and passion for, education. 

From humble beginnings growing up in Ohio, Iowa, New York, and South Carolina, then serving as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the army during Desert Storm, Ed’s journey has taken him across the world. Following his time in combat, he was selecte...

Decades ago, educator Bob Eaker began communicating with his fellow teachers and realized there needed to be a mechanism for changing teachers in order to change schools. Collaborating with PLC at Work® originator Rick DuFour, Bob took the principles of the PLC into his own community–and from there, saw dramatic results.

 Listen in as Solution Tree CEO Jeff Jones sits down with Bob to discuss those early days of putting the PLC into...

Claudia Wheatley, author liaison and content specialist for Solution Tree, has experienced the life and culture of people everywhere from the inner city to the farms of Indiana. As a young teacher, Claudia learned the value of education, but was also willing to take risks to ensure student success went beyond just the subject matter. From there, she learned her talents lay in resource development.

 During her prestigious career at S...

Former teacher, school administrator, and district-level leader Tom Schimmer has always felt a drive to impact people—although not always as an educator. As a lifelong sports fan, he first dreamed of coaching. It was only after he began teaching that he developed a passion for the work and embarked on a career in education that has spanned more than 30 years and taken him to 19 different countries.

Tune in to hear how Tom went from ...

Deeply rooted in the culture of Buffalo, New York, William “Bill” M. Ferriter has always felt a need to share his passion for community with the students he teaches. As a young teacher, he took that passion to North Carolina, where he began his career with third-grade students. He then made his way through different grades before finally becoming an eighth-grade science teacher—a position he still holds today.

 A prolific writer and...

From Illinois High School Principal of the Year to one of three National Principal of the Year finalists, Jack Baldermann has been a passionate educational leader for more than 30 years. Born and raised in Chicago, he learned the value of collaboration and hard work from a young age, lessons that he carries with him to this day as principal of Westmont High School and a Solution Tree PLC at Work® expert.

 Follow his journey from hig...

For both Mike Mattos and Anthony Muhammad, discovering the PLC at Work® process completely changed how they view education. Now, years later, they’re not just believers in its transformative power—they’re proud advocates whose new book, Revisiting Professional Learning Communities at Work®, is an essential read for any educator who is serious about PLCs.

In this recorded Facebook Live chat, you’ll learn more about Mike and Anthony’s...

To the education field, Eric Twadell is superintendent of Adlai E. Stevenson District 125, which is often considered the birthplace of the PLC movement. But to the people closest to him, Eric is a proud husband and father, a former Boy Scout, an avid snow skier, and an enthusiastic Peloton user.

Discover how an “average” student from Illinois became an education expert who brought change to one of the most recognized and c...

Award-winning educator, celebrated author, and sought-after consultant Timothy D. Kanold is a national thought leader in mathematics. But it wasn't always a smooth, easy road to success.  

Listen as Dr. Kanold describes overcoming the challenges of his past, from struggling with school and homelessness as a child to dealing with poverty and isolation early in his teaching career. Discover how key mentors and family helped guide...

With 46 years in the publishing industry, Solution Tree Publisher Douglas Rife is no stranger to the book biz. Besides heading up our press efforts, he’s also President of Solution Tree International, an avid blogger, published author, and gravestone aficionado.  

Discover Mr. Rife’s fascinating story, including family tales, cemetery adventures, and how he’s seen the publishing game change over time.

You can find education...

When she isn’t writing books or coaching educators, you’ll most likely find Dr. Tina Boogren hitting the pavement, riding the Peloton, and prioritizing her own well-being. A long-time Solution Tree and Marzano Resources associate, Tina has spent her career serving others...uncovering her true passion for professional wellness along the way. 

Listen as this self-proclaimed “gold star junkie” shares her journey to becoming a self-care...

Captivating audiences everywhere with his charisma, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more vibrant speaker and educator than Dr. Luis Cruz. Teacher, principal, writer, presenter... Luis has donned many titles over the years, but none compare to the one he holds now: cultural champion. Embracing his Latino heritage and diverse upbringing, Luis has pursued his passion for equity, making it his mission to ensure students of color, low-...

Solution Tree’s Vice President of Professional Development Shannon Ritz has built herself quite the resume. With 20 years under her belt, Shannon’s tenure at the Tree rivals even that of CEO Jeff Jones. From coaching a national champion cheerleading team to growing Solution Tree’s PD from the ground up, Shannon is a phenomenal leader who helps educators make a difference daily. Tune in for an inside look at how Solution Tree’s PD w...

From facilitating workshops to finding innovative solutions, Cassandra Erkens embodies a true teaching professional. When she’s not spending time with her three kids or finding local treasures from each city she visits, Erkens is working hard to reinvent the assessment wheel. As a founding member and leader of the Solution Tree Assessment Center, Cassie is all about leveraging testing as an inspirational tool to drive achievement. ...

Dr. Robert J. Marzano, Cofounder and Chief Academic Officer of Marzano Resources, guides us through his life-long path to educational research and how his hard work, perseverance, and dedication to his career has influenced thousands of educators around the world. You’ll hear how Bob, a well-known “rockstar” in the field of education - with more than 50 years of experience, 50 books published, and more than 200 articles written - w...

Dr. Philip B. Warrick was named 2005 Nebraska State High School Principal of the Year, 2004 Nebraska Secondary School Principals Region One Principal of the Year, and 1998 Nebraska Outstanding New Principal of the Year and Nebraska Secondary School Principals Region One Assistant Principal of the Year, just to name a few of his professional accolades.

In our newest episode, Phil talks about finding his path to school leade...