Aspire to Lead

NCMLE Bonus: Connection, Anxiety, & Student Engagement with Charlie Peck, Gretchen Bridgers, and Vernon Wright

April 17, 2026·19 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Recorded live at NCMLE, Joshua Stamper sits down with Charlie Peck, Gretchen Bridgers, and Vernon Wright to talk about their presentations, their current projects, and the power of connection at a conference built on learning and community. Charlie shares practical tools for addressing anxiety and avoidance, Gretchen focuses on the essentials of instruction, and Vernon explores influence, action, and what it means to be a coachable leader. About Charle Peck Charle Peck is the co-creator of Thriving School Community, a revolutionary program designed for schools to improve mental health. She holds an MS in Education and an MS in Social Work as a 20+ year veteran in education (K-12). As a global keynote speaker, she delivers powerful messages of hope to educators and facilitates meaningful professional development. Charle successfully equips school staff with practical tools to mitigate teacher burnout and the youth mental health crisis providing relief to schools all across the country. Her unique lens as a high school teacher turned clinical therapist specializing in trauma makes her stories relevant and captivating to educators struggling in today’s system. You can purchase her book “Improving School Mental Health: The Thriving School Community Solution” on Amazon and connect with her on X @CharlePeck. Follow Charle Peck Website: www.ThrivingEducator.orgTwitter: https://twitter.com/CharlePeckFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlepeckconsulting?mibextid=LQQJ4dLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlepeck/Other: charle@thrivibgeducator.orgPodcast: The Language of Behavior https://www.amazon.com/Improving-School-Mental-Health-Community/dp/B0BTS3MN2P?crid=EIKAGWZ4V006&keywords=charle+peck&qid=1705780803&sprefix=charle+peck%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=6456f4f1bc2440be71d094a5d14656a4&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl About Gretchen Bridgers Over the last two decades, Gretchen has passionately taught elementary students, mentored and coached educators, led professional development experiences for school building staff, written three books, and presented at district and national conferences as the owner of Always A Lesson. Her impact continues to amplify serving educators worldwide through her blog, Empowering Educators podcast, classroom resources, professional development courses and leadership coaching cohorts. Follow Gretchen Bridgers Website: https://alwaysalesson.comX: https://x.com/gschultek/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY7FCBzm0vfTYV1YMjq51kAIG: https://www.instagram.com/always.a.lesson/ https://www.amazon.com/Always-Lesson-Teacher-Essentials-Classroom/dp/1394158807?crid=2Q0FMBRPWJ11Z&keywords=always+a+lesson+%2B+bridgers&qid=1692639966&sprefix=always+a+lesson+%2B+bridgers%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll2&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=65f6fe9bd3c35f1975fdad89e40d9b05&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl About Vernon Wright Vernon Wright is an entrepreneur, veteran speaker, consultant, and life coach with 16 years of experience in various roles in leadership. He is the founder of ZeroApologyZone.com As a speaker and consultant, Vernon has shared his experiences numerous times over the years at the local, regional, state, national, and global levels. Vernon has brought his unique style and combination of insight, experience, humor, and authenticity to audiences whether in person or virtually. He knows that real change begins when we become "fully sold" on our own visions, and when we create a vision for that impact to manifest and elevate others. Vernon has collaborated literally across the world with some of the biggest names in educational leadership and entrepreneurial pursuits. Vernon has an established presence on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube (@TheWrightLeader), and he unabashedly stands as a voice for the people with no apologies. Vernon welcomes you to the #ZeroApologyZone. Follow Vernon Wright Website:TheWrightLeader.comX: https://x.com/thewrightleaderIG: https://www.instagram.com/thewrightleader/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thewrightleader/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmwPShQkY62AHzYZTjdmgH1AReEZxl1fo — #1 New Release, "The Language of Behavior" is NOW Available! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVT32KQ1?&linkCode=ll1&tag=aspirewebsite-20&linkId=d18e5a44a6582a22d15ee23193af7bb8&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl The Language of Behavior is an essential guide for school leaders committed to transforming their school culture an

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