Out In The Hall

This week Keri and Tim chat with our old friend Kristina Ellis. Kristina is fortunate enough to have seen much of Early Childhood Education from different angles. First working for a highly regarded Head Start grantee in Oklahoma, then a stint with NSHA where she helped launched the Academy, and most recently with a childcare program where she spends her day’s chasing grants. She is always delightful.

This week Keri and Tim sit down with parent engagement specialist Mills Rodgers to talk about the importance of fathers in children’s lives. Early Childhood professionals may need a different tack when working with fathers and Mills has some ideas. Listen in.

This week Keri and Tim speak with one of Head Start favorite writers, educators, and lavender farmers; Erin Ramsey. Erin takes us through some important exercises to get you through your day and re-energize your spirit. You will love her like we do.

Policy Council is one of the three legs of governance for Head Start, and this week, Keri and Tim chat with Ashley about her journey. Ashley, who later joined the board of directors, shares a special perspective on what she learned and how Head Start boosted her confidence to reach new heights. It’s a truly insightful conversation.

You’ve probably seen Dr. Bergeron’s work with the NHSA Academy. We’re excited to welcome her this week as she shares some stories from her time as Director of the Office of Head Start and how she embraces any great idea.

Keri and Tim sit down with NHSA’s own Deputy Director, Tommy Sheridan. We discuss the year the that was, the bright spots ( that didn’t seem that bright at the time), and why when the Head Start community comes together we are a tremendous force. Tommy reminds us our mission is more important than ever. Find out more.

Keri and Tim discuss their declining mental health with expert therapist Donna Motte. Donna has a long history in Head Start and helps us look at what’s going on for us and families. You know, it will probably work out. Join us.

Keri and Tim share a, too quick, conversation with our long time friend Dru O’Connor. Dru has a thirty-plus history in Head Start and sees every day the impact that staff have on children and parent…and she is big part of the NHSA conferences Dream Team.

Keri and Tim sit down with Ashley Willams, a new program director and Head Start alumni, as she talks about her journey and experience with her FA1 review that she just had and how system building is the key to everything Also, we all hate copiers.

Some of the fundamental issues with Head Start or any pre-k program are the policies that govern and fund it. Keri and Tim discuss this with author and policy expert Dan Wuori. We dive in to what he is thinking and what may be ahead.

Welcome to 2026! Keri and Tim kick off the new year talking to Cara Tyrrell, an early childhood linguist and trainer that is concentrating on how what we say impacts the child in front of us. This is an eye opening conversation. We can't wait for her book this spring.

This week, Keri and Tim are chatting with Isabelle Hau, a true pioneer in early childhood education. Besides her exciting new book, Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education, Isabelle is also the head of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning. This discussion about her fascinating work with kids and technology sparks some new insights.

BOOM!!!! Join Keri and Tim where we talk to Dr. El Brown. Dr. El just gave the keynote speech at NHSA’s Parent and Family Engagement Conference and literally blew the socks off everyone. Then she did the same thing in the podcast with us. Please listen to this extraordinary light for Head Start. Discover the BOOM!!!!

Keri and Tim meet with Zuly Vasquez, who leads NHSA's CDA efforts. Learn about how she handles this very important aspect of Head Start certification and a bit about her. You will love her too!

Chuck is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, a Marine Corp helicopter pilot who has flown two presidents, a hugely successful businessman and Head Start Alumni. Hear his story and his message to all Head Start staff in they weeks Out in the Hall Podcast

Keri and Tim talk about the vibe in Head Start right now. We explore Keri's theory that various demands and pressures of Early Childhood Education make us smarter. Lastly, Keri issues a challenge to all Head Starters right in time for the Holidays!

Stuart Jones, the founder of Acorn Learning, a company closely tied with success in Head Start, discusses in this week’s episode how we can all take pride in our work and overcome obstacles. It's not that we don't know; it's that we don't know yet! A great listen. Note: I am still struggling to get a good sound, so apologies to everyone - Tim

This week, Keri and Tim talk to long-time Head Start hero Larry Campbell. Larry has a long and broad history in program operations and now coaches other program leaders. Larry is also one of the kindest persons to talk to and reminds us how Head Start attracts the very best people.

Pre-k is all about the little ones, but guess what? The biggest part of that is the parents! We all know that Head Start’s family services are our secret weapon. This week, we’re chatting with Sharon Lyons and Joyce Morman from Tennessee and Georgia about how they’ve been bringing the whole family into the fold for years.

Keri and Tim talk with NHSA's Victoria Jones. Victoria talks about how her work surfacing data empowers programs to tell their stories and to make their decisions. If you hate the thought of collecting or analyzing data listen in.

At the Fall Leadership Institute Keri and Tim managed to sit down with Chris, Jen, Larry, Vicky, Linda, and Tommy and talk about how they started and what gets them and keeps them going. This was very fun.

Keri and Tim talk to, the awesome, Ann Linehan. Ann has had a long career in early childhood education leading to the some of the highest positions in the Office of Head Start. Listen to how she got here and what goes in D.C.

This week is a quick second episode. Keri has had a tough week and is reminded that so many other Head Starters are as well. She talks a lot about our collective sense of pressure and some of how she copes...and the importance of friends.

Life in the classroom. We talk to RUCD's Taylor Edwards who has a long history with Keri. She explains how to get what you need from your director. Keri talks about some of their shared experiences.

This is the first episode of Out in the Hall. Join as Keri Allred and Tim Oppenheim introduce themselves and try to give everyone a sense about what is to come. Like all origin stories we talk about how we met and what we think about Head Start.