Meet Nick and Matt

Welcome to our new website! We're glad you're here!

Our Mission

We know that there are a lot of great things happening in education, all over our nation. Our goal with this blog and podcast is to help connect educators in schools and classrooms with those who are moving the needle to help kids in effective and innovative ways. We'll use this site to share our ideas, our random thoughts, and our conversations with you. Subscribe to our updates and visit with us often!

You're probably wondering who we are... 

Dr. Nick Sutton

Dr. Nick Sutton 

Nick Sutton is in his 13th year as an educator, and always considered himself a "middle school guy." While a former 6th, 7th, and 8th grade teacher he then transitioned into building principal and now a district superintendent. Nick earned his doctorate from Western Illinois University researching the correlational relationship between instructional strategies and school climate. He is the proud recipient of the 2018 Western Illinois University Young Alumni Award, 2016 Illinois Principal Association Western Region Principal of the Year, and has published articles within different avenues in the education field.

Nick's primary passion in public education has become professional development and research within best practices. He has two perfect daughters, and loves to participate within all of their activities when he is not working. Nick can be reached through his twitter account @DrNickSutton

Matt Jacobson

Matt Jacobson 

Self-proclaimed nerd, Matt Jacobson is a 26-year veteran teacher, Google-Certified Educator, Instructional Technology Coach, former Educational Specialist with the Association of Illinois Middle Level Schools at the University of Illinois. Along with Nick, he is also a co-founder of the annual Whatever It Takes Conference. Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in Geography Education from Western Illinois University, Macomb, and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education - Middle Level Education, from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston.

Matt is a farm boy at heart who is passionate about giving a voice to rural educators through professional learning and helping underserved rural students realize their amazing futures through technology integration and creative problem solving.

When he's not working, blogging, or podcasting, Matt helps manage his family's farm in western Illinois. A history buff, he reads historical fiction and helps coordinate the Illinois Hand Cornhusking Association and annual Contest. You can find Matt on Twitter @YodaMatt68