Inspiring New Books on Life Lessons from Baron Davis and Jerri Kemble

A conversation hosted by Lisa Schmucki, Founder and CEO of edWeb.net, with Dr. Baron Davis, Former Superintendent and Founder of the Noegenesis Group, and Dr. Jerri Kemble, National Academic Advisor and Evangelist for ClassLink.

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How do busy educators find time to write books on top of everything else they are doing? Dr. Baron Davis and Dr. Jerri Kemble are innovative ed leaders who’ve managed to do that, publishing very creative and inspiring books filled with wisdom and life lessons! In this edWebinar, Lisa Schmucki, Founder and CEO of edWeb, invites educators to join a conversation with Baron and Jerri to kick off the New Year!

Baron’s book, Nana’s World-Famous Red Velvet Cake, is a children’s book about love, family traditions, and life lessons passed down through generations. The story follows a young boy named Miles who spends Saturday mornings baking with his beloved Nana. One special Saturday, they make Nana’s signature red velvet cake, a treasured family recipe. As they bake, Nana teaches Miles not only about ingredients and steps but also imparts meaningful life lessons on patience, preparation, order, attention to detail, overcoming obstacles, kindness, generosity, and most importantly, love. As an adult, Miles recreates the tradition with his own children, sharing Nana’s enduring wisdom.

Buy Nana’s World-Famous Red Velvet Cake here. 

Jerri’s book, The Badass Firefly: Lead with Light, Live with Grit, and Shine with Style and Grace, weaves together stories, sketch notes, and sparks of wisdom with original illustrations that remind us of a simple truth: leadership isn’t about titles, perfection, or volume—it’s about showing up with authenticity, courage, and heart. With humor, vulnerability, and her signature doodle art, Jerri shares lessons from classrooms, boardrooms, and life itself. This is not a manual, it’s a mirror, a window, and a spark. Whether you are leading a team, a classroom, a family, or simply yourself through the next chapter of life, Jerri’s words will inspire you to glow brighter, grow braver, and embrace your own kind of badassery.

Buy The Badass Firefly Effect here.

This recorded edWebinar can be enjoyed by all educators! Join us for a Happy New Year edWebinar.

About the Presenters

Dr. Baron R. Davis is Senior Advisor at Digital Promise, where he champions cutting-edge solutions to address challenges like student absenteeism and rural economic mobility through collaborative innovation practices. Dr. Davis—formerly Superintendent of Richland School District Two—is a transformative educational leader, celebrated humanitarian, and innovative strategist with nearly three decades of experience driving meaningful change in K-12 education and beyond. Dr. Davis is the founder of the Noegenesis Group.

Dr. Jerri Kemble is an accomplished leader in the field of educational technology, best known for her innovative approach and dedication to positive change. Jerri has been honored with several prestigious awards throughout her career, recognizing her seasoned leadership and impact. These accolades include Kansas School Counselor of the Year, eSchool News Tech-Savvy Superintendent, Kansas State University’s Educational Administration Student of the Year, and Technology Leader of the Year by Tech and Learning Magazine. As the National Academic Advisor and Evangelist for ClassLink and co-host of the LinkedUp: Breaking Boundaries in Education podcast, Jerri continues to impact the educational landscape profoundly. Her passion for pushing boundaries and fostering meaningful change shines through in all her endeavors.

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